Mumbai: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has urged the Maharashtra government to submit a revised proposal to the central government to enhance the benefits of the sugarcane cutting machine scheme. The suggestion came during a meeting held in New Delhi on Wednesday, where Gadkari reviewed the progress of various schemes implemented in Maharashtra from 2022-23, reported UNI.
Under the current scheme, the central government has approved the purchase of 900 sugarcane cutting machines. So far, 257 eligible beneficiaries in Maharashtra have acquired these machines, with subsidies distributed to 116 of them.
During the meeting, Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Advocate Manikrao Kokate urged the immediate release of the central government’s share of subsidies for the remaining 141 beneficiaries. In response, Gadkari asked the state government to amend the scheme and submit a revised proposal to the central government. This revision aims to ensure that more sugarcane farmers, labourer organisations, and agricultural companies in Maharashtra can benefit from the initiative.
Gadkari emphasised the importance of streamlining the process to maximise the scheme’s impact on the sugarcane farming community. The revised proposal is expected to address existing gaps and facilitate faster disbursement of subsidies, ultimately supporting the state’s agricultural sector and boosting productivity.
