The Maharashtra Government has approved a proposal to amend the Cooperative Societies Act 1960 to ensure that members of cooperative societies do not lose their voting rights during the next elections. As per the current law, a member must attend at least one cooperative society meeting every five years, or he will be considered inactive and lose his voting rights. Currently, the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has halted the operations of a number of cooperative societies across the state. The cabinet has decided to allow such members to remain active members of societies, despite the possibility that many members would lose their voting rights if several societies were unable to hold their annual meetings. The state government postponed cooperative society elections until the end of August on April 6. In the meantime, the cabinet approved a plan to transfer the Annasaheb Patil Economically Backward Development Corporation from the skills development department to the state planning department. During its meeting, the council of ministers approved the higher and technical education department's proposal to convert the existing three colleges into a cluster university. The Rayat Shikshan Sanstha included colleges of arts, commerce, and science. In another decision, the cabinet approved a proposal from the state Medical Education Department to apply the 7th Pay Commission recommendations to teachers at aided private Ayurvedic and Unani colleges. This approval will increase the exchequer's financial burden by Rs 116.77 crore, plus arrears, beginning 1 January 2016. To bring parity in construction rights, FSI, and TDR in the region, the state cabinet has decided to merge the Pimpri Chinchwad New Township Development Authority with the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority. Image Source