Maharashtra Govt Announces Flexible Work Timings for Women Employees in Mumbai Region

Mumbai, 11th March 2026: Women employed in government offices across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region will soon have the option of flexible reporting and exit timings, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar informed the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Tuesday.

Speaking during a special discussion held to mark International Women’s Day, Pawar said the state government has decided to introduce a 30-minute flexibility window for women employees in government departments. Under the proposal, women staff members will be able to sign in anytime between 9.15 am and 9.45 am. Their departure time will be adjusted accordingly based on their arrival.

Pawar said the move is expected to ease daily commuting challenges faced by women, particularly during rush hours in the Mumbai region. “Allowing women employees to start their workday slightly earlier or later will help them manage peak-hour travel more comfortably,” she said in the House.

Highlighting measures taken for the safety of women and children, Pawar said the state government has intensified efforts to trace missing persons. She informed the council that under Operation Muskan, authorities have traced 42,594 missing children between July 2015 and February 2026.

Similarly, she said Operation Shodh has helped locate 5,066 women and 2,771 children who had gone missing during the same period. “The government has strengthened institutional mechanisms to deal with such cases and ensure timely intervention,” Pawar said.

According to the deputy chief minister, missing persons cells have been established in all districts of Maharashtra to improve coordination between law enforcement agencies. In addition, 51 Bharosa Cells have been set up across the state to provide support and assistance to women facing distress or violence.

Pawar also said special security units have been deployed at major railway stations in Mumbai, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Churchgate and Borivli, with a focus on preventing cyber-related crimes targeting women.

She further informed the council that the state government has formed a high-level committee to oversee the implementation of Maharashtra’s fourth women’s policy, which was recently approved.

Addressing concerns raised about Anganwadi workers, Pawar said the government is committed to improving their working conditions. She assured members that steps will be taken to strengthen basic infrastructure for Anganwadi sevikas and their assistants while also exploring ways to enhance the honorarium paid to them.