BJP promises transparency; says will weed out corruption

Assures that government won't be vindictive and with malafide intention

Newly sworn in Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced that the state government will bring in Right to Services and Citizens' Charter so that members of public will be entitled to get services in a time bound manner. ''There will be legal recourse whereby citizens will be empowered to initiate action against erring government officials. On the lines of provisions of Right to Information, under the Right to Service tribunal and upper authorities will be established to pursue their cases,'' Fadnavis told reporters after chairing maiden cabinet meeting at the Mantralaya.

Fadnavis said a committee headed by the state chief secretary Swadhin Khastriya has been formed and it has been asked to submit a draft report within a month to the cabinet. ''It will be our effort to table Right to Services bill in the state legislature during winter session. This is one of the crucial steps to provide transparent, efficient and pro-development government. The government is committed to inclusive growth,'' he noted.

Right to Services is to signal that BJP led government is quite serious to fulfill its poll promise to empower citizens and curb corruption in the state. He also announced that the government, as promised during poll campaign, will initiate inquiry into the alleged multi crore irrigation scam and various other corruption cases. ''However, there won't be malafide intention and the government will not be vindictive,'' he noted.

On the current state of finances, Fadnavis said his government will need a whopping Rs 52,000 crore to implement a number of decisions taken by the Congress-NCP government in the run up to the assembly election. ''Some of those decisions are a non starter. The cabinet today decided to hold department wise review to look into its present status and the requirement of funds. Cabinet will take a call how many schemes to be discontinued or implemented as announced by the previous government,'' he added. He informed that the government has plan to bring in a white paper on the present state of finances and state economy. However, the decision will be taken in  due course of time.

Fadnavis declared that it will be the state government's attempt to regain Maharashtra's past glory. ''We are in favour of healthy and fair competition among states. The government will make all efforts to restore Maharashtra's pre-eminence,'' he opined.

On the regional imbalance, Fadnavis avoided to make comment on Vidarbha statehood. Instead, he announced that the government will focus on achieving regional balance. Fadnavis, who comes from second capital Nagpur in the Vidarbha region, has never hidden his support for the formation of a separate Vidarbha state. BJP has also indicated that it was in favour of a smaller states but refrained from its commitment to the assembly poll promise to avoid any controvery and attract criticism from former ally Shiv Sena.

On revival of alliance with Shiv Sena, Fadnavis said talks are under way between two parties to ensure Shiv Sena's support to the government and the induction of their members in the cabinet.

He informed that the allotment of portfolios to newly sworn in ministers including himself will be announced on Saturday.