Connect with us
Wednesday,11-March-2026
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh Introduces Private Member’s Bill Seeking Rights & Social Security For Gig Workers In Maharashtra

Published

on

Mumbai: In a move aimed at addressing the growing concerns of gig and platform workers over fair wages, social security and protection from what has been termed as ‘exploitative practices’, Samajwadi Party legislator Rais Shaikh has submitted a private member’s bill in the Maharashtra legislature seeking a comprehensive legal framework and the creation of a regulatory board for their welfare.

The proposed legislation, titled “Maharashtra Gig and Platform Workers’ Rights and Protection Bill, 2026,” aims to introduce strict compliance obligations for platform companies, ensure social security coverage and establish a regulatory board to oversee the welfare of gig and platform workers in the state.

Shaikh said the bill seeks to regulate the rapidly expanding gig economy, which includes delivery partners, ride-hailing drivers and other digital platform workers who often work without job security or social protection.

“In recent years, gig and platform workers in Maharashtra, including delivery partners and ride-hailing drivers, have staged multiple strikes and protests demanding fair wages, social security and protection from exploitative practices. These demonstrations highlighted issues such as unsafe working conditions, lack of social security, algorithmic exploitation and arbitrary penalties by platforms,” said Shaikh.

Shaikh further pointed out that existing labour laws do not sufficiently address the challenges faced by gig workers.

“Existing labour laws, including the Code on Social Security, 2020, provide a national framework but do not adequately address state-level enforcement, wage protection, algorithmic transparency and grievance redressal. Therefore, a comprehensive framework is required at the state level to protect gig and platform workers in Maharashtra,” he said.

According to official figures, as of January 2026 the Centre’s e-Shram portal has registered just over 10.5 lakh platform workers across the country. Maharashtra leads with 1,34,705 registered platform workers, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 1,30,505 and Bihar with 1,09,207.

“However, these figures are strikingly low compared to the actual size of the gig workforce, showing that despite Maharashtra’s leadership in registrations, coverage remains limited and far below the true scale of gig employment,” Shaikh added.

A 2022 NITI Aayog report estimated India’s gig workforce at 77 lakh in 2020–21, projecting it to grow to 2.35 crore by 2029–30. “The bill aims to create a fairer and safer digital work environment for Maharashtra’s gig workforce, while remaining harmonised with the national Social Security Code,” Shaikh said.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Anti-trespass action taken by IMC at 13 unauthorized shops in Goregaon (Maghribi) area.

Published

on

Mumbai: Additional constructions of 3 shops on Swami Vivekananda Marg and 10 shops on 5D Road in Goregaon (West) were evicted today (March 10, 2026) by the ‘P’ department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-4) Smt. Bhagya Shri Kapse, and Assistant Commissioner (P South Division) Aniruddha Kulkarni.

It was found that unauthorized constructions on Swami Vivekananda Marg and 5D Road in Goregaon (West) were creating obstacles for pedestrians. In this backdrop, the Conservation, Encroachment Removal and Licensing Department, working under the ‘P South’ administrative division (ward) of the Municipal Corporation, jointly launched a drive. During this operation, 3 unauthorized constructions on Swami Vivekananda Marg were evicted. In addition, unauthorized additional constructions of 10 shops on 5D Road were removed. During this, eviction action was also taken against unauthorized hawkers in the area.

The action team included 5 officers and 25 employees of the Conservation, Encroachment Removal and Licensing Department working under the ‘P-South’ administrative division. 1 JCB, 1 truck, 1 cargo vehicle, gas cutter etc. were used for the operation. Adequate security was deployed by Bangur Nagar Police Station at that time.

Meanwhile, the administration is making it clear that regular action will continue against unauthorized constructions and unauthorized hawkers.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Attention Thanekars! TMC Announces 24-Hour Water Cut On March 12 Due To Pipeline Work; Check Areas Affected

Published

on

Thane: Water supply will remain suspended for 24 hours in several areas of Thane on Thursday due to pipeline work being carried out near the Siddheshwar Water Tank, according to the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC).

According to the civic body, excavation work for laying a new pipeline in the Uthalsar ward committee area is affecting the existing 600 mm diameter outlet pipeline connected to the Siddheshwar water tank.

As part of the project, the current pipeline will need to be shifted to facilitate the installation of the new line. To carry out the work, water supply will be suspended from 9 am on Thursday (March 12) to 9 am on Friday (March 13), officials confirmed.

During this period, water supply will remain disrupted in several areas of the Uthalsar ward, including the Siddheshwar Lake vicinity, Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar, Ganeshwadi, Nitin Company area, Panchpakhadi, Sarovar Darshan, Chandanwadi, Hansnagar, Singh Nagar, Khopat, Flower Valley, Shelar Pada, Gokuldaswadi, Kolbad and Gokulnagar.

Apart from these localities, parts of the Naupada ward will also face water supply disruption. These include Panchpakhadi, Chandanwadi, the municipal corporation premises, Charai and Dhobi Ali.

Civic officials have appealed to residents to store sufficient water in advance and use it judiciously during the shutdown period. The municipal corporation has also urged citizens to cooperate with authorities while the pipeline work is underway.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai: BMC Begins TBM Installation For Goregaon Mulund Link Road Twin Tunnels In Aarey, Bhushan Gagrani Inspects Work

Published

on

Mumbai, March 11: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has begun a key stage in the construction of the twin tunnels under Phase 3B of the Goregaon Mulund Link Road project, with the lowering of Tunnel Boring Machine components into a shaft at the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari site.

The civic body shared updates and footage of the operation on social media platform X on Wednesday.

The operation involves carefully lowering several loose components of the Tunnel Boring Machine into the deep shaft from where tunnelling activities will eventually begin. The process marks a crucial step in preparing the machine that will excavate the twin tunnels planned under the GMLR project.

Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani visited the site to personally inspect the ongoing work and review the progress of the installation process.

To carry out the complex operation, specialised cranes with lifting capacities of 800 metric tonnes and 350 metric tonnes have been deployed at the site. These high capacity machines are being used to lower the TBM parts safely and precisely into the shaft.

The components are being lowered in phases to ensure safety and accuracy during assembly within the shaft.

Among the major parts lowered on the first day was the Type A shield, considered the primary mining component of the Tunnel Boring Machine. The massive structure weighs around 135 metric tonnes and plays a central role in the tunnelling process.

Several senior officials from the civic administration were present during the inspection and the lowering operation.

These included Additional Municipal Commissioner for Projects Abhijit Bangar, Deputy Commissioner Infrastructure Girish Nikam, Chief Engineer Bridges Rajesh Mule, Deputy Chief Engineer Bridges Naresh Meghrajani, and Executive Engineer Bridges Namdev Ravkale. Municipal engineers and project consultants were also present during the process.

The Goregaon Mulund Link Road is one of Mumbai’s major road infrastructure projects aimed at improving east west connectivity and reducing travel time across the city. The twin tunnels being constructed near the Aarey area form a critical part of this corridor.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending