Page 22 - Devendra Fadnavis

Fadnavis knows everything about Oppn, how come he is unaware of drug mafia

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday accused Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of shielding the drug mafia in the state, referring to the recent seizure of mephedrone worth Rs 300 crore by the Mumbai police. Raut was interacting with reporters before joining a march in Nashik to protest the growing menace of drugs in Maharashtra. Fadnavis knows everything about the opposition. How come he doesn't know about the drug mafia? He is shielding the drug mafia and those who are taking haftas' (protection money)', he said. Calling Lalit Patil, a main accused in the Rs 300-crore mephedrone seizure case, the tip of the iceberg, Raut said, In fact, the friends of drug mafias are sitting in the assembly. It's the plight of Maharashtra that we have such a home minister (Fadnavis), Raut said. The arrest of Lalit Patil has triggered a war of words between the ruling dispensation and the opposition in the state. Hours after the news of Patil's arrest came on Wednesday, ..

Congress says pollution rising in Mumbai; demands MVA 'action plan'

Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad has claimed the city's air quality index has surpassed the danger level in the last few days due to which people are suffering from respiratory problems, and asked the Maharashtra government to implement the previous MVA regime's climate action plan. She also demanded an audit of expenses of all projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and criticised the manifold increase in their costs. "The state government should at least take into account views of the opposition parties in matters of public interest," Gaikwad said in a statement. She demanded that the government implement the Mumbai Climate Action Plan prepared during the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime. "A few years ago, Delhi had the worst air quality level, but Mumbai has overtaken Delhi too. The heat and humidity has also increased due to smog. This is affecting the health of Mumbaikars and there has been an increase in respiratory diseases," she said. According to a ...

Pawar should condemn terrorism, not think of vote-bank politics: Fadnavis

Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday targeted NCP chief Sharad Pawar, saying that he should strongly condemn terrorism and shun vote-bank politics while talking about the Israel-Palestine issue. Pawar, a former defence minister, had said earlier this week that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statements on the Hamas-Israel war seemed to convey a different position from the one articulated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In a post on social media platform X, Fadnavis said, My request to Sharad Pawar ji is not to think about vote-bank politics, but strongly condemn terrorism. India has never changed its position on the Israel-Palestine dispute. However, at the same time, India has been consistently against and has always strongly opposed terrorism in any form and against anyone. When the entire world has condemned the killing of innocent people in Israel and India did the same, Shri Sharad Pawar ji should also speak in the same language against ...

'Mahayuti' to focus on winning 45 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra: CM Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said constituents of the 'Mahayuti' (grand alliance) will now focus on winning 45 out of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state, in the general elections due next year. Mahayuti comprises the ruling BJP, Shiv Sena led by CM Shinde, and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). Targeting Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for reaching out to socialist parties, Shinde told reporters here that the move to join hands with socialist leaders amounts to "adulteration" of the Hindutva ideology. Thackeray, while addressing leaders of 21 socialist parties in the state on Sunday, claimed differences with them were mainly ideological which can be settled for the cause of democracy. The Sena (UBT) leader had also said "many of them may be Muslims but they are nationalists who want to protect the country's democracy". CM Shinde was speaking to reporters during visit to a Navaratri programme in Thane city shortly after midnight on Wednesday. Asked ab

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Will raise Muslim quota issue with CM Shinde and Fadnavis: Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday said he had held a meeting with the state minorities department minister and officials and would raise the Muslim quota issue with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to find a road ahead. Speaking to reporters in Pune, the NCP leader said he recently held a meeting with state minorities minister Abdul Sattar, officials from the concerned departments, and representatives of some organisations on the issues concerning the Muslim community. "Topics related to Maulana Azad Mandal, Wakf Board properties, and other issues were discussed at the meeting," he said. Pawar recalled that Muslims were granted the quota in education and government jobs (when the UPA government was in power). "The (high) court accepted the reservation (for Muslims) in education, but the quota in jobs was rejected. The Right To Education (RTE) Act was brought by the government for equal education later," he said. Pawar said he told the meeting that it was the opini

Fadnavis visits Nagpur rain-affected areas; says plan needed for Nag river

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday morning took stock of the rain situation in Nagpur and visited homes to interact with flood-affected families. Extremely heavy rainfall of 109 millimetres in three hours, including 90 mm between 2am and 4am on Saturday, inundated several areas of the city, he said. The National Disaster Response Force and its state counterpart SDRF are undertaking rescue and relief operations across Vidarbha's largest city, he informed. "As many as 10,000 homes have been affected. Mud has entered houses. The administration is providing medicines and help in cleaning up flood affected areas. The level of damage is serious. The amount of rainfall was higher than carrying capacity of the area," he told reporters. "We could have minimised the damage if some measures were taken earlier. The IMD had given an orange alert but it could not predict this much rain would fall in such a short time. There is always something to learn from such ...

Maharashtra govt won't disturb OBC quota in any way: Dy CM Fadnavis

The Maharashtra government is clear about not disturbing the OBC quota in any way, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday amid protests to oppose the inclusion of the Maratha community in the Other Backward Class category for reservation purposes. Fadnavis appealed to OBC members to end their protest in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur and Chandrapur. Speaking to reporters at Nagpur airport, Fadnavis said, The state government has taken a clear stand about not touching, reducing or sharing the OBC quota. Hence, we request the OBC community to withdraw their agitation. The deputy CM said he personally requested the agitators in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where he attended a special cabinet meeting earlier in the day. I believe that those (protesters) in Sambhajinagar will end their hunger strike, he said. Fadnavis said those agitating in Chandrapur and Nagpur should also withdraw their protest. I will be meeting those in Nagpur and request them to withdraw their .

1,499 new colleges to be set up in Maharashtra this year: Fadnavis

The Maharashtra government will set up 1,499 new colleges across the state this year, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday. In a social media post, Fadnavis said, The Maharashtra government will set up 1,499 new colleges this year in the state as part of a five-year plan approved in a meeting held here. The deputy CM said the plan is for the period 2024-29. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, he said. The meeting took place at the state government's Sahyadri guest house in Mumbai. The meeting also expressed satisfaction over effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), he said.

Court likely to pass order in Fadnavis's non-disclosure case next week

Final arguments in a case related to Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's alleged non-disclosure of criminal cases against him in an election affidavit ended before a magistrate's court here on Tuesday. The Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Sangram Jadhav is likely to pass the order on September 5, a lawyer said. Satish Uke, a city-based lawyer, had filed an application seeking criminal proceedings against the BJP leader, alleging that cases of cheating and forgery were registered against Fadnavis in 1996 and 1998 but he did not disclose this information in his poll affidavit ahead of the 2014 assembly elections. The final arguments by lawyers on both sides ended on Tuesday. Uke has also filed an application seeking transfer of the case to another court. He is presently in jail after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged money-laundering case.

Maharashtra tops in attracting FDI in 1st quarter of current FY: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the state secured the top rank in attracting Foreign Direct Investment worth Rs 36,634 crore which is more than the sum of investment received by Delhi, Karnataka and Telangana in the first quarter of FY 2023-24. Fadnavis also said he and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had delivered on the promise made when their government took over in June last year of making Maharashtra the number one state of the country. Maharashtra which was ranked first in attracting FDI of Rs 1,18,422 crore in the FY 2022-23, also ranks first in the 1st quarter of FY 2023-24. As per the figures released by DPIIT, an FDI investment of Rs 36,634 crore has come in Maharashtra," he said on Monday in a post on X. Maharashtra's FDI is more than the cumulative sum of FDI in Delhi, Karnataka and Telangana which rank second, third and fourth, respectively, he said. Under the leadership of CM Eknath Shinde, our state is moving ahead at a fast pace and ...

Maharashtra tops in attracting FDI in first quarter of current FY: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the state secured the top rank in attracting Foreign Direct Investment worth Rs 36,634 crore which is more than the sum of the investment received by Delhi, Karnataka and Telangana in the first quarter of FY 2023-24. Maharashtra which was ranked first in attracting FDI of Rs 1,18,422 crore in the FY 2022-23, also ranks first in the 1st quarter of FY 2023-24. As per the figures released by DPIIT, an FDI investment of Rs 36,634 crore has come in Maharashtra," he said on X, formerly Twitter. Maharashtra's FDI is more than the cumulative sum of FDI in Delhi, Karnataka and Telangana which rank second, third, and fourth, respectively, he said. Under the leadership of CM Eknath Shinde, our state is moving ahead at a fast pace and Maharashtra has become the favourite destination for investors, Fadnavis added. Fadnavis said he and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had delivered on the promise made when their government took over

Japan's top energy company keen on investing in Maharashtra: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said JERA Co Inc, Japan's largest power generation company, has expressed a strong desire to explore investment and partnership opportunities with the state government in areas of green hydrogen, ammonia, renewable Energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The deputy CM, who is on a visit to Japan, said Dr Masafumi Mori, also special advisor to Prime Minister of Japan, promised his government's support to the Versova-Virar Sea Link (VVSL), a big-ticket infrastructure project in the Mumbai region. Fadnavis said, Senior officials of the Maharashtra government made a presentation on green hydrogen policy of the state. Maharashtra is the first state to come up with a revolutionary green hydrogen policy which has captured the attention of many companies. JERA officials expressed a strong desire to explore investment and partnership with the state government in areas of green hydrogen and ammonia, renewable energy and LNG. ...

Centre to buy 200,000 metric tonnes onion at Rs 2,410 per quintal: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the Centre has decided to purchase two lakh metric tonnes of onion at the rate of Rs 2,410 per quintal, and expressed hope this will provide relief to producers of the key kitchen staple in the state. He also said special procurement centres will be set up in Nashik and Ahmednagar in the state. The announcement comes amid protests by farmers and traders against the Centre's decision to impose 40 per cent export duty on onions to check price rise and improve supplies in the domestic market. The Finance Ministry through a notification on August 19 imposed the 40 per cent export duty on onions till December 31, 2023. Fadnavis, who is currently on a visit to Japan, in a post on X said, I spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal regarding the onion issue. The Union government would procure two lakh metric tonnes of onion at the rate of Rs 2,410 per quintal. There will be special .

Fadnavis became arrogant after being made Maharashtra's Deputy CM: Saamana

Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday alleged that senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, who was earlier the chief minister of Maharashtra, has become intolerant and arrogant ever since he was made deputy CM, triggering sharp reactions from the saffron party. Fadnavis was a tolerant person earlier, but his frustration after being made the deputy chief minister resulted in him becoming intolerant and arrogant, the party claimed in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana'. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, objected to the language used in the editorial piece in the Marathi daily, whose editor is Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, while the executive editor is party's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut. Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said one should maintain decorum while criticising political opponents. He also warned of filing a complaint against Saamana', and said its vitriol needs to stop. BJP's youth wing and a few party leaders held a protest in the ...

Maha to play key role in PM's dream of India's $5 trn economy: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the government is working round-the-clock for all sections of the society and the state will have a "1 trillion dollar" share in India's 5 trillion dollar economy dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Fadnavis was addressing a gathering after hoisting the national flag in Nagpur on the occasion of the Independence Day. The Maharashtra government is working 24x7 for all sections of the society, he said. "The government will work to transform the lives of people. Maharashtra will have a share of 1 trillion dollar in the 5 trillion dollar economy dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said. Fadnavis also cited a Deutsche Bank's report which said Maharashtra has the most sound economy in the country. Maharashtra's economy will not just be sound, but strong taking along all sections of the society, the deputy CM said. He also lauded the Maharashtra Police, specially the Gadchiroli police force for receiving 32 ..

Maharashtra govt working on law to curb 'love jihad', says Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the state government was thinking about introducing a law to curb "love jihad" but will study similar legislations in other states before taking a decision. Love jihad is a term used by right-wing activists and outfits to allege a conspiracy by Muslim men to convert Hindu women to Islam through marriage. "Many cases have come up of girls getting married and converting. There is demand from all corners to make a law against this. Earlier, I had made an announcement in the House also. Accordingly, study of laws in various states is on and then the decision about it in Maharashtra will be taken, Fadnavis said. Speaking about the Supreme Court on Friday staying Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a 2019 defamation case related to a remark on the Modi surname, Fadnavis made a veiled attack on the opposition party by saying "some people think if the Supreme Court rules in their favour, then it (decision) is good

Fadnavis took action on 114,000 letters in 11 mths: Reply to RTI question

RTI activist Anil Galgali sought details on the action taken by the office of Maharashtra DCM Devendra Fadnavis regarding letters received from ordinary citizens, VIPs and government officials

Ratan Tata to get Maharashtra govt's first 'Udyog Ratna' award: Minister

The Maharashtra government has decided to confer the first 'Udyog Ratna' award on veteran industrialist and chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata

Police personnel won't be taken on contract, says Maha Dy CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said in the state assembly that police personnel will not be taken on contract. Fadnavis, who is also the state home minister, said he will give a detailed statement on the matter. Raising the issue in the House, state Congress chief Nana Patole said, You (the government) are recruiting police personnel on a contract basis. Your ministers are also on contract. When they take a briefing (from officials), they twist answers which is why questions take time to be answered. Give pointed replies. Responding to this, Fadnavis said no ministers are on contract. If you want to come on contract then we will think about it. Nowhere are police personnel taken on contract and it will not be done. I will give a detailed statement on it, the deputy CM said. In a bid to overcome the shortage of constables in the Mumbai Police force, the state government has given the nod to outsource 3,000 personnel from the Maharashtra State Secu