Page 6 - Maharashtra

Drivers of app-based taxis in Maharashtra implement govt-notified fare

Cab drivers in Maharashtra affiliated to ride-hailing platforms such as Ola, Uber and Rapido from Tuesday started charging passengers as per the new government-notified fares, which are quite higher than regular fares, their union claimed. Dr Keshav Nana Kshirsagar, president of the Bharatiya Gig Kamgar Manch, said the cab drivers decided to implement the official tariff on their own, as aggregator companies failed to comply with the directive issued by assistant transport commissioner Bharat Kalaskar, secretary of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA). Drivers of hatchbacks like WagonR are now charging Rs 28 per kilometre, those of sedans like Swift Dzire are charging Rs 31 per kilometre, and drivers of SUVs like Ertiga are charging Rs 34 per kilometre, Kshirsagar said. To ensure transparency, they have launched a website -- www.onlymeter.in -- where the official fare table has been displayed, he said. The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) for Mumbai ...

Fadnavis must step up, resolve Maratha-OBC quota tensions: Sharad Pawar

Amid the quota tussle in Maharashtra, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should take the lead in resolving the bitterness among various communities. Speaking to reporters here, Pawar claimed an atmosphere of conflict between Marathas and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was being deliberately created. On September 2, the state government issued a resolution (GR) on the Hyderabad Gazette, and announced the formation of a committee to facilitate the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to the Maratha community members who are able to produce documentary evidence recognising them as Kunbis in the past. The government's decision came after Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange staged a hunger strike for five days in Mumbai. There has been growing restlessness among OBCs after the state social justice and special assistance department issued the GR. Asked about the quota issue and the growing rift between Marathas and OBCs in the state, Pawar said

Govt must declare wet drought in Jalgaon, parts of Marathwada: Minister

Maharashtra Minister Gulabrao Patil on Tuesday said the state government should declare a "wet drought" in Jalgaon district and parts of Marathwada, which were severely affected by heavy rains and flooding. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Patil said rains had caused widespread damage in Pachora, Jamner, Muktainagar, Erandol, Kasoda and Dharangaon in the district in north Maharashtra. Many of these areas have received more than 65 mm of rainfall in a single day, he said. Patil said one person has died while livestock, including buffaloes, cows, goats, and poultry, were swept away in the deluge. The state water supply and sanitation minister said he would urge the state cabinet to declare a "wet drought" in Jalgaon and rain-affected parts of Marathwada, and seek aid from the Central government. "Immediate relief and permanent assistance are needed. Quick assessments (panchanamas) must be conducted without delay," he said. The minister sa

Maha govt to allow tribal farmers to lease land to private firms: Minister

Tribal farmers in Maharashtra will soon be able to lease their land to private entities for agricultural purposes or mineral excavation, which will enable them to generate additional income, state Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has said. Officials said the move would not only provide tribals an opportunity to have a steady source of income but also safeguard their ownership rights. Talking to reporters in Gadchiroli on Friday evening, Bawankule said, "A law will be brought soon. I am telling you this before its official announcement. Under this policy, tribal farmers will be able to lease out their land directly to private parties for agricultural purposes or mineral excavation." At present, tribal farmers are not permitted to independently enter into lease agreements with private entities. The proposed change is aimed at giving them a direct access to private investment and generating additional income from their holdings, he said. According to the minister, the ...

Maharashtra signs MoUs worth ₹80,962 cr for industrial projects, 40k jobs

The Maharashtra government on Friday signed nine memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with various companies for a total investment of Rs 80,962 crore, officials said. The projects envisaged under these MoUs are expected to create more than 40,300 jobs, they said. The agreements were signed at the Steel Mahakumbh organised by AIFA in Goregaon, Mumbai, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and state industries Minister Uday Samant. The projects will come up in Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Wardha, Raigad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Satara districts, said a statement from the CM's office. Among the major investments, Rashmi Metallurgical Industries will set up an integrated steel plant in Wardha with a capital outlay of Rs 25,000 crore, which is expected to generate 12,000 jobs. In Raigad, Jindal Stainless Ltd will establish a stainless steel plant worth Rs 41,580 crore, creating around 15,500 jobs, the statement said. In Chhatrapati ...

Maharashtra mandates e-KYC for Ladki Bahin beneficiaries, sets deadline

The Maharashtra government has made e-KYC mandatory for beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, giving them two months to complete the process. A government resolution (GR) was issued regarding this on Thursday, an official said. The Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana provides monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to women in the age group of 21-65, whose annual family income is not more than Rs 2.5 lakh. Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare on Thursday said, "An e-KYC facility has been made available on the web portal, 'ladakibahin.maharashtra.gov.in', for all beneficiaries of the scheme. They are requested to complete the e-KYC process in the next two months." This process is simple and convenient, and to maintain transparency in the scheme and ensure regular benefits to eligible women, everyone should complete it, she said in a post on X. This process will also be useful to avail the benefits of other government schemes in the future, Tatkare said. Acco

1 killed, 4 injured in blast at chemical factory in Maharashtra's Palghar

One worker was killed and four others sustained injuries in an explosion at a chemical factory in Maharashtra's Palghar district, officials said on Friday. The blast occurred at Limbani Salt Industries around 7.30 pm on Thursday, they said. Five workers were present at the site during the mixing of metal and acid, a highly reactive process that triggered an explosion, said Vivekanand Kadam, chief of the Palghar District Disaster Management Cell. He said one of the workers was killed on the spot, while two others sustained extensive burns and were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they are undergoing critical care. Two more workers stationed a little farther escaped with minor injuries, and their condition is said to be stable, the official said. Emergency teams, including the fire brigade and disaster management personnel, quickly reached the site and brought the situation under control. The local police are probing the incident, and an offence is likely to be registered after t

Maharashtra doctors strike against govt nod for homeopaths' registration

Doctors across Maharashtra went on a 24-hour strike on Thursday to protest the government's decision to allow the registration of homeopathic doctors, who have completed a certificate course in modern pharmacology, in the state medical council. Nearly 1.8 lakh allopathic doctors across the state, including in private hospitals, were participating in the strike, Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra president Dr Santosh Kadam claimed. However, all emergency and critical services were continuing. The doctors' body has claimed the decision (registration of certified homeopaths) poses a serious threat to the safety of patients and quality of healthcare services. Earlier this year, the state government directed the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) to register homoeopaths who had completed the one-year Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP), to allow them to prescribe allopathic medicines to patients in select cases. However, the notification was withdrawn after the IM

Govt committed to empowering women, Ladki Bahin to continue: CM Fadnavis

The Maharashtra government won't stop the popular Ladki Bahin' programme and instead is committed to creating one crore Lakhpati Didis', who will earn Rs 1 lakh every year, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday. The government will also provide employment opportunities to women by setting up women-led credit societies in villages, he said after launching the statewide Mukhyamantri Samruddha Panchayat Raj Abhiyan' at Kingaon in Phulambri taluka in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The campaign aims to ensure that every village receives the benefits of the central and state schemes. Maharashtra will not prosper unless villages in the state register progress, he said. It is not possible until the poor, labourers, and villages prosper, he said. The CM asserted that the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana', under which eligible women beneficiaries receive monthly assistance of Rs 1,500, won't be discontinued. Some people claimed that the Ladki Bahin scheme will be scrapped. Our siste

What's PM Modi doing on his 75th birthday? Camps, tribal outreach & more

PM Modi turns 75 today with a day full of events - health camps, tribal schemes, sapling plantation and the launch of a textile park in Madhya Pradesh

SC raps Maha poll panel, directs completion of local body polls by Jan 2026

Pulling up the Maharashtra State Election Commission for non-compliance of its order, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the state local body polls, stalled since 2022, to be completed by January 31, 2026 without further extension. The bench was irked over the failure of the state election commission (SEC) to comply with its order mandating a timely conclusion of the stalled local body elections. Elections of all local bodies, including Zila Parishads, Panchayat Samitis and all municipalities shall be conducted by January 31, 2026. No further extension shall be granted to the state and the State Election Commission. In case any other logistic assistance required, application can be filed promptly before October 31, 2025. No prayer will be entertained thereafter, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said. The bench was informed that the delimitation for municipalities was underway and the SEC had sought an extension on grounds including insufficient EVMs ...

Maha govt to launch skills courses for gems and jewellery sector: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the state government will launch certificate courses at the Skills University to train skilled manpower in the gems and jewellery sector. Speaking at the inauguration of a gems and jewellery exhibition at the Jio World Convention Centre here, Fadnavis said the gems and jewellery sector has the potential to make India a global leader. He said that the initiative to provide certificate courses at the Maharashtra State Skills University (MSSU) will create manpower and ensure consistent growth of the industry. The chief minister also said that a state-of-the-art Gems and Jewellery Park is being developed at Mahape in Navi Mumbai. "The park will provide facilities to professionals and exporters, enabling a boost in exports. The government is committed to making this sector more employment-oriented in collaboration with the Gems and Jewellery Association," he noted. He said Indian jewellery has a long history and is exported t

Avaada Group commissions 11 solar plants in Maharashtra under MSKVY 2.0

Diversified energy firm Avaada Group on Tuesday announced the commissioning of 11 solar power projects in Maharashtra's Yavatmal district under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0 to provide reliable power for irrigation. The projects include a 4 MW plant at Kinhi, 3 MW each at Baldi and Dongarkharda, 2 MW each at Bansi and Patan,a 5 MW at Mhasola, 2 MW at Galwa, 4 MW each at Pathrad and Parjana, and 3 MW each at Sawargaon and Sarfali, a company statement said. Avaada Group has commissioned 11 solar power projects in Maharashtra's Yavatmal district under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY) 2.0, a move aimed at providing farmers with reliable daytime power for irrigation and advancing the state's clean energy transition, according to the statement. The projects are expected to benefit nearly 14,900 farmers across 167 villages by improving irrigation facilities, reducing costs, and creating additional income opportunities, while ensuring a reliable supply of

IMD issues yellow alert in Mumbai as it battles heavy rain, traffic snarls

Mumbai faced torrential downpours, causing water-logging, traffic delays, and school closures while thunderstorms and strong winds persist in the city and suburbs

Acharya Devvrat takes oath, now to serve as Maharashtra and Gujarat Guv

Acharya Devvrat on Monday took oath as the governor of Maharashtra. President Droupadi Murmu last week appointed Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat to discharge functions of the governor of Maharashtra, in addition to his own duties, after C P Radhakrishnan demitted office due to his election as the country's next Vice-President. Bombay High Court Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar administered the oath of office to Devvrat at the Raj Bhavan here on Monday. Devvrat took the oath in Sanskrit. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, other state ministers, top bureaucrats, and police officers were present at the swearing-in ceremony. Devvrat, 66, has been the governor of Gujarat since 2019. He is a postgraduate in Hindi and History, and holds a doctorate degree in Naturopathy and Yogic Science.

Maratha quota row: OBC, other groups turn up heat; CM urges restraint

The political landscape in Maharashtra is hotting up as after OBCs, SC and ST groups have also expressed concerns over a Government Resolution on Hyderabad gazette for Maratha quota, prompting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to caution against the politics of extreme. As a row over the GR, issued earlier this month, threatened to turn into a conflict between Maratha and OBC (Other Backward Class) communities, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday accused the Mahayuti government of weakening the social fabric and trying to widen the divide in society. Acknowledging a growing chasm over the sensitive issue of the Maratha reservation, Fadnavis appealed to leaders from both communities to present facts about the issue before the people. Politics of extremes is taking place on the issue and an atmosphere is being created that OBC reservation is finished. This is affecting the psyche of OBC students, he said. Weeks after the state government issued the GR to quell protests led by activi

Maha govt expands Mission Vatsalya to help all widows, deserted women

The Maharashtra government has decided to expand the scope of its Mission Vatsalya scheme to provide benefits to all widows, single and deserted women, state Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare has said. The scheme was initially launched in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic to support children who had lost both parents to the ailment as well as widowed women. At the time, committees under tehsildars were constituted at the taluka level to ensure such orphans and widows could access government aid and essential certificates, including death and income certificates, caste certificates, widow pension, ration cards, housing support and other social security benefits. Tatkare on Friday said that the government will now organise camps and outreach programmes at the district level to ensure widows and single women receive the benefits of various state welfare schemes under the 'government at your doorstep' initiative. "The expansion of Mission Vatsalya will provide social a

Gujarat stays top state for bank-backed investments; Maharashtra second

Bank and financial institution support for projects stayed high in FY25, with Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh among the top states driving nearly 60 per cent of total project costs

GR on Maratha quota is injustice to OBC community, says NCP's Anil Deshmukh

Senior NCP (SP) leader and former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh on Tuesday claimed that the recent GR issued by the state government on reservations to the Marathas is an injustice to the Other Backward Class (OBC) community. Speaking at a press conference, Deshmukh said nobody is against giving reservations to the Marathas, but it should not affect the OBC quota. The OBC community has grown restless after the state social justice and special assistance department issued the GR on implementing the Hyderabad gazette, which will allow eligible members of the Maratha community to apply for Kunbi caste certificates. This will enable them to claim quota under the OBC category after certificates are issued. The GR was issued after the state cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation successfully persuaded quota activist Manoj Jarange to withdraw his hunger strike in Mumbai on September 2. "The GR on Maratha reservation is an injustice to the OBC community. Nobody is against .

Jarange warns Maharashtra govt to act on Kunbi certificate GR by Sept 17

Quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday demanded that the Maharashtra government implement a GR issued last week for issuing Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas before September 17, or else he will take a "tough decision" again. Jarange ended his five-day-old fast for quota in Mumbai on September 2 when the government announced forming a committee to issue Kunbi caste certificates to Maratha community members with historical evidence of their Kunbi heritage, a social group classified as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in the state. The government made the announcement in a resolution and it followed hectic talks between state ministers and Jarange. The Kunbi is a traditional farming community in the state and they have been included in the list of OBC category in Maharashtra in order to make them eligible for government reservations in jobs and education. The government resolution (GR) issued by the social justice and special assistance department also mentioned about implementing th