‘Security tops state’s agenda’

Tackling security concerns such as terrorism and the Naxalites was topmost on the government’s list of priorities, Governor K. Sankaranarayanan said on Thursday.

Tackling security concerns such as terrorism and the Naxalites was topmost on the government’s list of priorities, Governor K. Sankaranarayanan said on Thursday.

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Sankaranarayanan said this during his joint address to both the Houses of the state Legislature on Thursday. The governor’s address is considered to be a statement of the state government’s policies.

Sankaranarayanan listed measures the government has taken to tackle terrorism and the Naxalite menace.

“A comprehensive package has been prepared and is being rigorously implemented for this. This will definitely enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the (police) force,” Sankaranarayanan said.

The governor referred to the February 13 bomb blast in Pune in the beginning, but did not talk about the investigation. He said that the people acted with courage and helped the government machinery keep the situation under control.

Sankaranarayanan said the government was committed to making Mumbai a city of international standards in a planned and time-bound way.

He talked about the Metro and Monorail projects and the Mumbai Urban Transport Project, but did not mention the Mumbai trans-harbour link, which courted a political controversy after two infrastructure agencies were vying for the contract to construct it.

He added that the government was committed to freeing the state of its power crisis by 2012. Maharashtra continued to be country’s most favoured investment destination, Sankaranarayanan said, adding that 189 mega projects were approved in the state after 2005. “Fifty-eight special economic zones have been notified. These SEZs will further consolidate the state’s position as the biggest exporter,” he said.

The Opposition disturbed the speech raising slogans against the price hike, grants for grain-based alcohol industry and the agrarian crisis.

The governor defended the state saying it was successful in bringing relief to farmers in distress because of drought in 221 talukas.