Maharashtra – Assembly Highlights

A joint meeting of public representatives and officials will be held regarding the issue of leopards; administration on alert to ensure that not a single death occurs due to leopard attacks in future – Forest Minister Ganesh Naik

Nagpur, Dec 2025 : To reduce human–wildlife conflict in the state, the Forest Department is implementing concrete measures. The administration has been put on alert to ensure that not a single person dies in the future due to leopard attacks. Forest Minister Ganesh Naik informed the Assembly that a meeting of public representatives will soon be convened on this issue.

He was responding to a calling attention notice on leopard attacks in the state. Members Dr. Jitendra Awhad, Atul Bhatkhalkar, Sunil Prabhu and others raised this issue.

Forest Minister Naik said that the number of leopards has increased in Pune, Ahilyanagar, and Nashik districts. Since the leopard is listed under Schedule I of the Central Wildlife Protection Act, there are limitations on action. Therefore, a request has been made to the Central Government to shift the leopard from Schedule I to Schedule II. Additionally, the Central Forest Department has granted permission for the sterilisation of five leopards in the state, and action in this regard has begun. After receiving the report within six months, a proposal for sterilising more leopards will be sent to the Centre.

A rescue centre for leopards has been established in Junnar, Pune district, and instructions have been issued to increase its capacity. A rescue centre has also been proposed in Ahilyanagar. Pune district has been provided with 1,200 cages, and Nashik and Ahilyanagar have also received cages, with plans to provide more in the future. The department has been instructed to immediately supply cages if demanded by public representatives. An AI-based system has also been set up to monitor leopard movement and provide timely alerts to villagers. Minister Naik also informed that school timings in leopard-prone areas have been changed.

To patrol leopard-prone locations, teams from the Home, Forest, and Revenue Departments have been formed, and the inclusion of local youth is being considered. Efforts are underway to ensure that wildlife finds adequate food within the forest itself. There are also plans to install bamboo fencing along the forest boundaries. He added that a joint meeting of all public representatives, and officials from the Forest and Revenue Departments, will be held to find solutions to these issues.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule requested that meetings with public representatives and officials be held department-wise during the Assembly session to resolve matters related to leopard attacks.

Members including Dr. Jitendra Awhad, Nana Patole, Sharad Sonawane, Abdul Sattar, and Krishna Khopde participated in the discussion.

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Audit to be conducted for the Swachh Mumbai Awareness Campaign – Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal

Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal informed the Assembly that the Swachh Mumbai Prabodhan Abhiyan and Vasti Swachhta Scheme—implemented since 2013 in place of the Adopted Slum Scheme—will be audited.

MLAs Tukaram Kate, Amin Patel, Amit Satam, and Prakash Surve raised the calling-attention notice.

Minister Misal stated that the scheme has been implemented across Mumbai since February 1, 2013. Under this initiative, one unit is created per 200 households, and the municipal corporation provides ₹5,400 per month for cleanliness and an additional ₹600 for awareness activities, totalling ₹6,000 per unit.

As per the scheme structure, NGOs working for cleanliness in slum areas collect ₹20 from each household and ₹50 from commercial establishments. Using this amount along with the municipal grant, NGOs purchase required cleaning equipment and maintain cleanliness in slums with the help of volunteers. Minister Misal clarified that volunteers are not classified as sanitation workers and therefore minimum wage norms do not apply. Regular municipal sanitation staff continues working as usual through ward offices, and the scheme is supplementary to their work. She also said that proposals to increase aid for volunteers and cleaning equipment are under consideration.

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Action underway as per Supreme Court guidelines regarding stray dogs – Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal

Minister of State Madhuri Misal informed that instructions have been issued to all local bodies to act according to the Supreme Court’s guidelines on stray dogs, and implementation is underway on a war footing. She was responding to a calling-attention notice regarding stray dogs in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation area.

MLAs Atul Bhatkhalkar, Chetan Tupe, Mahesh Landge and Suresh Prabhu participated in the discussion. The Minister stated that a meeting of public representatives will also be convened.

Minister Misal said the issue of stray dogs is serious, and the Supreme Court has issued directions including catching dogs for sterilisation, vaccination, deworming, providing shelters for strays, and ensuring mandatory stock of anti-rabies vaccines in hospitals. Nodal officers have been appointed at state and local levels. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule added that a joint meeting involving the Deputy Chief Minister, Urban Development Minister, Rural Development Minister, and Minister of State will be held on the matter.

Water Resources Department working to ensure smooth water supply for Pune city – Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil

Pune is a historic and rapidly growing city in the state, and to ensure uninterrupted water supply to its residents, the Water Resources Department is making comprehensive plans and efforts to secure adequate water, Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil informed the Legislative Council.

He was responding to a calling-attention notice raised by Council member Yogesh Tilekar regarding the water issues of the Pune Municipal Corporation.

Minister Vikhe-Patil stated that the Pune Municipal Corporation currently uses a total of 22 TMC of water, which results in the generation of a large amount of wastewater. The processing capacity of the existing sewage treatment plants will be increased in the coming years. He also noted that water reservation for Pune city is being determined while maintaining a balance with rural drinking water schemes.

A proposal is under consideration to charge industries and companies at double the rate of their water quota if they fail to treat the wastewater they generate. He clarified that action will be taken against companies that waste water or fail to implement water-saving measures as per regulations.

The Pune Municipal Corporation has outstanding dues of around ₹800 crore. Due to these dues, repair and maintenance work of dams gets affected. Similar situations exist in other major cities of the state, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nashik, he added.

Minister Vikhe-Patil said that work on a new tunnel for Pune is underway and is expected to be completed in the next two years. This project will enhance the water availability for Pune city. He further stated that water allocation for the Pune Municipal Corporation will be finalised after a comprehensive evaluation of available water sources, project capacity, future needs, and the use of recycled wastewater.

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Promotion and cash-benefit process for professors expedited – Minister Chandrakant Patil

The promotion and cash-benefit process for university and college professors in the state has been accelerated as per the revised UGC guidelines, ensuring that eligible professors receive the benefits, said Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant (Dada) Patil in the Legislative Council.

He gave this information while replying to a calling-attention notice raised by member Jayant Asgaonkar. Members Satej Patil, Abhijit Wanjarri, Arun Lad, and Niranjan Davkhare participated in the discussion.

Minister Patil said that action on promotions and cash benefits is being carried out as per the revised UGC guidelines. Information regarding this has been sought from universities and colleges. He added that the necessary funds for this process would be provided by the government.

To ensure that students receive high-quality education, the professor recruitment process will be carried out swiftly. Minister Patil informed that 750 posts of professors will be filled on university campuses and 5,500 posts in senior colleges. The honorarium for hourly-basis teachers has been increased, and universities have been permitted to recruit professors on a consolidated salary of ₹50,000 per month from their own funds. Going forward, scholarship grants will be included under the salary category, ensuring timely disbursement of student scholarships. Non-teaching posts will also be filled in the future, he added.

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Necessary facilities to be provided to licensed fish sellers – Industries Minister Uday Samant

Structural inspection of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Market (Fish Market) building in Mumbai has been conducted, and as it was declared dangerous, it has been vacated and sealed. Licensed fish sellers are being rehabilitated in the newly completed Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market building, where all necessary facilities will be provided, Industries Minister Uday Samant told the Legislative Council.

Member Sunil Shinde had raised the calling-attention notice on this issue. Members Rajhans Singh, Praveen Darekar, Sachin Ahir, Prasad Lad, and Uma Khapre participated in the discussion.

Minister Samant said that the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Market building was constructed in 1972. As the building was declared unsafe, the High Court, while delivering its judgment on a public interest litigation, stated that if any accident occurred there, the responsibility would fall on municipal officials and office-bearers. Hence, the decision to vacate and seal the building was taken. The registered fish vendors are being rehabilitated in the new building, where facilities such as ramps and jetties will be provided.

Responding to a related question, Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane said that hand gloves are being procured to ensure that women who manually clean fish do not face difficulties.

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Efforts underway to complete Nag River pollution control works urgently – Environment Minister Pankaja Munde

Administrative approval has been granted for the ₹1,926-crore Nag River Pollution Prevention Project under the National River Conservation Plan. Efforts will be made to complete the work on priority, Environment Minister Pankaja Munde informed the Legislative Council.

Member Dr. Parinay Phuke had raised the calling-attention notice regarding pollution in the Nag River. Member Prasad Lad participated in the discussion.

Minister Munde said that measures for environmental improvement are being taken, and the project work has been divided into five packages. These include STPs, sewerage lines, and electric crematoriums. A 92-million-litres-per-day sewage treatment facility is proposed under the project. She added that after treatment, the water from the river is released further, ensuring that fishing activities at the Gosikhurd Dam continue as usual.

Regarding the information shared by Dr. Phuke that 11 STP projects were non-functional, Minister Munde said a committee would re-examine the matter and necessary action would be taken. She further stated that global experts are assisting in implementing environmental measures and that all work is being carried out as per JICA guidelines, with efforts to complete them ahead of schedule.

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Fresh probe ordered into fake labour cases in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar – Labour Minister Adv. Akash Fundkar

Labour Minister Adv. Akash Fundkar informed the Legislative Council that complaints regarding fake labourers being shown on record and salaries being withdrawn in their names in establishments in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar were thoroughly investigated, and instructions have been issued to conduct a fresh probe.

Member Shashikant Shinde had raised the calling-attention notice.

Minister Fundkar said that to curb fake registrations and salary-related malpractices, biometric attendance, online registration, verification by establishment boards and unions, and certification processes have been made mandatory. Recruitment of new inspectors and staff for Mathadi Boards is also underway.

He added that the case will be re-investigated and that guidance from all political parties will be sought for future policy changes.

Special Investigation Team to Probe Complaints Regarding Projects in the Water Conservation Department – Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Various projects under the Water Conservation Department are currently underway across the state. Complaints have been received regarding some of these projects. Based on these complaints, department officer Sunil Kushire has been transferred to the WALMI institute, and an inquiry into the projects executed between 2008 and 2014 is ongoing through the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Water Conservation Minister Sanjay Rathod informed the Legislative Council. Taking into account the sentiments expressed by the members of the Legislative Council, the matter will be investigated through a special investigation team, and its report will be submitted within two months, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said.

Member Adv. Anil Parab had raised this question. Members Satej Patil, Shashikant Shinde and others participated in the related discussion.

Providing further details, Water Conservation Minister Sanjay Rathod said that M/s Waterfront Construction Pvt. Ltd. had submitted fake affidavits of vehicles, forged documents, and an RC book while filing the tender. The department had lodged a complaint at the Ratnagiri City Police Station. After investigation, the police have now filed a chargesheet in court. The Anti-Corruption Bureau is also investigating this company’s projects in the state for the period 2008 to 2014.

He further informed that an inquiry was conducted through the Executive Engineer, Quality Control Department, Akola, into the Mauje Sarangwadi (Tal. Chikhli, Dist. Buldhana) storage tank and flood-protection works sanctioned to the company. The findings indicate that most components of the work were carried out properly.

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Special Investigation Team to Probe Complaints Regarding Projects in the Water Conservation Department – Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Special Efforts to Reduce Escapes from Women and Child Reform Homes – Minister Aditi Tatkare

The government is working sensitively to ensure that girls and women do not escape from women’s and child reform homes. Necessary measures are being prioritized. Special efforts are underway to reduce incidents of escape from women’s and child reform homes, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare informed the Legislative Council.

Member Chitra Wagh had raised a question regarding security and management lapses at these homes that led to the escape of girls.

Minister Tatkare said that the safety of women and children housed in reform homes and women’s hostels has been given top priority. Currently, the escape rate from child reform homes is 0.29%, while that from women’s reform homes is 3%. Efforts will be made to bring the escape rate from child reform homes down to zero. Instructions have been issued to provide proper training to outsourced staff. The recruitment process for vacant posts will be completed within a month.

Regarding the Ulhasnagar Shanti Sadan hostel incident, she said that on the day of the incident, 12 women were housed there:

• 3 from Bangladesh
• 1 each from Bihar, Gujarat, and West Bengal
• 6 from Maharashtra

Although the hostel capacity is 100, only 21 women were staying there at that time. There was one security guard and one woman police constable deployed. According to the FIR, the inmates assaulted and locked up both security personnel and escaped by scaling a six-foot wall. The entire incident is captured on CCTV.

Of the 12 women who escaped, 11 had been rescued under the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act (ITPA) from the Kalyan-Dombivli region, and one woman was from Thane. Their ages ranged from 19 to 50 years.

A proposal to increase the height of the hostel wall has been sent to the District Planning Committee. A detailed meeting will be held regarding hostel security, facilities, and staff recruitment. Necessary measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. Out of 12 sanctioned posts, 7 are filled and 5 are vacant, while 4 outsourced personnel are working. The Home Department has been requested to deploy additional police force, Minister Tatkare added.

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Acceleration of Sant Muktabai Temple Pilgrimage Development Plan – Proposal Sent to Apex Committee for Funds – Rural Development Minister Jaykumar Gore

The government is committed to the comprehensive development of the Sant Muktabai Temple pilgrimage site. Once the Apex Committee grants approval, the remaining work will be completed, Rural Development Minister Jaykumar Gore said.

He was replying to questions raised by Legislative Council Member Eknath Khadse.

Gore said that a proposal to provide funds for the development of the temple site at Kothali in Jalgaon district has been sent to the Apex Committee.

Initially, a proposal of ₹9.8 crore was approved, funds were released, and work had commenced. However, due to delays, costs have escalated, Gore stated.

He said that although the earlier government had approved a ₹25 crore plan, the remaining temple development work will proceed only after the Apex Committee approves the new development plan prepared by the Public Works Department.

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604 ‘Aapla Dawakhana’ Clinics Operational; Remaining 96 to Begin by January-End – Minister Prakash Abitkar

To provide immediate and comprehensive healthcare services to the common citizen through the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana, the scheme will be implemented more widely. Currently, 604 clinics under this scheme are operational in the state, and the remaining 96 will be functional by the end of January, Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar informed the Legislative Council.

Member Pravin Darekar raised the question about the full-scale implementation of Aapla Dawakhana and Urban Health Wellness Centres. Members Abhijit WanjarI, Sachin Ahir, Prasad Lad, Parinay Phuke, Niranjan Davkhare, Ranjitsingh Mohite, Rajhans Singh, Shashikant Shinde, Uma Khapare, and Manisha Kayande participated in the discussion.

Minister Abitkar said the scheme is intended for the common and poor citizens, and the government is determined to make it more effective and dynamic.

He added that the state government has decided to start 700 Aapla Dawakhana clinics and 2,232 Urban Health Wellness Centres under the 15th Finance Commission funds. Of these, 604 Dawakhanas and 1,643 centres have already started.

He further said that district civil surgeons and district health officers oversee these centres. A proposal for the appointment of pharmacists has been sent to the Central Government. Meetings with all concerned officials will be held to ensure effective functioning of these clinics.