Team Fadnavis aims to restore Maharashtra's lost glory

Devendra Fadnavis and Co are focusing on power, roads, water and revival of economy

After forming the government in Maharashtra, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to take a slew of policy decisions to implement its vision, with special focus on the five sectors it had discussed in the run-up to the Assembly elections.

The vision statement , released ahead of voting, focuses on five critical sectors — power, agriculture, education, employment and women’s security. A road map to implement the vision was discussed on Wednesday by the chief minister-designate, Devendra Fadnavis, with the core team comprising Eknath Khadse, Vinod Tawde, Sudhir Mungantiwar and Pankaja Munde-Palwe.

Fadnavis has earlier announced his government would try to make budgetary allocations for power, road and water sectors.

BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar, who will take the oath of office and secrecy on Friday, told Business Standard, “It will be the state government’s objective to put inclusive development on the fast track. Our vision document has already been released. The government will take necessary policy decisions to implement it.”

He said decisions to help revive the state’s economy and regain its glory would be taken on a priority basis.

Another BJP leader, who did not want to be named, said the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) government failed to stop power cuts in Maharashtra despite repeated promises.

“It is unfortunate that even after 54 years, the state has power cuts and load-shedding. The government will attempt to streamline and upgrade power plants to ensure higher generation and reduce rates, which are higher in comparison to other competing states like Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh,” he added.

As far as the Congress-NCP dominated cooperative sector is concerned, the BJP leader said the government will focus on its modernisation and, thereby, make the cooperative institutions accountable and financially organised. Special provisions will be made to punish corrupt officials and directors of these units.

On the now-infamous irrigation sector, BJP plans to expedite the incomplete projects. This entails an investment of Rs 85,000 crore. The government plans to order a fresh inquiry into the Rs 70,000-crore irrigation scam.

The new government would also abolish local body tax which is opposed by traders. Instead it would put in place an industry-savvy alternative cess.

Greetings and blessings for Fadnavis