Ahead of Assembly polls, Maharashtra government today announced allocation of substantial funds to build memorials of its icons, including that of the warrior king Shivaji.
“The Government of Maharashtra has taken a decision to build a national monument of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj near Raj Bhavan in the Arabian sea,” Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the Finance portfolio, said in his budget speech in the state Assembly.
“The design of the monument is prepared by Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai. Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority as well as General Administration Department have sent the proposal to the Union Ministry of Environment for environmental clearance. An outlay of Rs 100 crores has been proposed for the financial year 2014-15,” Pawar said.
“The state government has decided to construct Shahu Maharaj monument at the Shahu Textile Mill premises in Kolhapur. A budget provision of Rs 3.50 crores has been made in the current financial year to start the work,” he said.
“Mumbai Mahanagar Regional Development Authority is appointed as a special planning authority to develop a monument of Bharatratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, on 4.84 hectare land in India United Mill. The authority has called Expression of Interest from consultants of international level and the appointment of consultants is under process,” he said.
