Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 8: The Mahayuti government has revived the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s flagship Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme ahead of the upcoming local body elections, sanctioning Rs 21 crore to restart the initiative aimed at providing affordable meals to the poor.

The total allocation for the scheme stands at Rs 70 crore, of which Rs 28 crore has been released so far. In September, Rs 21 crore was disbursed to operators who had been awaiting payments for over eight months, causing serious livelihood concerns. The Shiv Bhojan Centre Owners’ Union had recently written to Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis seeking immediate clearance of pending dues.

Originally launched by the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government on January 26, 2020, the scheme provided meals to the poor at Rs 5 per plate, later revised to Rs 10, and made free during the Covid-19 pandemic. The initiative supplied around two lakh thalis daily through 1,904 centres across Maharashtra before being quietly discontinued earlier this year.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal took up the matter with CM Fadnavis, stressing the need to continue the scheme in public interest. Following his intervention, the Finance Department cleared the pending funds with strict instructions that the grant be utilised within 10 days or redistributed to other districts.

Under the revived plan, beneficiaries will continue to pay Rs 10 for a meal costing Rs 50, with the state covering the remaining Rs 40. CCTV cameras have been installed at all centres to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of funds.