Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made several key announcements on Tuesday, March 11, for public welfare, including stricter noise pollution rules, reducing electricity tariffs, the launch of a public data platform. Meanwhile, it also aims to improve governance and improve transparency.
Noise Pollution Rules
The Maharashtra government has tightened noise pollution rules for loudspeakers at places of worship. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that any violation of noise limits will result in the permanent cancellation of loudspeaker permits.
The noise limit is set at 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night. Local police inspectors are responsible for enforcing these rules. They must monitor noise levels and report violations to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). The board has the authority to take legal action.
If police officers fail to enforce the rules, they will face disciplinary action. Loudspeaker permits will now be valid only for specific periods. Renewals will require new approval from the police. Police stations have also been equipped with sound meters. Inspectors must conduct regular checks and inform the MPCB of any violations.
Rooftop Solar Panel Program
The government is also launching a rooftop solar panel program. It will provide panels to homes that consume up to 300 units of electricity per month. This scheme is in line with the central government’s solar energy initiative.
Reduction in Electricity Tariff
The state government has also submitted a plan to reduce electricity tariffs for the next five years. A petition has been filed with the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission. The goal is to lower power rates every year until 2030.
Maharashtra is the first state to submit such a petition. The plan includes power companies like BEST, Tata Power, Adani, and Mahavitaran. The final approval rests with the electricity regulator. If approved, the new tariffs will be implemented for 2025–2030.
CM Dashboard Portal
A new online platform, the CM Dashboard, has been launched to make government data accessible to the public. The website will display information about government schemes, financial benefits, policies, and progress reports. It will also include court updates, RERA details, and law and order statistics.
The CM Dashboard will integrate data from all government departments. It will also include details from 34 departmental websites under the S3WaaS system. The platform is designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. Citizens will be able to find all government-related information in one place.
Update on Schemes Started by Opposition Government
The opposition has claimed that several welfare schemes were not included in the state budget for 2025–26. The Aanandacha Shidha plan, Vayoshree Yojana, Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana, and Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme were left out.
The earlier government had spent over INR 1,200 crore on these programs in the last financial year. The opposition criticised the government, accusing it of abandoning these schemes. However, the ruling administration denied and assured that no welfare programs would be discontinued.
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