Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra cabinet has decided to request the central government to raise the income limit for the ‘non-creamy layer‘ category to Rs 15 lakh per annum from the current Rs 8 lakh. This decision came ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, likely to be held next month. The cabinet also approved a draft ordinance to grant constitutional status to the Maharashtra state scheduled caste commission, which will be presented in the next legislative session.The commission will have 27 approved posts.
Furthermore, the cabinet sanctioned the establishment of welfare corporations for journalists and newspaper vendors, as well as additional funds of Rs 709.27 crore for the Balasaheb Thackeray Turmeric Research Centre in Hingoli district. A proposal was approved for Sulabh International, a non-profit organization, to provide toilets and restrooms at all 57 government hospitals in the state.
Government land in Akse and Malwani, Borivali, will be allocated for the Dharavi redevelopment project, with housing provided for ineligible slum-dwellers in these areas spanning 140 acres. The cabinet also decided to provide houses to government employees residing in the Bandra government colony in Mumbai.
Other decisions included amending the Public Libraries Act to promote library culture in the state, constructing the Jalna-Nanded expressway linked to the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi corridor, and sanctioning irrigation projects for various regions. Anganwadi centers in the state will be permitted to start day-care facilities, and an African safari will be introduced at the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada international zoo in Nagpur.
The working capital of the Maulana Azad Financial Corporation will be increased from Rs 700 crore to Rs 1,000 crore. Madarsa teachers’ honorariums will be raised based on their educational qualifications.
Lastly, the government decided to establish the Maharashtra state international employment and skill advancement company, which will implement an MoU with the German state of Baden-Wuttemberg to facilitate employment opportunities for Maharashtra’s youth. The company will have a working capital of Rs 3 crore. Out of the more than 27,000 applications received, scrutiny of 10,000 applications has been completed.
