Fadnavis Gets Veto Authority Under New Maharashtra Governance Rules
What Happened
The Maharashtra government has notified the Maharashtra Government Rules of Business, 2026, giving Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis the authority to override decisions taken by any minister if he considers it to be in the public interest, provided the reasons are recorded in writing. The provision replaces the 1975 framework and follows a 2023 Bombay High Court ruling that said the CM lacked such powers under the earlier rules.
Key Takeaways
The move significantly strengthens the Chief Minister's role in state administration and centralizes decision-making authority, while supporters say it addresses a legal gap highlighted by the Bombay High Court. The new powers do not apply to judicial or quasi-judicial matters.