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Maharashtra's All-Round Push: Slum-Free Mumbai, Farmer Aid & Tech-Driven Policing

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde detailed the Maharashtra government's multi-sector development agenda in the Legislative Council. Key urban initiatives include a campaign to make Mumbai slum-free and relaxed norms for redeveloping old houses. For farmers, a significant loan waiver and incentives for regular repayments have been implemented. The government is also strengthening law and order with AI-driven cybercrime systems, a massive CCTV rollout, and a strict anti-corruption stance.

Key Points: Maharashtra Govt's Development Push: Key Initiatives Announced

  • Slum-free Mumbai plan via Balasaheb Thackeray campaign
  • Farmer loan waiver & incentives up to Rs 2 lakh
  • AI system 'MahaCrimeOS' to fight cybercrime
  • Zero-tolerance on corruption with 1064 helpline
3 min read

Maha govt committed to all-round development, says Dy CM Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde outlines major initiatives in agriculture, urban development, and law & order, including a slum-free Mumbai plan.

"The pace of development set over the last four years will continue. We will lead Maharashtra's development forward. - Eknath Shinde"

Mumbai, March 25

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, replying to the Last Week Resolution in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, said the state government is committed to all-round development, asserting that work is underway across sectors including agriculture, industry, infrastructure, and law and order.

Marking the birth centenary of Balasaheb Thackeray, the state government has resolved to make Mumbai and its surrounding areas slum-free. For this, the 'Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Urban Public Welfare Campaign' will be implemented.

Highlighting measures for farmers, Shinde said a loan waiver has been implemented for those with overdue loans as of September 30, 2025, granting relief of up to Rs 2 lakh. Farmers who repay loans regularly are being given an incentive of up to Rs 50,000. He added that Rs 1,798.78 crore has been deposited in the accounts of over 89.75 lakh farmers.

On urban development, Shinde said cluster development for slums larger than 50 acres in Mumbai has been approved. Based on biometric surveys, these will be recognised as official clusters and the tender process will be initiated. To make Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) housing more viable, the corpus fund has been increased. The earlier 30-year restriction on redevelopment of old houses (180, 225 and 269 sq. ft.) has been relaxed, making residents eligible for 300 sq. ft. homes.

He said the government will use satellite technology to monitor and prevent the emergence of new slums, while encroachments on land belonging to agencies such as MMRDA, BMC and MHADA will be reviewed every four months.

On law and order, Shinde said the police force is being strengthened with modern technology. The 'MahaCrimeOS AI' system has been introduced to tackle cybercrime, while a recruitment drive for over 15,000 police personnel is underway.

He added that the response time of the 112 helpline is among the best in the country. Initiatives such as 'Damini Pathak', 'Nirbhaya Pathak' and 'Bharosa Cell' are operational. The government aims to file chargesheets in crimes against women within 60 days.

Shinde said that in the past year, 1,438 drug-related cases were registered and 1,651 accused arrested. Efforts to counter Naxalism through security operations and development initiatives have also led to several surrenders.

He further said that over 12,000 CCTV cameras have been installed across 1,089 police stations, with more than 6 lakh cameras operational across the state.

Reiterating a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, Shinde said 682 anti-corruption cases were registered last year, with action taken against around 1,000 individuals. Over the past two years, 1,304 officials and employees were suspended and six dismissed. Complaints can be lodged through the 1064 helpline or WhatsApp.

"The pace of development set over the last four years will continue. We will lead Maharashtra's development forward," Shinde said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The farmer loan waiver and incentives are a much-needed relief! 👏 My uncle in Vidarbha will benefit. Depositing money directly into accounts is the right way to prevent corruption. Hope this support continues and reaches every small farmer.
R
Rohit P
Strengthening police with AI and more personnel is excellent. As a Mumbai resident, safety is my top concern. 'MahaCrimeOS' to tackle cybercrime and faster chargesheets for crimes against women are very positive steps. Need to see this implemented on the ground.
S
Sarah B
The focus on using satellite tech to prevent new slums and reviewing encroachments regularly is a smart, proactive approach. Infrastructure development needs this kind of long-term planning. Hope it works better than previous attempts.
V
Vikram M
Action against 1000 individuals for corruption is a good number, but is it enough? Corruption is a deep-rooted issue. The 1064 helpline is a good initiative, but people need to trust that complaints will be acted upon without fear. The intent is right, but the scale needs to be bigger.
K
Kavya N
Relaxing the 30-year restriction for redevelopment of old houses is a huge relief for so many families in Mumbai! 300 sq ft may still be small, but it's a start. The government seems to be addressing multiple fronts - from farms to cities to law & order. Promising, if delivered. 🤞

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