The Maharashtra government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has taken a significant step by being the first in the country to implement the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for state employees. This historic move follows the recent announcement by the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, regarding the nationwide introduction of the pension scheme.
The decision to adopt the UPS was made at a Cabinet meeting presided over by CM Shinde on Sunday, marking a milestone for state employees. The rollout of the scheme is set to commence from March this year and will extend its benefits to all state government employees. It is essential to note that the Maharashtra Assembly’s current tenure concludes in November this year, with elections expected to be conducted in October-November.
In a parallel development, the Narendra Modi-led Centre sanctioned the UPS for central government employees who have entered service after January 1, 2004. Eligible employees part of the National Pension Scheme opting for UPS will be entitled to a secured pension equivalent to 50 per cent of the average basic pay received during the last 12 months before retirement. The prescribed minimum qualifying service stands at 25 years.
Furthermore, the Maharashtra cabinet has greenlit the expansion of the uninterrupted power supply scheme to benefit a larger number of farmers in the state, ensuring consistent power provision during the day. Additionally, it has approved the ambitious Rs 7,000 crore Nar-Par-Girna river linking project, primarily benefiting the northern Maharashtra districts of Nashik and Jalgaon.
The multi-faceted project entails the upliftment of 9.19 TMC of water from the Nar, Par, and Auranga rivers, conveying it through a 14.56-kilometre tunnel, and releasing it in the Girna river basin near the Chankapur dam. This initiative is poised to benefit approximately 50,000 hectares of agricultural land, augmenting irrigation capabilities in the region.
Moreover, an equity and bonds amounting to Rs 5000 crore will be raised by the state government under Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Ltd for an ambitious project in Thane district, totalling an estimated cost of Rs 6,049 crore. The expansive initiative encompasses cluster housing projects at Tekdi Bungalow, Hajuri and Kisan Nagar, with similar projects scheduled for execution at Chavindre and Pogaon in Bhiwandi, as well as Kosara under Chandrapur Municipal Corporation, stated an official.
Notably, Thane serves as the home turf of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, lending added significance to the Cabinet’s decisions. Additionally, the cabinet approved several major projects, including a medicity, a mangrove park, a chemical hub, and a digital university, with a cumulative expenditure of Rs 10,000 crore.
In a significant development, the cabinet has further approved a government guarantee for a Rs 29,000 crore payment to the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) to clear its dues, a critical step in the state’s power infrastructure. Initiating a positive impact on healthcare, a Rs 4,000 wage increase for ASHA facilitators, effective from April this year, was also sanctioned, necessitating an additional outlay of Rs 17.59 crore for implementation.
Another noteworthy proposition cleared by the cabinet places the responsibility of loan repayment by a cooperative sugar mill on the entire board of directors, collectively and individually. Moreover, the cabinet has approved 100 per cent scholarships for 763 eligible students of the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute, along with a payment of Rs 37 crore earmarked for its successful implementation.
In a strategic move to address urban housing challenges, the cabinet has approved a plan to expedite the execution of 228 slum rehabilitation projects in Mumbai, paving the way for the construction of 2,18,931 houses. The joint effort of various corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, will undertake these crucial rehabilitation projects in the city.
The decisions taken by the Maharashtra Cabinet represent significant strides in various sectors, with the implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) standing out as a hallmark initiative. The state government’s proactive approach in addressing vital issues reflects a commitment to drive inclusive development and ensure the well-being of its citizens.