Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday lauded the development work carried out in Jalgaon through district planning and assured that the government will allocate additional funds for the region in the upcoming budget.
Speaking at a review meeting held at Niyaz Bhavan, Pawar said, “We have reviewed the work done in each district. Jalgaon has performed very well, especially in key sectors. We appreciate the efforts of Guardian Minister Gulabrao Patil and the administration. The district will receive increased funds in the coming financial resolution.”
“Concessions similar to those given to industries in Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Dhule-Nandurbar districts will be considered for Jalgaon after discussion with the chief minister,” added Pawar, while underlinining that significant progress had been made in women's and children's welfare, tourism, and irrigation.
On solar power, Pawar stressed that such projects would continue and directed officials to exercise greater vigilance. Referring to the heavy rainfall in the past three days that caused damage in the district, he instructed the administration to immediately conduct a panchnama.
The deputy chief minister also reviewed pending and ongoing development projects, including MIDC industrial development and the banking credit plan, and issued directions to concerned officials.
At a meeting in the District Planning Committee Hall, officials presented detailed reports on projects including the Jalgaon irrigation policy, kharif season preparedness, Tapi Valley mega recharge scheme, farm lake scheme, divisional sports complex construction, and Gangakhed Island tourism development.
On the demand for special approval of Rs 4 crore 35 lakh from DPDC funds for a memorial for 29 martyred soldiers, Pawar said the proposal would be cleared as a special case. In Jalgaon, 1,463 works have been approved under public works and NABARD’s hybrid annuity scheme.
A demand of Rs 2,248 crore 98 lakh was placed this year, with bills worth Rs 1,264 crore 8 lakh still pending. Patil expressed the expectation of receiving at least Rs 800 crore to Rs 900 crore. Pawar agreed to immediately release Rs 300 crore. While District Collector Ayush Prasad made a presentation of the district’s development plan and achievements.
Pawar even suggested installing innovative gates on the old Kolhapur dam to increase its efficiency and called for experiments such as arch safe dams initiated during former minister Anil Patil’s tenure as disaster management minister.
State Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, Guardian Minister Gulabrao Patil, Textiles Minister Sanjay Savkare, Sports Minister Manikrao Kokate, MLAs Anil Bhaidas Patil, Suresh (Raju Mama) Bhole, Kishore Appa Patil, Chandrakant Sonawane, Amol Patil, Amol Jawale, District Collector Ayush Prasad, District Superintendent of Police Maheshwar Reddy, Zilla Parishad CEO Minal Karanwal and District Planning Officer Vijay Shinde were present.
