That's exactly the number of promises state has to keep

MUMBAI: Promises are not to be fulfilled. Or so thinks the Maharashtra government. A new report suggests that as many as 8,332 promises, made by various ministers on the floor of the state legislature over the past eight years, have remained just promises.

As per the legislative convention, any commitment or assurance given on the floor of the house is considered sacrosanct and mandatory on departments concerned. But the rising number of unkept promises points out that the state government has a different opinion.

This startling fact has been uncovered by the Legislative Promises Committee, a group consisting of legislators from all parties, in its recent report. The committee functions as a kind of watchdog. Expressing anguish over the government’s lopsided administration, it has furnished a department-wise break up of unkept promises as on April ‘06. The report covers a period of eight years from 1998 to ’06.

Of the total unkept promises 4,540 promises were given in the assembly and 3792 in the legislative council. Topping the list is the revenue and forest department with 970 unfulfilled promises made in the assembly and 711 made in the legislative council. The department, which deals in land records, transfer of properties, change of use of land etc., is currently being led by Narayan Rane who is known for his administrative acumen.

Next in the line is the urban development department with 421 promises made in the assembly and 567 in the council. The fact that this ministry is handled by chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh will sure add to the government’s embarrassment.

Giving the CM company is his deputy, home minister RR Patil. His ministry has made 400 promises in the assembly and 272 in the council, and like other departments they all have remained just promises.

In fact, Mr Patil had found himself in trouble by his impromptu announcement to close down all dance bars in the state. Having made the statement on the floor of the house, Mr Patil had to struggle for months before fulfilling his promise.

Barring this case, Mr Patil and his equally high-profile predecessor Chhagan Bhujbal seem to have had no success in sticking to their words. Important ministries such as industry, energy and labour too find place in the ‘Top 5’ non-performing departments. The industry is headed by a veteran Congressman Ashok Chavan, while the energy ministry is with the NCP’s Dilip Valse Patil.

The report, however, will offer some kind of consolation for state finance minister Jayant Patil. Being in the news always for all wrong reasons, Mr Patil’s ministry is one of the few with very little pending promises. In all, the ministry has just 31 promises to keep (28 in assembly and three in council).

Considering the magnitude of the issue, the Promises Committee has fixed a time-frame for the government to clear up pending cases. It also wants the government to come out with progress card every year during the Budget session.