Maha govt comes up with incentives for regular loan-paying farmers

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Cabinet on Wednesday took a major decision to provide incentive benefit of up to Rs 50,000 to regular loan-paying farmers of the state.
With this decision, about 14 lakh farmers will benefit and Rs 6,000 crore funds will be required for this.
Besides, the Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis, also took a number of other decisions, including to improve power distribution system in the state, smart and pre-paid metres to consumers, revamped distribution sector scheme, reforms-based and results-linked through Mahavitran and BEST initiative.
The farmers using ultra-high pressure, high-pressure and low-pressure agri pumps will get discount in electricity rates under the Upsa irrigation scheme.
Also, revised administrative approval of Rs 890.64 crore was given for Brahmagavan Upsa Irrigation Scheme project as well as Rs 2,288.31 crore for Waghur irrigation project in Jalgaon district.
Also, revised administrative approval of Rs 1,491.95 crore was sanctioned for Bhatsa irrigation project in Thane district.
The government has also given its nod for various concessions in allotment of land to landless beneficiaries in rural areas.
The Cabinet also gave an approval for reimbursement of medical expenses to retired judicial officers of secondary courts.
Also, the post of Joint Secretary (Law) (Group-A) will be newly created in the Department of Law and Justice.
The Cabinet gave an approval for Lonar Sarovar preservation, conservation and development plan.
The Cabinet has also decided to increase 50 additional seats in 15 Government Medical Colleges in the state.
The government has also decided to establish three new social work colleges in the state on permanent non-aid basis.
It also gave an approval for setting up of the Balasaheb Thackeray Haridra (turmeric) Research & Training Centre in Hingoli district.
The Cabinet has also decided to withdraw cases registered against people for participating in political and social agitations up to March, 2022. (UNI)