Nagpur: The District Planning Committee (DPC) has allotted Rs 1,219 crore for Nagpur, which is Rs 182.28 crore or 17.6% more as compared to the last year. Deputy Chief Minister and District’s Guardian Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the allocation on Friday. In addition, Rs 5,000 crore has been designated for comprehensive district development, covering various areas under Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Nagpur Improvement Trust, and Public Works Department.
A new District Planning building was inaugurated at Sadar, followed by DPC meeting in presence of all the administrative heads and important political representatives. By the end of July 2024, Rs 405.66 crore has been allotted through the budgetary system. Of this, Rs 48.72 crore has been disbursed to government bodies, with Rs 23.71 crore already spent.
BJP State President and MLC Chandrashekhar Bawankule, told media, “It is a substantial increase from what Nagpur used to get in the past. In 2014, Nagpur got only Rs 220 crore.” He also gave details of allocation of additional Rs 5,000 crore to various govt agencies for civic amenities in the district.
Collector Vipin Itankar said that the budget’s primary focus will be on health, education and urban management. He also mentioned that DyCM Fadnavis has directed all departments to submit their proposals to the collectorate by August 10.
Later, addressing the media, Fadnavis announced complete waiver in power bills for farmers in the district. “For the next five years, they will not have to pay any electricity charges. We have also issued a GR for the same,” he said.
Speaking further at the meeting, Fadnavis stated that a sum of Rs 1,219 crore had been allocated for SCSP and Tribal Sub-plan. Of that, Rs 405.65 crore has already been released in the Budget Distribution System. Similarly, till end of July, Rs 48.71 crore was already released to implementing agencies against the demand and so far Rs 23.71 crore has been spent.
Category ‘C’ Pilgrimage Status:
DPC also accepted the proposal put forward by Zilla Parishad and granted Category C pilgrimage tourism centre status to Renuka Mata Mandir Deosthan, Mohgaon Zilpi, Hingna tehsil; Rameshwar Mandir, Mouza Neri; Nagnath Swami Math Deosthan, Ghorad village, Kalmeshwar Tehsil; Shree Vitthal Rukmini Seva Samiti Deosthan, Makardhokda, Umred Tehsil; and Ravi Maharaj Math, Mouza Salai Godhani.
Apart from that, DPC granted nod for development plan for upgradation of tourist facilities at Parmatma Ek Sevak Manavdharma Ashram at Narayan Tekdi in Ramtek and at Mauda.
Crop Damage:
During the meeting, MLAs Anil Deshmukh, Ashish Jaiswal and Tekchand Sawarkar highlighted the issue of crop damage due to animals in Katol, Parseoni and Ramtek tehsil. They sought DPC to allocate a sum so that farmers can be compensated. Similarly, Krishna Khopde and Vikas Kumbhare, MLAs, sought strict action against encroachments in Nag River. The two legislators pointed out that the water flow is getting blocked due to unauthorised constructions.
Pravin Datke and Parinay Fuke, MLCs, raised the issue of bad conditions of roads in the city that are resulting in traffic snarls. Dr Nitin Raut, MLA, sought compensation to flood affected families in the city and demanded immediate completion of the survey.
The meeting was attended by Shyamkumar Barve, Member of Parliament; legislators Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Abhijit Wanjari, Sudhakar Adbale, KrupalTumane, Mohan Mate, Sameer Meghe, Ashish Jaiswal and Tekchand Sawarkar along with Mukta Kokkade, President, Zilla Parishad; Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Singal; Municipal Commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari; District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar; ZP CEO Saumya Sharma and others.
Newly-built Niyojan Bhavan inaugurated
The newly constructed Niyojan Bhavan was inaugurated by Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis. The ground plus two structures has an auditorium with capacity of 294 seats while the stage can accommodate 28 chairs.
The second floor also boasts of a conference hall with a capacity of 28 seats. Guardian Minister, District Collector and District Planning Officer will have separate offices respectively in the building. The ground floor houses a waiting room while a library is located on the second floor of the building.
