Page 6 - Devendra Fadnavis

Panel urges CM to revoke Hindi move, Fadnavis says primacy to Marathi

The Maharashtra government's language consultation committee has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to revoke the decision of making Hindi a mandatory third language for students of classes 1 to 5. Fadnavis on Sunday dismissed concerns over the "imposition" of the Hindi language in the state, asserting Marathi will continue to be compulsory. The state government has given its nod to implement the three-language formula under the National Education Policy. Accordingly, it has made Hindi a must for students of classes 1 to 5 in English and Marathi-medium schools. In a letter to the CM on Sunday, the language consultation committee's chief Laxmikant Deshmukh claimed the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) did not consider their thoughts and suggestions before making the Hindi push. While the government has appointed a language consultation committee to advise it on language matters, the SCERT has not taken the panel into consideration, the letter said. No .

Primacy to Marathi, no imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed concerns over the "imposition" of the Hindi language in the state on Sunday, asserting that Marathi will continue to be compulsory. The opposition parties, particularly Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS, have alleged that Hindi is being imposed in Maharashtra after the state government gave its nod to implement the three-language formula under the NEP. "It is wrong to say that attempts are being made to impose Hindi. Marathi will be compulsory in Maharashtra. There will be no other compulsion," Fadnavis told reporters after attending a programme organised at the Bhandarkar Research Institute in Pune. Responding to the row over the government's approval to make Hindi a compulsory third language in schools, Fadnavis said, "We need to understand that Hindi has not been made mandatory instead of Marathi. The Marathi language is a must". He said the New Education Policy states that two of the three languages to be taught to students must

Raj, Uddhav Thackeray hint at reunion, make common cause in language row

Raj Thackeray hinted at a possible reconciliation with cousin Uddhav amid growing concerns over Marathi identity and opposition to the state's Hindi language policy, setting the stage for major shift

Govt committed to making Marathwada drought-free, says CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that the state government was committed to making Marathwada drought-free and was making efforts in that direction. Talking about the measures the government plans to take to alleviate water scarcity in the region, Fadnavis said at least 53 TMC water flowing into the sea will be brought to the Godavari River Basin, and excess water from the Krishna and Koyna rivers will be diverted. The government will issue tenders for these works, he said while speaking at an event in Beed district. The Marathwada region comprises Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani, Hingoli, Dharashiv, Latur and Nanded districts. He said Marathwada's share from the Krishna River has been brought to Ashti city. Alluding to the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, the chief minister said while Beed has been in the news for the wrong reasons, the district has a long history of Warkari ideology and saints. He said despite facing ..

Marathi compulsory in Maha, learning other languages a choice: CM Fadnavis

Fadnavis, expressing surprise at the opposition to Hindi and the growing preference for English, warned that any challenge to Marathi will not be tolerated

PM Modi to inaugurate India Steel 2025 event in Mumbai on April 24

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate India Steel 2025 event which starts April 24 in Mumbai, an official statement said on Thursday. As per the Ministry of Steel, the three-day event will see a participation of more than 12,000 business visitors, 250 exhibitors, and 1,200 conference delegates representing various sectors, government departments, state governments, country delegations, and domestic and international buyers from India and abroad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the flagship event of steel industry on April 24, the ministry said. He will address the gathering through video conferencing in the presence of Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy, and Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Vishnu Deo Sai will also attend the event. This 6th edition of the biennial international exhibition and conference will br

Maha, Russian firm sign MoU to build thorium-based small modular reactor

Maharashtra on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Russia's state-owned company ROSATOM for development of a Small Modular Reactor based on thorium fuel. The MoU was signed in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis between Mahagenco and ROSATOM's 'Small Modular Reactor with Thorium Fuel' initiative. The main objective of this MoU is to jointly develop a thorium reactor in Maharashtra, commercialise thorium reactors as per safety standards of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), and establish an assembly line for thorium reactors under the 'Make in Maharashtra' initiative. "CM Devendra Fadnavis presided over the MoU signing between Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd (MAHAGENCO) and Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM for the development of a Small Modular Reactor based on Thorium Fuel," the CMO said in a post on X. The Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) will provide strategic support for the joint development

Mumbai to host WAVES from May 1 to 4, to become permanent venue: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that the first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) will take place in Mumbai from May 1 to 4. The chief minister said Mumbai will be the permanent venue for the yearly summit, which will boost the "creative economy", the fastest-growing in terms of wealth and job creation. He said 5,000 delegates from 100 countries are expected to attend the summit. Fadnavis said the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) will come up on land in Film City, and the Centre and state government have inked a memorandum of understanding for this project. He said that a 240-acre plot belonging to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in Malad can be used for film production and post-production activities, he said. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier said WAVES will focus on nurturing creative talent through 31 Create in India challenges, which have already shortlisted over 400 creators

NIA will decide where Rana will be taken for probe, says CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the National Investigation Agency and the Union Home Ministry will decide where 26/11 terror attack conspirator Tahawwur Rana will be taken for probe. He was responding to the question whether Rana, extradited from the US, will be brought to Mumbai. "Mumbai police will extend all cooperation to the NIA, and if we need any update on the probe, we will seek it from NIA. The NIA will decide where to take him,' Fadnavis said at a press conference here. He wanted to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the Mumbai citizens who lost their kin in the November 2008 attack for bringing Rana to India to face the country's justice system, he added.

Special law needed as Maoist groups active in urban areas, says Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said bringing the Special Public Safety Act is necessary as many banned Maoist organisations have shifted their bases to the state, with their affiliated groups now operating in urban areas. The proposed law does not interfere with the personal freedom of citizens but is directed solely at organisations engaged in anti-national activities, Fadnavis said on Wednesday while interacting with various journalist groups. He addressed concerns raised over the draft bill, which is set to be introduced in the monsoon session of the state legislature starting June 30. The law proposed by the Maharashtra government is crucial for ensuring internal security, the CM said, and assured the law will not pose any difficulties for journalists or the general public, nor will it curtail their freedom of expression. "The proposed Special Public Safety Act does not interfere with the personal freedom of citizens but is directed at organisations engaged in

Focus on investment, drought-free projects for Maharashtra growth: Fadnavis

The Maharashtra government is creating an ecosystem to attract investment across all regions and implementing four river-linking projects worth around Rs 3 lakh crore to make the state drought-free, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday. He said prominent regions and cities of Maharashtra are emerging as hubs in different sectors and this will address the issue of regional imbalance. Speaking at the 'India Global Forum Next" event in Mumbai, Fadnavis maintained Maharashtra is ensuring smooth and uninterrupted facilities for investors, and an ecosystem is being created to attract investment across all regions of the state. As a result, a balanced development will be seen throughout Maharashtra over the next five years, he insisted. Fadnavis underlined that the state is creating new investment opportunities and supporting the global supply chain. "The state is also leading in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India. In addition, many major national and ...

Modi will continue to be prime minister even beyond 2029, says Fadnavis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue to lead the country even beyond 2029 and there is no question of discussing a successor, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday. Fadnavis' assertion comes in response to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut's claim last month that Modi had visited Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headquarters in Nagpur to convey the message that he is retiring. When asked about his earlier comments made in Nagpur about Modi's successor, Fadnavis on Tuesday said, "I have said that it is not the right time to think of a successor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, because, in 2029, Modi will be prime minister again". He was speaking at the India Global Forum in Mumbai. Raut had claimed that Modi probably went to the RSS headquarters on March 30 to "write his retirement application in September, alluding to some leaders in the BJP retiring at 75. Modi, who is in his third term as PM, turns 75 in September this year. It appears that Modi's heir

MMRDA allocates plot to NSE in Mumbai's BKC for lease premium of Rs 757 cr

The allocated Plot C-82 in G Block, BKC, has a total area of 5,500 square metres and a built-up area of 22,000 square metres, with a permissible floor space index (FSI) of 4.00

Highlights: President Dissanayake confers Mitra Vibushana, Sri Lanka's highest award, on PM Modi

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Fadnavis slams Pune hospital for denying admission to woman, orders probe

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the formation of a committee to inquire into the death of a pregnant woman after she was allegedly refused admission by Pune's leading Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital over non-payment of a deposit of Rs 10 lakh. The controversy escalated on Friday with local political activists staging a protest outside the hospital and the hospital claiming that the woman's relatives were making misleading allegations. A day earlier, BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe claimed in a video message that Tanisha Bhise, the wife of his personal assistant, was refused admission by the hospital. She was taken to another hospital where she died after delivering twins, he said. A statement from the Chief Minister's Office said on Friday that he had taken serious note of the incident. "He has ordered the formation of an inquiry committee under the chairmanship of the Joint Commissioner of Charity, Pune," it said. It said that the deputy secretary or under-secretary of

15% tax rebate on new vehicle in Maharashtra if old voluntarily scrapped

The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday decided to provide a 15 per cent tax concession to owners who voluntarily scrap their vehicles when purchasing a new one of the same type. A statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said tax concession of 10 per cent will be given to transport vehicles voluntarily scrapped within eight years of registration at a Registered Vehicle Scrappage Facility (RVSF) and to non-transport vehicles voluntarily scrapped within 15 years of registration. A 15 per cent tax concession will be given to transport and non-transport vehicles subject to lump sum tax, said the statement issued after a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Whereas, a 15 per cent annual tax concession will be given to vehicles subject to annual tax for the next eight years from the date of registration in the transport category and for non-transport ones for the next 15 years, it said. The Certificate of Deposit received by the owner after scrapping ..

Aurangzeb's tomb protected, glorification won't be allowed: Fadnavis

While Aurangzeb's tomb remains a protected site, Fadnavis said structures violating legal provisions will be removed and glorification won't be tolerated

No need to discuss PM Modi's successor: CM Fadnavis to Sanjay Raut

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday dismissed speculation about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successor, asserting that Modi would continue to lead the country for many more years. Responding to Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut's claim that Modi went to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur on Sunday to convey the message to Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat that he is retiring, Fadnavis told reporters in Nagpur, In 2029, we will see Modi as the prime minister again. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, senior RSS leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji' Joshi said he is not aware of any talk of (PM's) replacement. There is no need to search for his successor. He (Modi) is our leader and will continue, Fadnavis said. Discussing succession while the leader is active is inappropriate in Indian culture, the CM added. In our culture, when the father is alive, it is inappropriate to talk about succession. That is Mughal culture. The time has not come to discuss it, he said, referring to Raut's claim .

Maharashtra govt summons Kamra, remains silent on Solapurkar, says Uddhav

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said the Maharashtra government summoned comedian Kunal Kamra for insulting a "traitor", but took no action against actor Rahul Solapurkar over his 'insult' of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Speaking to reporters a day after the Budget session of the state legislature ended, he also criticised the BJP over its outreach programme for Muslim families 'Saugat-e-Modi'. "You summon Kunal Kamra twice for insulting a traitor, but do not summon Rahul Solapurkar even once," Thackeray said. Kamra, whose parody song targeting Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde led to an attack by Shinde supporters on a studio here on Sunday, has been summoned by Mumbai Police. Shiv Sena (UBT) has often used the term 'traitor' for Shinde, who rebelled against Thackeray and split the party in 2022. Solapurkar recently came under fire after stating in a podcast that Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th century Maratha warrior king, escaped from Agra Fort by ...

Maha govt has shelved proposal to levy 6% tax on high-end EVs: CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced in the legislative council that the government won't implement its proposed 6 per cent tax on electric vehicles (EVs) priced above Rs 30 lakh. The announcement came while Fadnavis was responding to a question by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab during a discussion in the Upper House on EVs and air pollution. Parab raised concerns over the proposed tax, saying it would go against the Centre's efforts to promote non-polluting EVs through various incentives. The Maharashtra government's proposal to levy a 6 per cent tax on EVs above Rs 30 lakh would be counter-productive and contradict the broader objective of encouraging clean mobility, Parab said. Fadnavis conceded and said the government has concluded that the tax won't generate significant revenue. It could send a wrong signal about our commitment to electric mobility. Therefore, the state government will not go ahead with the 6 per cent tax on high-end electric