Maharashtra Politics: Ambadas Danve Slams 100-Day Departmental Review As 'Publicity Stunt', Alleges Attempt To Mask Failures

Maharashtra Legislative Council Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve launched a scathing attack on the state government's recently announced 100-day departmental performance evaluation, calling it deceptive and a publicity stunt.

Danve alleged that the evaluation was a deliberate attempt by the government to divert public attention from ongoing issues of corruption. “Let the government get its performance assessed by the public — only then will they understand their true capabilities,” he stated.

He questioned the sudden increase in departmental ratings within just a month, especially since the evaluation was based on April’s performance. “How did the departments improve so drastically in just one month?” he asked.

Danve also criticized the inclusion of controversial figures in the top rankings. He pointed out that Balasaheb Patil, who allegedly accompanied rebel MLAs to Surat during the Shiv Sena split in July 2022 and who faces multiple complaints about irregular transfers, was ranked first among police superintendents. “On what basis was he awarded the top spot?” Danve questioned sarcastically.

He raised concerns about the Women and Child Development Department being awarded first place despite several failures — including the exclusion of 8 lakh women from the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme, the failure of the 'Pink Rickshaw' initiative, and unresolved issues surrounding honorariums for ASHA workers and Anganwadi staff.

Danve further criticized the ranking of the ST (State Transport) Department, asking how a department that pays only 40% of employee salaries could receive high evaluation marks.

He expressed alarm over growing law and order concerns, stating that 2,100 cases of violence against women have been reported across the state, including 14 street murders in Nagpur during April alone — the constituency of the state's Home Minister.

In agriculture, Danve highlighted that the government ended the Re 1 crop insurance scheme and said that 289 farmers have died by suicide in Marathwada alone.

He added that the state's financial health is deteriorating, with farmers unable to repay loans due to the absence of a loan waiver, raising doubts about their future creditworthiness.

Finally, he alleged that the current government canceled tenders issued during Eknath Shinde’s earlier tenure as Chief Minister, further disrupting development. “This evaluation is nothing but a ploy to distract the public from the real crises the state is facing,” Danve concluded.

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