Mumbai: Amidst growing speculation of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s involvement in Chief Ministerial affairs, Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister, has undertaken measures to curtail such intervention. In a bid to ensure a structured decision-making process, a recent report in a local Hindi daily said that policy decisions authorized by Ajit Pawar will now be routed exclusively through Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis before reaching Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The move comes in the wake of Pawar’s participation in a meeting held within the confines of the ‘war room’ set up by Eknath Shinde to oversee multiple projects. While this meeting prompted remarks from the Congress party, Ajit Pawar clarified his position, asserting his right as the Finance Minister to gather information and conduct discussions about various projects. He stressed that the Chief Minister’s verdict remains paramount in the decision-making process.
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Traditionally, proposals and files have followed a route where they are directly forwarded from the Finance Minister to the Chief Minister. However, the revised approach will see the involvement of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, acting as an intermediary. Once Fadnavis offers his insights and annotations, the proposals will then advance to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for final consideration.
The new arrangement underscores an attempt to strike a balance between efficient collaboration among top officials and maintaining the authoritative hierarchy within the government. It reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring a streamlined decision-making process while preserving the final say of the Chief Minister in matters of policy.
Following files to be routed:
· Any matter coming up for approval before the Cabinet.
· Proposals for levying new taxes, fixing valuations and borrowing new loans.
· Proposals which do not have the Finance Minister’s consent and concern the economy of the state.
· Proposals regarding Bills to be introduced in the State Legislature and the ordinances to be promulgated, etc.
Procedure of the State Government provides that all issues related to policy decisions shall come before the Cabinet. Related files will be submitted to the Chief Minister only after it is cleared by the Deputy CMs Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.
