Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the process of handing over land for a memorial to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray will be completed soon, as environmental clearance for the project is in its last stage. Bal Thackeray died on November 17, 2012, the fifth anniversary of which was observed on Friday.
Mr. Fadnavis, who jointly addressed a press conference with Shiv Sena working president Uddhav Thackeray , said the government is making all efforts to clear the memorial’s plans on priority. The land for the memorial is part of the Mayor’s Bungalow at Shivaji Park, Dadar.
Mr. Thackeray handed over a cheque for ₹2 crore to Mr. Fadnavis for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, to be used for farmers’ welfare. The Sena claimed in an official statement that the State government had announced the farm loan waiver scheme on Mr. Thackeray’s insistence. It also said the scheme should have been implemented in October or November, but was yet to begin. “Until that happens, Uddhav asked party MPs, MLAs and corporators to donate a month’s salary for farmers. He himself has contributed ₹10 lakh.”