Page 2 - Maharashtra Government

Maharashtra to set up 'Namo Tourism Centres' at four heritage forts

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday approved the establishment of four 'Namo Tourism Information and Facility Centres' at prominent heritage forts in the state to boost regional tourism infrastructure and provide modern amenities to visitors. The centres will come up at Raigad, Pratapgad, Shivneri and Salher forts under the Regional Tourism Development Scheme for 2025-26, according to a government resolution (GR). The Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department has sanctioned Rs 20 crore for the project, of which Rs 5 crore will be released initially to the Directorate of Tourism for implementation. "The Namo Tourism Centres will become an integral part of Maharashtra's tourism landscape and help visitors access heritage sites comfortably," a senior official said, adding that the government intends to expand the initiative to 75 tourist locations in future phases. Each Namo centre is expected to serve as a one-stop information and service point for visitors, showcasing the site's .

Maha govt okays ₹648 cr relief for crop damage, aid extended to 3 hectares

The Maharashtra government has sanctioned Rs 648.15 crore for the distribution of relief to farmers affected by excess rainfall and floods during this year's monsoon, officials said. The relief limit too has been extended from two hectares to three hectares as a special measure, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav-Patil announced on Tuesday. The decision aims to provide immediate financial assistance to rain-affected farmers and a necessary government resolution (GR) has been issued, he said in a statement. So far, the Relief and Rehabilitation Department has sanctioned around Rs 8,139 crore to assist farmers affected by natural calamities during the current kharif season, Jadhav-Patil said. The decision will benefit 6,12,177 farmers and cover 6,56,310.83 hectares of affected crop area, he said. The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division (districts of Beed, Latur, Parbhani, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Hingoli, Nanded) will get Rs 346.31 crore for 3,58,612 farmers,

Caste bias row: NCP's Rohit Pawar seeks removal of Pune college principal

NCP (SP) general secretary Rohit Pawar has demanded that the Maharashtra government remove a Pune college principal from its youth and sports policy committee, following allegations of caste bias by a former Dalit student. The former BBA student alleged caste bias and claimed the Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce had withheld his job verification, a charge denied by the institution which clarified that it had sent the document to his UK-based employer and he had not lost his job. The college has refuted the allegations of caste discrimination, calling them baseless. Pawar has, however, accused the college of showing "Manuvadi" ideology and demanded the removal of its principal Nivedita Ekbote from the state government's core committee to frame policies for youth and sports. "If there are individuals with Manuvadi ideologies as well as those harbouring casteist grudges in the committee that formulates the state's sports and youth policy, then what will be the future of th

Ex-Maharashtra minister, BJP leader Mahadeorao Shivankar passes away at 85

Former minister and veteran BJP leader Mahadeorao Sukhaji Shivankar died after a prolonged illness in Maharashtra's Gondia district on Monday, family sources said. Shivankar (85) breathed his last at his residence in Amgaon in the early hours of the day, his son Vijay Shivankar said. He was a five-time MLA from the Amgaon constituency and had represented the Chimur constituency in the Lok Sabha. The veteran leader also served as the national president of the BJP farmers' cell. Shivankar had announced the bifurcation of Bhandara district and the formation of the new Gondia district on January 26, 1999. He served as the state irrigation and finance minister in the Manohar Joshi government in Maharashtra in the 1990s. Shivankar is survived by his sons, Vijay and Sanjay Shivankar, and a daughter. The last rites will be conducted at Sakhritla Ghat in Amgaon on Tuesday, and the funeral procession will begin at 10 a.m. from Shivankar's residence.

Aurangabad railway station officially renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The Aurangabad railway station in Maharashtra has been renamed as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar station through a gazette notification issued by the state government. The move comes nearly three years after the then government headed by Eknath Shinde formally rechristened Aurangabad city as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The city, previously named after Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, received this name as a tribute to Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's son. The original name change was initiated by the erstwhile Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government. The BJP-led Mahayuti government on October 15 issued a gazette notification to change the name of Aurangabad railway station, an official said on Saturday. Aurangabad railway station was opened in 1900. It was made by the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Osman Ali Khan. The railway station is located on the KachegudaManmad section. This section mainly serves Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city (formerly Aurangabad). The station falls under the Nanded

Maharashtra govt sanctions ₹3,258 cr aid for farmers hit by rain, floods

The Maharashtra government has sanctioned the disbursal of Rs 3,258 crore financial assistance to farmers who suffered losses due to excess rainfall and floods in 23 districts, state Minister Makarand Jadhav Patil said. The state relief and rehabilitation minister on Friday said that over the past two days, the government has approved the disbursement of Rs 5,364 crore through multiple resolutions to support farmers. The government has now sanctioned Rs 3,258 crore for 33.65 lakh farmers in 23 rain and flood-affected districts, he said in an official statement. The state government had, earlier this week, approved an aid of Rs 1,356.30 crore for 21.66 lakh affected farmers. Earlier this month, the government announced a compensation package of Rs 31,628 crore for farmers, asserting that the total assistance will be Rs 48,000 per hectare. Opposition parties have, however, dubbed the relief package as "too meagre" to help cultivators rebuild their lives. Heavy rainfall and floods i

Blue Energy Motors launches battery-swap e-truck, plans ₹3,500 cr plant

Blue Energy Motors unveils India's first heavy-duty electric truck with two-minute battery-swapping tech and signs MoU for a Rs 3,500-cr EV plant in Maharashtra

Maharashtra cabinet approves bamboo policy to create over 500,000 jobs

The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved its bamboo industry policy, which aims to attract an investment of Rs 50,000 crore and generate more than 5 lakh jobs. Under the Maharashtra Bamboo Industry Policy 2025, as many as 15 dedicated bamboo clusters will be developed across the state, with a focus on leveraging the carbon credit market, an official release stated. The policy seeks to promote bamboo cultivation and processing industries, offering farmers an eco-friendly and sustainable income alternative comparable to cash crops, it said. The policy aims to attract an investment of Rs 50,000 crore and generate more than 5 lakh employment opportunities over a period of 10 years, the release said. The cabinet also approved a development scheme for The People's Education Society, established by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. The plan includes renovation, conservation, and modernisation of the society's educational institutions and hostels. According to the release, nine educational ...

Ladki Bahin scheme: Maharashtra extends e-KYC deadline in flood-hit areas

Maharashtra minister Aditi Tatkare has said the November deadline for completing e-KYC for the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme will be extended by 15 days for women residing in the flood-affected regions. Significant improvements were being made to the e-KYC server system under the 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' to ensure smoother and faster processing for beneficiaries, the women and child development minister told reporters here on Monday evening. Under the government's flagship 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana', eligible women receive Rs 1,500 every month. Tatkare said the government has prioritised resolving the technical issues faced during e-KYC verification, which had slowed down the process in some areas. "Every day, e-KYC verification of around four to five lakh women is being completed. So far, more than 1.10 crore women have successfully finished the process, covering nearly 90 per cent of the total applicants," she said. The administration is committed to ensuring that no eligible wo

Maharashtra govt suspends farm loan recovery in rain-affected tehsils

The Maharashtra government has announced relief for farmers who suffered losses due to rains in 34 districts of the state, with steps including rationalisation of loans from cooperatives and suspension of recovery for a year. A government resolution (GR) issued on Friday stated that 347 tehsils in the state witnessed large-scale damage to crops, farmland and houses, deaths, loss of cattle and other animals. The GR announced the rationalisation of loans from cooperatives, suspension of farm loan recovery for a year, and waiving of exam fees for students of Classes 10 and 12 in the affected tehsils. Electricity bills for three months will also be waived, it stated. As per the GR, the state agriculture department's assessments have revealed that crops on 65 lakh hectares were damaged due to the rains from June to September. Heavy rainfall and floods in September severely affected Marathwada and adjoining regions. Earlier this week, the state government announced a compensation packa

PM Modi inaugurates infra projects worth ₹31,850 crore in Maharashtra

Projects include the first phase of Navi Mumbai International Airport and the second phase of Mumbai Metro Line 3, connecting South Mumbai with key suburbs

Maharashtra govt announces ₹31,628 cr aid package for flood-hit farmers

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced a compensation package of Rs 31,628 crore for farmers who suffered massive losses due to the recent rains and floods. The government will provide Rs 47,000 in cash and Rs 3 lakh in the form of aid under the Employment Guarantee Scheme per every hectare of farmland damaged by the floods, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. As to the loss of livestock, farmers will receive Rs 32,000 per animal, he said at a press conference after the weekly cabinet meeting. While sowing had taken place over a total of 1.43 lakh hectares at the start of the monsoon, crops over 68 lakh hectares of land were damaged, Fadnavis said, adding that as much as 60,000 hectares of farmland was damaged due to the top layer of soil getting washed away. As many as 29 out of 36 districts and 253 (out of 358) talukas suffered due to the heavy rains, the chief minister said. The package includes compensation for crop losses, soil erosion, hospitalisation of injured

Maharashtra launches e-bond system for import-export, replaces paper bonds

In a move aimed at simplifying trade and boosting business efficiency, the Maharashtra government on Friday introduced a new 'e-bond' system for import and export transactions, replacing the traditional paper stamp bonds. With the adoption of the e-bond system, Maharashtra has become the 16th state in the country to do so, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said in a statement. The decision would simplify procedures and accelerate trade operations, marking an important step in modernising the state's economy, he said. "Currently, 3,000 to 4,000 bonds are issued every month for import-export operations, amounting to over 40,000 annually. The introduction of e-bonds will bring a major transformation. Though it may appear small, this is a turning point for Maharashtra's economy," he said. The e-bond system is expected to make obtaining trade bonds faster and simpler, eliminate the need for Rs 500 stamp papers, promote environmental conservation, and enhance transparency in ...

HC quashes ₹236 cr water bill against United Spirits' Maharashtra unit

A division bench of Justices Manish Pitale and YG Khobragade noted that the authorities wrongly classified all the water drawn by the company from the Godavari as raw material for its liquor unit

Maharashtra reported decline in 'Offences Against the State' in 2023: NCRB

Maharashtra reported a drop in Offences Against the State' in 2023 compared to the previous years, according to the latest data shared by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). There were 169 cases registered in 2023, against 174 in 2022 and 218 in 2021, the report said, adding that Maharashtra ranked seventh under this head. Uttar Pradesh topped the list in this category, which includes offences like damage to public property, sedition charges and matters under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), with 1,749 cases, followed by Tamil Nadu with 834 cases and Assam (278 cases). In 2023, Maharashtra registered one case under section 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code, which the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has now replaced. Three cases were registered for imputation, assertions prejudicial to national integration in the state. The state recorded 163 cases under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and one each under the UAPA and the Official Secrets Act in ...

Labour union writes to Maharashtra CM on TCS layoffs, company denies claims

IT union NITES has alleged that TCS forced 2,500 resignations in Pune, writing to CM Fadnavis for intervention, while the company has denied the claims as misleading

Maharashtra govt to announce rain relief package next week, says Fadnavis

Rains and floods have damaged 60 lakh hectares of land in Maharashtra, as per the initial estimate, and the government has decided to extend all benefits and measures usually provided during drought to the affected people, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday. He, however, didn't declare a "wet drought" as demanded by the Opposition, saying no such provision exists in the official manual. The CM informed the damage assessment will be completed in the next two to three days, and a comprehensive policy will be announced in the next week. "After all assessment is completed, a memorandum will be sent to the Centre for a relief package. In the meantime, the state will provide all necessary assistance. The Central fund will be like reimbursement. The government would declare a relief package for losses (caused by heavy rains and floods) next week," Fadnavis told reporters after chairing a weekly cabinet meeting. He noted the disbursal of Rs 2,215 crore aid covering crop loss

Maharashtra flood impact may come by Oct 5, aid before Diwali: Minister

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday indicated that farmers affected by excess rainfall and floods in the state could receive compensation before Diwali. "The real picture of damage caused by the floods will be available by October 5. We will definitely try to give financial assistance to farmers before the Diwali season. There are enough administrative provisions to provide aid to farmers," Bawankule told reporters here. The Diwali period begins with Dhanteras on October 18 and goes on till Bhai Dooj on October 23. He also said compensation under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms would not be sufficient, as farmers have sought higher assistance. The state government will take steps to ensure that farmers get more than what is prescribed under the NDRF, Bawankule asserted. "It is my opinion that all district guardian ministers should hold meetings with collectors and ensure revenue officials conduct thorough surveys in flood-hit areas. There .

Maharashtra govt issues advisory as heavy rains forecast across state

The Maharashtra government on Friday evening issued an advisory urging people to remain cautious following a forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall across several parts of the state over the next three days. A release from the Revenue and Forest Department said that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in central Maharashtra, Konkan and Vidarbha between September 27 and 29. Orange and red alerts have been issued for certain districts, with instructions for precautionary and preparatory measures to be taken through the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC). According to the advisory, central Maharashtra and Konkan are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places between September 27 and 29, with extremely heavy showers likely in some areas on September 28. Vidarbha may record light to moderate rain at several places, along with heavy rainfall at some locations on September 27. Marathwada -- already ree

Maharashtra plans ₹70,000 cr push to boost affordable housing by 2030

Maharashtra will invest Rs 70,000 crore under the 2025 housing policy to build 3.5 million affordable homes by 2030, focusing on Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Pune