State reaches out with memorials, shrines

MUMBAI: Even as the deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday clarified that the state assembly elections will not be advanced, the Maharashtra government tried to reach out to various castes and communities — from politically dominant Marathas to backward castes — by announcing various initiatives or schemes in the name of their deities or popular personalities in the state’s budget for 2023-24.

The government will be spending over ₹900 crore on various schemes related to founder of Maratha empire, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, including celebration of the king’s coronation day in June next year. It has earmarked a sum of ₹446 crore for the construction of 15 memorials and monuments that comes from various communities. Also, a monument and Samadhi Sthal (burial place) of Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in Pune by will be built at a sum of ₹270 crore.

It has also announced setting up four development corporations for the Lingayat, Gurava, Ramoshi and Vadar communities. The government also declared to make provisions for the other 12 development corporations that run welfare schemes for various castes and communities in the state. It has also pledged to develop five Jyotirlinga shrines and their ancient temples at Pune, Nashik, Hingoli, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Beed and made a provision of ₹300 crore for the same.

“The state government has decided to organise the ‘Shiv Rajyabhishek Mahotsav’ (coronation of Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) between June 2 and 9 and has made an outlay of ₹350 crore,” the finance minister announced.

“Samadhisthal” at Gadgenagar in the name of Sant Gadge Maharaj. A memorial of Pragyachakshu Sant Gulabrao Maharaj in Amravati dist.

A memorial of martyrs of the freedom struggle at Wardha

Jungle Satyagraha memorials at three places in Vidarbha

Dnyanjyoti Savitribai Phule National Memorial at Bhidewada in Pune

Memorial at the birthplace of Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe at Sangli

A memorial in the name of late RS Gavai in Amravati Memorial in the name of famous thinker and critic Late Narhar Kurundakar at Nanded

A memorial in the name of Shivajirao Deshmukh at Sangli.

Shri Sant Jagnade Maharaj Art Gallery at Nagpur and his “Samadhi Sthal” (burial place) in Pune.