Page 16 - Maharashtra

Jail up to 7 yrs, ₹5 lakh fine key features of cleared Maha security bill

Imprisonment of up to seven years, a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh, classification of offences registered under it as cognisable and non-bailable are key features of a special bill passed by the Maharashtra legislature to curb activities of Left-wing extremist organisations. The Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, passed in the council on Friday and in the assembly on Thursday, introduced strict measures against individuals and organisations involved in activities declared as "unlawful." It will come into force on receiving the Governor's assent. The most serious offences, such as committing, abetting, or planning unlawful activities on behalf of such organisations, are punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. Since all offences under the law are cognisable and non-bailable, police can arrest individuals without a warrant, and courts are not obliged to grant bail, stated the bill. These actions are punishable with imprisonment ranging ..

Mumbai Police to file case against MLA Gaikwad over canteen assault video

Mumbai Police to register assault case against Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad after viral video shows him slapping and punching canteen staff over alleged poor food quality

6 active organisations in Maha already banned in other states: Fadnavis

Six organisations operating in Maharashtra have already been banned in some other states, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday, referring to the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill'. The bill, which seeks to prevent unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist organisations with a focus on urban Naxalism and passive militancy, has been passed by the assembly. It is expected to be tabled in the legislative council soon. I am happy that the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, which was introduced during the Winter Session in December last year, was cleared by the assembly on Thursday, Fadnavis told reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan here. When asked how many organisations might be affected once the bill becomes a law, Fadnavis said, There are 64 organisations operating in the state, of which six are already banned in other states under similar laws. Speaking in the assembly on Thursday, Fadnavis had said that Maharashtra had the highest 64 Extreme Left Wing ...

Maha CM inaugurates Sindoor bridge, built in place of M'bai's Carnac bridge

The name draws its inspiration from Operation Sindoor, which was launched following the Pahalgam terror attack to give a 'befitting reply' to Pakistan

No need for tie-ups like INDIA or MVA for civic polls in Maharashtra: Raut

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Thursday that arrangements like the INDIA bloc or the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are not necessary for the upcoming local and civic body elections in Maharashtra. The Rajya Sabha member was speaking to reporters here during a routine media interaction. MVA was formed for the Maharashtra assembly elections, and the INDIA bloc for the Lok Sabha polls. There is no need for such alliances when it comes to civic elections, he said. About two dozen parties from across the country are a part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), while MVA comprises the Congress, Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). Raut also referred to public sentiment in Mumbai and other cities for a joint contest between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). There is pressure from people that Sena (UBT) and MNS should contest the civic polls in Mumbai and other cities in the state together. However, since the ...

Maharashtra govt passes bill allowing SRA to recover pending transit dues

The Maharashtra Assembly passed a bill amending the Slum Area (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971, on Wednesday, which allows the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) to recover pending transit rent dues from builders or developers. The amendment bill 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). 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 a defaulting developer. The bill also seeks to reduce the window for dissenting slum dwellers to join the SRA schemes - from 120 days to 60 days - once a majority (over 50 per cent) has consented to a redevelopment plan. After 60 days, those who do not join the scheme risk losing their .

Hotels, restaurants may go on token strike in Maha over tax hikes: AHAR

The hotel body says hikes in VAT, licence fees and excise duty have made it difficult for small businesses to survive and warns the moves may hurt tourism and state revenue

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.

DTE Maharashtra releases final merit list for Polytechnic Admission 2025

The DTE has released the Maharashtra Polytechnic Admission final merit list 2025 at poly25.dtemaharashtra.gov.in. Here's all you need to know

Hindi language row: BJP MP Dubey's remarks inappropriate, says Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's comments on the language issue in the state were inappropriate and risked causing confusion. Dubey's reported "patak patak ke marenge" remarks have caused a flutter. The Lok Sabha member from Jharkhand had put out a controversial post amid the ongoing language row in Maharashtra and attacks on non-Marathi speaking people. "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 MP from Godda posted on X. Asked about the controversy, CM Fadnavis said, "If you listen to the complete statement of Nishikant Dubey, he particularly spoke about an organisation and not against Marathi people in general. However, in my opinion, it is inappropriate to make such comments. Its interpretation causes confusion among the minds of people." The biggest contribu

520 farmers commit suicide in Marathwada region in Jan-Jun: Report

Eight districts of Maharashtra's Marathwada region registered 520 farmer suicides between January and June (up to June 26) 2025, up 20 per cent from 430 such cases reported in the same period last year, according to a state revenue department report. Beed district, where 126 farmers committed suicide in the first half of the current calendar year, topped the list in the central Maharashtra region. Eight districts of Marathwada had witnessed 430 farmer suicides between January and June 2024. During the same period in 2025 (up to June 26) 520 agriculturists killed themselves in the region, said the report. This represented a nearly 20 per cent rise in farmer suicides. During the January-June 2024 period also, Beed remained on top among districts with 101 farmer suicide cases, said the report. This year, ex-gratia payment has been given to the affected families in 264 out of 313 qualified cases, while 146 cases are under scrutiny. Also, 61 cases were found ineligible for ...

'Did Pahalgam terrorists join BJP?' Thackeray questions lack of arrests

On the language controversy, Uddhav Thackeray said: "We are not against any language. We are against its forced imposition."

Security increased after suspicious boat spotted off Maharashtra coast

Police and maritime security agencies have intensified their search for a suspicious boat, "possibly a Pakistani fishing vessel", spotted near Revdanda coast in Maharashtra's Raigad district, officials said on Monday. The boat was spotted on the Indian Navy's radar on Sunday night, around two nautical miles off the Korlai coast in Revdanda, an official said. It was "possibly a Pakistani fishing vessel", but the identity and other details will be ascertained once the boat is intercepted, the official said. Prima facie, the boat was suspected to have drifted to the Raigad coast, an official earlier said. Security along the coastline in Raigad was stepped up after the vessel was spotted. Following the alert, the Raigad Police, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), Quick Response Team (QRT), the Navy and the Coast Guard personnel rushed to the spot at night and launched the search, he said. Efforts to reach the boat were hampered at night due to heavy rain and strong winds. Raig

Investor apologises after MNS attack over remarks targeting Raj Thackeray

Five Maharashtra Navnirman Sena supporters were detained on Saturday for the attack on investor Sushil Kedia's office in Worli here over the latter's social media post about not learning Marathi and his "kya karna hai bol" dare to Raj Thackeray. Hours after the attack, Kedia apologised for the social post claiming he had overreacted and also professed admiration for Thackeray. Kedia said he had uploaded the post in a wrong state of mind under duress and stress and wished to correct it unequivocally after realising his mistake. "Having come under pressure mentally from the violence inflicted on those who do not know Marathi, I ended up over-reacting," Kedia said. "I realise I must take back my over-reactions and withdraw," he asserted. In his apology video, Kedia said, "Even after living for 30 years in Mumbai, the level of proficiency and fluency that a native Marathi born can have, we will not be able to achieve and for avoiding any embarrassments or confusions, one has been ...

Maha govt owes ₹89,000 cr to contractors, 500K await dues since July 2023

Over 500,000 contractors await ₹89,000 crore in unpaid dues for state projects; protest held across Maharashtra as associations urge govt to clear payments pending since July 2023

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 ...

Marathi row: Slogans raised as investor Kedia's office vandalised in Mumbai

Unidentified persons raised slogans supporting MNS chief Raj Thackeray and vandalised the office of investor Sushil Kedia in Worli area of Mumbai on Saturday, police said. Kedia had challenged Raj Thackeray and asserted that he would not learn Marathi. He had approached the police after he was threatened over his post on X handle. Some individuals reached Kedia's office in the morning and threw stones, a police official said. The attackers were raising slogans in support of Marathi and praising Raj Thackeray, he said. "I don't know Marathi properly even after living for 30 years in Mumbai & with your gross misconduct I have made it a resolve that until such people as you are allowed to pretend to be taking care of Marathi Manus I take pratigya I won't learn Marathi. Kya karna hai bol?" Kedia had posted on X. Accordingly, police had provided adequate security to Kedia's office, situated at Century Bazar.

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

'Have come together to stay together': Uddhav, Raj unite after 20 yrs

After nearly two decades, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray shared stage in Mumbai to celebrate Maharashtra government's rollback of Hindi in primary schools