P.V.Anandpadmanabhan*
Nagpur, Dec 17: To ensure comprehensive, inclusive, and accelerated development of the state, focus has been placed on key sectors such as health, rural road transport, skill development, and bamboo projects through the Maharashtra Institute for Transformation (MITRA). Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to extend substantial financial assistance for both ongoing and proposed projects in the state. Responding positively, ADB Director Mio Oka assured cooperation for the same.
A meeting on various issues related to the Asian Development Bank was held in the Cabinet Hall of the Nagpur Vidhan Bhavan premises under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis said that for the development of the state, it is essential to ensure the rapid growth of rural areas. Therefore, all villages with a population of over one thousand should be connected to developed regions through road networks. He emphasized upgrading industrial training institutes and increasing the number of subject branches to create an additional 75,000 job opportunities. While focusing on citizens’ health, special attention should be given to the treatment of cervical cancer. For this purpose, advanced technology and vaccines should be utilized, directed Chief Minister Shri Fadnavis to the officials.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that, along with providing farmers with supplementary livelihoods through the bamboo plantation campaign, various initiatives should be implemented to increase forest cover. For this purpose, bamboo saplings should be made available in nurseries. Efforts should be made to expand forest cover by undertaking large-scale bamboo plantations on barren lands in Marathwada. To accelerate the state’s ambitious campaigns, the Chief Secretary should establish a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The timeline of the campaign and the responsibilities of those involved should be clearly defined, Chief Minister Fadnavis directed on the occasion.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Vikas Kharge, CEO of ‘Mitra’ Praveen Pardeshi, ADB Director Mio Oka, Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department O.P. Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department Milind Mhaiskar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Planning-Revenue Department Dr. Rajgopal Deora, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Ashwini Bhide, Principal Secretary of Rural Development Eknath Dawale, Principal Secretary of the Forest Department Venugopal Reddy, Principal Secretary of Environment Department Praveen Darade, Secretary to the Chief Minister Shrikar Pardeshi, along with various experts from the ‘ADB’.
