Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File photo
The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday (February 18, 2025) gave nod to the establishment of the sixth State Finance Commission and authorised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to recommend the names of the Chairman and members of the Finance Commission to Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan.
This Commission will play an important role in financial planning and resource allocation in the State, review the financial position of panchayats and municipalities and make various recommendations such as dividing the net revenue to be distributed among the panchayats and municipalities. The Commission will also make recommendations on good practices for fund management in the local self-government bodies and other relevant matters for their better financial management.
The Cabinet also announced the creation of 346 new posts in the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) that was formed in 2023 to combat drug-related crimes.
The Cabinet has also approved setting up a solar energy project at ₹1,594-crore to improve the energy efficiency of the Mhaisal Lift Irrigation Scheme under the Krishna-Koyna Lift Irrigation Scheme in the Sangli district and other drought-prone regions in the State. The project aims to irrigate 1,08,197 hectares of land. This proposed project is expected to meet an annual electricity requirement of about 398 million units. The Cabinet also made strong suggestions to use solar energy for water pumping to cut down electricity consumption.
The State government has also decided to provide land to the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) for ropeway projects across Maharashtra with an aim to better connectivity and improve infrastructure development.
Another significant decision taken is the allocation of ₹1,275.78 crore for the Varakhede Londhe (Barrage) medium project in Chalisgaon taluka of Jalgaon district that will irrigate 8,290 hectares of land in Chalisgaon and Bhadgaon talukas.
The Cabinet has also taken a decision to allocate a land for a bridge over a drainage canal to improve access to Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune.
Published – February 19, 2025 09:26 am IST
