Maharashtra cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar urged private radio stations on Wednesday to regularly broadcast classic Marathi devotional and emotional songs, saying they continue to hold a strong emotional connection with listeners, reported news agency PTI.
“The Marathi emotional and devotional songs from the gramophone and cassette era still rule the hearts of Marathi listeners. These songs should be broadcast regularly on private radio stations,” Shelar told representatives of private radio channels at Mantralaya, reported PTI.
He said the state government aims to strengthen the use of Marathi through radio and strengthen coordination between the state and the private radio sector.
“Our generation grew up listening to such songs on All India Radio. There was a strong emotional impact. The audience in Maharashtra has always had a special connection with emotional and devotional songs,” the BJP leader said.
He cited the example of devotional ceremonies across the state.
“Even today, whether in cities or villages, a Satyanarayan puja feels incomplete without the immortal songs of Prahlad Shinde. These songs have become part of the tradition,” Shelar added.
Representatives of radio channels, including those from Red FM and Radio City 91.1, attended the meeting. The discussion also addressed challenges faced by the radio sector.
Land measurement for division in Maharashtra now at Rs 200
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has fixed the fee for land measurement at Rs 200, a move that will immensely benefit farmers and farming families to get land measured for division and distribution purposes.
“We have taken this decision to simplify and reduce the cost of the land partition process in the interest of farmers. With a fee of just Rs 200, registered partition deeds will now be accompanied by measurements and maps,” Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule told reporters.
He said the new decision is aimed at easing the financial burden on farming families.
Bawankule said that earlier, the fee was determined based on orders from the Settlement Commissioner, and several complaints and suggestions had come from farmers about the cost of measurement.
“After receiving feedback from farmers, we have introduced a major change in the process,” he said.
According to Bawankule, the decision was finalised in a meeting with the Settlement Commissioner and Director of Land Acquisition.
“Now the fee for land measurement has been fixed at Rs 200, and this service will be open to all citizens,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
