Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 2 (HBTV): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday announced that 4,800 hectares of land currently in the state government's possession will be returned to farmers.

'In the state cabinet meeting, a big decision has been taken in the best interests of farmers. Almost 4,800 hectares of land which was in the possession of the government will be returned to the farmers. This is a historic decision and will benefit the farmers a lot,' Shinde told reporters after the cabinet meeting held in Mumbai.

Earlier today, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the implementation of a security system for the safety of the Mantralaya, the state secretariat.

'We are creating a security system for the safety of the Mantralaya. Under this, every person who comes to the Mantralaya will be given a pass. When the person leaves, they will have to return the pass,' CM Fadnavis told reporters following the cabinet meeting.

Fadnavis also revealed plans to create a unique ID system for work, akin to Aadhaar. 'A unique ID will be created for each work,' he said. Additionally, the CM announced the introduction of an E-cabinet to enable the e-movement of Cabinet files.

He elaborated on the land-related decision, stating, 'The lands for farmers that became Class 2 category because they could not repay revenue dues 30-40 years ago will now be converted to Class 1 and returned to the farmers.'

The Maharashtra CM, along with Deputy CM Shinde, reviewed the security arrangements at the Mantralaya with senior officials from the home department and police force.

'Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, Director General of Police, Mumbai Police Commissioner, and other senior officers of the Home Department were present in this meeting,' the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) posted on X. (ANI)