Mumbai: New Maharashtra Chief Minister
Prithviraj Chavan, who took charge in the shadow of raging
Adarsh housing society scam in the state, on Thursday parried
questions related to the issue at his first press meet and
pleaded to wait for the inquiry to get over in the case.
"An inquiry has been ordered into the matter so it is
not correct to speak now," he told reporters at Mantralaya
(state secretariat) after taking oath at Raj Bhavan.
Chavan was replying to a query on whether action would
be taken against bureaucrats involved in the scam, in which
rules were allegedly bent to allot flats, built in name of
Kargil war widows, to civil servants, politicians` kin and top
defence officers.
"The decision to take action against officials can be
taken only after the completion of the inquiry," said Chavan,
who took charge from Ashok Chavan who resigned over his
alleged role in the housing scam.
On expansion of his Cabinet, the Chief Minister said he
would discuss it with senior Congress leaders in the next 2-3
days and go to Delhi for final approval.
Assuring transparent administration in the state, the
technocrat-turned Congress politician said there are some key
issues that need urgent attention, while others require
long-term planning.
He stressed on providing good education, employment
opportunities and housing to all in the state.
"I see a huge disparity in the society. Some people are
millionaire, while others are grappling with malnutrition.
Everyone should get education, employment and a house, and
that is the challenge for the Government," Chavan said.
Recalling 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai, the former
Union Minister said the menace of terrorism is far from over.
New Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was
accompanying Chavan, said his long experience in Maharashtra
politics would be useful in tackling the issues.
"The people have huge expectations from me. The state
faces a variety of issues, ranging from agriculture to slums
in Mumbai. With my earlier experience I would try to solve the
problems," the NCP leader said.
PTI
