CM Eknath Shinde announces Rs 45,000 crore package for development of Marathwada region

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday announced a package of Rs 45,000 crore for the development of Marathwada region in the state. Apart from this, he also announced revised administrative sanctions for irrigation projects worth Rs 14,000 crore.

He made the announcements at a press conference here after a special meeting of the state cabinet. The state government convened this cabinet meeting in the city to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Marathwada Liberation Day, also known as Marathwada Mukti Sangram Din, celebrated annually on September 17. Marathwada was formerly under the rule of the Nizam-ruled Hyderabad kingdom.

Marathwada region comprises eight districts  Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (previously known as Aurangabad), Dharashiv (previously known as Osmanabad), Jalna, Beed, Latur, Nanded, Hingoli and Parbhani. A package of Rs 45,000 crore will be given for the development of Marathwada. Apart from this, revised administrative sanctions will be given to irrigation projects worth 14 thousand crore rupees for the region. This paves the way for bringing eight lakh hectares of land under irrigation, CM Shinde said. 

Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were also present at the press conference along with some state ministers. Meanwhile, Shinde rubbished the allegations levelled by some opposition leaders that the CM, his deputies and ministers were put up in five-star hotels in the city for the cabinet meeting. All of us are staying in the government guest house, the CM clarified.