In a rush to clear projects before the model code of conduct for LS polls kicks in, the State government seems to have set aside the rule book for issuing government resolutions (GRs). Traditionally GRs are published after the cabinet has cleared a proposal, and minutes of the meeting are tabled and approved in subsequent sittings.
Government sources said 27 proposals were cleared by the cabinet in its meeting on Tuesday. Another 70-odd GRs for various works were issued before the minutes of meetings were approved by cabinet, officials confirmed. “The GRs for cabinet decisions were issued ‘subject to’ approval of the minutes. This is a clear departure from tradition — cabinet first clears a proposal, its minutes tabled in the next meeting. The GR is issued once this process is complete,” said an official.
Among the decisions taken this week include in-principle approval for two 660 MW coal-based supercritical units at Koradi Thermal Power Station, a 29-km internal Metro line for Thane, and a special purpose vehicle for the proposed Purandar international airport in Pune.
Senior ministers however clarified that cabinet is following all procedures and it was a State prerogative to issue GRs subject to approval of the minutes. “While it is true the cabinet must approve the minutes before the GR is issued, it is not technically incorrect to issue GRs without it,” said senior cabinet minster and Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote.
At the cabinet meeting scheduled for Friday, 87 proposals await approval, mostly related to the Urban Development Department, including a proposal for transit-oriented development of Pune, and unified regional plan for the rest of Maharashtra excluding MMR region.