Did CM Fadnavis Really Refute the Opposition's Claims on Law and Order in Maharashtra?
Synopsis
In a recent address, Maharashtra's CM Devendra Fadnavis rebuffed the Opposition's claims of deteriorating law and order, citing a remarkable conviction rate of 96.24%. He highlighted improvements in response times for emergency services and ongoing efforts to combat crime, particularly against women and children, while also addressing agricultural developments in the region.
Key Takeaways
Conviction Rate: Maharashtra's conviction rate stands at 96.24%.
Emergency Response: 'Dial 112' response time improved to 7.37 minutes.
Crime Reduction: Decline in crime rates noted in Pune.
Missing Persons: Major successes in locating missing women and children.
Irrigation Backlog: Significant progress in clearing irrigation backlogs in Vidarbha and Marathwada.
Nagpur, Dec 14 (NationPress) Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday rejected the Opposition's assertions regarding a decline in law and order within the state, asserting that the conviction rate has markedly risen to 96.24 percent in Maharashtra.
He highlighted that the response time for the 'Dial 112' service has been cut down from 15 minutes to about 7.37 minutes.
During a discussion in the State Assembly regarding a motion from the previous week, the Chief Minister noted a decrease in crime rates in Pune from October 2024 to October 2025.
On the subject of crimes against women and children, CM Fadnavis indicated that the complaint registration rate exceeds 99 percent.
He also shared that the percentage of charge sheets filed within 60 days for crimes against women has surged to 87.8 percent by October 2025.
Through initiatives like 'Operation Muskan' and 'Operation Shodh', numerous missing women and children have been located. Approximately 86 percent of reported kidnapping cases in the state are resolved within one year, with the resolution rate hitting 99 percent in Mumbai.
CM Fadnavis announced an escalation in actions against cybercrime, narcotics, and organized crime.
MahaCyber is being utilized to combat offenses like cyber fraud, fake call centers, and digital arrests, establishing itself as a cutting-edge cyber headquarters nationally. He noted that multiple states and two foreign nations have sought collaboration with MahaCyber.
He emphasized a strict zero-tolerance policy against illegal drugs, enforcing stringent measures against traffickers under the MOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) and MPDA (Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act).
The Chief Minister shared statistics on police recruitment, stating that over 88,000 police personnel have been appointed in the last decade.
He expressed optimism that vigorous actions against criminals will persist in the state.
He added, 'Maharashtra will not pause now; with collective effort, we must advance Maharashtra.'
In parallel, the Chief Minister reported that the Maharashtra government has successfully tackled the irrigation backlog in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.
The irrigation backlog of 13.83 lakh hectares in these areas has nearly been resolved.
According to the backlog established by the Indicator Backlog Committee, 13.34 lakh hectares have been irrigated, leaving only 49,000 hectares of backlog remaining.
This remaining backlog is primarily confined to the three districts of Akola, Buldhana, and Hingoli.
In Akola, against the remaining backlog of 14,530 hectares, 19,335 hectares of irrigation capacity will be developed by 2026-27, while in Buldhana, against 29,000 hectares of backlog, 1,68,000 hectares will be brought under irrigation.
CM Fadnavis mentioned that a budget of Rs 2,399 crore has been allocated this year specifically for the Jigaon project, which will allow Buldhana district to transition directly from deficit to surplus.
'The extension work of the Gosikhurd project, seen as the lifeline of Eastern Vidarbha, is nearing completion, creating a total of 2.54 lakh hectares of irrigation capacity. A fund of Rs 1,555 crore has been sanctioned for this, with completion expected by June 2027.
'Most of the total 485 irrigation projects in Vidarbha have been finished, with 7.66 lakh hectares of added capacity anticipated from the remaining 74 projects. Additionally, 4.04 lakh hectares will be irrigated due to the Rs 1 lakh crore Wainganga-Nalganga mega river linking project, with a target to finalize all approvals by February 2026.
The Chief Minister voiced confidence that the diversion of Damanganga-Narpar-Girna water for Marathwada, along with flood diversion projects from Kolhapur-Sangli to Ujani, will permanently alleviate drought conditions.
--ANS
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Point of View
The claims made by CM Fadnavis indicate a firm stance on law and order in Maharashtra. While the Opposition raises concerns, the government's reported improvements in conviction rates and emergency response times suggest a focused approach to governance. The developments in irrigation also point to a broader commitment to addressing regional challenges, reflecting a proactive agenda.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current conviction rate in Maharashtra?
The conviction rate in Maharashtra has reached an impressive 96.24%, according to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
How has the emergency response time improved?
The response time for the 'Dial 112' service has decreased from 15 minutes to about 7.37 minutes.
What initiatives are being implemented to combat crime against women and children?
'Operation Muskan' and 'Operation Shodh' are ongoing initiatives aimed at locating missing women and children.
What steps are being taken against cybercrime in Maharashtra?
MahaCyber is being utilized to tackle issues such as cyber fraud and digital crimes, establishing a modern cyber headquarters.
What progress has been made in irrigation projects in Vidarbha and Marathwada?
The irrigation backlog of 13.83 lakh hectares in these regions has nearly been cleared, with substantial investments allocated for various projects.
