Early Life and Education
Suresh Damu Khade, also known as Sureshbhau Dagadu Khade, was born on June 1, 1958, in Tasgaon, Sangli district, Maharashtra1. He pursued his education in Maharashtra and has a background in farming.
Political Career
Suresh Khade began his political journey with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has steadily climbed the ranks due to his commitment and hard work. He represents the reserved constituency of Miraj in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Khade’s political career gained significant momentum when he was elected as an MLA, showcasing his influence in his constituency and the faith people have in his leadership.
Ministerial Roles: Suresh Khade has held several significant ministerial positions in the Maharashtra government. He served as the Minister of Social Justice from June 16, 2019, to November 12, 2019, under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Currently, he is the Labour Minister of Maharashtra and the Guardian Minister of Sangli district in the Eknath Shinde ministry
Major Achievements
One of Khade’s notable achievements as a Labour Minister is his work on the welfare of unorganized sector workers. He has championed various schemes to extend social security benefits to workers in this sector, which makes up a significant portion of Maharashtra’s workforce. Under his leadership, the state has seen initiatives aimed at improving the working conditions and ensuring the rights of workers are protected.
Key Political Initiatives
Maharashtra Labour Minister Suresh Khade announced that the state government is developing a new application to automatically verify the authenticity of registered labourers. The initiative aims to address complaints about discrepancies in labour records. With nearly 50 lakh registered labourers in factories and 1.5 crore in the unorganised sector, the app will help ensure accurate verification and facilitate direct benefit transfers. The government is collecting a nominal fee of ₹1 from labourers to gather essential bank account details for this purpose.
Contributions
Chamundi Factory Explosion
One of the significant controversies involving Suresh Khade is related to the explosion at Chamundi Explosives Pvt Ltd in Nagpur, which resulted in the death of nine people, including six women, on June 13, 2024. The opposition accused the Maharashtra government of protecting the factory management after Labour Minister Suresh Khade stated that culpable homicide charges could not be invoked against the factory management. This led to a political uproar, with opposition leaders demanding accountability and a detailed report on the incident.
Allegations of Protecting Factory Management
The opposition, particularly the Congress party, accused the Maharashtra government of shielding the management of Chamundi Explosives Pvt Ltd. Labour Minister Suresh Khade’s department inquired with the state home department about invoking culpable homicide charges, but the home department informed that such charges could not be applied1. This response was not well-received by the opposition, leading to further demands for a thorough investigation.
Social Media
Personal Life
Details about Suresh Khade’s personal life remain largely private. However, it is known that he comes from a humble background, which has greatly influenced his political ethos and commitment to social justice.
Promises and Future Commitments
Maharashtra Labour Minister Suresh Khade announced efforts to provide housing for construction labourers affected by the COVID pandemic. The state government is facilitating this by utilizing vacant government lands and offering a total of ₹4.75 lakh per labourer for home purchases—₹2.75 lakh from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and ₹2 lakh from the Ministry of Labour. Khade urged developers to support this initiative, which was highlighted at the ‘Pride Best Facility Award 2022’ organized by CREDAI Pune Metro.
The Maharashtra government has introduced a significant measure to enhance the safety of Asha volunteers and group promoters. In the event of accidental death while on duty, their families will receive a financial grant of ₹10 lakh. For permanent disability, a grant of ₹5 lakh will be provided. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to supporting these crucial healthcare workers.
The Minister attended a program at Balgandharva Theater in Miraj to guide the launch of the Chief Minister Youth Work Training Scheme (Ladka Bhau). This initiative, following the success of the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana,’ aims to empower youth by offering 1 million internship opportunities and vocational training. The scheme includes government support for industry startups and emphasizes the importance of modern skills for employment. The Minister urged officials to expedite the rollout to maximize benefits for eligible youth.
The Minister attended the Bhoomipujan ceremony for various sports facilities at the Taluka Sports Complex in Miraj, which was held in the presence of distinguished guests.
The Minister has instructed officials to inspect and expedite the ongoing work at the Upazila Rural Hospital in Belanki. Efforts are being made to ensure the hospital is fully equipped and operational for public service as soon as possible. The Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining quality standards and avoiding any errors in the construction process.
During the event, various development projects were inaugurated, including the Sri Brahmanath Temple (₹2 crore) and the Khanderajuri to Gandhinagar road (₹2.40 crore). The Minister highlighted the substantial development efforts in the constituency funded by government schemes, emphasizing a continued focus on addressing public issues.
Videos and Interviews