The Maharashtra government has begun depositing the first instalment of grants directly into the bank accounts of over 10,000 recognised public libraries, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil said on Friday, according to news agency PTI.
Describing libraries as more than just book repositories, Patil said they play a key role in fostering a reading culture in society.
Until now, grants were disbursed in two instalments annually via district library officers, a process often marred by delays. To address this, the department has rolled out a computerised Library Grant Management System to ensure transparent and timely fund disbursal.
As per a government resolution issued on September 12, the first instalment has been sanctioned, with Rs 80.53 crore being directly credited to 10,546 public libraries, the minister added.
Maharashtra signs Rs 80,962-crore investment MoUs, over 40,000 jobs expected
The Maharashtra government on Friday signed nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with various companies, securing a total investment of Rs 80,962 crore, officials said.
The proposed projects are expected to generate over 40,300 jobs across the state.
According to the news agency PTI, the agreements were formalised during the Steel Mahakumbh organised by the All India Induction Furnaces Association (AIIFA) in Goregaon, Mumbai, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, and State Industries Minister Uday Samant.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, the projects will be set up in the districts of Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Wardha, Raigad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Satara.
Among the major investments, Rashmi Metallurgical Industries will set up an integrated steel plant in Wardha with a capital outlay of Rs 25,000 crore, which is expected to generate 12,000 jobs. In Raigad, Jindal Stainless Ltd will establish a stainless steel plant worth Rs 41,580 crore, creating around 15,500 jobs, the statement said.
As per PTI, in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, NPSPL Advanced Material (Atha Group) will invest Rs 5,440 crore to set up a `critically advanced lithium battery material and carbon complex,` which is expected to employ 5,000 people. Gadchiroli will see joint projects by Sumedh Tools and Hariom Pipe Industries, bringing in Rs 5,135 crore investment and creating 5,500 jobs.
(With PTI inputs)
