Paid Leave for Voting: Maharashtra Declares Holiday on Jan 15 in 29 Cities

• Maharashtra announces paid holiday on January 15, 2026, in 29 municipal corporation areas for elections.
• The holiday aims to boost voter turnout, which is often low in urban areas due to work pressure.
• Applies to all private and government employees in the specified areas; no salary deduction is allowed.
• Key cities include Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nashik, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Aurangabad.
• Employers refusing leave or salary for voting will face legal action from the Labour Department.

Why It Matters: Maharashtra mandates paid leave on Jan 15 in 29 cities to ensure high voter participation in municipal elections.