Maharashtra cabinet approves anti-narcotics task force expansion

The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved the creation of 346 additional posts in the AntiNarcotics Task Force ANTF along with the establishment of the Sixth State Finance Commission among other key decisions officials saidThe expansion of the ANTF aims to bolster enforcement efforts and combat the spread of narcotics news agency PTI reportedThe government had sanctioned the creation of the ANTF on August 31 2023The cabinetrsquos approval includes 310 permanent positions and 36 contractual roles within the task force PTI reportedThese positions range from senior police officers to clerical staff and scientific assistants The state government has sanctioned recurring expenditure of over Rs 19 crore along with a onetime expenditure of more than Rs 3 crore for vehicle procurement and other related needs the government addedDuring the meeting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the importance of taking decisive action against drug networks operating across Maharashtra reported PTICabinet approves Sixth State Finance CommissionHe emphasised that strengthening the task force would enable law enforcement agencies to more effectively address the increasing use of narcoticsThe council of ministers also sanctioned Rs 1275 crore for the improvement of the Varkhede Londhe Barrage Medium Project in Jalgaon districtThe project located on the Girna River will provide irrigation facilities to 8290 hectares of land in the Chalisgaon and Bhadgaon talukas This latest approval marks the third administrative sanction for the project which aims to enhance water availability in the regionIn another decision the cabinet approved the establishment of the Sixth State Finance Commission which will make recommendations for financial planning and resource distribution from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2031The commission is expected to submit its report by 31st December 2025The Maharashtra Chief Minister has been granted the authority to recommend the names of the commissions chairman and members to the Governor The commission will review the financial status of local selfgovernment institutions and propose measures to improve their economic management as per an official releaseLand to be allocated to Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune to construct bridge over nullahThe cabinet also approved a Rs 1594 crore solar energy project to enhance the energy efficiency of the Mhaisal Lift Irrigation Scheme in Sangli districtThe project aims to meet the schemersquos annual electricity requirement of approximately 398 crore units through solar power The Krishna Koyna Lift Irrigation Project which includes the Mhaisal scheme plays a vital role in providing water to droughtprone areas in Sangli and Solapur districts the statement notedUnder the approved plan 65 out of the 108 pumps in the Mhaisal scheme will be upgraded to energyefficient models Additionally an advanced monitoring system and a 200 MW solar power plant will be installed The generated electricity will be supplied to the Narwad substation via a dedicated transmission lineThe financial structure of the project includes a loan of Rs 1120 crore from Germanyrsquos KfW Bank along with an investment of Rs 474 crore from the state government The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission and other state agencies will oversee the projectrsquos implementation which is expected to reduce operational costs and promote the use of green energy in the statersquos irrigation sectorThe water supply will benefit 108197 hectares of agricultural land across tehsils such as Miraj Kavathe Mahankal Tasgaon and Jat in Sangli district as well as Sangola and Mangalvedha in Solapur districtThe cabinet also approved the allocation of land to Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune to construct a bridge over a nullah on a nominal annual lease of Re 1The hospital run by the Dinanath Mangeshkar Foundation had requested 795 square metres of land to construct the bridge which will connect its properties in Erandwane and Karvenagar The land will be leased at the nominal rate of Re 1 per year with the foundation bearing the construction costs The bridge is expected to improve accessibility for patients staff and ambulancesWith PTI inputs