White paper on economic crisis — CM

On the financial situation: Senior bureaucrats have admitted that we are in financial mess — the worst ever.Immediate steps will have to be taken to improve it. We will bring out a white paper on the financial situation so that the people know about the ill-advised decisions of the Sena-BJP.

On steps to tackle the crisis: We will have to take certain hard decisions after taking the people into confidence. At the moment, no funds are available for development if wages are paid to the government staff and installments of loans and interest thereon is paid on schedule.

On Srikrishna Commission: I have carefully read the threat given by Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray. We will not take any decision in haste or out of vengeance. A part of the report, particularly relating to strictures against politicians, was rejected while the remaining part, on administrative reforms, accepted. I have asked the Chief Secretary to prepare a status report on the recommendations. We will take legal opinion before initiating any action. Secondly, by and large, political parties on the eve of the simultaneous polls, hadmentioned the report in their manifesto and had also demanded action against politicians named in the report.

On law and order: Drastic steps will have to be taken to restore the confidence of the people in the law enforcing agencies. There has been an exponential growth in the cases of extortions, gangland wars and murders. In addition, there was tremendous pressure from the extra-constitutional authorities on the police. We will have to identify erring officials and, at the same time, take steps to boost the morale of the force. I am planning to interact with the senior police officers. Then we will know their expectations from the government and vice-versa.

On VVIP security: For me, the security is proving a pain in the neck. Does the Chief Minister need so much security? I have asked the home department to cut it down. Of course, VVIP security is based on the threat perception, but at the same time it has also become a status symbol. We will examine if there has been any misuse ofsecurity cover to some politicians.

On Enron: When the Sena-BJP alliance came to power they first scrapped it and not only revived it but also approved the second phase. But they made a blunder. Had they dropped the clause linking the price of power to the dollar rate, then the revival would have been beneficial. Since they have virtually succumbed to Enron, particularly on the dollar rate, now it will be difficult for the new government to take any steps against the tripartite agreement. Before taking any decision we will have to seek legal opinion.

On stability: There is no threat to his government. However, the threat posed by a section of the front members, will be dealt with effectively. We will consider all their demands once the motion seeking confidence is passed.

On Bal Thackeray’s threat to topple the government: He will not succeed because the parties in the government can never align with organisations like the Shiv Sena or BJP. He is making such statements out offrustration.