15 September,2026 05:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Cabinet approves sugar mill loans, Maha-TAC to review state policies (File pic)
The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved soft loans for cooperative sugar mills to clear pending Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) dues of farmers for the 2025-26 crushing season and support operations for 2026-27.
According to the PTI, the decision was taken during a weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated.
The official statement from the Chief Minister's Office also mentioned that the move to provide soft loans to clear FRP dues will provide relief to both sugarcane growers and mills.
In another major decision, the Cabinet approved setting up the Maharashtra Technical Assistance Cell (Maha-TAC) to evaluate 25 major state government policies and 25 key welfare schemes, as per PTI.
The one-year evaluation project will be undertaken based on recommendations from the Indian Institute of Management Mumbai (IIM Mumbai) and the Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies (CRISP) to enhance overall governance and decision-making.
Furthermore, the Cabinet also granted a stamp duty exemption on the lease agreement for a Nashik Municipal Corporation-owned study centre and library building leased to the Nashik branch of the Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad.
The Cabinet also cleared the free allotment of 6,240.30 square metres of government land in Arvi taluka of Wardha district to the local municipal council to construct a commercial complex, as per PTI.
As per the official note from the CMO, "The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats, and Industrial Townships Act, 1965, and passed amendments to the Maharashtra Agricultural Lands (Ceiling on Holdings) Act, 1961, enabling the return of state farming corporation land in Haregaon village of Ahilyanagar district to its original owners."
The CMO also mentioned, "Among other decisions, the Cabinet sanctioned the creation of four administrative posts and approved the funding for the office of the Chairman of the Mumbai Police Housing Township Project."
An Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into complaints related to the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MH-CET), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday, reported the PTI.
MH-CET is a state-level entrance examination for admission to professional courses, including engineering.
"If any irregularity is found, action will be taken," Fadnavis told reporters after a Cabinet meeting.The announcement comes after a delegation of teachers and students from across Maharashtra met the Chief Minister and raised several concerns about the conduct of the CET.
(With inputs from PTI)
