Maharashtra govt has approved land for old-age home for theatre artists: Uday Samant

Uday Samant. File Pic

The Maharashtra government has decided to allot two-acre land near Mumbai to set up an old-age home for poor theatre and backstage artists, Industries Minister Uday Samant said on Tuesday, reported the PTI.

Speaking at the function to inaugurate the 100th Akhil Bhartiya Natya Sammelan in Latur city of Maharashtra, Uday Samant said that the land would be allotted through the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation in Ambernath area in Thane district, as per the PTI.

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"The state government stands firmly with Marathi artists and has provided funds for various initiatives of the Akhil Bhartiya Natya Parishad. The Parishad needs to organise various activities in the future to produce talented artists. A good script is necessary for a good play. Therefore, contests need to be organised in the state to find out good dramatists," Uday Samant said, according to the PTI.

Natya Sammelan president Jabbar Patel said that many good plays are being written and performed in rural areas these days.

"Artists from rural areas need to focus on script writing and perform without the fear of language. This will lead to the production of commercial plays and the evolution of good theatre artists," he added.

Meanwhile, last week, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the Maharashtra government has created a conducive environment to foster industrial growth and attract investors to set up units in the state, reported the PTI.

CM Shinde was speaking after laying the foundation stone of a multi-level parking lot in Wagle Estate MIDC in Maharashtra's Thane district.

He also launched the 'Mukhya Mantri Mauvim Employees Health Insurance Scheme' for Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation staffers.

While earlier people had to make the rounds of offices for redressal, the state government's 'shaasan apla dari' (government at your doorstep) had benefited more than 2.8 lakh people, the CM said, as per the PTI.

Asserting that his government in Maharashtra was pro-people, pro-industry, pro-development and also pro-environment, CM Shinde said fears that the construction of the Atal Setu would adversely affect flamingoes have proved to be unfounded.

The number of flamingoes arriving at the site has doubled as per reports of environment organisations, the CM said.

On the occasion, state industries minister Uday Samant distributed tabs to children of MIDC staffers.

CM Shinde also lauded MIDC for ensuring Maharashtra was the top state in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).

(with PTI inputs)