Page 39 - Maharashtra

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

High-level team deployed to Maharashtra to tackle GBS cases in Pune

The team will assist the state health department in implementing critical public health measures and managing the situation effectively

GBS outbreak: Maharashtra reports first death, Pune cases surge past 100

Guillain-Barre Syndrome India: In Pune, the situation has worsened with 28 new GBS cases reported in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 101

Maharashtra minister says Chhaava to be vetted by experts before release

Vicky Kaushal-starrer Chhaava is a historical drama movie based on the life of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Directed by Laxman Utekar, the movie will hit theatres on Feb 14

First suspected GBS death reported in Maharashtra; 19 cases likely

Currently, 19 patients are suspected to have GBS in Maharashtra-six of whom are from Pune-and one suspected death has been reported from Solapur

Rs 21,000 cr given to women under Ladki Bahin scheme: Maharashtra governor

Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Sunday said 2.46 crore women have been provided a collective assistance of Rs 21,000 crore under the government's Ladki Bahin scheme. Addressing the Republic Day function at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai, the governor also said Maharashtra stands first in the country in attracting the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). "I appeal to all to resolve to form a new and strong Maharashtra. We must all work together to make our dream of one trillion dollar economy, a reality," he said. Under the state government's flagship Ladki Bahin scheme, touted to have played a major role in the BJP-led Mahayuti's win the assembly polls last year, the eligible women are provided Rs 1,500 per month. The governor said nearly 2.46 crore women have been given the benefit of about Rs 21,000 crore from July to December 2024 under the scheme, implemented for their economic independence, ameliorating their health and strengthening their decision-making role. Also, financi

Thane civic body cracks down on developers flouting pollution control rules

The civic authorities in Maharashtra's Thane city have pulled up developers for flouting pollution control guidelines during construction activities and halted work at the sites of seven developers, an official said on Saturday. The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has initiated strict action against developers flouting pollution control guidelines and issued orders to halt work for developers failing to comply, the official said. According to the city development department, of 317 construction sites instructed to follow dust pollution control measures, punitive action was taken at 182 sites for non-compliance, and a cumulative fine of Rs 9.25 lakh was levied on violators. Additionally, show-cause notices were issued to 120 developers, questioning why their construction activities should not be stopped, and of these, seven developers who failed to provide evidence of compliance were ordered to halt all work. Assistant Director of Urban Planning Sangram Kanade confirmed the ...

Maharashtra govt forms SIT to probe 'delayed' birth, death certificates

The Maharashtra government has set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the issuance of birth and death certificates on "delayed" applications in an attempt to check the rise in Bangladeshi immigrants, an official said on Saturday. The SIT led by Inspector General Datta Karale will probe the issuance of birth and death certificates on delayed applications, the official from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) told PTI. Delayed applications are those that are made at least a year after the birth or death of a person. The issue of Bangladeshis entering India and residing in the country illegally has gained prominence after the police arrested Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir, a 30-year-old Bangladeshi national, for the knife attack on actor Saif Ali Khan in Mumbai. Confirming the development, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule told PTI that the probe will cover certificates that were already issued and applications received. The government's decision

Ed-tech firm upGrad to build Institute of AI Excellence in Maharashtra

Under the 'Educity' initiative of Maharashtra, upGrad will also establish an Urban University and Campus Hubs in partnership with three global universities -

Sharad Pawar says no party issues discussed at meet with nephew Ajit Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Friday sought to downplay his closed-door meeting with estranged nephew and Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar in Pune, and asserted no issue related to their respective parties was discussed. Speaking to reporters in Kolhapur city, the former Union agriculture minister insisted discussion at the meeting solely centred around a sugar industry project. Asked about the possibility of rival NCP factions, headed by him and Ajit Pawar, coming together and if this issue was touched up in the meeting, the veteran politician asserted no party-related matter was discussed. "In the meeting, Ajit Pawar, myself and people associated with the (sugar industry) project were present," he said. The two politicians were in Pune to attend the annual general body meeting of the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI), which is headed by the senior Pawar. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar is a member of the Pune-based VSI, a prominent research institute of the sugar

Patole demands white paper on Davos deals, slams Maha govt for liquor deals

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Friday said the Devendra Fadnavis government must release a White Paper on the investments received and jobs generated from MoUs signed during previous visits to the World Economic Forum in Davos. Addressing a press conference, Patole said Fadnavis has informed that 61 MoUs were signed entailing investments of Rs 15.70 lakh crore and having the potential to create 15.95 lakh jobs. "While significant investments in Maharashtra are welcome, the public has the right to know the specifics of these agreements and the reality behind them. Similar grand announcements have been made in the past as well. The Mahayuti government must release a White Paper on investments and job creation from previous deals at Davos," Patole said. Of the 61 companies that have signed agreements with the Maharashtra government in Davos this time, 51 are based in India, of which 43 are from Mumbai and Pune, he said, adding only 10 are foreign-based. These include a Rs .