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Maharashtra governor promises to protect minorities

Maharashtra Governor Dr P C Alexander on Friday said the secular government would revive the State Minorities Commission and adopt policies that foster a sense of safety and belonging among the minorities.

Delivering a joint address to the two Houses of the state legislature, Dr Alexander, amidst applause from ruling members, said the government will also identify a suitable agency to suggest measures for the economic upliftment of minorities.

The Common Minimum Programme, to be shortly formulated by the constituent parties of the Lok Shahi Aghadi based on their election manifestos, will be taken up for implementation, he said. Further, the government will restore to the local self-governing institutions the administrative powers that had been withdrawn from them in the recent past. The co-operative movement has played a key role in the economic development of the state, the governor continued, and the state will make all efforts to safeguard the autonomy of the co-operative institutions and to revitalise them.

Dr Alexander said the government would pay special attention to the development of irrigation potential in the state. Modern techniques of drip and sprinkler cultivation will be further propagated, he said.

In pursuance of the Bachhawat Commission recommendations, efforts will be made for the timely completion of the Krishna Valley Project. Projects with the Vidarbha Irrigation Corporation, Marathwada Godavari Irrigation Corporation and Konkan Irrigation Corporation will also be expedited, he added.

Due attention will be given to the resettlement of project affected persons, he said, adding that the state will strive to ensure reliable, uninterrupted and stable electricity supply to the farmers.

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