Rediff On The NeT: Gujarat Chief Minister Vaghela's panacea for more responsive governance

Hold Cabinet meetings in states to satisfy regional aspirations: Vaghela

Gujarat Chief Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela suggested that Union Cabinet meetings be held alternatively in the state capitals to satisfy ''regional aspirations without encouraging fissiparous tendencies.''

Vaghela told the conference of chief ministers on Saturday that the Gujarat government has introduced this system of holding state cabinet meetings at the district headquarters, and ''the response was extremely encouraging.''

He welcomed the introduction of a civil services board in a phased manner to minimise the scope for ''irrational transfers'' of civil servants. However, he wondered whether it was the only way to check such transfers. ''it someone wants a choice posting for a better quality of life, can he be made to forego some of the perks to compensate a person who may have to go to a backward village?'' he asked.

The chief minister also asked what the government could do to ensure that functionaries like teachers, gramsevaks and extension officers stay and work in places which lack in basic amenities.

Referring to land laws, Vaghela urged the Centre to 'streamline the urban land ceiling law' which has been under consideration for a long time . He wanted various bottlenecks in the law to be removed immediately since they were causing problems in ''increasing housing stock.''

Vaghela welcomed the suggestion to reform the legal system and the procedure to facilitate economic reforms to reduce obstacles to developmental activities.

Explaining his government's ''concern'' to give a ''new deal'' to women and the weaker sections of society, the chief minister said orders had already been passed for 30 per cent reservation for women in all recruitments to government, quasi-government and local bodies. ''Preference will be given to widows,'' he said.

Ensuring a fair deal for the tribals, who constitute 15 per cent of the state's population, the chief minister said a separate budget for them will be prepared. This will be controlled by the tribal development department.

To streamline land records and loans, the Gujarat government has introduced what the chief minister called khedut pothi (farmer's passbook) which comprises all relevant information about his land and connected matters. These passbooks will be distributed to 4.8 million farmers within the next four months, he added.

Similarly, the process of issuing ration cards in Gujarat has been simplified wherein the person gets his card the same day he files his application.

Vaghela claimed he had introduced ''transparency and accountability'' in all purchases made and contracts awarded by the government.

In a bid to take the administration to the doorsteps of the people, he revealed that the Gujarat government has shifted the Lok Adalats from the state capital to the district and taluka levels.

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