<span style="color: #222222;">Senior NCP leader Dilip Walse Patil today took charge as the new Home Minister of Maharashtra. Speaking to the media after taking charge, Patil said he has accepted the responsibility of the key ministerial post at a difficult and challenging time and will ensure a clean police administration with no political interference. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He also said he would seek advice from senior serving and former police officials on strengthening and modernisation of the police force. The minister said his priorities will include enactment of the Shakti bill, which provides for strict punishment in cases of crime against women and children, and to expedite the police housing project.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Patil held the charge of the Labour department, which was handed over to Hasan Mushrif while Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will look after the Excise department. His appointment came after Deshmukh tendered his resignation following Bombay High Court's order on Monday to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to start a preliminary inquiry within 15 days into allegations of corruption made against him by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.</span><br />