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We need national policy on migrants: Ashok Chavan
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SME Times News Bureau | 18 May, 2020
Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan is now the PWD
Minister in the Uddhav Thackeray cabinet. The Congress leader from
Nanded was instrumental in stitching the three-party alliance, the Maha
Vikas Aghadi, and persuading the party leadership to tie up with Shiv
Sena.
He is the son of Shankarrao Chavan, also the state's former
Chief Minister. They father-son are the first in history to have
stewarded the state.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Ashok
Chavan speaks on a host of issues - the Centre's economic package,
migrant crisis and the tackling of Covid-19 in the state worst affected
by the pandemic in terms of number of cases and deaths.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: How is your state going to benefit from the financial package announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman?
A:
This has to be analyzed properly as to what benefit it would accrue to
the state at the ground level. I would welcome the financial package for
the MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) sector, but its impact
has to be analysed in the state.
Q: What do you think about the migrant crisis?
A:
Lakhs of people are on roadse the Maharashtra government has deposited
100 per cent fare to the railways on behalf of the state migrants for
whom Shramik Specials trains have been allowed. Our party chief Sonia
Gandhi has said the Congress will bear the fare cost. But this has to be
done in an organised manner because those who are on road don't have
money to buy foode so the need is for micro-management. We should devise
a strategy to minimize the pain of the migrants.
Q: Has the Maharashtra government failed to handle the migrant crisis?
A:
No. The government is doing everything possible for the migrants, but
the Central government has left us in the lurch by not cooperating with
us in handling the migrant crisis. If they support the state government,
it can do much more. As of now, the state government is doing whatever
it can by providing food and even taking NGOs' help. But the numbers are
so huge that state government alone can't manage without the Central
support.
Q: But what happens if all migrants go home-- your
state being an industrial hub, how will it get labourers for industries
and provide support to the system?
A: This is a crisis persisting
for more than 3-4 months. People want to come back, they will come back
to work because they have to earn to live. Today, the prolonged spell
of lockdown has made them homesick because they are out of job. But I
think this is a temporary phase. People will come back to earn their
living as the situation normalizes and lockdown is fully lifted.
Q:
Don't you think a policy is needed for interstate migrants so that in
case of an emergency such as the present one, enough care can be taken?
A:
I pray no such crisis ever comes up. There should be a national policy
on the migrants and there should be a database so that the whereabouts
of the migrants and their movement could be ascertained and they could
be provided relief. I think there is a need for micro-planning so that
migrants can be reached effectively through mobile phone and other means
of technology.
Q: You were the Chief Minister of the state. How
would you facilitate the return of the migrants and what steps would the
government take after the situation normalizes?
A: The corona
crisis has also been a learning experiencee there has to be a sound
policy. The medical infrastructure, number of doctors and hospitals,
should be enhanced. The state government has allocated more funds to
strengthen the medical infrastructure. Such facilities have to be scaled
up in cities like Mumbai which is congested and has many slums. The
attempt should be to improve the living condition of the people.
Q: Why is the situation in Maharashtra so bad and what is the status of the covid-19 management in the state?
A:
The situation in Maharashtra appears bad because we have a high number
of tests. We have improved testing facilities -- there are more labs and
hospitals. That's why so many cases are being detected. So, compared to
the situation in other countries, Mahatashtra is better, but if you
compare the situation within the country, the situation in Mumbai is
worsening. One-third of the total cases in the country are from
Maharashtra. We have taken control of all the properties of the PWD,
schools and vacant properties of the state government and made a
blueprint to turn them into quarantine centres if the situation arises.
There is a concern because the number of cases is rising. If the number
of cases starts to come down, it would boost confidence of the citizens
and the frontline workers.
Q: Your government consists of three political parties. Do you think there is a lack of coordination?
A:
The government is running smoothlye there are no differences within the
government. We are incorporating Opposition's suggestions in this
fight. We are taking into confidence each political party, including the
Samajwadi Party CPI-M, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi and others. So, there is
total coordination within the government. But if anybody wants to do
politics, it's a different thing. But if anybody offers positive
suggestions, the government is inclined to listen.
Q: During the
council elections, some differences surfaced with Shiv Sena and the
Chief Minister was upset when the Congress fielded two candidates, but
later withdrew after pressure from the Senae
A: There were no
differences with Shiv Sena. We wanted to contest two seats though we had
less number in the Assembly. We didn't have the number of MLA to elect
the second candidate. Later we thought during Covid-19, we should not
get into a contest and call every MLA to vote for the MLC elections.
Q: Do you think the coordination between Uddhav Thackeray and your party is better and the government is running smoothly?
A:
The coordination with the Chief Minister and his party is smooth and
government is serving the peoplee the three parties came together to
offer better governance.
Q: Do you think that there is a possibility of a "coup" on the lines of what the BJP did in Madhya Pradesh?
A:
I would expect BJP not to play politics during this pandemic crisis.
They had tried in the beginning, but you know the outcome. In
consultation with our partners, we will fight the BJP with zeal. The
three parties (Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP) are determined to complete
the 5-year tenure.
Q: Do you think the Congress has gained some ground in the state?
A:
After the government was formed, we hardly had two months before the
corona crisis hit the country. We are fully engaged in the fight against
coronavirus. After the crisis is over, we will move towards
strengthening our party in the state. The morale of party cadre is high
after we took a slew of measures in the interest of the people.
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