Beed, May 1 (IANS) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Beed Guardian Minister Sunetra Pawar on Friday said that she is committed to fulfilling the development vision of her husband and late Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

She addressed the citizens of Beed district on the occasion of Maharashtra Day, which marked her first official visit to the district since assuming the responsibilities previously held by the late leader, Ajit Pawar.

Following the sudden passing of Ajit Pawar, who served as the Deputy CM and Guardian Minister of Beed, Sunetra Pawar took over his portfolios. On Friday, she performed the traditional flag-hoisting ceremony in Beed, followed by a keynote address outlining the district’s developmental roadmap.

In an emotional address, Dy CM Sunetra Pawar paid tribute to the late Ajit Pawar’s dedication to the region. “Marathwada is a land of saints and heroes; I was born in the birthplace of Saint Goroba Kaka. As Guardian Minister and Deputy CM, the respected Ajit Dada took historic decisions for Beed’s holistic development in a very short span. He had several ‘dream projects’ for this district. In his absence, the responsibility has fallen to me, and I am committed to fulfilling that vision.”

During her speech, she highlighted several milestones and upcoming projects aimed at making Beed a self-reliant and leading district in Maharashtra. She lauded the district administration for its exemplary implementation of the Maharashtra State Service Rights Act, noting that the Beed Collector was recently honoured by the State Chief Secretary in Mumbai.

She mentioned that an IT project worth Rs 117 crore is being established in the MIDC area. This initiative is expected to benefit over 60,000 students by providing tech-based skill education. Following the successful run of the Beed-Ahilyanagar railway, funds have been approved for the remaining work on the Beed-Ahilyanagar-Parli Vaijnath line to expedite regional connectivity, said Pawar.

She further added that plans are underway for the expansion of the Swami Ramanand Teerth Hospital in Ambajogai. Additionally, a Rs 623 crore development budget has been sanctioned for the district. Beed will also host the state-level Volleyball tournament to promote sports culture.

The Dy CM also noted the commencement of the National Census starting today, urging all citizens to participate actively. Invoking the ideologies of Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar, she emphasised that the state government is committed to social justice and progress. “Let us resolve to build a developed, capable, and self-reliant Beed,” she concluded, calling upon the residents to help elevate Beed as a premier district in Maharashtra.

The Beed district recently faced a significant political vacuum following the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar. As a leader who was aggressively pushing for infrastructure and industrial growth in the Marathwada region, his “Beed Model” was gaining traction.

The observers said that Sunetra Pawar’s appointment as the Guardian Minister is seen as a move to ensure continuity in these projects. Her first official visit on Maharashtra Day serves a dual purpose, reinforcing the government’s stability and assuring the local populace that the development projects initiated by the late leader will remain on the fast track.

–IANS

sj/dpb