Sonia speech backs Chavan

New Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has got a bost from party president Sonia Gandhi’s call at the All India Congress Committee plenary for exemplary action against corruption.

After becoming CM on November 11, he had announced an inquiry into the Adarsh housing scam under the Commission of Inquiry Act. Besides, Chavan, selected by Sonia for his clean image, also announced a probe into various scams involving land and misappropriation of funds across the state.

Chavan became CM after the resignation of Ashok Chavan for alleged involvement in the Adarsh scam.

Chavan told Business Standard: “The government is totally committed for development of Maharashtra. I welcome project development in every sector and I strongly feel project developers should make a reasonable profit but not an excess one. The government will be transparent in land allotment and be careful so that its utilization will be done in a judicious manner. The government is resolved to bring in transparency in the administration and take strong measures to fight corruption.”

He has also indicated his government would not tolerate project developers bypassing the stipulated environment and other development norms. His statement comes at a time when the ministry of environment and forests has issued a stop-work order to Lavasa Corporation in developing a hill city. The Central Bureau of Investigation and the army have also launched separate probes into the Adarsh scam.