450 projects in a week for Raje

Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje draws up a plan to preside over about 450 functions, including laying of foundation stones and inaugurating drinking water and irrigation schemes, reports KS Tomar.

Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje has drawn up a plan to preside over about 450 functions, including laying of foundation stones and inaugurating drinking water and irrigation schemes, besides schools and hospitals, during the first week of September.

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The Chief minister inaugurated about two dozen schemes during the last three days. The Opposition parties complain that she is even making announcements of projects, which do not have budgetary provisions.

But the parliamentary affairs minister and government spokesman, rajendra singh rathore, said, “Since the elections have not been announced, the CM is within her rights to inaugurate projects and schemes which will benefit the common people.”

Pradesh congress committee chief Dr CP Joshi, however, took a strong exception to the inauguration spree. He said, “even incomplete projects or schemes are being inaugurated by the chief minister.” Recently, the Chief minister announced that the state had accepted the Sixth Pay Commission report, benefiting seven lakh employees.

Finance secretary sushash garg said, “the government may implement the Pay commission's report with effect from September, 2006. The final date will be decided after the report of a committee to be constituted to remove the anomalies.” State government employees supported the BJP during the 2003 assembly polls, as they were upset with the Congress regime.

The state cabinet has decided to introduce a 5-day week from September 1 to appease the employees.