(File)Nearly 15 months after he was sworn in as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has made his first allocation under the MLA Local Area Development Scheme for the beautification and illumination of Shivaji Park. Thackeray’s decision to allocate his first Local Area Development (LAD) Fund to Shivaji Park — one of the largest open spaces in Mumbai spread over 22.7 acres — speaks to Shiv Sena’s special relationship with the park. The MLA Local Area Development Scheme enables each MLA and MLC to undertake small development works in his or her constituency through the allocated funds of Rs 4 crore per year. On March 19 this year, Thackeray had written to Mumbai City Collector Rajeev Nivatkar stating that many senior citizens, local residents and sportspersons use the tracks and footpaths along the Shivaji Park area. The Samyukta Maharashtra gallery on the footpath opposite Shivaji park will also be beautified.

Source: Indian Express August 09, 2021 18:56 UTC