Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently reshuffled his cabinet, introducing several new faces while leaving some veteran leaders out, sparking surprise in political circles. Some of the newly appointed ministers, who had been sidelined during the previous administration, quickly got to work. By Tuesday, many had already started holding meetings and visiting departments to review ongoing operations.
Among the new appointees, Yogesh Kadam, the Minister of State for the Home Department, took charge with urgency. He visited the Navi Mumbai police station, instructing officers to take strict action against drug suppliers during the Xmas and new year season and to curb crimes against women. Kadam also emphasized the need for regular reports from the police and called for enhanced focus on cybercrime prevention.
Sanjay Shirsat, the new Minister for Social Justice, also sprang into action. He visited government hostels, accompanied by the media, and expressed concern over their poor condition. He criticized government officials for neglecting necessary repairs, including replacing torn beds and cushions. Shirsat even inspected the hostel kitchens, warning officers of strict action if improvements were not made swiftly.
Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the State BJP President and Revenue Minister, made it clear that his government would not tolerate corruption in officer transfers. "From Talathi to Collector, no government official will be transferred through bribery. The Fadnavis government will uphold all rules and regulations," he asserted.
Nitesh Rane, the newly appointed Minister for Fisheries, emphasized a proactive approach in his department. "I want things to move faster, not slower," he told reporters after holding a meeting with fisheries officials. He also stressed the importance of coastal security, declaring, "No foreign enemy should ever challenge the security of our sea borders."
Dada Bhuse, the Minister for School Education, visited a school in Malegaon and met with teachers and students to discuss their concerns. Later, he held a meeting with officers in Nashik, outlining his vision for the department.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra's Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik took charge at his office in Mantralaya and proposed the introduction of cable cars to ease Mumbai’s traffic congestion. "I plan to introduce a ropeway system in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, similar to the one in Bangalore, to reduce traffic jams," he said.
Sarnaik also emphasized improving the state's transport systems, making them both efficient and profitable. He promised several initiatives, including concessions for women and senior citizens, as part of his vision for transforming state transport services.
