Mumbai, Feb 28: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed concern over the prolonged absence of elected representatives in local bodies across the state, emphasizing the need for municipal elections at the earliest. Speaking at the Mumbai Tech Week, he stated that only the Supreme Court can ensure the elections take place and expects a final decision from the apex court within the next two days.
"We want the elections to happen as soon as possible. Local bodies should not be deprived of their representatives. It is a matter of concern," Fadnavis said.
For over two years, several municipal bodies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), have been functioning without elected representatives. Bureaucrats have been managing thousands of crores in public funds, bypassing conventional democratic checks and balances. Estimates suggest that over ₹70,000 crore is managed annually by administrators in the absence of elected officials. A public interest litigation (PIL) demanding municipal elections is currently under review by the Supreme Court.
Cybersecurity Measures and Rising Digital Crimes
Fadnavis also spoke about the state’s focus on tackling the increasing threat of cybercrime. He predicted that in the future, cyber crimes would constitute the majority of criminal offenses, reducing the share of street crimes to about 30%.To address this, the Maharashtra government has established a dedicated cybercrime corporation and is developing a cybercrime headquarters in Navi Mumbai. He revealed that two other Indian states have approached Maharashtra to learn from its model and implement similar cybersecurity initiatives.
Infrastructure Push: Aiming for a More Affordable Mumbai
The Chief Minister acknowledged that Mumbai has become increasingly unaffordable due to inadequate infrastructure development, which has led businesses to favor Hyderabad and Bengaluru. He attributed this to a lack of infrastructure investments between 2000 and 2014 but assured that the government is actively addressing the issue.Fadnavis highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the Atal Setu, which he believes will help create a "third Mumbai" near the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. Additionally, a "fourth Mumbai" is envisioned around the Wadhawan Port in northern Maharashtra. The government is also planning to develop "thematic cities" dedicated to specific industries and activities.
Maharashtra Leads in Startups
Quoting Startup India data, Fadnavis declared Maharashtra as the startup capital of India, leading in both the number of startups and the amount of capital raised. He noted that 30% of startups in the state are technology-based, further reinforcing Maharashtra's dominance in the sector.Advice on Stress Management
On a personal note, Fadnavis shared insights on stress management, stating that he has become better at handling stress since taking office in 2014. While he refrained from recommending yoga, as he does not practice it himself, he acknowledged hearing about its benefits.As Maharashtra gears up for critical decisions on local governance, cybersecurity, and infrastructure, Fadnavis' remarks underline the state's ambitious roadmap for growth and modernization.
