Pawar (left), Chavan

Mumbai, Sept. 11: Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan today said he had the right to be cautious while deciding on matters that fall “outside the framework of rules”, volleying back a “decision paralysis” lob Sharad Pawar had tossed at him.

“I have to differentiate between (matters of) larger public interest and matters that are of individual nature. Those that fit into the framework of rules and norms get resolved at the lower level (of bureaucracy). Only for special concessions, files come up to ministers,” Chavan said.

“The delay is in cases where the work is niyambahya (outside the framework of rules) or decision where special concessions are sought,” the Congress leader added.

Chavan’s response fuelled speculation on whether the NCP chief wanted swift clearances for any specific project, putting the ball back in the court of the Congress’s ruling partner in Maharashtra.

A defensive NCP said Pawar was not seeking any clearances for “personal interest” but, with elections round the corner, had merely criticised the government’s tardiness in taking decisions.

Speaking in Pune yesterday, Pawar had asked if the “hands of people in the administration were paralysed” and questioned the delay in clearing files on “important matters”. He did not name Chavan, but hinted indirectly at the chief minister by drawing comparisons with his predecessor Vilasrao Deshmukh.

“A good administrator is one who grasps the crux of the matter when an applicant comes to him,” Pawar said. “He has to look at the applicant’s face and understand his pain, and immediately sign the file and give instructions.”

Subtly drawing comparisons between Chavan and Deshmukh, Pawar said: “Of late, the hands of the people in administration seem to shake when it comes to signing files. Vilasrao would sign it in a second, and files of our important matters are not signed for … months. I don’t know if the hands are facing a paralysis. Since we (Congress-NCP) have to remain together, one has to remain mum.”

Asked if the NCP was pushing him to clear files of personal interest to Pawar, Chavan said: “There is no pressure. Nothing more needs to be said. I will give a reply at an appropriate time and appropriate place.”