No paucity of funds for Koli Bhavan: CM Eknath Shinde

MUMBAI: “The people from the Koli community are straightforward and open minded. They never have double standards in their behavior. The people of the Koli community carry on their business with honesty. A grand building is being constructed for them and we will ensure that funds will not be falling short for this construction,” said Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde.


The Bhumi Pujan of the cultural and social building to be constructed for the ‘Sons of soil’ –Bhumiputra, project affected, Koli Aagree and all the tribal Koli community of Maharashtra at Airoli in Navi Mumbai was performed at the hands of Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde. He was speaking on this occasion.


Deputy Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Member of Parliament Naresh Mhaske, legislator Manda Mhatre, Dnyaneshwar Mhatre, Niranjan Dawkhare, Pravin Darekar, former Member of Parliament Vinay Sahastrabudhe, former legislator and national president of Koli Mahasangh Ramesh Dada Patil, Ganesh Naik, Sandeep Naik, local activists Vijay Chaugule and other dignitaries were present during the program.


Speaking further, Chief Minister Shri Shinde said that ‘Koli is the king of the rivers and son of the soil of Mumbai- Bhumiputra’. He said that this building will be utilized by the Koli community of the state. He further said that during the G-20 program in Mumbai, people from across the world visited the metropolitan city and they gave priority to the Koli songs. He said that the people from various nations who visited Mumbai were very happy to hear the songs and see the Koli dance and their overall culture.


Chief Minister Shri Shinde further said that the sons of the soil should get justice, adding that his government has been giving priority to the Bhumiputra in jobs. Shri Eknath Shinde further said that the Koli community has a huge contribution in the projects that are coming up. He also said that the era of development has started in the state and the government is giving a boost to the projects. Similarly, the welfare schemes for common people are going on in full swing. He said that the Mukhyamantri- Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojna has been started and women are given rupees 1500 every month. He said that the Mukhyamantri Yuva Kary Prashikshan Yojna is initiated for the youth and our state is first of its kind in the entire nation to give stipend to the youth during their training period.


The Chief Minister said that the developmental and welfare schemes are going on in the state simultaneously. He said that a study group has been formed for the certificate issue of the Koli community, adding that many of the problems have been overcome and remaining will be soon resolved. He said that this government is working day and night and taking the decisions in the interest of common people. He assured that there will be no shortage of funds for giving justice to the project affected and the Bhumiputras. He also said that all the projects and buildings will be soon completed. The Chief Minister also said that the houses constructed during extreme need were unauthorized but a decision has been taken to regularize them.


Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis said that after the efforts for years, today the Bhumi Pujan of the Koli Bhavan has been performed. He said that many efforts were required to be taken to get this piece of land for the said construction. Shri Fadnavis said that we are very happy that the Koli Bhavan will now be taking shape and expected that it should be the most beautiful Koli Bhavan in the entire Mumbai. Assuring that adequate funds will be provided for the construction, he further said that when the Maharashtra Atul Setu was being constructed, it was not possible for the Koli to go fishing and so the provision of 25 crore rupees was made by the government. He also said that the same situation was experienced while construction of Coastal road was on. It was not possible for the boats of the Kolis to enter the sea. He said that at that time the government overcome their problems, adding that the government is always standing firm with the Koli community.


He also said that because the Koli brethren were not having the cast verification certificate, 18000 Kohli brothers were in the situation of being fired from their jobs but the government came to their rescue, adjusted them as surplus and later on, made them permanent employees. They were given all the benefits of the service which are given to other employees. He further said that after Shri Narendra Modi took charge as the Prime Minister of the nation, the problems of the Koli community were considered with priority and the central government created a separate ministry and autonomous department for them. The schemes related to fisheries were also initiated.


He further said that we are going to give the biggest package of the nation to the project- affected Koli brothers of ‘Wadhwan’ project. The Deputy Chief Minister Shri Fadnavis also said that the government is going to provide a better system for fishing and it is going to stand with the Koli community.


Legislator Manda Mhatre, former legislator Ganesh Naik, former legislator and national president of Koli Mahasang Ramesh Dada Patil also expressed their views.


The cold storage boxes were distributed to the beneficiaries at the hands of Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde. Similarly, the keys of the vehicles under the Pradhanmantri Matsya Sampada Yojana “Fish on wheels” scheme were also distributed to the beneficiaries.