Maharashtra Cabinet Approves 21 Key Decisions Ahead of Local Body Elections

Mumbai:

The Maharashtra cabinet demonstrated unusual productivity by passing 21 decisions during a single Tuesday meeting, as local body elections approach. Among these decisions was the closure of MAHA ARC Limited, the state's asset reconstruction company.

According to the Chief Minister's Office statement, the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved the Finance Department's proposal to wind up MAHA ARC Ltd. The company, established in September 2022 and modeled after the National Asset Reconstruction Company, failed to begin operations after the Reserve Bank denied it a license in 2023.

The ministers also approved a state guarantee for a HUDCO loan for the Virar-Alibaug Multi-Modal Corridor Project. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation will utilize these funds for land acquisition through the Public Works Department.

In higher education, the cabinet allocated annual funding of Rs seven crore to the Laxminarayan Institute of Technology in Nagpur for five years (2025-26 to 2029-30). A new government polytechnic accommodating 300 students will be established in Mul, Chandrapur district, creating 39 teaching and 42 non-teaching positions.

The Revenue Department granted exemptions from unearned income, premium, and non-agricultural tax for a Solapur district housing project, where 30,000 homes will be built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for unorganized workers.

Additionally, 1.52 hectares of land in Vaigaon, Washim district, will be provided free of cost to the local gram panchayat for pilgrim accommodation facilities. The government also approved amenities on a 395-square-meter plot adjacent to a leased government plot in Mumbai's Bandra area at nominal rent.

The cabinet cleared amendments to non-agricultural assessment and permissions provisions within the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966.

Judicial infrastructure received attention with approval for establishing a district and additional sessions court, civil court (senior division), and public prosecutor's office in Ghodnadi, Pune district. The cabinet also sanctioned creating posts for a civil judge (senior division) court in Paithan, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

The Rural Development Department's proposal to ease tax recovery conditions linked to gram panchayat employee salaries was approved, providing administrative relief to staff.

For the fisheries sector, the cabinet cleared a proposal for 4% interest subvention on short-term working capital loans to fishermen, fish farmers, and fishery entrepreneurs, following the decision to grant agriculture-equivalent status to fisheries.

The Minority Development Department received Rs 94.35 crore for statewide events commemorating Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji's 350th martyrdom anniversary under the "Hind-ki-Chadar" program, with events planned in Nanded, Nagpur, Raigad, and other districts.

The cabinet approved amendments to the proposed Maharashtra Jan Vishwas Ordinance, 2025, under the General Administration Department.

Several Public Health Department decisions were made, including increased honoraria for field workers under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. The cabinet also approved revisions to treatment lists under these schemes to enhance healthcare access.

An Urban Health Directorate will be established to promote healthcare management decentralization. The cabinet sanctioned regularizing National Health Mission contractual employees who completed ten years of service by March 14, 2024, with equivalent regular positions created under Public Health and Rural Development Departments.

Schemes from the Parashuram Economic Development Corporation, Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Economic Development Corporation, and Shri Vasavi Kanyaka Economic Development Corporation received approval.

The Medical Education and Drugs Department gained authorization to create five associate professor positions at Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Government Medical College in Baramati.

The government also approved granting permanent ownership rights to a residential plot leaseholder in Wardha city's Ramnagar area, following an Urban Development Department proposal.

The formal schedule for long-awaited elections to municipal corporations, zilla parishads, panchayat samitis, and nagar parishads is expected soon.