Gubernatorial nod to Modi’s agenda
Instead of any concrete developmental policies or commitment, Gujarat governor Sundar Singh Bhandari focussed on the anti conversion bill, the Criminal Procedure Act (Gujarat Amendment) Bill, 2003 and Gujcoc as the priorities of the government.

In an otherwise lacklustre address, the governor while addressing the budget session of the Gujarat Assembly at the Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday said that the state government will table the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Bill, 2003, that has stern provisions against conversions and Gujarat Organised Crime Control Bill, 2003, as per the commitment made in the BJP poll manifesto.

Interestingly, the Governor’s address appeared more like an extended election speech of chief minister Narendra Modi with Mr Bhandari also resorting to the chief minister’s now famous five crore Gujaratis remarks.

The address that encapsulated the goals of the state government and its achievements passed of peacefully. It was a clear departure from the past where the governor’s speech was accompanied by noisy demonstrations, display of placards and protests by Opposition members.

Mr Bhandari also listed that the state government’s recent success in the crude oil royalty front where the state will get a royalty in accordance with the import price parity of crude oil.

The governor said that the state government is also preparing a draft for a new cooperation policy to keep pace with the changes in the field and is making efforts to raise the insurance cover for deposits in cooperative banks from Rs one lakh to Rs five lakhs. He said the responsibilities of directors of banks have been fixed and a series of confidence building measures have been taken to instill confidence in the depositors.

"The state government has also detained several persons under Pota and Pasa with a view to control anti-national, anti-social and other serious crimes in the state," Mr Bhandari said.

Appreciating the state government’s efforts in constructing the Sardar Sarovar dam upto 95 metres Mr Bhandari expressed confidence that the construction of the Narmada main canal will be completed within the stipulated time and that the procedure of taking the height upto 100 meters is being done at a brisk pace. He said that the plans are also afoot to integrate the Sardar Sarovar Project to the river Narmada and Sabarmati and other rivers. The work of connecting of the Tapi river with the Purna and Mahi river with Bhadar has already started, he said.

On the energy front Mr Bhandari said the per capita electricity consumption in the state at 963 units is higher than the average of the country. He said the installed capacity of power will be increased to 8,576 MW by adding another 2,108 MW additional electricity potential during the ninth five year plan.

He said the state has received 274 proposals for industrial investment with an estimated investment of Rs 8,887 crores while the state government has already sanctioned projects with an investment of Rs 2,419 crores in 2002.

A representation has been made to the Centre to develop tourism centers at the ancient pilgrimages and sculptural heritages in the state and to start the National Tourist Circuit in the state.

Mr Bhandari said the state government has redressed more than 2,75,000 problems of the people by conducting about 71,000 gram sabhas in the state.

The state government has also decided to push the Kalpasar Project, he said.

Besides the Gujarat Organised Crime Control Bill, 2003, the state government will also table 11 other bills including The Gujarat Depositors Protection (in financial institutions) Bill, 2003 and the Criminal Procedure Act, 2003 seeking to amend the provisions of the CRPC Act. Other bills to be tabled during the budget session include the National Law University Bill, 2003, the New Capital of Gujarat (Area) Control (Cancellation) Bill. 2003, the North Gujarat University (Amendments) Bill, 2003 the Kachchh University Bill, 2003, the Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology Bill, 2003 and the Gujarat Electricity Industry (Reorganisation and Regulation) Bill, 2003.

Republished from The Asian Age