Maharashtra

Maharashtra bypolls: Sunetra Pawar leads in Baramati; BJP ahead in Rahuri

Counting of votes for bypolls to the Baramati and Rahuri assembly seats in Maharashtra got underway on Monday morning. A voter turnout of 58.27 per cent was recorded in the Baramati assembly constituency, where Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar is contesting, while Rahuri registered a 56.20 per cent turnout, as per election officials. The counting of votes began at 8 am in both the assembly segments. The Baramati seat in Pune district fell vacant following the death of then Deputy CM and Nationalist Congress Party president Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28, necessitating the bypoll. His wife Sunetra Pawar, who is contesting her first assembly election, is among the 23 candidates in the fray. She had appealed to voters during the campaign to support her as a tribute to her late husband. No major political party fielded a candidate against her, and she is expected to secure a comfortable victory given her family's hold over the constituency. The Rahuri assemb

Dharavi rehab: Upper-floor eligibility tied to ground-floor status, records

Eligibility for upper-floor residents under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) is contingent in part on the status of ground-floor occupants, with affidavits accepted only if the lower unit qualifies, officials said. A government resolution dated October 4, 2024, extends benefits to upper-floor residents who can prove occupancy before a November 15, 2022, cut-off, offering 300 sq ft homes outside Dharavi but within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Beneficiaries can opt for a hire-purchase model, paying nominal rent for 25 years before ownership transfers, or choose early ownership by paying a pre-approved sum. Officials said the policy marks a departure from past slum rehabilitation schemes, which typically excluded upper-floor occupants. Eligibility is determined through a hierarchy of documents, including electricity bills, registered rent or purchase agreements, and government-issued IDs showing the upper-floor address prior to the cut-off date. Affidavits - classified as th

Paneer or substitute?: Maharashtra govt mandates disclosure by restaurants

Restaurants and eateries across Maharashtra are now required to clearly inform customers whether the "paneer" served in dishes is genuine cottage cheese or a substitute, officials said on Friday. The state Food and Drug Administration's March 20 directive, which came into effect on Thursday, was issued to ensure transparency and prevent consumers from being misled by the use of cheaper non-dairy alternatives instead of paneer. As per the directive, all food businesses, including restaurants, hotels, caterers and fast-food outlets, must explicitly disclose the use of substitutes, commonly known as cheese analogues, on their menus, bills and display boards, an official said. Manufacturers and suppliers have also been directed to label such products accurately, he said, adding that action will be taken against violators under food safety laws. Paneer is a product made entirely from milk, while a cheese analogue is prepared using edible oils, starch and emulsifiers. Though such ...

Multiple states roll out independent AI policies to drive investment, jobs

Maharashtra joins five states with AI policy as others roll out funds, skilling plans and frameworks to drive investment, innovation and public service delivery

Ex-Rajya Sabha member Dr Gopalrao Patil passes away at 94 in Maharashtra

Former Rajya Sabha member and noted paediatrician Dr Gopalrao Patil passed away in Maharashtra's Latur city on Tuesday morning following an illness, family sources said. He was 94. Patil breathed his last at a private hospital here at 7.12 am, they said. He served as a Rajya Sabha member from the BJP between 1994 and 2000 and contributed to key parliamentary committees, including commerce, external affairs, and railways. Patil was also a visionary educationist. He founded the Shiv Chhatrapati Shikshan Sanstha, which runs Rajarshi Shahu College in Latur. Born on October 3, 1931, at Kavtha village in Dharashiv district, Patil pursued his medical education from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and went on to become one of Latur's most respected child specialists. His free medical services in rural areas had earned him the affectionate title of 'Devmanus' among locals. He had also served as a lecturer in a medical college in Kurnool, Hyderabad and worked as a medical officer in Kurund

Consumer protection: Flat buyers' rights must not be scuttled by financiers

Seldom do courts take cognizance of Section 9 of the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act, which says that if a mortgage is created, it shall not affect the buyer's rights

4-member panel with retired judge, ex-IPS officer to probe Nashik TCS case

On Friday, the Maharashtra ATS took custody of two accused, Safi Shaikh and Raza Memon, in the alleged forced conversion case linked to Nashik Tata Consultancy Services

Mumbai's skyline soaring, but housing supply struggles to keep pace

These days prices for some apartments in Worli are on par with parts of New York, and developers are building luxury amenities to make analysts and traders feel at home

Mumbai's skyline soaring, but housing supply struggles to keep pace

These days prices for some apartments in Worli are on par with parts of New York, and developers are building luxury amenities to make analysts and traders feel at home

BJP minister Nitesh Rane claims 'corporate jihad' in Maharashtra

Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane on Thursday claimed the emergence of "corporate jihad" in the state, and said giving preference to hiring only Hindu candidates was the "need of the hour" to prevent "jihadist activities". His remarks were in reference to the alleged attempts to religious conversion and sexual harassment that have surfaced in a BPO unit of the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Nashik. Police have arrested eight employees of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), including seven men and a female operations manager. Another female employee is absconding. The National Commission for Women on Wednesday said it has set up a fact-finding committee to probe the alleged incidents of sexual harassment of employees. Referring to the TCS case in Nashik, Rane alleged that jobs were being misused as a tool for religious conversion. "If every platform, from trade to corporate offices, is used to target Hindus through various forms of jihad, it is time for a firm respons

11 killed after van collides with cement mixer in Maharashtra's Thane

Eleven people were killed and two severely injured after a van collided with a cement mixer on a bridge in Maharashtra's Thane district on Monday, police said. The fatal crash occurred around 10.45 am on the Raita bridge in Govili village of Murbad, an official from the district rural police told PTI. The van heading to Murbad from Kalyan collided head-on with a cement mixer coming from the opposite direction, he said. At least 11 occupants of the van have died, and two injured have been shifted to the central hospital at Ulhasnagar, Murbad tehsildar Abhijit Deshmukh said. Six of the victims have been identified, and the process of identifying the others is underway, a senior police official said. The deceased included eight men and three women, he said. Following the accident, traffic was affected on the road from Kalyan to Ahilyanagar for a few hours. The stretch has now been cleared, he said.

President Murmu to embark on four-day visit of Gujarat, Maha from Monday

President Droupadi Murmu will be on a four-day visit of Gujarat and Maharashtra from Monday, her office has said. She will grace the first convocation ceremony of AIIMS Rajkot on Monday, it said. On April 14, the President will grace the 'Samajik Samrasta Mahotsava' at Lok Bhavan, Gandhinagar, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, said a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. On the same day, Murmu will also grace the fifth convocation ceremony of Rashtriya Raksha University at Gandhinagar. The President will grace the second convocation ceremony of AIIMS Nagpur on April 15. On the same day, she will grace the valediction ceremony of the 78th batch of Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) Officer Trainees at the National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur, the statement said. On April 16, Murmu will grace the sixth convocation ceremony of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya at Wardha.

Maharashtra govt orders setting up of 24/7 helplines to expand PNG coverage

The Maharashtra government has directed city gas distribution companies to activate 24/7 helplines and increase the number of centres processing applications for piped natural gas connections, amid the impact of the West Asia crisis on global energy supply chains. A Government Resolution (GR), issued by the Food and Civil Supplies Department on Friday, instructed companies to expand outreach and infrastructure to ensure wider PNG coverage across the state. The GR said disruptions in global energy supply have affected petroleum product availability, leading to constraints in LPG supply, and emphasised the need to accelerate PNG connections as a short-term mitigation measure. It directed city gas distribution (CGD) companies to operationalise 24-hour helplines for consumers and ensure citizens do not face inconvenience while applying for connections. The companies were also asked to increase the number of helplines and helpdesks based on city population and rising demand. Further, th

Vietnam's Vingroup signs pact to invest $6.5 billion in Maharashtra

Vingroup Signs MOU with Maharashtra, Further Expanding its Multi-sector Ecosystem in India

Baramati bypoll: Sunetra Pawar files nomination papers for Apr 23 election

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Sunetra Pawar on Monday filed her nomination papers for the April 23 Baramati assembly bypoll. She filed the papers in the presence of her party colleagues Sunil Tatkare, Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dhananjay Munde and Hasan Mushrif as well as Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, and state minister and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule. The three parties comprise the ruling Mahayuti. Before filing her nomination papers, she made an emotional appeal to the people of Baramati to stand by her in the same way as they always supported her late husband Ajit Pawar. The death of then Deputy CM and NCP stalwart Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28 necessitated the Baramati assembly bypoll. Sunetra Pawar said she was committed to carrying forward his legacy of development. Describing Ajit Pawar's demise as a "profound loss" not just for her family but for the entire state, she said, "Never in our dreams did we imagine t

May withdraw from bypoll if FIR filed in Ajit Pawar plane crash: Congress

The Maharashtra Congress on Monday said it will consider withdrawing from the Baramati assembly bypoll if a first information report (FIR) is registered in the plane crash that killed former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe, in a statement, rejected claims that the April 23 by-election should be held unopposed, and accused the BJP of adopting a "convenient" political stance. The Congress on Sunday fielded its state unit secretary, Akash More, against Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar for the Baramati bypoll, necessitated due to the death of sitting Nationalist Congress Party MLA and then deputy CM Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in the constituency on January 28. He had represented the seat in Pune district eight times, with some of his victories coming with record margins. While the Opposition NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) have extended support to allow the bypoll to be held unopposed, the Congress has maintained that it will contest it. Lond

Buddha's teachings relevant in conflict-ridden world: Eknath Shinde

The world needs "Buddha, not war" to navigate global conflicts, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde has said, citing that Buddhism represents a socio-political revolution essential for social transformation. Addressing the 8th International Buddhist Dhamma Conference here on Sunday, Shinde characterised Buddhism as a movement for change. The conference was organised by the Buddha Ratna Sagar Welfare Foundation and attended by monks, scholars and followers from India and abroad. The deputy chief minister was conferred the Buddha Ratna award at the event. "Dhamma is a way of life based on truth, non-violence and compassion. Social transformation is possible only through the thoughts of Buddha," Shinde said. Buddhism represents a socio-political revolution and a path for social transformation, he said, asserting that the principles of the faith are highly relevant in the conflict-ridden world. "The world does not want war; it wants Buddha. Hate cannot end hate; it can onl

Police detain five following clash between two groups in Mumbai's Malad

Upon receiving information about the scuffle, Dindoshi police officers arrived and attempted to control the crowd

Baramati bypoll: Fadnavis backs unopposed win for late Ajit Pawar's wife

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday appealed to all parties to ensure an unopposed bypoll in the Baramati assembly constituency, necessitated by the death of then NCP president Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, to elect his wife and incumbent Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar. He urged consensus in backing Sunetra Pawar to respect Maharashtra's political traditions. Recalling past instances, Fadnavis cited the unopposed bypoll held after the death of NCP (undivided) MLA and former state home minister R R Patil. His wife, Suman Patil, was elected from the Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal assembly constituency following her husband's death in 2015. "All parties should show a large-hearted approach and ensure the by-election is held unopposed," Fadnavis told reporters. The BJP, which heads the Mahayuti alliance, shares power with the NCP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. NCP sources had said that Sunetra Pawar, currently a member of Rajya Sabha, will file her nomination on April 6 for the

Marital discord alone not basis for abetment of suicide charge: Bombay HC

A spouse cannot be accused of abetting the suicide of his or her partner merely because there was marital discord between the two, the Bombay High Court has said while quashing a case lodged against a woman for abetting the suicide of her husband. The HC's Nagpur bench, in its order passed last week, held that matrimonial discord is common in domestic life and suicide cannot be attributed to any of the spouses merely because there was a matrimonial dispute. It added that there has to be instigation or direct incitement from the accused to the victim to end life. "In such cases, it cannot be held that due to abetment from one partner the other committed suicide," the court said. The bench allowed the plea filed by a 49-year-old woman, a teacher by profession, seeking to quash the abetment of suicide case filed against her in 2019 by the Amravati police. A single bench of Justice Urmila Joshi Phalke said that in the present case both the husband and the wife had levelled allegations