Govt committed to ensuring development of Marathwada, says CM Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Pic/CMO

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday said the state government was committed to the all-round development of Marathwada region.

Addressing a function in Thane, the chief minister paid rich tributes to freedom fighters involved in the liberation of Marathwada, which was part of the Hyderabad State before 1948.

"We can never forget the sacrifice of freedom fighters for the liberation of Marathwada. The government is committed to the all-round development of Marathwada. The government has sanctioned funds of over Rs 60,000 crore for the development of the region," CM Eknath Shinde said.

CM Eknath Shinde said Marathwada will be linked to the Samruddhi Expressway and the proposed Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway.

He asked Marathwada Jana Vikas Parishad to submit a proposal for setting up Marathwada Bhavan and assured that the government would consider this proposal positively.

On the occasion, the Marathwada Bhushan award was presented to Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, who had served as Head Scientist of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research.

The CM said the services rendered by Dr Gangakhedkar during the COVID-19 pandemic were unparalleled.

CM Eknath Shinde said a drive will be launched for the health checkup of senior citizens and it would be named after the late Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray.

"This government works and respects those who do good work," CM Eknath Shinde said. While remembering the late Balasaheb Thackeray, the Chief Minister said that even as one grows older, one should remain young at heart.

"One should always aim for good work and always be proactive. This government works on the teachings of the late Balasaheb Thackeray and the late Dharmaveer Anand Dighe. Through the "Government at Your Doorstep" program, benefits of various schemes have been provided to over 1.75 crore beneficiaries. This program continues. The sole purpose of this initiative is to ensure that the common people get maximum benefits from government schemes easily," he added.

While expressing his sentiments, Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde said, never forget the Marathwada Liberation Movement. "We must preserve this history through our work. Marathwada's development is certain, along with Maharashtra," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)