Maharashtra Forms Panel to Strengthen Workplace Safety Laws

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Friday, 26 June 2026

The Maharashtra government has announced the formation of a committee comprising women legislators from both Houses of the State Legislature to review existing laws on workplace sexual harassment and recommend measures to strengthen their implementation. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement in the Legislative Council on 25 June, stating that the initiative aims to improve legal safeguards for women and address gaps identified in recent cases.

Key Highlights:

• Maharashtra forms women legislators' panel to review workplace safety laws
• The committee will recommend legal reforms on sexual harassment safeguards
• The decision follows recent workplace harassment cases raised in the Legislature

The decision comes amid growing concerns over the effectiveness of existing legal mechanisms for preventing workplace harassment. Speaking during Question Hour, Mr. Fadnavis said the proposed committee would examine current legislation, review past incidents involving workplace sexual harassment, and submit recommendations to the state government for consideration. He assured the House that the government would implement the panel's recommendations wherever necessary.

The issue was raised by BJP MLC Chitra Wagh, who sought details of the investigation into an alleged case involving a female employee at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) office in Nashik. Responding to the discussion, the Chief Minister informed the House that multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) had been registered and that the employee's manager had also been named as an accused for allegedly failing to act on the complaint.

Describing the Nashik incident as "eye-opening", Mr. Fadnavis said the case had highlighted shortcomings in the implementation of laws designed to protect women at the workplace. He clarified that TCS had fully cooperated with the investigation and that the company itself was not accused in the matter. According to the Chief Minister, the government believes that while Maharashtra already has legal provisions addressing workplace sexual harassment and unlawful religious conversion, stronger enforcement mechanisms are required to ensure their effective implementation.

The newly constituted committee will consist of women legislators from both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. It will examine existing legal provisions, study previous cases involving workplace harassment and other related concerns, and recommend amendments or additional safeguards where necessary. The committee is also expected to review institutional responses to complaints and identify measures that strengthen accountability across workplaces.

The discussion in the Legislature also extended to other alleged incidents. Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande highlighted an alleged attempt to convert female students at a government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Solapur and raised concerns over another workplace harassment case involving a female employee at a Spanish company in Talegaon Dabhade, Pune district.

Responding to these concerns, Mr. Fadnavis directed authorities to conduct an immediate investigation into the Solapur ITI allegations. He also announced a senior-level inquiry into the Talegaon Dabhade case, stating that the investigation would be completed within 15 days and that strict action would follow if any wrongdoing was established.

The committee's formation reflects the Maharashtra government's broader effort to strengthen workplace safety for women by reviewing the effectiveness of existing legislation rather than introducing entirely new laws. Its recommendations are expected to focus on improving implementation, addressing procedural gaps, and enhancing protections available to women employees across both public and private sector organisations.