Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 29: In a key meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved a series of wide-ranging initiatives aimed at rural empowerment, judicial infrastructure, and agricultural reform.

One of the headline decisions was the approval for establishing Umed Malls in 10 districts across the state under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). These district-level sales centres will serve as dedicated marketplaces for products crafted by women’s self-help groups (SHGs) in rural Maharashtra, providing them with a consistent and formal retail platform.

UMED, launched in 2011, functions as an independent society to implement the NRLM in the state and aims to promote sustainable livelihoods among rural women.

In what appears to be a significant pre-election push, the state government also announced the launch of the Mukhyamantri Samruddh Panchayat Raj Abhiyan, under which 1,902 Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zilla Parishads will be rewarded for exemplary work. This initiative is expected to strengthen grassroots governance ahead of the upcoming local and civic body elections.

To support agricultural reform, the cabinet cleared the establishment of a Nationally Recognised Market Platform to implement the e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) scheme more effectively. In line with this move, the government approved amendments to the Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing (Development and Regulation) Act, 1963, to further streamline operations of Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs).

On the judicial front, the Cabinet approved the creation of special courts in Gondia, Ratnagiri, and Washim districts to handle cases related to crimes against women. Additionally, two new courts will be set up in Pimpri-Chinchwad (Pune District) — a District and Additional Sessions Court and a Civil Court (Senior Level). Sanctioned posts and staff will also be assigned to these new judicial bodies.

Infrastructure development received a major boost with the approval of renovation works under two key irrigation projects:
• A provision of Rs 231.69 crore was approved for the Bor Mota Project in Tehsil Selu, Wardha district, covering both dam and distribution system upgrades.
• Similarly, Rs 197.27 crore was sanctioned for the Dham Madhyam Project in Tehsil Arvi, Wardha district, also targeting dam and distribution system improvement.

Lastly, the Cabinet granted approval to allot land in Kalwa, Thane district, for the Maharashtra and Goa Bar Council to establish a dedicated Advocate Academy, aimed at training and capacity-building in the legal profession.

These decisions collectively reflect the state’s strategic focus on rural development, women's empowerment, judicial reform, and agricultural modernization.