District funds for start-ups in Thane

THANE: The Thane district administration could soon start an incubation centre for promoting local talent and start-ups, MP Dr Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena, Eknath Shinde faction) said on Saturday.
The suggestion was made by Shinde during the district planning committee meeting Friday evening where he said the funds for innovative initiatives be diverted to provide a platform for new ideas generated in the district.
“There are several projects developed by local talent in various fields like sanitation, water supply, waste management or even in farming among others that could be promoted and developed for the benefit of the district. I have proposed that these initiatives be encouraged using the district funds,” said Dr Shinde while talking to TOI.
Meanwhile, the planning committee approved a draft proposal plan of Rs 478.63 crore for the chief minister’s Thane district undertaking various developmental works here district during the next fiscal of 2023-24. Guardian minister Shambhuraj Desai, who chaired the meeting, said they are taking efforts to ensure the amount is increased to Rs 902 crore.
Last year, the DPC funds proposed was Rs 450 cr which was later scaled up to Rs 618 cr following a state level meeting chaired by the then deputy CM and finance minister Ajit Pawar, officials said.
Presently, around 48% funds have been consumed and there will be emphasis on exhausting the entire allocation by the year end for the projects approved, Desai directed officials from various departments present for the meeting. Thane has a good track record of consuming nearly 99% of funds for allocated works and the trend will be continued this year also, he said also strictly warned officials of departmental enquiries if there was a lapse in utilisation of funds.
Improvising and upgrading around 14 primary health centres and setting up of revamping 103 school into model ones are some of the initiative to be undertaken using the funds, an official said. Around Rs. 73.44 crore has also been okayed for the Tribal Sub Plan and Rs 72 crore for the ST (special plan) in the district, he added.