‘Loksanvad’ programme held at Ganesh mandals in Mazgaon
Mumbai, September 2026 : The Centre has set a target of making India drug-free by 2029. In line with this objective, the Maharashtra government is implementing the ‘Drugs-Free Mumbai, Drugs-Free Maharashtra’ campaign under the vision of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. As part of the campaign, awareness about the harmful effects of drugs is being created through the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations’ ‘Loksanvad 2026’ initiative.
Information about various welfare schemes, initiatives and public services of the state government is being taken to citizens through different Ganesh mandals across Mumbai. As part of the Loksanvad initiative, devotees, office-bearers of Ganesh mandals and citizens in the Mazgaon area were briefed about various government schemes and welfare programmes.
The awareness drive covered ‘Drug-Free Mumbai, Drug-Free Maharashtra’, schemes of the Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department, prevention of food adulteration, water conservation and employment fairs for unemployed young men and women. Eligible beneficiaries were also urged to make use of the various government schemes.
Ganesh Mandals Extend Support
The Akhil Anjirwadi Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in Mazgaon, founded and headed by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, has put up an attractive decoration for the festival. Mandal adviser Satyam Kesarkar, vice-president Dashrath Pawar, Kundalik Shinde, Rajaram Kadam and treasurer Anil Shinde, among others, appealed to citizens to take advantage of various government schemes highlighted through the Loksanvad initiative.
Tarabaug Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal president Santosh Rane, working president Prasad Satam, vice-president Swapnil Naik and treasurer Sanket Adharkar said the mandal would extend its cooperation in taking information about government schemes to citizens.
Laveline Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal president Mihir Mayekar, vice-president Gaurav Dhuri and working president Sahil Murudkar also extended their support to the Loksanvad initiative.
Officials also provided information about the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin’ and ‘Lek Ladki’ schemes to office-bearers of the Mazgaon South Division Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, including secretary Subodh Todankar, vice-president Hemant Mayekar, Megha Bhoir and deputy secretary Megha Chendwankar. Eligible women were urged to avail themselves of the benefits.
Ghodapdev Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal president Dattu Thorat, adviser Vijay Shinde and Jayendra Jadhav also assured their cooperation in taking information about government schemes to the public.
Citizens Urged to Report Food Adulteration
Divisional Information Officer Kiran Wagh, representing the Food and Drug Administration Department, briefed citizens about precautions to be taken against food adulteration.
He appealed to citizens to immediately contact the toll-free number 1800-222-365 if they come across cases of food adulteration.
Awareness Drive for ‘Drug-Free Mumbai’
Divisional Information Officer Nilesh Tayde provided information about the drug-free Mumbai campaign. Assistant Police Inspector Pramod Awale, Sub-Inspectors Sagar Ghadge and Aslam Mujawar, along with their team from the Mumbai Police’s anti-narcotics campaign, also created awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse.
Citizens were informed about various initiatives being implemented by the government to make Mumbai and Maharashtra free from drugs. They were urged to report any information about the sale of drugs in their locality without fear by calling the toll-free number 1933 or informing the police at the nearest police station.
Divisional Information Officer Gajanan Patil appealed to citizens to use water judiciously. Awareness was created about the need to conserve and properly utilise available water amid drought-like conditions in the state attributed in the release to the impact of El Niño.
Schemes for OBC Students
Divisional Information Officer Dhondiram Arjun and Vijay Togre of the Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department’s Mumbai City office provided information about scholarships, hostel facilities and other schemes available for students belonging to Other Backward Classes.
Eligible students were urged to make use of the government schemes.
The Skill Development Department is organising employment fairs for unemployed young men and women across the state on September 29. Ten employment fairs will be held at different locations in Mumbai, offering a range of employment opportunities. Eligible youth were encouraged to participate and make use of the opportunities.
Through direct interaction with citizens during Ganeshotsav, the ‘Loksanvad 2026’ initiative is emerging as an effective platform for disseminating information about government schemes, public services and welfare programmes.
