Mumbai: The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) conducted a screening test on March 22, 2026, for 154 posts of Drug Inspector (Group B) under the Food and Drug Administration cadre across six examination centers in Maharashtra. A case was registered at the Cuffe Parade Police Station regarding the breach of the examination paper’s confidentiality and the unauthorized leaking of the question set for financial gain.

The Special Investigation Team of the Property Cell, Crime Branch, Mumbai, is investigating the matter. Based on a technical investigation, two candidates who obtained the question paper through illegal means have been arrested, along with two intermediaries.

The investigation revealed that copies of the question sets selected by experts were prepared in the MPSC’s confidential room and subsequently leaked illegally for financial gain. Previously, Under Secretary Abhijit Landge, Assistant Room Officers Vishweshwar Nakte and Gopal Marathe, Kautilya Academy Director Pravin Patil, intermediaries Amrit Patil and Lokesh (alias Gaurav) Patil, and candidate Rituja Patil had been arrested in connection with this case. Further investigation led to the arrest of candidates Sajid Sandhe (Sangli) and Vijay Kangar (Buldhana)—who had obtained question sets through illegal means—as well as Sandeep Khalte and Bhairunath Kadam (Navi Mumbai), who acted as intermediaries; they were arrested on September 22, 2026, by the Special Investigation Team of the Crime Branch’s Property Cell.
With this action, the total number of accused arrested in the case has reached 11.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Krishnakant Upadhyay, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Raj Tilak Roshan.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Sadanand Rane and Police Inspector-in-Charge Mangesh Desai led the investigation, with police officers from the branch playing a pivotal role in the inquiry.

Mumbai, Sep 25: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday categorically ruled out any move to repeal the historic Mathadi Act, assuring workers that the legislation providing social security and legal protection to Mathadi labourers would remain intact and would be strengthened further.

He also announced that around 3,000 Mathadi workers would be provided housing in Wadala and that the Vashi APMC Market would be redeveloped into a world-class facility with a long-term vision for the next five decades.

He made these remarks while addressing a labour rally organised at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Vashi to mark the 93rd birth anniversary of the late MLA Annasaheb Patil, founder of the Mathadi movement.

Reaffirming protection under the Mathadi Act, CM Fadnavis stated that the law acts as a protective shield for workers. Addressing rumors that the law might be repealed, he assured that the government would strengthen it rather than let it end.

However, he noted that certain unauthorised groups operating in the name of the labour movement are damaging workers’ interests. “To curb these unauthorised elements and protect genuine labourers, a high-level meeting with labour leaders and officials will be convened soon to take strict action,” he added.

He also commended Marketing Minister Jayakumar Rawal and the Labour Department for strictly implementing the rule capping gunny bag weights at 50 kg.

CM Fadnavis further announced that the empowerment and restructuring of all 36 Mathadi Boards in the state have been initiated. Independent panel audits will be conducted to ensure operational transparency. Pending issues regarding wages, Provident Fund (PF), gratuity, bonus, house rent allowance (HRA), and accident compensation will be resolved promptly.

He said obstacles regarding the Wadala housing project have been cleared with the necessary FSI and approvals granted, paving the way for around 3,000 Mathadi workers to receive modern homes. He added that the state government will strive to launch additional housing projects for workers in the future.

Emphasising the modernisation of the Vashi APMC Market, the Chief Minister noted that the market established 50 years ago was once a major commercial hub in Asia. Given changing trade dynamics and increasing turnover, the Vashi market will be redeveloped to international standards, with the government providing all required underground and above-ground FSI. This modern international market will create more sustainable employment opportunities for Mathadi workers.

Calling upon the next generation of Mathadi workers, CM Fadnavis encouraged workers’ children not to limit themselves to manual labour but to pursue professions in medicine, engineering, chartered accountancy and civil services. Special schemes for higher education and skill development will be formulated through the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation and Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI) with full support from the state government.

“We stand firmly with you,” he assured the workers.

State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik and Marketing Minister Jayakumar Rawal, who also addressed the gathering, reiterated the government’s commitment to worker welfare, educational advancement and the modernisation of both labour-related facilities and the Vashi market infrastructure.

Mumbai, Sep 25: The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray on Friday said that Maharashtra is grappling with an unprecedented and devastating drought, as rainless conditions during the peak monsoon season have decimated crops across vast stretches of Marathwada, Western Maharashtra, and Vidarbha.

Highlighting the severe distress among the farming community, the Thackeray camp in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Samaana’, has urged the state government to bypass bureaucratic norms, open state coffers unconditionally, and declare an immediate drought emergency.

Driven by the severe effects of the ‘El Niño’ phenomenon, regions including Solapur, Ahilyanagar, and several districts across Marathwada and Western Vidarbha have gone weeks — and in some places up to two months — without a single drop of rain. Standing crops of soybean, cotton, tur, moong, urad, sorghum, and maize have dried up and withered. Even farmers with access to wells or irrigation facilities expect a yield drop of 50 per cent to 70 per cent, while rain-dependent dryland farmers have faced total crop loss, said the editorial.

According to the editorial, the crisis is set to hit both the Kharif and upcoming Rabi seasons. With wells, ponds, and borewells drying up prematurely in the middle of the rainy season, farmers are left with no water for the next sowing cycle, threatening a complete loss of yearly livelihood.

The editorial took sharp aim at the state leadership for delaying action. Comparing Maharashtra to neighbouring Karnataka — which officially declared a drought and initiated relief measures weeks ago — it criticised the Chief Minister and ministers for waiting for the returning monsoon rather than taking decisive action. “Though the Chief Minister and government officials have recently begun visiting farm boundaries to assess the ground reality, formal surveys, spot inspections (panchnamas), and ministerial review meetings should not delay immediate relief,” remarked the Thackeray camp.

Beyond nature’s wrath, farmers are facing severe exploitation in agricultural markets. The editorial highlighted a harrowing incident from Sailu taluka in Parbhani district, where a farmer named Jeevan Kawade managed to cultivate four quintals of chilli despite the drought. He was paid a meagre Rs 1,017 for his entire produce by traders — far short of even the Rs 2,000 he spent solely on harvesting labour, excluding seeds, fertilisers, and transport costs.

The editorial called on state leaders to visit market committees (APMCs) and crack down on middlemen who are exploiting distressed farmers.

Emphasising that the current situation is a matter of life and death for lakhs of agricultural families, the editorial concluded with a stark demand. “The government must throw open the state treasury and waive rigid rules and technical criteria to keep Maharashtra’s farmers alive. Having witnessed the grief on the ground firsthand, the prompt question remains –will the government act before it is too late?” asked the editorial.