Maharashtra Cabinet approved revisions to land acquisition compensation rules and measures to promote renewable energy. It revised the interest rate payable when compensation is delayed and approved stamp duty concessions for internal land transfers among group companies and special purpose vehicles set up for renewable projects. The decisions will be incorporated into state regulations. An amendment to Section 72 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 revised the interest on delayed compensation to be one percentage point above the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India lends to commercial banks. The government said the change addresses a gap between the existing rate and prevailing bank lending rates and aims to ensure fairer returns for affected landowners. The Cabinet approved a complete waiver of stamp duty on internal transfers between a parent company and group entities or special purpose vehicles for renewable projects, while the parent will continue to pay duty on initial land purchases. It also granted a 25 per cent concession in land transfer fees for renewable projects and said these measures will be included in the state renewable energy and energy storage policy for 2025-26 to 2035-36 to speed project commencement. Other approvals included creation of four agriculture department posts covering engineering, asset management, statistics and information technology, with two to be filled on deputation. The Cabinet authorised a loan of Rs 180.9 million (mn) to a cooperative sugar factory in Latur district from the National Cooperative Development Corporation for capital expenditure and working capital. It approved a single law to govern private skill universities, set a Rs 10 million (mn) application fee and revised land norms. Senior colleges were permitted to introduce social work as an independent faculty and the Cabinet approved posts and expenditure to establish courts and a government pleader's office at Hadgaon in Nanded district.