Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 18: In a significant move to honour the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy during the Emergency period of 1975, the Maharashtra cabinet has decided to double the honorarium amount provided to Emergency-era prisoners under the state’s revised Gaurav Yojana. The decision, taken during a high-level cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, also includes extending the benefits to their surviving spouses.

Currently, eligible individuals receive between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 as a pension-like honorarium. This amount will now be doubled, offering increased financial recognition to the families of those who endured political imprisonment during a critical chapter of India’s democratic journey.

The cabinet has cleared several ambitious projects, notably the MahaKrishi-AI Policy 2025–2029, which aims to revolutionize Maharashtra's agriculture through the integration of cutting-edge technologies. The policy envisions the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI, drones, robotics, and predictive analytics to enhance key agricultural initiatives such as Agri Stack, Mahaveda, CROPSAP, and Agmarknet.

Furthering inclusive growth, the government allotted 29 hectares of land in Nashik's Mauje Jambutke to the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) for a tribal industrial cluster. This initiative is expected to empower tribal entrepreneurs and promote job creation within the community.

In a major thrust to urban infrastructure, the cabinet waived stamp duty for multiple landmark projects, including:

• The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and Raigad Pen Growth Centre joint venture, a crucial Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project set to attract foreign investment.

• The Maharashtra National Law University’s land transfer in Goregaon, which will soon house world-class educational infrastructure.

• The Dharavi Redevelopment Project, with stamp duty waived on lease agreements to fast-track one of the country’s most ambitious urban renewal efforts.

The state government has extended the Mahaveda Project timeline to support the WINDS (Weather Information Network Data System) initiative. This will facilitate the installation of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) at the Gram Panchayat level, enabling real-time weather updates and timely advisories for farmers across Maharashtra.

Transport infrastructure has also received a fillip, with approval granted for loan extensions from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and New Development Bank (NDB) to advance Mumbai Metro Routes 2A and 2B. Additionally, the Virar-Alibaug Multipurpose Transport Corridor Project has been greenlit on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.

Lastly, the cabinet has approved an amendment to the Admission and Fee Regulation Act of 2015, redefining Non-Resident Indian (NRI) status for educational admissions. Now, children and dependents of NRIs will be eligible for seats in unaided private professional courses in the state.

These multi-sectoral decisions underscore the Maharashtra government's commitment to social justice, technological progress, and inclusive growth.