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
