Page 5 - Maharashtra Government

CAG flags excise lapses in Maharashtra, cites revenue loss of several crore

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has pulled up the Maharashtra state excise department for serious lapses in its operations, which have led to a substantial revenue shortfall. The CAG report pointed out that due to incorrect assessment of licence renewal fees, the state lost Rs 20.15 crore in revenue and Rs 70.22 crore in interest. The audit further stated that failure to implement revised rates for supervision fees had caused an additional shortfall of Rs 1.20 crore. According to the report, the then Excise Commissioner exempted excise duty on old stock of beer without obtaining prior approval from the state government. The report also highlighted that the delayed submission of mild beer samples for chemical analysis had hampered tax recovery to the tune of Rs 73.18 crore. "Under the Bombay Prohibition (Privilege Fee) Rules, 1954, a provision exists to charge fees for changes in partnership. However, no such provision was applicable to significant changes in ...

SC raps govt over NIA trial delays, says bail likely without special courts

Supreme Court gives Centre, Maharashtra four weeks to respond on setting up exclusive NIA courts; says failure to act may lead to bail being granted in delayed terror-related trials

May invoke MCOCA against Gutkha, Pan Masala traffickers: Minister Zirwal

Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal on Thursday said the state government is exploring whether those involved in the transportation and sale of gutkha and pan masala can be booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Banned gutkha and pan masala worth Rs 450 crore has been seized so far, while more than 10000 cases have been filed in this connection, Zirwal said. "The state government is exploring whether to book those involved in transportation and sale of gutkha and pan masala under MCOCA. A proposal will be sent to Law and Judiciary department to seek guidance on the matter," Zhirwal said in response to a question by BJP's Shrikant Bhartiya in the legislative council. Bharatiya said the manufacturing of gutkha and pan masala takes places in other states and is then transported to Maharashtra. Ambadas Danve, the leader of opposition in the council, said police and the RTOs in the border districts should be held ...

Oppn holds pumpkin protest against Maharashtra govt over public grievances

Opposition legislators carried pumpkins during a protest on the Vidhan Bhavan steps on Thursday, using the vegetable as a metaphor to claim people received "nothing" from the government during the ongoing monsoon session of the legislature. They chanted slogans like "loan waiver for farmers - a pumpkin", "healthcare for people - a pumpkin", "rights for tribals - a pumpkin", and "education for students and jobs for workers - a pumpkin". The monsoon session of the state legislature will conclude on Friday. "What have the people of Maharashtra received from this monsoon session of the legislature? A pumpkin," read a slogan on a banner displayed by the opposition members. The protesters carried pumpkins in their hands as they raised slogans to criticise the government for allegedly ignoring issues of various sections of the society, including farmers, tribals, students, teachers, ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers and mill workers. They accused the ruling alliance of fai

After global misstep, Italian luxury brand Prada walks into Kolhapur

Prior to their visit, the team had an online meeting on July 11 with executives from the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA)

Over 37K women, girls reported missing in Maharashtra during FY25: Govt

The Maharashtra Police Services for Citizens Portal recorded missing complaints of 37,695 women and girls, of which 4,096 were below the age of 18 years, from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday. In a written reply to a question in the legislative council, Fadnavis, who hold the home portfolio, informed the house that from 2021 to May 2025, as many as 16,160 cases were registered with police related to sexual assault and harassment of minor girls. "The Maharashtra Police Services for Citizens Portal registered missing complaints of 4,096 girls below the age of 18 years and 33,599 women from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025," he said. Nagpur city recorded 5,897 complaints related to missing people from January 2024 to May 2025, of which 776 were children, according to the CM. In an oral reply, Fadnavis said of the 5,897 missing persons, nearly 5,210, representing 90 per cent of the total, were traced. In a year-and-a-half, the number

Those bullying non-Marathi speakers will face action: Ramdas Athawale

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday said that "bullying" non-Marathi speakers in Maharashtra is wrong and the Devendra Fadnavis government will not tolerate such incidents. "Those who indulge in such bullying will be taught a lesson," Athawale said, asserting that the stance of leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray on the issue is against Balasaheb Thackeray's vision. "I said that this is wrong. Knowing Marathi is fine. Telling them to learn Marathi is okay, but bullying them, slapping them, that is not right. Action has been taken by the police against those involved in such illegal actions, and "our government will not allow such bullying", the leader from Maharashtra said at a press conference here. He said that wrong politics is being done in the name of Marathi, noting that Mumbai is the financial capital of India and home to people from Rajasthan, Gujarat and many south India states. "It is not about opposing Hindi. The

Migrant auto driver thrashed in Maharashtra for 'anti-Marathi' comments

A viral video shows a group of people, allegedly from Shiv Sena (UBT), slapping the driver and making him publicly apologise for his 'anti-marathi' remarks

Maharashtra govt to legalise subdivided land plots formed till Jan 1, 2025

The Maharashtra government will grant legal status to subdivided land parcels up to January 1, 2025, by relaxing and gradually scrapping the land fragmentation law, state Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule told the legislative assembly on Wednesday. He stated that over 50 lakh families are reportedly affected by issues arising from land fragmentation regulations, adding that plots up to the size of one guntha (approx. 1,089 sq ft) formed before January 2025 will be considered legal, enabling citizens to obtain official property rights. Plots subdivided after January will have to comply strictly with development authority norms. The minister said this "revolutionary step" (to legally recognise subdivided plots) was aimed at resolving legal hurdles related to property registration, construction permissions, and ownership, stemming from the violations of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act and the land fragmentation law. The Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holding

Maharashtra govt tables bill to amend slum act, enable SRA to recover dues

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday tabled a bill in the state assembly that proposes to amend the law concerning slum redevelopment, allowing the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) to recover pending transit rent dues from builders or developers. The bill seeks to amend the Maharashtra Slum Area (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971. It also seeks to treat unpaid rent to slum dwellers as arrears of land revenue, thereby empowering the SRA to initiate recovery proceedings under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code (MLRC). "The SRA hopes that the amendments will help fast-track its projects and also ensure slum dwellers are not left in the lurch without their rightful rent," an official said. As per the proposed amendment, if a defaulting builder lacks sufficient company assets to clear the dues, the liability can extend to the personal property of its directors or partners. Currently, the SRA can issue stop-work notices or deny new permissions to defaulter developer.

Hindi language row: Raut slams Fadnavis, Shinde over BJP MP Dubey's remarks

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputy Eknath Shinde, questioning their silence over BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's remarks on the language issue in the state. Speaking to reporters here, Raut said Shiv Sena chief Shinde and his supporters should remove the photographs of the late Bal Thackeray from their offices if they continued to ally with Dubey. Amid an outrage over MNS workers thrashing a shopkeeper for not speaking Marathi, Dubey has courted controversy with his reported "patak patak ke marenge" (will thrash you) remarks targeting party chief Raj Thackeray and his cousin Uddhav Thackeray. "To those beating Hindi speakers in Mumbai, if you have the courage, try beating Urdu speakers in Maharashtra. Even a dog is a tiger in its own home. Decide for yourself who is the dog and who is the tiger," the Godda MP posted on X. Raut slammed Dubey for his remarks, alleging that he was a "middlema

Adani Group signs agreement with Mhada to redevelop Mumbai's Motilal Nagar

Adani Group signs a deal with Mhada to redevelop Mumbai's Motilal Nagar colonies, a Rs 36,000 crore project aimed at creating ultra-modern homes, commercial spaces, and a 15-minute city concept

Tender committee set up to evaluate contracts related to election processes

The Maharashtra government has constituted a Tender Evaluation Committee for services under the Representation of the People Act 1950. As per a government resolution (GR) issued on July 4, the panel has been formed to ensure transparency and efficiency in the evaluation of bids for services done through the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. The decision, which was taken on June 17 and formalized through the GR, aligns with the administrative procedures mandated under the Act and aims to streamline the technical scrutiny process for contracts associated with electoral processes, officials said. The GR, published on the state government's official portal, outlines the committee's mandate to evaluate the eligibility and compliance of various service providers participating in the bidding process. "The aim is to establish a fair and methodical evaluation of bids to ensure services like updating electoral rolls are procured through a transparent and competent process," the GR ...

Maha onion farmers seek procurement from APMCs instead of 'corrupt' FPOs

Onion growers in Maharashtra have urged the state government to procure the crop directly through Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) instead of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), alleging corruption in the current mechanism. They also sought the intervention of the Central Government to prevent further "malpractices", and revise its onion procurement guidelines to prioritise APMC-based purchases. Central agencies such as the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) procure onions through registered FPOs. "Purchasing onions through FPOs has led to large-scale corruption at the local level. Many genuine farmers have been deprived of fair prices. The system benefits intermediaries rather than cultivators," farmer outfits said in a statement addressed to the Maharashtra government. The outfits also claimed that the FPO-based model has failed to serve its intended purpose, depriv

Maha govt orders BMC to shut down 'kabootar khanas' over health risks

The Maharashtra government on Thursday ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to immediately shut down 'kabootar khanas' (feeding points for pigeons) in Mumbai, citing health hazards arising out of their waste. Raising the issue in the Maharashtra legislative council, Shiv Sena leader and nominated MLC Manisha Kayande said these 'kabootar khanas' pose danger to the people living around them as their waste and feathers lead to respiratory diseases. BJP leader Chitra Wagh, another nominated member of the Council, said she lost her aunt due to respiratory diseases arising from pigeon waste. In an oral response, Samant, replying on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who is also the Urban Development Minister, said there are 51 'kabootar khanas' in the city. "The civic body will be asked to start (an awareness) drive against 'kabootar khanas' within a month. Directions will be issued to the BMC to immediately start the process of shutting 'kabootar khanas'," he said.

Maharashtra truckers to strike from midnight over e-challan penalties

As many as 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh trucks and other goods-carrying vehicles in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra will go on strike after midnight, said Uday Barge, convener of the action committee

'Fadnavis' govt cancelled the decision': Athawale on Maha language policy

RPI chief Athawale's remarks come amid Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' announcement to withdraw the resolution on the three-language policy on June 24

Maharashtra govt tables supplementary demands of ₹57,509 cr in assembly

The Maharashtra government tabled supplementary demands of Rs 57,509.71 crore in the state legislative assembly on Monday to allocate funds for various schemes and projects. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is also the state finance and planning minister, presented these demands on the first day of the three-week monsoon session. Supplementary demands are additional funds sought by the government over budgetary allocations. The government has primarily allocated these funds for infrastructure projects such as roads, metro rail, and irrigation schemes, as well as for planning and execution of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The demands include Rs 1,600 crore for the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Health Scheme, Rs 1,500 crore for the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar (Destitute) Grant Scheme, scholarships for students from the backward classes, and overall development of socially and economically weaker sections. The largest allocation Rs 11,042.76 crore has been earmarked for grants ...

Govt buckled under 'pressure': Aaditya on withdrawal of GRs on Hindi

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Monday claimed the Maharashtra government withdrew its decision on the teaching of Hindi as a third language in primary classes due to "pressure" from the opposition and the civil society. Thackeray, along with Leader of Opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, Bhaskar Jadhav and other opposition legislators, staged a symbolic protest on the steps of Vidhan Bhavan here, holding placards reading "Mi Marathi" (I am Marathi). "Pressure triumphed over power," Thackeray told reporters in the Vidhan Bhavan premises where the monsoon session of the state legislature began earlier in the day. Facing mounting opposition to the introduction of Hindi language in Maharashtra schools from classes 1 to 5, the state cabinet on Sunday decided to withdraw two GRs (government orders) on the implementation of the three-language policy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the GRs have been withdrawn, and announced the formation of a ...

Govt panel opposes Hindi push, urges CM Fadnavis to scrap 3-language plan

With the opposition against the "imposition" of Hindi gaining momentum in Maharashtra, a government-appointed advisory committee has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to roll back the decision to introduce the language in primary classes. The Language Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to the government on matters related to the Marathi language, passed a resolution on Friday demanding that no third language, including Hindi, be taught before Class 5. The resolution was passed during a meeting held in Pune, attended by 20 out of 27 committee members. Kiran Kulkarni, secretary of the Marathi language department, was also present during the meeting. A language row has erupted in Maharashtra after the state government recently issued an amended order stating that Hindi will "generally" be taught as a third language to students from Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools. According to the order, if 20 students per grade in a school wish to study any othe