Complete 15th Finance Commission Projects on Time with a 100-Year Vision: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Deputy CM reviews key development projects under the 15th Finance Commission; stresses on quality and timely completion

Mumbai : Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has directed that all development projects being implemented in Maharashtra under the 15th Finance Commission should be completed within the stipulated timeline, keeping in mind the needs of the next hundred years. Emphasizing quality, he instructed officials to ensure that every rupee of central funding is utilized efficiently and not returned unspent.

Presiding over a high-level meeting at Mantralaya, Pawar reviewed the progress of various state development projects supported by the 15th Finance Commission. He stressed the importance of maintaining continuous coordination with central officials to ensure timely disbursement and full utilization of funds within the current fiscal year.

Key projects reviewed included:

1. Creation of artificial coral reefs near Sindhudurg using the decommissioned INS Guldar ship to promote global-standard scuba diving and underwater tourism.
2. Construction of a Unity Mall near Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, adjacent to the international airport.
3. Development of the ‘Ram-Kal-Path’ heritage corridor in Nashik.
4. Construction of hostels for working women in Thane, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Solapur.
5. Various urban development, rural development, disaster management, and public health initiatives.
6. Heritage conservation efforts.
7. Forest and wildlife management.
8. Progress on the Rewas-Redi Coastal Highway.
9. Housing projects for the police force.

Pawar emphasized that any obstacles delaying these initiatives would be removed with full support from the state government. However, he made it clear that delays would not be tolerated, and quality must be a top priority.

The meeting was attended by several top officials, including Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) O.P. Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary (Planning) Dr. Rajgopal Deora, Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development) Asimkumar Gupta, Principal Secretary (Rural Development) Eknath Dawale, Principal Secretary (Finance) Saurabh Vijay, and senior officials from departments including Tourism, Public Works, and Public Health, along with CIDCO and Nashik Municipal Corporation.

Ajit Pawar concluded by stating that the development works funded by the 15th Finance Commission must be planned for long-term impact and executed efficiently within the financial year, highlighting that the Centre is fully cooperating with the state.