WITH ELECTIONS set to be held in less than a year and drought looming over large parts of Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, the state government’s special cabinet meeting in Aurangabad on Saturday is set to announce projects worth around Rs 35,000 crore to Rs 45,000 crore for the region. The meeting will also focus on announcements which can be a reality in the coming one year instead of making promises of long-term projects.
Sources confirmed with The Indian Express that the cabinet is set to announce revised administrative approvals for the irrigation projects in the region worth around Rs 20,000 crore.
The Marathwada water grid project as well as the project diverting river water from western Maharashtra to drought-prone regions of Marathwada will also get a push in the cabinet.
The region with eight districts is considered to be lacking in development compared to the rest of the state with lack of opportunities for employment and education. It is also one of the water-deficient regions in the state. The special cabinet meeting is being held a day before the completion of 75 years of Marathwada’s freedom struggle as it was under the rule of Nizam of Hyderabad.
The cabinet will also discuss the proposal of setting up a new Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) unit over around 750 acres in Sillod tehsil of Aurangabad district. It is the constituency of cabinet minister Abdul Sattar. Osmanabad district in Marathwada is categorised as an aspirational district in the Centre’s list. The cabinet will also discuss setting up a skill development centre here with focus on generating employment. A medical college as well as a special agriculture college is also on cards.
Most Read 1Chandrayaan-3 mission: Dawn breaks on Moon, all eyes on lander, rover to wake up 2As Indo-Canadian relations sour, anxiety grips Indian students, residents who wish to settle in Canada 3Karan Johar says Sanjay Leela Bhansali did not call him after Rocky Aur Rani: ‘He’s never called me but…’ 4Gadar 2 box office collection day 40: Hit by Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan onslaught, Sunny Deol movie ends BO run with Rs 45 lakh earning 5Shubh’s tour in India cancelled: Why is the Canada-based singer facing the music?
According to sources, the cabinet will take decisions to grant additional funds for the development of religious sites such as Parli-Vaijnath and Tuljapur temple. Paithan’s famous garden will also get a grand makeover. The upgradation of sports complex at Latur is also on the agenda.
“Marathwada’s various villages have memorials of freedom fighters who fought against Nizam rule. These are martyrs who are known locally. The government is also planning to propose renovation of these over 700 memorials in Marathwada,” said the official.
Also ReadAmid fight over NCP control, Ajit Pawar faction leader Praful Patel click…Parents ‘concerned’ after NEET-PG qualifying percentile reduced to zeroAuto driver kills doctor over loan dispute, arrestedOnly 9 Maharashtra districts received normal and above rain till Sept 20
Despite the state government’s grand plans for the special cabinet, the Opposition has raised questions over the promises it made in the special cabinet meeting held in 2016. Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Ambadas Danve on Friday raised 18 questions about the progress government made on the projects worth Rs 41,000 crore announced in 2016. “We want to advise the government to think twice before making announcements of new projects. Most of the previous announcements are still pending. Therefore, the government must give explanation of its past actions and only then make new announcements,” said Danve.
Click for more updates on Mumbai News Today. Also get Latest News Updates from other parts of India at The Indian Express.