Page 20 - Maharashtra

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

Suspect in Pune techie 'rape' was her friend; she took selfie herself: Cops

A suspect detained in connection with the alleged rape of a Pune IT professional at her home was her friend and not a stranger who gained entry by posing as a courier delivery agent, police said on Friday, casting doubt on her version of the events. It was the woman herself who took a selfie with him and typed a threatening message in her phone, police commissioner Amitesh Kumar said. "They know each other for a couple of years and belong to the same community," he said. The 22-year-old woman had claimed that a man who posed as a courier delivery agent entered her flat in Kondhwa area on Wednesday evening when she was alone, and forced himself on her. She passed out, and when she regained consciousness, he was gone, she said. Before leaving, the accused clicked a selfie using her phone in which her back and a part of his face are seen, and left a message warning that he had taken her pictures and would release them on social media if she reported the incident, she told police. But

7 MNS workers detained for assaulting food vendor over not speaking Marathi

Seven members of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) were detained for allegedly assaulting a foodstall owner for not speaking Marathi, an official said on Friday. The accused persons were allowed to go after the police served notices on them, he said. The incident took place on Tuesday in the Bhayander area of Thane district. A video of the assault, which went viral on social media, showed some of the attackers wearing scarves sporting the MNS symbol. While purchasing food, one of them asked the stall owner to speak in Marathi, to which he questioned them back. While the man shouted at the shopkeeper, some others with him slapped the stall owner, a police official had said earlier. The Kashimira police had subsequently registered a case against seven MNS members under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rioting, threatening and assault. The accused persons were brought to the police station. They were allowed to go after the police handed them notices, said ...

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.

Maha oppn stages protest against Sena MLC's remarks on Warkari sect

Opposition legislators staged a protest at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan's steps on Thursday against Shiv Sena lawmaker Manisha Kayande's remarks claiming "urban Naxals" have infiltrated the annual wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. The protesters, including Leader of Opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad, held copies of the Constitution and shouted slogans criticising the government for allegedly defaming the religious tradition. They accused the government of promoting superstition and dividing the society by targeting devotees who participate in the holy Ashadhi wari annual pilgrimage to the temple town of Pandharpur. Kayande's remarks were unfounded, misleading and an attempt to politicise the spiritual journey undertaken by lakhs of 'warkaris' (devotees of Lord Vitthal) every year, they claimed. The opposition leaders alleged that such remarks were an attempt to create discord and

Farmers sinking deeper into debt: Rahul Gandhi criticises Modi govt

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi cited a media report that claimed 767 farmers in Maharashtra have taken their own lives in just three months

IMD weather alert: UP, Bihar, Uttarakhand brace for severe rain, storms

Weather update: Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to impact daily life across North India, including UP, Bihar, and Uttarakhand, warns IMD

Prosecution claims Porsche crash accused using delaying tactics in court

Accused persons in the 2024 Porsche car crash case involving a teenager driver are using delaying tactics to prolong legal proceedings by moving "frivolous" applications before a trial court in Pune, the prosecution argued on Wednesday. Currently, the court is hearing arguments for framing of charges against 10 accused involved in the swapping of blood samples of the 17-year-old juvenile, who fatally knocked down two IT professionals while driving a Porsche car allegedly under the influence of alcohol in May last year. The prosecution on Friday concluded its arguments seeking that charges be framed against all accused citing it has conclusive DNA evidence to prove the minor boy's blood samples were swapped with those of his mother at the state-run Sassoon General Hospital. All 10 accused, of whom nine are currently in jail, were equally involved in the conspiracy, it told the court. Defence lawyers representing the 10 accused, including the boy's father, were supposed to begin ...

Govt to amend existing laws to invoke MCOCA against drug peddlers: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the state government will amend the existing laws so that drug peddlers are booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The amendment will be done in the ongoing monsoon session of the state legislature, he said. Replying to a question in the legislative council, Fadnavis said that action is taken against those involved in drug peddling and at present they are booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. However, those arrested get bail and again resume their activities, Fadnavis said. "The government is amending laws so that these people can be arrested under the MCOCA. The amendment will be done in the ongoing monsoon session of the state legislature," the chief minister said.