Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 11: The Maharashtra government, headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, took several important decisions at its Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, Aug 11. A key decision concerning Mumbai was taken ahead of the meeting, with the state government replacing the previously declared Gopalkala (Dahi Handi) local holiday with a holiday for Raksha Bandhan.
The General Administration Department has issued a government order cancelling the local holiday declared for Gopalkala (Dahi Handi) on Sep 5, 2026, and replacing it with a Raksha Bandhan holiday. The order will apply to state government and semi-government offices in Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts.
The Cabinet also decided to amend Section 72 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, to revise the interest rate payable when compensation for land acquisition is delayed.
To promote renewable energy projects, the government approved exemption from stamp duty on internal land-transfer transactions between companies forming a group or special purpose vehicles (SPVs) established for such projects. It also approved a 25 per cent concession on transfer fees for land purchased for renewable energy projects.
The Cabinet approved the creation of four posts in the Agriculture Department in accordance with the revised structure of its regional offices. These include posts of Agriculture Director for agricultural engineering, asset management and AgriStack, Agriculture Joint Director for statistics, two deputation posts of Agriculture Joint Director for information and technology, and Additional Director for AgriStack (Revenue).
The Shri Nilkantheshwar Shetkari Cooperative Sugar Factory at Killari in Ausa taluka of Latur district was granted permission to raise loans from the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for capital expenditure and working capital. A loan proposal of Rs 18 crore and Rs 9,000 will be forwarded to the NCDC.
The Cabinet also approved changes to the rules and guidelines for establishing private skill universities on a self-financed basis.
Senior colleges will now be allowed to introduce a separate faculty of social work, new courses and additional divisions. Social work colleges will also be permitted to start new courses and additional divisions on a permanent unaided basis.
The government further approved the establishment of a District and Additional Sessions Court and a government pleader's office at Hadgaon in Nanded district. The Cabinet approved the required posts of judicial officers and staff as well as the necessary expenditure provisions for the new judicial facilities.