Straight answers

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="" font-style:="" italic="">M N Chaini, </span><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">President, Maharashtra Economic Development Council, on the implications of the state Budget</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">The MEDC made several recommendations to the state government on issues ranging from power to allocation of funds. Are you satisfied with the outcome?</span><br /><br />State Finance Minister Jayant Patil has presented a pro-reform budget. It is tilted towards infrastructure, education and social sector growth. The intentions are good. But the fact remains that only political stability can sustain the pro-growth reforms in coalition politics.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What''s the most significant feature of this Budget?</span><br /><br />The move to restructure the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) is a step in the right direction, which will boost the private participation. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Fisheries, tribal welfare, health, education...every sector was looked after in the Budget...</span><br /><br />Yes. But the allocation of the funds is not adequate. We had made a presentation of the UN''s Human Development report to Patil stating how the growth pattern in the state is poor beyond Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Nasik. The FM has tried to please everybody, but has not allocated enough funds. People in these sectors will start raising their voices once again as the funding is insufficient.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">But there are no aggressive moves to generate revenue...</span><br /><br />The thrust is to limit the role of government, increase private sector participation and earn from that revenue. However, the state government should have initiated land reforms. In fact, rationalisation of land use will ensure an earning of Rs 1,000 crore from Mumbai itself. Also, loss-making public sector units should not be given any political patronage and should be shut down immediately.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Infrastructure projects for Mumbai do get priority, but since all of them are long-term, will they ever see light of the day?</span><br /><br />Transport projects like Nariman Point-Gorai waterways project, Light Rail are crucial. But they require adequate funding and the vision to be completed on time.<br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">smita.deshmukh@timesgroup.com</span></div> </div>