Photo- Ajit Pawar/ X

By Aryan

Pune, August 1: A decision to erect a memorial for Loknete Shamrao Peje, a significant contributor to the development of Konkan, at Kuwarbav in Ratnagiri, was made in a meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar at the Mantralaya today. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also directed that the necessary land and funds for the memorial be provided.

Additionally, Pawar instructed that the memorial should be grand and befitting the achievements of Loknete Shamrao Peje.

A meeting to review development works in the Ratnagiri district was organized today under the chairmanship of Pawar in the committee room at the Mantralaya.

During the meeting, Minister of Higher and Technical Education Chandrakant Patil, Minister of Industries Uday Samant, Additional Chief Secretary of the Fisheries Department Rajesh Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Planning Department Rajgopal Deora, Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department O. P. Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home (Transport and Ports) Department Sanjay Sethi, Principal Secretary of the Finance Department Saurabh Vijay, Principal Secretary of the Higher and Technical Education Department Vikaschandra Rastogi, Secretary of the Public Works Department (Roads) Sadashiv Salunkhe, Secretary of the Public Works Department (Buildings) Sanjay Dashpute, CEO of MIDC Dr. Vipin Sharma, among other senior officials, as well as office-bearers and representatives from relevant institutions in Ratnagiri, were present.

The desire of the people of Ratnagiri and the state government is to have the memorial for Loknete Shamrao Peje, who significantly contributed to the development of Konkan, at Kuwarbav. To this end, the relevant department should immediately transfer the necessary land for the memorial, and funds will be made available. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also emphasized that the work on the memorial should be of high quality and worthy of the people's leader, stated a govt press releaase.

Considering the importance of the coastal belt to Konkan, the meeting gave in-principle approval for the establishment of a Marine University in Ratnagiri district. This Marine University will be established at Merwe near the seashore. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar assured that the necessary funds for the university would be provided. Additionally, the meeting reviewed the establishment of a government law college in Ratnagiri and other projects and development works in the district.