Committed to the Overall Development of the State and Welfare of Citizens – Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Mumbai, 15th August: On the 78th Independence Day, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the overall development of Maharashtra and the welfare of its citizens. Speaking at the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Ministry, he emphasized the various initiatives aimed at promoting growth, particularly through schemes for farmers, farm laborers, women, and students. Chief Minister Shinde asserted that the state government is effectively implementing policies to propel Maharashtra towards becoming a developed state.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Shinde hoisted the main flag. He addressed the gathering, which included Bombay High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, Chief Protocol Officer Manisha Mhaiskar, along with Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Army officers, Senior Police Officers, Freedom Fighters, and other departmental officers and employees. After the flag-hoisting, Chief Minister Shri Shinde greeted the attendees and paid homage to the images of Rajmata Jijau, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jotirao Phule, Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, and Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

In his speech, Chief Minister Shri Shinde highlighted the significant progress made by the state government over the past two years. He mentioned the government’s efforts to attract foreign investment and implement innovative schemes for the weaker and poorer sections of society. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is moving towards becoming a $5 trillion economy, with a vision of becoming the third-largest economy in the world. Maharashtra is expected to play a significant role in this achievement, he noted.

Chief Minister Shri Shinde further mentioned that the government is bringing about a radical transformation in various sectors such as agriculture, education, energy, manufacturing, information technology, construction, tourism, healthcare, skill development, and infrastructure. The state has set a target of creating 15 million jobs. A logistics policy has been announced, which is expected to generate Rs 30,000 crores in revenue for the state over the next five years. The Chief Minister also noted an increase in investor confidence, leading to more than Rs 5 lakh crore in investment agreements over the past two years. Maharashtra continues to lead the country in foreign direct investment, having created 2.5 lakh jobs through these efforts. The state contributes 14 percent to the nation’s total income and remains number one in the industry and service sectors. Additionally, Maharashtra is a preferred destination for foreign tourists.

Chief Minister Shri Shinde also spoke about the ongoing infrastructure projects worth approximately Rs 1 trillion in the state. He mentioned that the final phase of the Samriddhi Highway project will soon be completed, enabling full traffic flow from Nagpur to Mumbai. Alongside infrastructure development, the government is ensuring that the poor, weak, and deprived sections of society are included in the development process. The seven flagship schemes of the state government have brought significant social change to Maharashtra.

The Chief Minister highlighted the “Dari Yojana,” which has benefited around 4 crore citizens in the state. The “Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana,” which provides benefits to women, will begin on Rakshabandhan. Other schemes mentioned include employment training and substantial stipends for youth, the provision of three free gas cylinders per year to the poor and weak, electricity concessions for farmers, free vocational education for girls, and free pilgrimage trips for senior citizens of all religions. Additionally, the “Lake Ladki” scheme, which provides Rs 1 lakh to girls when they turn eighteen, is also underway.

Over the past two years, the Chief Minister’s Medical Aid Fund Cell has provided Rs 300 crore in assistance. There have been substantial increases in pensions for the destitute, remuneration for Anganwadi and Asha workers, wages for village servants, scholarships for students, and subsistence allowances for scheduled students. Various organizations such as Sarathi, Barti, Mahajyoti, Amrit, and Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation are working with multiple schemes to support backward, weak, and poor youth. The Marti Institute for Minorities and the Arti Institute for the Matang community have been established, reflecting the state government’s sensitivity, Chief Minister Shri Shinde stated.

In addition to this, the state government has made substantial provisions for women and farmers, allocating over Rs 44,000 crores to agriculture across various departments over the past two years. The Chief Minister also mentioned the approval of the Vainganga-Nalganga project, which aims to provide water to drought-affected areas like Marathwada, ultimately irrigating 4 lakh hectares of land.

In order to increase the income of the people at the grassroot level in the state, the state government is trying for all-round development without distinguishing between urban and rural areas. Chief Minister Shri. Shinde said.

We enthusiastically implemented Har Ghar Tricolor Abhiyan across the state from 9th August Kranti Day in the state. He also expressed his belief that this flame of patriotism should always burn in the hearts of all of us.