Page 8 - Maharashtra

Onion farmers in Maharashtra claim losses over non-transparent procurement

Onion growers in Maharashtra are facing financial losses due to non-transparent procurement of the crop by a Central agency, an association representing farmers alleged on Saturday. State Onion Growers' Association president Bharat Dighole said farmers are compelled to stage protests even during festivals and demanded that the government should either ensure fair procurement or stop NAFED's onion purchases. A farmer from Nashik district staged a unique protest against NAFED on the occasion of the Pola festival with his bullocks. Pola is a thanksgiving festival celebrated by farmers to acknowledge the importance of bulls and oxen, who are a crucial part of agriculture. "For several years, NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) has been procuring onions for buffer stock. However, farmers allege that large-scale financial irregularities occur in this process, depriving them of fair prices and causing losses worth crores of rupees annually," Dighole sta

No need to give political angle to Raj Thackeray-Fadnavis meet: Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday downplayed the meeting between MNS president Raj Thackeray and CM Devendra Fadnavis, saying that maintaining communication is a tradition in the state. Talking to reporters in Wardha, Pawar said, Many leaders meet one another as well as with the chief minister, irrespective of whether they are in power or not. Maintaining communication with each other is the tradition of the state. There is no need to give a political angle to this meeting. Earlier, Raj Thackeray met Fadnavis at the latter's official bungalow Varsha' in south Mumbai, prompting speculation in the state's political circles. The meeting came after the first joint contest by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the BEST Employees' Co-operative Credit Society elections ended in a humiliating defeat on Wednesday. The two parties' joint panel failed to win any of the 21 seats in the polls. Fadnavis had on .

IAS officer, builders misused power in high-value fraud case, says ED

Former Vasai-Virar civic chief Anil Pawar and three others, held in a money laundering case, demonstrated a "deliberate" misuse of administrative powers and financial system to perpetrate a high-value fraud, the Enforcement Directorate told a Mumbai court on Wednesday. "Hawala and angadia" channels were used to launder the proceeds of crime, not just within Maharashtra, but across other states too, the ED told the special court, which later sent the quartet, including two real estate developers, to jail a week after their arrest. The hawala system refers to an informal channel for transferring funds from one location to another. Hawala operations are deemed illegal cash transactions in India. Angadias are traditional couriers who offer their services to transfer cash, diamonds and jewellery for a fee. Besides IAS officer Pawar, Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) town planner Y Shiva Reddy and two builders -- Sitaram Gupta and Arun Gupta -- are the other accused in the ..

Maharashtra inks MoUs worth ₹42,893 cr; projects to create over 28k jobs

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 42,893 crore with various companies for data centre and solar energy projects in the state. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state is emerging as the data centre capital and solar energy integration capital of India. Eight MoUs for various investments and two strategic agreements, including a partnership with the UK to attract foreign investments, were signed. The MoUs worth Rs 42,893 crore are expected to generate 28,558 jobs, it was stated. The chief minister said these investment commitments reflect the trust of investors and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Fadnavis assured investors that the state government will offer full support from start to finish to ensure smooth implementation of the projects. He also announced renewed momentum for the state's ambitious hyperloop project, now progressing with the involvement of IIT Bombay and IIT ..

Palghar cops on alert as containers fallen from ship likely to drift ashore

Palghar police in Maharashtra have been put on alert following a message from higher authorities about the probable drifting of some containers from a cargo ship in the Arabian Sea, according to officials. As per the police message circulated on Monday, 48 containers fell from the ship 'MV Phonnix 15' after it crossed 20 nautical miles from Salah in Oman. The Directorate General of Shipping has informed that 48 containers from the vessel fell into the sea. Out of these, 8 containers have so far been recovered, while the remaining have either sunk or are suspected to have drifted towards the shore, it said. The communication on Monday directed all Marine and Bay police stations in Palghar district including Safala, Kelva, Satpati, Tarapur, Wangaon, Dahanu and Gholwad to remain vigilant. The message further instructed that if any floating containers or related materials are spotted by local fishermen, villagers in the coastal areas or patrol teams, the information must be immediate

IBM opens Mumbai client centre to support Maharashtra's quantum push

The company has signed a Letter of Intent with the Maharashtra government to explore opportunities in quantum ecosystem development and talent building

Maharashtra prominent in Indian's unstoppable growth story: CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday called the state a prominent participant in the country's unstoppable growth story and said it is taking concrete steps towards achieving its goals. In his address after hoisting the tricolour at Mantralaya, the state secretariat, on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day, Fadnavis paid tributes to the freedom fighters, martyrs of the independence movement and the soldiers guarding the country's borders. Our security forces showed the world the country's prowess during Operation Sindoor by destroying terrorist and military targets in Pakistan. The world came to know what New India is, he said. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is progressing and has risen from 11th position to become the world's 4th largest economy, he said. No one can stop India's development. It has now also set its foot in space, he said, adding that Maharashtra is a prominent participant in the country's unstoppable growth ...

MMR region can become $1.5-trillion growth hub, says Maharashtra CM

At the event, the CM mentioned, We can build a city bigger than Dubai and even better than that in Mumbai

Efforts on to reduce importance of Mumbai and Maharashtra: Uddhav

In a veiled attack on the ruling BJP, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has claimed efforts are being made to diminish the importance of Mumbai and Maharashtra. He also urged the Supreme Court to hear his party's plea against the Maharashtra assembly speaker's decision to allot the 'bow and arrow' symbol to the ruling Shiv Sena, and claimed democracy would die if justice is not delivered. Speaking on Wednesday at the 65th foundation day of 'Marmik', a magazine started by Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and his brother Shrikant Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray said "Marathi manoos" ensured they get Mumbai. "Marathi manoos was treated as an outsider (before the undivided Shiv Sena was formed in 1966). Efforts are being made to create such circumstances again, to see whether a bite can be taken out of Mumbai and Maharashtra - be it the imposition of Hindi or reducing the importance of Mumbai and Maharashtra. These efforts have not stopped," the former CM claimed. "The work of Shiv Sen

No decision yet on MVA fighting Maha local body polls together: Chennithala

Maharashtra Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala has said there has been no decision yet on whether constituents of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will contest the upcoming local body polls in the state together. Asked whether the MVA partners will contest these polls together, Chennithala on Tuesday said the Congress will deliberate on the issue and that the alliance "may or may not take place". He also said the Congress has no issues with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin and MNS head Raj Thackeray joining hands. The Congress leader was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a two-day workshop conducted here by the party for its workers and functionaries. Elections to various local and civic bodies in the state, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, are likely to be held later this year. The Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) contested the Lok Sabha and the state assembly polls last year together as part of the ...

Karur Vysya Bank expands footprint in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh

Private sector Karur Vysya Bank has strengthened its footprint with the inauguration of three new branches in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The Karur-based bank has opened a new branch in KK Nagar, Udayanpatti, Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, Thane in Maharashtra, and Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh, the bank's Managing Director and CEO Ramesh Babu said. The new branches, which were inaugurated on Monday, would offer a comprehensive range of banking services including accounts, deposits and loans. It would also provide all banking transactions and would meet the specific needs of the customers, a press release from the bank said on Tuesday. Commenting on the branch expansion, Babu said, It is a part of the strategic initiative to strengthen the bank's presence in potential markets and bring services closer to customers. "At KVB, we are continuously working to enhance our service delivery through a combination of physical branches and digital platforms. Last financial year, w

CM Fadnavis shielding 'corrupt' ministers, claims Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray on Monday accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of "shielding corrupt" ministers in his cabinet, and claimed the ruling Mahayuti has relegated the state to last position in development and top in corruption. Speaking at a protest organised here to demand the sacking of "corrupt" ministers, primarily from the rival Shiv Sena, which is a constituent of the Mahayuti along with the BJP and NCP, Thackeray said the agitation will continue until those ministers are shown the door. The Sena (UBT) said it has carried out similar agitation across the state. Thackeray asked the party workers to inform the public about "corrupt" actions of the Mahayuti ministers. "We gave them (government) evidence (against ministers) and yet there is no action on them. Someone is running a dance bar, another has a bag full of notes. There is no need of even any probe now, yet the CM does not sack the ministers," Thackeray said. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has bee

CCI orders probe against RCF for unfair sale of products with urea in Maha

The Competition Commission of India has ordered a probe against state-run Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers for allegedly compelling dealers and farmers to buy other products along with urea in Maharashtra. Acting on a complaint filed by an individual, the fair trade watchdog said the conduct of RCF appeared to contravene provisions of the Competition Act, including those relating to abuse of dominant position and anti-competitive agreements, according an order. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has directed its investigation arm, the Director General, to probe the matter and submit a report within 60 days. It was clarified by CCI that the observations were preliminary and would not prejudice the outcome of the investigation. The complainant (individual) alleged that RCF, a 'Navratna' PSU and a leading fertiliser maker, was compelling dealers and farmers to buy non-subsidised products such as water-soluble fertilisers along with urea. The CCI noted that urea's maximum ret

Pothole-free roads, metro boost: Shinde outlines MahaYuti's Mumbai plan

In a veiled attack on Shiv Sena-UBT, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that "some treated Mumbai as a golden goose" and forced people to travel through potholed and congested roads, which will be a key issue in the upcoming local bodies elections in the state. In a video interview with PTI, Shinde said he and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were busy giving Mumbai an image makeover, and the financial capital of the nation will get "pothole-free roads" and better sanitation facilities in the next 18 months. He also asserted that the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP MahaYuti alliance will contest the upcoming local bodies elections together and expressed confidence about emerging victorious. "We contested the Lok Sabha elections together and won. The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP MahaYuti won the Maharashtra elections. We will win the local bodies elections as MahaYuti alliance," Shinde said. The rapid development of infrastructure across the state and particularly in Mumbai and suburban ar

SP leader claims voter list manipulation in Maharashtra; seeks audit

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Azmi on Friday criticised the Election Commission of India, accusing it of showing blatant bias towards the ruling BJP, and alleged manipulation of the voter list in Maharashtra. Talking to reporters, the chief of the SP's Maharashtra unit claimed names of valid voters were added in the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar assembly constituency just six months before the elections last year, and inexplicably removed and substituted with those of non-residents. He demanded an urgent audit of voter rolls and swift fixes to prevent more discrepancies. Citing the outcome of the 2024 Maharashtra elections, Azmi said that the losses of key Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and veteran Balasaheb Thorat, were proof of wrongdoing. "People must take to the streets to protest against the wrongdoing of the ECI," he said, emphasising the need for accountability to protect democratic processes.

Maharashtra women's commission calls for POSH audits at workplaces

The Maharashtra State Women's Commission has expressed concern over the ineffective implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, commonly known as the POSH Act, and proposed mandatory POSH audits in all offices. In a video message on X, the commission's chairperson, Rupali Chakankar, said she observed during her recent state-wide visits that while Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) have been constituted in many workplaces as mandated by the law, they often exist only on paper. "There is a serious lack of awareness among committee members about their rights, responsibilities and the legal framework, leaving women employees feeling unsafe despite the existence of these committees," she said. To address these concerns, the commission has submitted a proposal to the Minister for Women and Child Development, demanding the issuance of a government resolution (GR) mandating regular audits of POSH compliance, Chakankar said.

Delhi, Maharashtra, Chandigarh lead in NITI's Electric Mobility Index

Delhi, Maharashtra and Chandigarh have emerged as frontrunners in NITI Aayog's first India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) which assesses performance across three themes of EV adoption, charging infrastructure readiness and EV technology and innovation. The Aayog in it's report titled 'India Electric Mobility Index 2024' evaluated all Indian states and Union Territories across 16 indicators under three core themes. According to the Aayog, Delhi, Maharashtra and Chandigarh have emerged as frontrunners in the overall IEMI score, reflecting the robust ecosystems. In transport electrification, Delhi and Maharashtra are the frontrunners while Haryana, Karnataka, Ladakh and Hamachal Pradesh lead in charging infrastructure readiness. In terms of EV research and innovation, the Aayog said Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana and Telangana stand out as frontruners. According to the Aayog, currently 29 states and UTs in India have notified EV policies, with four in draft stage

Conduct checks on STPs like ED raids, Munde tells pollution control body

Maharashtra environment minister Pankaja Munde on Saturday said the state's pollution control board must conduct surprise inspections at sewage treatment plants (STPs) on the lines of "raids" by the Enforcement Directorate to ensure compliance with prevalent norms. Addressing a joint meeting with industrialists and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board officials in Nashik, Munde also said industries must grow, but environmental protection has to be prioritised. "Just like the ED conducts raids, the Pollution Control Board must raid STP plants. Check whether the water is being treated properly before being discharged into rivers," Munde said. Addressing the growing concerns of pollution and the role of industry in safeguarding the environment, she said, "We are now facing a global crisis. Industries must grow, but environmental protection must be prioritised. Reducing pollution in zones like the red category is critical." She also highlighted the need for efficient water use and ...

Registration of Mumbai properties up 4% at 88,639 units in Jan-Jul: Report

Mumbai real estate market continues to see strong demand, as registration of properties rose by 4 per cent to 88,639 units during the January-July period, according to Knight Frank. As many as 84,866 units were registered in Mumbai's municipal region during the first seven months of the last calendar year. The data relates to transactions in both primary and secondary property markets. The government's revenue from these registrations rose by 13 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7,854 crores, real estate consultant Knight Frank India said, citing data from the Maharashtra government. On both metrics, the consultant said that Mumbai recorded the strongest performance since 2013 for the January-July period. Shishir Baijal, Chairman & Managing Director, Knight Frank India, said, "Mumbai's residential market continues to show steady buyer confidence." In July, the registration of properties increased 2 per cent to 12,579 units as against 12,373 units in the same month last year. Commenting

Maha govt mute spectator to rising crime, Rs 4,900 cr freebie scam: Sule

NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule on Saturday slammed the BJP-led Mahayuti government for failing to address the rising crime rate in Maharashtra, accusing it of being a mute spectator as miscreants had no fear of the law. Speaking to reporters here, the Baramati MP claimed that a Rs 4,900 crore scam had taken place in the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yogana, the government's flagship scheme that provides a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to women. She said parts of the state, including Pune and Beed districts, have witnessed a steady surge in crimes, while the government remains a mute spectator. "People have lost faith in the system. There is no fear of the law. Who is backing these criminals? Instead of looking into these questions, the government chooses to stay silent," she said. Sule criticised the delay in the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the 2022 murder of Parli-based businessman Mahadev Munde. "Only after Munde's wife, Dnyaneshwari, attempted self-immolation an