CM Fadnavis: Special Police Drive Against High-Interest Fraud Schemes

Mumbai : To curb fraudulent investment schemes promising high interest returns, a special police campaign is being undertaken across Maharashtra. CM Devendra Fadnavis urged citizens in the Legislative Assembly to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to such schemes.
In response to MLA Bhimrao Tapkir’s question, and follow-ups from MLAs Nana Patole and Jitendra Awhad, the CM emphasized verifying the legitimacy and registration of institutions before investing. A Financial Intelligence Unit has been activated to monitor such frauds and take action.
Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, informed that action has begun against Taurus Company under the MPID Act, and asset seizure proceedings are underway.

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Tyre Pyrolysis Units Must Follow Environmental Protocols – Minister Pankaja Munde

Minister Munde informed the Assembly that all tyre pyrolysis recycling units must follow protocols issued by the National Green Tribunal.
In response to MLA Daulat Daroda’s question, she said 7 accidents occurred in such factories in the last 3 years, prompting the filing of criminal cases in Vasai’s magistrate court.

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Strict Action Against Industries Discharging Polluted Water – Munde

Responding to MLA Bhaskar Jadhav’s query on untreated industrial wastewater in Ratnagiri’s Lote area, Minister Munde said any industry found releasing polluted water into rivers will face strict action.
Riverside Industries was found violating environmental norms and was issued a shutdown order by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on June 18.

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Red Zone Industries Will Not Be Spared for Pollution – Munde

Minister Munde said even industries in Red Zones must adhere to pollution control norms.
Responding to MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar and others, she stated that 331 units were issued notices, 304 given interim orders, and 318 units were ordered to shut operations for violating pollution norms.
Municipalities and local bodies have also been instructed to enforce proper sewage and waste management.

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Corruption Probe Against ST Corporation Consultants – Minister Pratap Sarnaik

Minister Pratap Sarnaik said that anti-corruption inquiries are underway against advisors from consulting firm KPMG associated with the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation.
Responding to MLA Abhijit Patil, he said the ACB and ST Corporation’s vigilance wing are conducting separate probes. FIRs have been registered and relevant documents handed over to the authorities.

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Ad Agency Facing Recovery for Unpaid License Fees – Sarnaik

Minister Sarnaik informed that Texsiddhi Advert Pvt Ltd failed to pay license fees for advertisements on ST buses and terminals from May to December 2024.
Recovery of ₹9.61 crore is in process, and the firm’s digital ad rights have been revoked.
MLAs Shankar Jagtap and Sunil Prabhu raised concerns over unpaid dues and incomplete ad deliverables.

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Fast-Track Trial for Mumbra Rape-Murder Case – MoS Yogesh Kadam

Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, assured the Assembly that the brutal rape and murder case of a minor girl in Mumbra will be tried in a fast-track court to ensure swift justice.
In response to MLA Devyani Pharande, he confirmed the arrest of the accused, filing of the chargesheet, and said directives have been issued for timely forensic reporting.

Free Sand for Housing Under Government Policy – Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule

Mumbai, July 1:
The Maharashtra government has introduced a comprehensive sand policy, under which five brass (approx. 14 cubic meters) of sand will be provided free of cost for house construction (Gharkul) from local sand ghats. This sand will be delivered to beneficiaries via the Tehsildar, announced Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule in the Legislative Council.
This was in response to questions by MLCs Dadarao Keche, Shashikant Shinde, and Adv. Anil Parab.

Regarding illegal sand mining in Deurwada (Wardha district), the minister informed that cases have been filed against the offenders, and materials such as iron drums, pipes, sieves, and buckets used for illegal extraction from the river were seized. Arrests have been made, and action will be taken against guilty revenue officials, including the suspension of the Talathi and Revenue Inspector involved.

A major step to curb sand theft includes setting up 50 crusher units per district under the MCRDO Policy, reducing dependence on natural sand and preventing black marketing.

Sand will also be made available at fixed rates for local gram panchayats, nagar panchayats, and private constructions. Tehsildars will manage the process transparently through an online portal.

A joint decision by the Home and Revenue Departments mandates that regardless of whether an FIR is filed with police or revenue officials in sand theft cases, both departments will act together, Bawankule added.

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Disaster Aid Will Be Distributed After Assessment Completion – Relief Minister Makarand Jadhav-Patil

Mumbai : Due to natural calamities between March and May 2025 across North Maharashtra, Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, Vidarbha, and Konkan, affected districts were instructed to conduct damage assessments (panchanamas). Once completed, aid will be distributed per government policy, said Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav-Patil in the House.

Responding to MLCs Rajesh Rathod, Abhijit Vanjari, Pravin Darekar, Shashikant Shinde, and Satej Patil regarding crop and livelihood damages from unseasonal rains, thunderstorms, and lightning, the minister informed that 63 people died from lightning, and their families will receive ₹4 lakh compensation. Pending aid will be disbursed within 2 days.

Crop damage impacted 75,355 hectares and 1,68,750 farmers, requiring a compensation of ₹213 crore.

Regarding wet drought, the minister explained it is officially declared only if there’s 65 mm rainfall within 24 hours or more than 10 mm for five consecutive days. Panchanamas up to June 8, 2025 are ongoing, after which aid will be finalized.

Funds for collapsed houses were allocated: ₹5 crore each to Konkan, Nashik, Amravati, ₹12 crore to Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and ₹10 crore to Nagpur.

Jadhav-Patil urged people to report any delay or issues in receiving aid to the District Collector to ensure immediate resolution.

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Insurance Firms Will Be Blacklisted if Found Guilty – Agriculture Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate

During a discussion on the state’s new crop insurance scheme, Agriculture Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate assured the House that companies found guilty of malpractice will be blackliste, and farmers will be compensated based on crop-cutting experiments.

Responding to MLC Amol Mitkari’s concerns about insurers profiting from the scheme, and joined by Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve and MLCs Sadabhau Khot and Satej Patil, the minister clarified that crop-cutting experiments would be central to determining compensation in the new scheme, making it transparent and beneficial for farmers.

If actual yield is lower than expected, compensation will be provided. Assistance will also be offered through NDRF, ensuring no farmer is left out.

On separating insurance from capital investment, the minister explained that previously, ₹5,000–6,000 crore was allocated to insurance companies, but under the new scheme, this has reduced to ₹760 crore. The ₹5,000 crore saved will now be used for capital investments like mulching, drip irrigation, and warehouses, with ₹25,000 crore to be invested in agriculture over the next five years.

The minister also promised that if further improvements are needed in the scheme, a meeting with party leaders and MLAs would be convened to implement changes accordingly.