The bill, which was tabled in the assembly on the first day of the monsoon session, provides for the establishment of an Authority for the organisation and management of the Kumbh Mela and allied activities in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar as well as other areas in the vicinity
Pic/PTI
The Maharashtra government on Monday tabled a bill seeking to establish the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority for the mega congregation set to begin on October 31 next year.
The bill, which was tabled in the assembly on the first day of the monsoon session, provides for the establishment of an Authority for the organisation and management of the Kumbh Mela and allied activities in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar as well as other areas in the vicinity.
An ordinance on the Authority was promulgated on June 4 this year after it was approved by the Devendra Fadnavis cabinet.
As per the bill, the 22-member Authority will be headed by the Nashik division commissioner, and will also include Nashik collector and Nashik Range inspector general of police as vice chairpersons.
The chairperson will have powers to direct government departments and other authorities to requisition services, facilities, premises, vehicles etc for the Kumbh Mela.
A committee of ministers will also be set up to review the work of the Authority from time to time.
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela will begin on October 31 next year with 'Dhwajarohan' (flag hoisting) at Trimbakeshwar and Ramkund in Nashik. The flag will be taken down on July 24, 2028, marking the conclusion of the mega event held once every 12 years.
Several crore pilgrims are expected to attend.
Maharashtra govt tables supplementary demands of Rs 57,509 cr in assembly
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government tabled supplementary demands of Rs 57,509.71 crore in the state legislative assembly on Monday to allocate funds for various schemes and projects.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is also the state finance and planning minister, presented these demands on the first day of the three-week monsoon session.
Supplementary demands are additional funds sought by the government over budgetary allocations.
The government has primarily allocated these funds for infrastructure projects such as roads, metro rail, and irrigation schemes, as well as for planning and execution of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
The demands include Rs 1,600 crore for the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Health Scheme, Rs 1,500 crore for the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar (Destitute) Grant Scheme, scholarships for students from the backward classes, and overall development of socially and economically weaker sections.
The largest allocation, Rs 11,042.76 crore, has been earmarked for grants recommended by the 15th Finance Commission, and it has also made a provision of Rs 6,952 crore for public health.
Additionally, Rs 3,228.38 crore has been provisioned for refunds related to stamp duty surcharge to metro projects, municipal corporations, municipal councils, and Zilla Parishads.
The government has allocated Rs 1,000 cr for the planning and execution of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
Of the total supplementary demands, Rs 19,183.85 crore was for mandatory expenditures, Rs 34,661.34 crore for planned schemes, and Rs 3,664.52 crore for centrally-sponsored schemes.
Though the gross demand amounts to Rs 57,509.71 crore, the net financial impact on the state exchequer is Rs 40,644.69 crore, Pawar said.
The government has made a provision of Rs 2,182.69 crore as margin money loans to cooperative sugar factories under assistance from the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
(With inputs from PTI)
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