Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday announced a special development grant of Rs 28 crore for road and infrastructure works in the constituencies represented by 14 women legislators, with each MLA to receive Rs two crore.
The allocation was announced as a special “Raksha Bandhan gift” and is intended to support local infrastructure projects based on the priority requirements of the respective constituencies.
“Special Gift to Women Legislator Sisters on the Occasion of the Sacred Raksha Bandhan Festival..,’ wrote CM Patel on his X handle.
Officials said the funds would be used for road infrastructure and other development works. Of the 14 women legislators covered by the decision, nine represent urban constituencies while five represent rural constituencies.
The grants are expected to allow the legislators to take up works addressing local requirements in roads and related infrastructure. The state government said the projects would improve connectivity and ease of movement for residents in the constituencies.
The allocation is also aimed at advancing local infrastructure development and enabling the women legislators to address priority development needs more effectively.
The decision comes as Gujarat marks Raksha Bandhan, a festival traditionally associated with the bond between brothers and sisters. Rather than providing a direct benefit to the legislators, the special grant is earmarked for development works in the constituencies they represent.
According to the official statement, the road and infrastructure projects to be taken up through the grants will be identified according to the priority needs of each constituency.
The grant is specifically linked to road and other infrastructure development and is to be utilised for works within the respective constituencies of the women legislators.
Earlier in the day, women from different communities and sections of society tied rakhis to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at Lok Bhavan in Gandhinagar.
Women associated with social organisations, charitable institutions, the Brahma Kumaris and organisations working for persons with disabilities participated in the celebrations.
They tied rakhis to CM Patel and offered prayers for his good health and long life.
CM Patel welcomed the women who had gathered for the occasion and accepted their blessings and good wishes.
(IANS)
