The newly-formed Shinde-Fadnavis Maharashtra government has yet again stayed MVA’s decision to increase the number of plates in its flagship Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme.
Moreover, the Maharashtra government has placed the Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme under review to probe allegations of malpractice by the MVA.
While talking to reporters after the state cabinet meeting, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis exclaimed that the scheme has not been shut down yet but the government will conduct an investigation into the allegations and review the scheme.
On the other hand, Food and Supplies Minister Ravindra Chavan had earlier stated that a comprehensive review of the scheme is necessary. No decision has been taken on shutting down the scheme as of now, cabinet will take a final call on this.
Among the last few decisions of the MVA government was to increase the maximum number of plates to be served across the state to 2 lakhs from 1,88,463.
It is pertinent to note that after the new government of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in on June 30, all decisions taken by the previous dispensation came under review.
As on September 24, there are a total of 1,699 eateries of which 1,549 serve Shiv Bhojan thalis in Maharashtra. The number of approved thalis in the state is 1,88,463 but the number of actual plates distributed is 1,45,591.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maharashtra government had slashed the price of thali to INR 5 and then from April 2021, it was given for free and even parcel service was allowed. As the pandemic was brought under control and lockdown was lifted in phase-wise manner, the price was again made INR 10.
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