CM: Akhadas & sansthans to be funded during Kumbh

Nashik: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced a fund allocation of Rs5 crore per Akhada (a sect of seers) to ensure they are equipped with all amenities and facilities; Rs 15 lakh per small religious institution or ‘sansthan', besides electricity bills for Akhadas will be settled through the designated authority."A review meeting regarding the Simhastha Kumbh Mela was held at the Sahyadri Guest House. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the Mela would be organized on a grand scale, carried out under the guidance of the sadhus, mahants, and devotees arriving from across the globe. The chief minister has announced the funds of Rs5 crore for every Akhada that they can use for the development of their Akhadas, where pilgrims and seers come during the Kumbh Mela," said a senior officer from Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA).Fadnavis said a comprehensive master plan has been formulated to manage the arrangements for the event."The chief minister underlined that the preparations currently underway for next year's Kumbh Mela were being designed to serve the Kumbh Mela that will take place 12 years from now. Our priority is that the development works should be permanent," the officer added.The officer also said, "A comprehensive master plan for healthcare services has been formulated. The chief minister has assured that every precaution will be taken to ensure that no sadhu, mahant or devotee visiting the site faces any health-related difficulties."Present at the meeting were deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar, senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Girish Mahajan, Dadaji Bhuse, Uday Samant, Shivendrasinh Raje Bhosale, among others.Simhastha Logo UnveiledThe official logo of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela was unveiled at the event. A nationwide competition for designing the Kumbh Mela logo was organized by the Kumbh Mela Authority. More than 3,000 participants took part in the competition.Sumit Kate from Pune secured the first position. He was awarded a cash prize of Rs3 lakh along with a memento, Mayank Nayak from Noida secured the second position and received Rs2 lakh and a memento, while Piyush Pimpalnerkar from Pandharpur secured the third position was awarded Rs 1lakh and a memento.