Maharashtra Advances Student Welfare and Infrastructure with New Initiatives

The Maharashtra cabinet has taken significant steps to improve welfare and infrastructure within the state. Approved on Tuesday, these measures include increased allowances for students residing in government hostels and the construction of the Bhandara-Gadchiroli expressway, which will streamline transport and reduce travel time significantly.

In a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the cabinet decided to increase the subsistence allowances for 43,858 students in government-hosted establishments. Divisional-level students are set to receive Rs 1,500 monthly, while district and taluka level allowances are pegged at Rs 1,300 and Rs 1,000 respectively. An additional Rs 150 is earmarked as a hygiene allowance for the student girls, at a total cost of Rs 80.97 crore annually to the state budget.

The cabinet also extended various initiatives, such as the Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Shetkari Bhavan Yojana, supporting agricultural infrastructure. The plan includes Rs 132.48 crore for building new farmer community halls and upgrades. Additionally, the scheme to establish modern orange processing centres across several districts has been extended, with the intent to reduce post-harvest losses.

(With inputs from agencies.)