01.05.2023: Speech of Governor on the occasion of Maharashtra Day

Speech of Honorable Governor Mr Ramesh Bais during the official program organized at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maidan, Mumbai, on the occasion of Maharashtra Day: Date 1 May 2023, the 63rd anniversary of formation of Maharashtra

Brothers and sisters,

At the outset, I heartily congratulate the Marathi people of Maharashtra and all over the world on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of the formation of the state of Maharashtra. I would like to pay my heartfelt tributes to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the creation of ‘Sanyukt’ (United) Maharashtra.

1. It is also ‘International Labor Day’, today and it is our duty to remember that the formation of the state of Maharashtra was because of the ‘Sweat and blood’ of the laborers.

2. Maharashtra is recognized by the valor and the constructive work of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Great personalities like Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Lokmanya Tilak, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar, Veer Savarkar, had socially enriched the state.

3. According to the Shiva –Shaka, this is the 350th year of the coronation i.e. ‘Shivarajyabhishek’ of the founder of Hindavi Swarajya, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. On this occasion, Shivrajyabhishek Mahotsav will be organized from 2nd to 9th June 2023. A museum based on Maharaj’s biography will be constructed at Shivneri, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Apart from this, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Concept Garden will also be built in Ambegaon in Pune. May 28, Veer Savarkar’s birthday will be celebrated as “Swatantraveer Gaurav Din” by the state government.

4. On 19 February 2023, my government has accepted the song “Jai Jai Maharashtra Maajha” as the state song.

5. Combatting with all the three waves of Covid-19 in a well- planned manner, Maharashtra has set an example before the entire nation. Now that there is a rise in graph of Covid patients, I appeal to the people of Maharashtra to take care of their health.

6. The earlier limit of treatment under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Swasthya Yojana has now been raised from rupees 1.50 lakh to rupees 5 lakh, annually. Similarly, 200 new hospitals are also being included in the list.
Notably, the construction work of 14 government medical colleges in the state will be done with priority. Special room for transgender community has been started in G.T. hospital.

7. My government is emphasizing on reviving the state’s economy and creating employment in the post Covid-19 period. The decision to set up a logistic park in Maharashtra has also been taken. Emphasis is also given on increasing the startup eco- system in the state.
While celebrating the ‘Amrit Mahotsava’ of the independence of India, my government had initiated the process of recruitment of 75 thousand employees in various government departments and it is going on with greater pace. Under this drive, the process of recruitment of 18 thousand 331 constables is also in progress. The prime objective is to make the police system of the state, more efficient.

8. My government has provided one lakh 25 thousand jobs by signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU’s) with 45 different industries and industrial groups. In order to make the youth of the state employable, the Maharashtra State Skill University has been established.
At least 500 youths from each district will be made employable by imparting training to them in various hospitality sectors like water tourism, agriculture tourism, Caravan tourism, adventure tourism and sustainable tourism.
Last year, 36.32 lakh laborers have been given work under the MNREGA.

9. My government has prepared a five-point program for development of Maharashtra and making it number one state in the nation with one trillion dollar economy. It is a matter of pride and happiness for the nation that India is hosting the G-20 Summit. The Working Group on Infrastructure of the G-20 Summit has conducted meetings in Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Nagpur in Maharashtra and it has been highly appreciated by the delegates and representatives of various G-20 nations.

10. My government has completed more than 88 percent construction work of “Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samrudhi Mahamarg”. The 521 kilometer long Nagpur to Shirdi highway has been public dedicated and opened for transportation. Till now, more than 10 lakh vehicles had used this Highway.

11. The government is taking the assistance of Information Technology (IT) to ensure that the Panchnamas of damage caused by natural calamities will be done within time. The decision to give compensation to those who are facing damages due to continuous rains was also taken.

12. For increasing the grant of state, my government has brought “Namo Kisan Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana” of the state government along with the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Samman Yojana of the union government to benefit the farmers. Six thousand rupees are being given to every farmer, per year by the central government and now the state government will also be giving equal amount (six thousand) to every farmer. As a result, the peasants and agriculturists of the state will get 12 thousand rupees per year.
Farmers had to pay 2 percent amount as the insurance installment of Pradhan Mantri Crop Insurance Scheme, but now this amount will be paid through my government and the farmers will have to pay just 1 rupee on the portal of Prime Minister Crop Insurance. The decision to give benefit of up to rupees 50 thousand as incentive to the farmers who are regularly repaying the loan, was also taken. More than 14 lakh farmers are getting the benefit out of this decision.

13. An all-inclusive policy has been made by my government to compensate the fishermen affected by the projects. From this year, ‘Insurance umbrella’ scheme of rupees 5 lakh will be started for fishermen engage in traditional fishing in the state.

14. From the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar this year, my government has included four ration items and distributed “Anandacha Shidha” (Ration of Joy) set for as low as rupees100 to the ration card holders, from Gudhipadwa onwards. Anandacha Shidha has been distributed to more than 1 crore and 63 lakh families of the state, till now.

15. My government has brought the new scheme Lek Laadki (beloved daughter) for the empowerment of girls. Under this scheme, the yellow and orange ration card holder families will get 75 thousand rupees after the birth of a girl child and it will be given to her after she turns 18. A concession of 50 percent is being given to women for traveling in the buses of the state run Maharashtra State Road Transportation Corporation (MSRTC). One percent concession in stamp duty is given to women while purchasing of house. Senior citizens who are above 75 years of age, are given the facility of free traveling in all types of ST buses and 50 percent concession in all type of bus fare is given to the senior citizens who are between 65 and 75 years of age. The honorarium of ASHA volunteers, group promoters and Aanganwadi workers has also been raised.

16. My government is committed to all-inclusive development by taking all sects of the society together while marching ahead. My government has set up the Disabled Welfare Department to implement protection, rehabilitation, employment and self-employment for the differently abled people of the state.

17. My government has made a hefty raise in the prize money of the Gold medal winning players of the Commonwealth games to five folds. Now the players winning Gold medals will be given 50 lakh rupees. Rupees 30 lakhs will be given to the Silver medalist and the Bronze medalist will be given rupees 20 lakhs, as prize.

18. Maharashtra had made a new comprehensive sand policy to provide sand to the citizens of the state at affordable rates and also to curb the illegal sand mining.

19. The state government is taking up the matter with the Union government for giving the status of Elite (Classical) language to Marathi. A Marathi language University will be established at Ridhpur in Amravati, in the near future.

20. My government has taken the decision to increase the amount of financial assistance (Compensation) from rupees 15 lakh to rupees 20 lakh in case of death due to attacks by wild animals.

21. On this day, I appeal everyone to come together for building a new and strong Maharashtra.

Once again, on the auspicious occasion of Maharashtra Day, I extend my best wishes to the people of the state.

Jai Hind ! Jai Maharashtra !!