Maharashtra Cabinet Decisions

Upgrade of Pune-Shirur-Ahmadnagar-Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar National Highway
At a Cabinet meeting held today, chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a decision was made to upgrade the existing Pune-Shirur-Ahmadnagar-Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar National Highway.

The stretch from Pune to Shirur, covering 53 km, will be upgraded to six lanes, with the work to be carried out by MSIDC. The project is expected to cost ₹7,515 crores. Additionally, ₹2,050 crores will be allocated for improvements to the existing road from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar via the Shirur-Ahmadnagar bypass.

The Public Works Department currently collects tolls on the Shirur-Ahmadnagar route, and this route will be transferred to MSIDC after the toll collection period ends. Similarly, the Ahmednagar-Devgad route will also be transferred to MSIDC for further improvements. Tolls on the Devgad-Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar route are also being collected by the Public Works Department, and after their conclusion, this route will be handed over to MSIDC.

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New Fisheries Science College in Amravati District
The Cabinet today approved the allocation of land for a new College of Fisheries Science in Amravati district, with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde presiding over the meeting.

The college will be granted 0.61 hectares of land for its administrative office in the Water Resources Colony in Morshi city and 33 hectares at the National Fish Seed Center in Simbhora for student training. The Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries Science University in Nagpur will oversee the institution. A budget of ₹31.48 crores has been allocated for staffing, with an additional ₹171.06 crores designated for construction, furniture, and vehicles.

Originally, the college was set to be established in Pardi, Morshi Taluka, but due to the site’s unsuitability, today’s decision relocates it to the Urdhwa Wardha Water Resources Colony in Morshi city.

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Financial Assistance for Cooperative Yarn Mills in Shevgaon Taluka
In the Cabinet meeting, a decision was made to provide financial assistance to the Pingala Cooperative Spinning Mills in Sonesangvi, Shevgaon Taluka, Ahmednagar District. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde presided over the session.

This financial aid will be provided under the provisions of the New Textile Policy, following the 15:35:50 ratio guidelines. So far, 143 yarn mills have received government assistance.

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Revised Criteria for Birsa Munda Krishi Kranti Yojana: Increased Subsidies for Wells, Farms, and Electricity Connections
The Cabinet approved revised criteria for the Birsa Munda Krishi Kranti Yojana to provide higher subsidies for new irrigation wells, farm improvements, and electricity connections.

Under the new criteria, subsidies for new wells will increase to ₹4 lakhs, while repairs to existing wells will receive ₹1 lakh. Previous subsidies were ₹2.5 lakhs and ₹50,000, respectively. Further, ₹40,000 will be allocated for in-well boring, ₹50,000 for machinery, and ₹5,000 for backyard improvements. The requirement for a minimum well depth of 12 meters and a 500-foot distance between wells has been abolished. A subsidy of ₹2 lakhs or 90% of the actual cost, whichever is lower, will be provided for plastic farm linings. For frost irrigation, the subsidy will now be ₹47,000 or 90% of the cost, whichever is lower. Additionally, ₹97,000 or 90% of the actual cost will be provided for drip irrigation systems for small, marginal, and multi-land holders.

Several other criteria have also been amended accordingly.

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Solar Energy Systems for Anganwadi Centers
The Cabinet today approved the provision of solar energy systems to 36,978 self-owned Anganwadi centers across the state. This decision was chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, following an announcement made in the recent budget session.

Currently, 36,978 Anganwadi centers lack electricity. These centers will be equipped with 1 KW transmission-less solar sets (with batteries) in phases. The project will be implemented through Mahaurja, with an approved budget of ₹564 crores. These solar sets will ensure that children in Anganwadi centers have access to necessary educational materials, which requires a reliable electricity supply.

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Revised Allowances for Judicial Officers of Industrial Labor Courts
A decision was made today to revise the allowances for Judicial Officers of the Industrial Labor Courts. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde presided over the Cabinet meeting.

Revised Allowances for Judicial Officers of Industrial and Labor Courts
The Judicial Officers of the Industrial and Labor Courts in the state will receive revised allowances as per the recommendations of the Second National Judicial Pay Commission, in line with the orders of the Supreme Court. The Cabinet has given ex post facto approval to implement this decision retroactively from January 1, 2016, and has allocated ₹37 crore 3 lakh 42 thousand 723 towards arrears. Additionally, a monthly recurring expenditure of ₹7 crore 50 lakh 48 thousand 400 was approved for this purpose.

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Penalty Interest Waived for Poultry Companies with Outstanding Payments
A Cabinet decision was made today to waive the penalty interest on dues for 35 cooperative poultry societies financed by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), which are not currently in liquidation. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde presided over the meeting.

The state government had previously provided financial assistance to 76 poultry farming societies under the NCDC scheme. Of these, 8 institutions have become debt-free. Out of the remaining 65, 15 are operational, 20 have shut down, and 30 are in liquidation. The 35 cooperative poultry societies are required to agree to repay the outstanding principal and share capital within 15 days. Institutions that do not comply will have their assets seized and auctioned. The total outstanding amount from these societies is ₹24 crore 69 lakh 88 thousand.

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Sukli Village in Dharur Taluka to be Rehabilitated as a Special Case
The Cabinet has approved the rehabilitation of Sukli village in Dharur taluka, Beed district, as a special case, with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde presiding over the meeting. The rehabilitation project is expected to cost ₹11 crore 93 lakh. The 15,420 sq. meters of land currently occupied by houses will be vacated and transferred to the corporation.

Sukli village is located 150 meters downstream of the Gunwanti Irrigation Project and was not previously rehabilitated as it was outside the submerged area. However, due to constant moisture, snake infestations, and recurring health issues, this decision was taken to rehabilitate the village.

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Establishment of Additional Courts in Paithan and Gangapur; Hingoli Declared an Independent Judicial District
In today’s Cabinet meeting, the government approved the establishment of Additional District Sessions Courts at Paithan and Gangapur in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, as well as the declaration of Hingoli as an Independent Judicial District. Additionally, Senior Civil Judge Courts will be set up at Katol and Arvi. A new Junior Civil Judge and Magistrate First Class Court will also be established in Mira-Bhayandar. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde presided over the meeting.

The decision to establish new courts was based on the high number of pending cases in these areas, with at least 500 cases pending in each location. Court buildings and judge residences are already available at these sites, and necessary staffing will be arranged. A total of 43 posts will be created for the Hingoli Judicial District, and 8 posts will be created for the Chief Magistrate and District Public Prosecutor offices.

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Ladaki Sisthi Yojana to Continue; Aid to Farmer Families Unaffected
The Relief and Rehabilitation Department clarified in today’s Cabinet meeting that aid to families of farmers who have committed suicide has not been stopped. Adequate provisions have been made, and in cases where funds are lacking, the “minus authority” facility is used to prevent delays.

The department explained that the recent order concerning budget provisions only indicates that since sufficient funds are available, there is no need to use the minus authority facility. This clarification aims to address the confusion about the continuation of the Ladaki Sisthi Yojana.

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102 Percent Sowing Completed in the State
In today’s Cabinet meeting, the Agriculture Department reported that the state has received 121 percent of its average rainfall, resulting in 102 percent sowing completion. As of the same period last year, the state had only received 81.4 percent of its average rainfall.

From June 1 to September 2, 1,002 mm of rain was recorded across the state. Out of the state’s 142.02 lakh hectares of Kharif area, sowing has been completed on 144.92 lakh hectares, covering 102 percent of the targeted area. Only five talukas have received between 50 and 75 percent of the required rainfall, while 305 talukas have received more than 100 percent.

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State’s Major Dams Now 100 Percent Full for the First Time Since 2018
The Water Resources Department reported in today’s Cabinet meeting that, for the first time since 2018, the state’s major dams are 100 percent full.

Ujani, Koyna, Jayakwadi, Bhatsa, and Vaitrana dams are among those that have reached full capacity. Around this time last year, these dams had about 65 percent water storage.

Chief Minister My Beloved Sister Scheme: ₹4,787 Crore Allocated to 1.59 Crore Women

It was reported in the state cabinet meeting that under the Chief Minister’s “Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana” (My Beloved Sister Scheme), ₹4,787 crore has been distributed to 1.59 crore women beneficiaries in two phases—July and August. A total of ₹3,000 for these two months has been directly deposited into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

This scheme aims to benefit 2.5 crore women in total. As a result, the Chief Minister directed that the application process continue until September 30, 2024.

Additionally, a case has been registered against an individual for fraudulent activity while filling out applications in Navi Mumbai, and the person will face arrest.