No Pilgrimage Status for Shirdi yet !

[rOhit beHaL]

Shirdi is one of the most prominent place of worship in our country today. However, it comes as a shock
that the Maharashtra State Government has still not yet categorized Shirdi as a 'Pilgrimage Centre" !
The reason being the non-availability of the required 'A' grade certificate
with the Sai Baba Sansthan`Shirdi and the Shirdi Nagar Panchayat.

In 2017-2018 two major events are going to be celebrated in & around Shirdi:
1) Sai Baba's Samadhi's Centenary Celebrations @ Shirdi.
2) Kumbh-Mela @ Nashik

And to prepare for these massive Celebrations, Shirdi has asked for a financial aid of Rs.500 Crore,
from the Central & State Governments, who inturn can sanction it, depending upon the
availability of the aforesaid 'A' grade pilgrimage certificate for Shirdi with the Sansthan.
But the Shirdi Nagar Panchayat which has initiated the process of getting the documents
needed for this indispensable 'A' grade pilgrimage certificate for Shirdi,
is facing many hurdles because of the poor infrastructure facilities @ Shirdi.

For the Centenary Celebrations of Baba's Samadhi in 2018, not only Shirdi but also its neighboring
villages have to developed to facilitate the lakhs of devotees expected to reach Shirdi.
Arrangements have to be made for proper Electricity supply, drinking water, 24 hours water supply,
medical services, transportation / parking facilities, High Security Arrangements, road repairs,
proper pedestrian pavements, Boarding & Lodging facilities and the upcoming Airport @ Kakadi Village.
Also, the Shirdi Nagar Panchayat has still not exercised anything about the Shirdi Reforestation project.

CCTV Camera installation in crowded areas like the Sai Prasadalaya, Sai Sansthan lodgings etc,
have not yet been done despite a notice to that effect send by the Shirdi Police to the Shirdi Sansthan.
The decision on the subject of Shirdi's Achar-Sanhita (Model Code of Conduct) is also yet pending.
The appointment of proper authorities & the formation of a Board too is still pending.

The Central Govt has already provided funds to the tune of Rs.2.75 crores to the Shirdi Nagar Panchayat
for the Slum re-habitation & development project but due to the lack of sanctioning and documentation
done, this ear-marked funds might go back.

Under the Shirdi City Road Development Project, out of the estimated cost of Rs.88 crore,
to develop 11 roads in Shirdi, Rs.28 crore have already been made available
but since the approval of the balance Rs.60 crore has still not been made,
all these road development projects @ Shirdi have been left incomplete.
Another proposal for a grant of Rs.35 crore for development of another 17 roads @ Shirdi,
under the same scheme has been submitted to Government.

Apart from this almost 16 proposals are yet pending for the approval of the Law & Justice Department.
3 proposals with the City Development Department which comes under the Chief Minister of Maharashtra,
while 2 are still awaiting the approval of the Department of Revenue And Forest`Maharashtra State.
And approvals for increasing the FSI & making Yellow Zones in Shirdi are also yet pending.

The condition of the Kopargaon-Kolhar-Ahmednagar and other roads
leading to Shirdi are also not in very good conditions.




The approval for various development proposals pertaining to Shirdi are yet pending due to red-tapism in government offices.
Thus the devotees are waiting for the merciful glance of Maharashtra's Chief Minister Prithviraj Chauhan to clear these
proposals because since 2004, all the financial decisions of the Sai Sansthan require the State Government's sanction,
but for which yet no meeting has been finalized with the State's Chief Minister !

Devotees are wondering as to why the cash rich Shirdi Sai Sansthan is not stepping in & utilizing it's funds
earnestly for causes like the concretization & beautification of the tar roads within the boundaries of Shirdi.

The only news of solace towards the end - an operation by the Shirdi police @ the Temple premises,
of nabbing the cheats who as disguise of police were troubling / misguiding devotees.
And all thanks to the efforts of Mr.Ajay More, Executive Officer of Shirdi Sansthan Trust.
the work on the Tissue culture of the Neem Tree @ Gurusthan in Shirdi is in progress.













Instead Of giving a pOlitician the Keys tO the city,
it might be better tO change the LOcks !
....dOug LarsOn






'He whO rejects change is the Architect Of Decay.
The Only human institutiOn,
which rejects prOgress is the Cemetery !'....HarOld WilsOn






'Change' is the nature Of Life, 'Challenge' is the aim Of Life.
sO Challenge the Changes, nOt Change the Challenges !
....unknOwn


time fOr changerOhit beHaL