Financing a bankrupt state

FEBRUARY 13: The Maharashtra government has received some radical suggestions by the All India Manufacturers’ Organisation (AIMO) to raise funds. It suggests that the state’s new administrative building next to Mantralaya can easily be sold for Rs 240 crore or more. AIMO suggests that these should move to the loss-making NTC mills and the entire building be offered to MNCs for a shopping mall. AIMO has also hit out at two protected categories.

It says the Chief Ministers’ quota of flats reserved for artists and journalists has been grossly misused and there are several allottees with multiple flats. Also MLA hostels are misused by business associates of politicians. It wants this misuse investigated and exposed and fined to raise revenue. These won’t be able to bridge the state’s Rs 8,000-crore deficit, but the improved transparency will save valuable funds.Author’s email: suchetadalal@yahoo.com