Prithviraj Chavan promises ‘clean, transparent’ administration

MUMBAI - Maharashtra’s new Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan Thursday said he would strive to provide “a clean and transparent administration” but declined to commit whether any tainted leaders would be accommodated in the cabinet or speak on the Adarsh society scam.

To a query on the scam, which claimed the scalp of his predecessor Ashok Chavan, Chavan said that since a probe is already underway it would not be proper to comment on the issue.

However, he assured that any action would be initiated only after the outcome of the probe in the matter.

Addressing their maiden press conference in Mantralaya here after the swearing-in ceremony, Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that public expectations were running “very high,” but they would not desist from taking “tough decisions”.

Chavan said that he would be going to New Delhi to consult the Congress central leadership and start the cabinet formation process from Monday.

When asked whether any tainted leaders would be accommodated in the cabinet, Chavan sidestepped the issue.

“I shall strive to ensure that the ministry has a clean image,” was all he said.

When asked about his priorities, Chavan said that the state is plagued by many problems but listed education, employment opportunities and better health facilities for all the people in the state.

“We have all the resources, now we have to ensure that it is properly channelized to achieve the targets. The country is progressing at a fast pace and we must keep up with it. We shall work on it with determination from day One,” he said.

Besides, Chavan said he would concentrate on solving the problems of malnutrition, housing and energy shortages, provide good infrastructure and carry out improvements in the agriculture sector.

Pawar said that it was an honour for the state which was born with a Chavan (Y.B. Chavan) leading it, and now another Chavan heading it in its golden jubilee year.

Vowing to work towards fulfilling peoples’ aspiration, he said that he would examine the varied problems afflicting the state in different areas.

“For instance, the farmers are facing the problems of an extended monsoon which has resulted in crop damage, while Mumbai slums are a cause of concern as also the problems of infrastructure development,” Pawar said.

He expressed hope that the new chief minister’s long experience in the prime minister’s office would prove to be an advantage for pushing the state on the path to progress.