Tag: Maharashtra govt

  • Maharashtra govt announces new incentive for paddy farmers

    Express News Service

    The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday had offered Rs 15,000 per hectare as an incentive to paddy farmers.

    Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the state government has earmarked Rs 1000 crore to help the farmers. He also said that this decision will benefit five lakh farmers in the state.

    Earlier the Maharashtra government offered Rs 700 per quintal as an incentive for paddy growers, but this scheme was misused.

    “It was found out that to avail the benefit of this incentive scheme, the neighbouring states also started bringing their paddy to sell in Maharashtra. In this scheme, the farmers were allowed to sell upto 50 quintals of paddy. But in most places, farmers availed the benefits for more than 50 quintals. Some of the farmers were deprived of the benefits whereas others misused the scheme,” said a senior government official on the grounds of anonymity.

    He further added, “There were several complaints received against this scheme. Therefore, it was decided that rather than offering the incentive per quintal, the government decided to offer it per hectare. So, only the actual farmers from Maharashtra will be able to avail of the scheme.”

    Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said that he had demanded Rs 25,000 per hectare as an incentive for these farmers, but the state government offered only Rs 15,000.

    “Most of the farmers are going after the cash crops and that depleted paddy and food gain growing fields in Maharashtra. If this trend continues, then the state or the country, to a larger extent will face a shortage of foodgrains therefore the state government has to offer as much incentive to attract the farmers who grow paddy or foodgrain crops,” Patole said.

    The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday had offered Rs 15,000 per hectare as an incentive to paddy farmers.

    Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the state government has earmarked Rs 1000 crore to help the farmers. He also said that this decision will benefit five lakh farmers in the state.

    Earlier the Maharashtra government offered Rs 700 per quintal as an incentive for paddy growers, but this scheme was misused.

    “It was found out that to avail the benefit of this incentive scheme, the neighbouring states also started bringing their paddy to sell in Maharashtra. In this scheme, the farmers were allowed to sell upto 50 quintals of paddy. But in most places, farmers availed the benefits for more than 50 quintals. Some of the farmers were deprived of the benefits whereas others misused the scheme,” said a senior government official on the grounds of anonymity.

    He further added, “There were several complaints received against this scheme. Therefore, it was decided that rather than offering the incentive per quintal, the government decided to offer it per hectare. So, only the actual farmers from Maharashtra will be able to avail of the scheme.”

    Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said that he had demanded Rs 25,000 per hectare as an incentive for these farmers, but the state government offered only Rs 15,000.

    “Most of the farmers are going after the cash crops and that depleted paddy and food gain growing fields in Maharashtra. If this trend continues, then the state or the country, to a larger extent will face a shortage of foodgrains therefore the state government has to offer as much incentive to attract the farmers who grow paddy or foodgrain crops,” Patole said.

  • Maharashtra govt allows resuming train services for all from February 1

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Government on Friday approved the resumption of suburban train services in Mumbai for the general public from February 1, an official said here.

    A railway official said the state government’s proposal has been conveyed to the competent authorities and a formal announcement is expected soon.

    State Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar has asked the Chief General Managers of Western and Central Railway to allow local train commuters to travel as per the laid down schedule, the state government official said.

    Local trains have been off bounds for the general public since March last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    They resumed in June for the essential services workers.

  • Maharashtra govt school teacher booked for raping minor student

    By PTI
    ALIBAUG: A case has been registered against a government school teacher at Mangaon in Raigad district of Maharashtra for allegedly raping a minor girl student, police said on Thursday.

    The accused, Madan Wankhede, was booked under relevant sections of the IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, they said.

    “The accused raped the minor victim, who studied in his school, on multiple occasions since 2016. He used to threaten the girl that if she told about it to anyone, he would fail her in the exam and that her mother, who works in the same school, would also lose her job,” an official of Mangaon police station said.

    However, the girl mustered courage and finally told her ordeal to her mother recently, following which a complaint was lodged.

    Investigation into the case is on.