The meeting, held at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters today, was attended by state Chief Secretary Arun Bongirwar, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) V Ranganathan, Commissioner K Nalinakshan, Director-General of Police Arvind Inamdar, Police Commissioner Ronnie Mendonca, additional and deputy civic commissioners, and all ward officers. Sources said Rane reminded BMC officials that he had been a corporator and BEST chairman himself and was therefore ``well-acquainted'' with civic problems.

``Move out of your chambers to make the city clean. I don't want any excuses,'' he is said to have instructed the officials. ``I will not accept reasons like non-cooperation from police to corporation officials and vice versa. Both should work together for the good of the city.''

Sources said a section of theofficials suggested that instead of taking up the responsibility of the city as a whole, a pilot project be taken up for improving certain targeted areas.

Welcoming the idea, Rane proposed that areas in and around international and domestic airports, Dadar, Bombay Central, CST and Churchgate stations, Chembur, religious places such as the Siddhivinayak temple, Mahim Church and dargahs be given top priority. The meeting then identified eight places in the city for immediate action, the sources added. Rane has also asked for a comprehensive plan of action for ``overall cleanliness'' of the city in a month's time, they said.

``There should be a targeted approach to improving the conditions in the city,'' he reportedly told officials.

The sources said that this was the first time ward officers had been able to interact directly with the CM. Rane also reportedly warned officers that each of them, along with deputy municipal commissioners, would be held personally responsible for illegal constructions andthe neglect of cleanliness in the city. The CM demanded monthly action-taken reports from officers at the ward-level and above.

Later, Rane said he would personally monitor the municipal body's activities and see that his instructions were executed, to ensure ``a better deal'' for citizens.