Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 15: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday described the state as the nation's primary "growth engine", asserting that its continued progress would play a key role in building a developed India.
Addressing a gathering after hoisting the national flag at the State Secretariat (Mantralaya) here to mark the 80th Independence Day, Fadnavis highlighted Maharashtra's economic performance, farmer welfare measures and long-term infrastructure plans aimed at transforming its industrial and rural landscape.
The chief minister said Maharashtra recorded an 8.8 per cent economic growth rate during the first half of the current fiscal year.
He said the state, which has India's largest economy and is the country's startup capital, continues to lead in attracting domestic investment as well as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), creating significant employment opportunities for the youth.
Fadnavis said the government was working to decentralise development by turning every district into an independent growth engine. So far, 13 districts have achieved their projected development targets, with special attention being given to remote regions such as Gadchiroli, Palghar and Nandurbar.
Emphasising the need to secure Maharashtra's long-term water future, Fadnavis said his government was determined to eliminate drought conditions for future generations.
Under comprehensive river-linking projects, water will be channelled to historically vulnerable regions, including Marathwada, Vidarbha, North Maharashtra and drought-prone areas of Western Maharashtra, he said.
On farmer welfare, Fadnavis highlighted the implementation of the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Crop Loan Waiver Scheme, under which Rs 36,000 crore in relief has been provided to 56 lakh farmers.
He said 76 per cent of farmers currently receive agricultural electricity during the daytime and the government is committed to achieving 100 per cent coverage within the next year.
Fadnavis also said Maharashtra had become the first state in India to enact the Women Farmer Act, granting women agriculturalists formal legal recognition as farmers.
On higher education, he said the state was expanding "EduCities" to facilitate campuses of leading foreign universities while simultaneously upgrading public universities in Maharashtra to bring them in line with global standards.
Fadnavis concluded by saying Maharashtra's development remained rooted in the teachings of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the constitutional values framed by Dr B R Ambedkar, with the aim of ensuring inclusive growth and development across all sections of society.