Page 25 - Devendra Fadnavis

Cabinet expansion soon, timeline to be decided by CM Shinde: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the state cabinet will be expanded soon and the timeline will be decided by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He also said Shiv Sena, led by Shinde, and BJP will fight all elections together, which was discussed during their meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. "Maharashtra cabinet will be expanded soon. CM Shinde will decide when it will happen," he told reporters. On August 9 last year, 18 ministers were inducted in the Shinde-Fadnavis government after it came to power in June, while as per rules the council of ministers in the state can have a maximum of 43 members. However, neither Shinde nor Fadnavis had given a specific timeline for the expansion of the council of ministers. Earlier, Shinde in a tweet informed that he and Fadnavis met Shah in Delhi on Sunday night. "Yesterday, we (Shiv Sena and BJP) discussed fighting all elections together and planning the joint strategy. We have

Maharashtra govt's new financial scheme to pay Rs 6,000 to farmers annually

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that more than ten million farmers will be benefitted from the state government's scheme

Expansion of Maharashtra cabinet soon, says Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis

The expansion of the Maharashtra cabinet will take place soon, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday. He was replying to media queries on cabinet expansion of the state government, which took charge on June 30 with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Fadnavis being sworn in. On August 9 last year, 18 ministers were inducted, while as per rules the council of ministers in the state can have a maximum of 43 members. "Cabinet expansion till take place soon," Fadnavis told reporters. He also dubbed Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole and Shive Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, both bitter critics of the Shinde government, as "bol ghevda", a Marathi term to describe chatterboxes prating endlessly.

Existing Parliament was a council hall: Fadnavis praises new building

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that the current Parliament structure was actually a council hall and for the first time, the country will have its own full-fledged Parliament building. The senior BJP leader was speaking to reporters here, a day after as many as 20 opposition parties announced their decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28. The opposition parties have accused the BJP-led Centre of denying President Droupadi Murmu, the first Adivasi woman President, her constitutional privilege to inaugurate the new Parliament building. Fadnavis said, One should not forget that the current Parliament building was actually a council hall. For the first time, India is going to have a full-fledged Parliament building. The deputy CM said there have been many instances in the past where state heads inaugurated important government buildings instead of inviting respective governors of

Maha CM, Dy CM take test drive on under-construction Trans-Harbour Link

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday inspected the under-construction Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) project, India's "longest" sea bridge that will reduce the travel time between the metropolis and and its satellite city Navi Mumbai, by taking a test drive on it. The chief minister termed the project as "game changer", while Fadnavis said it will be considered an "engineering marvel". The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed the Mumbai-bound carriageway of the project, also known as the Sewri-Nhava Sheva Trans Harbour Link, a 22-km long and six-lane access-controlled expressway grade bridge. The bridge begins at Sewri in south Mumbai and terminates at Chirle near Nhava Sheva in neighbouring Raigad district. An MMRDA official said it is the longest sea bridge in the country. A small function was held on the deck of the bridge, following which Shinde and Fadnavis went for a test drive towards Navi .

Uddhav govt did nothing for farmers hit by rains, crop loss: Fadnavis

The previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government under Uddhav Thackeray did not do anything for farmers distressed by unseasonal rains and crop loss and relief was provided to them by the Eknath Shinde dispensation, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday. Addressing a gathering of BJP functionaries in Katol here, he said the Shinde government had started various farmer welfare schemes after coming to power in June last year, adding that 12-hour daytime power supply will begin for the agriculture sector soon under the CM Saur (solar) Krishi Yojana. "The Uddhav Thackeray government did not do anything for farmers hits by unseasonal rains that damaged crops. Financial assistance was provided to them by the Eknath Shinde government. The Maharashtra government has set aside Rs 3,000 crore for drip irrigation, cotton shredders and will implement four schemes for farmers," he said. Expressing confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party will win upcoming polls in the ...

Gadkari requests Maha govt to consider shifting of proposed thermal project

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has written a letter to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to consider shifting of the proposed 2x660 MW thermal power project from Koradi in Nagpur to another location. In the letter dated May 14, Nagpur Lok Sabha member Gadkari mentioned that the NGO 'Vidarbha Connect' has said the power project can be set up at Parshivni (Parseoni) in Nagpur district. Gadkari cited a letter and concerns raised by the NGO which has requested for consideration and cancellation of the proposed 2x660 MW thermal power project proposed at Koradi in Nagpur on the ground of health hazards and to shift it to another location. The Union minister said the NGO's representation states that Mahagenco is planning to erect a new thermal power project with a total capacity of 1,320 MW at Koradi. The present power generation capacity of Koradi thermal power station is 2,600 MW and falls in the Nagpur metro region limits. The units at Koradi are adding to the health ..

Maha sets up SIT to probe forceful entry attempt into Trimbakeshwar temple

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday ordered setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a probe into the alleged attempt by a group of people from a different religion to force their way into the famous Trimbakeshwar temple in Nashik. Security guards at the Trimbakeshwar temple had thwarted the group's attempt on Saturday night, a temple trust official said on Monday. As per the temple management, only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple - one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The temple trust had submitted a complaint to the police. Some video clips of the incident went viral on social media platforms. The office of Fadnavis in a statement said an officer of the additional director general (ADG) rank will head the SIT. The SIT will not only conduct a probe into this incident, but will also investigate a similar incident which took place last year at the same temple. A group representing certain community had entered the temple, Fadnavis

MVA will never be able to form government in Maharashtra: Fadnavis

"Maha Vikas Aghadi's dream of forming the government (in Maharashtra) will never be fulfilled as BJP-Sena will be re-elected," he said

Maha govt will teach lesson to those who want unstable state: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said there are some organisations and people who want the state to be unstable, but the government will teach them a lesson. Speaking to reporters in Pune, Fadnavis also said those instigating riots will be exposed and the government will not let them succeed. Notably, clashes broke out between members of two communities in Maharashtra's Akola city on Saturday night over a social media post. One person was killed in the violence and eight others, including two policemen, were injured. In March, at least 12 persons including 10 policemen were injured after a mob of around 500 people hurled stones and petrol-filled bottles when the cops tried to control the situation following a clash between two groups near the Ram temple in Kiradpura locality of Aurangabad district. Fadnavis said, It is 100 per cent true there are some people and organisations that want the state to remain unstable. But the government will expose them an

Fadnavis sends 'wish-list of names' for Mumbai infra-projects to CM Shinde

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has written to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde demanding that various critical infrastructure projects coming up in Mumbai be 'named' after top icons

Karnataka results won't have impact in Maharashtra: Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the Congress won in Karnataka because some votes of the Janata Dal (Secular) got transferred to it, and the results would not have any repercussions in Maharashtra or elsewhere. Congress was headed for a comfortable majority in the BJP-ruled Karnataka as vote counting was on. "Karnataka election results will not have any impact nationally or in Maharashtra. The Modi government will come (to power again) nationally and the BJP-Shiv Sena in Maharashtra," Fadnavis told reporters here. Assembly elections are due in Maharashtra next year. The Janata Dal (Secular) lost a five percent vote share compared to 2018, and these votes got transferred to Congress which is why it won this time in the neighbouring state, the BJP leader further said. The BJP's vote share did not decrease, he added. "Some parties" think that they have won the country but there is a difference between Assembly elections and Lok Sabha elections, .

Pressuring Speaker won't be compatible with fair legal process: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar will take the decision on the disqualification of MLAs and other issues at an appropriate time and if anyone tries to pressure him in any way, then it won't be compatible with the country's free and fair legal process. Fadnavis was speaking to reporters at Nagpur airport, a day after the Supreme Court gave its verdict on last year's political crisis that led to the collapse of the three-party Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government following a rebellion by Eknath Shinde. Later, Shinde joined hands with the BJP to become the chief minister, with Fadnavis becoming his deputy. To a question about Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray hinting that they might approach the SC if a decision on the disqualification of 16 rebel MLAs is not taken within a month, Fadnavis said the SC has given all such rights to the Speaker and given him reasonable time as well. If anyone tries to pressure the .

No metro city in country is as safe as Mumbai: Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said Mumbai is the safest among metropolises in the country. Fadnavis, who also handles the home portfolio, was speaking after inaugurating the Women's Security Project of Navi Mumbai Police. After the Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case of 2012, awareness about women's safety increased, laws dealing with crimes against women were tightened in Maharashtra and now women's complaints are heeded immediately, he said. Although the number of crimes against women has increased, it is important to note that more and more women are coming forward to report such crimes, Fadnavis said. No other metropolis in the country is as safe as Mumbai, he said, adding that in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai women feel safe because of the prompt response of police and the Nirbhaya squad. Women in these cities can travel alone even late at night due to the vigilant and efficient police system, Fadnavis added. As our country and cities are big, maxi

Shinde will continue to be Maharashtra CM: Fadnavis ahead of SC's verdict

Eknath Shinde will continue to be the chief minister of Maharashtra and the next elections will be contested under his leadership, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday. His comments came as political circles in the state are on the edge a day ahead of the verdict of the Supreme Court on petitions pertaining to the 2022 Shiv Sena-centric political crisis, caused by Shinde's revolt against Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. Queried on whether Shinde will step down from his post in the event of an adverse ruling regarding the disqualification of 16 MLAs of his camp, Fadnavis said this discussion has no meaning. "I am sorry to use the word but it is an arena of idiots. I am telling you that Eknath Shinde will remain the chief minister and we will contest the next elections under his leadership. Why would Shinde submit his resignation? There is no need to indulge in any kind of speculation. What mistakes he had made? Fadnavis asked. A five-judge SC constitution bench headed by Ch

Banks insisting CIBIL score of farmers will face FIRs: Maharashtra DY CM

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said banks asking for CIBIL score from farmers before allotting crop loans would face FIRs. If a bank is found asking CIBIL score from farmers seeking crop loan, then an FIR should be filed against such bank. A decision is already taken by the state-level banking committee that the CIBIL score condition cannot be applied during crop loan disbursement. The Reserve Bank has also issued a circular regarding the same," Fadnavis told reporters in Amravati after holding a kharif season review meeting for the eastern region of Maharashtra. He said if some banks are going to harass farmers unnecessarily, then the government will have no other option but to register an FIR against such banks. He said some banks in Amravati have diverted the subsidy amount deposited into the bank accounts of farmers towards loan repayment. Not all the banks have been doing it, but some banks in Amaravati are found indulging in such practices. I h

How Balasaheb's 'sack of flour' is known to go against the grain

Did Sharad Pawar get his timing right to save NCP and unify the Opposition?

Fadnavis to unveil statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Mauritius

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday arrived in Mauritius, where he will unveil the statue of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. During his visit, Fadnavis will also meet representatives of various Mauritian companies in an event organised by Mauritius India Business Community, an official statement said. The deputy chief minister will attend an event with Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth to sign tourism-related agreements. As per the statement, Fadnavis and Jugnauth will attend a cultural event organised by the Maharashtrian community in the island country during the day and unveil a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. On Saturday, he will interact with members of the Maharashtrian community, it said, adding that he will also call on Mauritian President Prithvirajsing Roopun.

Sena says no need to take Maha BJP chief seriously on Fadnavis as 2024 CM

"BJP's high command is in regular communication with Fadnavis and he himself has asserted that Eknath Shinde will be the chief ministerial face (of BJP-Shiv Sena alliance) in next year's elections"

Not everyone can be CM: Fadnavis on Ajit Pawar's aspiration for the post

Fadnavis further added, "I don't know what is going on within the Maha Vikas Aghadi. I have repeatedly said that they are calling Vajra Muth but that Muth has many cracks, it can never be Vajra Muth"