Mumbai, March 19: Barging protocol formalities and providing ultra modern security cover for him, the Congress-led Democratic Front government has no role during US President Bill Clinton's 12-hour visit to the metropolis.As a part of protocol formalities, Governor P C Alexander, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal will meet Clinton at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on March 24.``As per the approved itinerary, we have absolutely no role in Cliton's visit. Since the high-level meeting is being held in the city, we will associate ourselves with the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has organised a meeting of leading industrialists,'' a senior official said.Initially, there was a proposal to make a presentation before the visiting US President from the point of industrial investment, but, so far, the proposal has not been cleared. ``We always feel that we should tell the world that Maharashtra is a destination for them and in that direction, we were making efforts,'' the official said.He said as per the norms prescribed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), any presentation to be made to the visiting heads of the state, has to be approved by the MEA. Subsequently, it is the responsibility of the MEA to take up the proposal with the respective country for necessary action.``We were trying our level best. In fact, we had taken up our case with the MEA for appropriate action, but we were told that there is no such practice of making presentation before Clinton,'' the official added.Under such circumstances, the official said the Congress-led Democratic Front government is left with three options. Firstly, request the FICCI to allow the government to make a brief presentation, secondly, during the courtesy meeting between Clinton and the Chief Minister, which is yet to be confirmed, submit him a brief presentation or present the necessary documents as well as a compact disc to the members of the fourth estate accompanying Clinton.``We have made necessary arrangement for all the three. But the possibility of FICCI conceding our proposal or a separate meeting for the Chief Minister is almost remote. Thus, we will present our information to the members of the fourth estate,'' the official said.The official claimed that even in other states, where Clinton will visit during his five-day stay, none of the chief ministers will make a presentation. ``Certainly, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has taken a lead, but we don't think that even he will be able to make a presentation before the visiting head of the state,'' the official said.On the present investment status, the official said notwithstanding claims made by the neighbouring states, Maharashtra continues to top in terms of number of industries as well as investments. ``In both, foreign as well as domestic investments, we are ahead of all other states in the country,'' he claimed.
