Maharashtra
Maha leads nation in empowering women farmers: Dy CM Sunetra Pawar
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.
Maharashtra
40 rain shelters, 08 unauthorized shops, 30 hawkers, 06 vehicular paths removed, joint action by ‘T’, ‘S’ and ‘N’ departments of Mumbai Municipal Corporation

The Mumbai Municipal Corporation is implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign in the Mumbai region (Mumbai city and suburbs). Under this, 40 rain shelters, 08 unauthorized shops and 30 hawkers obstructing footpaths were removed today (August 11, 2026) in the Milind area. This action was taken jointly by the ‘T’, ‘S’ and ‘N’ divisions of the Municipal Corporation. As per the directions of the High Court, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide is effectively implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign to immediately remove unauthorized hawkers and encroachments on footpaths and to make the footpaths free from obstructions.
In this regard, a joint campaign was conducted under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner (T Division) under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-6) Santosh Kumar Dhonde. Assistant Commissioner (S Division) Samrin Syed, Assistant Commissioner (N Division) Jaideep More
The operation was carried out in the areas of Ram Ratan Trivedi Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Sivaram Lalwani Marg, Ratanji Hirji Bhograj Marg, Jhaveer Marg and Ganesh Gawde Marg as well as Lokmanya Tilak Marg (West) in the ‘T’ zone of the Municipal Corporation. In this, 40 rain shelters built on the footpaths, 08 unauthorized shops, 30 hawkers and 06 carriageways that were obstructing the footpaths were removed. Apart from this, the material obstructing the footpaths was also seized.
The operation was carried out with the help of 10 vehicles, 05 dumpers, 05 JCBs and other equipment along with 13 secondary engineers, 07 licensing inspectors, 66 workers working in Zone 6. Adequate police security was deployed at that time.
Meanwhile, the municipal administration is committed to providing barrier-free and easy footpaths for pedestrians. However, no one should create obstacles on the footpath or carry out unauthorized constructions. The municipal administration is telling that strict action will be taken if this happens.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Mankhurd ATM card fraud two accused arrested

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police has claimed to have arrested two accused who committed fraud by changing ATM cards. On August 5, the complainant had gone to the ATM center at Mangal Murthy Junction to withdraw money. While withdrawing money from the ATM, an unknown person standing behind her saw the PIN of the card. After that, she cleverly changed the ATM rod and withdrew Rs 19,000. The police have registered a case of fraud in this matter and started investigating it. The police had seen three suspicious people from the CCTV footage of the scene who were found withdrawing money from the ATM card. After that, the police identified the accused with the help of CCTV footage. Later, they were arrested. The accused have been identified as Qasim Ali Barkat Ali, 30, and Parvez Akbar Ali Sheikh, 38, both residents of Kalyan. The police are investigating further regarding both of them. Along with this, the police are also finding out how many people they have cheated before. This action was taken by DCP Sameer Sheikh on the instructions of Additional Commissioner Dhananjay Kulkarni.
Maharashtra
7 accused arrested in cyber fraud case of over Rs 1 crore in Mumbai

Mumbai: The Cyber Police Station has claimed to have solved the mystery of a cyber crime in which the complainant was threatened with digital arrest on WhatsApp from April 2 to April 18, 2026, and was involved in a money laundering case and was defrauded of Rs 16.74 crore online by sending fake electronic documents. During the technical investigation, the police have arrested 7 accused, identified as Sanjay Hiralal, 57, who used to generate OTPs, the 32-year-old female accused used to hide the fraudulent money, Rishi Ramchandra Meena, 38, who used to transfer the fraudulent money to bank accounts, Naushad Ali, 31, who digitally arrested the complainant and the victim and worked in this gang digitally, Muhammad Khalid Hafeezuddin Saif, 27, a digital expert, Jogesh Mehta, 43, and Zubair Hussain, 27, who helped them deposit the fraudulent money in their accounts. 613 mobile phones, 2 laptops, 5 digital sign devices were recovered from the possession of the accused. SIM cards of several companies, 10 cheque books, 2 passbooks and 2 ATM cards have been seized. DCP Bajrang Bansode told the press conference that there is no such thing as digital arrest and in such a situation, do not keep in touch on unknown social media accounts. If someone threatens digital arrest, do not believe them.
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