The Maharashtra Cabinet on Wednesday pushed through six important decisions expected to have a positive impact on farmers, students and persons with disabilities in the state. A major announcement has been made for the Saklai Upsa Irrigation Scheme in the drought-prone belt of Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar) district, with Rs 1,234 crore approved for the irrigation scheme. The decision, approved by the Water Resources Department, is expected to solve the water problem of 32 drought-affected villages, and consequently, 9,600 hectares of land will come under irrigation. An independent authority to ensure the rejuvenation and cleanliness of rivers has been approved by the Department of Environment and Climate Change. The cabinet decided to set up the Maharashtra State River Rejuvenation Authority to prevent pollution of rivers in the state. Special river revitalisation projects will be implemented in 54 polluted areas across Maharashtra. An increase in the scholarship amount given to disabled students has been approved by the Handicapped Welfare Department. This is expected to help thousands of disabled students studying in classes 8th to 12th in the state. The decision came after a long wait of 12 years. It has been decided by the Revenue Department that from now onwards, the post of ‘Surveyor’ in the Land Records Department will be known as ‘Parirakshan Surveyor’. This would be a big relief to employees since this post will now be filled through promotions as well as departmental recruitment. The Revenue Department has also approved the allocation of 16,708 square km of land in Navsari to set up a grand sports complex in Amravati district. Navsari is within the limits of the Amravati Municipal Corporation. This decision is expected to provide good infrastructure to local sportsmen. A committee has been approved for the sub-categorisation of job reservation quotas. It has been decided by the Social Justice Department to constitute a high-level committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to study various representations and applications received regarding the sub-categorisation of the Scheduled Caste reservation. Minister Nitesh Rane informed that issues related to the help provided by the government to mango and cashew farmers were discussed in the cabinet meeting. Rane said that mango and cashew farmers get only a meagre amount of Rs 220 from the government Therefore, Uday Samant, Nitesh Rane and other ministers demanded that the government stand with the mango farmers in the state who never ask for any help. Responding to their request, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis passed orders to provide maximum help to mango and cashew farmers. The BJP-led Mahayuti government stands strongly with mango and cashew farmers, Nitesh Rane said.