Jalgaon civic body to maintain airport

He said the municipal council had agreed to obtain the no-objection certificate required for the purpose from the Airports Authority of India as well as Director General Civil Aviation. “Actual details of handing over the airport are being worked out. Probably, the state government will sign an agreement with the Jalgaon Municipal Council,” he added.

It will be the first municipal council in the country to acquire an airport for development and maintenance.

Joshi admitted that the Urban Development Department headed by him had raised certain objections on the proposal, which were later cleared.Referring to the proposal to strengthen airstrips in the state, Joshi said while the Parbhani airstrip is being developed and maintained by the Public Works Department, the remaining airstrips will be looked after by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation.

The cabinet also decided to hike the allowance paid to the Devdasis in Kolhapur and Sangli district from Rs 100 to Rs 300 per month from July. But the hike will be applicable to only those Devdasis, who are above 40 years and whose annual income is less than Rs 15,000. “As per official records, about 4,000 devdasis will be benefited by the decision,” he added.Secondly, Joshi said their children will be granted financial assistance of Rs 75, Rs 70 and Rs 50 respectively for school books, note books and stationery material respectively.

He said his government was also considering the introduction of a bill prohibiting the Devdasi system in the state.