Maharashtra Government to Mandate Police Verification for Delivery Workers

In a significant move to enhance public safety, Maharashtra's Labour Minister Akash Fundkar has announced that the state will soon require online food delivery and quick-commerce companies to conduct mandatory police verification for their delivery personnel. This decision comes in response to growing concerns about the safety of vulnerable groups, including women and the elderly, who may be at risk due to the lack of proper checks on delivery workers. Fundkar emphasized that companies must ensure compliance with these new regulations to protect the community.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 2, 2026, 11:12 IST

New Safety Measures for Delivery Personnel in Maharashtra

On Saturday, Maharashtra's Labour Minister Akash Fundkar announced that the state will soon implement regulations requiring online food delivery and quick-commerce companies to conduct mandatory police checks on their delivery personnel and gig workers.

During a session in the state Assembly, Fundkar addressed concerns regarding public safety, highlighting that many delivery workers are employed through online platforms and third-party contracts, which often allows companies to evade direct accountability.

The home department has already engaged in discussions with the labour department regarding this issue, proposing that delivery workers obtain a police clearance certificate, Fundkar stated.

According to the minister, companies like Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, and Amazon have been hiring delivery partners without adequate police verification.

Fundkar expressed that the hiring of delivery workers through third-party agencies, especially those working at odd hours, poses safety risks for women, the elderly, and other vulnerable populations.

He explained that the registration process for these roles involves online applications where potential delivery partners and gig workers provide identity documents, vehicle information, and police verification details.

“Further instructions will be issued to ensure that no delivery worker is employed without police verification,” Fundkar emphasized. He also mentioned that companies will be required to hire gig workers only after this verification process is completed.

Fundkar warned that any worker found operating without police verification should be dismissed, and the home department will take action against companies that do not comply with these new regulations.