Chandrapur Farmers Face Higher Crop Insurance Premiums Amid Disparities Chandrapur farmers are reportedly paying significantly higher premiums for crop insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) compared to neighboring districts, prompting concerns over the financial burden on agricultural communities. Former minister and BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar has raised the issue, urging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane to intervene. He highlighted that the premium rates, notified on July 3, impose an unfair burden despite Chandrapur sharing similar climatic conditions, rainfall patterns, and agricultural practices with districts like Gadchiroli, Gondia, Bhandara, Nagpur, and Wardha. Mungantiwar pointed out stark disparities in premium rates. For instance, paddy farmers in Chandrapur are required to pay Rs 1,300 per hectare, compared to Rs 512 in Gadchiroli, Rs 575 in Bhandara, Rs 60 in Gondia, and Rs 65 in Nagpur. Similarly, cotton growers in Chandrapur face a premium of Rs 1,300 per hectare, while farmers in Gadchiroli pay Rs 590, and those in Nagpur and Wardha pay Rs 65 each. Soyabean farmers in Chandrapur are charged Rs 1,250 per hectare, far exceeding the Rs 65 rate in Wardha. Mungantiwar emphasized that these higher premiums come at a time when farmers are already grappling with substantial costs for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and irrigation. He warned that the steep charges could deter farmers from enrolling in the PMFBY, leaving them vulnerable to losses from natural calamities such as floods, droughts, excessive rainfall, pest attacks, and crop diseases.#devendra_fadnavis #pradhan_mantri_fasal_bima_yojana #chandrapur #sudhir_mungantiwar #dattatray_bharane
Chandrapur to Get International-Standard Archery Academy In a significant development for sports infrastructure in eastern Maharashtra, the state government has approved the establishment of an international-standard archery academy at the Sports Complex in Visapur village, Ballarpur taluka, Chandrapur district. The initiative, spearheaded by BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar, aims to provide aspiring archers from Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, and other tribal-dominated regions with access to world-class training facilities and structured coaching programs. The decision marks a major step toward enhancing sports opportunities for young athletes in these areas, eliminating the need for them to relocate to larger cities for professional development. The proposal, which received administrative approval from the state government, will be managed under the Tribal Development Department. Scheduled Tribe students will be given priority for enrollment, reflecting the government's commitment to addressing the unique needs of tribal communities. The academy is expected to offer cutting-edge training equipment and expert guidance, aligning with global standards to nurture talent and compete internationally. Chandrapur and Gadchiroli have long been recognized as hubs for producing skilled archers, with a rich tradition of athletic excellence. The new academy is poised to build on this legacy by providing systematic training and resources to further elevate the region's sporting capabilities. Mungantiwar expressed gratitude to Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike and Chandrapur guardian minister Ashok Uike for their support in advancing the project. The initiative underscores the government's focus on bridging regional disparities in sports infrastructure and fostering talent in underserved areas.#chandrapur #sudhir_mungantiwar #visapur_village #ballarpur_taluka #tribal_development_department
A 1.5km Protection Wall to Be Built Along Irai Riverbank in Chandrapur Residents of Rahmat Nagar in Chandrapur city have long demanded a flood mitigation measure to protect their low-lying neighborhoods from recurring monsoon flooding. A 1.5-kilometer retaining wall is set to be constructed along the Irai riverbank, a project initiated by former minister and MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar. The initiative follows years of appeals from local residents, who have repeatedly highlighted the risks of erosion and rising water levels during heavy rains. Mungantiwar, accompanied by civic officials and engineers, conducted a ground inspection of the vulnerable river stretch between Ram Setu and Chaurala Bridge. During the visit, he directed authorities to finalize the project’s design, including earth-filling work in vulnerable areas, and prepare a comprehensive proposal through the Disaster Management Department. The wall is intended as a long-term solution to safeguard densely populated areas along the city-side riverbank. The project’s funding will be secured once the proposal is finalized, Mungantiwar assured. Key officials present during the inspection included Mayor Sangeeta Khandekar, Deputy Mayor Prashant Danav, Standing Committee Chairperson Mansvi Gire, corporators Rahul Pawde, Azhar Sheikh, Ravi Lonkar, Prajwalant Kadu, and local residents. Azhar Sheikh, an AIMIM corporator, had previously pursued the matter with Mungantiwar, coordinating efforts to push for a permanent solution. The retaining wall is expected to significantly reduce flood risks for Rahmat Nagar, a locality frequently affected by monsoon inundation. The project underscores the growing emphasis on infrastructure development to combat climate-related challenges in urban areas.#aimim #sudhir_mungantiwar #rahmat_nagar #chandrapur_city #rai_river
Govt signals bonus for paddy farmers Maharashtra’s government has indicated plans to grant a bonus to paddy farmers, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stating in the state assembly that the initiative is in the final stages of approval. Fadnavis emphasized the government’s positive stance toward the proposal, noting that criteria for eligibility are currently under review. The move aims to alleviate financial strain on farmers, who have faced mounting challenges due to rising input costs, unpredictable weather patterns, and fluctuating market prices. The proposal follows sustained advocacy by former minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, who raised the issue through a calling attention motion. Mungantiwar highlighted the economic distress of paddy cultivators, particularly in districts like Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Bhandara, and Gondia, where farming is heavily reliant on monsoon-dependent conditions and volatile market dynamics. His efforts prompted the government to take the matter seriously, with officials acknowledging the need for targeted support to stabilize farm incomes. While the policy details, including the quantum of support and eligibility criteria, remain under consideration, the announcement is seen as a direct response to Mungantiwar’s persistent demands. Agriculture department officials noted that the bonus could serve as a critical buffer for farmers in key paddy-growing regions of eastern Maharashtra, where monsoon variability and market instability have exacerbated financial pressures. The development aligns with broader national discussions on agricultural support measures, as states grapple with climate uncertainties and cost pressures.#maharashtra_government #devendra_fadnavis #chandrapur #gadchiroli #sudhir_mungantiwar
Maharashtra releases Rs636 crore for MLA development fund; Vidarbha legislators to receive Rs150 crore The Maharashtra government has allocated Rs636 crore under the MLA Local Area Development Programme (MLALAD) for the 2025-26 fiscal year, distributing Rs2 crore to each of 318 legislators across the state. The funds were released for 266 MLAs and 52 MLCs, with MLAs receiving a combined Rs532 crore and MLCs getting Rs104 crore. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was among the 12 Nagpur district MLAs listed as recipients, along with three MLCs, who collectively received Rs30 crore. In Vidarbha, the total allocation across its 11 districts amounted to Rs150 crore. Nagpur division accounted for Rs76 crore, with Nagpur district receiving Rs30 crore, Chandrapur Rs14 crore, Wardha Rs10 crore, Gondia and Bhandara Rs8 crore each, and Gadchiroli Rs6 crore. Cabinet minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, a Chandrapur MLA, was among the six MLAs from that district who received funds. The Amravati division, comprising Amravati, Yavatmal, Akola, Washim, and Buldhana, received the remaining Rs74 crore. Amravati district was allocated Rs18 crore, Buldhana Rs16 crore, Yavatmal and Akola Rs14 crore each, and Washim Rs12 crore. The funds were placed under the charge of district collectors, who also serve as members of the district planning committees. A government resolution directed collectors to distribute the funds immediately, following a directive issued on July 12, 2016. The allocation aims to support local development initiatives by legislators, ensuring resources are utilized for infrastructure, public services, and community projects.#maharashtra_government #devendra_fadnavis #nagpur_district #vidarbha #sudhir_mungantiwar
Will pursue spider museum closure issue: Mungantiwar Amravati: Former forest minister and BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar on Monday criticized Melghat Tiger Reserve officials for secretly closing India’s first National Museum of Spiders, established in 2018 at the Forest Training Institute in Chikhaldara. Mungantiwar expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, noting that with only two days remaining in the Maharashtra legislature session, a formal motion to address the issue could not be introduced due to the required three-day notice period. He stated he would continue pushing for resolution through direct communication with relevant authorities. Speaking to The Times of India over the phone, Mungantiwar, who had inaugurated the museum, criticized the officials for their reluctance to engage with the public, suggesting they lacked confidence in the museum’s value to visitors.#the_times_of_india #sudhir_mungantiwar #chikhaldara #melghat_tiger_reserve #maharashtra_legislature
Chikhaldara’s Spider Museum Lost in Bureaucratic Cobweb India’s first national spider museum, established in 2018 at the Forest Training Institute (FTI) in Chikhaldara with the aim of boosting tourism and research on spiders, has reportedly vanished into bureaucratic neglect. Arachnologist Dr. Atul Bodkhe, who has studied the museum’s history, confirmed that the facility no longer exists. “There is no trace of the museum at FTI,” he said. “The hall has been converted into a classroom, and the rare spider species preserved there are missing.” The museum was initiated by late Prof. GN Wankhade, a renowned arachnologist, and was intended to highlight the biodiversity of spiders in Melghat, a region known for its vast spider populations. Maharashtra’s then-finance and forest minister, Sudhir Mungantiwar, had publicly praised the museum and assured funding for a dedicated building. According to Bodkhe, the state government had sanctioned Rs37 crore for FTI infrastructure, with Rs3.5 crore allocated specifically for the museum. However, the forest department reportedly redirected the funds to develop FTI’s infrastructure instead of constructing the museum. Prof. Kishore Rithe, head of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and a key figure in the museum’s creation, expressed regret over its closure. “It’s very unfortunate that the museum has been shut down,” he said. “The forest department should have signed a memorandum of understanding with a dedicated NGO or institute to ensure technical expertise and manpower.” Rithe criticized the lack of follow-up from authorities, arguing that they failed to safeguard the facility’s long-term survival.#chikhaldara #forest_training_institute #dr_atul_bodkhe #prof_gn_wankhade #sudhir_mungantiwar
