Maharashtra cabinet gives ex-Agniveers 10% reservation in government jobs

The Maharashtra cabinet, meeting in Mumbai, took major decisions on several important issues, including the Agniveers. It decided to give 10 per cent horizontal reservation in government service to former Agniveers who return to Maharashtra after completing four years of military service. They will get opportunities in uniformed Group C services, and the way has been opened for their appointment in the fire brigade as well as the police.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the decisions after the meeting. He said no separate examination or training requirement will be imposed on former Agniveers for these services, and the age limit will be relaxed. The cabinet also decided to give a special relaxation in the cap on the number of posts so that Agniveers leaving the Navy can be taken into coastal security.

The meeting also discussed the drought situation. In talukas that do not meet the "Trigger-2" norms, the cabinet decided to follow a process of assessing ground conditions before extending help. Instructions have also been issued to examine conditions at the circle level.

The other key decisions are as follows. The cabinet approved the Maharashtra Fodder Development Policy to increase the availability of fodder for livestock in the state. It will consider district-wise fodder production, grass species, and traditional and non-traditional fodder sources.

A revised staffing structure of 2,761 posts was approved for the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories. An amendment to the Maharashtra Prisons (Reform Services) Act, 2025 was also approved.

Approval was given to allot 2 hectares 37 are of government land at Bela in Umred taluka, Nagpur district, to Nagpur MHADA. A "Smart Village" project of affordable homes for the needy will come up there.

In Palghar, the cabinet approved the reallotment of land to those affected by the Surya project and decided to enter their names on the 7/12 extract. It also approved renewal of the lease on a 6,110-square-metre plot in Bandra, Mumbai, given to the National Societies for Clean Cities.

A total of 459 new posts in various cadres were approved for the Kolhapur circuit bench of the Bombay High Court. Approval was also given to set up a Civil Court (Junior Division) and a Judicial Magistrate First Class court at Waluj in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

The cabinet also amended the Maharashtra Logistics Policy 2024. It decided to give special capital incentives to logistics parks and infrastructure projects in Zone 3. Parks in Zones 1 and 2 will get a 100 per cent stamp duty exemption, while parks in Zone 3 will get 75 per cent.