Overview
- The Maharashtra cabinet, which met Wednesday, approved the Maharashtra State River Rejuvenation Authority to restore 54 polluted stretches identified by the national pollution board in 2025.
- The financing plan builds a Rs 2,000 crore corpus from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board funds, a Rs 100 crore state contribution, an annual 10% share of minor‑mineral revenue, and corporate and blended finance.
- The authority will be chaired by the chief minister, supported by an executive committee and a secretariat that taps groups like BNHS, NEERI and IITs for technical work.
- Environment minister Pankaja Munde said the ministry will seek about Rs 400 crore a year within a five‑year plan, set early three‑year targets, and prioritise basins such as the Godavari with an initial ask planned in the monsoon session.
- The cabinet also cleared a Rs 1,234 crore Sakalai lift‑irrigation project for 32 villages and 9,600 hectares, raised Class 8–12 disability scholarships after 12 years, set up a panel on Scheduled Caste sub‑categories, updated land‑records hiring, earmarked land for an Amravati sports complex, and asked finance to examine higher aid for mango and cashew growers now getting Rs 220.