Maharashtra Cabinet Approves 15,000 Police Posts, Ration Margin Hike, Air Fare Subsided And Loan Norm Reforms

Palghar, Maharashtra: The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has cleared four major decisions covering law enforcement, public distribution, regional air connectivity, and social justice schemes.

15,000 New Posts in Maharashtra Police Force

The state government will fill around 15,000 vacancies in the Maharashtra Police force, including posts that became vacant in 2024 and those due to fall vacant in 2025. The recruitment will cover:

Police Constable – 10,908 posts

Police Constable (Driver) – 234 posts

Bandsman – 25 posts

Armed Police Constable – 2,393 posts

Jail Constable – 554 posts

OMR-based written exams will be conducted at the district level. In a one-time concession, candidates who crossed the prescribed age limit in 2022 and 2023 will also be allowed to apply. The recruitment process will be overseen by the Additional Director General of Police, Training and Special Units.

The decision aims to address manpower shortages that strain policing and prison operations. Both the High Court and Supreme Court have previously directed the state to expedite such recruitments, while legislators have also pressed for urgent action.

Increase in Ration Shop Dealer Margins

In a move to support fair price shopkeepers, the Cabinet approved an increase in distribution margins from ₹150 to ₹170 per quintal for food grains and sugar supplied under the Public Distribution System. The rise, ₹20 per quintal, addresses demands from dealer associations.

Currently, 53,910 fair price shops distribute essentials to Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Household ration card holders through e-POS biometric authentication. The revised margin will cost the state an additional ₹92.71 crore annually.

Air Travel Subsidy for Solapur–Pune–Mumbai Route

To improve regional air connectivity, the state will provide 100% Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of ₹3,240 per seat for one year on the Solapur–Pune–Mumbai air route until it is brought under the Centre’s UDAN scheme. The subsidy will be given to Star Air, with a budget allocation of ₹17.97 crore.

Once UDAN is implemented, the state’s contribution will drop to 20% VGF, in line with the central policy. The move is expected to reduce fares and make air travel more affordable for the public.

Easier Loan Terms for Backward Class Corporations

The Cabinet has approved relaxed guarantor norms and a five-year extension of state guarantees for loans disbursed by three development corporations:

Mahatma Phule Backward Class Development Corporation

Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation

Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Development Corporation

For loans up to ₹2 lakh, a charge can be placed on the beneficiary’s or a guarantor’s immovable property. For loans between ₹2 lakh and ₹5 lakh, only one guarantor will now be required instead of two, provided they own land or property, or are employed in the government, semi-government, or private sector.

State guarantees of ₹600 crore, ₹100 crore, and ₹50 crore respectively have been extended to these corporations. The move will expedite pending loan applications and simplify access to credit for small entrepreneurs from backward classes.