The 18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra conducted the first Cabinet meeting after swearing in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The first Cabinet meeting after Maharashtra Government formation was held at Sahyadri Guest House in South Mumbai, after the oath taking ceremony, on the 28th of November.
Uddhav Thackeray, the President of the Shiv Sena, took the oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He is the first of the Thackeray family to become the Chief Minister of the State.
During the Cabinet meeting, Uddhav Thackeray’s first decision was to approve Rs. 20 crores for the conservation of the Raigad Fort, the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Another major decision taken during the Cabinet meeting was regarding the farmers’ issue in Maharashtra. Mr. Thackeray directed the officials and Ajoy Mehta, the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra to submit detailed information regarding the Central Government schemes for the welfare of the populace. Uddhav Thackeray said, “Once I get all the details, I will make a decision accordingly.” He further said, “We can paint a better picture if we know the reality. We have sought inputs. Farmers have not got anything, but only assurances. We want to provide concrete help to farmers.”
Speaking about the stability of the new Government, Uddhav Thackeray said, “We want to ensure an atmosphere in the State wherein nobody will feel terrorised.”
Named Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi, the NCP-Shiv Sena-INC, alliance said they would ensure to resolve farmers’ issues soon. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi also said in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) released by them, the State Government would waive off their loans. The CMP includes benefits like immediate financial assistance to the ones who suffer due to premature rains and floods, loan waivers, revision of crop insurance schemes and immediate compensation to farmers who have lost their crops.
In addition, the State Government would also ensure sustainable water supply systems during a drought in drought affected areas.
The cabinet meeting was held at 8:30 P.M., after the oath taking ceremony.
The oath taking ceremony was held at 6:40 P.M., in front of thousands of people at Shivaji Park, Mumbai, Maharashtra. Political leaders, businessmen like Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Singhania, actors like Milind Gunaji and Amol Kolhe, were present during the oath taking ceremony.
Along with Uddhav Thackeray, 6 members of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP,) the Shiv Sena party and the Indian National Congress (INC) party were also sworn in as Cabinet ministers of Maharashtra. Bhagat Singh Koshyari, the Governor of Maharashtra, administered the oath of office to Mr. Thackeray and the Cabinet ministers– Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena,) Subhash Desai (Shiv Sena,) Jayant Patil (NCP,) Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP,) Balasaheb Thorat (INC) and Nitin Raut (INC.)
After nearly a month of Maharashtra Assembly elections’ results, the State got its chief minister and government.
Stay tuned for further updates.
