Pawar to tutor NCP ministers on good governance

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar will address party MLAs tomorrow to educate them on how to improve their performance, make quick decision and refrain from corruption.

The NCP supremo is also expected to brief the gathering on Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan’s clean image and how they could help him govern the state, while coordinating with the party organisation.

Ten NCP legislators were sworn in on November 11, while 10 others would take the oath of office and secrecy tomorrow.

NCP state unit chief Madhukar Pichad confirmed that a meeting has been convened by Pawar but refused to divulge further details. However, an NCP executive committee member told Business Standard, “Pawar wants that NCP ministers should concentrate on their ministerial jobs and not on amassing wealth for themselves. The party needs money but it should not be mobilised through excesses. Pawar to ministers is expected to tell his party men to follow this in true spirit or face the axe.”

The leader said Pawar had already expressed his displeasure about his men neglecting the party organisation and its functioning. Instead, ministers were busy making their fortunes. “This will not be tolerated in future. Pawar would ask NCP ministers to be careful in discharging their duties especially when Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has already accorded priority for transparency in governance and administration. The party should not be defamed due to their wrong doing or involvement in corruption.”

He said the ministers’ performance would be reviewed regularly and those who fail to perform would be axed. “Already the party is under tremendous pressure to induct several hard working legislators but due to limitations on the number of ministerial berths it cannot give them a chance. If any minister fails to comply with their duties, he or she would be shown the door to give chance to the others.”