Gadchiroli District Seeks Significant Funding Boost for 2026-27 Annual Plan
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently presided over a crucial meeting to finalize the draft outlay for Gadchiroli district's general annual plan for the fiscal year 2026-27. The session, conducted online, saw the district administration formally request a substantial infusion of additional funds to meet its developmental goals.
Substantial Funding Gap Identified
The state government has set a total annual plan ceiling of Rs 370.97 crore for Gadchiroli district. However, proposals submitted by various agencies and departments within the district have aggregated to a staggering Rs 1,039 crore. This created a significant shortfall of Rs 668.03 crore between the allocated ceiling and the proposed budgetary requirements for essential works.
During the state-level review meeting, officials placed a formal demand for this additional Rs 668 crore to bridge the identified gap. The request underscores the district's ambitious plans and the perceived inadequacy of the standard financial allocation.
Comprehensive Scope of Proposed Projects
According to officials present at the meeting, the additional funding demand is not arbitrary but is meticulously tied to a wide array of critical development projects. The requested Rs 668 crore is earmarked to finance initiatives across multiple sectors vital for the region's growth and welfare.
The key areas covered include:
- Infrastructure Development: Enhancing roads, connectivity, and public utilities.
- Education: Improving school facilities and educational programs.
- Healthcare: Upgrading medical services and health infrastructure.
- Irrigation: Developing water management and agricultural irrigation systems.
- Tribal Development: Implementing welfare schemes for tribal communities.
- Industrial Investment: Attracting and facilitating industrial growth.
- Employment Generation: Creating job opportunities and skill development programs.
High-Level Participation and Key Recommendations
The online meeting witnessed participation from several high-ranking state officials alongside the Gadchiroli district administration. Notable attendees included Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ashish Jaiswal, Minister of State for School Education Pankaj Bhoyar, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Ashwini Bhide, Principal Secretary Shikhar Pardeshi, and Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Om Prakash Gupta.
Representing the Gadchiroli collectorate were District Collector Avishyant Panda, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad Suhas Gade, Superintendent of Police Nilotpal, District Planning Officer Prasad Ghadge, and heads of various departmental agencies.
A significant point of discussion was raised by Minister Ashish Jaiswal. He urged the state authorities to reassess the funding allocation methodology for Gadchiroli. Jaiswal advocated that the district should not be evaluated solely on population metrics, which is a common practice. Instead, he emphasized that its vast geographical spread and unique developmental challenges must be given considerable weight in the fund distribution formula.
Building on this argument, Jaiswal strongly recommended that the maximum possible funds be approved for Gadchiroli to ensure its comprehensive and equitable development, aligning with the broader objectives of regional balance and inclusive growth in Maharashtra.
The meeting concluded with the draft plan being discussed in detail, setting the stage for further deliberations on bridging the substantial financial gap to meet Gadchiroli's ambitious development agenda for 2026-27.
