Maharashtra to Allocate 1% of District Annual Plan for Disability Empowerment: Deputy CM
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On February 11, the Maharashtra government declared that 1% of the funds designated for regular initiatives in the District Annual Plan for 2025-26 will be allocated for the welfare of individuals with disabilities, as announced by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Key Takeaways
- The Maharashtra government reserves 1% of funds for disability welfare.
- 2.63% of the state's population comprises individuals with disabilities.
- Clear directives for fund use will be issued by the Disability Welfare Department.
- The Missing Link project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway aims to improve travel efficiency.
- Completion of the project is expected to reduce travel time significantly.
Mumbai, Feb 11 (NationPress) The Maharashtra government plans to allocate 1 percent of the financial resources designated for regular initiatives in the District Annual Plan (general) for 2025-26 specifically for the welfare and empowerment of individuals with disabilities, as announced by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday.
Following this decision, the Planning Department has issued a related government order.
The Deputy Chief Minister noted that individuals with disabilities represent 2.63 percent of Maharashtra’s overall population based on the 2011 Census.
Within the District Annual Plan (General), aside from the 5 percent of funds allocated for innovative projects, sustainable development goals, and performance monitoring as well as data entry, the remaining 95 percent is set aside for regular programs, with 19 percent allocated to various administrative departments.
Pawar further mentioned that under the District Annual Plan (General), explicit and detailed guidelines pertaining to the appropriate use of the reserved 1 percent fund for “Empowerment and Welfare of Persons with Disabilities” will be provided by the Disability Welfare Department, pending necessary approvals from the Planning and Finance Departments.
In a related development, Minister of State for Public Works (Public Undertakings) Meghna Sakore-Bordikar has instructed the state-owned Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation to finalize the ambitious Missing Link project on the Mumbai-Pune Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway by the end of August this year.
She has also urged officials to ensure that the project is executed with both quality and punctuality. The completion of the Missing Link will decrease the current distance of 19 km by 6 km, resulting in 13.3 km total distance. This will save approximately 20-25 minutes in travel time, conserve fuel, lower air pollution, and help mitigate traffic congestion and accidents on the Ghat Road, according to the minister.
“Traffic congestions and mishaps frequently occur at Borghat on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Additionally, landslides during the monsoon season lead to traffic disruptions. Considering this, the new lane project has been initiated,” the minister explained.
She expressed confidence that travel on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway will become more efficient, safer, and more convenient once the Missing Link project is realized.
