Early Life and Education
Sanjay Dulichand Rathod was born on June 30, 1971, in Pahur Izara, Yavatmal District, Maharashtra. He completed his B.Com from Arts and Commerce College, Yavatmal in 1993 and later earned a B.P.Ed. from Subhedar Ramji Ambedkar Physical Education College, Hinganghat in 1995.
Political Career
Sanjay Rathod is a prominent leader of the Shiv Sena party and has served as the MLA from the Digras constituency. His political journey is marked by significant roles, including his tenure as the Minister of Forests in Maharashtra.
Major Achievements
Minister of State for Revenue (2014-2019)
Cabinet Minister for Forests, Disaster Management, Relief & Rehabilitation (2019-2021)
Cabinet Minister for Food and Drug Administration (2022-2023)
Cabinet Minister for Soil and Water Conservation (2023-present).
Key Political Initiatives
- Forest Conservation and Afforestation: Rathod spearheaded initiatives to enhance forest cover in Maharashtra, focusing on sustainable practices and community involvement.
- Wildlife Protection: Implemented policies to safeguard wildlife, including measures to prevent poaching and illegal trade of wildlife products.
- Yavatmal District Collector Dr. Pankaj Ashiya, along with officials from the relevant departments, inspected the area acquired for the Yavatmal-Wardha-Nanded railway project at Sewanagar in Digras Taluka. (Instagram)
Inspection was conducted for the ongoing work of deepening and widening the canal under the Water Conservation Department at Dahifal in Ner Taluka. (Instagram)
Social Media
Personal Life
Rathod is married, and his spouse is a homemaker. He resides in Swami Samarth Nagar, Darwha, Yavatmal. His personal and professional life reflects a commitment to social service and public welfare.
Promises and Future Commitments
Sanjay Rathod has made several promises to his constituents, focusing on infrastructure development, education, and healthcare improvements. He remains committed to enhancing the quality of life in his constituency through continuous development projects.
Maharashtra’s Minister for Soil and Water Conservation, Sanjay Rathod, announced the revival of the Water and Land Management Institute (WLMI) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The state government will approve the detailed project report (DPR) and allocate necessary funds for repairs and infrastructure improvements. Rathod emphasized the institute’s importance to Maharashtra’s farmers and mentioned that former faculty members’ expertise will be utilized. Additionally, six water conservation projects in Thane, Raigad, and Sindhudurg have received retroactive sanctions.
At Darwha, the foundation stone was laid for the building of the “Abhyasa” CBSE school operated by Vidya Prasarak Mandal. (Instagram)
Controversies
In 2021, Rathod resigned from his ministerial post following allegations related to the Pooja Chavan death case. Although he denied any involvement, the political pressure led to his resignation to allow for a fair investigation (Times Now).
In 2023, the Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association (MSCDA) has accused the office of state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Sanjay Rathod of corruption. They claim Rathod’s staff demands large sums of money from chemists and druggists. The MSCDA has threatened to strike if their complaints are not addressed. Rathod has denied these allegations, stating that the MSCDA is trying to pressure the government to stop suspending licenses of corrupt chemists.
Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Rathod has been removed from his position overseeing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and reassigned to the Soil and Water Conservation department. This change follows allegations of corruption within the FDA. Rathod’s supporters are reportedly unhappy with this decision, viewing it as a reduction in his political importance.
