Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Key Decisions on Local Body Elections and Protection of State Monuments

Decision on Candidature in Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti Elections Finalized

The Cabinet has approved an ordinance to amend the Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

This decision is important to ensure that elections for Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis in the state are conducted on time and as per the schedule. Under Section 14(2) of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, appeals could be filed in the District Court against the decision of an election officer who accepts or rejects a candidate’s nomination. However, since many such appeals remained pending in various district courts for different durations, it was becoming difficult to conduct elections in a timely manner. The State Election Commission had sent a proposal to the government to remove this provision.

Accordingly, the ordinance includes provisions stating that the state government can make rules for such elections, and the decision of the election officer accepting or rejecting a nomination will be final. The Cabinet approved the issuance of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samitis (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 in this regard.

Committee to Prevent Encroachments on State Protected Monuments

The Cabinet has decided to constitute a committee under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Cultural Affairs to prevent encroachments on state-protected monuments, similar to measures already in place for forts and hill forts. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired the meeting.

Under this decision, the scope of previous government orders (dated January 20, 2025) regarding removal of encroachments on forts and hill forts has been expanded to include state-protected monuments.

The Cabinet has approved the formation of a State-Level Committee to remove encroachments from all forts and state-protected monuments and prevent future encroachments. The Minister of Cultural Affairs will chair this committee. The committee will include the Revenue Minister, Rural Development Minister, Tourism Minister, Public Works Minister, Forest Minister, Ports & Development Minister, and the secretaries, principal secretaries, or additional chief secretaries of the concerned departments.

The Cabinet has also approved the inclusion of four invitees in the state-level committee and four non-government members in each district-level committee. These non-government members should be experts on forts and state-protected monuments, or individuals/NGOs working in the field of conservation and preservation.

The task of preventing and removing encroachments on forts and state-protected monuments in districts will be carried out by the respective District Collectors in coordination with the land-owning departments. The expenses for these activities will be borne from the District Planning and Development Fund.