Dilip Walse expects ‘Consistency’ in Govt policies

Mumbai, May 7: Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Dilip Walse Patil on Saturday expressed concern over excessive spending during polls by people’s representatives while stressing the need for “consistency” in government policies.

“During Zilla Parishad elections, a candidate on an average spent Rs 4-7 crore. I really feel concerned over what such person will do in future,” he said while addressing a symposium, ‘Maharashtra – Past, Present and Future’, organised to mark the birth centenary of Maharashtra’s first chief minister Yashwantrao Chavan.

Elections to 27 Zilla Parishads and 309 Panchayat Samitis across Maharashtra were held in February.

The Speaker emphasised that the policies formulated by the government have to be consistent in long term to ensure that Maharashtra is on the fast track of progress.

Appealing to political parties to clarify their stand on certain contentious issues, Walse-Patil said, “On one hand they (political parties) allege that there is a power crisis in the state, while on the other if a project in this regard comes up they oppose it”.

The senior NCP leader also appealed to the state cabinet to initiate swift action to ensure that some “glaring issues” concerning the state be disposed of.

He also stressed the need to amend laws framed by the British which are still practiced.

“There are some laws which are there since British days. They have become redundant today and therefore should be replaced,” the Speaker said, adding he had already apprised chief minister on the issue.

“Yesterday, I requested the chief minister that by appointing some retired officers or legal experts these laws should be amended accordingly,” he added.

PTI