Ahead Of Assembly Polls, Maharashtra BJP MLA's Sister Injured In Knife Attack In Amravati
Maharashtra BJP MLA Pratap Adsad's sister, Archana Rothe, was injured in a knife attack by two persons in Amravati district on the last day of the state assembly poll campaigning.
Mumbai voter count for assembly polls crosses 1-crore mark; rises by 2.91 lakh since LS polls
MUMBAI: The voter count in Mumbai has crossed the one crore mark, up from 98.95 lakh voters during the recent Lok Sabha polls, a civic official said on Monday. At the time of Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, Mumbai city had 98,95,602 eligible voters, including 25,16,667 in island city and 74,64,974 in the suburban district, as per EC data. Maharashtra assembly polls will be held on November 20, while votes will be counted on November 23. Addressing a press conference, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation chief Bhushan Gagrani said, There are 1,02,29,708 voters in Mumbai for the assembly polls, comprising 25,43,610 in the island city and 76,86,098 in the suburban district. There are 54,67,361 males, 47,61,265 females, and 1082 are transgender persons. Of these, a total of 1,46,859 voters are above 85 years of age and 23,928 are persons with disabilities. A total of 2,288 are overseas voters, and 1475 are service voters, said Gagrani, who is also the metropolis' district election officer. INTERVIEW| MVA has clear edge in Nagpur, Amravati and Marathwada: Ex-CM Prithviraj Chavan As per poll officials, a total of 2.91 lakh voters, including 53,372 in the island city and 2,37,715 in the suburban district, were added after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Names of 43,020 voters were deleted, comprising 26,429 from the city and 16591 from suburbs after the general elections. Mumbai has 36 assembly seats, comprising 10 in the island city and 26 in the suburban district. The are 410 candidates, comprising 105 in the island city and 315 in the suburban district. A total of 10,117 voting booths have been set up, of which 2538 are in the island city and 7579 in the suburban district. Speaking about security, Gagrani said the police department has presented a plan of deploying 25,696 personnel for assembly elections in Mumbai. The city does not have any sensitive booth, though there are 76 critical polling booths out of a total of 10,117 voting booths at 2085 locations. Of the 76 critical booths, 13 are in the island city and 63 in the suburban district, he said. As per poll officials, these booths have historically recorded less than 10 percent of the average voter turnout in past elections. In Mumbai, there will be 84 model polling stations, of which 38 each will be handled by women and young election staff. Eight will be handled by Divyang staff, Gagrani said. Poll officials said the EC has acted upon 563 of 615 and 564 of 623 complaints filed through the C-Vigil app in Mumbai's city and suburban district, respectively. In Mumbai city and suburban districts, eight cases each have been registered for poll code violations. Another 30 cognisable and non-cognisable offences have been registered. We have seized Rs 33 crore cash in the island city and Rs 12.60 crore in the suburbs. The value of precious metals seized in the city and suburban district stands at Rs 6.97 crore and Rs 238.67 crore, respectively. Besides this, freebies worth 2.62 crore and 3.21 crore from the city and suburbs, respectively, a poll official said. Poll squads have seized 2800 litres of alcohol worth 12.89 lakh from city and 39,385 litres worth 1.10 crore from the suburban district. Drugs worth 4.17 crore were seized from the city and worth Rs 44.79 crore from the suburban district, he added. The Apaksha factor that could tilt the Maharashtra election results
5 detained after ex-MP Navneet Rana's rally attacked
Mumbai : A mob allegedly threw chairs and raised slogans at a rally by BJP leader and former MP Navneet Rana at Amravati in Maharashtra. The incident took place on Saturday night. Ms Rana accused the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena of orchestrating the chaos at her rally. The police have registered a case based on her complaint. So far five persons have been detained in this case. The alleged video clips showed Ms Rana was surrounded by her supporters as a group of people threw chairs at a public rally, which was taking place at Khallar village of Daryapur taluka in Amravati district. In one of such videos, the BJP leader was seen marching towards the mob, appearing to ask them to go away even as chairs kept on hitting the people surrounding her from behind. Ms.Ranas security personnel were seen trying to shield her as the chairs targeted her. Post the incident, Ms Rana approached the local police station and sought an action against the troublemakers. Following her demand, the police registered a case against unidentified people and deployed the police personnel at the village. Speaking with the reporters after the incident, the BJP leader said that she was delivering her speech peacefully when some people were making lewd gestures and hooting at her. However, she did not react. After I came down from the stage, they raised the slogan of Allahu Akbar looking at me and my supporters. Even my supporters asked them not to use any bad words for me. The supporters also mentioned that once my speech gets over, we will leave. But they started throwing chairs at us, Ms Rana said. She also alleged that she had been badly abused and received death threats from the perpetrators. The BJP leader claimed that Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena (UBT)s leader is taluka adhyaksh (tehsil president) in the village, where the incident took place. According to Amravati police, Ms Rana was campaigning for her party candidate Ramesh Bundile from Daryapur assembly constituency, ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly election. A police officer said, A dispute erupted between two groups during the election campaign. We have registered a case on the basis of Ms Ranas complaint. The situation is now under control. Speaking with this newspaper, Amravati rural SP Vishal Anand said that they have registered a complaint on the basis of Ms Ranas statement. We have filed a complaint against the persons for atrocity, rioting and an attempt to murder with relevant sections of the BNS. We have so far detained five people. The investigation is underway, Mr. Anand added.
During a rally in Maharashtra's Daryapur, BJP leader Navneet Rana faced disruptions and alleged attacks involving thrown chairs. Rana blamed Shiv Sena (UBT) workers for the incident, accusing them of inciting religious slogans and disrupting the event. Police are investigating the matter after Rana filed a complaint.
Ex-BJP MP Navneet Rana, supporters attacked in Amravati; 45 booked, 3 detained
MUMBAI, Nov 17: Former BJP MP Navneet Rana and her supporters were allegedly attacked by a group of people when she arrived for a public meeting in Maharastras Amravati district, police said on Sunday. The police have registered a first information report (FIR) against 45 people and detained three of them in connection with the incident that occurred at Khallar village on Saturday night, an official said. Amravati (Rural) Superintendent of Police Vishal Anand said, Rana arrived with her supporters [] The post Ex-BJP MP Navneet Rana, supporters attacked in Amravati; 45 booked, 3 detained appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Security beefed up after mob attack on BJPs Navneet Rana
Amravati: Tight security measures have been implemented in Amravati after a mob attacked former BJP MP Navneet Rana during a rally. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, a senior official confirmed on Sunday. Providing details, CDPO Rahul Gaikwad (Khallar) stated, On Saturday night, some individuals disrupted Ramesh Bundiles meeting and targeted former MP Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Maharashtra polls: Sharad Pawar's bags checked in Baramati
Pune: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar's bags were checked by the poll personnel at Baramati helipad in Maharashtra's Pune district on Sunday morning, according to his associate. Pawar was on way to attend a poll rally in Solapur, the associate said. The model of code of conduct is enforced in the state for the assembly elections scheduled on November 20. While Pawar saheb was on his way to Karmala poll rally in Solapur, his bags were checked at the Baramati helipad. After the due checking, he boarded the chopper and proceeded for the rally, the associate said. On Saturday, poll authorities checked the bag of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Maharashtra's Amravati district where he arrived for a poll rally. Later, former state minister and Congress' Teosa MLA Yashomati Thakur questioned the action of the poll authorities and asked why they were not checking bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah or Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The issue of poll officials checking politicians' luggage entered electoral discourse after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray recently filmed his bags being inspected and shared the video of it. He also sought to know if the election officials had checked the bags of the chief minister, the state's two deputy CMs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Over the past few days, videos surfaced showing bags of Shah, CM Shinde, his deputies Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar being checked by poll authorities. Shah had in a post on X said the BJP believes in free and fair elections and follows all laid-down rules and protocols.
Mob Attacks Navneet Rana's Rally In Maharashtra, BJP Leader Gives Police Deadline For Arrest
The incident took place on Saturday night when Navneet Rana was campaigning in Amravati.
Abused, Spat On: Chaos Erupts At Ex MP Navneet Rana's Amravati Rally
Chairs were thrown and threat slogans raised as a mob attacked a rally by BJP leader and former MP Navneet Rana at Maharashtra's Amravati last night. A police case has been registered and cops have asked people not to believe in rumours.
My sister tells me PM repeating things, maybe he has memory loss, Rahul Gandhi says
During a campaign rally in Amravati, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi drew a comparison between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, suggesting that both leaders experience memory lapses. Gandhi recounted an instance where his sister, Priyanka Gandhi, observed similarities between their party's stance and statements made by the Prime Minister.
Why PM mum on Caste Census, removing 50% quota limit: Rahul Gandhi
Amravati: The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi asked the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, why they chose to remain silent on the oppositions demands to conduct a Caste Census and abolishing the 50 per cent ceiling on reservation, here on Saturday. Addressing huge public rallies for the Maha Vikas Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Rahul Gandhi says Modi is losing memory like Biden
Mumbai: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday continued his attack against the BJP and RSS claiming that the Hindutva organisations are working to destroy the Constitution of India. Addressing an election rally at Amravati, Mr. Gandhi asked whether the saffron party was protecting the Constitution when it stole the state government by purchasing MLAs. He also claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is suffering from memory loss like former United States President Joe Biden. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who addressed a rally at Shirdi, challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah to publicly commit to conducting a caste census. The Congress party considers the Constitution as the countrys DNA, while for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) it is a blank book, Mr. Gandhi said in an apparent reference to the BJPs allegation that Congress leaders distributed blank books as Constitution of India in Maharashtra during the Assembly election campaign. The Congress leader addressed the rally to campaign for Maha Vikas Aghadi candidates contesting the Assembly election. Maharashtra will vote for 288 Assembly seats in a single phase on November 20. The counting of votes will take place three days later. Maha Vikas Aghadis campaign that the BJP wants to change the Constitution had helped the opposition alliance during the Lok Sabha election. MVA had won 29 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Reiterating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party has no respect for the Constitution, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said, Nowhere in the Constitution it is written that governments can be toppled by purchasing MLAs as was done in Maharashtra and Rs 16 lakh crore debt of top businessmen can be waived. Taking a dig at PM Modi, Mr. Gandhi said, My sister told me that these days Mr. Modi was speaking about the same issue that I have been raising. I have been saying that the BJP is attacking the Constitution. The PM came to know that the people are very angry about it. So now he is claiming that the Congress is attacking the Constitution. I told him in the Lok Sabha that the 50 per cent cap on reservation should be removed. Now he is saying that I am against reservations. The former President of America used to forget and he had to be reminded from behind. The President of Ukraine came and the President of America said that Russian President Putin had come. He had lost his memory. Similarly, our Prime Minister is losing his memory. I told Mr. Modi to do a caste census. The country should know how many Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs are there. In the next meeting, he will say I am against the caste census. he added. Addressing a public rally at Shirdi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said her brother has been demanding caste census in order to give justice to all communities. She said, The BJP claims my brother is against reservation. This is the same person who walked from Manipur to Mumbai demanding justice. He walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir demanding a caste census. They spread lies because they are scared. How can we allocate reservations effectively without knowing the population composition of each caste? Ms. Gandhi Vadra challenged PM Modi to announce publicly that a caste census conducted and the 50 per cent cap on reservation will be removed. ReplyForward Add reaction
PM Modi is losing his memory, like Joe Biden: Rahul Gandhi
AMRAVATI/CHIMUR: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said his party considers the Constitution to be the country's DNA, but for the ruling BJP and the RSS it is a lank book. Speaking at a campaign rally in eastern Maharashtra's Amravati ahead of the November 20 assembly elections, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said nowhere in the Constitution it is written that state governments can be toppled by purchasing MLAs as it happened in Maharashtra, and Rs 16 lakh crore debt of top businessmen can be waived. Congress considers the Constitution as the country's DNA, while for the ruling BJP and the RSS it is a blank book, he alleged. His retort came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party claimed that the Congress leader was showing a copy of the Constitution with blank pages inside at his campaign rallies. My sister told me that these days prime minister Narendra Modi was speaking about the same issue that I have been raising. I told him in the Lok Sabha that a caste census should be conducted and the 50 per cent cap on reservations should be removed. Now he is saying in his election rallies that I am against reservation. He is suffering from memory loss like a former US president,' Gandhi further said. The PM will next say Rahul Gandhi is against caste census, he said. Our opposition spent crores of rupees to tarnish my image because I stood for the rights of Dalits, Adivasis and Backward Classes, the Congress leader claimed. Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation were weapons to kill farmers and small businesses, he said, adding that unemployment is rising and that was why hatred is spreading in society. #WATCH | Amravati, Maharashtra: Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, My sister was telling me that she heard Modi ji's speech. And in that speech, whatever we say, Modi ji is saying the same thing these days. I don't know, maybe he has lost his memory. The former pic.twitter.com/bsF0wQ0KpO ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2024 I want to tell Modi ji that industrialists haven't chosen you to be the PM, it is done by the people of India. It is true that industrialists have marketed him, he said. Gandhi alleged that the Maharashtra government was stolen through the use of money as it was a deal for the Dharavi redevelopment project, awarded to an Adani group entity. Speaking at another rally at Chimur in Chandrapur district later, he accused PM Modi of promoting the lie that Rahul Gandhi was against the Constitution and reservations. Gandhi also said he keeps displaying the Constitution at his election rallies to remind people of the struggle and sacrifices of the national icons who built the country. I spoke in the Lok Sabha in front of the prime minister that we should remove the 50 per cent cap on reservations and conduct a caste census. Still the PM lies, saying I am against reservations and the Constitution, the Congress leader said. The BJP insults our national icons and the people of the country when it says I show a red book of the Constitution, he said, responding to the saffron party's claim that the red cover suggested association with urban Naxals. As long as the Modi government is at the helm, there can be no job creation, Gandhi said. Dalits, Adivasis and Backward Classes together account for 90 per cent of population, but their share in decision-making is equivalent to only Rs 6. 10 paise out of a budget of Rs 100, he claimed. The Constitution speaks of equitable distribution of resources, the Congress leader said, adding, 'We are following the tenets of the Constitution in letter and spirit. Unemployment and inflation are spiralling out of control and the poor cannot afford to get their children married while crores of rupees are spent at the marriages in industrialist families, Gandhi alleged. On the Dharavi redevelopment project in Mumbai, he said lands of rich people are never acquired. Had only ten rich people been living in Dharavi, the land would have never been acquired. Have you heard of rich people's land being taken? Why should only the land of the poor people and farmers be acquired? Is it written in the Constitution? Gandhi asked. EC seeks responses from Nadda, Kharge over poll code violation complaints
Day After Jharkhand Chopper Row, Rahul Gandhi's Bag Checked In Maharashtra
Ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly election, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi found himself under scrutiny as Election Commission officials inspected his bags upon his arrival at Amravati district today.
Maharashtra polls: Rahul Gandhi's bag checked, Cong leader questions authorities
Amravati: Poll authorities on Saturday checked the bag of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at Dhamangaon Railway in Maharashtra's Amravati district. He was here to address a public rally for the November 20 assembly polls. Gandhi's bag was checked after his helicopter landed at the helipad on Dhamangaon Railway, which is among the eight assembly seats in Amravati district. Former state minister and Congress' Teosa MLA Yashomati Thakur, speaking to reporters, questioned the action of the poll authorities and asked why they were not checking the bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, or Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The checking of bags of leaders, a practice of the poll authorities to enforce the model code of conduct, came to the fore in the state's election campaign after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray was subjected to it in Yavatmal. Thackeray not only shot a video of the procedure but also chided the poll authorities for not checking the bags of Modi, Shah, Shinde, and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. However, videos that surfaced subsequently showed bags of Shah, Shinde, Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, etc being checked by poll authorities.
Rahul Gandhi's Bags Inspected By Poll Officials In Amravati, Congress Questions Action
Gandhi's bag was checked after his helicopter landed at the helipad in Dhamangaon Railway, which is among the eight assembly seats in Amravati district.
Constitution Is Countrys DNA, But It Is A Blank Book For BJP And RSS: Rahul
Amravati, Nov 16: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said his party considers the Constitution as the countrys DNA, while for the ruling BJP and the RSS it is a blank book. Addressing an election rally here ahead of the November 20 assembly polls, the Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha targeted the BJP, saying nowhere in the Constitution it is written that governments can be toppled by purchasing MLAs as was done in Maharashtra, and Rs 16 lakh [] The post Constitution Is Countrys DNA, But It Is A Blank Book For BJP And RSS: Rahul appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Maharashtra Elections: Congress leader calls PM Modi`s Mumbai rally flop
The All India Congress Committee in-charge of Maharashtra announced upcoming rallies for Rahul Gandhi in Chandrapur and Amravati on Saturday, with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra scheduled to appear in Shirdi and Kolhapur. Priyanka will also address gatherings in Gadchiroli and lead a roadshow in Nagpur on Sunday
Take The Batenge Toh Katenge Message Door To Door: Yogi Adityanath
Campaigning in Maharashtra for the upcoming Assembly election in the State, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked people to take the controversial message of Batenge toh katenge, ek rahenge toh safe rahenge (divided we perish, safe if we are together) door to door. While addressing public meetings in Akola, Amravati, and Nagpur districts, the Continue reading Take The Batenge Toh Katenge Message Door To Door: Yogi Adityanath The post Take The Batenge Toh Katenge Message Door To Door: Yogi Adityanath appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .
3.9cr cash seized in Amravati, city
You attack me as you cant target Razakars: Yogi to Kharge
Addressing rallies in Nagpur and Amravati, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged voters to give a decisive mandate to BJP, emphasizing the importance of Nagpur for the party and the Sangh. He also launched a scathing attack on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, accusing the Congress of neglecting national security and dividing Hindu votes for political gains.
Kharge silent on Razakar attack killing mother, sister for minority votes: Yogi
Amravati: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday, November 12 claimed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge purposely kept quiet on the tragic death of his mother and sister in an attack by Razakars as he feared losing Muslim votes. Days after Kharge criticised the seer-turned-politician on his saffron attire and Batenge to Katenge slogan, Adityanath launched Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Kharge's mother and sister had died in Razakar attack but he keeps mum for Muslim vote bank: Yogi
Amravati: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday claimed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge purposely keeps mum on the tragic death of his mother and sister in an attack by Razakars as he feared losing Muslim votes. Days after Kharge criticised the seer-turned-politician on his saffron attire and Batenge to Katenge slogan, Adityanath launched a strong counterattack at a poll rally in Maharashtra's Amravati. He accused the Congress veteran of suppressing these painful personal memories for political expediency. Adityanath alleged Congress ignores historical atrocities for the sake of vote bank politics. Kharge has conveniently forgotten the history of the Razakars under the Nizam of Hyderabad despite the personal loss he had suffered, Adityanath said. (Mallikarjun) Kharge's village, Varawatti, was also burned down by Razakars, and his mother, aunt, and sister died in the attacks, Adityanath claimed. He alleged Kharge was suppressing this truth fearing he might lose Muslim votes if he spoke about atrocities committed by the Nizam's forces. Congress is trying to reject history and Kharge has conveniently forgotten what happened to his family, just for vote bank politics, said the Uttar Pradesh chief minister. The Razakars was a paramilitary force that operated in the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad with a primary objective to maintain the rule of the Muslim Nizams of Hyderabad and prevent the accession of Hyderabad to India. The UP CM further alleged that the historical leadership of Congress compromised with the Muslim League in 1946, resulting in the division of India and the killing of Hindus. When the Nizam realised during the Independence movement that he could not remain independent, he resorted to killing Hindus, said Adityanath. He claimed B R Ambedkar had advised Hindus and Scheduled Castes to move to Maharashtra for their safety (from the Nizam-ruled territory). Adityanath also warned against divisions within the nation. If you are divided, your daughters will become unsafe, temples will be attacked, and communities targeted. This is the reality of what happens when you are not united, Adityanath said while drawing a parallel with the ise of instances of love jihad and land jihad in Maharashtra and blaming the erstwhile Congress governments. During a poll rally, Kharge had said, Many leaders live in the guise of sadhus and have now become politicians in a veiled attack on Adityanath. On the one hand, you wear 'gerua' (saffron) clothes, and on the other hand, you say 'batoge to katoge'. I would say to the BJP, either wear white clothes or if you are a sanyasi, wear 'gerua' clothes, but then get out of politics, Kharge had said.
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Face-offs among allies in 29 seats
The ruling Mahayuti`s partners BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar`s NCP will contest alongside each other for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 in six seats: Mankhurd Shivajinagar (Mumbai), Ashti (Beed), Sindhkhed Raja (Buldhana), Katol (Nagpur), Morshi (Amravati), Dindori (Nashik), Shrirampur (Ahmednagar) and Purandar (Pune)
Maharashtra polls: Friendly face-offs between allies in 29 out of 288 assembly seats
Mumbai: The November 20 Maharashtra election will witness friendly contests among the Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies in 29 out of 288 assembly seats. Friendly fights, however, are more complicated for the MVA, especially since smaller parties who are part of the INDIA bloc are also in the mix. The ruling Mahayuti's partners BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress, will contest alongside each other in six seats Mankhurd Shivajinagar (Mumbai), Ashti (Beed), Sindhkhed Raja (Buldhana), Katol (Nagpur), Morshi (Amravati), Dindori (Nashik), Shrirampur (Ahmednagar) and Purandar (Pune). The opposition alliance of the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and Congress will engage in such face-offs in 21 assembly constituencies. One of the major fights will take place in the Nanded North seat, where Congress's Abdul Gaffoor is in the fray with Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Sangita Patil. In most constituencies, MVA allies are contesting alongside candidates fielded by the Peasants and Workers Party of India (PWPI), Samajwadi Party and the Left. The Samajwadi Party has fielded eight candidates and will be contesting alongside the Congress on six seats, namely Bhiwandi West (Thane), Tuljapur (Dharashiv), Aurangabad East (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Malegaon Central (Nashik) and with NCP SP in Paranda (Dharashiv), and Shiv Sena UBT in Dhule City assembly seats. The PWPI has fielded candidates on 14 seats and is in contest with the Shiv Sena (UBT) in Sangole, Loha, Pen, Uran, Ausa, Malegaon Outer and Panvel, and with NCP (SP) in Katol. A PWPI leader said they had sought six seats where they are in serious contest. However, the bigger parties fielded candidates despite our strong presence in these constituencies, he said. The leader said the party had to field candidates wherever it has influence, as it needed to fulfil the electoral criteria of getting the desired number of votes. Asked about the possibility of eating into the alliance's votes, he said, It will happen. But what can we do? We sought seats from bigger parties, but they remained adamant. In an interview earlier this year, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi said the Maha Vikas Aghadi should have fought the polls as a united front, but it had not even called his party for talks. He said, They (MVA) think they can win the polls on their strength, and there is no need for us (SP). Solapur City Central will see a contest between the CPM's Narsaya Adam and the Congress, while in the Wani constituency, CPI's Hepat and Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Sanjay Derkar are in the fray. In Mahayuti, the Shiv Sena and the NCP are in a friendly contest in Purandar, Dindori, Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, Sindkhedraja and Shrirampur. The NCP and BJP will battle it in Katol, Morshi and Ashti.
Anti-National Alliance In Maharashtra, Says Yogi Adityanath At Amravati Rally
6 Crore Gold-Silver Seized on Amravati-Nagpur Highway
In a significant operation near the Wardha-Amravati border, the Amravati Rural Police and SST team seized gold and silver worth 5.17 crore on Tuesday. The haul was discovered during a routine check of a mini cargo vehicle traveling from Nagpur to Amravati. In addition to the precious metals, the vehicle belonging to Sequale Global Precious [] The post 6 Crore Gold-Silver Seized on Amravati-Nagpur Highway appeared first on Nagpur Today : Nagpur News .
Five held for gangrape of woman in Maharashtra's Amravati
AMRAVATI: Five persons have been arrested for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman in Maharashtra's Amravati district, a police official said on Thursday. The victim has told police the crime occurred after she left her house on Tuesday following a quarrel with her parents, the official said. As per the complainant, two youths gave her a lift on their two-wheeler. They took her to a secluded place, plied her with liquor and raped her. Three more persons were also involved in the gangrape, he said. After the victim approached police on Wednesday morning, a case was registered and one person was initially apprehended with the help of CCTV footage. His interrogation led to the arrest of four others within two hours. Further probe is underway, the official informed.
NCP (SP) declares five more candidates for Maharashtra polls
Mumbai: The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) on Tuesday fielded five more candidates for the Maharashtra assembly elections, upping its tally to 87. The party on Monday released its fourth list with seven candidates for the November 20 polls. It replaced sitting MLA Anil Deshmukh with his son Salil from the Katol assembly constituency in Nagpur district. In the latest list, Pawar replaced Siddhi Ramesh Kadam with Raju Khare in the Mohol assembly seat in Solapur district. Kadam's nomination was opposed as she does not belong to the constituency. The party has fielded Abhijit Patil from the Madha assembly constituency and Anil Sawant from the Pandharpur segment, both in Solapur district. Girish Karale will battle it out in the Morshi assembly constituency of Amravati district, while Sangeeta Waje will contest from the Mulund seat in Mumbai. The NCP (SP) is contesting the elections as an MVA ally along with Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress. The Congress has announced candidates for 102 seats so far, and the Shiv Sena (UBT) has declared more than 80 candidates.
Maharashtra Assembly polls: Congress announces first list of 48 candidates, retains 25 sitting MLAs
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday announced its first list of 48 candidates for the Maharashtra Assembly polls, fielding its state unit chief Nana Patole from Sakoli, former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan from Karad South and Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar from Brahmapuri. The party has retained 25 sitting MLAs in the first list. The opposition party also fielded former ministers Nitin Raut and Balasaheb Thorat from Nagpur North and Sangamner, respectively, Jyoti Eknath Gaikwad from Dharavi, Amit Deshmukh from Latur City and Dheeraj Deshmukh from Latur Rural. Mohammad Aarif Naseem Khan has been fielded from Chandivali, Aslam Sheikh from Malad West, Ranjit Kamble from Deoli and Vikas Thakre from Nagpur West. In Raver in Jalgaon district, the party has fielded Dhananjay Chaudhari, son of sitting MLA Shirish Chaudhari. Muzafar Hussain has been fielded from Mira Bhayander in Thane district. In Bhokar, Congress' Trupti Kondekar will take on BJP's Srijaya Chavan, daughter of Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Chavan, a former CM who left the grand old party and joined the BJP recently. Chavan's relative Meenal Khatgaonkar has been fielded by the Congress from Naigaon, while Praful Gudadhe will take on senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis from Nagpur South West assembly seat. The Congress has given tickets to former MLAs Gopaldas Agarwal and Sunil Deshmukh from Gondia and Amravati, respectively. The two had switched to the BJP but recently returned to the Congress. Jyoti Gaikwad is the sister of Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad, who was Dharavi MLA for four terms before being elected to the Lok Sabha from Mumbai North Central in the 2024 general elections. Amit and Dheeraj Deshmukh are sons of former chief minister and Congress stalwart late Vilasrao Deshmukh. The list comes a day after the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of the Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) announced that they will contest 85 seats each in the November 20 polls. However, deliberations to seal a final pact are still underway. The three allies are discussing the sharing of the remaining 33 seats of the total 288 among themselves and smaller parties. Addressing a press conference here in the evening, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said a consensus has been reached on 270 of the 288 seats. We will include the Samajwadi Party, PWP, CPI(M), CPI and AAP. Discussions are still on for the remaining seats. We have amicably arrived at a consensus on 270 seats. The MVA stands united to defeat the Mahayuti government, Raut said. Patole said the remaining seats will be given to smaller parties. The ruling Mahayuti alliance comprises Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly will be held in a single phase on November 20. The votes will be counted on November 23. Maharashtra Assembly polls: MVA finalises 85-85-85 deal for Uddhav Sena, Congress, Sharad Pawar's NCP
Students elated at witnessing different types of drones at Amravati summit
We want to become drone manufacturers and help the nation, say budding engineers
Baramati to Witness Another High-Stakes Contest in Pawar Family
Mumbai: With the NCP officially announcing the candidature of party chief Ajit Pawar on Wednesday, the high-profile Baramati assembly eat is likely to witness yet another Pawar vs Pawar battle in the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha polls in Maharashtra as the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) has finalised the name of Yugendra Pawar. The NCP (SP)s likely nominee is the grandnephew of Sharad Pawar and nephew of Ait Pawar. The NCP on Wednesday fielded Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar from the Baramati Vidhan Sabha constituency as part of its first candidate list for the Maharashtra elections. There was uncertainty over the possibility of Ajit Pawar fighting the elections as the NCP chief himself a few months back had said he was no longer interested in contesting from Baramati. He had also hinted his younger son Jay Pawar might replace at the assembly seat. The Sharad Pawar-led party has almost finalised Yugendra Pawars name for the Baramati seat. The party has also reportedly issued an authorisation form to him. Yugendra is the son of Ajit Pawars younger brother Srinivas Pawar, who sided with uncle Sharad Pawar during the Lok Sabha elections. Srinivas had also criticised Ajit for fielding wife Sunetra against Sharad Pawars daughter and incumbent MP Supriya Sule, making it a contest within the family. Yugendra too had campaigned actively for Sule during the polls. In the contest that caught the attention of the entire country, Sule had trounced Sunetra Pawar with a big margin of over 1.5 lakh votes and won the polls from Baramati for the fourth time. Along with Lok Sabha seat, Baramati assembly seat, in Pune district, has been a stronghold of the Pawar family, with Ajit Pawar representing it from 1993. In the 2019 Vidhan Sabha polls, Ajit Pawar defeated his BJP rival by a record margin of over 1,65,000 votes. However, the rift in the once close-knit Pawar family came to fore in July last year when Ajit Pawar revolted against Sharad Pawar and joined the BJP-led NDA to become a deputy chief minister alongside BJPs Devendra Fadnavis in the government headed by Shiv Senas Eknath Shinde. According to political observers, the outcome of this election will be crucial in determining the future of the Pawar familys political legacy in Baramati and Maharashtras political landscape too. The battle between Yugendra and Ajit Pawar is likely to be intense and bitter and will have a long reaching impact on the internal dynamics of the NCP. The NCP announced its first list of candidates for 38 seats. The party has fielded Deputy Speaker of state Assembly Narhari Zirwal from the Dindori seat, senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal from the Yeola seat and ex-minister Rajkumar Badole from the Arjuni-Morgaon seat. Badole joined the NCP only two days ago after quitting its alliance partner BJP. The Ajit Pawar-led party has also given tickets to two sitting Congress MLAs Sulbha Khodke from the Amravati seat and Hiraman Khoskar from the Igatpuri seat. Bharat Gavit, the son of late Congress leader Manikrao Gavit, has been given a ticket from the Navapur seat.
Maharashtra Polls: NCP Releases First List of 38 Cnadidiates, Ajit Pawar To Contest from Baramati
Mumbai: The Nationalist Congress Party on Wednesday released its first list of 38 candidates for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls with Deputy Chief Minister and party head Ajit Pawar being nominated from Baramati seat in Pune district. Apart from renominating 26 sitting MLAs, including ministers who sided with Ajit Pawar when he joined the ruling camp, the NCP has also fielded sitting legislators Sulbha Khodke (Amravati) and Hiraman Khoskar (Igatpuri) who switched over from the Congress recently. Bharat Gavit, son of Congress veteran late Manikrao Gavit, has been fielded from Navapur. Deputy Speaker of state assembly Narhari Zirwal has been fielded from Dindori and state cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal from Yeola. Former minister Rajkumar Badole, who was earlier with the BJP, has been given the ticket from Arjuni-Morgaon.
Maha poll: NCP list out; Ajit Pawar to contest from...
Apart from renominating 26 sitting MLAs, including ministers who sided with Ajit Pawar when he joined the ruling camp, the NCP has also fielded sitting legislators Sulbha Khodke (Amravati) and Hiraman Khoskar (Igatpuri) who switched over from the Congress recently.
The Shiv Sena has released the first list of 45 candidates which saw the party renominating almost all MLAs who backed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde against Uddhav Thackeray when the Shiv Sena split. This is also the first Assembly election to be contested under Shinde's leadership. Shiv Sena has given tickets to 45 candidates in the first list, which includes over half a dozen Cabinet members. Most of them have been retained in their respective seats. Many see this as a reward for their loyalty when they sided with Shinde while breaking away from Uddhav Thackeray during the June 2022 revolt. No sitting MLA has been dropped, except those who became MPs. Family members of deceased MLAs have been given tickets. The party has fielded ministers Gulabrao Patil, Deepak Kesarkar, Abdul Sattar and Shamburaj Desai from Jalgaon Rural, Sawantwadi, Sillod and Patan, respectively. Dada Bhuse, will contest from the Malegaon Outer assembly constituency in Nashik district. Ministers Uday Samant and Tanaji Sawant have been fielded from Ratnagiri and Paranda, respectively. Interestingly, the kin of many ministers, including Uday Samant's brother, have been given tickets. Kiran Samant will contest from Rajapur whilelate MLA Anil Babar's son Suhas Babar will contest from Khanapur in Sangli. Manisha Waikar, wife of Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP from Mumbai North-West Ravindra Waikar, has been fielded from Jogeshwari (East), while Abhijit Adsul, son of Sena leader and former Union minister Anand Adsul, will contest from Daryapur in Amravati district. Vilas Bhumre, son of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Lok Sabha MP Sandipan Bhumre, will contest from Paithan.
Maharashtra polls: Shiv Sena releases first list of 45 candidates
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on late Tuesday night released its first list of 45 candidates for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, nominating Chief Minister Eknath Shinde from Kopri -Panchpakhadi in Thane city and over half a dozen Cabinet members from their respective seats.The ruling party has re-nominated almost all the MLAs who backed Shinde when he led a revolt against the then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in June 2022. Shinde will seek re-election from Kopri -Panchpakhadi in adjoining Thane city. The party has fielded ministers Gulabrao Patil, Deepak Kesarkar, Abdul Sattar and Shamburaj Desai from Jalgaon Rural, Sawantwadi, Sillod and Patan, respectively. Another cabinet member, Dada Bhuse, will contest from the Malegaon Outer assembly constituency in Nashik district. Ministers Uday Samant and Tanaji Sawant have been fielded from Ratnagiri and Paranda, respectively. Another prominent leader Sada Sarvankar will fight the polls from Mahim in Mumbai. The party has also fielded kin of several MLAs. From Rajapur, it has given ticket to Kiran Samant, brother of minister Uday Samant. Suhas Babar, son of the late legislator Anil Babar, will contest from Khanapur in Sangli district. Manisha Waikar, wife of Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP from Mumbai North-West Ravindra Waikar, has been fielded from Jogeshwari (East), while Abhijit Adsul, son of Sena leader and former Union minister Anand Adsul, will contest from Daryapur in Amravati district. Vilas Bhumre, son of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Lok Sabha MP Sandipan Bhumre, will contest from Paithan. With this, the Shiv Sena has become the second major political party to release its list of candidates. Its ally BJP had released a list of 99 candidates on Sunday last. The ruling Mahayuti, which consists of the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, is yet to announce its seat-sharing deal for polls to the 288-member assembly.
Maharashtra assembly polls: Shiv Sena releases first list of 45 candidates
MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena on late Tuesday night released its first list of 45 candidates for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, nominating Chief Minister Eknath Shinde from Kopri -Panchpakhadi in Thane city and over half a dozen Cabinet members from their respective seats. The ruling party has re-nominated almost all the MLAs who backed Shinde when he led a revolt against the then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in June 2022. Shinde will seek re-election from Kopri-Panchpakhadi in adjoining Thane city. The party has fielded ministers Gulabrao Patil, Deepak Kesarkar, Abdul Sattar and Shamburaj Desai from Jalgaon Rural, Sawantwadi, Sillod and Patan, respectively. Another cabinet member, Dada Bhuse, will contest from the Malegaon Outer assembly constituency in Nashik district. Ministers Uday Samant and Tanaji Sawant have been fielded from Ratnagiri and Paranda, respectively. Another prominent leader Sada Sarvankar will fight the polls from Mahim in Mumbai. The party has also fielded kin of several MLAs. From Rajapur, it has given ticket to Kiran Samant, brother of minister Uday Samant. Suhas Babar, son of the late legislator Anil Babar, will contest from Khanapur in Sangli district. Manisha Waikar, wife of Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP from Mumbai North-West Ravindra Waikar, has been fielded from Jogeshwari (East), while Abhijit Adsul, son of Sena leader and former Union minister Anand Adsul, will contest from Daryapur in Amravati district. Vilas Bhumre, son of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Lok Sabha MP Sandipan Bhumre, will contest from Paithan. With this, the Shiv Sena has become the second major political party to release its list of candidates. Its ally BJP had released a list of 99 candidates on Sunday last. The ruling Mahayuti, which consists of the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, is yet to announce its seat-sharing deal for polls to the 288-member assembly.
CWRC asks Tamil Nadu to be judicious in using Mettur reservoir water
NEW DELHI: The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has advised the Tamil Nadu government to be cautious about use of Mettur reservoir water despite prediction of above-normal northeast monsoon. The committee also directed Karnataka to maintain the stipulated flow of Cauvery waters at the interstate point in Biligundlu. While Tamil Nadu said Karnataka only releases water when its reservoirs are full and does not release water as per the final Cauvery award when there is deficit rainfall, Karnataka said whatever surplus water that the state has released must be adjusted with the water due for the current and future months by Tamil Nadu. In its 105th meeting held in New Delhi on Tuesday, the committee assessed that Karnataka has released 205 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water, as realised at the interstate point of Biligundlu between June and September of 2024, which was over and above the 123 tmcft stipulated for the whole southwest monsoon season. The CWRC has expressed satisfaction over the discharge of Cauvery water from Karnataka to TN in the just concluded southwest monsoon (SWM) season. During the southwest monsoon season, from May 30 to October 15, except June and September, excess water flows were maintained in July and August at interstate points. Water availability situation is also satisfactory in Puducherry, the CWRC said. Last year, the total water availability in three Tamil Nadu reservoirs (Mettur, Bhavani and Amravati) was alarmingly low at 33 tmcft, but this year it is around 75 tmcft. Further, water flow at interstate point in October was also satisfactory. According to the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT), as modified by the Supreme Court, Karnataka needs to release 0.7 tmcft of water per day at the interstate point in October. The CWRC has advised the TN govt to reduce the release of water from Mettur as northeast monsoon rainfall has started in the Cauvery delta region. Tamil Nadu government officials urged Karnataka to maintain the stipulated water flow. In early October, Karnataka was able to release only around 0.5 tmcft against stipulated 0.7 tmcft, they said.
DC Edit | Baba Siddiques murder exposes police fallibility
Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddiques murder has brought back painful memories of the 90s, when Mumbais ganglands carried out bloodshed on the city streets without any fear of law enforcement agencies. Siddique was under police protection. An armed policeman was accompanying him at the time of his murder. Moreover, Siddique was killed on the day of Dasara. The police department was on high alert on that day because of the festivities and two major political rallies in the city held by chief minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. The larger police presence on the day did not, however, deter the assailants who executed their plans anyway. The incident was an embarrassment for the police department as well as the state government. Therefore, the police action should not be restricted merely to catch the culprits and bring them to justice. The actions are also needed to restore the public faith in the police department. Siddiques murder barely a month before the state Assembly election will also have political repercussions. The Shinde government has a lot to explain about law and order in the state. The former Congress minister had recently joined the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party. However, that has not stopped the Opposition parties from mounting an attack on the government over the issue of public safety. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is BJPs tallest leader in Maharashtra, has been the Oppositions target because of the cases such as Pune Porsche hit-and-run, Badlapur school molestation, incidents of communal violence in Amravati and Akola etc. Siddiques murder has provided yet another reason to the Opposition parties to demand Fadnaviss removal. As expected, Fadnavis brushed aside the Oppositions charges saying they were playing politics over the unfortunate incident. But even common people are sceptical about the police departments ability to deter criminals, and the ruling parties cannot ignore them, particularly during election time. A suspected member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, through a social media post, has indicated that Siddique was killed because of his proximity with actor Salman Khan. The gang claims it wants to kill Salman Khan because of his alleged involvement in killing a blackbuck in September 1998. But the fact remains that gangs target Bollywood celebrities because it gives them instant publicity and strikes fear in the minds of the public. The Bishnoi gang came in the national limelight after killing singer, rapper Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022. The Bishnoi gang is hiring hitmen from different states and carrying out crimes in different parts of the country. Ironically, Lawrence Bishnoi, the head of the gang, is in jail. But he continues to call the shots from there and the police cannot do anything about it despite knowing everything. This is unacceptable. The law enforcement agencies need to sanitise jails, which have also become a recruitment platform for crime syndicates and stop inmates communicating freely with their associates outside. If it is allowed to go on unchecked, the days of jungle raj in the country, not just in Maharashtra, are not far away.
Congress suspends Maharashtra MLA Sulbha Khodke for 'anti-party activities'
Congress suspended Sulbha Khodke, an MLA from Amravati, for six years due to anti-party activities. She cross-voted in legislative council elections, leading to the defeat of a Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate. The decision came from state Congress chief Nana Patole and Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala. Khodke might join the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
Navneet Rana Will Not Contest Maharashtra Assembly Polls, Says Her Husband
Ravi Rana, Independent MLA from Badnera in Amravati district, on Friday said his wife Navneet Rana will not contest the Maharashtra assembly polls as the Bharatiya Janata Party has assured her membership of the Rajya Sabha.
Modi lays foundation stone for various projects worth Rs 7600 cr in Maharashtra
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for various development projects in Maharashtra worth over Rs 7600 crore via video conference on Wednesday. The projects include the foundation stone laying of the upgradation of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur and the New Integrated Terminal Building at Shirdi airport. Modi also launched the operationalization of 10 Government Medical Colleges in Maharashtra and inaugurated the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS), Mumbai and Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) of Maharashtra. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that Maharashtra is being presented with 10 new Medical colleges and important infrastructure projects including the modernization and expansion of Nagpur Airport and construction of a new terminal building for Shirdi airport. He congratulated the people of Maharashtra for the development projects of today. Recalling his visit to Mumbai and Thane to inaugurate projects worth Rs.30,000 crore, the Prime Minister mentioned that development projects worth thousands of crores such as the expansion of Metro network, upgradation of airports, highway projects, infrastructure, solar energy and textile parks have been initiated in various districts earlier. Modi underlined that new initiatives have been undertaken for farmers, fishermen and animal keepers while the foundation stone for Wadhawan Port - Indias largest container port has also been laid in Maharashtra. The Prime Minister remarked, Never in the history of Maharashtra has development taken place at such a fast pace, on such a large scale, in different sectors. Recalling the recent recognition of Marathi as a classical language, the Prime Minister remarked that when a language gets its due respect, it's not just the words but the entire generation gets a voice. He added that the dream of crores of Marathi brethren was fulfilled with this. Modi noted that the people of Maharashtra celebrated the recognition of Marathi as a classical language. He added that he was receiving messages of happiness and gratitude from people across the villages of Maharashtra. Modi remarked that the recognition of Marathi as a classical language was not his work but a result of the blessings of people of Maharashtra. The Prime Minister underlined that the works of progress in Maharashtra were underway due to the blessings of luminaries like Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Jyothiba Phule and Savitribai Phule. The Prime Minister noted that the results of the assembly elections published yesterday for Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir and the voters of Haryana had clearly revealed the mood of the people of the country. He added that the victory in Haryana for the third consecutive time after successful completion of two terms was historic. Modi cautioned against those who play divisive politics and mislead the voters for personal gains. He also pointed out attempts to induce fear among Muslims in India and convert them into vote bank and also expressed disdain towards those indulging in casteism in Hinduism for their benefit. Modi warned against those trying to break Hindu society in India for political gains. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the people of Maharashtra would reject efforts to break the society. In the last 10 years, the Prime Minister said that the government has begun a Maha Yajna of creating modern infrastructure for the development of the nation. Today, we are not only constructing buildings but laying the foundation of a healthy and prosperous Maharashtra, the Prime Minister said, referring to the inauguration of 10 new Medical colleges in the state to improve the lives of lakhs of people. He said that Thane, Ambernath, Mumbai, Nashik, Jalna, Buldhana, Hingoli, Washim, Amravati, Bhankdara and Gadchiroli districts would become centers of service for lakhs of people. The Prime Minister underscored that the 10 new Medical colleges would further add 900 medical seats in Maharashtra taking the total number of medical seats in the state to about 6000. Recalling his resolve to add 75,000 new medical seats from the Red Fort, the Prime Minister said that today's event is a big step in this direction. Adding that the Government had eased the Medical Education, the Prime Minister remarked that the doors to new avenues were opened for the youth of Maharashtra. He added that the priority of the government was to ensure that as many children from poor and middle class families become doctors and their dreams are fulfilled. Modi said that at one point of time, there was a huge challenge of non-availability of books in mother tongue for such specialized studies. The Prime Minister said that the Government ended this discrimination and the youth of Maharashtra would be able to study medicine in Marathi language. He added that the youth will fulfill their dream of becoming doctors, by studying in their mother-tongue. The Prime Minister remarked that the Governments effort to make life comfortable was a big medium to fight against poverty. Lambasting the previous Governments for making poverty the fuel of their politics, he added that his government has lifted 25 crore people out of poverty within a decade. Elaborating on the transformation of health services in the country, Modi said Today, every poor person has an Ayushman card for free medical treatment. He added that recently the elderly aged above 70 years were also getting free medical treatment. Modi noted that the Essential medicines were available at very low prices at Jan Aushadhi Kendras and the stents for heart patients were made cheaper by 80-85 percent. He added that the Government had also reduced the prices of medicines necessary for cancer treatment. Adding that medical treatment had become cheaper due to the increase in the number of government medical colleges and hospitals, Modi said Today the Modi government has given a strong shield of social security to the poorest of the poor. The Prime Minister emphasized that the world only trusts a country when its youth is filled with confidence. He noted that the confidence of todays young India is writing the story of a new future for the nation and highlighted that the global community sees India as a significant hub for human resources, with vast opportunities in education, healthcare, and software development across the globe. To prepare Indias youth for these opportunities, the Prime Minister informed that the government is aligning their skills with global standards. The Prime Minister mentioned the launch of various projects in Maharashtra, including the Vidya Samiksha Kendra, aimed at advancing the educational framework and the inauguration of the Indian Institute of Skills in Mumbai, where future-oriented training will be provided to align the talent of young individuals with market demands. Modi highlighted the governments initiative of offering paid internships to youth, a first in India's history, where students will receive a stipend of Rs 5,000 during their internship. He expressed happiness that thousands of companies are registering to be a part of this initiative thereby helping young individuals gain valuable experience and opening new opportunities for them. The Prime Minister said India's efforts for its youth are yielding significant results. He said that Indias educational institutions are standing on par with the top institutes globally and highlighted the growing quality of higher education and research in India as released by World University Rankings only yesterday. Modi said that the worlds eyes are now on India as the country has become the fifth-largest economy. Future of the global economy is in India, the Prime Minister remarked, noting the new opportunities brought by economic progress, especially in sectors that were once neglected for decades. He gave the example of tourism and pointed out the lost opportunities in the past to fully utilize Maharashtras invaluable heritage, beautiful natural sites and spiritual centers to develop the state into a billion-dollar economy. The Prime Minister stressed that the present government includes both development and heritage. Touching upon building a bright future inspired by Indias rich past, the Prime Minister mentioned the new terminal at Shirdi airport, the modernization of Nagpur Airport and other development projects underway in Maharashtra. He said that the new terminal at Shirdi airport will greatly benefit devotees of Sai Baba allowing more visitors from across the country and abroad. He also spoke about inaugurating the upgraded Solapur Airport which will now enable devotees to visit nearby spiritual destinations such as Shani Shingnapur, Tulja Bhavani and Kailas Temple thereby, boosting Maharashtras tourism economy and creating employment opportunities. Every decision and every policy of our government is dedicated to only one goal - Viksit Bharat!, exclaimed Modi. He added that the Governments vision for the same was welfare of the poor, farmers, youth and women. Therefore, he added that every development project was dedicated to the poor villagers, laborers and farmers. Modi highlighted that the separate cargo complex being built at Shirdi airport would help the farmers a lot as various types of agricultural products could be exported across the country and abroad. He added that farmers of Shirdi, Lasalgaon, Ahilyanagar and Nashik would benefit from the cargo complex by easily being able to transport products like onion, grapes, guava and pomegranate to the big market. The Prime Minister remarked that the government was constantly taking necessary steps in the interest of farmers such as abolishing the minimum export price on Basmati rice, removal of ban on export of non-Basmati rice, reducing the export duty on parboiled rice by half. He added that the government has also reduced the export tax on onions by half to increase the income of farmers of Maharashtra. Modi also added that the Government had decided to impose a 20 percent tax on the import of edible oils and significantly increase the custom duty on refined soybean, sunflower and palm oil to help the farmers of India to benefit with higher prices for crops like mustard, soybean and sunflower. Modi also added that the way the government was supporting the textile industry the cotton farmers of Maharashtra would be greatly benefitted. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said that the resolve of the present government is to strengthen Maharashtra. He expressed happiness with the states pace of progress and congratulated the people of Maharashtra for all the development projects of today.
Congress an irresponsible party, factory to spread hatred, claims PM Modi
MUMBAI: A day after Congress' defeat in the Haryana polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the Congress is an irresponsible party and a factory to spread hatred, which wants to divide Hindus and pit one community against another. The BJP has won the Haryana assembly elections and it shows the mood of the country, Modi said, adding that in Maharashtra we have to get a bigger victory. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) wants to weaken Maharashtra to gain power, but the ruling Mahayuti will strengthen the state, he said after virtually inaugurating various development projects of more than Rs 7,600 crore in the state. Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly are likely to be held next month. Modi said never before has Maharashtra seen the expeditious development of projects. Under the Congress regime, the same speed and scale was witnessed in terms of corruption, the PM said. The Congress is an irresponsible party and a factory to spread hatred. The Congress is not concerned about development and legacy; we have paid attention to both, he said. Our goal is Viksit Bharat with the development of poor, farmers, youth and women, the prime minister said. The Congress creates fear among Muslims and converts them into its vote bank, Modi said. Further targeting the Congress, Modi said the opposition party wants to divide Hindus and pit one community against another. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually laid the foundation stone of various development projects of more than Rs 7,600 crore in Maharashtra. He laid the foundation stones of the upgradation of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur and the New Integrated Terminal Building at the Shirdi Airport in the state via video conference. The prime minister also virtually inaugurated the Indian Institute of Skills Mumbai and Vidya Samiksha Kendra in Maharashtra and launched 10 new government medical colleges in the state. The upgradation of the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur will be done with a total estimated project cost of around Rs 7,000 crore, as per officials. It will serve as a catalyst for growth across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, aviation, tourism, logistics, and healthcare, benefiting Nagpur city and the wider Vidarbha region. The New Integrated Terminal Building at the Shirdi Airport, to be set up at a cost of Rs 645 crore, will provide world-class facilities and amenities for the religious tourists coming to Shirdi, the officials said. The construction theme of the proposed terminal is based on the spiritual Neem tree of Saibaba. The 10 new government medical colleges in Maharashtra, launched by the PM on Wednesday, are located in Mumbai, Nashik, Jalna, Amravati, Gadchiroli, Buldhana, Washim, Bhandara, Hingoli and Ambernath (Thane). While enhancing the under-graduate and post-graduate seats, the colleges will also offer specialised tertiary healthcare to the people, as per the officials. The Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) Mumbai has been set up with an aim to create an industry-ready workforce with cutting-edge technology and hands-on training. Established under a Public-Private Partnership model, it is a collaboration between the Tata Education and Development Trust and the Government of India. The institute plans to provide training in highly specialised areas like mechatronics, artificial intelligence, data analytics, industrial automation and robotics, among others. The Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) of Maharashtra will provide access to students, teachers and administrators to crucial academic and administrative data through live chatbots such as Smart Upasthiti and Swadhyay, among others. It will offer high-quality insights to schools to manage resources effectively, strengthen ties between parents and the state, and deliver responsive support. It will also supply curated instructional resources to enhance teaching practices and student learning, the officials said.
PM Modi launches development projects of over Rs 7,600 cr in Maharashtra
Nagpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually laid the foundation stone of various development projects of more than Rs 7,600 crore in Maharashtra. He laid the foundation stones of the upgradation of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur and the New Integrated Terminal Building at the Shirdi Airport in the state via video conference. The prime minister also virtually inaugurated the Indian Institute of Skills Mumbai and Vidya Samiksha Kendra in Maharashtra and launched 10 new government medical colleges in the state. The upgradation of the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur will be done with a total estimated project cost of around Rs 7,000 crore, as per officials. It will serve as a catalyst for growth across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, aviation, tourism, logistics, and healthcare, benefitting Nagpur city and the wider Vidarbha region. The New Integrated Terminal Building at the Shirdi Airport, to be set up at a cost of Rs 645 crore, will provide world-class facilities and amenities for the religious tourists coming to Shirdi, the officials said. The construction theme of the proposed terminal is based on the spiritual Neem tree of Saibaba. The 10 new government medical colleges in Maharashtra, launched by the PM on Wednesday, are located in Mumbai, Nashik, Jalna, Amravati, Gadchiroli, Buldhana, Washim, Bhandara, Hingoli and Ambernath (Thane). While enhancing the under-graduate and post-graduate seats, the colleges will also offer specialised tertiary healthcare to the people, as per the officials. The Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) Mumbai has been set up with an aim to create an industry-ready workforce with cutting-edge technology and hands-on training. Established under a Public-Private Partnership model, it is a collaboration between the Tata Education and Development Trust and the Government of India. The institute plans to provide training in highly specialised areas like mechatronics, artificial intelligence, data analytics, industrial automation and robotics among others. The Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) of Maharashtra will provide access to students, teachers and administrators to crucial academic and administrative data through live chatbots such as Smart Upasthiti, Swadhyay among others. It will offer high quality insights to schools to manage resources effectively, strengthen ties between parents and the state, and deliver responsive support. It will also supply curated instructional resources to enhance teaching practices and student learning, the officials said.
PM Modi to Launch Development Projects Worth Rs 7,600 Cr in Maharashtra Today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch a series of development projects worth over Rs 7,600 crore in Maharashtra on Wednesday via video conferencing. One of the key initiatives is the upgradation of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur, with a project cost of approximately Rs 7,000 crore. This upgrade is expected to boost sectors like manufacturing, aviation, tourism, logistics, and healthcare, significantly benefiting Nagpur and the surrounding Vidarbha region. Additionally, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for the New Integrated Terminal Building at Shirdi Airport, a project worth over Rs 645 crore. Designed to cater to the large number of religious tourists visiting Shirdi, the terminal's theme is inspired by the spiritual neem tree associated with Sai Baba. The Prime Minister will also operationalize 10 new government medical colleges across Maharashtra. These institutions are located in Mumbai, Nashik, Jalna, Amravati, Gadchiroli, Buldhana, Washim, Bhandara, Hingoli, and Ambernath (Thane). The colleges aim to increase the number of undergraduate and postgraduate seats while offering advanced healthcare services to the public. Furthering his vision of making India the Skill Capital of the World, PM Modi will inaugurate the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) in Mumbai. The institute, established under a Public-Private Partnership model in collaboration with the Tata Education and Development Trust, will offer cutting-edge training in fields such as mechatronics, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and robotics. Additionally, PM Modi will inaugurate the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK), which will provide students, teachers, and administrators with access to academic and administrative data. Through tools like live chatbots, the VSK aims to improve resource management in schools, strengthen the relationship between parents and the state, and offer innovative teaching resources to enhance student learning. MORE.... President Murmu and PM Modi Welcome Maldives President Muizzu in Delhi Central Government to Fund 65% of Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase-2 India Introduces Rupay Card in Maldives After Diplomatic Talks with PM Modi
Row Over Hatemonger's Remark, Stones Thrown In Maharashtra, 21 Cops Injured
Twenty-one policemen were injured after a mob threw stones at them in Maharashtra's Amravati city to demand registration of a case for a Hindu seer's objectionable remarks against Prophet Mohammad, police said.
Maha: Mob attacks police, 21 cops injured, 1,200 face legal action
Amravati: Twenty-one policemen were injured after a mob hurled stones at them in Maharashtras Amravati city to demand registration of a case for a Hindu seers objectionable remarks against Prophet Mohammad, police said. The police later registered a case against the Hindu seer, Yati Narsinghanand Maharaj from Ghaziabad, for his remarks against the prophet, they Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
A case against 1,200 persons has been filed in this connection and the police have identified 26 of them
21 cops injured as mob seeking FIR against Hindu seer hurls stones; 1,200 booked
Twenty-one police officers were injured in stone-pelting by a mob in Amravati, Maharashtra. The mob demanded action against Hindu seer Yati Narsinghanand Maharaj for his remarks against Prophet Mohammad. The police registered a case against him and subsequently filed a case against 1,200 persons involved in the violence. Prohibitory orders were issued in the area.
21 cops injured in Amravati as mob hurls stones seeking FIR against seer
Twenty-one policemen were injured after a mob hurled stones at them in Maharashtra's Amravati city to demand registration of a case for a Hindu seer's objectionable remarks against Prophet Mohammad, police said. The police later registered a case against the Hindu seer, Yati Narsinghanand Maharaj from Ghaziabad, for his remarks against the prophet, they said. At least 10 police vans were damaged in the stone-pelting incident that took place on Friday night outside the Nagpuri Gate police station in Amravati city, they said. A case against 1,200 persons has been filed in this connection and the police have identified 26 of them, an official said. A huge mob, including members of some organisations, came to the Nagpuri Gate police station around 8.15 pm to press for their demand of registration of a case against Yati Narsinghanand Maharaj of Ghaziabad, Amravati Police Commissioner Navin Chandra Reddy told reporters. The in-charge of that police station told the mob that one FIR
21 cops injured as mob hurls stones seeking FIR against Hindu seer over remarks; 1,200 booked
Amravati, Oct 5: Twenty-one policemen were injured after a mob hurled stones at them in Maharashtras Amravati city to demand registration of a case for a Hindu seers objectionable remarks against Prophet Mohammad, police said. The police later registered a case against the Hindu seer, Yati Narsinghanand Maharaj from Ghaziabad, for his remarks against the prophet, they said. At least 10 police vans were damaged in the stone-pelting incident that took place on Friday night outside the Nagpuri Gate police []
AIMIM Proposes to Join MVA, Seeks 28 Assembly Seats
Mumbai: Hyderabad-based-All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has shown a willingness to join the oppositions alliance for the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha polls in Maharashtra. The decision has been made after consultation of state leaders with AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi. Former MP and party leader Imtiaz Jaleel said the AIMIM has sent a proposal to the presidents of the Congress and NCP (SP) seeking 28 Assembly seats to contest. We (the opposition parties) should come together to ensure BJPs defeat. We do not want the Mahayuti government in the state, he said. Jaleel made it clear that the seats they have proposed to contest are all Muslim-dominated. They (the MVA) will field their candidates in Muslim-dominated constituencies, which will lead to division of votes between them and the AIMIM and it will ultimately help the BJP, he added. The list of constituencies from which the AIMIM is seeking to contest the assembly polls in Maharashtra includes Dharavi, Byculla, Mumba Devi, Versova, Andheri West, Chandivali, Mankhurd, Anushakti Nagar, Kurla, Kalina, Bandra East, Bandra West, Bhiwandi West, Bhiwandi East, Mumbra-Kalwa, Dhule, Malegaon Central, Pune Cantonment, Solapur Central, Akola, Balapur, Akola West, Washim, Amravati, Nanded North, Nanded Central, Aurangabad Central, and Aurangabad East. The AIMIM leader said that the letter seeking alliance with the Congress and NCP (SP) has been drafted. We drafted a letter after consulting AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi and it has been sent to the Congress and NCP (SP). The AIMIM leader also said the proposal has been sent only to the Congress and NCP (SP), as they still do not agree with (the policies of) the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena (UBT) have recently become secular, but we do not agree with their stand on various issues. Hence, we have approached the Congress and the NCP (SP). If they could join hands with a party that has recently become secular, why cant the AIMIM enter into an alliance with the MVA? he said. We have given a proposal for 28 Muslim-dominated constituencies, and we can give a good fight on these seats, Jaleel said. However, he added that the AIMIM has only listed the constituencies and it can contest on fewer seats as well. Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly are likely to be held in November. In the current assembly, the BJP is the single largest party with 103 MLAs, followed by Shiv Sena 40, NCP 41, Congress 40, Shiv Sena (UBT) 15, NCP (SP) 13 and others 29. The AIMIM has two MLAs while some seats are vacant. It is unlikely that Shiv Sena (UBT) will agree with the inclusion of the AIMIM in the MVA. Though the Uddhav Thackeray-led party is part of the secular alliance, it continues to claim that it has not abandoned Hindutva as it does not want to lose its core voters. Besides, the MVA already includes several parties, such as Congress, NCP(SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi Party, Communist Party, Shetkari Kamgar Paksha and the Republican Organization. The alliance is already struggling with accommodating each of the constituents. According to sources, AIMIMs proposal may not get any response from Congress and NCP(SP).
Intern not hosp employee, says consumer commission, junks med negligence claim
A medical intern's father sought Rs one crore, alleging negligence in his son's death at an Amravati medical college. The national consumer commission dismissed the claim, ruling interns are not employees. The hospital denied negligence, attributing death to a heart attack, and refuted foul play allegations.
4.2 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Maharashtra's Amravati; No Damage Reported
Mild tremors were felt at places in Chikaldhara, Katkumbh, Churni, Pachdongri talukas and Melghat area
4.2 magnitude earthquake hits Maharashtra's Amravati; no casualty
Mild tremors were felt at places in Chikaldhara, Katkumbh, Churni, Pachdongri talukas and Melghat area
Bangladeshi adult actor arrested for staying illegally in India
A Bangladeshi adult actor has been arrested for allegedly using a fake Indian passport to live in India. The porn actor, Riya Barde, also known as Arohi Barde, was taken into custody by the Hill Line Police in Ulhasnagar, about 50 km from Mumbai, NDTV reported. The cops had received a tip-off that a Bangladeshi family was living in Ambernath, Nevali A, using fake documents. An investigation was launched, and the family's fraudulent activities were unearthed. During the inquiry, it was found that an Amravati resident had forged the documents for Riya and three of her associates to facilitate their stay in India. The Hill Line police registered a case against Riya and four others under Section 14(A) of the Foreigners Act, 1946 as well as the Indian Penal Code. A search is on for the four other individuals involved in the case. Reports suggest the parents of Riya Barde are currently in Qatar.
NHRC issues notice to Maha govt over parents carrying their dead kids on shoulders
NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to the Principal Secretary, Health Department, Govt. of Maharashtra, the District Magistrate, Gadhchiroli, and the District Magistrate, Amravati, on the issues of dead children being carried by their parents for fifteen kilometres due to lack of health care and basic amenities in the locality. The NHRC passed the order recently after an acting petition was filed by advocate and noted human rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy in the Supreme Court. On September 04, 2024, a couple was forced to carry the bodies of their two young children, aged six and three years for 15 kilometres on foot due to the absence of healthcare facilities and ambulance services in Gadhchiroli district, Maharashtra. As per the complaint, the parents took their ill children on their shoulders, through muddy paths as there were no paved roads connecting Pattigaon. They reached the nearest health centre in Jimlagattta, only to hear that their kids were declared dead. Meanwhile, no ambulance was provided to carry the dead bodies back to their home village. Tripathy, the complainant, has quoted another incident that a pregnant woman named Kavita A Sakol, in Dahendri village, of tribal region Melghat under the district Amravati, had delivered a stillborn child at her home and then succumbed to her injuries on September 01, 2024, as a local hospital allegedly failed to send an ambulance to pick her up on time. The NHRC transmitted the petition to the authorities through online mode, to have the allegations inquired as well as ensure needful action and submit a report to the Commission within four weeks. The complainant, Tripathy, has requested to take immediate legal action against the negligent officials who failed to address the issue of human rights violation of the dead children and their parents. She has also sought to ensure all-weather roads, adequate ambulance facilities along with payment of compensation to the grieved families.
Andhra: BJYM protest at Jagans house, throw saffron paint
Tensions prevailed at the residence of former chief minister and Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) supremo Jagan Mohan Reddy after members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) staged a protest over the controversy surrounding Tirupati laddus. Amravati, Maharashtra: BJYM activists protested at former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy's residence, throwing saffron paint and chanting Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Respect, capability, prosperity define PM Vishwakarma Yojana: PM Modi
The PM MITRA Park in Amravati is being developed by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) as the state implementation agency over a 1,000-acre park
Congress run by 'tukde tukde' gang and urban Naxals, it hates even Ganpati puja: PM Modi
Wardha: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the ghost of hatred has entered the Congress and dubbed it as the 'most corrupt' party which he alleged was being run by the ukde tukde gang or divisive elements and urban Naxals. Further targeting the main opposition party, Modi maintained the 138-year-old outfit has come to hate even Ganpati puja, remarks coming days after he offered prayers to Lord Ganesh's idol at Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud's New Delhi home, drawing criticism from political opponents. The Congress which you see today is not the party with which a great man like Mahatma Gandhi was associated, the PM noted, addressing a public meeting at Wardha in Maharashtra organised on completion of one year of the launch of Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana. The ghost of hatred has entered the Congress. In today's Congress the soul of patriotism has breathed its last, the BJP stalwart asserted. Modi also spoke of 'anti-India agendas' of Congress leaders in their speeches abroad, without naming that party's MP Rahul Gandhi, who is facing flak from the ruling dispensation for his remarks in the US on scrapping the reservation system and on the Sikh community. If there is a corrupt party it is the Congress and the most corrupt family is its 'shahi parivar' (royal family), Modi said, without naming the Gandhi family. The Congress hates Ganpati puja as well, Modi said. I went to a Ganesh puja programme and Congress criticised it for appeasement politics. Ganpati Bappa was put behind bars in Karnataka (ruled by Congress). A Ganpati idol was put in a police van, he pointed out. The PM noted Congress allies in Maharashtra, which include the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (SP), kept mum and did not take a stand on Ganpati Bappa's insult. In an apparent reference to the ensuing state assembly elections, Modi said, In Maharashtra, we have to be aware of their duplicity. Falsehood and betrayal are the hallmark of the Congress and the people of Maharashtra should beware of the party, he insisted. The Congress used farmers only for politics and corruption, Modi alleged. We should not give another chance to the Congress, which destroyed farmers, the PM cautioned, adding the party did not fulfill its pre-election promises in Telangana after coming to power in the southern state late last year. Modi noted SC, ST, and OBC communities are the biggest beneficiaries of the Vishwakarma Yojana, which seeks to empower traditional artisans and craftsmen by providing them with financial support, skill training, and modern tools. The Congress did not allow SCs, STs, and OBCs to prosper. Our vision is to ensure the beneficiaries don't remain just artisans, but also become entrepreneurs, he noted. The PM insisted his government wants to take the textile industry to the global market and restore its past glory. Modi said the British rulers had conspired to finish off India's traditional skills. Mahatma Gandhi gave a boost to rural traditional skills, but governments after Independence did not give justice to the Vishwakarma community, leading to a decline in the sector, Modi said. In the last year, more than 20 lakh people from 18 professions were linked to the Vishwakarma scheme, and more than 8 lakh craftsmen and artisans got skill training, he told the gathering. Modi, who released a commemorative postage stamp to mark one year of the scheme, also visited an exhibition at the National PM Vishwakarma program and met some of the beneficiaries. During the visit, he launched the Acharya Chanakya Skill Development Centre scheme of the Maharashtra government and the state's Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme for support to women-led startups. He laid the foundation stone of a 1,000-acre PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park at Amravati in Maharashtra. The PM said Vishwakarma Yojana was not just another government program, but a vision to make use of age-old traditional skills as a roadmap to propel India into the club of developed countries. Pointing out age-old traditional skills were the basis of many glorious chapters of India's prosperity, he said its art, engineering, science, and metallurgy were unmatched in the entire world. We were the world's largest textile manufacturer. There was no match to pottery and buildings designed back in those days, the PM emphasized. Carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, sculptors, cobblers, carpenter-masons, and many such professionalists used to be the foundation of India's prosperity and spread this knowledge and science to every home, Modi recalled. More than 700 districts, 2.5 lakh gram panchayats, and 5,000 urban local units are giving momentum to the Vishwakarma scheme, Modi added. Skill training and upgradation have been provided to more than 8 lakh artisans and craftsmen with the introduction of modern machinery and digital tools. More than 60,000 people have received skill training in Maharashtra alone, the PM told the gathering. He spoke about initiatives like One District One Product and Ekta Mall where traditional products are being marketed to make Vishwakarma a part of the supply chain of big companies. The PM touched upon platforms like ONDC (open network for digital commerce) and GeM (government e-marketplace), which he pointed out, have become a medium for artisans and craftsmen to expand their businesses. Underlining that India's skills are being recognized around the world, Modi noted the country won multiple awards at an event held in France earlier this year.
Congress most corrupt, run by 'tukde tukde' gang, urban Naxals: PM Modi
WARDHA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lashed out at the Congress, saying the most corrupt party was being run by the tukde tukde gang and urban Naxals. The Congress which you see today is not the party with which a great man like Mahatma Gandhi was associated, Modi said, addressing a public meeting at Wardha in Maharashtra on completion of one year of the PM Vishwakarma scheme. The ghost of hatred has entered the Congress, Modi said. In today's Congress the soul of patriotism has breathed its last, he added. Modi also spoke of the anti-India agendas of the Congress leaders in their speeches abroad, without naming that party's leader Rahul Gandhi, who is facing flak from the ruling dispensation for his remark in the US on scrapping the reservation system. Fear created by PM Modi 'history' now: Rahul Gandhi in the US If there is a corrupt party it is the Congress and the most corrupt family is its shahi parivar, Modi said, without naming the Gandhi family. Congress hates Ganpati puja as well, Modi said. I went to a Ganesh puja programme and Congress criticised it for appeasement politics. Ganpati Bappa was put behind bars in Karnataka. Ganpati idol was put in a police van, he said. Congress allies in Maharashtra kept mum and did not take a stand on Ganpati Bappa's insult, Modi said. In an apparent reference to the ensuing state assembly elections in Maharashtra later this year, Modi said, In Maharashtra, we have to be aware of their duplicity. Falsehood and betrayal are the hallmark of the Congress and people of Maharashtra should beware of the party, he said. The Congress used farmers only for politics and corruption, Modi said. We should not give another chance to Congress, which destroyed farmers. Falsehood and betrayal is the hallmark of Congress, Modi said. The Congress did not fulfil its election promises in Telangana, he added. Modi said the SC, ST and OBC categories are the biggest beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma scheme, and accused the previous Congress governments of neglecting the Vishwakarma community. Congress did not allow SCs, STs and OBCs to prosper. We have put an end to the mindset of the Congress which didn't allow these communities to prosper. Our vision is to ensure that the beneficiaries don't remain just artisans but also become entrepreneurs, he said. He said his government wants to take the textile industry to the global market and restore the glory of the textile sector. Modi said the British rulers had conspired to finish off India's traditional skills. Mahatma Gandhi gave a boost to rural traditional skills but governments after Independence did not give justice to the Vishwakarma community, leading to deterioration in the sector, Modi said. PM Modi attends Ganesh Puja at CJI Chandrachud's residence, sparks controversy Through Vishwakarma scheme, we have pledged prosperity through labour and a better tomorrow through skill, Modi said. In the last one year, more than 20 lakh people from 18 professions were linked to the Vishwakarma scheme, and more than 8 lakh craftsmen and artisans got skill training, he said. Vishwakarma Yojana not just a government programme but a roadmap to utilize thousands of years old skills to develop India, he said. Modi also visited the exhibition at the National PM Vishwakarma programme and met some of the scheme's beneficiaries. He also launched the Acharya Chanakya Skill Development Centre scheme of Maharashtra Government, and the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme of Maharashtra Govt for support to women-led startups. He laid the foundation stone of a 1,000-acre PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park at Amravati in Maharashtra. He also released a commemorative postage stamp to mark one year of the Vishwakarma scheme.
PM Modi to attend Vishwakarma' event, lay stone of textile park in Amravati
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra on Friday to attend an event in Wardha marking the first anniversary of the PM Vishwakarma' scheme and lay the foundation stone of a textile park that will come up in Amravati. During the PM Vishwakarma' programme to be held in Wardha around 11.30 am, PM Modi will release certificates and loans to the beneficiaries of this scheme, an official release said. The central scheme was launched on September 17 last year to provide end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools. The PM will distribute credit under the scheme to 18 beneficiaries under 18 trades. As a tribute to their legacy and enduring contribution to society, he will release a commemorative stamp to mark one year of progress under the programme, it said. Modi will lay the foundation stone of a PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park' that will come up in Amravati. The 1,000-acre park is being developed by the .
From Chai to Mithai: The Evolution of Raghuvir's Legacy in Amravati
New Delhi [India], September 19: The journey of Raghuvir, from its humble beginning in the 20th century to one of the biggest presences in the 21st century, has crossed five decades. Its quality bar as a torch has kept itself inseparable from any celebration within and outside Amravati. Its legacy is consigned to the care and the trust its customers place in it. The name Raghuvir remains etched in psyches, synonymous with rejoicing and tradition. That constant evolution and growth have made it relevant and loved across generations.
MVA will finalise its seat sharing for Assembly this week: Raut
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday informed that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which comprises Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and the Congress, will resume its seat sharing talks for the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra from Wednesday. He said that the formula decided in the meeting will be the final one. Talks on seat-sharing among MVA partners will be held from Wednesday to Friday. The meeting will be held for three consecutive days. The formula regarding which party will contest which seats will be decided and it will be the final decision, Raut said. In the recently held Lok Sabha elections, the Congress emerged as the single largest party in Maharashtra by winning 13 out of 17 seats it contested. The NCP (SP) also won eight out of 10 seats. The Shiv Sena (UBT) was the worst performer among the MVA allies as it won only nine out of 21 seats it contested. After the Lok Sabha results, the Shiv Sena (UBT) insisted that Uddhav Thackeray should be declared as the MVAs chief ministerial candidate. However, the Congress and NCP (SP) have rejected the demand and maintained that whichever party has the highest number of MLAs should get the top post. When asked about the Lok Sabha results, Raut said that the Congress and NCP won seats because Shiv Senas votes were transferred to them on the seats where they contested. We also ceded Kolhapur, Amravati and Ramtek, the seats we traditionally contested, to Congress. Had these seats been with Shiv Sena (UBT), it would have won them for sure. The party workers of Shiv Sena (UBT) also toiled for the NCP (SP), including for the seat of Baramati,. Similarly, we also have to accept that the Congress-NCP votes were transferred to us in a big way, he said. Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that the Mahayuti alliance has formed consensus over 70 to 80 per sent Assembly seats and the rest seats will be finalised soon. Mahayuti leaders will soon address a joint press conference to declare our final seat sharing. Leaders of all three parties including chief minister Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar have vowed to win the election unitedly. They are not bargaining on numbers. Instead, we are focusing on fielding winnable candidates, the BJP leader said.
MVA allies to hold seat-sharing talks from September 18 to 20: Raut
MUMBAI: The three Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies will hold seat-sharing talks from September 18 to 20 for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Tuesday. Talking to reporters here, he said deliberations will be held on the seats to be contested, and the formula once decided during this meeting will be final. Assembly polls are likely to be held in the second week of November. While the opposition MVA comprises Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and Congress, the ruling Mahayuti has Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP as its constituents. Talks on seat-sharing among MVA partners will be held from September 18 to 20. The meeting will be held for three consecutive days. The formula of which party will contest which seats will be decided and it will be final, Raut said. He stressed that winnability will be the criterion for deciding the seats. When asked that Congress and NCP (SP) clinched a higher strike rate than Shiv Sena (UBT) in this year's Lok Sabha elections, Raut said his party's votes were transferred to these two parties in a big way. The Shiv Sena (UBT) ceded Kolhapur, Amravati and Ramtek, the seats it traditionally contested, to Congress, he said. Had these seats been with Shiv Sena (UBT), it would have won them for sure, Raut added. The party workers of Shiv Sena (UBT) also toiled for the NCP (SP), including for the seat of Baramati, he said. We also have to accept that the Congress-NCP votes, Raut added.
Hyderabad: As the city gears up for Ganesh Visarjan, Hyderabad has been abuzz with festive activities. While the main immersion event is scheduled for Tuesday, Monday witnessed a wave of early celebrations, with families across the city participating in the Nimajjanam. Devotees, chanting Ganapati Bappa Moriya, carried Ganesh idols of all shapes and sizes to various waterbodies for immersion. While many traditionally immerse idols in local lakes and ponds, Tank Bund remained a popular destination. On Monday, immersions were also seen in Saroornagar and Ibrahimpatnam lakes, as devotees gathered in large numbers to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha. Officials took part in the celebrations as well, with southeast zone DCP Patil Kantilal Subhash performing rituals and immersing the idol at Saroornagar lake alongside his family. Adding a unique touch to the festivities, a 60-member band from Amravati, Maharashtra, arrived in Hyderabad on Monday. The band was specially invited by a local Ganesh pandal to enhance the celebration for the immersion ceremony on Tuesday. As the city prepares for the grand visarjan day, the festive spirit continues to soar, with more immersions and events lined up throughout the city.
Four Of A Family, Along With Baby Born After 10-Year-Wait, Die In Sambhajinagar Car Crash
The car crash happened when the family was travelling from Amravati towards Pune.
'Prudent girl' wont go to hotel room with stranger: HC acquits man accused of raping minor
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has overturned the conviction of Rahul Lahase, accused of raping a minor Class 12 student. The court questioned the credibility of the survivor's testimony, finding her version implausible. Lahase had been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a sessions court in Amravati in November 2021.
21 Cities Under NCAP Cut PM10 Pollution by Over 40 pc Since 2017-18, Shows CPCB Data
New Delhi: Ninety-five of the 131 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme have shown an improvement in air quality, with 21 reducing PM10 pollution by more than 40 per cent compared to 2017-18 levels, CPCB data shows.The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also said that only 18 of the 131 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) cities adhered to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10, set at 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The 21 cities and urban agglomerations that achieved more than 40 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution are Varanasi, Dhanbad, Byrnihat, Bareilly, Firozabad, Dehradun, Tuticorin, Nalagarh, Moradabad, Khurja, Trichy, Kohima, Lucknow, Kanpur, Kadapa, Sivasagar, Sunder Nagar, Agra, Greater Mumbai, Rishikesh and Parwanoo. Fourteen cities, -- Ahmedabad, Ghaziabad, Rajkot, Jalandhar, Raebareli, Amritsar, Kolkata, Jammu, Silchar, Vijayawada, Naya Nangal, Dimapur, Baddi and Jodhpur -- reduced PM10 pollution by 30-40 per cent, compared to 2017-18 levels. Khanna, Durgapur, Kurnool, Dera Baba Nanak, Vadodara, Allahabad, Asansol, Hyderabad, Gorakhpur, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Akola, Ananthapur, Durg Bhilainagar, Surat and Noida recorded a 20-30 per cent reduction in PM10 levels during the same period, the data showed. A 10-20 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution was recorded in 21 cities -- Delhi, Howrah, Thane, Latur, Nellore, Gajraula, Alwar, Chittur, Kala Amb, Mandi Gobindgarh, Amravati, Patiala, Jaipur, Ongole, Chandrapur, Nashik, Jhansi, Sangli, Kota, Devanagere and Rajahmundry. India launched the NCAP in 2019 with a target to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30 per cent by 2024, using 2017 as the base year. The target was later revised to a 40 per cent reduction by 2026, using 2019-20 as the base year. In practice, only PM10 concentration is being considered for performance assessment. Surat was on Saturday ranked as the top major city in India for air quality improvements, followed by Jabalpur and Agra. The Union environment ministry presented the National Clean Air City Awards during the Swachh Vayu Survekshan - 2024, held at a national workshop celebrating the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in Jaipur. While Surat, Jabalpur and Agra secured the top three positions among cities with populations of more than 10 lakh, Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh), Amravati (Maharashtra) and Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) were recognised as the best among cities with populations between three and 10 lakh. Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), Nalgonda (Telangana) and Nalagarh (Himachal Pradesh) topped the list among cities with populations under three lakh. Swachh Vayu Survekshan is an initiative by the environment ministry to rank cities based on the implementation of activities approved under the city action plan and air quality in cities covered under NCAP. These cities were awarded for significant improvements in air quality through various best practices to reduce air pollution. Key activities included paving roads, promoting mechanical sweeping, bioremediation of legacy waste, solid waste management, converting reclaimed land from dump sites into green spaces, greenbelt development, intelligent traffic management systems, and Miyawaki afforestation.
Greenpeace India warns of poor air quality in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru
Three major cities in Karnataka -- Bengaluru, Mangaluru, and Mysuru -- have registered deteriorating air quality as the air pollution is on the rise, said a Greenpeace India report on Saturday. The report, 'Spare the Air 2' flags serious health concerns as the average PM 2.5 and PM10 levels soar in 10 major cities of southern India, significantly exceeding the air quality guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO). PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, is a type of air pollution that consists of tiny particles that are 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter. PM10 is an air quality term for particulate matter that is 10 micrometers. The report has analysed the air quality standards of Hyderabad, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Mangaluru, Amravati, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, Mysuru and Puducherry. The lead researcher of the report Akanksha Singh said, Clean air is fundamental to our health, yet this report reveals that particulate matter levels in all cities have ...
Andhra Pradesh: Orange Alert for NTR, Krishna Districts
A senior official of IMD, Hyderabad, said AP being on the coast would receive more rainfall, as rains and cyclones move in through the sea. (Representational Image) A senior official of IMD, Hyderabad, said AP being on the coast would receive more rainfall, as rains and cyclones move in through the sea. (Representational Image) Visakhapatnam: The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall across several coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, including the flood affected NTR and Krishna districts from Tuesday to Saturday. The IMD issued an orange alert in NTR and Krishan district, indicating heavy rainfall likely to occur at isolated places and thunderstorms accompanied with lightning likely at isolated places in the two districts between Tuesday and Wednesday. Dr S Karuna Sagar, scientist at IMD-Amravati said a cyclonic circulation lay over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam and neighbourhoods between 3.1 k and 5.8 km above mean sea level. A fresh low- pressure- area is likely to form over West Central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal around Sep 5. Under its influence, isolated parts of the coastal Andhra Pradesh (CAP) will experience heavy rains till Sep 7. Strong surface winds with speed of 30-40 kmph likely at isolated places over CAP and Rayalaseema region till Sep 7, he As many parts of the Vijayawada city have been inundated by the floods due to the heavy rains on Aug 30 and 31, the possible fresh spell of rains (even moderate rains) will worsen the situation and could trigger fresh floods, the officials added. It may be recalled that nearly 4.5 lakh people were affected by the unprecedented rainfall and floods in Vijayawada region. The most affected districts included NTR, Guntur, Krishna, Eluru, Palnadu, Bapatla and Prakasam. Tirupati and Tada (Tirupati district) recorded the highest rainfall of 5 cm during the last 24 hours, followed by 4 cm rainfall in Sullurupeta (Tirupati), 3 cm in Alur (Kurnool), and 2 cm rainfall each in Koilkuntla (Nandyal), Srikalahasti (Tirupati), Allagadda (Nandyal), Thottambedu (Tirupati) and Palakonda (ParvathipuramManyam).
Bhopal Diary | MP BJP bigwigs on Mission Maharashtra
A battery of senior MP BJP leaders, including three ministers, has been tasked by the leadership to coordinate Maharashtra polls related activities in regions bordering MP. While cabinet minister and BJP ex-national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya has been entrusted the critical Nagpur cluster, former Union minister and present MP minister Prahlad Patel will oversee Wardha-Amravati region, while young Vishvas Sarang (on MP Congress target for alleged nursing colleges scam) has been tasked with affairs of Akola-Buldhana. Besides, ex MP home minister Narottam Mishra is given Bhandara-Gondia region. Two new districts in the offing Two more districts may come up in MP, which got three new districts ahead of assembly polls last year. These two new districts could include Bina, to be carved out of Sagar district in Bundelkhand region, and Junnardeo, cut out of Chhindwara district. According to official sources, the announcement of the new Bina district may just come in the next few days, while the creation of a separate Junnardeo district may take a while. Both Bina (emerging key industrial base) and Junnardeo (housing large coal reserves) have significant population of migrants. Viral video raises queries on Sagar LS poll results Guddu Raja Bundela, the Congress candidate who lost the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Sagar seat has demanded that the Election Commission (EC) declare the election of first-time BJP MP Lata Wankhede void, following a viral video where a BJP worker is purportedly heard telling Wankhede that he has polled 15 bogus votes in her favour. In the same video, another worker can be heard telling the MP that they didnt allow the Congress polling agents to work on 13 polling booths. Alleging that the video exposes malpractices perpetrated by the BJP, he requested the EC to declare the election void. the EC to declare the election void. Anuraag Singh Our correspondent in Madhya Pradesh singhanuraag.jaurno@gmail.com
Depression Over AP Moves to S. Odisha, Chhattisgarh
Visakhapatnam: The depression in Bay of Bengal that led to heavy rains over coastal Andhra Pradesh during the last four days, has moved over South Odisha and adjoining South Chhattisgarh. It lay centred over South Odisha and adjoining South Chhattisgarh about 40 km south of Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh), 50 km north-northeast of Malkangiri (Odisha), 170 km northwest of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 220 km west of Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 280 km east of Ramagundam (Telangana). It is likely to move west-northwest-wards across South Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha and weaken into a well-marked low pressure area during the next 24 hours. IMD Amaravati has forecast thunderstorms for north and south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema for the next two days. During the last 24 hours at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Amravati received 26.1 cm of rainfall, followed by Tiruvur 25.7cm, Guntur 22.5 cm, Kukunoor 20 cm, Atchampet 19 cm, Tenali 17.8 cm, Mangalagiri 17.3 cm, Nandigama 17.2 cm and Piduguralla 17.1 cm.
Mumbai cools down with return of rain
MUMBAI: Rains made a return to Mumbai on Saturday, providing much-needed relief from the recent sweltering heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted continued showers over the coming days. The Santacruz observatory recorded 59 mm of rainfall, while the Colaba observatory logged 14 mm. These observatories monitor rainfall for the suburbs and the island city, respectively. Rising temperatures and humidity had inconvenienced citizens in the absence of rain over the past few days. In the broader region, Harnai in Ratnagiri and Dahanu in Palghar district received 116 mm and 143 mm of rainfall, respectively, in the 24 hours until 8:30 am on August 24. Rain also affected parts of Marathwada in central Maharashtra, with Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar receiving 43 mm, and Nanded and Parbhani recording 48 mm and 55 mm of rainfall, respectively. The IMD has forecasted heavy rainfall for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and other parts of Maharashtra over the next four to five days. An orange alert has been issued for Pune and Satara districts in western Maharashtra, as well as Amravati, Bhandara, Chandrapur, and Gondia districts in Vidarbha for Saturday. This alert warns of heavy rainfall exceeding 64.5 mm in 24 hours, which could disrupt normal life and cause flooding in low-lying areas. Additionally, a yellow alert has been issued for several districts, excluding some in western Maharashtra and Marathwada, predicting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, light-to-moderate rainfall, and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph. The IMD also issued an orange alert for certain districts in Konkan and western Maharashtra on August 25 and 26. The forecast indicates that a low-pressure area over northern West Bengal and adjoining areas of northeast Jharkhand, along with another over the east-central Arabian Sea off the Maharashtra coast, will bring rain to most parts of Maharashtra in the next 48 hours, according to an IMD scientist.
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court ruled that persistent pursuit of a minor by an adult amounts to sexual harassment under the Pocso Act. A 28-year-old man was found guilty of harassing a 13-year-old girl in Amravati, and his appeal was dismissed, affirming his one-year sentence.
Aim is to make civil aviation more people-centric
Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, 36, is one of the youngest ministers in the current government, managing the high-profile civil aviation ministry. He is a three-time MP. There have been numerous developments in the sector, including a bill introduced on August 9 that seeks to repeal the Indian Aircraft Act, which has been amended 21 times. Excerpts: Naidu: The bill, Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024, was my first after becoming a minister during the first Budget session. We introduced it, passed it in the Lok Sabha. It was already approved by the cabinet before I took charge of the ministry. One of the key reasons for introducing a new version of the bill Ill call it a new version because were repealing the old one and reorganising its sections is that after amending the old bill 21 times, its structure became fragmented and unclear. We often didnt know how many sections there were or why they were included. Aviation, from a global perspective, requires adherence to certain international standards. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations agency, has often advised us to re-examine our existing Act, make it more organised, and integrate rules and regulations into the principal Act to strengthen our civil aviation framework. This feedback from international organisations prompted us to rethink the Act. We decided to redesign it, addressing the challenges and restructuring it to better define the powers of important bodies like the DGCA, BCAS, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, along with the ministry itself. Another significant aspect was creating a new definition for civil aviation in the country. We introduced definitions in the bill, such as design which is crucial as we aim to improve our manufacturing sector and become self-sustainable under the Make in India initiative. Currently, we have up to 1,050 aircraft on order. Indian-registered airlines are purchasing these aircraft, but they are being sourced from international companies like Boeing or Airbus. Why shouldnt we build our own aircraft? If we want to, we must start with design. By defining design in our legislation, were taking a step towards establishing India as a state of design, following international practices. We have also defined maintenance, which is essential for aircraft operations, covering the MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) sector and manufacturing. We felt that integrating these aspects into the principal legislation was necessary to create a foundation for future growth in these areas. We also sought feedback from pilots, particularly those undergoing training. They suggested streamlining the process for obtaining the radio telegraphy licence, which is currently issued by the Department of Telecom. This process, which involves obtaining a licence from one department and then returning to us for another, has become cumbersome. Weve addressed this by integrating the process into a single window within the ministry. As the civil aviation minister, my priority is to make it more people-centric. It must ultimately serve the nations citizens. Thats the guiding principle I want to drive in this ministry. The most visible issues, such as ticketing, airport operations, and airline management, are just the tip of the iceberg. There is a vast array of activities in the industry that often go unnoticed or are not widely discussed. For example, drones are a part of the civil aviation industry and are one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, offering solutions to many of the countrys current challenges, particularly in agriculture. If drones can be used for tasks like spraying fertilisers or pesticides, they could significantly reduce labour costs. We are also looking at seaplanes as a potential mode of transportation. Despite previous attempts, seaplane connectivity didnt take off, but were revising the policy and encouraging stakeholders to build a seaplane network across the country. HAL and NAL are key players, especially given their experience in defence. The goal is to apply this experience to civil aviation. If they can manufacture aircraft for defence, with some modifications, these could be adapted for civil aviation use. We are in talks, and I believe that with the right policy-making and support from the ministry, this can be achieved. Shahid Faridi: Where will you find the buyers? Indigo and Air India have already placed large orders for aircraft, so even if we manufacture planes, who will buy them? Our goal in manufacturing aircraft is not just to meet domestic demand but also export them. If were buying from Airbus, why shouldnt other countries buy from us? Dipak Mondal: Are you considering domestic players for this manufacturing, or are you looking at intl collaboration? The governments primary focus is on encouraging local players, in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. However, aircraft manufacturing requires precision engineering. If our domestic industry cannot achieve the necessary precision, we will need to collaborate with international industry leaders. But the priority will be given to Indian companies. Dipak Mondal: Do you have any local companies in mind that could help? Its still early to name specific companies, but this is an idea that will gain strength in the coming days. Progress is being made, with HAL and NAL already working on aircraft and helicopters. We are exploring how to convert defence projects into commercially viable products, and we are seeing which industry players might be interested in joining this effort. Santwana Bhattacharya: So, youre saying that even though major orders have been placed, there will still be opportunities for growth? Yes; and another important area is the trainer aircraft segment. Were open to international players setting up manufacturing units here. Santwana Bhattacharya: You are open to the idea of other international players to come and set up manufacturing units here. Absolutely. Precision engineering is critical, and we have already encouraged Boeing and Airbus to set up factories in India for aircraft components. Their presence here brings not just manufacturing but also knowledge transfer, which can benefit the entire industry. When they establish a base here, it often leads to the development of ancillary industries. Santwana Bhattacharya: You studied engineering at Purdue. Do we have the skilled manpower needed in India, particularly in engineering schools? From my personal experience, I believe we have the talent. Indians are already working in top manufacturing industries worldwide, whether in tech, hardware, or mechanical engineering. The key is to create the right environment for them to work here. The major push needed is in R&D, which is why weve emphasised design in our Act. Research and design are critical for retaining talent and preventing brain drain. Yeshi Seli: What about air taxis which have been discussed for a long time? One significant technology update were receiving is regarding EVTOLs (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing vehicles). These operate using drone technology but are much larger and can transport 2-8 people, depending on the size. This technology is currently in the prototype stage. Our approach is to move ahead slightly in the policy-making process. We are observing how the rest of the world is dealing with EVTOLs, air taxis, and other similar technologies. Dipak Mondal: Do you think there is a concern that India is becoming a duopoly in terms of civil aviation market share, with only two major players holding 90% of the market? The issue is that buying an aircraft is a significant investment, and it isnt easy. Those who entered the market early certainly have an advantage. There are some big players in the industry, but I wouldnt say its a monopoly because many others are interested in entering the market. There are smaller companies running routes with three or four planes, and these models are also being explored. We offer the same opportunities to everyone. If someone new comes with a fleet of planes, we will support them fully. Monika Yadav: When will we see ATF come under the GST ambit? There hasnt been any discussion on this, but reducing VAT on ATF would benefit passengers by lowering prices. However, decisions on GST are made collectively by the GST Council and states. Yeshi Seli: Theres the issue of price caps for passengers during peak seasons. We are discussing this with airlines. In emergencies or disasters, we strongly want to keep prices reasonable. Santwana Bhattacharya: What are the plans for Amravati? How are you supporting the development of new airports in your state and Telangana? Chandrababu Naidus vision for Andhra is remarkable. We are planning new airports in four areas of the state and improving the existing ones. We are closely coordinating with the state government to meet these goals. We are confident that these airports will be sustainable over the long term. Santwana Bhattacharya: Are you being partial towards Andhra? No, we are also planning five new airports in Telangana. Rakesh Kumar: With so many new airports, do we have enough players? Demand for air travel is growing, and as more people become accustomed to it, the market will continue to expand. Rakesh Kumar: But it is still expensive I encourage you to compare prices globally. Our airfares are competitive.
Naidu meets PM Modi, seeks release of special assistance
VIJAYAWADA : Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and sought release of funds for the Polavaram project and the new capital Amaravati. During his meeting with the PM, Chandrababu Naidu brought multiple issues to the notice of the Prime Minister. The AP CM also thanked Narendra Modi for making several announcements for Andhra Pradesh in the union budget. Chandrababu Naidu requested the PM to release early the multilateral support indicated in the annual budget for kick-starting works in Amaravati. He reiterated the provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act and sought support under Special Assistance for Capital Investment (SACI) for taking up various capital projects in Andhra Pradesh. The AP CM wanted release of the Backward Region Grant to support development of districts in Rayalaseema, Prakasam and north coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh. He requested release of funds for the growth of industrial ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh. Chandrababu Naidu also met various union ministers. During his meeting with union home minister Amit Shah, the AP CM raised pending issues related to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. Shah expressed commitment towards the development of Andhra Pradesh and fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh. In his meeting with union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Chandrababu Naidu sought multilateral financial assistance for the Amravati Capital City. During his meeting with union minister for heavy industries H.D. Kumaraswamy, the AP Chief Minister discussed issues related to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and sought union governments cooperation in developing the steel plant.
Maharashtra: Fadnavis Defends Ladki Bahin Scheme Amid Controversy
Mumbai: Alarmed over the backlash on talks that Ladki Bahin Yojanas money will be taken back after the Vidhan Sabha polls, Maharashtra deputy chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday went into a damage control mood and termed the scheme as a Bhai Dooj gift for women. A brothers gift to his sisters can never be reclaimed, he said on Tuesday. Fadnavis comments came a day after BJP supporter independent MLA Ravi Rana said that the schemes money will be taken back if the Mahayuti government is not voted to power. Without naming the MLA, Fadnavis said in Jalgaon, Some of our friends are talking jokingly, someone says that we will get the money back, but in this country, Bhau Beej (gift) is never taken back. Once Bhau Beej is given, one gets only love in return. So whether someone votes (in favour) or not, this scheme will not be closed. The BJP leader also accused the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of ignoring womens empowerment. A brothers gift given to his sisters is never taken back. One cant buy the love of sisters with Rs 1,500. Those criticising this scheme did nothing for women when they were in power. They are now experiencing heartburn, Fadnavis asked. Ranas comments about reclaiming the Ladki Bahin scheme funds from women if they dont vote favourably has sparked a political controversy in Maharashtra. The opposition parties accused the Mahayuti government of launching the scheme for political gains. Post elections, I will seek to increase the amount from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000. I am your brother... But if you don't give your blessing now, I will take back the Rs 1,500 from your bank accounts, Rana had said while addressing a public event in Amravati on Monday. The MLA on Tuesday claimed that he was speaking in a lighter vein. What I said was in humour. Women laughed when I said this. Opposition leaders unnecessarily made a hue and cry over it, he claimed. Ranas wife, former MP Navneet Rana, contested the Lok Sabha election as a BJP candidate from Amravati seat, but was defeated. The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana proposes a Rs 1,500 monthly aid to eligible women in the 21-65 age group in the state. The state government is scheduled to deposit the first two installments of the scheme into the beneficiaries accounts on August 17.
IIMC orientation program highlights path to success for new students
Take full advantage of opportunities at institute: VC to students Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 8: The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) in Jammu has successfully launched its orientation program for the 2024-25 academic year, conducted in a hybrid mode from the New Delhi campus. The two-day event saw participation from new students in Digital Media, English Journalism, and Hindi Journalism, along with faculty and students from IIMCs regional campuses in Dhenkanal, Kottayam, Amravati, and Aizawl via the institutes YouTube [] The post IIMC orientation program highlights path to success for new students appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Kerala seeks Rs 24,000 crore special financial package from Centre
Kerala has sought a Rs 24,000 crore special financial package from the Centre, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. He also said that Andhra Pradesh has sought Rs 15,000 crore for developing state capital Amravati and Rs 17,144.06 crore for various sectors, including Polavaram irrigation projects. In addition, he said Bihar has also requested for about Rs 785 crore for various projects. A letter dated 27th June 2024 was received from the Finance Minister of Kerala in which the State Government of Kerala has requested for a special financial package of Rs 24,000 crore for the state, the minister said. In addition, a request for a special capital investment support of Rs 5,000 crore was also made for developing the Vizhinjam Port region in Kerala. Chaudhary further said request has also been received from Andhra Pradesh for financial support for various sectors, including Polavaram irrigation projects (Rs 17,144.06 crore
Kerala seeks Rs 24,000 cr special financial package from Centre
Kerala has requested a special financial package of Rs 24,000 crore from the Centre, including Rs 5,000 crore specifically for the development of the Vizhinjam Port region. Andhra Pradesh has sought Rs 15,000 crore for capital city Amravati and Rs 17,144.06 crore for various projects, including the Polavaram irrigation scheme.
