Maharashtra to Roll Out Unified Pension Scheme for State Employees from March

On August 25, the Maharashtra cabinet decided to introduce the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for state government employees. This scheme, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 24, will start in March this year and will benefit all state employees. The UPS ensures that employees covered under the National Pension Scheme (NPS) will receive a guaranteed pension of 50% of their average basic pay from the last year before retirement. To qualify, employees need at least 25 years of service.

Expansion of Power Supply for Farmers

The cabinet also approved expanding the uninterrupted power supply scheme for farmers. This new plan will provide day-time electricity to more farmers across the state. A Rs.7,000 crore project to link the Nar, Par, and Girna rivers was also cleared. This project aims to improve the water supply for agriculture in north Maharashtra, benefiting around 50,000 hectares of farmland.

Infrastructure and Housing Projects

In a significant move, the state government plans to raise Rs.5,000 crore through equity and bonds for various projects in the Thane district. These projects include housing developments in Tekdi Bungalow, Hajuri, and Kisan Nagar, as well as similar initiatives in Chavindre and Pogaon in Bhiwandi, and Kosara in Chandrapur.

The total cost of these projects is estimated at Rs.6,049 crore. The cabinet also approved a Rs.10,000 crore expenditure for projects like a medicity, mangrove park, chemical hub, and digital university.

Revenue Relief and Financial Decisions

The cabinet decided to continue revenue relief for land owned by BJP Lok Sabha member Udayanraje Bhosale for future beneficiaries. Moreover, a proposal was approved to guarantee Rs. 29,000 crore for the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) to clear its debts. This includes Rs.20,388 crore in loans and Rs. 9,670 crore in interest. The state will borrow from financial institutions like RECL and PFC to cover these dues.

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Increased Wages for ASHA Workers

The cabinet also approved an increase in wages for ASHA facilitators by Rs. 4,000, effective April this year. This change will require an additional Rs.17.59 crore from the state budget.