THANE, 22 SEPTEMBER, 2024 (GPN): The Koli (Fisherman) brother is open minded and liberal. There is never one intention in his mind and another one in his stomach. He is not dual minded, The Koli brothers do their business honestly. A grand divine structure should be built for them. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde asserted that the fund will not be allowed to fall short.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde performed Bhumipuja (Bhoomi Pujan – Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony) of cultural and social building of Bhumiputra – project affecting Koli – Agri and all tribal Koli brothers of Maharashtra at Airoli Navi Mumbai .

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, MP Naresh Mhaske, MLA Manda Mhatre , Dnyaneshwar Mhatre, Niranjan Davkhare, Praveen Darekar, former MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe , former MLA and National President of Koli Federation Ramesh Dada Patil , Ganesh Naik , Sandeep Naik , as well as local activists Vijay Chaugule , Pandharinath Patil and other dignitaries were present.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that Koli is the “daryacha raja” (king of the sea) and the “bhoomiputra” (sons of the soil) of Mumbai. Koli in the state will use this building. When the G- 20 was held in Mumbai, people from all over the world came, preferring Koli songs. The visitors from abroad were delighted to see the songs and tradition of the Koli brothers, their dances and their culture.

Chief Minister Mr. Shinde further said, Bhumiputras should get justice. The only formula of our government is Bhumiputra will be given first preference in the state jobs. Koli Bandhu has a great contribution in the projects that are happening. Development season has started in the state today. We promoted the projects. Also welfare schemes have been started. The “Chief Minister – My Beloved Sister, Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin” scheme launched is operational in full swing with a pay of Rs 1500 per month in the beneficiaries account. Also under the “Chief Minister Youth Work Training” scheme for youth Our state is the first state in the country to provide training allowance to youth.

Chief Minister Shinde stated that development and welfare schemes are going on in the state at the same time,  a study group has been formed for the upliftment of Koli brother. We have solved some problems. The rest of the problems will also be removed. It is a government working round the clock, taking decisions in public interest. The government will not take any hand away to give justice to the project victims, to give justice to the sons of Bhoomiputra. All projects and structures will be completed soon. The houses built out of necessity were unauthorized, now it has been decided to make them permanent.

While guiding on this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that after many years of efforts , the foundation laying ceremony of Koli Bhavan has been completed today. It took a lot of effort to get this plot. I am very happy that Koli Bhavan is standing. Must be the most beautiful Koli Bhawan in Navi Mumbai. Funds will not be allowed to fall short. In Maharashtra, when Atal Setu is constructed, fishing cannot be done, we paid the compensation for it, so we have made a provision of Rs 25 crore. There was a similar problem while constructing the coastal road. The boats of the Koli people could not go to sea. Even then we removed the problems. Our government stands firmly on the side of Koli brother.

He said , eighteen thousand Koli weavers were going to be fired from their jobs due to lack of caste verification.  We took a major step and made them permanent employees. We gave them all the benefits that other employees get. When Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, the first thought of the Koli brother came to his mind. The central government created a separate ministry and also an account created under Matsyasampada scheme stated the Deputy CM.

Stating that we are going to give the largest package in the country to the project-affected Koli of “Gishwan”, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Fadnavis further said that we are going to provide good arrangements for fishing. It is our government that stands by the fishermen brother.

MLA Manda Mhatre , former MLA Ganesh Naik, former MLA and National President of Koli Federation Ramesh Dada Patil also expressed their condolences.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde distributed the boxes to the beneficiaries and also gave the keys to the “Fish on Wheels” vehicle from the Pradhan Mantri Matsyasampada Yojana.