Mumbai, Jun 16 (PTI) The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved the Rural Drinking Water Policy 2026 aimed at ensuring a sustainable and quality drinking water supply in villages.
The cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, also gave its nod to setting up a High Energy Medical Cyclotron Project in Nagpur to strengthen disease diagnosis and treatment facilities.
Under the new Rural Drinking Water Policy, the government will focus on long-term and sustainable solutions to drinking water scarcity in rural areas.
The policy envisages integration of various water supply schemes and implementation of measures to ensure clean, safe and quality drinking water for rural households, according to an official release.
The government said the policy would facilitate sustainable development of rural drinking water schemes and provide a framework for long-term planning and efficient implementation, it said.
The High Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (NHECP), described as the only one of its kind in central India, is expected to improve diagnostic accuracy in medical treatment and provide relief to patients by enabling advanced detection of various diseases.
The cabinet also approved the Maharashtra Unmanned Systems Policy 2026 to promote the manufacturing of drones and robotic systems for aerial, marine, land-based agricultural and industrial applications.
The policy seeks to encourage research and development, skill development and training in unmanned technologies, including drones for use in hazardous and challenging environments.
The state government okayed a revised implementation framework for the BharatNet programme. A special purpose vehicle, Mahanet Digital Infrastructure Limited (MDIL), will be established to execute the amended programme and strengthen digital connectivity infrastructure across the state, according to the statement.
The cabinet also cleared amendments to the Maharashtra Employment Guarantee Act, 1977, to align it with the provisions of the Viksit Bharat-G Ramji Act, 2025, and approved the issuance of an ordinance to facilitate the effective implementation of the scheme.
In another decision, the cabinet granted a final six-month extension to candidates elected to reserved seats in local self-government bodies for the submission of caste validity certificates.
Necessary amendments to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, Maharashtra Municipalities Act and Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Townships Act were also approved. PTI MR NSK
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