Maharashtra cabinet approves 10% reservation for ex-Agniveers in government jobs

The Maharashtra cabinet took 10 major decisions at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, September 29. They range from reservation for former Agniveers to posts for the Kolhapur circuit bench of the Bombay High Court. Given drought conditions in the state, the government has also decided to announce the Maharashtra Fodder Development Policy.

Under the General Administration Department, former Agniveers will get 10 per cent horizontal reservation in government jobs. Agniveers who leave the Army after completing four years of service will now get a chance in state government service. They will be appointed to posts in Group C uniformed services. The state government has approved framing a policy for this. The decision is being seen as significant.

The Maharashtra Fodder Development Policy of the Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department will focus on ensuring the availability of fodder needed for the state's livestock. The policy will consider district-wise fodder production, suitable varieties for grass cultivation, trees useful for fodder, improved fodder crops, and conventional and non-conventional fodder sources. It is expected to boost the dairy business and animal husbandry.

Under the Home Department, the revised staffing structure of 2,761 posts for the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories was approved. An amendment to the Maharashtra Prisons Reform Services Act, 2025 was also cleared.

In the Revenue, Registration and Stamps Department, the cabinet approved handing over 2 hectares 37 R of government land at Bela in Umred, Nagpur district, to Nagpur MHADA. A 'Smart Village' project will be run there to build affordable homes for needy and poor people. A decision was also taken for people affected by the Surya project in Palghar. Redistribution of lands at Nevale and Hanumannagar was approved, along with entering the names of the affected people in the Satbara extract.

Under the Law and Judiciary Department, the cabinet approved creating a total of 459 posts in various cadres for the Kolhapur circuit bench of the Bombay High Court. These will be 20 posts in Group A, 35 in Group B, 276 in Group C and 128 in Group D. The cabinet also cleared the setting up of a junior-level civil court and a first-class judicial magistrate court at Waluj in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Under the Industries, Investment, Services and Mining Department, changes were made to the Maharashtra Logistics Policy 2024. Logistics parks and infrastructure projects in Zone 3 will get special capital incentives. On stamp duty, parks in Zones 1 and 2 will get a 100 per cent exemption and parks in Zone 3 a 75 per cent exemption.