Maharashtra Cabinet eases plot policy, adds 40 drought talukas, felicitates PM Modi

The state Cabinet met on Wednesday, October 14, and took several important decisions. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired the meeting. Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar were present.

The first decision concerns the distribution of government plots. The Cabinet approved changes to the policy for distributing plots that cannot be built on separately, are too narrow, are of no practical size or have no access route.

For this, the provisions of Rules 37 and 37A of the Maharashtra Land Revenue (Disposal of Government Land) Rules, 1971 will be amended. The decision relates to the Revenue, Registration and Stamp Duty Department and will change the process of distributing such plots.

The second decision concerns the development of the pilgrimage site at Girda in Buldhana district. Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan, Shegaon, has been permitted to carry out permanent construction there. The Sansthan had earlier been given 19 hectares 6 R of land for tree plantation. Construction will now be allowed on 3 hectares 81 R of it. The decision will develop the pilgrimage site at Girda and help provide the facilities devotees need.

The third decision is a felicitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting felicitated him for 25 years of continuous and successful public service in constitutional office. Chief Minister Fadnavis moved the proposal.

All members of the Cabinet approved the proposal unanimously. Ministers present, including Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar, welcomed it with applause.

A key decision was also taken for farmers. The meeting added 40 more talukas of the state to the drought-affected areas. Farmers will also get relief this year, with Rs 5,000 as assistance to be credited to their accounts before Diwali.

In all, the meeting took three key decisions: the felicitation proposal, the change in the government land distribution policy and the approval for developing a religious site.