Page 2 - Maharashtra News

IMD issues red alerts in four states as heavy rains disrupt normal life

Heavy rains threw life out of gear in several states on Saturday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing red alerts in Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha and Kerala, and stating that conditions were favourable for the advance of southwest monsoon into the remaining parts of Haryana and Punjab and Rajasthan in the next four days. Two days after monsoon arrived in national capital Delhi, parts of the city witnessed light to moderate rainfall. The weather office has forecast that light rain and gusts would prevail at least till Friday. After the late arrival of monsoon in Maharashtra, incessant heavy rains lashed Mumbai and its metropolitan region, triggering incidents of road cave-in, tree fall and house collapse, and disrupting road and rail traffic. Continuous downpour forced the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to declare a holiday for schools and colleges in the afternoon. The showers led to waterlogging in several low-lying areas of the metropolis, cripplin

Maharashtra bans sale of energy drinks within a 500-m radius of schools

Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal said that the sale of 'Sting' has been banned amid concerns over the impact of energy drinks on schoolchildren

Less than 7% water stock left in reservoirs supplying water to Mumbai

Mumbai is staring at a severe water crisis as the combined live storage in its seven supply reservoirs has dropped to less than 7 per cent, significantly lower than last year, due to delayed monsoon and insufficient rainfall so far this year. In the corresponding period last year, the water stock in these seven dams was 39.5 per cent. As per the data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Hydraulic Engineer's Department, the seven reservoirs together held 1,00,279 million litres of water, or 6.93 per cent of their total live storage capacity, at 6 am (on Monday), compared with 5,71,670 million litres (39.5 per cent) on the corresponding day last year. Seven reservoirs -- Bhatsa, Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Tulsi, and Vihar -- make up the entire seven-lake system that supplies drinking water to the financial capital of the country and its metropolitan areas. They have a combined useful storage capacity of 14.47 lakh million litres and supply around 4,0

Maharashtra extends monsoon fishing ban till August 15 amid delayed onset

Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Monday said that the annual monsoon fishing ban on mechanised and motorised boats in the state has been extended till August 15 in view of the delayed onset of the southwest monsoon. Rane informed the state assembly that the Centre had initially imposed the ban from June 1 to July 31 along the western coast, but a government order has now extended the same. The extension aims to conserve fish stocks, provide adequate breeding time for marine species and ensure the long-term sustainability of fisheries, he said. The state fisheries minister said that the decision would also help safeguard fishermen from risks posed by rough weather conditions, including strong winds, cyclones, unseasonal rainfall and turbulent seas during the early monsoon period.

Fadnavis knows how dangerous a 'scheming friend' can be, says Shinde

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is a clever person who knows very well how dangerous a scheming friend could be, a reference to Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray. Shinde was responding to questions about Fadnavis and Thackeray taking the same flight while going to Nagpur on Friday. He said the BJP and undivided Shiv Sena had taken the same flight in 2019, but then "he took a different flight and aligned with the Congress", referring to the two allies breaking ties. "Fadnavis is a very clever person. He knows very well how dangerous a scheming friend could be," Shinde said. When asked about his flight journey with his political rival Fadnavis, Thackeray had said they had a "very high-level discussion". Probed further about the outcome of the meeting, Thackeray said the result will be known in the coming days. Fadnavis and Thackeray travelled together on a flight from Mumbai to Nagpur on Friday, triggering ..

Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test postponed amid 'paper leak' concerns

The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026, scheduled for Sunday in Maharashtra, has been postponed after a raid in Bhiwandi of Thane district found that some individuals possessed several questions similar to the actual question paper, officials said. "The Council remains firmly committed to conducting the examination with complete transparency. Given the gravity of the situation and the necessity for an in-depth probe, the exam scheduled for June 28, 2026, has been postponed," according to a release issued by the Maharashtra State Council of Examination. According to the Thane district administration, the breach came to light in the early hours of Saturday, when Bhiwandi Police acted on confidential intelligence regarding individuals possessing unauthorised information about the examination papers. "A raid was promptly conducted at the suspected location. Senior officials from the Maharashtra State Council of Examination were immediately summoned by the police to verify the seized ..

Maharashta Cong appoints block presidents under grassroots revamp drive

The Maharashtra Congress on Saturday announced the appointment of its block presidents across the state as part of its ongoing "Sangathan Srujan Abhiyan", which it said is aimed at expanding the party's grassroots network. The newly appointed block presidents cover Konkan, North Maharashtra, Amravati, Nagpur, Marathwada and western Maharashtra, excluding Mumbai, Congress state president Harshvardhan Sapkal said in a statement. He said the appointments were made under the party's nationwide organisational restructuring campaign launched by the All India Congress Committee. Sapkal said observers were appointed for every district, who held consultations with local office-bearers and workers before finalising the appointments, adding that the entire process was conducted in a transparent manner. The objective of the exercise was to strengthen the Congress organisation at the grassroots and take the party's ideology to the village level, he said. The newly appointed block presidents wo

Maharashtra FYJC Round 3 allotment list 2026 released at official website

Maharashtra FYJC Round 3 Allotment 2026 has been released today on mahafyjcadmissions.in, along with allotment results. Candidates must confirm admission by June 25, 2026, up to 6 pm

Maharashtra govt tables ₹97,706 cr demands, ₹20,552 cr for farm loan waiver

The Maharashtra government on Monday tabled supplementary demands of Rs 97,706.40 crore, including Rs 20,552 crore for the farm loan waiver scheme, with a net additional burden of Rs 74,817.66 crore on the exchequer. Notably, the Opposition has been demanding a complete farm loan waiver with minimal technical conditions. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar protested earlier this month to press for removal of "stringent" conditions from the farm loan waiver scheme and demand a blanket loan waiver for farmers. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tabled the demands in the assembly on the first day of the legislature's monsoon session on Monday. Of the total supplementary demands, Rs 13,825.71 crore has been sought for unavoidable expenditure, Rs 66,559.40 crore for programme-related spending, and Rs 17,321.29 crore against expenditure to be supported through funds available under centrally sponsored schemes. Despite the gross demands of Rs 97,706.40 crore, the actual financial burden will be Rs ...

BJP-led Mahayuti sweeps Maharashtra MLC polls, wins 16 of 17 seats

The only seat that did not go to an official Mahayuti candidate was Nashik, where an Independent candidate and BJP rebel Gokul Gite defeated Shiv Sena nominee Narendra Darade

Uddhav Thackeray dismisses claims of rebel MPs on Sena (UBT)-Cong merger

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has rejected claims attributed to six rebel MPs that they feared the party might merge with the Congress, asserting that the united Sena always supported Hindutva and sons of the soil. In his first comments on the impending split in his party for the second time in four years, Thackeray on Friday said the Shiv Sena was not born to merge with anyone. "It was created to fight for the rights of Marathi people and protect Hindutva," he said while addressing a gathering of Shiv Sena (UBT) workers here, marking the 60th foundation day of the united Shiv Sena, founded by his father, late Bal Thackeray. He slammed the rebel MPs for claims that they feared the Sena (UBT) might merge with the Congress. "If we didn't merge with the BJP despite being an ally for 30 years, how can we merge with the Congress. I fear the Maharashtra BJP might merge with the Shinde Sena," he remarked. He said we have had severe political differences with the Congress, but it

Voting underway for 12 Maharashtra council seats; Mahayuti eyes gains

Voting began on Thursday morning for elections to 12 Maharashtra legislative council seats from local authorities' constituencies, with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance seeking to consolidate its position after already securing five seats unopposed. Polling commenced at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm. Members of local self-government bodies, including municipal corporations, municipal councils and zilla parishads, are eligible to cast their votes. Although elections were notified for 17 seats, contests are being held in 12 constituencies as candidates of the ruling alliance have already been elected unopposed in five seats. The Mahayuti alliance comprises the BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Sunetra Pawar-led NCP. It has already secured uncontested victories for BJP's Arun Lakhani from the Wardha-Chandrapur-Gadchiroli constituency, NCP nominees Vikram Kakade from Pune and Aniket Tatkare from Raigad-Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, and Shiv Sena candidates Ravindra Phatak from Thane and Dushya

Sena (UBT) alleges ₹50 cr lure offers, issues whip to MPs amid split buzz

Even as the Trinamool Congress grapples with an unprecedented split, Shiv Sena (UBT), another major player in the Opposition camp, is staring at a crisis, with "six to seven" of its nine Lok Sabha MPs inclined to switch to the ruling Shiv Sena and camping in the national capital, sources said on Tuesday. It is learnt that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde was also headed to Delhi late on Tuesday. On its part, Shiv Sena (UBT) has dismissed the possibility of a split in its Lok Sabha ranks, with the party's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut claiming that all its MPs remain united. Sources told PTI that Shinde was expected to land in Delhi late on Tuesday. "Six to seven MPs are likely to switch sides," a leader of the Shinde camp said, claiming that the move was linked to a possible elevation in the role of Aditya Thackeray, son of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, who currently heads the party's youth wing. The leader claimed that the MPs likely to ma

Fuel, LPG price hikes a war fallout, PM handled it effectively: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday rejected the Opposition's criticism over fuel and gas price hike, attributing the fluctuation in rates to the Iran-US conflict. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has deftly handled the situation and taken steps to contain fuel costs even as petrol, diesel and gas prices skyrocketed in other countries. The Opposition has criticised the Central government over the rise in prices of essential commodities. Earlier in the day, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said the government would pay a "political price" as frequent hikes in essential commodities were burdening the common man. "The whole world knows the situation of war, and no country remains untouched. In every country, petrol, diesel and gas prices are high. In India, the Prime Minister has done a lot to contain the prices. I feel that as long as the war situation remains like this, some things will continue, but we have also seen before that prices had fallen, so when demand a

Maha govt extends OBC educational concessions to Maratha students

The Maharashtra government has made students from the Maratha community eligible for educational concessions and benefits similar to those available to the Other Backward Class (OBC) category. Announcing the decision through a government resolution (GR) issued on Friday, it directed all implementing departments to make adequate budgetary provisions for these schemes and benefits, aimed at improving access to education and skills, in the current and future financial years. The move came days after Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange ended his hunger strike following talks with a government delegation, which submitted a 12-point proposal to him. According to the GR, the state's post-matric scholarship scheme applicable to OBC students shall also apply to Maratha students. Similarly, the Motor Vehicle Driver and Conductor Training Scheme will be available to OBC candidates and shall be implemented for Maratha candidates through the government's SARTHI portal. Scholarship schemes ...

Fadnavis backs poll reforms as Sule seeks anti-horse trading bill

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday suggested reforms in the election process after NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule said she will introduce a bill to stop "horse trading" amid the withdrawal of opposition candidates in several seats ahead of the legislative council elections. The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has accused the ruling parties of monetary inducements and pressure tactics, a charge denied by leaders of the BJP-led Mahayuti. Sule has said she would move a bill in Parliament seeking greater transparency in elections where allegations of horse trading arise. "If you understand that people can be won over through affection rather than money, then there will be no need to bring such a bill," Fadnavis told reporters while responding to a query on Sule's remarks. It's his personal opinion that there should be reforms in the election process, the chief minister said, adding that he had no objection to anyone introducing legislation for such reforms. Responding to

Suryakumar loses T20I captaincy; Sooryavanshi earns maiden India call-up

India ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has been announced as India's new skipper for T20Is, replacing Suryakumar Yadav

Maha is the 3rd state to announce a farm loan waiver after TN, Telangana

The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved the 'Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karja-mukti Yojana' to provide farm loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh, and also introduced incentive benefits for those farmers who have repaid their loans on time. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, an official statement said. The scheme has three components -- loan waiver, one-time settlement (OTS) and incentive benefits -- and there will be no landholding criterion for eligibility, it said. Under the waiver component, farmers whose total outstanding short-term crop loans, including principal and interest, are up to Rs 2 lakh will be eligible for a complete debt relief. The loans must have been disbursed between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2025, remained overdue as of September 30, 2025, and unpaid till March 31, 2026. The farmers whose dues exceed Rs 2 lakh will be covered under the OTS component. Such borrowers will have to clear the amount

7 killed in suspected hooch tragedy in Pimpri Chinchwad; probe underway

Seven persons have died in Pimpri Chinchwad after consuming suspected spurious liquor, while a similar angle is being probed in the deaths of three individuals in Pune in 24 hours, officials said on Friday. Eight persons have been detained in connection with the deaths in Pimpri Chinchwad, while three men suspected of consuming poisonous liquor are undergoing treatment at a hospital there, officials said. Speaking to the media, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he has ordered an inquiry into the seven deaths due to suspected hooch consumption. A total of eight persons, including a key bootlegger, have been detained in connection with the alleged supply of methanol-laced liquor to the Phugewadi area in Pimpri Chinchwad, said police. "Following multiple deaths in Phugewadi, we launched a probe. We found that seven persons have died so far due to suspected consumption of toxic liquor, and three others are undergoing treatment," said Sandip Atole, Deputy Commissioner of

Nashik TCS forced conversion case: Accused held, sent to police custody

Nida Khan, an absconding TCS employee accused in a case of alleged religious conversion and sexual harassment at the company's Nashik unit, was arrested in central Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with police claiming that a local AIMIM corporator had provided her shelter. Following her arrest on Thursday, she was produced before the Nashik Road sessions court on Friday. The court remanded her in police custody till May 11. After her name figured in a First Information Report registered at Deolali Camp police station, Khan (27) had moved the sessions court last month seeking anticipatory bail, pleading innocence and citing her three months pregnancy. Rejecting the plea on May 2, the court had said there seemed to be a "systematic plan" of brainwashing the victim. Reacting to the development, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said it was clear that the AIMIM had a role to play in sheltering Nida Khan. "We will find out who was behind it. We will also find out wheth