Finance
Desperately seeking additional revenue sources
After some smooth sailing in November, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has been caught in a ripple in December. The State treasury is running short of nearly Rs 300 crore.
With the closure of mining, the State suffered a loss of around Rs 1,000 crore; however during Manohar Parrikar’s time it managed, despite the ban, to earn nearly Rs 800 crore through the e-auction of iron ore, stamp duty collection on renewal of mining leases and land conversion fees. Apart from this 1000-crore loss in 24 months, the State faces a loss of nearly Rs 150 crore every month due to slashing of petrol prices by Rs 11 (a campaign promise of BJP-led government).
While Parrikar concentrated on mobilizing additional revenue generation sources, without burdening the aam admi, through an increase in stamp duty and infrastructure tax, Parsekar planning falls short. Sources said the Chief Minister will soon meet with Parrikar to plan additional resource mobilization.
With less than two weeks to Christmas, and salaries to be released to government servants and monetary benefits to beneficiaries of various social schemes, the government needs a whopping Rs 300 crore in its treasury in the next few days.
As per information, Rs 185 crore is required to pay salaries of employees along with another 40 crore for pension and Rs 10 crore for the dearness allowance. Similarly, the government has to shell out Rs 26 crore under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS), Rs 15 crore on the Griha Adhar Scheme and Rs 10 crore to mining affected people apart from meeting other pending bills.
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Mining
Mining legalese could bury CM with work
The department that will take up most of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s time is mining. With two crucial persons – former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Principal Secretary Mines Pawan Kumar Sain – now in Delhi and Mines Director Prasanna Acharya going on a year’s study leave from January 1, next year, Parsekar is under tremendous pressure to find a solution to the issue and begin mining operations.
Parsekar has been holding a series of meetings with Secretary (additional charge) Amjad Tak and Acharya on the legal and other aspects of mining, basically trying to understand the entire issue.
Parrikar, an IITian, spent two-and-a-half years studying and understanding the complex laws and rules regulating iron ore mining. Parsekar, who had not so much as glanced at the issue, will now have to put in hours of work just to know every rule that governs the mining industry. Parsekar is on record stating that he will take over a month to study the subject.
Currently the Mines Department is moving ahead with whatever directions had been given by Parrikar during the period he held the portfolio. It has signed 12 lease agreements and is in the process of issuing lease renewal orders in the case of eight more mines.
The toughest task before Parsekar is resumption of mining activity at the earliest, a proper policy to curb illegalities and capping of iron ore production per annum.
Recovery of losses from mining firms and criminal and civil action against violators are other major challenges in the department. There is also need to make a strong representation before the Supreme Court, but in this he can rely on Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni.
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Education
MoI is a tough chapter in the teacher’s favourite subject
Education should be Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s favourite portfolio. A teacher himself, he has now focused on improving the quality of education at the primary level. Since assuming office, Parsekar has held three meetings with officials of the Directorate of Education, including a full-fledged presentation on the education system and the government’s approach towards it.
Officials say that the Chief Minister is currently focusing on improving the primary education system and though, there have been no directions issued yet, he has expressed his views on the matter, which could be put in place after proper consultation with the stakeholders.
At meetings, the Chief Minister has reiterated the need to change the Midday Meal menu by including some protein items, but a formal direction in this regard is yet to be issued.
The major issue before Parsekar would be to settle the controversies surrounding the Medium of Instruction (MoI) policy. The bill, drafted by the Manohar Parrikar-led government has been sent to the State Assembly’s Select Committee which is chaired by Parsekar.
While Parrikar did not have a single meeting of the Select Committee, Parsekar too is yet to touch the issue.
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Home
Increasing crime keeps CM, cops busy
A spate of burglaries reported in the last one month has kept the cops on their toes, and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar a little busy with a series of meetings with the police brass.
With the Opposition criticizing Parsekar over the police failure in tackling the law and order situation, the rising thefts, robberies and dacoities, the Chief Minister directed the police to increase patrolling and investigate the cases thoroughly.
Following these directions, the police have increased night patrolling with the deployment of an additional 75 personnel each in both districts. As per information, in the last one-and-half month, 47 thefts, 52 small thefts, five major robberies and two dacoities were reported across the State.
Apart from this, ahead of the Christmas and New Year rush, the Chief Minister announced the formation of an anti-terrorist squad for the State. The 110-personnel strong force has been trained by Maharashtra Police in various aspects including intelligence gathering.
Ensuring women safety, the Chief Minister directed police to have a special desk for women complainants in police stations. He reiterated the former Chief Minister’s promise to recruit 300 women personnel, including 79 lady police sub inspectors.
