“Anyone can come here (Mumbai). There are no restrictions. Those who want to play cricket can do so, those who want to see a film, can do that. The government will protect those who come here and do good work.”
With one statement, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan managed to rake up three issues that seemed to have died down for the time being — the Shiv Sena’s opposition to Australian cricketers playing in Mumbai, the controversy over Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name is Khan and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s opposition to migrants.
Chavan was speaking during the inauguration of a hospital at Kausa, near Mumbra, on Saturday.
Chavan said it was the government’s responsibility to maintain peace. “We have already shown that we can and will continue doing it,” Chavan said. Last week, the entire police machinery was mobilised to ensure that Sainiks do not disrupt the screening of My Name is Khan.
Chavan also spoke about new projects in Mumbra, which was formed when Muslims fled the city during the 1993 riots.
Projects worth around Rs 200 crore have been implemented in Thane under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and another Rs 155 crore have been sanctioned for upcoming projects, Chavan said.
{{/usCountry}}Projects worth around Rs 200 crore have been implemented in Thane under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and another Rs 155 crore have been sanctioned for upcoming projects, Chavan said.
{{/usCountry}}The government’s special focus is public health and education, he added.
“The health minister is working on a health card scheme for families below the poverty line (BPL). Anyone from a BPL family, who needs medical help, can call a helpline number and an ambulance will be sent to their doorstep. The state will bear all the medical expenses.”