Former Congress leader Narayan Rane announces his new party

Agencies

October 1, 2017

Mumbai, Oct 1: Nearly two weeks after quitting the Congress party, senior leader Narayan Rane on Sunday announced the formation of his new party, named Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha. While Rane was mum over whether he would back the ruling NDA, he did announce his support for the bullet train project and backed the development agenda of the BJP. This pointed towards his possible support to the ruling alliance in the near future.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Rane took potshots at the Shiv Sena, while sparing the BJP from criticism. "Shiv Sena will never leave power until it has been voted out by the voters," Rane said on the party's constant threats to pull out of the Maharashtra government.

Criticising Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray for his salvos against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, Rane said, "Who is Uddhav to talk about these elected leaders. Udhhav is just the leader of the Shiv Sena. He has no credentials to criticise them."

Slamming the Shiv Sena for playing the role of an opposition while still being in power, Rane said, "Shiv Sena does not want to think before speaking. They just want to criticise the BJP."

"If Shiv Sena wants to protest against BJP, then why are they coming on streets," Rane said adding that not a single Sena Cabinet minister raised any issue in the Assembly or in the Cabinet.

Recalling the Shiv Sena's stance over demonetisation and the GST rollout, Rane said, "Shiv Sena has a minister at the Centre but did your minister protest against it?"

Speaking on the Fadnavis government's farmer loan waiver scheme, Rane questioned Shiv Sena ministers and claimed that the party leaders has never given any assurance in writing on the loan waiver.

Rane also attacked the Sena over its doublespeak on corruption, drawing attention to the party's 25-year rule in the BMC.

"The BMC is the most corrupt institution in India. So, Uddhav has no right to talk on corruption," Rane said.

Rane claimed that the constant bickering between the Shiv Sena and the BJP is affecting Maharashtra's economic development.

The former Mahrashtra chief minister's political career with Congress party was always under a question mark after he gave repeatedly hinted of taking a "big decision" on his future. Finally on 21 September, Rane announced his resignation from the Congress, a party which he joined after the Shiv Sena shunted him out in 2005.

"I have handed over my resignation to party chief Sonia Gandhi at 2.30 pm today. I have quit as Congress MLC and resigned from all party posts," Rane said.

Rane blamed the Congress' deception for his move. Rane said, "The Congress party repeatedly assured that I will be made the chief minister of Maharashtra when I joined them 12 years ago. But they never fulfilled their promise."

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No more agency jobs? Karnataka panel pushes for end to job outsourcing by 2028

News Network

November 21,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 21: The Karnataka government is facing pressure to overhaul its employment system after a high-level Cabinet sub-committee recommended the complete phase-out of job outsourcing in government offices, boards, and corporations by March 2028. The move is aimed at tackling a systemic issue that has led to the potential violation of constitutional reservation policies and the exploitation of workers.

The Call for Systemic Change

With over three lakh vacant posts currently being filled through private agencies on an outsource, insource, or daily wage basis, the sub-committee highlighted a significant lapse. "As a result, reservations are not being followed as per the Constitution and state laws. It’s an urgent need to take serious steps to change the system. It has been recommended to completely stop the system of outsourcing by March 2028," the panel stated in a document.

The practice of outsourcing involves private companies hiring workers to perform duties for a government agency. Critics argue this model results in lesser salaries, a lack of social security benefits (otherwise available to permanent government employees), and a failure to adhere to the provisions of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and prohibit discrimination.

The 'Bidar Model' as a Stop-Gap Solution

To regulate the current mode of employment and reduce worker exploitation until the 2028 deadline, the government plans to establish workers’ services multi-purpose cooperative societies across all districts, following the successful "Bidar Model."

The Bidar District Services of Labour Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Ltd., which operates under the District Commissioner, is cited as a successful example of providing a measure of social security to outsourced staff. Labour Department officials argue this society ensures workers receive their due wages and statutory facilities like ESI (Employees' State Insurance) and PF (Provident Fund), in exchange for a 1% service fee collected from the employees.

legislative push and Priority Insourcing

The recommendations, led by the sub-committee headed by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, are set to be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting. The committee has proposed the introduction of the Karnataka Outsourced Employees (Regulation, Placement and Welfare) Bill 2025.

In a move addressing immediate concerns, Labour Minister Santosh Lad, a member of the sub-committee, has reportedly assured that steps will be taken over the next 2-3 years to insource workers in "life-threatening services" on a priority basis. This includes essential personnel like pourakarmikas (sanitation workers), drivers, electrical staff in the Energy Department, and Health Department staff handling contagious diseases. The transition aims to grant these workers the long-term security and benefits they currently lack under the outsourcing system.

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