Maharashtra: Govt sanctions Rs 172.87 cr for construction of hostel for Maratha students in Latur

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The Maharashtra government has sanctioned Rs 172.87 crore for the construction of a hostel and other educational facilities for students belonging to the Maratha community in Latur, an official said on Sunday, reported news agency PTI.

As per an official release, a well-equipped hostel with all the facilities for students of the Maratha community will be set up in the city by the ' SAARTHI' institute, reported PTI.

Funds to the tune of Rs 172.87 crore have been sanctioned to the divisional office of 'SAARTHI' for the construction of a reading room, library, training institute and hostel, it stated, reported PTI.

The tender process for the project is underway and the actual work will begin soon, the official said, reported PTI.

"The hostel, library and reading room facilities will help Maratha students from Latur and other districts of Marathwada," the release quoting state Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Sanjay Bansode said, reported PTI.

Earlier, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said the government is positive towards addressing demands raised by Marathas and efforts are underway to give reservation to the community.

A delegation of the Maratha community met Fadnavis in Pandharpur town of Solapur district where the deputy CM and his wife performed puja at the temple of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini on the occasion of Kartiki Ekadashi on Thursday.

The community has been demanding reservation in government jobs and education.

In a post on X, Fadnavis said, "I have assured the Maratha community that the state government is positive towards their demands. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured to give reservation to the community. We are standing behind him with full support."

"The issue will be solved for sure. Efforts are underway to give reservation to the Maratha community," he said.

The delegation also demanded that the state government provide a piece of land for the construction of Maratha Bhavan in Pandharpur, starting sub-centres of Annasaheb Patil Arthik Vikas Mahamandal and SARTHI, and construction of a hostel for students in the temple town.

Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI) is an autonomous institute of the Maharashtra government established for the social, economic, and educational development of the Maratha and Maratha-Kunbi sections.

Fadnavis said the state government is positive towards all these demands.

"The Solapur district collector can show the available land parcels in the next 15 days to the delegation to construct Maratha Bhavan and a hostel. The government will allot the site which the delegation favours. We will also start the construction before the next monsoon," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)