Maharashtra clears Pandharpur rehab policy, approves Rs 6,477 crore Jayakwadi Phase-II

The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved a rehabilitation policy for Pandharpur clearing the way for development projects in the temple town and sanctioned Rs 647788 crore for PhaseII of the Jayakwadi irrigation project in Marathwada reported the PTIThe decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra FadnavisThe Cabinet approved a special rehabilitation policy for people affected by development projects in Pandharpur taking into account the towns religious significance local conditions and the urgency of infrastructure works the news agency reportedDevelopment projects worth Rs 399390 crore are currently planned in the temple townThe new policy is expected to facilitate rehabilitation and help speed up the implementation of these projectsThe Cabinet also approved a financial provision of Rs 647788 crore for PhaseII of the Jayakwadi projectThe project will strengthen the Majalgaon dam on the Sindphana River which is part of the Godavari basinAccording to the government the project is expected to provide irrigation to around 131652 hectares across Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Ahilyanagar Beed Parbhani and Nanded districts as per the PTIBesides irrigation the project is expected to support industrial water supply fisheries and power generationMaharashtra backs Punes 2032 Cycling World Championships bidThe Cabinet also approved government support for Punes bid to host the 2032 UCI Road World ChampionshipsThe state will provide a letter of support financial guarantees and assistance for infrastructure and other operational requirements if Pune is selected to host the eventThe bid follows the successful organisation of the Pune Grand Tour 2026 by the Maharashtras Pune district administration and the Cycling Federation of IndiaThe government estimates that hosting the 2032 championship could generate economic activity of around Rs 330 croreMahakhanij 20 to bring greater transparencyThe Cabinet approved amendments to the Maharashtra Minor Mineral Extraction Development and Regulation Rules 2013Under the Mahakhanij 20 portal information relating to mining areas storage locations and transportation of minor minerals will be made available transparentlyThe government has also made transport permits mandatory for minor minerals brought into Maharashtra from other statesThe changes are aimed at preventing illegal extraction and transportation of minor mineralsPWD to use trades platform for pending paymentsThe Public Works Department will introduce a Trades Platform system to facilitate the timely settlement of pending payments to micro small and medium enterprises MSMEs and contractorsThe move is intended to improve payment processing and address outstanding duesThe Cabinet approved grants for various sports facilities under PhaseII of the district sports complex in GadchiroliThe proposed works are estimated to cost Rs 8012 croreLand allocated for educational and tribal developmentThe government also approved the allocation of 3910 square metres of government land reserved for educational purposes in the Sadar Bazar area of Solapur North to Shri Jambumani Mochi Samaj Seva Mandal according to the PTIThe land will be used for educational activitiesIn another decision 15 hectares of land in Moshi Pune district was allotted to the Krantiveer Chapekar Committee Krantitirth Chapekar Brothers National Museum in Chinchwad Gaon and Punarutthan Samarasata Gurukulams aided tribal residential school in ChinchwadA comprehensive development centre for backward and deprived tribal communities will be established on the landThe Cabinet also approved a restructuring of the Finance and Planning departmentsUnder the new arrangement budgetrelated subjects and posts currently handled by the Planning department will be transferred to the Finance departmentThe government said the move is aimed at improving administrative efficiencyThe Cabinet sanctioned Rs 32847 crore towards transportation costs for paddy and coarse grains procured under the minimum support price MSP scheme during the 202425 season the news agency reportedThe allocation is intended to cover transportation expenses related to the procurement of these cropswith PTI inputs