From the states

Gujarat

JUNAGADH: Terming the Prime Ministers speech as disappointing,CM Narendra Modi questioned his silence on Mumbai violence and asked him to clarify his governments policy on infiltration. Why has the PM remained silent on violence in Mumbai while expressing remorse on the protests in Assam? Why the dual standards? How can a PM be mum on such a serious incident? he asked.

UTTAR PRADESH

LUCKNOW: Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said his government is making all efforts to bring the state back on path of development. He said big decisions are being taken at all levels to give pace to economic activities.

Punjab

PATIALA: CM Parkash Singh Badal asked the Centre for more autonomy to states to strengthen the federal structure of the country. Tendency of the Centre to usurp the powers and authority given to states by the Constitution is detrimental to the interests of the states, Badal said.

CHHATTISGARH

RAIPUR: CM Raman Singh appealed to all sections of society to come forward to put an end to Naxalism. Naxals are anti-national,anti-constitutional,anti-human and are putting hurdles in development of the state. Their mask has come off, he said. Singh said his government has initiated measures like filling up vacancies in state departments and carrying out developmental works in backward areas to tackle the insurgency.

HARYANA

KARNAL: CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced increase in the monthly pension of freedom fighters and their widows from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000. We will always remain indebted to their supreme sacrifice, he said..

MAHARASHTRA

MUMBAI: Water crisis will be felt in the near future not only in rural areas but also in cities owing to a drought-like situation in Maharashtra,CM Prithviraj Chavan said. Not only in rural areas,but also in cities water crisis will be felt in coming days, he said. Voicing concern over the drought-like situation in most parts of the state,he said the government has been implementing several temporary and permanent schemes.

KARNATAKA

BANGALORE: Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said though the government had taken initiatives to maintain law and order in the last four years,recent incidents of crime were a cause for worry. The recent incidents of crimes around Bangalore city and Mangalore are a cause for worry. The police handled these incidents without giving room for further worsening of the situation, he said.

TAMIL NADU

CHENNAI: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa asked the Centre to work towards ensuring rehabilitation of displaced Sri Lankan Tamils lodged in camps in that country besides equal status for them on par with majority Sinhalese. At a time when we are celebrating the Independence day,Centre should at least now ensure that the Sri Lankan Tamils lodged in camps are sent back to their places of origin and ensured equal status on par with Sinhala, she said.

BIHAR

PATNA: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said he was confident of making the state corruption free as it was turning the society hollow. After unfurling the Tricolour at the Gandhi Maidan,Kumar said: Corruption is making society hollow and it is extremely necessary to be brought under a check8230; I have full confidence that we will be able to stamp out corruption.