Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar chose her maiden speech in the legislative council to introduce a “come early, go early” scheme for women government employees working in Mumbai. Marking International Women’s Day, Sunetra said the move was aimed at helping women working within the jurisdiction of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) avoid Mumbai’s peak-hour traffic and ease daily commuting.
As per the scheme, women employees can arrive at work between 9.15 am and 9.45 am and leave earlier in the evening by the same number of minutes they report early. Sunetra, who took over as Deputy CM after the tragic death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash, also highlighted the state’s aggressive stance on women’s safety and welfare.
Read Full Story
WOMEN SCHEMES IN SPOTLIGHT
She said that Operation Muskan and Operation Shodh have helped trace thousands of missing women and children till early 2026. To bolster this, she further stressed that 51 Bharosa Cells and special Missing Cells were now functioning across all districts.
On welfare measures, Pawar pointed out that women employees were now entitled to 180 days of maternity leave, along with the option of an additional year of leave on half pay. This, she said, was to ensure that women do not have to choose between their jobs and childcare.
On the economic front, Sunetra pointed to a suite of initiatives, including the Ladki Bahin and Lakhpati Didi schemes, alongside the Fourth Women’s Policy, which focuses on principles like ending sexual and gender-based violence, education, health, nutrition, etc.
Moreover, platforms like Umed Mall and Mahalakshmi Saras, she said, were helping self-help groups sell their products online and reach more buyers.
The Deputy CM also laid emphasis on the Adishakti Abhiyan, which focuses on addressing child marriage and school dropout rates in rural areas.
Referring to social reformers Savitribai Phule and Ahilyabai Holkar, Sunetra said women’s empowerment must go beyond financial support and include social dignity and security.
– Ends
Published By:
Abhishek De
Published On:
Mar 10, 2026 18:19 IST
