Local self-government bodies will promptly submit proposals to the Agriculture Development Corporation – Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

In a meeting held in the Deputy Chief Minister’s committee room, Ajit Pawar instructed that local self-government bodies should promptly submit proposals in the prescribed format to the Agriculture Development Corporation. These proposals are for acquiring free land to facilitate public works such as Village Extension, Government Gharkul Scheme, Solid Waste Management, and Water Supply Schemes. He emphasized the urgency by directing the concerned department to initiate the water supply scheme works on the corporation’s land, subject to specified terms and conditions.

Present at the meeting were Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, MLAs Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar, Dattatraya Bharne, Deepak Chavan, along with senior officials including Additional Chief Secretaries Rajesh Kumar (Revenue Department), Dr. Rajagopal Deora (Planning Department), O.P. Gupta (Finance), and Sanjay Khandare (Water Supply and Sanitation Department). Also in attendance were Abhishek Krishna (Maharashtra Life Authority Secretary), Suhas Diwas (Pune Collector), Santosh Patil (CEO of Pune Zilla Parishad), and Subhash Bhujbal (Chief Engineer, Maharashtra Life Authority Nashik).

Ajit Pawar highlighted that many areas across the state have lands owned by the State Agriculture Corporation. Gram Panchayats situated on these lands frequently submit requisition proposals for public works like Gavthan expansion, Government Gharkul Scheme, Solid Waste Management, and Water Supply Schemes. Recognizing the financial constraints of local self-government bodies, the government had earlier decided to provide land free of cost for such public works, announced on March 13, 2024. Pawar stressed that local bodies needing land for these purposes should promptly submit proposals in the specified format, with decisions expected promptly.

Moreover, considering the urgency of water supply schemes, Ajit Pawar directed immediate action. The meeting also decided to allocate land to the Corporation for water supply schemes under the ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission of the Central Government.

Pawar assured that Gram Panchayats would receive priority consideration for various initiatives including Gram Secretariat under Gav Thana Extension, Drinking Water Scheme as part of Jaljeevan Mission, Gharkul Scheme sanctioned by Central and State Governments, Solar Energy Panels, Solid Waste Management facilities, Primary Health Sub-Centers, Crematoriums, Burial Grounds, Playgrounds, and Roads.