– CM Eknath Shinde states in the West Zone Regional Council Meeting at Gandhinagar
Gandhinagar :- Drought-affected Marathwada region is experiencing a water shortage. We need help from the Centre for the river linking project, and optimum utilization of water that flows into the sea from the Konkan region, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated today. Speaking at the 26th meeting of the West Zone Regional Council Meeting at Gandhinagar in Ahmadabad he also called for an early decision with respect to the Noble Language status to Marathi language.
The meeting was chaired by Union Home and Cooperative Minister Amit Shah. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, besides Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Goa, administrators of Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, state’s Chief Secretary Manoj Sounik, and others.
Chief Minister Shinde informed that the government was working in coordination with the Goa State Government to complete Tilari Irrigation Project and in this regard meetings with the Goa Chief Minister were held, he added.
Increase the number of Onion purchase centers
Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Cooperative Minister Amit Shah for taking the important decision to purchase onion through NAFED Shinde suggested increasing the number of purchase centers so that the purchasing could be done more effectively.
Noble Language status for the Marathi Language
The demand for Noble Language status to the Marathi language has been pending for a long time. Since this issue is related directly to Marathi identity, the Centre should take a decision at the earliest, Chief Minister Shinde said.
Suggestion for Coastal Road
The state government is building Coastal Road from Dahanu to Sindhudurg to encourage tourism. If this road gets connected with Goa and Gujarat states, it would give an added impetus to tourism in the state, the Chief Minister exuded confidence.
Better implementation of MoUs
The Chief Minister shared information about various initiatives and programs being conducted by the state government. Ambitious programs like “Government at Your Doorstep” have benefitted over 1.5 crore beneficiaries under one single roof so far, he said.
Today Maharashtra has earned the distinction of becoming the leading state in attracting foreign investment, Shinde said adding that so far, 75 percent implementation of the MoUs signed at the Davos World Economic Forum. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis has held fruitful and positive discussions with investors in Japan for investment in Maharashtra, the Chief Minister said. Maharashtra is being taken to new heights through the policies for new ports, information technology, textiles, and green hydrogen. With approval from CZMP tourism activities in five coastal districts in the state will get a much-needed boost, he added.
Will resolve malnutrition, “Apla Dawakhana” initiative
Maharashtra tops in the country with 20870 primary agriculture cooperative societies and in the next couple of years, we will computerize 12000 societies. Testing and treatment have been made available free of cost for all in the government hospitals and dispensaries in the state. Insurance cover is increased to Rs. five lakh from Rs. one lakh Facility for preliminary investigations is provided through the “Balasaheb Thackeray Apla Dawakhana” scheme. A state-level task force has been formed to resolve the issue of malnutrition in Adivasi areas, Chief Minister Shinde said in his address.
Another 35 schemes to be connected with DBT
Chief Minister Shinde said that 2,444 gram panchayats will be connected with Bharat Net today and added that 12,513 gram panchayats have entered into an agreement with BSNL for a ‘Fiber to the Home’ connection. The state government has accorded priority to ‘Make in India’ in public purchases and amended the state purchasing policy. The government has launched the MahaDBT scheme to take benefits of the government schemes to deserving beneficiaries and another 34 schemes will be added to this scheme. The work in this regard is currently progressing.
Biometric card is given to 1.80 lakh fishermen in Maharashtra. Similarly, 100 percent coverage of the Banking network is available and instructions have been given to the State Bankers Committee to provide this facility at the earliest to villages where this facility is not available, the Chief Minister said.
Speedy action against atrocities against women
Shinde said that the government is serious about crime against women and speedy investigations are going on in cases related to sexual crime, and rape cases related to women and children. There has been a remarkable improvement in the follow-up rate of tracking systems for sexual offenses. The rate of conviction in Maharashtra is nearly 46 percent. 138 Fast Track Special Courts have been set up to deal with cases related to rape and POSCO cases.
The crop insurance scheme is being implemented in just one rupee to provide security to farmers. Similarly, through the NAMO Kisan Mahasanman Yojana, the farmers in the state are given Rs. 6000 per year, the Chief Minister said in this meeting.
