Maha Vikas Aghadi govt’s Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme under review

State’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ravindra Chavan told The Indian Express on Sunday that a comprehensive review of the implementation of the scheme is necessary.

The Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme provided a thali meal in urban areas for Rs 50 and rural areas for Rs 35. (File Photo)

The state government has placed the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government’s flagship Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme under review and stayed its decision to increase the number of plates until the Cabinet takes a final call on the scheme’s future.

State’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ravindra Chavan told The Indian Express on Sunday that a comprehensive review of the implementation of the scheme is necessary. “It is a good scheme. But it needs to be checked whether intended beneficiaries are actually gaining from it. A digital watch through a mobile application on every plate that is being consumed will be kept and at the same time the scheme will be reviewed,” he said.

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Among the last few decisions of the MVA government was to increase the maximum number of plates to be served across the state to 2 lakh from 1,88,463. After the new government of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in on June 30, all decisions taken by the previous dispensation came under review.

Chavan said that after the review, the observations will be placed before the cabinet. “The decision on its future implementation will be taken by the cabinet,” he said. When asked whether the current government plans to end the scheme, Chavan said a ‘detailed review’ is necessary and any decision will be taken by the state cabinet.

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The Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme provided a thali meal in urban areas for Rs 50 and rural areas for Rs 35. The eateries sell the thali to people at Rs 10 and the government pays the remaining charges.

According to data as on September 24, Maharashtra has a total of 1,699 eateries of which 1,549 serve Shiv Bhojan thalis. The number of approved thalis in the state is 1,88,463 but the number of actual plates distributed is 1,45,591. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Maharashtra government had slashed the price of thali to Rs 5 and then from April 2021, it was given for free and even parcel service was allowed. As the pandemic was brought under control and lockdown was lifted in phase-wise manner, the price was again made Rs 10.

Alok Deshpande

Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues. Expertise Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai. Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands'). Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including: State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana). Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides). Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits. Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects. Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission. Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards. Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra. He tweets @alokdesh ... Read More

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