The Maharashtra government has accorded ministerial status to the chairman of the Parshuram Economic Development Corporation (PEDC), extending a host of facilities and allowances applicable to part-time chairpersons holding such rank.

The PEDC, which was established to promote self-employment and business opportunities for the economically weaker sections of the Brahmin community, is currently headed by Ashish Damle, a key functionary of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), according to the news agency PTI.