Maharashtra CM’s wishlist: Surplus power, no farmer suicides

On the golden jubilee of Maharashtra’s formation, chief minister Ashok Chavan has his roadmap for the state laid out. By 2012, he promises to turn the power-deficient state into a power surplus one. In the next five years, he plans to deliver 10 lakh affordable houses, and ensure four per cent growth in agriculture.

It may be easier said than done, but the CM is aware that his performance will be under greater scrutiny now and he has to deliver. “I am going to unravel the vision documents department-wise. The emphasis is going to be on expediting the projects which are in progress in key sectors like power, irrigation, infrastructure, health and housing,” he told DNA.

With the state under national spotlight for the rigid anti-migrant stand of a few political parties, Chavan made his position on the issue clear. “The right to move freely in the country is enshrined in the constitution. Moreover, it (migration) is a global phenomenon,” he said.

The CM’s vision takes the issue of farmers’ suicides seriously. “The decline (in number of farmers ending their lives) is not satisfactory. The biggest challenge for us is to ensure that there is not a single such incident in the state,” he said.

Chavan said he would play a proactive role to resolve the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute. “My government will ensure justice is done to Marathi-speaking people living in Karnataka,” he said.