State - July 1, 2025

Government Positive on Pay Hike for 28 Contract Workers in Ahilyanagar Municipal Corporation – Minister Uday Samant

team maverick July 1, 2025

0 14 min read

Process to Approve Staff Structures in All Municipal Corporations to be Completed Soon

Mumbai : The state government will consider a positive decision on increasing the wages of 28 contract workers in Ahilyanagar Municipal Corporation, who are currently being paid minimum wages. The approval process for staff structures (establishment patterns) of all municipal corporations and councils in the state will also be completed soon, said Minister Uday Samant in the Legislative Council.

He was responding to a calling attention motion raised by MLC Chitra Wagh. Members Satyajit Tambe, Manisha Kayande, Amol Mitkari, Amit Gorkhe, Yogesh Tilekar, and J.M. Abhyankar also participated in the discussion.

Minister Samant stated that the total annual budget of Ahilyanagar Municipal Corporation is approximately ₹516 crore, of which 61.89% is spent on establishment (staff) expenses. This is much higher than the 35% limit set by government norms, leaving only ₹216 crore for civic services and development works. Currently, 1,502 employees work in the corporation, of which 401 are contract-based, and among them, these 28 employees are under special contract terms. They include medical officers, nurses, wiremen, pump operators, and drivers.

He explained that regularizing these 28 employees could lead to similar demands from other contract workers, significantly increasing the financial burden on the establishment. Thus, fulfilling this demand at present is not feasible. However, the government has already established clear policies for municipal staffing and has taken justice-oriented decisions for sanitation workers and others under schemes like LAD-PAGE. He also assured that the High Court’s directions regarding contract workers would be studied, and an appropriate decision would be made.

Minister Samant added that, except for Mumbai, approval of establishment structures is mandatory for recruitment in all municipal corporations, and this process is pending in many places. The government has issued instructions to expedite the approvals.

Filling of 8,767 Vacant Posts in Water Conservation Department Approved – Minister Sanjay Rathod

Mumbai : A new staff structure for 8,767 posts in the Water Conservation Department was submitted to the Finance Department and has now been approved by the High-Powered Committee. Recruitment for these posts will soon begin through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), announced Minister for Soil and Water Conservation Sanjay Rathod in the Legislative Council.

Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve, along with Dr. Pragya Satav, Abhijit Wanjari, and Adv. Anil Parab, raised this matter.

Minister Rathod explained that the department was established as an independent entity in 2017, with a sanctioned strength of 16,499 posts—9,967 were to be transferred from the Agriculture Department and 6,512 from the Water Resources and Rural Development departments. However, only 2,181 posts were approved by the Agriculture Department.

The Minister announced that through these new posts, the department’s structure will be further strengthened, and a new Additional Commissioner’s office will be set up in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. New District Water Conservation Officer offices will also be established in Palghar, Wardha, Sindhudurg, Latur, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri, and Raigad.

He emphasized that strengthening the Water Conservation Department is crucial if Maharashtra is to become water-rich and drought-resilient.

Action to Be Taken Against Those Responsible for Kundmala Bridge Collapse – Minister Shivendrasinh Bhosale

Mumbai : The report from the committee investigating the Kundmala bridge collapse over the Indrayani River in Pune district will be received within 15 days, and appropriate action will be taken against those responsible, said Public Works Minister (excluding public enterprises) Shivendrasinh Bhosale.

The matter was raised in the Legislative Council by MLC Sunil Shinde, with Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve and members Prasad Lad, Pravin Darekar, Uma Khapre, Ashok alias Bhai Jagtap, Chitra Wagh, Dr. Parinay Phuke, and Sadashiv Khot participating in the discussion.

Minister Bhosale said the iron bridge, constructed by the Public Works Department 30–35 years ago, collapsed on June 15, 2025, resulting in the deaths of four people. A three-member committee headed by the PWD Secretary has been appointed to investigate.

He further stated that ₹8 crore has been sanctioned for constructing a new bridge, but following public demand for a footpath, modifications were made to the design. Work orders have been issued to begin construction.

Minister Bhosale also announced that, due to the risk of accidents during the monsoon season from tourist overcrowding, structural audits of hazardous bridges across the state will be conducted. In addition to warning boards, cement barriers or blockades will be erected by local bodies to prevent public use of dangerous bridges.

Ongoing In-Depth Probe into Misuse of Shaalarth Login IDs in Nagpur Division – Minister Dadaji Bhuse

Mumbai : An in-depth investigation into the alleged misuse of Shaalarth login IDs in Nagpur Division is underway, led by a Special Inquiry Team and senior officials from the School Education Department, informed School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse in the State Assembly.

The matter was raised through a calling attention notice by MLA Ajay Choudhary, with active participation from members Narendra Bhondekar, Prashant Bamb, Kashinath Date, Praveen Datke, Suresh Bhole, and Mufti Mohammad Ismail Abdul Khalik.

Minister Bhuse clarified that no individual found guilty will be spared. So far, criminal cases have been registered against 19 people, including senior government officials, school operators, and directors. A special committee headed by the Director of Planning has been constituted for a detailed investigation.

Action Ordered Against Officials Responsible for Dahanu Water Tank Collapse – Minister Gulabrao Patil

Mumbai : Two girls tragically died in Dahanu Taluka when a water tank slab collapsed at Sukad Amba Shirsun Pada during construction under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The government will immediately suspend the responsible Deputy Engineer and Executive Engineer, stated Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Gulabrao Patil in the Assembly.

The issue was raised by MLA Vinod Nikole.

Minister Patil added that the families of the deceased students have been given ₹1.5 lakh compensation each by the government, and the contractor firm, Harish Borewells, has been blacklisted.

Three-Member Committee to Probe Indrayani River Bridge Collapse – Minister Shivendrasinh Bhosale

Mumbai : The state government has taken serious note of the Indrayani River bridge collapse at Kundmala in Maval Taluka (Pune District) and has appointed a three-member inquiry committee. Once the committee submits its report, strict action will be taken against those responsible, said Public Works Minister Shivendrasinh Bhosale in the Assembly.

The issue was raised by MLA Amol Khatal, and the discussion also saw participation from MLA Vikram Pachpute.

Minister Bhosale informed that the bridge had already been declared unsafe, and warning signs were installed advising against its use. However, overcrowding by tourists led to the unfortunate collapse on June 15, 2025, killing four individuals.

The minister stated that regular structural audits and maintenance are being carried out for the 16,345 bridges under the Public Works Department. Currently, four bridges are in extremely hazardous condition, and their repair is underway. Structural audits of eight more bridges have been received and repair or reconstruction will commence soon.

Special TB Eradication Drive with BPaLM Therapy to Combat Drug-Resistant Cases – Minister Meghana Sakore-Bordikar

Mumbai : With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to make India TB-free by 2030, Maharashtra is implementing a special TB eradication campaign. The focus is on early detection, diagnosis, and immediate treatment of suspected TB patients. The state has also introduced the new BPaLM treatment regimen for drug-resistant TB cases, informed Minister of State for Health Meghana Sakore-Bordikar in the Assembly.

She was responding to a calling attention motion by MLA Chetan Tupe, joined by Babasaheb Deshmukh, Sameer Kunawar, Manisha Chaudhary, and Vikram Pachpute.

In 2025, the state has set a target of 2.3 lakh TB patient registrations. Between January and May, over 17.3 lakh people were screened, with 95,436 TB-positive cases registered in the ‘Nikshay’ portal of the central government. All diagnosed patients have been placed under treatment to prevent further transmission.

Under the Nikshay Nutrition Scheme, ₹1,000 per month is being credited directly to patients’ bank accounts for dietary support during treatment. The TB-Free India campaign also includes appointing ‘Nikshay Mitras’ for each patient and providing a six-month food basket.

Minister Sakore-Bordikar appealed to the public to actively participate in the campaign and turn it into a people’s movement for a TB-free India.