Now,it’s Chavan vs Jairam

Chavan’s remarks came hours after the Environment Minister’s revelation to reporters at Gujarat’s Dandi village that he had advised the Maharashtra Chief Minister to “learn from the experience of Gujarat Ecology Commission” and utilise its services for mangrove conservation.

Speaking at a press conference Chavan said,“Many good works are done in Maharashtra from which other states also learn. So,I have no problem in learning from any state. But it seems to me that I do not need to learn anything about this.” The Chief Minister added that he was not aware of what Ramesh had said and said he would ask the Environment Minister about it.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s jibe comes barely a week after Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel had criticised the Environment Ministry for delaying environmental clearance for the proposed airport. Chavan,however,claimed that Ramesh was “fully supportive” of the Navi Mumbai airport. “Whatever are the expectations from the state government to protect the environment will be done,” he said.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister said that his government would initiate measures to recover damages caused to public property during July 5 Bharat bandh from those found responsible.

“Police have already filed cases against those who caused damage. We will recover the compensation from them,” said Chavan .

Chavan also promised to “examine” the possibility of reducing sales tax on petroleum products to cushion consumers from the recent hike in the prices of these products. He said that he would not like to announce any decision regarding taxes outside the Assembly.

While Chavan refused to comment on Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar’s offer to give up one of his ministerial portfolios,he disagreed with NCP chief spokesman D P Tripathi’s assertion that the portfolios allotted to the NCP should remain with it. “The decision as to who a portfolio will go to has to be taken by the Prime Minister,” he said.