Page 24 - Maharashtra

Maharashtra govt plans to bolster civil defence force amid staff shortage

With the spotlight on civil defence, a course will be introduced in the engineering college syllabus from the upcoming academic year, a senior Maharashtra government official said

Maha Cyber branch removes 5,000 posts for misinformation amid conflict

Maharashtra Cyber has removed 5,000 posts from social media platforms containing fake news and misinformation about the military conflict between India and Pakistan, an official said on Saturday. According to officials, fake news about the army's movements, strategic operations, or retaliatory measures from neighbouring countries was found on social media. The cybercrime detection agency has also issued an advisory on the circulation of fake news and misinformation related to the military conflict, the official said. He said such unverified and misleading content poses a serious risk to national security and may contribute to the escalation of the conflict. Taking serious cognisance of such fake news and misinformation, the agency issued notices to take down and remove such false narratives from social media and communication platforms, he said. The official said the agency has removed around 5,000 social media posts containing fake news and misinformation about the military ...

All security precautions are in place in Maharashtra, says CM Fadnavis

The Maharashtra government has taken all security precautions, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday, against the backdrop of the widening conflict between India and Pakistan. Fadnavis spoke to reporters in Alandi village after taking darshan of Sant Dnyaneshwar. "Pakistan is a terrorist state. They have been supporting terrorism, but India won't stop. Under the leadership of PM Modi, our armed forces are giving a befitting response to Pakistan," he said. When asked about the heightened security measures in Maharashtra, Fadnavis said a review meeting was held in Mumbai on Friday. "All security precautions have been taken in the state in the wake of the current situation. Security information is provided to the district units, and resources are being made available," he said. Fadnavis on Friday said the police, Coast Guard and Navy are on alert mode in the state, and all SoPs (Standard Operating Procedures) are being followed. "Police, Navy and Coast Guard are on alert

Police, Coast Guard and Navy on alert mode in Maharashtra: CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the police, Coast Guard and Navy are on alert mode in the state, and all SoPs (Standard Operating Procedures) are being followed. Talking to reporters here, Fadnavis said a review meeting to take stock of the state's internal security will be held later in the day. He was responding to a query on the steps being taken to protect the state's coastline, a day after Pakistan's attempts to target Indian military installations were repelled. Police, Navy and Coast Guard are on alert mode. Regular exercises are being undertaken, and whatever steps are needed to be taken as per the war book' are being taken care of. A review meeting on internal security will be convened later in the day. We are on alert mode, he said. The Indian armed forces on early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan under Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that ..

CM Fadnavis to chair high-level security review meeting in Mumbai

The meeting comes after Pakistani drones were intercepted by the Indian air defence in Jaisalmer

Ghatkopar hoarding collapse: Probe panel submits report to CM Fadnavis

A committee set up by the Maharashtra government to probe the hoarding collapse in Ghatkopar last year, in which 17 persons lost their lives, has submitted its report to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, an official said on Thursday. The report was submitted to Fadnavis in a sealed cover on Wednesday, and he forwarded it to the Home Department for further action, the official said. He said the six-member committee, headed by former Allahabad High Court chief justice Dilip Bhosle, has made suggestions about hoardings in the report. At least 17 people were killed and 74 injured after a huge iron hoarding collapsed on a petrol pump in Ghatkopar amid a dust storm on May 13, 2024. Following the incident, the state government set up a committee to investigate the roles of the entities responsible for the hoarding and the petrol pump. It was to examine previous records, financial transactions, and any potential collusion with officials from various agencies, and it was also tasked with .

Maharashtra govt launches disaster management training for students at ITIs

In light of the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha on Thursday announced the introduction of disaster management training across all industrial training institutes (ITIs) in the state. The state skill development minister, in a statement, said a special programme will begin on Thursday to equip students with essential knowledge in civil defence and disaster preparedness. The aim is to strengthen resilience and readiness among youth in response to potential emergencies, the statement said. The programme will be launched at the Rajamata Jijau Government ITI in Kopri, Thane, and will be expanded to other ITIs in the state later. Former Director General of Police Praveen Dixit will guide the sessions, while training will be conducted in collaboration with Aniruddha's Academy of Disaster Management. The curriculum will cover various aspects of civil defence and emergency response techniques. Lodha said the move is a proactive step to

Civil mock drills in Mumbai, Thane, Pune today: All you need to know

The nationwide civil defence drill today will test emergency readiness post-Pahalgam attack; Maharashtra among key states with large-scale mock exercises

Hyundai Motor India to start production at Talegaon plant by end-2025

Hyundai Motor India Ltd on Tuesday said it is gearing up to commence operations at its manufacturing facility in Talegaon, Maharashtra, acquired from General Motors, in the fourth quarter of this calendar year. The company, which marked its 29th foundation day on Tuesday having sold a cumulative 1.27 crore units since inception on May 6, 1996, said it has also recently allocated Rs 1,500 crore towards revamp and modernisation of its Chennai manufacturing facility. "Envisioning India at the heart of global manufacturing and commerce, Hyundai began its journey with the country 29 years ago with a vision of mutual progress," Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) Managing Director Unsoo Kim said. He further said the company will "continue to drive transformation in products and services, while contributing meaningfully to the society". HMIL said it is geared up to commence operations at its new manufacturing facility in Talegaon, Maharashtra, in Q4 of calendar year 2025. The company had in

HC frowns on copy-paste witness statements, calls it risky for prosecution

Taking notice of the "dangerous culture" of investigating officers copy-pasting witness statements even while filing charge sheets in serious offences, the Bombay High Court has asked the Maharashtra government to issue necessary guidelines. Hearing a petition in a criminal matter, the bench noted that the statements of witnesses reproduced in the charge sheet were so similar that even "the paragraphs start with the same words and end with the same words". If the police were cutting corners in this way even in serious cases, it was not a good sign for the criminal justice system, said Justices Vibha Kankanwadi and Sanjay Deshmukh of the Aurangabad bench in a recent order. "It is high time to take cognizance of the issue suo motu (on its own) and to consider, as to what are those shortcomings or difficulties for the investigating officer/ officers when they record such copy-paste statements," the court said. The bench asked the state government to come out with specific guidelines .

Justo Realfintech files draft papers with BSE SME to raise funds via IPO

Justo Realfintech, a real estate solution provider, has filed its preliminary papers with BSE SME to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO). The IPO is entirely a fresh issue of up to 49.61 lakh equity shares with a face value of Rs 10 each, and the shares of the company are proposed to be listed on the BSE's SME platform, according to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) filed on Wednesday. The net proceeds from the IPO, worth Rs 36.5 crore, will be used by the firm towards long-term working capital requirements, and Rs 6.30 crore will be used for funding investment in development of software and a technological platform. The company will also plan to use the funds worth Rs 5 crore towards repayment of debt and the balance for general corporate purposes. Incorporated in 2019, Maharashtra-based Justo Realfintech provides solutions, including decisions on pricing and sizing of the projects to real estate developers and enabling the delivery of the products to end ..

12 of 48 departments score 100% in Maharashtra govt's 100-day report card

A dozen of the 48 Maharashtra Government departments have scored a perfect 100 in their 100-day report card, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday. Fadnavis, after taking charge as chief minister in December last year, had set a 100-day programme for each department, setting ambitious targets. As many as 18 other departments have achieved more than 80 per cent of their targets in the 100-day period, Fadnavis said on X. Ten departments have achieved between 60 and 79 per cent of their targets, while eight departments have recorded below 60 per cent target achievement, he said. The departments with 100 per cent target completion include water resources, home, rural development, animal husbandry, ports, higher and technical education, labour, textiles, cultural affairs, mining, dairy development and employment guarantee scheme.

Prez Murmu, PM Modi greet citizens on Gujarat, Maharashtra formation day

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday greeted the people of Maharashtra and Gujarat on the formation day of their states, and expressed hope that the two states will play an important role in making India a developed nation. Gujarat and Maharashtra were formed on May 1, 1960 following the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Bombay on linguistic grounds. "On the foundation day of Gujarat state, I extend my heartiest greetings to all my countrymen, especially my Gujarati brothers and sisters living in India and abroad. "This land of sons like Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, who gave the message of peace and non-violence to the world, and Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who united India, has always shown the way to humanity," Murmu said in a post on X in Hindi. The people of Gujarat have increased India's prestige across the world on the strength of their talent, dedication and hard work, she said. "I am confident that Gujarat will set new standards of progress and will make

Datanomics: 65 years on, Gujarat leads Maharashtra in key economic metrics

The shift is most stark in manufacturing - historically a core strength of Maharashtra

Govt approves policy to create 40,000 shipbuilding jobs in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved a policy to transform the state into a major hub for building ships, undertaking their repair, recycling, and create a supportive ecosystem to develop skilled manpower for the key sector. Capital subsidy, financial assistance for skill development per projects and land at concessional rates or long-term leases to corporate entities interested in setting up facilities in the sector are key features of the policy approved by the state cabinet at its meeting in Mumbai. Ports Minister Nitesh Rane highlighted that India is surrounded by the sea on three sides and given its strategic importance in international trade, the Maharashtra government has resolved to transform the coastal state into a major centre for shipbuilding, repair, and recycling. "The state government has devised the Shipbuilding, Ship Repair, and Ship Recycling Policy, 2025. Given Maharashtra's strategic role in the maritime sector, a dedicated shipyard and recycling policy

Maharashtra Day 2025: Mumbai Police issues traffic advisory for May 1

Mumbai traffic police shared a road advisory for Maharashtra Day parade at Shivaji Park on May 1. Traffic rules will be effective from 6:00 am on the no-parking zones, road closures, and diversions

Shifting political equations: The new normal in Maharashtra's power play

Recent bonhomie among the Thackeray cousins, Pawar clan engagements, amid purported friction between Fadnavis and Shinde, could shape the contours of local body polls, writes ADITI PHADNIS

Strong sentiment across India to avenge Pahalgam terror attack: Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday said there is a strong sentiment across the country to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 persons lost their lives. Pawar said the Indian Army will take decisive action against persons responsible for Tuesday's attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which six tourists from Maharashtra were killed. Speaking at an event organised by the public health department here, the deputy chief minister said, "We have paid tributes to those who lost their lives in the attack, including six people from Maharashtra. There is a feeling across the country that the attack should be avenged. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken some key decisions such as suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and all ties have been snapped with them (Pakistan)." Innocent tourists were killed in such a "cowardly attack", he said, adding that everybody has condemned the act and it should not recur. Pawar said, "I have no doubt that our Indian Army will elimin

WR announces 35-hour mega block at Kandivali, train services to be affected

Western Railway on Thursday announced a 35-hour mega block on its suburban corridor for regirdering work of a bridge between Kandivali and Borivali. The block over the weekend will affect running of suburban and long distance trains, an official said. In a release issued this evening, WR said the block was for regirdering work of bridge number 61 on the 5th line, Carshed line and Kandivali Traffic Yard line. "The mega block is commence at 1 pm on April 26 and end at midnight in the intervening night of April 27 and 28," it said. Vineet Abhishek, chief public relations officer of Western Railway, said during the block period, suburban services and Mail/ Express trains running on the 5th line will be operated on fast lines. "Also, a few Mail/ Express trains will be affected while some suburban services will remain cancelled. Around 73 suburban services will remain cancelled due to the block on Saturday, while around 90 suburban services will remain cancelled on Sunday," he said. Tw

Govt has taken note of hospitals seeking deposit before treatment: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the government has taken a serious note of the complaints that some hospitals do not treat patients without taking a deposit, and said instructions have been given to form a special inspection team to control charity hospitals. The special inspection team will be formed in coordination with the Charity Commissioner, Health Department and Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Cell, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. Charity hospitals in the state should provide free treatment to patients from poor and vulnerable groups. Hospitals should register information about remaining beds and Indigent Patient Fund (IPF) in the online system, it said. Fadnavis was speaking at the review meeting of the Chief Minister's Relief Fund Cell and Charity Hospital Relief Cell . The meeting assumes significance in the backdrop of the death of a pregnant woman in Pune after she was alleged denied admission by Deenanath ...