Page 35 - Maharashtra

Why should Mumbaikars fund Dharavi land grab, questions Aaditya Thackery

He further pointed out that the Deonar land was already grabbed by the Adani Group, despite objections from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)

Why is CM Fadnavis not concerned about Maratha children: Manoj Jarange

Quota activist Manoj Jarange on Wednesday asked why Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who cares so much for his daughter does not show similar concern for the Maratha children and grant them reservation. Jarange, who has undertaken several hunger strikes demanding quota in education and government jobs for the Maratha community, was referring to Fadnavis's statement on Tuesday that he had postponed shifting to the chief minister's official residence in Mumbai until his daughter's Class 10 exams get over. Speaking to reporters here, Jarange said, "We saw a father's love for his daughter yesterday....if he has so much concern for his daughter, why doesn't he care for the children from the Maratha community? "For your daughter's sake, you are not shifting to another bungalow just 500 metres away....then why can't you see the plight of our kids who hang themselves if they get less marks in exams? Why doesn't the CM give them the reservation which is their right," Jarange added. He also

After bird flu outbreak, Maha village, nearby areas declared 'alert zone'

The Chandrapur district administration in Maharashtra has declared Mangli village and areas falling within a radius of 10km from it as an 'alert zone' to prevent the spread of bird flu, official sources said on Tuesday. The collector and chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Monday issued an order in this regard, outlining steps to prevent the spread of bird flu, they said. According to the sources, after the death of poultry birds in Mangli village under Brahmapuri tehsil on January 25, samples were collected by the Animal Husbandry Department and sent to the State Level Animal Disease Investigation Laboratory and Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Pune and Bhopal, respectively. The samples came positive for bird flu (avian influenza H5N1). After receiving of reports, the Chandrapur collector and chairman of the DDMA declared Mangli village and areas within a radius of 10km from it as an 'alert

Fadnavis dismisses claim of not shifting to CM house due to superstition

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday dismissed claims of not shifting to the official CM residence in south Mumbai due to superstition, and said he would move in after his daughter's board exams get over. His clarification comes hours after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut that buffaloes sacrificed in Guwahati during Eknath Shinde's visit to the Kamakhya temple were buried on the premises of 'Varsha', the official residence of the chief minister, so that the CM's post should not go to anybody else other than Shinde. Shinde became the chief minister of the state in June 2022 after he rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray and joined hands with the BJP. He remained the CM till November 2024. But after the assembly polls, Fadnavis took over as the chief minister for the third time. Fadnavis currently stays at 'Sagar' bungalow despite taking charge as chief minister in the first week of December. Dismissing Raut's claims, Fadnavis said, "I will move into 'Varsha' bungalow .

Lack of chlorine detected in water supplied to GBS patients' houses in Pune

A survey of water quality conducted in and around Nanded village, the epicentre of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Pune city, has found that there was lack chlorine in the drinking water supplied to the households of 26 patients of this nerve disorder, officials said. On Tuesday, three fresh cases of GBS were reported in the city, taking the overall tally to 166, they said. Officials of the Rapid Response Team (RRT), formed to probe the outbreak of the GBS cases in Nanded and adjoining localities on Sinhagad Road area, there are a total of 77 GBS patients in Nanded. Of them, the households of 62 patients were visited to take the samples of the drinking water. The findings of the house-to-house survey about lack of chlorine in drinking water was discussed in the meeting of the RRT. Experts have now urged the water supply department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to take immediate action to maintain chlorine level of 0.2 PPM (parts per million) in the household water supply

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Activist alleges Rs 88 cr 'scam' in agriculture dept under Dhananjay Munde

Activist Anjali Damania on Tuesday alleged a Rs 88 crore 'scam' in the agriculture department when NCP leader Dhananjay Munde held the portfolio in the previous Mahayuti coalition government in Maharashtra. Despite the Union government's 2016 directive to transfer money directly to farmers' bank accounts under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), the agriculture department purchased equipment and fertilisers for distribution to farmers at inflated rates, she claimed. Reaction from Munde's office to the allegations was awaited. The NCP leader, now minister for Food and Civil Supplies, is already under fire over the arrest of his aide Walmik Karad in an extortion case related to the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed district. Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat told reporters that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will "certainly take notice" of the allegations and order an inquiry. Speaking at a press conference here, Damania presented documents related to the alleged scam. "These

BMC allocates Rs 1,000 cr for BEST bus services in FY 2025-26 budget

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has in its budget for the financial year 2025-26 allocated Rs 1,000 crore for the civic bus services BEST, acknowledging its financial challenges. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, the second-largest public transport system in the metropolis after suburban trains, operates a fleet of around 3,000 buses, serving more than 30 lakh commuters daily. In the budget document presented on Tuesday, the BMC stated that despite its own financial commitments, it has made the provision considering BEST's financial position. "Although BMC itself has a huge requirement of funds towards its ongoing projects and other important objectives, a total provision of Rs 1000 crore is proposed in 2025-26 as a grant to BEST undertaking considering its financial position," the document stated. As per the budget documents, the funds will be used for infrastructure development, capital equipment purchases, loan repayments, wet lease

Ladki Bahin scheme to continue in Maharashtra without interruption: Shinde

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said the Ladki Bahin scheme will continue without interruption, reaffirming the Mahayuti government's commitment to the welfare of women. The Ladki Bahin scheme is widely credited to have contributed to the BJP-led coalition's big win in the state assembly polls in November 2024. Women are provided a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 under the scheme. The Shiv Sena headed by Shinde and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP are constituents of the ruling Mahayuti. Addressing a gathering at an event in Thane city on Monday night, Shinde said, "The Mahayuti government would never allow the Ladki Bahin scheme to be discontinued." He reiterated the government's commitment to social welfare programmes. "Our responsibility has increased as we have been given another chance to serve the people," said Shinde, who holds charge of the housing and urban development departments. He addressed concerns related to pending housing projects across Mumbai, Thane,

Ready to help reconcile two Senas, but hearts need to meet first: Shirsat

Maharashtra Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat has said he is ready to facilitate reconciliation between his party and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) but hearts must meet first. The Shiv Sena spokesperson, in an interview with a Marathi channel on Saturday, said he and many of his party colleagues share cordial ties with the Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders even today. Shirsat said he is pained by the split in the Bal Thackeray-founded Shiv Sena, which is now headed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Asked if he was ready to facilitate any efforts towards rapprochement if he gets an opportunity, Shirsat said, I will do it, but hearts need to meet first. Leaders of the two parties still meet each other warmly, he said. But the distance has become such that if it's not bridged now, it will be difficult to mend ties later, Shirsat said. Asked whether Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, the son of former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, could facilitate a patch-up,

GBS in parts of Maharashtra: Likely reasons for disease's outbreak

Infected water source likely the reason for rare neurological condition, say doctors

Ajit Pawar warns party workers against involvement in extortion rackets

Amid the political row over the murder of a sarpanch, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday asked NCP workers in Beed district not to get involved in extortion attempts targeting development projects. Asking his party workers to maintain a "clean character", the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief said political interference will not be tolerated in the administration. His remarks come against the backdrop of the arrest of Walmik Karad, a close associate of state NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, in an extortion case linked to the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed district. The opposition has been demanding Munde's ouster in the wake of the arrest of his associate and to facilitate an impartial probe into the murder of Deshmukh. Pawar arrived in Beed on Thursday morning, his first visit since becoming the district guardian minister. Addressing a gathering of NCP workers, he said, "Maintain a clean character. Everybody should take care not to mingle with

Supriya Sule blames urban planning failure, pollution for rising GBS cases

NCP (SP) Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule on Thursday slammed the Pune civic administration as she blamed the "urban planning failure" and rising pollution for the outbreak of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare never disorder, in the city. There is a need to find the scientific cause behind the prevalence of GBS cases, the parliamentarian representing Baramati in Maharashtra's Pune district told reporters. Sule demanded that the government bear all medical expenses of the GBS patients, claiming the disease was prevalent due to the "flawed management". She visited a well, located in Nanded village off Sinhgad Road area here, from where contaminated water is suspected to have been supplied to adjoining localities, leading to the rise in GBS cases. A 56-year-old woman from Pune is suspected to have died of GBS on Wednesday, while a 40-year-old man from Solapur died on Sunday. Till Wednesday, 127 suspected patients of GBS were found in Pune and elsewhere in the state, as per officials

Illegal Bangladeshi, Rohingya migrants major security threat: Nitesh Rane

Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane has claimed Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas staying illegally in India is a major security concern and an attempt to Islamise the society. The BJP leader further said illegal immigrants should not be allowed to stay in India. "Illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas staying here is a major security concern. It is an attempt to Islamise our society. Past experience shows this is a serious threat to Mumbai and the country. It is an attempt to take control of the city or the state," Rane told reporters here on Wednesday. He said BJP leaders, including Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Kirit Somaiya, were working to protect Mumbai's interests. Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to stay in India, and should be "dumped" in Pakistan and Bangladesh, the minister said. "We do not want such dirt here. There are dumping grounds like Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is better to dump such dirt there. Not a single Bangladeshi or Rohingya should be staying here," he ...

Maha minister Nitesh Rane demands ban on burqas for Class 10, 12 exams

Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane on Wednesday sought a ban on wearing burqa during the next month's Std 10th and 12th examinations of the state board, raising concerns of security and examination malpractices. He also demanded a ban on the burqa at educational institutions, stating that religious attires should be confined to homes and religious places. Rane wrote a letter in this regard to Maharashtra school education minister Dada Bhuse. "Students appearing for the 10th and 12th board exams should not be permitted to wear a burqa. If necessary, female police officers or female staff should be appointed to conduct checks. These exams are crucial for students' future, and they must be conducted transparently, free from any malpractices such as cheating. "If examinees are allowed to wear burqas, it will be difficult to determine whether electronic devices or other means are being used to cheat. In case of any untoward incident, it could lead to social and ...

Explained: All about Guillain-Barré syndrome

Maharashtra is seeing a sudden surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases, with over 100 reported so far, mostly in Pune. Watch the video for a full explainer on the syndrome.

Beed sarpanch murder: Activist Damania seeks action against Dhananjay Munde

Activist Anjali Damania on Wednesday said she would file a Public Interest Litigation and make even the chief minister a respondent if the Maharashtra government did not act against minister Dhananjay Munde within four days. Speaking to Marathi news channels, Damania, who met deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar two days ago, said she had given all necessary documentary evidence about Munde's 'nexus' with extortion case accused Walmik Karad. "I have given the government an ultimatum of 96 hours....I will wait for four days...to see if action is taken against Munde. Else I will file a PIL and make chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy CM Ajit Pawar respondents and personally liable," she said. She had provided evidence about alleged financial dealings of Karad and Munde and also about a firm in which they are partners getting a contract from a government company, she said. Munde, a leader of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), is facing the heat since the murder of

Doctors detect rare 'fetus in fetu' case in pregnant woman in Maharashtra

The rare condition, which affects approximately one in 500,000 births, involves the presence of a malformed fetus within the body of its twin

Maharashtra sets up panel to explore phasing out petrol, diesel vehicles

The Maharashtra government has a set up a seven-member committee to study the possibility of imposing a ban on petrol and diesel vehicles in the Mumbai Metropolitan Area, in view of the city's worsening air quality. The committee, headed by retired IAS officer Sudhir Kumar Shrivastava, will study and submit a report with its recommendations within three months, as per government resolution (GR) dated January 22. Maharashtra's transport commissioner, Mumbai's joint police commissioner (traffic), managing director of the Mahanagar Gas Limited, project manager of the Maharashtra State Power Distribution Company Limited (Mahavitaran), president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and joint transport commissioner (enforcement-1) as member secretary are the other panelists. The committee has given powers to include experts in the field as fellow members and get feedback from them, as per the GR. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) also comprises areas of the ...

'Pune's GBS cases may be linked to suspected water contamination'

Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar on Monday disclosed that 80 per cent of the suspected cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder, in Pune have been reported from areas located around a mega well in Nanded village on Sinhgad Road. Abitkar, who was in the city to review the GBS situation, noted that high number of cases in certain areas appears to be linked to suspected water contamination and assured the civic body is looking into the issue. After inspecting the water body in Nanded village, he stated, "80 per cent of cases are from areas around this well. The state health department and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are taking necessary measures to address the issue." The well is source of water for villages located adjoining it. A man suspected to have contracted GBS has died in Maharashtra's Solapur district, while the number of cases of the immunological nerve disorder in Pune has crossed 100-mark, health officials said earlier in the