Page 27 - Maharashtra

Maha govt clears road for e-bike taxis, aims to create 10,000 jobs in MMR

The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved introduction of electric-bike taxis for cities with at least one lakh population, a move which will benefit single passengers travelling up to 15 km and cover Mumbai besides several other urban centres in the state. The measure will create more than 10,000 jobs in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and another 10,000 in the rest of the state, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said. Talking to reporters, he said e-bikes with a proper partition between front and pillion riders and a roof cover for monsoons will be allowed to ferry people. Sarnaik made the announcement after a weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Sahaydri guest house approved the proposal to launch electric-bike taxis in major urban areas. He said the cabinet has only approved the policy on launching e-bike taxis, and a revenue model is being finalised and would be announced soon. Security of passengers and affordable tariffs ...

Govt to form panel to decide on MTNL, BSNL assets in Mumbai: Scindia

The Minister of Communications attended a meeting organised at the Sahyadri Guest House here on the BSNL's assets in Mumbai and the communication system in Maharashtra

Kunal Kamra's 'How to Kill an Artist' post slams govt over joke row

Kunal Kamra's latest Instagram post accuses the government of systematically silencing artists, sharing a detailed 'playbook' on how dissenting voices are suppressed

'How can you call him a gaddar?' Owaisi backs Kunal Kamra amid Shinde row

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi questions Maharashtra government's reaction to Kunal Kamra's remarks, saying the comedian never named Shinde. Owaisi says selective application of law is the real betrayal

Bajaj hits record sales of over 26,000 vehicles on Gudi Padwa weekend

According to the company, it also broke all records for sales in Maharashtra too over the weekend from March 29 to 30 on the festival heralding new year for Maharashtrians

Raj Thackeray warns against 'communal provocation' over Aurangzeb tomb row

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray said people are being made to fight in the name of history, and politicians exploit these issues. 'Stop reading history on WhatsApp,' he urged

No need to discuss PM Modi's successor: CM Fadnavis to Sanjay Raut

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday dismissed speculation about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successor, asserting that Modi would continue to lead the country for many more years. Responding to Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut's claim that Modi went to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur on Sunday to convey the message to Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat that he is retiring, Fadnavis told reporters in Nagpur, In 2029, we will see Modi as the prime minister again. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, senior RSS leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji' Joshi said he is not aware of any talk of (PM's) replacement. There is no need to search for his successor. He (Modi) is our leader and will continue, Fadnavis said. Discussing succession while the leader is active is inappropriate in Indian culture, the CM added. In our culture, when the father is alive, it is inappropriate to talk about succession. That is Mughal culture. The time has not come to discuss it, he said, referring to Raut's claim .

Maharashtra departments told to specify potential rise in expenditures

Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik has issued a directive to all departments mandating that any new proposals presented to the state cabinet must clearly outline the potential increase in expenditure beyond their allocated budget. The directive, issued on Friday, comes amid signs of the state's financial constraints. It has called for transparency in identifying the potential increases in expenditure for any new proposal, thus holding departments accountable for their financial commitments. The directive stresses that no proposals should be submitted to the cabinet without specifying how much the department's expenditure may exceed its original allocation. To rein in the unnecessary spending, departments have also been instructed to limit unproductive expenditure, consolidate redundant government schemes, and curb free-of-cost services wherever possible, an official said. The directive encourages reducing non-productive spending, merging redundant schemes and focusing on ..

Sanjay Raut asks Centre to provide security for Kunal Kamra as FIRs pile up

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday demanded Central protection for comedian Kunal Kamra, facing flak and investigation over his jibe against Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, on the similar lines it had protected actor Kangana Ranaut in 2020. Multiple FIRs were registered against Kamra for his "traitor" jibe at Shiv Sena head and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde during a show, leading to the ransacking of a studio by Shiv Sena workers last Sunday. On Friday, the Madras High Court granted interim anticipatory bail to Kamra, against whom Mumbai Police had issued two notices seeking his personal appearance for questioning. Raut also welcomed the Supreme Court order on quashing an FIR against Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi for allegedly posting a clip of a poem advocating the protection of freedom of speech and expression. He said like Pratapgarhi, Kamra is also an artist, poet, and satirist. "Kamra should come to Mumbai to put forth his point (before the police). The Centre protecte

Kunal Kamra faces more trouble as three cases filed against him in Mumbai

Kunal Kamra had approached the Madras High Court to seek transit anticipatory bail, claiming he has been receiving many threats following his recent satirical comments

Disha Salian was depressed over misuse of money by father: Closure report

The Mumbai police's closure report in the Disha Salian death case had termed it a suicide and asserted she was battling depression due to various reasons, including misuse of her money by her father, an official said on Friday. Disha Salian was a former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. She allegedly committed suicide by jumping off the 12th floor of her building in Jankalyan Nagar in north Mumbai's Malad area on June 8, 2020, as per police. The closure report by Malvani police, which probed the incident, was submitted to a superior officer (as per rules for accidental death report) on February 4, 2021. As part of the probe, Malvani police recorded statements of her friends and some witnesses, during which it came to light that she was depressed due to some failed projects, misunderstanding with friends and misuse of her money by her father, the official said. The police had also recorded statements of actors with whom Disha Salian was communicating on behalf of her company, .

'Sena workers provoked': Rahool Kanal defends vandalism in Kunal Kamra row

Kunal Kamra-Eknath Shinde row: Shiv Sena youth leader Rahool Kanal defends vandalism, says studio owner misbehaved with Shinde Sena workers

Jindal Stainless mulls ₹40,000 cr investment for new plant in Maharashtra

The proposal, with an estimated investment of Rs 40,000 crore, is scheduled to be developed over the next 10 years, which is expected to create more than 15,000 jobs

Kunal Kamra row: Mumbai Police asks stand-up to appear before it on Mar 31

Mumbai police on Thursday asked stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra to appear before it on March 31 in connection with the case against him for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The case stems from Kamra's recent show at the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where he performed a parody song targeting Eknath Shinde. The act prompted a backlash from Shiv Sena supporters, who vandalised the club and the hotel in which it is located on Sunday night. Kamra (36) was booked by Khar police on a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel. Kamra was asked to appear before police on Tuesday but he had sought seven days time, the official said. "In the second summons issued to him, Kunal Kamra has been asked to appear before police on March 31," the official informed. Police had also arrested 12 Shiv Sainiks, including leader Rahool Kanal, for vandalising the studio in which Kamra's show was filmed and the hotel in which it is located. They were ...

Maha Legislative Council admits breach of privilege notice against Kamra

The Maharashtra legislative council has admitted a breach of privilege notice against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for allegedly insulting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent performance. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare has also been named in the notice. Maharashtra legislative council chairman Ram Shinde told PTI on Thursday he has accepted a privilege notice against Kunal Kamra over the 'traitor' jibe and had forwarded it to the Privileges Committee. The controversy stems from Kamra's recent show at the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where he performed a parody song targeting Eknath Shinde. The act prompted a backlash from Shiv Sena supporters, who vandalised the club and the hotel in which it is located on Sunday night. "I have accepted the notice of breach of privilege against Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare and have sent it to Privilege Committee chairman Prasad Lad. The future course of action regarding the motion will be decided by

Vaishnaw justifies police action against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday justified the summons issued to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for references to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, asserting that it should be done if it is required by the law of the land. Kamra kicked up a major political storm in Maharashtra by making caustic remarks against Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, in his show recorded at a studio in Mumbai a few days ago. Vaishnaw, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, was speaking at an interactive session at the Times Now Summit here. "If the law of the land requires it, it should be done," he said when asked if summoning of Kamra by the police was "too extreme" an action. Vaishnaw said while the Constitution granted citizens certain rights, they were accompanied by some safeguards. "We have to work within the framework of the Constitution as a society. Freedom of speech and expression is well laid out. Everybody respects it. The Constitution has also laid certain safegu

Lubrizol pumps nearly Rs 3,000 crore into India, eyes 2 times growth

Lubrizol, which has had a presence in India for nearly 60 years, is now establishing an innovation centre in Maharashtra

NBCC, MAHAPREIT sign ₹25,000 cr MoU for housing, urban projects

State-owned NBCC has signed an MoU with Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Ltd to jointly undertake housing and urban development projects worth Rs 25,000 crore in Maharashtra. In a statement on Wednesday, NBCC said it has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Ltd (MAHAPREIT). This collaboration aims to jointly undertake a wide range of consultancy, fee-based, EPC and redevelopment projects from concept to commissioning, it added. NBCC said it will be entering into redevelopment for the first time in Maharashtra after having great success in transforming the landscape of Delhi through this unique redevelopment model. Under this partnership, NBCC and MAHAPREIT will collaborate on key infrastructure projects in Maharashtra, including cluster development projects in Thane Municipal Corporation, data centres, renewable energy initiatives, slum rehabilitation projects in the Mumbai

Breach of privilege notice filed against Kunal Kamra in Maharashtra council

A breach of privilege notice was moved against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in the Maharashtra legislative council on Wednesday over his parody song targeting deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. BJP legislator Pravin Darekar moved the notice against the comedian as well as Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare. "Kunal Kamra performed a song containing personal and insulting references to deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde," said Darekar, leader of the legislative council, presenting the motion. "Andhare supported the performance and used objectionable language, which amounts to contempt of the House," he further said. Both Kamra and Andhare disrespected the dignity of legislative institutions through their remarks, Darekar claimed. The notice will have to be approved by Council chairman Ram Shinde before it is presented to the privilege committee. If the committee approves it, the motion will be discussed in the House. In the state assembly, Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Bornare

Maha govt has shelved proposal to levy 6% tax on high-end EVs: CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced in the legislative council that the government won't implement its proposed 6 per cent tax on electric vehicles (EVs) priced above Rs 30 lakh. The announcement came while Fadnavis was responding to a question by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab during a discussion in the Upper House on EVs and air pollution. Parab raised concerns over the proposed tax, saying it would go against the Centre's efforts to promote non-polluting EVs through various incentives. The Maharashtra government's proposal to levy a 6 per cent tax on EVs above Rs 30 lakh would be counter-productive and contradict the broader objective of encouraging clean mobility, Parab said. Fadnavis conceded and said the government has concluded that the tax won't generate significant revenue. It could send a wrong signal about our commitment to electric mobility. Therefore, the state government will not go ahead with the 6 per cent tax on high-end electric