Deal under review, State Govt tells Enron

Asked about the discontent among ministers from the Peasants and Workers’ Party (PWP) since their demand for guardian ministership of Raigad was not met, Bhujbal denied there was anyconflict adding that if the PWP had any complaints it would be sorted out.

On reports in a section of the media that appointment of guardian ministers was delayed since he had demanded the guardian ministership of Mumbai city, Bhujbal said that he had never asked for any particular district but had stated that a NCP minister should get either the guardian ministership of Mumbai city or suburbs.

Bhujbal, who also looks after the Home portfolio, clarified that the security cover for Sena leader Thackeray had not been curtailed and added that security to VVIPs is reviewed periodically by police officials and any decision in this regard is not taken at the ministry level. He said he would seek guidance from the Union Home Ministry on the security for VVIPs adding that, earlier, roads were closed whenever the CM or the Deputy CM passed by, a practice later discontinued.

“The government is planning several welfare schemes for the police. All police stations would be soon connected by computers and policepersonnel would be imparted computer training. The government plans to construct 2500 houses for police personnel at a cost of Rs 121 crore,” Bhujbal said.

Referring to Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s recent remark that the DF Government would collapse in December, Bhujbal said it was a desperate attempt by the Sena leader to keep his flock of sainiks together. Earlier, Thackeray had predicted that a miracle will occur during the winter session of the legislature in Nagpur in a series of meetings in the Konkan region.On the invitation to popular singer Elton John on the eve of the new millennium, Bhujbal claimed that the State government was not spending any fund on the event.

Bhujbal to open Kini filesReplying to a question if the Democratic Front (DF) Government will re-open the Ramesh Kini case, Bhujbal said he will look into the files connected with the sensational murder which rocked the then government. “They (Sena-BJP government) might have tampered with the facts. But if new evidence cometo light the police will their job,” he added. He, however, refused to comment on the implementation reports by the Srikrishna and Gundewar commissions.