Revision in Interest Rate on Delayed Land Acquisition Compensation
The Cabinet meeting decided to revise the interest payable on compensation when there is a delay in payment during land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The interest rate will now be one per cent higher than the rate at which the Reserve Bank provides loans to commercial banks.
For various development projects and schemes of the government, it becomes necessary to take advance possession of land being acquired, considering the urgency of the project. Since the land is handed over to the government before the award, under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, interest is paid to the affected person on the compensation amount for the delay in payment.
As there is a difference between this interest rate and the prevailing interest rate on bank loans, approval has been given to amend Section 72 of the Act. Accordingly, interest will be paid at a rate one per cent higher than the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India provides loans to commercial banks. Accordingly, Section 72 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, will be amended.
(Revenue Department)
25 Per Cent Exemption in Transfer Fee for Land Purchased for Renewable Energy Projects
The Cabinet meeting decided to provide a 25 per cent exemption in the transfer fee on land purchased for renewable energy projects to accelerate such projects in the state. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
A 25 per cent transfer fee exemption will be incorporated into the Maharashtra Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Policy 2025-2035-36, in accordance with the provisions of the Maharashtra Tenancy and Agricultural Lands laws.
For transfer of land purchased for renewable energy projects within a group company or subsidiary company, a transfer fee at the rate of 25 per cent of the market value of the land, as per the current Annual Statement of Rates, was required to be deposited with the District Collector. Since this placed a financial burden on projects and resulted in delays in energy projects, the Cabinet decided to provide an exemption from this fee.
At the same time, the land must ultimately be used for renewable energy development. If a company obtains the fee exemption in the name of an internal transfer and subsequently uses or sells the land for another purpose, the transfer fee amount will be recovered along with interest.
(Revenue Department)
Stamp Duty Waived on Land Transfers Between Companies in Renewable Energy Projects
The Cabinet meeting decided to completely waive the stamp duty payable when land initially purchased by the parent company for renewable energy projects is subsequently transferred to a group company or a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company established for the project. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The decision has been taken to accelerate renewable energy projects and reduce the additional financial burden on companies, thereby helping projects commence at the earliest. It has also been decided to implement this decision under the Maharashtra Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Policy 2025-2035-36.
(Agriculture Department)
Approval for Creation of Four Posts, Including Agriculture Director and Joint Directors
The State Cabinet has approved the creation of four posts in the Agriculture Commissionerate under the Agriculture Department of the state government—one Director, two Joint Directors and one Additional Director. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The Central Government has instructed the state to establish a Directorate of Agricultural Engineering. It has also issued directions to establish an AgriStack Directorate for implementation of the AgriStack scheme. Accordingly, the Directorate of Agricultural Engineering, Asset Management and AgriStack has been established.
For this purpose, the High-Level Secretaries Committee has approved the creation of four posts: Director of Agriculture, Additional Director, Joint Director (Statistics) and Joint Director (Information Technology).
As the pay scale of these new posts is higher than S-25, the proposal was placed before the Cabinet. Accordingly, approval has been granted for the four posts.
(Cooperation and Marketing Department)
₹18 Crore Loan for Shri Nilkantheshwar Sugar Factory at Killari; Proposal to Be Sent to NCDC
The Cabinet meeting approved a proposal allowing Shri Nilkantheshwar Shetkari Cooperative Sugar Factory at Killari in Ausa taluka of Latur district to obtain a loan from the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The Nilkantheshwar Shetkari Cooperative Sugar Factory at Killari, Ausa taluka, Latur district, had submitted a proposal to the Sugar Commissioner, Pune, seeking a loan from the National Cooperative Development Corporation for capital expenditure and working capital.
Accordingly, approval has been granted for the factory to obtain a loan from NCDC. The factory's proposal seeking a loan of ₹18 crore and ₹9,000 will be forwarded to the National Cooperative Development Corporation.
Approval has been granted to the factory's proposal as a special case, with the condition that it will not be treated as a precedent and will be considered only as a one-time instance.
(Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Department)
Rules for Establishment of Private Skill Universities Amended
The Cabinet meeting approved changes to the rules for establishing private skill universities in the state on a permanently self-financed basis, along with the issuance of related guidelines. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Upon implementation of these guidelines, the Government Resolution dated February 5, 2021, issued for the functioning and regulation of these universities, will be cancelled.
Under the decision, instead of enacting a separate law for each private skill university, a single law will apply to all private skill universities established in the state on a permanently self-financed basis.
Accordingly, the rules regarding proposals for establishing a university, required land, construction, endowment fund and other requirements will be as follows:
An institution or sponsoring body wishing to establish a private skill university on a permanently self-financed basis will submit a proposal to the government along with a detailed project report in accordance with the provisions of the Maharashtra Private Skill Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2024. A fee of ₹1 crore will have to be paid along with the proposal.
After the recommendation of the scrutiny committee and issuance of a Letter of Intent with the approval of the competent authority, the sponsoring body will have to submit a compliance report on the instructions and recommendations to the government within one year. In exceptional circumstances, the government may extend this period.
However, a fee of ₹50 lakh per year, equivalent to 50 per cent of the proposed fee, will be charged for every subsequent year. Such an extension will be granted for one year and a maximum of two times. Thereafter, the Letter of Intent issued to the sponsoring body will automatically stand cancelled.
After establishment of the university, a fee of ₹50 lakh will have to be paid for any proposal seeking amendment, revision or change in the relevant Act.
For establishing a university, 25 acres of land will be required in rural areas, 15 acres at tehsil or district headquarters, and 10 acres in urban areas, excluding the municipal areas of Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban and Thane.
The concerned institution must have an independent building with a minimum construction area of 15,000 square metres. The construction must be on land owned by the institution or available under a 30-year lease agreement. The land cannot be transferred.
Private skill universities established in other metropolitan region development authorities, excluding the Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban and Thane municipal areas, must have 10 acres of land available, such as NMRDA and PMRDA. The university must have construction spread over 15,000 square metres for administrative purposes and academic programmes, along with the required 10 acres of land.
The university will also have to establish an endowment fund of ₹10 crore.
In Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban and Thane, the university must have an independent building with a minimum area of 15,000 square metres.
(Higher and Technical Education Department)
Separate Faculty for Social Work Courses; New Unaided Courses Can Be Started
The Cabinet meeting approved the establishment of a separate faculty for Social Work in existing traditional colleges, as well as the introduction of new courses and additional divisions on a permanently unaided basis in existing Social Work colleges. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
As a result, the number of seats in Social Work courses will increase from the next academic year.
The number of Social Work colleges in the state had increased, while employment opportunities had not increased proportionately. Therefore, the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department had decided not to grant approval to new colleges and not to permit an increase in student intake in existing colleges.
Government Resolutions were issued in this regard on April 10, 2001 and August 24, 2004.
Under a Government Resolution dated February 29, 2024, the subject of Social Work colleges was transferred to the Higher and Technical Education Department.
A committee appointed to study various issues related to Social Work colleges noted the need to change the policy regarding approval for Social Work colleges.
Accordingly, from the academic year 2027-28, approval has been granted to start a separate Social Work faculty in currently functioning traditional colleges and an additional division on a permanently unaided basis in existing Social Work colleges.
There is a significant need for trained social workers to bring Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, children, persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged sections of society into the mainstream of development.
However, due to the lack of approval for new colleges or additional divisions in existing colleges, a shortage of such graduates was being felt.
Considering the importance of multidisciplinary education under the new National Education Policy, a proposal was therefore placed before the Cabinet to start new branches in existing and traditional colleges.
At present, there are 69 recognised Social Work colleges in the state. Of these, one is closed, 18 are permanently unaided, 47 are aided, one operates on a partially aided basis, and two faculties operate on an aided basis.
(Law and Judiciary Department)
District and Additional Sessions Court to Be Established at Hadgaon
The Cabinet meeting approved the establishment of a District and Additional Sessions Court and a Government Pleader's Office at Hadgaon in Nanded district. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
For the sanctioned District and Additional Sessions Court for Hadgaon taluka, approval has been given for 25 posts—19 regular posts and six posts through an external agency. Four posts have been approved for the Government Pleader's Office.
The distance between Hadgaon and Nanded is 67 km, while some villages in Hadgaon taluka are located 80-85 km from Nanded.
The decision will save time and money for litigants and lawyers from Hadgaon taluka.
A total of 671 pending cases—344 civil cases and 327 criminal cases—from Nanded will be transferred to the court at Hadgaon.
Approval has also been granted for an expenditure of ₹1.83 crore for establishing the new court.
