Menu Toggle
More
    Close

    Address by the Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao to the Joint Session of Maharashtra State Legislature.

    Publish Date: March 9, 2016

    सभापती महोदय, अध्यक्ष महोदय आणि सर्व सन्माननीय सदस्य गण,

    राज्य विधानमंडळाच्या दोन हजार सोळा वर्षातील या पहिल्या अधिवेशनात आपणा सर्वांचे स्वागत करताना मला अतिशय आनंद होत आहे.

    HON’BLE CHAIRMAN, HON’BLE SPEAKER AND HON’BLE MEMBERS,

    1. It gives me great pleasure to welcome all of you to the first session of State Legislature for the year 2016.

    2. My Government is committed to fulfill the legitimate demands of the people and to enhance their standard of living. For this purpose, it has taken several pro-people decisions to ensure their welfare in all the sectors such as social, educational, financial and cultural.

    Homage

    3. I am happy to inform that all clearances have been obtained for constructing the National Monument of revered Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A Project Management Consultant has already been appointed for this purpose. The Government intends to complete the work before 2019.

    4. I am delighted to note that we received tremendous response to the ‘Raigad Mahotsav’ and were successful in showcasing the cultural heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

    5. On the occasion of forthcoming 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on 2nd October, 2019, the Government has drawn up plans to develop Wardha-Sevagram-Pavnar area, which would include development of basic infrastructure and civic amenities.

    6. My Government has declared 2015-16, the 125th birth anniversary year of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar as “Samata and Samajik Nyay Varsh”. On this occasion, both the Central and the State Government are implementing a series of commemorative programmes. The Central Government has decided to develop “Panchateerth”, 5 places that have significant links with the life history of Dr. Ambedkar in a manner that the coming generations would get knowledge about his contributions towards evolving an egalitarian society. Two of these places are located in the State: namely, village, Ambavde, Dist. Ratnagiri where he undertook his early education, and Indu Mill at Dadar, Mumbai.

    7. The State Government has decided to construct 50 new hostels for girls belonging to backward classes and three working women hostels at Pune, Nagpur and Mumbai. Government has also decided to establish “Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Samata Pratisthan” and to construct extension building for Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute, Pune. All these programmes will be completed in the next two years. Government has taken a decision to introduce special package scheme of incentives to promote SC and ST entrepreneurs.

    8. It is also endeavour of my Government to spread awareness at the international level about the phenomenal work of Bharat Ratna Dr .Babasaheb Ambedkar. To that end his statue has been erected at Koyasan in Japan in August 2015. Further, my Government has acquired and taken possession of the house in London where he resided as a student during 1921-22. The Central Government has declared this house as a National Memorial.

    9. The Government has already announced the construction of a memorial for Late Shri Balasaheb Thackeray at Dadar, and action is in progress to set it up at the earliest. In December, 2015, Government has allotted land at Aurangabad for a Memorial of Late Gopinathji Munde, Deputy Chief Minister and former Union Minister.

    10. My Government is serious about and sensitive to the Maharashtra-Karnataka Border Dispute. During the hearing of the court case on 12th September, 2014, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has appointed ex-Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Shri Manmohan Sarin as the Court Commissioner to record evidence. The Government has appointed the Minister for Public Works Department and Co-operation as State coordinator to deal effectively with the problems faced by the Marathi Speaking People in the State of Karnataka in the disputed areas.

    Relief & Rehabilitation

    11. The State is facing drought for the fourth successive year and nearly 15750 villages are adversely affected in the current Kharip Season. The Central Government has approved relief assistance of Rs. 3049 Crores, which is the highest ever central assistance given to Maharashtra. My Government till date has disbursed an amount of Rs. 2536 Crore to the drought affected farmers.

    12. My Government has decided to extend relief assistance to the people who suffered crop loss, house damage due to unseasonal rains and hailstorm during the year 2015. The Central Government has revised the Norms of relief Assistance under State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF). Accordingly, State Government has adopted the enhanced financial assistance norms with effect from 1st April, 2015.

    13. My Government has taken a decision to waive 3 months’ interest on the crop loans availed by the farmers who lost their crops due to natural calamities during November-December 2014 and February-March 2015. Considering the recurrent crop failures due to natural calamities, my Government took a decision to restructure crop loans, waived the interest on loans and stayed the recovery of loans. As a result of these decisions, Banks restructured about Rs.3,500 Crore of crop loan into medium term loans, which have benefited nearly 5.5 lakh farmers. Due to restructuring of outstanding crop loans, the District Central Cooperative Banks of Akola, Washim, Amravati, Yavatmal, Chandrapur and Nasik were able to extend fresh crop loans of Rs. 405 Crore to nearly 1,16,000 farmers whose loans were so restructured.

    14. To help the farmers in drought affected areas, 33 per cent of the current electricity bills have been waived. On the lines of ‘Krishi Sanjeevani Scheme’, ‘Paani Sanjeevani Scheme’ has been started, which will benefit 50,000 drinking water schemes of local bodies.

    15. For strengthening of the power infrastructure in drought affected areas of the State, substantial financial assistance is being provided to Mahavitaran.
    Permanent Mitigation Measures

    16. Rejuvenation of farming in drought affected areas is the biggest challenge before the State. To conserve and harvest every drop of rain water and to utilise it judiciously for farming is the need of the hour.

    17. Since the time the “Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan” was launched in December, 2014 with the purpose of providing permanent measures to overcome adverse conditions in the drought prone villages about 1,33,000 works have been completed, creating a Water Storage potential of around 6,90,000 TCM. 5,182 villages have been selected for this purpose for the year 2016-17.

    18. To give an impetus to the Water Conservation Works in the drought-prone areas of the State the Maharashtra State Water Conservation Corporation will be provided a grant of Rs.10, 000 Crore up to the year 2025 as share capital assistance.

    19. My Government has launched “Jalswaraj Programme-II” with World Bank assistance of nearly Rs.900 Crores and State share of Rs.385 Crores.

    20. A Special Campaign for Vidarbha and Marathwada regions has been launched to energise agriculture pumps with assistance of Rs.1,000 crores.

    21. Under Atal Solar Krushi Pump Scheme, about 10,000 Solar Krushi Pumps are being provided to the farmers in drought-prone area. Farmers are required to pay only 5 percent of the cost of the Pump with no recurring energy bill and no maintenance charges.

    22. The Government has fixed a target of constructing 1 lakh wells under MGNREGA in the coming 3 years. In 2015-16, 31,000 wells have been completed so far.

    23. My Government has declared ‘Magel Tyala Shet Tale Scheme’ which will promote sustainable agriculture. In its first phase about 52,000 farm ponds will be taken up.

    24. Nearly 6,800 Malgujari Tanks in the districts of Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Nagpur having irrigation potential of about one lac hectares were constructed about 300 years ago and these tanks are presently in need of repair. So far, 1,400 tanks have been repaired under various schemes and State Government intends to take up more such tanks for repairs in the coming financial year.

    25. It has been decided to implement the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project, Phase-II, in the coastal districts of Maharashtra. The total cost of the project is Rs. 398 crores.

    26. To reduce the risk of crop damage due to pests, diseases and vagaries of nature, my Government has decided to implement ‘Protected Cultivation’ project under “Rashtriya Krushi Vikas Yojana”.

    27. My Government has decided to construct ‘community tanks’ for harvesting rain water to provide timely protective irrigation for assured crop production.

    28. The Government has decided to implement the “Traditional Agricultural Development Scheme (Organic Agriculture)” under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture for a period of three years from 2015-16.

    29. In order to prolong the shelf life of harvested onion crop, a project for constructing low cost storage structures has been approved during the year. These structures would help in stabilising the onion market for a long duration with benefits to all in the supply chain.

    30. For the welfare of farmers and their families, Government has introduced “Gopinath Munde Farmers Accident Insurance Scheme” in which the total premium of all the 1.37 crore farmers in the State is to be paid by the Government. The next of kin of the deceased farmer will get Rs. 2.00 lakh as compensation and in case of permanent loss of one limb, the farmer will get compensation up to Rupees One lakh.

    31. About 15 lakh Soil Health Cards were distributed to the farmers on 5th December 2015, which was celebrated as “World Soil Day”. This would help farmers to maintain required soil fertility for practising sustainable agriculture.

    32. Farmers are being organized into groups and linked to markets for realizing better and assured income returns for their crops. 21 Projects under Public Private Partnership for Integrated Development of Agriculture (PPP-IAD) initiative are sanctioned in the current year benefitting about 2 lakh farmers who are able to directly sell almost 1 lakh metric tonnes of their produce for agriculture processing units and to wholesale traders.

    33. It is decided to take one revamped project of Rs. 5 crore in each of the Revenue Divisions to set up agriculture processing units. In the next five years, 35 such projects will be completed.

    34. My Government has decided to professionalise the governance of Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees by nominating 2 to 4 experts from the fields like Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural processing, Law, Commerce & Economics.

    35. Decentralized Procurement Scheme will be implemented from the ensuing season, which will help reduce storage and transport expenditure and implement Public Distribution System effectively.

    36. Under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund, with NABARD’s loan, storage capacity for Public Distribution System has been increased by more than 16,000 Metric Tonnes and 128 godowns with 2,12,000 Metric Tonnes capacity are under various stages of construction.
    Redressing Agrarian Distress

    37. My Government has initiated several mitigation measures in 14 Agrarian-distressed districts in Vidarbha and Marathwada. In these districts, under the National Food Security Act, 2013, more than 68 lakh farmers have benefited and an expenditure of about Rs. 86 Crore per month is being incurred. “Baliraja Chetana Abhiyan”, a Pilot Project, is being implemented in the districts of Yavatmal and Osmanabad to identify and assist the vulnerable farmers to meet their medical and other emergency needs. In order to promote farm mechanisation for more productive agriculture, ‘Late Motiramji Lahane Krishi Samruddhi Prakalp’ has been sanctioned in the two Districts. Rs.1, 200 crores would be made available in the next 3 years by converging various schemes and programmes. For counselling the farmers, a comprehensive health programme “Prerna Prakalp” has been started. With a view to reduce financial distress on account of medical ailments suffered by farmers, the scope of the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana’ has been expanded and claims under this scheme are being disposed of speedily. For the widows of the deceased farmers in Agrarian-Distressed Districts, “Hinduhridaysamrat Shivsenapramukh Balasaheb Thackeray Niradhar Swavlamban Yojana” has been started to support their livelihood by allotment of auto-rickshaw permits.
    Law and Order

    38. My Government has initiated stern measures to protect the people and to control crime. To this end, the Government has expedited the technology upgradation of Police force and has successfully completed the Crime and Criminal Tracking network and Systems Project of Government of India. CCTV project of Pune has been completed and the Government is now focusing on timely completion of CCTV projects in Mumbai, Thane, Aurangabad and Solapur.

    39. Safety of women and children is an important issue. In Mumbai more than 90 women police patrolling teams have been pressed into service.

    40. My Government has succeeded in improving the conviction rate from 36% to 52% over the past one year. Higher Conviction rate will deter criminal and anti-social elements indulging in criminal activities.

    41. Anti-naxal operations will be further stepped up and overall improvement in policing the affected area will continue to be the priority of the Government.

    42. Maharashtra State Police Housing & Welfare Corporation, Public Works Department, MHADA and HUDCO are jointly working to augment housing for Police personnel. During the year, acquisition and construction of nearly 11,500 quarters have been undertaken and about 26,000 quarters will be provided in the next year.

    43. For strengthening coastal security, more than 1,40,000 fishermen have been given biometric cards and the remaining will be given biometric cards by the end of April 2016. Security Guards have been deployed at all the 91 landing points.

    44. On our request, the Central Government is setting up Fishery Monitoring Control and Surveillance Centres in all Coastal districts. These centres will provide a uniform platform for identification of fishermen and will also ensure co-ordination among Police, Navy and Coast Guards.

    45. With a view to speed up judicial process and administration my Government has sanctioned permanent extension to the posts of 45 court managers in the High Court and Subordinate Courts, thereby taking a lead in the country. The Government has created 19 new posts of High Court Judges and sanctioned funds for necessary infrastructure and staff to reduce pendency.
    Industries

    46. With a view to retain the top rank of Maharashtra in industrialisation, the State has initiated a vigorous “Make in Maharashtra” Campaign. For this purpose various industry-friendly policies have been formulated. In order to ensure that Maharashtra remains a preferred destination for new industries, various Government processes have been systemised and simplified for obtaining requisite permissions. MAITRI has been proposed, as a single window platform which will facilitate online application and disposal of 44 permissions across 15 departments using the statutory powers under the Right to Services Act.

    47. State Agriculture Tenancy Law has been amended, making it easy to purchase agriculture land for bona fide industrial purposes. Duly approved projects of State and Central Governments, can now be granted land by the District Collectors.

    48. Apart from ensuring ease of doing business in the State, my Government has approved a series of new industrial promotional policies. To attract more industries in Vidarbha and Marathwada, a policy of full exemption of Value Added Tax has been adopted. To promote FAB projects in the State, New Electronics policy has been formulated. Also, Maharashtra is a pioneering State in the country to formulate a new Retail Trade Policy. Considering the increasing popularity of e-commerce and to incentivise establishment of logistics Hubs, some tax concessions have been proposed. ‘Maharashtra Costal Industrial Policy’ has been formulated to harness immense economic potential of the coastal areas.

    49. The State of Maharashtra was honoured to host the “Make in India Week” recently organized by Government of India at Mumbai. An ecosystem of simplified permits, progressive new industrial policies and inherent strength of the State in the industrial sector were presented before the National and International industrialists. As a result, an investment including foreign investment of more than Rupees 8 lakh crores has been attracted in Maharashtra which will create an employment potential of 30 lakhs. I thank everyone for the whole hearted support to this Week.

    50. The Aurangabad Industrial Township Ltd., under the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project, over an area admeasuring 4000 hectares has already commenced its developmental works.

    51. Under the new textile policy, banks have so far sanctioned 1,127 textile projects, in which approximately Rs.11,000 Crore has been invested and about 64,000 jobs have been created.
    Infrastructure Development

    52. My Government has taken special efforts to provide quality infrastructure. Various roads, railways, airports, sea ports, energy and irrigation projects have been undertaken.

    53. The State has completed more than 2,63,000 Km out of a target of nearly 3,37,000 Km of roads under the Development Programme 2001-21. We have succeeded in converting nearly 6,800 Km of State Highways into National Highways.

    54. The proposed Coastal Highway along the west coast of Maharashtra will promote industries, tourism and will also cater to defence needs.

    55. My Government will take up the Construction of Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway connecting 5 revenue divisions in the year 2016-17, which will be the longest greenfield expressway in the country.

    56. The construction of the proposed Pune Ring Road of 150 km will commence soon. The construction of the bridge across Thane Creek will also be commenced. It is also proposed to construct a tunnel of 8.2 kms and a viaduct of 4 km between Khopoli Toll Naka and Kusgaon.

    57. MSRDC has been appointed as the Implementing Agency for Thane-Ghodbunder Road, 27 railway over bridges in Vidarbha, four-lane Wakan-Pali-Khopoli road, Thane to Borivali Tunnel road and Kon to Kalyan-Dombivali-Shilphata elevated road.

    58. Seven ongoing projects of Maharashtra under “Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme” have now been included in the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna. They are Waghor, Lower Panjara, Lower Wardha, Lower Dudhana, Tillari, Nandur-Madhameshwar Phase-II and Bavanthadi.

    59. Government has decided to implement “Nadi-Nala Rejuvenation programme” by converging with various schemes. 63 Nadi-Nala rejuvenation proposals have been sanctioned so far.

    60. New Power generation units of 1980 Mega Watt at Koradi Thermal Power Station and 1000 Mega Watt at Chandrapur Thermal Power Station will become operational in 2016-17. As a result State is poised to become power surplus.

    61. The World renowned tourist destination of Elephanta Caves Island will soon get regular electricity with investment of Rs.28 Crore in power infrastructure.

    62. To strengthen power infrastructure in the State with Central assistance, “Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana” in the rural areas with an approved outlay of about Rs.2, 200 Crores and “Integrated Power Development Scheme” for the urban areas with an allocation of about Rs.2, 300 Crores will be implemented in next four years.

    63. New policies have been announced during the last one year to promote development of new and renewable energy to the extent of 14,400 MW by 2019 and to promote off-grid generation of renewable energy for household consumption.

    64. It is proposed to set up the “Maharashtra Railway Infrastructure Development Company” as a joint venture with Ministry of Railways which will expedite implementation of railway projects in the state. The Government has also decided to participate by way of equity in Port-Rail Connectivity projects for Jaigad Port and Dighi Port and also to buy 26 per cent shares in Satellite Port Project of JNPT at Wadhwan.

    65. Navi Mumbai International Airport has received excellent response in the qualifying round of Global tenders. It is targetted that the first flight will take off from this new airport in 2019. It is proposed to provide necessary financial assistance to complete the work of Shirdi Airport.

    Skill Development

    66. To provide skill development training to the persons in 15-45 years age group, ‘Pramod Mahajan Kaushalya va Udyojakta Vikas Abhiyan’ has been launched. So far 500 training partners have been empanelled to impart skills to the candidates as per their requirements and employ them thereafter.

    67. More than 67,000 candidates have been trained under the “Trade Apprenticeship Scheme” of the Apprentices Act, 1961,

    Urban Development

    68. In order to meet increasing challenges of rapid urbanization, my Government has undertaken various programmes with the assistance of the Central Government.

    69. To improve public transport system in the urban area of the State, the works of Mumbai Metro Rail Line-3, and also of Nagpur and Pune Metro Projects will commence soon.The Belapur-Pendar Metro Project having length of 11 km in New Mumbai will be completed by July, 2017.

    70. Out of 118 km Metro Rail Project planned for next 3-4 years, the Dahisar to Dadabhai Nauroji Nagar route of 18.5 km and the Dahisar (East) to Andheri (East) route of 16.5 km with an estimated cost of Rs.12,000 Crore have been approved.

    71. The Government has entrusted the responsibility to CIDCO for the development of a Smart City NAINA that consists of 30 towns around Navi Mumbai International Airport, which will focus on work areas relating to education, medical, entertainment, logistic, commerce, science, industry, etc. The state government has notified 600 Sq. Km area for this purpose.

    72. CIDCO has plans to invest Rs.35,000 crore for developing South Navi Mumbai as a Brownfield Smart city covering 7 towns with total area of about 7700 Hectares. Affordable housing, metro corridors, economic and infrastructure development projects along with Port city Development will be the main focus of this project, which will be completed in the next 4 years.

    73. Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority covering 6616 Sq.Kms, has been notified in 2015 for ensuring rapid and planned development of areas in and around Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad cities.

    74. Pune and Solapur have been selected by Central Government in the first phase of Smart City Mission. Government proposes to include 8 more Smart Cities in the mission.

    75. The Government of India has sponsored “Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)” with an objective to provide basic services like water supply, sewerage and transport in urban areas. It will be implemented in 43 cities covering 76 per cent of State’s urban population.

    76. My government has decided to allot new auto rickshaw permits in lieu of lapsed permits through lottery system benefitting more than 42,000 applicants in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Nashik, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur, Aurangabad and Nagpur cities.

    Rural Development

    77. The “Chief Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana” has been started with anticipated expenditure of Rs.13000 Crore in order to upgrade the quality of 30,000 Km of rural roads and to provide 730 km of connectivity link to wadis and habitations.

    78. “Aamche Gaon, Aamcha Vikas” programme has been conceived to ensure proper utilization of the grants received by Gram-Panchayats under 14th Finance Commission.

    Sanitation

    79. I am happy to inform that Kolhapur Municipal Corporation and 51 Municipal Councils have been declared “Open Defecation Free” under the “Swachh Maharashtra Mission” launched on the lines of ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’. In the coming years, Government is committed to impart momentum to the ongoing efforts in the remaining municipal bodies.

    80. In 2015-16, more than 4, 40,000 toilet units have been constructed with an incentive amount exceeding Rs.421 crore. So far, more than 5,276 villages have been declared “Open Defecation Free”.

    81. In the merit list of Clean Cities recently announced by the Central Government, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Mumbai cities are included in top ten ranks, which is a matter of great satisfaction.

    Citizen Services

    82. Under the ambitious Maharashtra Right to Public Services Act, 2015, 315 Citizen Services have been notified of which 156 Services are available online to citizens, and remaining notified services will be made online by 2nd October 2016.

    83. To improve online communication between the Government and the Citizen, “Aaple Sarkar” online portal has been started using e-information, e-grievance redressal, e-services and e-collaboration platforms. So far, more than 9 lakh online applications have been satisfactorily disposed of within prescribed time.

    84. The Government is focussing on integration of “Jan Dhan- AADHAAR- Mobile Numbers” popularly known as JAM TRINITY in individual beneficiary schemes, starting with Public Distribution System, Mahatma Gandhi NREGA and scholarships and pension schemes for better targeting of intended benefits.

    85. Computerization of Public Distribution System has been under taken to enhance transparency. So far, out of 7 Crore Ration Cards, more than 4 Crore Aadhaar Seeding is completed and the remaining work is being completed expeditiously.
    Housing

    86. Under the mission of “Housing for All by 2022” my government is committed to expeditiously implement the Centrally Sponsored “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna” for the benefit of a large number of Economically Weaker Sections and Low Income Groups.

    87. Global Tendering process of Sector 1 to 4 of Dharavi Redevelopment Project has been initiated. Development of Sector-5 is being done by MHADA.

    88. The Government intends to redevelop Bombay Development Department (BDD) Chawls.

    89. My Government is implementing a number of Rural Housing Schemes like Ramai Yojana for Scheduled caste and Shabari Yojana for Scheduled Tribes. “The Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Gharkul Jaga Kharedi Arthsahayya Yojana” for BPL beneficiaries has been launched to provide financial support for purchase of plots.
    Education

    90. Under the “Pragat Shaikshanik programme”anounced in June 2015,so far 550 schools have become “Pragat”.

    91. Evaluation through an external agency has shown an improvement of 10 per cent in language and Mathematics at elemetary level.

    92. Through public participation, 9826 schools have become Digital and 778 schools have become ISO:9000 certified.

    93. “SARAL” computer system developed by the Government, has eliminated the need for seeking 150 types of information. Moreover, this system has enabled realistic assessment of the count of students and their academic progress.

    94. Memoranda of Understanding between Government of India, Government of Maharashtra & Private partners for establishing Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) at Pune and Nagpur have been signed in December, 2015. Their first academic session is expected to commence from 2016-17.

    95. The first academic session of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Nagpur has already commenced from 2015-16.

    96. The Maharashtra Public Universities Bill, 2015 is already placed before you. I request you to deliberate on this.

    97. Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai has also commenced its first academic year from 2015-16. In addition, Maharashtra National Law University, at Nagpur and Aurangabad have already been notified.

    98. The Government has allotted 150 acres of land in MIHAN at Nagpur for the establishment of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

    99. A new Government Medical College in Chandrapur with 100 MBBS seats is now fully functional and another Medical College at Gondia, with 100 MBBS seats and a Dental College at Washim are also proposed.

    100. The “Maharashtra Yoga and Naturopathy Bill, 2016” which is under consideration of the Government will help to promote and regulate teaching and practice of these ancient sciences.

    101. I am happy to inform you that the first kidney transplant operation in a Government hospital was successfully performed in the Super Specialty Hospital, Nagpur in February, 2016.

    102. In order to bring ease of business in Pharmaceuticals, the licensing for sale of Pharmaceuticals is now entirely online, making Maharashtra the only State in India to issue such licenses with Aadhar linked authentication.
    Health and Nutritious Diet

    103. The Government proposes to bring “Public Health Bill” and “Maharashtra Clinical Establishments Bill” for common people to avail good health services at reasonable rates from private hospitals.

    104. My Government has begun the provisioning of nutrition rich food like eggs and bananas for children in Anganwadis of Tribal Sub Plan areas.

    105. Under the Corporate Social Responsibility Programme of leading companies, the “Shiv Arogya Yojana” will be started through tele-medicine soon for patients suffering from chronic diseases in remote areas like Melghat, Dhadgaon, Surgana and Mokhada. A new Post Graduate Diploma Course will be started to meet the deficiency in the availability of medical specialists in government hospitals.

    106. The Government has taken an important decision to start cardiac centres in the Districts hospitals through Public-Private-Partnership.
    Women Development

    107. In order to prevent sex determination and ensure survival and protection of girl child, “Majhi Kanya Bhagyashree” scheme will be implemented from 01st April 2016.

    108. Women are being trained in motor driving to enable them to improve their income earning opportunities.

    109. The Government has decided to sanction special leave upto 180 days to women Government employees, whose child is born by surrogacy method.
    Social Development

    110. For appointment as Cabin Crew in Air India, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Research Institute, Pune organised training programme for Scheduled Caste Candidates.

    111. For eligible Scheduled Caste Candidates of Maharashtra for Civil Services Examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission, coaching has been arranged at prestigious Coaching Institutes in Delhi.
    Tribal Development

    112. “Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Amrut Aahar Yojana” is being implemented from 15th December, 2015 to reduce incidence of anaemia, malnutrition and low birth weight babies in tribal areas. This scheme aims to meet nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating mothers by providing them nutritious meals.

    113. In order to provide nutritious, balanced and fresh breakfast and meal to Scheduled Tribe students in Government aided schools, Government has started. “Annapurna Centralised Kitchen Scheme” in collaboration with Tata Trust & Akshaypatra Foundation in two Ashram Schools at Mundhegaon, District Nashik, and at Kambalgaon, District Palghar.

    114. Government has made a substantial increase from 2,500 to 25,000, in the number of Scheduled Tribes students getting education in renowned English Medium Residential Schools.

    115. It has been decided that 5 per cent of the Tribal Sub Plan Funds will henceforth directly go to the Gram Panchayats in the Scheduled Areas of the State, for taking up development works as per local needs. During 2015-16, Rs.258 Crore is being given to about 2900 Gram Panchayats.

    116. I am happy to note that village communities in the scheduled areas are now getting better income as they have been empowered under the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act, 1996 to manage and sell the natural resources like tendu and bamboo.

    Labour Welfare

    117. For improving the working conditions of sugarcane workers, “Loknete Gopinath Munde Maharashtra Sugarcane Harvesting and Carting and other Manual Workers’ Corporation” has been constituted under Maharashtra Mathadi, Hamal, and other Manual Workers (Regulation of Services & Welfare) Act 1969.
    Minority Development

    118. The Government is committed for holistic development of minorities and for this purpose is implementing various schemes. During the year 2015-2016, 9 Girls’ Hostels have been started. Girls’ Hostels for minorities at Selu, Pathari, Jintur, Bhandara, Amravati and Nanded will be started from June 2016.
    Tourism

    The count of Tigers has increased from 169 in 2010 to 190 now. On the lines of Pench and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) has also been created for Melghat and Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserves. The financial assistance for crop damage due to wild animals has been doubled with special provision for damage to orange and sweet lime plantation. Tadoba, Gorewada and Sanjay Gandhi National Park will be transformed into world class tourism destinations. “Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookherjee Jan Van Vikas Yojana” has been launched for integrated development of villages situated in buffer area of Tiger Reserves so as to improve socio-economic condition of villagers.

    119. Senior citizens, ex-servicemen, disabled persons and school student groups are being given 20 per cent discount in MTDC Resorts.

    120. MTDC and Pawan Hans Airlines have jointly started ‘Heli Joy Ride Service’ in Mumbai from January 2016.
    Other Important Issues

    121. The Government is committed to preserve, develop and promote Marathi language. My Government is celebrating ‘Marathi Bhasha Samvardhan Pandharvada’ every year with enthusiastic response from public. 586 State Acts, have been translated into Marathi, diglot edition of the Constitution of India and authenticated Marathi texts of 166 Central Acts are being made available on the website of Directorate of Languages to enable citizens to have access free of cost to Laws in Marathi Language.

    122. With the assistance of Dattajirao Kadam Technical Education Institute, Ichalkaranji, the State Marathi Development Institute is preparing ‘Vastra Nirmiti Mahiti Kosh’, which includes various stages in development of textile industry and textile art in India.

    123. ‘Maha-Jatra’, a festival of Maharashtra, was organized to showcase our culture, traditional art and craft, cuisine, history, and tourist destinations to both domestic and international tourists and to create new market for our artisans. The festival was organized at the prestigious “Delhi Haat’ in New Delhi and it received encouraging response, with visits by nearly 1.5 lakh tourists.
    Conclusion

    124. Hon’ble Members, in this Session you will be considering Supplementary Demands, the Budget Estimates for the year 2016-17, Vote on Account, various Bills and other Government and non-official business which may be brought before you for your consideration.

    125. मी आपणा सर्वांना या सत्रातील विचार विनिमय व कामकाजाकरिता शुभेच्छा देतो.

    जय हिंद ! जय महाराष्ट्र !!

    (I wish your deliberation in this Session every success.

    Jai Hind! Jai Maharashtra!)