Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 12: In a key decision during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his team approved the recruitment of nearly 15,000 new police personnel, while also granting a long-demanded hike in commission margins for fair price shopkeepers across the state.

The recruitment drive is part of a broader 150-day overhaul of the state police department, focused on modernising operations, updating outdated policies, streamlining compassionate appointments, and addressing existing vacancies. CM Fadnavis had previously announced the initiative during the Monsoon session of the state legislature.

So far, between 2022 and 2025, the government has inducted 38,802 police officers into service. An additional proposal to recruit 13,560 more personnel is already under review, reflecting the state's commitment to strengthening law enforcement infrastructure.

In another important development, the cabinet approved a revision in the commission for fair price shopkeepers who distribute foodgrains under the Public Distribution System (PDS). The margin rate has been increased by Rs 20 per quintal — from Rs 150 to Rs 170 — amounting to Rs 1,700 per metric ton. This increment is expected to cost the state exchequer an additional Rs 92.71 crore annually.

Food and Civil Supply Minister Chhagan Bhujbal noted that shopkeepers had long been requesting this hike. “Several rounds of discussions were held. The government responded positively, and today’s decision reflects our support for those running the backbone of the PDS system,” he said.

Additionally, the cabinet approved viability gap funding to promote air travel on the Solapur–Pune–Mumbai route, aiming to improve regional connectivity.

In a move to ease access to credit for marginalized communities, the cabinet also relaxed guarantor conditions in various loan schemes managed by corporations under the Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance. The state guarantee for these schemes has now been extended for a period of five years.

These cabinet decisions collectively underscore the Fadnavis government’s dual focus on public security and social welfare as Maharashtra heads into a crucial policy phase.