Stop Of Rs 10 Meal? Maharashtra's Shiv Bhojan Scheme beneath assessment
The maharashtra government is reportedly considering shutting down the Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme in the next economic year because of economic constraints.
Brought for the duration of the maha Vikas Aghadi government's tenure, the subsidized meal program changed into aimed at providing affordable food to the state's poor and underprivileged citizens. However, rising prices and an increasing economic burden on the state treasury have led the current authorities to rethink its continuation.
According to sources, maharashtra leader minister devendra fadnavis lately held discussions with cupboard ministers regarding the scheme's destiny, and there are sturdy symptoms that budgetary allocations for it may be reduced or absolutely scrapped in the imminent financial year.
The Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme was released in 2020 at some point during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide nutritious meals at just Rs 10 per plate to the needy. Initially applied in select urban regions, the programme was later expanded to rural well.
Presently, 1,404 Shiv Bhojan centers operate across the state, serving between 1.75 to 2.07 lakh food daily. The government covers Rs 50 per meal in urban areas and Rs 35 in rural areas, ensuring that economically weaker sections can afford a balanced diet. As of march 2023, over 29.62 crore plates were dispensed beneath the scheme, proving its vast function in tackling starvation and food insecurity among the poor.
The state spends approximately Rs 220 crore yearly on running Shiv Bhojan centers, and with growing fees, this fee is expected to grow similarly. Considering Maharashtra's growing fiscal challenges, officers are actually weighing the possibility of discontinuing the program.
The final selection at the scheme's destiny is anticipated to be announced quickly, probably as a part of the approaching country finances. While financial concerns play a vital role in policy choices, the government faces the undertaking of balancing economic issues with social welfare.
The Shiv Bhojan scheme has been a lifeline for many struggling families, and its potential closure has raised worries about the effect on them. Whether or not the state will continue assisting the initiative or are searching for alternative solutions remains to be seen, but the debate over its necessity is already gaining momentum.
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