CM asks citizens to fight terrorism

With memories of the serial blasts on commuter trains still fresh in the people's minds, Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has asked citizens to pledge to fight terrorism.

"Maharashtra has always overcome problems due to terrorist attacks, as well as natural calamities and will remain the economic and industrial destination of the country," Deshmukh said in his Independence Day message.

To make Mumbai a global city, the state government has taken up several important tasks like the first phase of Metro project, road widening, development of Dharavi, Mithi river, beautification of Marine Drive and repair of old buildings, Deshmukh said.

The state government is working to provide relief to the flood-affected of the Vidarbha, Khandesh, Marathwada and western-Maharashtra regions, he said. Medical teams have been dispatched to the flood-ravaged areas to check spread of epidemics.

The chief minister said in view of frustration among the farmers of the Vidarbha region, the Centre has not only declared a package of Rs 3750 crore but the Prime Minister is himself monitoring the implementation of the package.

He said the state continues to attract investments from industrial giants.

Decisions for social justice like implementation of schemes for SCs and STs, a budgetary provision of Rs 1100 crore and Rs 900 crore have been made according to their population.

Scholarship amount to the backward classes has been doubled, the chief minister said.

Deshmukh announced construction of Babasaheb Ambedkar Samajik Nyaya Bhavans in each district to house all offices under the social justice department.

A human development mission has been set up to raise the human development index of backward districts for better implementation of welfare schemes, he said.

The chief minister hoisted the national flag at the Mantralaya.