Govt sanctions Rs 2crore to redesign Chacha Nehru Bal Mahotsav, to be held as state-level celebration

The proposal was cleared by the Women and Child Development Department headed by NCP minister Aditi Tatkare.

According to officials, the restructuring is aimed at giving children, particularly those living in government and non-government child-care homes, as well as orphans and children admitted for rehabilitation, a wider stage to showcase their abilities.

The move also seeks to build a sense of camaraderie among participants coming from different parts of the state. “The festival format has been partially revised so that the six divisional events are held together at one venue, giving it the scale of a state festival,” an official said.

The announcement comes against the backdrop of a political row over Nehru’s legacy in Mumbai.

Last month, the city Congress criticised the BJP-led state government for naming the upcoming Metro Line 3 station simply as “Science Centre,” instead of “Nehru Science Centre,” which is how the Worli landmark has been widely known for decades.

Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant had accused the ruling party of “deliberately omitting Nehru’s name,” pointing to previous instances in which institutions named after Nehru were renamed, including the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in Delhi.

Meanwhile in another move, the state government has also approved Rs 3 lakh per district for the Constitution Amrit Mahotsav – Ghar Ghar Samvidhan campaign, planned to mark 75 years of the Indian Constitution.

The programme will run from November 26, to January 26, 2026, and will include awareness drives on constitutional rights and duties, with special focus on marginalised communities.

Under the plan, Rs 2 lakh will be released to the Assistant Commissioner (Social Welfare) in every district and Rs 1 lakh to the District Social Welfare Officer in each Zilla Parishad. Officials said the funds will be issued immediately so that preparations can begin without delay.