Mumbai, July 2: In a milestone move for India’s agricultural landscape, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Thursday witnessed the discussion on the landmark ‘Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill-2026’. Welcoming and supporting the Bill, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar hailed it as a historic step towards providing justice, identity and rights to women farmers who form the backbone of the state’s agrarian economy.

Speaking during the Assembly debate, Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar emphasised that Maharashtra has become the first state in India to introduce such legislation.

“This Bill is not just a piece of law; it is historic justice for the hard work, dignity and rights of every woman farmer who breathes life into our soil and firmly supports Maharashtra’s economy. It is set to transform the lives of millions of women across the state,” she stated.

Drawing from her personal background as a daughter of a farming family, the Deputy Chief Minister shared her close experience of the hardships of farming, the unpredictability of nature and rural life.

She pointed out that despite working shoulder-to-shoulder with men in tasks ranging from sowing, animal husbandry, dairy, poultry and fisheries to post-harvest processing, women have historically never been recognised as official ‘farmers’. Due to the lack of land ownership, women have long been excluded from various government benefits.

Addressing this gap, the Deputy CM explained a key feature of the new law. She said the ‘Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill-2026’ establishes a woman’s actual participation in farming, rather than land ownership, as the primary criterion for granting her an official ‘Woman Farmer Certificate’.

The Deputy Chief Minister clarified that this certificate will finally grant millions of women an official identity, paving the way for easier access to government agricultural schemes and training, crop insurance, institutional credit, market access, skill development and entrepreneurship opportunities.

To ensure that the Bill does not remain a mere declaration but translates into meaningful action, a robust institutional framework will be established. This includes a dedicated Women Farmers Database, a Women Farmers Empowerment Cell, specialised assistance officers, a state-level monitoring committee and a dedicated Women Farmers Fund.

Addressing potential concerns, DCM Sunetra Pawar categorically reassured the House that the Bill does not alter, amend or interfere with any existing land ownership, inheritance or succession laws. Its sole purpose is to provide legal and institutional recognition to women’s immense contribution to agriculture.

Highlighting the Mahayuti government’s commitment to women’s welfare, the Deputy CM listed ongoing initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, Lek Ladki Yojana, Pink Rickshaw Scheme and the Nav Tejaswini Rural Women’s Enterprise Development Scheme, alongside safety nets such as One Stop Centres and the Manodhairya Yojana.

“Maharashtra has historically led India in women’s education, cooperatives, political reservation and self-help groups. By legally recognising women farmers, Maharashtra is once again setting a pioneering example for the entire country,” she concluded, congratulating the Chief Minister, Agriculture Minister and the Agriculture Department for crafting this historic legislation.

Mumbai: After the administration removed the scrap, soap and oil factories illegally issued on government land in Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar assembly constituency, the demand for public use of this vacant land has intensified. Local MLA Abu Asim Azmi strongly raised the issue in a high-level meeting chaired by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.

In the meeting, MLA Azmi strongly demanded that instead of the government’s proposal to set up a jail or a film industry on this vacant land, a degree college, a technical college and a sports complex be built for the development of the citizens of Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar and Govindi.

Special emphasis on girls’ education and Urdu Ghar
Shedding light on the social situation of the area, the MLA said that our area has a large minority population, many girls are unable to go to distant areas for higher education due to wearing burqa, so a special women’s college and a modern library for children should be built on this vacant land.” He also demanded the construction of the long-pending ‘Urdu Ghar’ for the promotion of Urdu language and literature.

Advocate for permanent office for Maharashtra State Haj Committee
Raising another important issue during the meeting, he said that the Maharashtra State Haj Committee currently does not have a permanent office and is working from various temporary locations. Since Haj pilgrims come to Mumbai from all over Maharashtra and the Mankhurdshivaji Nagar area is well connected by rail, road, Eastern Freeway and highways, the central office of the Maharashtra State Haj Committee should be built on this vacant land.

Azmi clarified that prioritizing education and sports facilities will benefit the youth of the region and It is very important for the empowerment of minorities. The Revenue Minister listened to these demands seriously and assured positive action.

Mumbai: A ruckus broke out in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly when Congress leader and Akola MLA Sajid Khan Pathan once again received a threat from the Bishnoi gang. He informed the House of Assembly about it. During this, Congress leaders Nana Patole and Vijay Waditwar demanded security for the MLA and said that it is a very sensitive matter. An MLA has received repeated threats and the government had also issued a statement on it. A day earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had clarified his stand regarding the Bishnoi gang in the House and said that arrangements would be made for it. The very next day, an MLA receives a threat. This is very worrying for the government. On this, Minister Nitish Rane said in the Legislative Assembly that no one will be spared. The government’s stand regarding the Bishnoi gang is clear. The MLA should provide the details of this to the police. Along with providing the details in the House, the police should also be informed about this matter. Nitish Rane said that the government is the guarantor of everyone’s safety.

In the House of Assembly, Akola MLA Sajid Khan Pathan said that he is not afraid of threats from the Bishnoi gang because death is right. If death is written by the hands of Shubham Lonkar, then no one can save him. This is a worrying act for the government because the Chief Minister makes a claim a day before and receives a threat the next day. Even before that, when I received a threat from the Bishnoi gang, the Chief Minister had assured me of providing security, but so far no one has been arrested in this matter. He said that if I die, a grand temple should be built in my constituency. I am always active in maintaining communal harmony, that is why I am being targeted. I am not a businessman, so why is there a question of asking for ransom or a week from me? On this, Speaker Rahul Narvekar has directed the House to pay special attention to this matter.