Page 4 - Maharashtra News

Maharashtra logs 13 new Covid-19 cases, one fatality; tally hits 2,462

Maharashtra on Friday recorded 13 new cases of COVID-19, which took the tally of infections to 2,462, and one death, the health department said. A 65-year-old woman suffering from comorbidities, including rheumatoid arthritis, died in Kolhapur, an official said. Since January 1, the state has recorded 2,462 COVID-19 cases and 37 deaths, the department said. Of the fresh cases, five were reported from Pimpri Chinchwad, three from Nagpur, two from Pune and one each from Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Satara, an official statement said. The health department has conducted 28,486 COVID-19 tests across the state since January 1, and 2,277 patients have recovered from the infection till date, it said. Mumbai has reported 980 cases, including 539 in June alone, so far this year. At least 37 patients have succumbed to the virus in the state since January 1, of whom 36 had comorbidities (pre-existing health conditions that can increase the risk of severe illness), the statement said.

Maharashtra transporters to go on strike from Jul 1 to protest e-challans

Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik has said the government is committed to addressing the grievances of transport operators, who have threatened to go on strike from July 1 to protest against the e-challan system for traffic violations. The minister on Thursday directed officials to form a committee and submit a report within one month concerning the transporters' strike threat. Transporters in Maharashtra, including private bus and truck operators, have called for an indefinite strike from July 1 to protest against the unjust collection of fines through e-challans and to press for their other demands. A release issued from the office of Sarnaik, who heads the transport ministry, said the government is determined to resolve the grievances of transport operators. Vahatukdar Bachao Kruti Samiti, an action committee of transporters, is not satisfied with the move, its leader Uday Barge told PTI. Transporters are firm on launching the strike on July 1 for demands like stopping the ..

Tata Power applies to expand electricity distribution in Maharashtra

Tata Power has applied to distribute electricity to various pockets of Maharashtra as part of its efforts to expand beyond the financial capital, officials said on Thursday. The company has filed for a license across key growth regions, including parts of Mumbai, Pune, Sambhaji Nagar and Nashik, they added. It can be noted that through amendments made to the Electricity Act, private distribution companies are allowed to apply to serve various parts. However, they were hesitant to apply due to the high investments required for setting up such infrastructure. In 2022, Tata Power's rival Adani Group, with which it competes in Mumbai suburban areas, applied for select areas and expressed intent to invest up to Rs 5,700 crore towards the initiative. In the application submitted before the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), seeking the grant of a distribution license to serve key regions across the state, the Tata Group company has evinced interest in serving areas li

Maha transporters threaten strike from Jul 1 against traffic e-challans

Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday directed officials to form a committee and submit a report within one month in connection with the threat by transporters to go on strike from July 1 to protest against the e-challan system for traffic violations. A release issued from the state transport minister's office said the government is committed to addressing the grievances of transport operators. Transporters in Maharashtra, including private bus and truck operators, have called for an indefinite strike from July 1 to protest against the "unjust" collection of fines through e-challans as well as for other demands. Vahatukdar Bachao Kruti Samiti, an action committee of transporters, is not satisfied with the move, said its leader Uday Barge to PTI. Transporters are firm on launching the strike on July 1 for demands like stopping the forceful collection of e-challan fines, waiving existing penalties, cancelling the mandatory cleaner rule for heavy vehicles, and reconsidering

New rule makes Hindi a must in primary classes across Maharashtra

Under a new order, Hindi will be taught as a third language in Classes 1 to 5 across Marathi and English medium schools in Maharashtra

Maharashtra urges farmers to delay sowing as monsoon lags until June 15

The Maharashtra agriculture department on Tuesday appealed to farmers not to rush into sowing till June 15 as the southwest monsoon is expected to become fully active in the latter half of this month. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated that thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected in some areas and advised farmers and fisherfolk to exercise caution. The state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the monsoon situation, crop water availability, and dam water storage levels, an official release stated. Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department, Vikaschandra Rastogi, told the cabinet that the monsoon is likely to be active across all regions of the state only after June 15 and appealed to farmers to wait for the monsoon to settle before beginning sowing. "So far, 17 districts have received less than 25 per cent of the average, while 12 districts have received between 25 per cent and 50 per cent rainfall. Four districts received between

Bank holidays 2025: Are banks open on May 1st? Check the state-wise list

In celebration of Labour Day and Maharashtra Day, Indian stock markets, banks, and schools will all be closed on May 1, 2025. Workers' contributions are honoured on this official holiday

Hindi no longer mandatory in Maharashtra schools after public backlash

Maharashtra's education minister said the word 'mandatory' would be removed from the directive, following public criticism over making Hindi compulsory in Marathi and English schools

BJP turning Maha into desert: Aaditya slams govt over nod to projects

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Friday targeted the Devendra Fadnavis-led government for clearing projects that require felling of "lakhs of trees", including for the proposed Gargai dam to be built for supplying water to Mumbai. Addressing a press conference, he hit out at the ruling BJP and said the party wants to turn Maharashtra into a desert. "Never ever has the city (Mumbai) witnessed a water crisis in March and April which is being experienced this year. Temperatures are rising across the state, crossing over 40 degrees Celsius in March and April," Thackeray said, and attributed it to climate change. "The State Wildlife Board has given approval to projects which will lead to felling of lakhs of trees. Permission has been given to cut five lakh trees in Thane and Palghar district for constructing Gargai dam to address water woes of Mumbai...The BJP wants to make Maharashtra a desert," the former state environment minister said. If the need arises, the Sena (UBT) .