The Maharashtra government has accorded ministerial status to the chairman of the Parshuram Economic Development Corporation (PEDC), extending a host of facilities and allowances applicable to part-time chairpersons holding such rank.
The PEDC, which was established to promote self-employment and business opportunities for the economically weaker sections of the Brahmin community, is currently headed by Ashish Damle, a key functionary of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), according to the news agency PTI.
As per a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the planning department on Tuesday, the PEDC Chairman will be entitled to the following:
● A monthly honorarium of Rs 7,500
● A sitting allowance of Rs 500 per board meeting
● Reimbursement of telephone expenses up to Rs 3,000 per month
● A vehicle facility, which may be availed in one of three forms: an official car with a driver, a monthly vehicle allowance of Rs 10,000 for private use, a government-approved hired vehicle on a tender basis
● In addition, the chairman will receive travel and daily allowances in line with state government norms during official tours and board meetings. The daily accommodation allowance has been fixed at: Rs 750 in Mumbai, Rs 500 in Nagpur, Aurangabad, Pune, and Nashik, and Rs 350 in other districts
The post also comes with administrative support, including a personal assistant, a clerk, and a peon, sourced from PEDC’s existing staff.
While Damle will enjoy ministerial protocol and be ranked immediately after ministers at official functions, the GR clarifies that certain privileges have not been extended. These include the use of:
● Red beacon
● National flag on the vehicle
● Personal security
● Police escorts or guards
Maharashtra govt asks ministries, depts to have opening page of websites in Marathi
The Maharashtra government has mandated that the opening page of websites of its departments and ministries must be in Marathi along with a uniform format and naming protocol, an official said on Monday, reported news agency PTI.
The move is part of the government`s renewed performance targets for the next 150 days, he added.
“As we are in the era of cyber fraud and misleading websites, the government has taken this stand. All ministries and departments must develop their websites in a specific format, which includes carrying the `.gov.in` domain in their official name. The opening page will always be in Marathi, as it is the official state language,” the official told PTI.
There will be an option to read the same content in English, he said, adding directive is part of a broader effort by the state government to ensure consistency and accountability across departments, reported PTI.
