Mumbai : ‘The state government is firm with the people living on the border of Maharashtra-Karnataka states with a guarantee of no injustice with them.’, assured CM Eknath Shinde in the assembly today. He was responding to an issue raised by a member of the assembly Chagan Bhujbal.
While putting his side CM said, ‘The government is very sensitive on the issue of the border issue and we keenly look forward to an amicable solution to it. The government feels that there should be no injustice to the people living in the border area. This issue is pending in the apex court where the state government has appointed expert lawyers to plead our stand. We have also requested senior advocate Harish Salve to plead on behalf of the state and he has responded positively to our request.” informed CM Eknath Shinde.
The state, with a proactive stance, has appealed to the center to resolve this issue after which the Union Home Minister Amit Shah discussed this issue in a joint meeting with the Chief Ministers of both states. A decision to maintain a ‘status quo’ until and unless the apex court decides the issue was taken in this meeting. It was also decided to form a committee of three ministers from both states to resolve allied issues. The state of Maharashtra has chosen three ministers for this committee, a meeting of which will soon take place. The state government has forced the government of Karnataka to dismiss various cases filed against youths residing in the border area, said CM Eknath Shinde.
Besides these initiatives, Maharashtra Government has restarted the distribution of the CM charity fund to the organizations active in the border area. It is also decided to provide subsidies to the schools and organizations working in the border area and to provide the benefit of the Mahatma Phule Health Scheme to the citizens residing in the border area. It is also decided to increase the pension amount for the border struggle fighters from Rs. 10,000 to Rs.20,000. These decisions are taken to impart justice to the people residing in the border area. The government is determined to cease any kind of injustice to these citizens, assured CM Eknath Shinde. He also informed that an important meeting has been called on this issue during the session of the house.
