Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the state government has drawn up a comprehensive roadmap for the power sector for the next 25 years and has promised to cut electricity tariffs in the next two years.
“The government’s focus will be on the transformation of Maharashtra through balanced development and growth in agriculture, industrial, infrastructure and social sectors,” Fadnavis said at a ‘meet the press’ event in Nagpur.
From opposition politics and alliance work to Vidarbha development and cyber crime challenges, Fadnavis spoke on various issues and also weighed in on “lessons learned from past mistakes”.
Responding to a question about being targeted by his opponents, Fadnavis said, “I am sure they will do some introspection as they realize that they have not gained anything by targeting stupidly. Instead people have trusted us (in the assembly elections) by giving us a big mandate.”
‘I am not used to manipulation politics,’ he added. I believe in creative politics. My approach has always been focused on progress and positivity,” he said. “I will never let power go to my head…neither in the past, nor in the future. I have been cared for in an institution where we were taught that power is for service,” Fadnavis added.
Acknowledging the obvious, Fadnavis also spoke of learning from “past mistakes”. “I will move forward. Wherever I feel I have made a wrong decision, I will admit it and correct it. I have done it in the past as well,” he said.
Reiterating his government’s resolve to address regional imbalances by accelerating development in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions along with the rest of Maharashtra, Fadnavis said, “We will ensure justice to the entire state. When I became CM for the first time in 2014, the opposition in western Maharashtra feared that Vidarbha would get more priority and their There was a fear of neglecting the region, but during my five-year tenure from 2014 to 2019, it proved that Vidarbha, All long pending cases in Marathwada, Western and North Maharashtra and Konkan were taken up on equal priority and fast track.
The river-linking projects will bring 1 million hectares of land under irrigation in Vidarbha, Fadnavis said, benefiting seven districts in the region.
“Gadchiroli will become the next steel city of the country. The Naxal menace will be dealt with firmly,” Fadnavis vowed, indicating that he wants to retain Gadchiroli’s guardian minister post.
“With great mandate comes responsibilities… We promise transparency and accountability,” Fadnavis said.
Fadnavis also spoke about the challenges of tackling cybercrime. “With bold reforms, Maharashtra will ensure that the intentions of miscreants who misuse advanced technology to commit fraud are effectively addressed. With the use of artificial intelligence and technology, we will address these issues with awareness campaigns,” Fadnavis said.
“With the Center sanctioning 20 lakh houses under PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana), Maharashtra is the state with the largest package. So far, 2.6 lakh have been registered,” he said, adding that shelters for the poor, farmers and homeless would soon be built.
Fadnavis also spoke about how the three grand alliance partners were working as a team. “All decisions are taken collectively,” he said.
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