Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : Members of Hindu priest communities across Maharashtra are set to receive financial support through a dedicated loan scheme being planned by the Parshuram Economic Development Corporation (PEDC), its chairperson Ashish Damle said on Sunday.
Announced by Maharashtra govt in Sept 2024, the PEDC was created to provide institutional support and welfare measures for economically weaker sections within the Brahmin community.
Damle said a detailed project report for the scheme is being prepared and will soon be submitted to state govt for approval. Many from the community lead underprivileged lives and will benefit from the scheme,” he said. Until the new set-up is ready, employees of the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation will handle divisional and district-level operations,” Damle said. “The board also gave its nod to a proposal to be sent to the state cabinet for renaming its individual loan scheme after late deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar ,” Damle said. Meanwhile, Damle said he has donated his Oct honorarium to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for drought mitigation efforts.
“Those engaged in priestly duties will be covered under the loan scheme. The proposed initiative is aimed at strengthening the economic position of priests and other individuals dependent on traditional religious services. “A separate cell will be set up at each divisional level through the planning department for implementation of schemes of all PEDC programmes. The board approved filling five posts through outsourcing and sought an urgent staffing proposal for the chairman’s office.