21,222 crore package for Vidharbh and Marathwada regions by Maharashtra government

The BJP-led Maharashtra government on Saturday announced a special package of Rs 212.22 billion for the backward regions of Vidarbha, Marathwada and North Maharashtra in the state.

The state's Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar told the Legislative Assembly that the government would also set up a special facility in Nagpur to monitor the implementation of the package.

The focus would be on the development of industries, irrigation facilities, agriculture and tourism in these two regions, he said.

The BJP-led Maharashtra government on Saturday announced a special package of Rs 212.22 billion for the backward regions of Vidarbha, Marathwada and North Maharashtra in the state.

Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar told the Legislative Assembly that the government would set up a special "facility" in Nagpur to monitor its implementation over the next one-and-half years.

All these years, Vidarbha and Marathwada remained backward during earlier regimes (of Congress-NCP)... Hence, we are announcing the package to fast-track the development of Marathwada and Vidarbha," Mungantiwar said.

He also assured people of Konkan and other backward areas that their concerns will be addressed.

In Wardha rural, malls and agro malls based on public-private-participation has been sanctioned. Akola and Amravati have been shortlisted for new agro centres.

On the lines of ICRA, information centres will be set up in Vidarbha. While Rs 250 crore has been earmarked to upgrade agriculture universities, the government would provide 19,000 self-help groups in the 11 districts of Vidarbha and eight districts of Marathwada goat and sheep at a 50 per cent subsidy.

In Gadchiroli district of Vidarbha, a milk collection network and processing facilities would be created. A new government milk brand ‘Gondavana’ would be created on the lines of the Mahananda brand and 1,100 acres would be provided for the same.

A medical college would be set up on a private-public-partnership model at Washim in Virdarbha, and the government would bear the costs of setting up a dental college on the same premises, the minister said. Also, a “skill university” would come up at Aurangabad in Marathwada, while hostels would be constructed in all the districts of Vidarbha and Marathwada, he added.

Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna VIkhe-Patil and NCP’s Jayant Patil dismissed the plans while wondering how the government will raise the funds to implement the plans in a time-bound manner.