The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved a special rehabilitation policy for Pandharpur and sanctioned Rs 6,477.88 crore for Phase-II of the Jayakwadi irrigation project in Marathwada. The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, PTI reported.
The Pandharpur policy covers people affected by development projects in the temple town, considering its religious significance, local conditions and the need to expedite infrastructure works. Development projects worth Rs 3,993.90 crore are currently planned in Pandharpur.
The Cabinet also cleared financial provision for Phase-II of the Jayakwadi project, which will strengthen the Majalgaon dam on the Sindphana River in the Godavari basin. The project is expected to provide irrigation to around 1,31,652 hectares across Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ahilyanagar, Beed, Parbhani and Nanded districts. It will also support industrial water supply, fisheries and power generation.
The state Cabinet backed Pune’s bid to host the 2032 UCI Road World Championships, with support including a letter of support, financial guarantees and assistance for infrastructure and operations. The event could generate around Rs 330 crore in economic activity.
The government also approved ‘Mahakhanij 2.0’ amendments to improve transparency in minor mineral extraction and make transport permits mandatory for minerals entering Maharashtra from other states.
The Public Works Department will introduce a Trades Platform to speed up pending payments to MSMEs and contractors. The Cabinet also approved Rs 80.12 crore for sports facilities in Gadchiroli and Rs 328.47 crore for transportation costs linked to paddy and coarse grain procurement under the MSP scheme for 2024-25.
It further approved land allocations in Solapur and Pune for educational and tribal development, besides restructuring the Finance and Planning departments to improve budget administration.
Source: Midday
