Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde said that protecting human lives was state government’s responsibility and it will create a leopard attacks-free environment
Eknath Shinde said that the rescue centres will come up soon. Pic/Eknath Shinde's office
To tackle leopard attacks in the Junnar region, Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde said that the state cabinet has approved two leopard rescue centres, an official statement issued by his office said on Thursday.
“Protecting human lives is Maharashtra government’s responsibility. We will create a leopard attacks-free environment,” he said.
Multiple leopard attacks in Junnar had last year turned political.
Last year in December, Shiv Sena's Junnar MLA Sharad Sonawane had arrived at the state legislature in Nagpur during the Maharashtra Assembly Session dressed in a leopard costume.
While speaking to the media outside the assembly premises, Sonawane had claimed that 55 people have died in leopard attacks in Junnar Taluka of Pune district in the past three months.
Raising the issue, Sonawane had demanded that the government should declare a ‘state emergency’ and capture at least 2,000 leopards and put them in rescue centres.
MIDC and IT park near Shivneri Fort
Eknath Shinde also announced plans to set up an MIDC and IT park near Shivneri Fort, construct a grand entrance gate, establish a food processing park at Dumbarwadi, and promote tourism-led employment. He pledged to make Junnar the number-one tourism taluka in the country.
Shinde also said religious sites will be developed, Buddhist caves conserved, and forts protected.
The Deputy CM listed several infrastructure and development projects, including the Murbad-Junnar highway, faster progress on the Pune-Nashik railway line, the 56-km Junnar-Talegaon road, Rs 313 crore for repairs to Chilewadi Dam, Rs 35 crore for bridge construction, and a Rs 240 crore proposal for Parunde Kumbh Mela facilities.
He also mentioned water supply schemes for tribal hamlets, MI tanks, canals, check dams, drinking water for plateau regions, and a Rs 32,000 crore compensation package for losses caused by excessive rainfall.
Farmer has first right over state treasury: Shinde
Calling farmers the nation’s food providers, Shinde said they have the first right over the state’s resources. He announced that steps would be taken to grant municipal council status to Otur and Narayangaon.
He also said boating permissions for tourism would be encouraged and priority would be given to providing jobs to local youth.
Appeal to vote for Shiv Sena candidates
Shinde announced the names of all Shiv Sena candidates for the district council and panchayat committee elections and urged voters to press the bow-and-arrow button on February 7.
“A vote for the bow and arrow is a vote for development,” he said, assuring five years of dedicated service. Promising to transform Junnar and repay the debt to Shivaji Maharaj’s land, he concluded his speech with chants of “Jai Maharashtra”.
Several Shiv Sena leaders, candidates, party officials and workers were present at the event.
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