412 Government Schools to Be Upgraded as Ambedkar Adarsh Shalas in Phase 1 of 1,500-School Plan The Maharashtra state government has announced the first phase of a comprehensive initiative to transform 1,500 government schools into Ambedkar Adarsh Shalas, with 412 schools selected for immediate upgrades. The plan, spearheaded by school education state minister Dr Pankaj Bhoyar under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and school education minister Dadaji Bhuse, aims to enhance educational infrastructure and accessibility for students from low-income and rural backgrounds. Nagpur district will see 11 schools included in the initial phase, while other Vidarbha districts will have varying numbers of allocations. Wardha leads with 17 schools, followed by Chandrapur and Yavatmal with 12 each, Buldhana with 14, Amravati with 11, Gondia with 8, Gadchiroli and Bhandara with 6 each, and Akola and Washim with 4 each. Nashik district has the highest allocation statewide at 38 schools, followed by Pune with 25. The selected schools will be drawn from Samuh Sadan Kendra, PM Shri, and Vidyaniketan institutions, ensuring a focus on underprivileged communities. The initiative includes significant investments in physical and educational infrastructure, with funds allocated for each school to support improvements. To ensure continuity of education, government and local body schools under the scheme will be permitted to operate classes up to Class 10. Zilla Parishad chief executive officers will prepare detailed development plans for each school, which will be reviewed and approved by the education commissioner. A key focus of the program is the creation of gender-inclusive facilities, particularly for girl students.#devendra_fadnavis #nagpur_district #maharashtra_state_government #dr_pankaj_bhoyar #dadaji_bhuse
State Govt Denies Decision to Merge Schools in Arvi Taluka The Maharashtra state government has denied any decision to merge 15 schools in Arvi taluka, Wardha district, into six cluster schools. This clarification came after a query from MLC Dadarao Keche, who sought information on whether the primary education division of ZP Wardha had issued a merger order or if local representatives had demanded its cancellation. School education minister Dadadji Bhuse confirmed that a representation had been received but emphasized that no formal merger order was passed. Bhuse stated that an education officer had convened a meeting on January 19 to discuss the PM SHRI scheme concept, but no resolution was adopted during the session. The minister further clarified that no state-level approval for cluster school formation had been granted in Arvi taluka. A representation from local representatives, dated February 11, was received at the minister’s office, demanding the cancellation of any such decision. The petitioners argued that merging schools would adversely affect the right to education for students from economically weaker households and that schools with low enrollment should not be shut down. The minister also noted that no state-level policy decision on cluster school formation had been indicated for any part of Wardha district. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the impact of educational restructuring on marginalized communities, with local stakeholders emphasizing the need for inclusive policies that prioritize equitable access to education. The debate underscores tensions between centralized administrative initiatives and grassroots demands for localized solutions in public education.#maharashtra_state_government #mlc_dadarao_keche #school_education_minister_dadadji_bhuse #arvi_taluka #wardha_district
State Clears Rs39.2 Crore for Koradi Supercritical Power Project The Maharashtra state government has approved the release of Rs39.20 crore as part of its equity contribution for the ongoing 2x660 MW supercritical thermal power project at the Koradi Thermal Power Station. This approval marks a significant step forward for the ambitious energy initiative, which is being executed by the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (Mahagenco). The project received administrative approval in December 2023 with an estimated total cost of Rs10,625 crore. The financial structure of the project involves mobilizing 80% of the cost—Rs8,500 crore—through loans from financial institutions such as the Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), and a consortium of banks. The remaining 20%, amounting to Rs2,125 crore, is to be provided by the state government as equity in a phased manner. The Koradi thermal power plant expansion is considered a critical component of Maharashtra’s strategy to enhance its base-load power capacity using high-efficiency supercritical technology. Once completed, the project is expected to significantly boost electricity generation in the Vidarbha region and support the state’s growing energy demands. According to the government notification, the project’s expenditure reached Rs1,723 crore during the financial year 2025-26, with Mahagenco contributing the majority of the funds. However, the state government’s committed portion was only partially allocated in the budget for the year, with Rs56 crore provisioned. The Finance Department has permitted the utilization of 70% of the earmarked funds, enabling the release of the latest tranche of Rs39.20 crore.#power_finance_corporation #maharashtra_state_government #mahagenco #koradi_thermal_power_station #rural_electrification_corporation
