Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra to waive pending electricity dues of farmers worth ₹48,000 cr

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that the state government will waive around Rs 48,000 crore in pending electricity dues of farmers to facilitate fresh agricultural power connections. Addressing a function organised to felicitate him over the recently announced farm loan waiver scheme on Wednesday, Fadnavis said the government had already waived electricity bills for agricultural pumps up to 7.5 horsepower. However, many farmers continue to face difficulties in obtaining new power connections because outstanding dues from previous years remain in their names. "To resolve this issue, the government will take a decision to waive the earlier pending electricity dues amounting to Rs 48,000 crore," he said. Farmers felicitated the chief minister at Yashwantrao Chavan Centre here on Wednesday for announcing the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme, under which loans of up to Rs 2 lakh will be waived. Fadnavis said the scheme would benefit 56 la

Maharashtra to remove ₹2 lakh cap in farm loan waiver scheme: CM Fadnavis

Defending the loan waiver, the CM, who also holds the finance portfolio, said the measure was aimed at helping financially-distressed farmers regain access to institutional credit

Phase 1 of Dharavi redevelopment to be completed in 18 months: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the Dharavi Redevelopment Project was not merely a housing scheme but an economic transformation initiative, and asserted that the first phase of about 10,000 houses would be completed in the next 18 months. Speaking in the legislative assembly, Fadnavis said that under the redevelopment project, eligible residents will be rehabilitated at the site, while others will be provided homes at nearby locations. He also said the state has identified 19 cluster redevelopment projects across Mumbai as part of its strategy for planned urban renewal and housing. Dharavi Redevelopment Project is an ambitious urban renewal initiative to transform Asia's largest slum in central Mumbai into a modern, transit-oriented hub. It aims to rehabilitate the residents while preserving the area's vital informal economy and local industries. The project commenced in January 2025. Fadnavis said the Dharavi Redevelopment Project envisages around 95

Fadnavis knows how dangerous a 'scheming friend' can be, says Shinde

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is a clever person who knows very well how dangerous a scheming friend could be, a reference to Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray. Shinde was responding to questions about Fadnavis and Thackeray taking the same flight while going to Nagpur on Friday. He said the BJP and undivided Shiv Sena had taken the same flight in 2019, but then "he took a different flight and aligned with the Congress", referring to the two allies breaking ties. "Fadnavis is a very clever person. He knows very well how dangerous a scheming friend could be," Shinde said. When asked about his flight journey with his political rival Fadnavis, Thackeray had said they had a "very high-level discussion". Probed further about the outcome of the meeting, Thackeray said the result will be known in the coming days. Fadnavis and Thackeray travelled together on a flight from Mumbai to Nagpur on Friday, triggering ..

Maharashtra govt tables ₹97,706 cr demands, ₹20,552 cr for farm loan waiver

The Maharashtra government on Monday tabled supplementary demands of Rs 97,706.40 crore, including Rs 20,552 crore for the farm loan waiver scheme, with a net additional burden of Rs 74,817.66 crore on the exchequer. Notably, the Opposition has been demanding a complete farm loan waiver with minimal technical conditions. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar protested earlier this month to press for removal of "stringent" conditions from the farm loan waiver scheme and demand a blanket loan waiver for farmers. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tabled the demands in the assembly on the first day of the legislature's monsoon session on Monday. Of the total supplementary demands, Rs 13,825.71 crore has been sought for unavoidable expenditure, Rs 66,559.40 crore for programme-related spending, and Rs 17,321.29 crore against expenditure to be supported through funds available under centrally sponsored schemes. Despite the gross demands of Rs 97,706.40 crore, the actual financial burden will be Rs ...

BJP-led Mahayuti sweeps Maharashtra MLC polls, wins 16 of 17 seats

The only seat that did not go to an official Mahayuti candidate was Nashik, where an Independent candidate and BJP rebel Gokul Gite defeated Shiv Sena nominee Narendra Darade

Fuel, LPG price hikes a war fallout, PM handled it effectively: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday rejected the Opposition's criticism over fuel and gas price hike, attributing the fluctuation in rates to the Iran-US conflict. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has deftly handled the situation and taken steps to contain fuel costs even as petrol, diesel and gas prices skyrocketed in other countries. The Opposition has criticised the Central government over the rise in prices of essential commodities. Earlier in the day, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said the government would pay a "political price" as frequent hikes in essential commodities were burdening the common man. "The whole world knows the situation of war, and no country remains untouched. In every country, petrol, diesel and gas prices are high. In India, the Prime Minister has done a lot to contain the prices. I feel that as long as the war situation remains like this, some things will continue, but we have also seen before that prices had fallen, so when demand a

Fadnavis backs poll reforms as Sule seeks anti-horse trading bill

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday suggested reforms in the election process after NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule said she will introduce a bill to stop "horse trading" amid the withdrawal of opposition candidates in several seats ahead of the legislative council elections. The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has accused the ruling parties of monetary inducements and pressure tactics, a charge denied by leaders of the BJP-led Mahayuti. Sule has said she would move a bill in Parliament seeking greater transparency in elections where allegations of horse trading arise. "If you understand that people can be won over through affection rather than money, then there will be no need to bring such a bill," Fadnavis told reporters while responding to a query on Sule's remarks. It's his personal opinion that there should be reforms in the election process, the chief minister said, adding that he had no objection to anyone introducing legislation for such reforms. Responding to

Maharashtra readying 2,000 GPUs for innovators: CM Devendra Fadnavis

The state plans to provide 2,000 GPUs through a compute-as-a-service facility while targeting Rs 10,000 crore in AI investments and 1.5 lakh jobs

Maharashtra invokes MCOCA against cow smuggling, illegal slaughterhouses

On weather preparedness and the impact of El Nino, Fadnavis said the state government had put in place a comprehensive plan to deal with possible extreme weather conditions, including heavy rainfall

Maharashtra will continue to lead in capex, says Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra will continue to lead states in infrastructure spending and cut power tariffs by 3 per cent annually till 2030, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said

Fadnavis apologises after Mumbai-Pune 'Missing Link' launch triggers jams

Traffic gridlocks were witnessed on Mumbai-Pune Expressway as the "Missing Link" connector road was inaugurated on Friday afternoon, prompting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to apologise to stranded travelers including NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule. Sule, who was among hundreds of people travelling from Mumbai to Pune on weekend, claimed she was stuck in traffic for two hours in the morning, before the inauguration of the project. The Baramati MP shared a video on social media showing long queues of vehicles behind and ahead of her car. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Harshal Pradhan said CM Fadnavis and deputy CM Eknath Shinde flew to the inauguration site, but people suffered due to the resultant traffic chaos. "If the people lose their patience, they will make the ruling parties go 'missing'," he said. Pradhan also said that with this project, another dream of Sena (UBT) chief and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has been realised. Fadnavis, who inaugurated the

Maharashtra announces AI policy, envisages Rs 10,000 crore investment

The Maharashtra cabinet on Wednesday approved the Artificial Intelligence Policy 2026 which envisages an investment of Rs 10,000 crore in the sector and creation of 1.5 lakh employment opportunities. The government proposes to establish six AI Excellence Centres and five AI Innovation Cities under the policy, said an official statement. Aligned with the central government's "India AI Mission", this policy will promote research, innovation and responsible governance, it added. The policy puts emphasis on building AI infrastructure in the state. It also aims to enhance the use of AI in industries, public services and administration. It is being implemented on the lines of India AI Mission, and establish 'Maharashtra AI Mission'. "Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis noted that in the coming years about 70 percent of jobs will be reshaped by AI, and therefore the policy should be periodically updated in line with changing times and technologies. The policy aims to attract more than Rs 10,

Maharashtra govt orders setting up of 24/7 helplines to expand PNG coverage

The Maharashtra government has directed city gas distribution companies to activate 24/7 helplines and increase the number of centres processing applications for piped natural gas connections, amid the impact of the West Asia crisis on global energy supply chains. A Government Resolution (GR), issued by the Food and Civil Supplies Department on Friday, instructed companies to expand outreach and infrastructure to ensure wider PNG coverage across the state. The GR said disruptions in global energy supply have affected petroleum product availability, leading to constraints in LPG supply, and emphasised the need to accelerate PNG connections as a short-term mitigation measure. It directed city gas distribution (CGD) companies to operationalise 24-hour helplines for consumers and ensure citizens do not face inconvenience while applying for connections. The companies were also asked to increase the number of helplines and helpdesks based on city population and rising demand. Further, th

Baramati bypoll: Fadnavis backs unopposed win for late Ajit Pawar's wife

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday appealed to all parties to ensure an unopposed bypoll in the Baramati assembly constituency, necessitated by the death of then NCP president Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, to elect his wife and incumbent Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar. He urged consensus in backing Sunetra Pawar to respect Maharashtra's political traditions. Recalling past instances, Fadnavis cited the unopposed bypoll held after the death of NCP (undivided) MLA and former state home minister R R Patil. His wife, Suman Patil, was elected from the Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal assembly constituency following her husband's death in 2015. "All parties should show a large-hearted approach and ensure the by-election is held unopposed," Fadnavis told reporters. The BJP, which heads the Mahayuti alliance, shares power with the NCP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. NCP sources had said that Sunetra Pawar, currently a member of Rajya Sabha, will file her nomination on April 6 for the

Sunetra Pawar forwards Rupali Chakankar's resignation to CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who heads the ruling NCP, on Saturday said she has forwarded the resignation of Rupali Chakankar, who stepped down as the chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for further action. Chakankar on Friday tendered her resignation after facing flak from the opposition parties over her association with rape-accused 'godman' Ashok Kharat. Chakankar, who is also the NCP women's wing chief, submitted the resignation letter to Sunetra Pawar on Friday. Prior to that, Chakankar met CM Fadnavis, who asked her to resign, sources said. In a statement, Sunetra Pawar said Chakankar decided to step down in view of the prevailing situation and the ongoing inquiry into the arrest of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat. "Chakankar has tendered her resignation considering the current circumstances and the investigation underway. To ensure that the probe is conducted in a fair and transparent manner, I h

Fadnavis joins Gudi Padwa rally in Nagpur, pledges development for state

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis greeted people on the occasion of Gudi Padwa and the Hindu New Year on Thursday, reaffirming his commitment to propel the state forward and bring positive change in every person's life. The CM participated in a 'shobhayatra' (procession) organised on the occasion in his hometown Nagpur. Speaking to reporters during the event, Fadnavis emphasised conserving the culture and traditions. Asked about his resolution for the Hindu New Year, Fadnavis said he aims to take Maharashtra forward and bring positive change in the lives of every person in the state. The CM said he was very happy to participate in the Gudi Padwa 'shobhayatra' in Nagpur and extended best wishes to the entire nation. The festival is being celebrated with enthusiasm and pomp across the state, with people hoisting "gudis" at their houses, which is considered auspicious and believed to bring good luck and fortune. The word 'Gudi' means a flag and 'Padwa' is Pratipada, the f

Projects worth ₹17,000 crore announced in Vidarbha to boost economy

An integrated green steel plant and a coal gasification project will come up in Bhadravati in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district with an estimated investment of Rs 17,000 crore, providing jobs to more than 10,000 persons and giving a boost to the economy of Vidarbha, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Saturday. Addressing a gathering in the MIDC area of Telwasa in Bhadravati where he laid the foundation stones of the two mega projects, the Union Minister of Coal and Mines said the initiative will result in generation of high value items like ammonia nitrate, green steel and hydrogen, which need to be imported in large quantities at present. "It is part of efforts to make India atmanirbhar, which is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Coal plays a key role in the industrial development of the nation. Out of seven such projects nationwide, four are being established in this specific region," he said while lauding Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' leadership for keeping ...

Maharashtra set to become first trn-dollar sub-national economy: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the state is on track to become India's first trillion-dollar sub-national economy in the coming years, driven by sustained industrial growth, infrastructure expansion, and increasing technology adoption. Acknowledging that social media poses various challenges, he said the state currently has no plans to ban it for those under the age of 16. The chief minister made the remarks during an on-stage conversation with actor Aamir Khan at the 'Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards 2026' organised by Lokmat Media Group at Gateway of India here on Tuesday. Fadnavis said Maharashtra already holds the position of India's largest sub-national economy and continues to strengthen its global economic standing. "If Maharashtra were an independent country, it would rank among the world's top 30 economies. With sustained growth momentum, Maharashtra is on track to become India's first trillion-dollar sub-national economy in the coming ..

Maharashtra to form DGP-led panel to curb social media defamation: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said a committee headed by the Director General of Police (DGP) would be formed to curb attempts to defame individuals through social media. The CM made the statement in the legislative assembly while replying to a question on cybercrimes. The committee headed by the state DGP will study the issue and suggest measures to take action in cases where individuals are defamed through social media platforms, Fadnavis said. Earlier, Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, informed the House that new methods of cybercrimes were emerging with the use of advanced technologies. The government has developed a special mobile application to create awareness among people and help them remain alert about such crimes, he said. Through the app, around 21 crore awareness messages will be sent to citizens every month to educate them about cybercrime and preventive measures, Kadam added. The issue was raised in the House by Prashant Thakur (BJ