Biennial elections for five MLC Graduate, Teachers seats to be held on October 23
The five seats include Graduate and Teachers constituencies across the Aurangabad, Pune, Nagpur and Amravati divisions
Mental Toughness Key To Facing Australia's Experienced Bowling Attack, Says Gambhir
Star Sports Network: India head coach Gautam Gambhir believes mental toughness and the ability to absorb pressure will hold the key for India's young batting lineup when they go up against Australia's formidable bowling attack in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, to be played from January 21 to March 3, 2027. Australia's marquee bowling group comprising Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon will take a stern examination of the Indian batters when the games take place in Nagpur, Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi and Ahmedabad. India last won the series at home in 2023 by 2-1. Looking forward to it. That is probably one thing which I'm absolutely looking forward to, because playing against Australia at home, and obviously it wasn't the best when we went to Australia. And for me, I think it is going to be India versus Australia, but before that, it is New Zealand. But the other challenge against Australia will be their experienced bowling attack. They've got the likes of obviously Starc, Nathan Lyon, Cummins, and Hazlewood. Obviously they've got so much experience of playing Test cricket against our young batting lineup. So it's going to be a great experience for these guys. More importantly, in Test cricket, it's about the skill, but it's about how mentally strong and how much pressure you can absorb. The more pressure you absorb, and the more pressure you embrace, it's going to give yourself the best chance, said Gambhir to JioStar ahead of the start of India's home season via three ODIs and five T20Is against the West Indies. Reflecting on India's preparation for the tough test at home, Gambhir pointed to their recent tour of Sri Lanka as proof that adequate lead time and targeted preparation for facing spinners will produce clear results on the field. But you could see that in Sri Lanka, we played two Test matches, and we got more than 400 runs in both the innings. And the reason was that we prepared extremely well. We went 10 days before the Test match, we could prepare playing spin, and then you could see the results as well. The thing is, I'm not going to give any excuses, but that's the reality. When we played the Test series against South Africa, we were coming after playing a T20 series from Australia. And we had two days before the first Test match. I remember coming from Brisbane, and then we reached Calcutta. We had two practice sessions, and we were straightaway into the Test match against South Africa. Against the West Indies, obviously we did manage to win that series, but we came after winning the Asia Cup, and we had two days of practice sessions in Ahmedabad, and we were right straight into the Test match and now you could see the difference. When we went to Sri Lanka early, you could see the way guys played spin, because Sri Lanka isn't easy conditions. In their own backyard, the weather, their spinners, their experienced spinners against our batting lineup. If you can get 400-plus in both the innings in both the Test matches, that just shows that there is a lot of improvement happening. So we will have to prepare well before New Zealand and before Australia, and obviously the focus is on spin, yes, that how well can we manage and how well can we negate spin, he explained. Gambhir also stated that young cricketers making their mark in the national setup must prioritize red-ball cricket above short-format monetary gains, citing Devdutt Padikkal and Manav Suthar as example. Extremely important, because both of them are young, both of them are hungry, both of them value Test cricket. It is so important for the next generation who's coming in to value Test cricket, because in today's day and age, with so much of focus and so much of limelight and so much of monetary gains that are associated with T20 cricket, how we can keep Test cricket divine, and above the other two formats is going to be key. Also, how much value a young generation or the new guys coming in gives that red-ball cricket is going to be key. That's why I said, a strong Test-cricketing nation is going to be a strong cricketing nation. When it comes to Manav and Dev, I think they value Test cricket, they're disciplined, hungry, and prepare really well. It is so important for the next generation who's coming in to value Test cricket, because in today's day and age, with so much of focus and so much of limelight and so much of monetary gains that are associated with T20 cricket, how we can keep Test cricket divine, and above the other two formats is going to be key. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Watch the three-match ODI Series of the West Indies tour of India, from September 27 to October 3, 2 PM onwards, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network Article Source: IANS
Todays Gold Rate: Latest gold prices in Coimbatore, Nagpur, Jaipur & other cities
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across other cities on September 23
Yellow alert in 29 districts of Maharashtra amid prolonged dry spell
Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds is expected in Latur, Dharashiv, Yavatmal, Nanded, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Gadchiroli and Gondia districts
Woman Dials Boyfriend, Kills Self In Nagpur. Video Call Continues For 23 Minutes
On the night of September 19, the woman video-called her partner and told him that she was going to end her life.
OM Infra gains on securing irrigation infrastructure works under Gosikhurd Project
OM Infra added rose 1.34% to Rs 79.69 after the company announced that its joint venture (JV) MCC-Om has secured a contract from the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC), Nagpur, for key irrigation infrastructure works.
Nagpur airport introduces single-step face recognition at DigiYatra gates
Spl voter registration camps in West Nagpur on Sept 26-27
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across other cities on September 22
Maharashtras Prachiti Nagpurkar scripted history at the Asian Games by becoming the first Indian to referee a mixed martial arts bout at the continental multi-sport event, marking a major milestone after she left behind a career in chartered accountancy to pursue her passion for MMA officiating.
Asiad 2026: Prachiti becomes first Indian MMA referee at Asian Games
Maharashtra's Prachiti Nagpurkar gave up chartered accountancy to pursue her dream of becoming a mixed martial arts match official and has no regrets about leaving the lucrative profession after becoming the first Indian to referee a bout at the Asian Games here. Prachiti was a match referee in one of the semifinal bouts of the Asian Games at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center here as MMA made debut in the continental multi-sport event. She said she has also officiated in the qualifiers for the Asian Games and in Asian Championships in Uzbekistan and China this year, as well as in the South East Asian Games. We are a part of history here. MMA is my sport and seeing my sport come to Asian Games and representing my country as a referee has been a very surreal experience. I always dreamt of representing my country. I'm the first Indian official to be a match referee in MMA. I'm not just the first woman official, Parachiti told PTI in an exclusive interview. Even if you can't represe
Prachiti quit CA, then made MMA history for India
Prachiti Nagpurkar, a former chartered accountant, has made history as the first Indian to referee a mixed martial arts (MMA) bout at the Asian Games in Nagoya. She left her lucrative profession to pursue her passion for MMA, where she also owns a gym and trains fighters. Nagpurkar advocates for women in male-dominated sports, expressing pride in her role as a female official in the cage.
She Quit CA To Make MMA History For India At Asian Games
Prachiti Nagpurkar, a former chartered accountant, has made history as the first Indian to referee a mixed martial arts (MMA) bout at the Asian Games in Nagoya. She left her lucrative profession to pursue her passion for MMA, where she also owns a gym and trains fighters. Nagpurkar advocates for women in male-dominated sports, expressing pride in her role as a female official in the cage.
EC announces Maharashtra MLC polls for 5 Graduate, Teachers' seats on October 23
The elections will be held for three Graduate constituencies Aurangabad, Pune and Nagpur and two Teachers' constituencies Amravati and Pune. The terms of the sitting members are scheduled to end on December 6, 2026
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across other cities on September 21
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 21 (IANS) Rima Jain, daughter of legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor, recently recalled the origins of the iconic Ganpati celebrations associated with the Kapoor family and RK Studios. Rima was seen in a conversation with her cousin and actor Jatin Prithviraj Kapoor, where she spoke about how the tradition of bringing Ganpati home began in the Kapoor family in their Chembur and eventually became an integral part of their family celebrations. Ganpati jis tradition started from her house in Chembur, in our house and in our family. Krishna aunty started it when Chintu was being born. When Chintu, Rishi Kapoor, was born, Jatin and Rima told. She further revealed that the Ganpati celebrations at RK and the Kapoor home also began around the same time. And simultaneously, celebrations at RK and Home started. And then from there, we kids grew up, she said. She added, When Chintu grew up, my elder sister said, if I get married, I will take him to Delhi. So, for 10 days, she took Ganpati Bappa to Delhi, Rima said. She added that when Rishi Kapoor shifted from Chembur, the Ganpati celebrations continued, with the idol being taken to his home for five days. When Chintu shifted from Chembur, she also took Ganpati ji to her house for five days, she recalled. Rima also shared a personal memory from her own marriage, revealing that she had made a promise to Ganpati Bappa that she would bring the idol home after getting married. When I got married, I also told Ganpati Baba, Baba, when I get married, I will take you to my house. So, he came to my house, she said. Speaking about the familys deep connection with Ganpati celebrations, Jatin added, When my mother got married. Before she was born. My mother went to Nagpur. Ganpati ji came to Nagpur, Rima recalled. Rima said, Ganpati jis grace is always with us. We can never forget RK, Ganpati. We can never forget Chembur, Ganpati, Krishna aunty, Raj Kapoor, she said. The two concluded the conversation with the traditional chant, Ganpati Baba Morya. For the uninitiated, the Ganpati celebrations at the Kapoor house and their iconic RK studios would once become the talk of the town for its grandeur and hospitality.
Key decisions on Porvorim flyover safety likely today
Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is expected to chair a meeting on Monday to discuss and consider the recommendations made by the expert team from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Nagpur, on the traffic management and road-safety arrangements for the newly inaugurated Porvorim elevated corridor. The corridor has been in the news over traffic []
Invest in Nagpur, Sambhajinagar now or regret it after a decade: Fadnavis
Umesh Yadav Parts Ways With Vidarbha, Seeks New Domestic Team After Receiving NOC
Vidarbha T20 Premier League: Senior India fast bowler Umesh Yadav has decided to part ways with Vidarbha in the ongoing domestic season, and seek fresh opportunities elsewhere. Umesh, 38, has obtained his No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA). He has officially received his NOC from Vidarbha and is currently evaluating his options. Umeshs talks are currently underway with two to three state associations, primarily smaller states, though nothing has been finalised yet. He has returned to New Delhi from Nagpur, which is where he spends most of his time now, and will take a final call on his next domestic cricket team in the coming days, a source close to the developments told IANS on Sunday. It is understood that the veteran speedster had previously sought clear communication from the VCA selection panel about his role in the team after being fully fit, but failed to receive a definitive response. Despite featuring in the local Vidarbha T20 Premier League a few months ago, the ongoing uncertainty prompted Umesh to move out of Vidarbha. Umesh has been on the lookout for a new state team to represent in domestic cricket as he no longer wishes to play for Vidarbha. He did approach a few people to seek their assistance regarding a potential move to other strong states, but it was a bit late by then, said another source aware of the matter to IANS. It is understood that the veteran speedster had previously sought clear communication from the VCA selection panel about his role in the team after being fully fit, but failed to receive a definitive response. Despite featuring in the local Vidarbha T20 Premier League a few months ago, the ongoing uncertainty prompted Umesh to move out of Vidarbha. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories His impact in home conditions since 2018 remains significant, having claimed 43 wickets in 11 Tests at a stellar average of 18.25, a tally that includes two five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket match haul. In all, Umesh has picked 288 wickets in 141 international matches across all formats. In the 2015 Mens ODI World Cup, Umesh finished as the third-highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets at an average of 17.83. Article Source: IANS
Cooch Behar Trophy: Aman Mokhade has already worn an India A shirt, but he believes the upcoming red-ball games against Australia A, starting in Puducherry on September 22, will be the biggest matches of his career so far. The Nagpur-based Mokhade doesn't think he will need anyone to fire him up for putting his best foot forward. These games will probably be the biggest matches of my life in terms of level. For that, I don't think there is a need for motivation. It comes from within. The tricolour and the logo of BCCI is on your chest. So I don't think you need any motivation to get up and do well. No matter how much you work on it, it comes from within because growing up is the feeling we need as a cricketer and do good for India, right? Mokhade told IANS in an exclusive chat. The opener will not be short of familiar company, as his state team-mates Yash Rathod, Praful Hinge and Nachiketa Bhute will be there. We have played together since childhood and they will also be in the India 'A 'team. So the atmosphere of the team is similar to what it is in Vidarbha. Its because when we went to Sri Lanka, I was with Yash (Thakur) and Harsh (Dubey) and I didn't feel anything new. It didn't take long to get along with the other players, he added. The Australia A series comes after Mokhade got his first taste of India A cricket via a tour of Sri Lanka that they A won 1-0 and made scores of 38 and 11 not out in Galle. But the tour began for Mokhade, in Bengaluru, where the squad received their match shirts before flying out to Sri Lanka. Overcome by emotions, Mokhade wore his India A jersey to bed that night. It was a very good feeling. While growing up, every cricketer dreams about earning it. So, it is always a good experience for that dream to become a reality. When I got the India shirt, I went to sleep wearing it. The material was also soft. So, it was a very special feeling. I mean, I actually got the same feeling which MS Dhoni's character got on getting his first India jersey with his surname and number behind in that movie in 2016. Mokhade said the tour to Sri Lanka was as much about the conversations as the cricket. That was a very great experience. enjoyed it a lot and I got to interact with a lot of players. I got to learn a lot. It was fun. The overall experience was really good. I spoke to Ruturaj (Gaikwad) for a long time. We both are from Maharashtra and we had a connection. Ruturaj bhaiya is very helpful. If I have to ask him about batting, he would tell me a lot. I used to bat alongside Sai Sudarshan. Hes also an opener, just like me. While batting in nets, we talked a lot about cricket and batting. So, it was fun talking to both of them. Adjusting took little effort, he said, with no time difference and weather much like what he had played while in Chennai and Goa, and enjoyed the local crowds that turned up for the A games. Puducherry, though, will not be Mokhade's first encounter with an Australian side. His earliest brush with international cricket came while being on ball boy duties in Nagpur, a role reserved for the best performers from the Under-14 camps, at a time when Nagpur hosted only one or two international games every few years. A couple of years later, he talked his way into the nets. Being a net bowler happened after 2-3 years. Net bowlers are people who are U19 or U23 players. As a batter, I knew I won't get the chance to be there and convinced one of the coaches that I will bowl leg-spin. At that time, the Australian team and Indian team wanted some leg-spinners to be as a net bowler. After convincing my coach that I would love to go and have a bowl, I just wanted to see how they the likes of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul - prepare before a game. I just wanted to be as close to that and there was the time I went in there to have a bowl to them. It was in 2017, where Rohit Sharma scored a century and MSD was also there in that game. Mokhades cricketing journey began on the playground outside his home, where the older boys of the neighbourhood saw some potential in him and suggested to his mother Manisha that he join a club. In India, at every playground, there are hundreds of people playing cricket. So, that is how I started my cricketing journey. I used to play there and all the boys from the colony used to come and play cricket there. That is how I started and I used to play with senior people the bade bhaiya log. When I used to play, they told my mom that you can try him in professional cricket because there was a cricket club near our house. My dad took me there one day in the cricket club and then that is how I started into professional cricket. It was a club called PHCA, from where I started. At the club, under coach Nitin Kanade, Mokhade spent his first week only fielding. With the nets full of batters and few willing to bowl in the Nagpur heat, he volunteered to bowl fast, and batting time came gradually. He still enjoys bowling and has sent down overs in senior cricket. Nobody in Mokhade's family had played sport seriously, though his father Ravindra harboured an ambition for being a professional cricketer. Most of his family members are engineers, doctors or teachers, and studies came first. Lean patches were usually met with suggestions that he return to his books. The turning point came in his Under-16 season, when he finished as the second-highest run-getter behind Tilak Varma and later captained Vidarbha in Cooch Behar Trophy. That convinced his family that cricket could be a viable career for him, and the pressure around academics eased. Until then, homework went with him to matches and exams waited until his games were over. He still has one or two papers left to complete his postgraduate degree after completing his B.Com course. Mokhade credits Mumbai-based coach Umesh Patwal, who was in VCA academy at that time, with first telling him, as an Under-16 player, that he could play for India. Jwala (Singh) sir had a good impact. But before that, I worked a lot with Umesh Patwal sir in Mumbai as well. When I was under 16 that time, he saw some potential in me and that time only, he said that you can play for India and can do good there. Before that, I had never heard someone say that to me. If someone is saying you at that point of time, it feels like it is a very good feeling and you actually start believing in yourself ki, you can also do good at that level. He has worked with Patwal on and off since 2016, and also leans on Jwala, who has nurtured India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jwala sir has an amazing set-up and if you go there, whatever a top level cricketer needs, he has all the facilities there. He knows what exactly is important to play at that level. It actually helps whenever I feel like talking cricket to anyone. I do give him a call and these two have had a very good impact. Even coaches and good people around you, who know you in and out and who are there for you whenever you need them, are actually a blessing. Mokhade's breakthrough domestic season last year featured making 760 runs in 11 Ranji Trophy innings at an average of 76 and scoring 814 runs in a victorious 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy run for Vidarbha, including hitting five centuries to be the tournament's leading run-scorer. But Mokhade, who had to wait for his chance to break into Vidarbha playing eleven after debuting in 2022/23, rejected the idea that anything had suddenly clicked for him and pointed to his steady returns in age-group cricket. The shift, he said, was in going bigger when it mattered the most. If you want to be a top-run getter, you have to score in the knockouts. Consistently, you have to. But if you score in the knockout games, you will get one more chance to play. That's how you get to the top and my coaches told me the same. I was working on it for a while. I was lucky enough that when the phase came, I was able to learn everything from my age group. When the phase came, I was able to play in my senior cricket. So, I'm grateful for that. He considers himself an all-format batter, and in red-ball cricket, he said, going after the bowlers from the outset rarely works, and a batter has to respect good spells before cashing in. It is a mixture of both. That is the beauty of red ball cricket. If you see T20s and one day, if you get the momentum, you just bat into that momentum. But in red ball cricket, you have to grind and then you can dominate as well. But there is a thing that it has sessions. So, your momentum will break, your focus will go down and you have to start again. So, thats it - you have to be a mixture of everything. In the Vidarbha dressing room, two senior players shaped him India pacer Umesh Yadav and batter Karun Nair. Umesh bhai was with us for a long time when I was in the senior team. So, he was there and you know the kind of a guy he is. He will be always willing to play for his team. He doesn't see if it is a state match or any match. If he is there, he will come to the game and he will guide everyone. He is not someone like, I have played such and such level or I will not talk to these guys or not say anything. When I was young in the team, he guided me a lot and told me that I can play and belong here. So, that is always a good influence to have. Mokhade recalled Nair was solid but not dominant in his first season after moving from Karnataka, as he adjusted from black-soil pitches to Vidarbha's bouncier red-soil surfaces. By the next pre-season camp, the work was showing. When Karun Nair came, I thought that he had so many options for scoring runs. We knew he was going to do wonders in that season because he had adapted to our conditions. I saw him practicing a lot of shots which are required on the red soil wickets. So, his way of approaching batting gave me a lot of options into my batting as well because he has so many options of scoring runs. Mokhade recalled Nair was solid but not dominant in his first season after moving from Karnataka, as he adjusted from black-soil pitches to Vidarbha's bouncier red-soil surfaces. By the next pre-season camp, the work was showing. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Mokhades competitive streak carries over to anything he plays, including PUBG and now Call of Duty on his phone, though he keeps screen time in check during matches. With a journey built on quiet grit and self-belief, whenever Mokhade gets a chance to play in Puducherry, trust him to be ready to write the most crucial chapter of his career yet - one ball and one session at a time. Article Source: IANS
Spurious Liquor Racket Busted In Nagpur
The Nagpur Crime Branch has intercepted a truck carrying 39,000 bottles of spurious liquor, valued at Rs 15.60 lakh, intended for illegal supply to Gadchiroli. One person has been arrested, and another accused is on the run. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar To See Huge Infra Expansion: Fadnavis
Central to that pitch is New Nagpur, a township taking shape near the Samruddhi Expressway that Fadnavis wants positioned as Vidarbha's answer to Mumbai's BKC.
Nagpurs Rs 998 Crore Indora-Dighori Flyover Opens, City Plans 15 More Flyovers For Future Growth
70% Of Nagpur Hit As Pench Water Supply Takes Double Power Blow
Power cuts at Navegaon Khairy disrupt pumping for nearly 10 hours; Mahalaxmi Puja, Ganesh mandals affected
Nagpur Has 35 Flyovers, 15 More in Pipeline: Fadnavis
Bus gutted after rear tyre bursts near Butibori, 35 passengers safe
Butibori Police, Nagpur Rural RTO Begin Probe; Passengers Luggage Destroyed
Nagpur Unveils Flyover Named After RSS Founder on Centenary Celebration
A new flyover in Nagpur, named after RSS founder Dr. Hedgewar, was inaugurated to mark the organizations centenary. Nagpur Unveils Flyover Named After RSS Founder on Centenary Celebration
Two Telangana students held with 1.3 kg of Ganja in Nagpur
Nagpur: Two students from Telangana were arrested allegedly with 1.3 kg of ganja at Bada Tajbagh in Nagpur city, a police official said on Saturday, September 19. He identified them as Ragalla Bhuvan, 21 and Nimma Vijay Srinivas, 20, both residents of Vengalaipeth in Karimnagar in the southern state. Bhuvan is pursuing hotel management, while 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 .
Two Telangana Students Held With Ganja In Nagpur
Two students from Telangana, Ragalla Bhuvan and Nimma Vijay Srinivas, were arrested in Nagpur with 1.3 kg of ganja. They were apprehended by a Detection Branch team while moving suspiciously in Bada Tajbagh. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered, and a third person, Farhan, is also implicated in the drug peddling network.
Caste census: Congress gives Chalo Delhi call on Nov 1 for separate OBC column
Digital Desk | Nagpur, Sep 19 (IANS) Intensifying the demand for a separate column for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the upcoming nationwide caste-based census, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Saturday announced a large-scale agitational campaign culminating in a Chalo Delhi march on November 1. The strategy was finalised during a key Vidarbha-level meeting of OBC leaders, office-bearers, and prominent activists held in Nagpur to address long-standing grievances facing the community. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Wadettiwar, a Congress Legislature Party leader in the Maharashtra Assembly, said a separate column for OBCs in the caste census is indispensable. He said, Our demand is explicit: there must be a caste-wise census with a dedicated column for OBCs. The governments current decisions regarding the census process have sparked widespread discontent within the OBC community. If the true population of OBCs is not accurately documented, issues surrounding their political representation and reservation benefits will become increasingly severe. Following a preliminary meeting of nearly 65 OBC organisations from across the country held in Delhi on September 13, a phased nationwide agitation roadmap has been unveiled. Wadettiwar said that on October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti and Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti), taluka-level Satyagraha (peaceful protests) will be organised; on October 25, district-level protest marches across the state; and on November 1, the Chalo Delhi rally to push the central government to action. The exact framework of the Delhi demonstration will be finalised in consultation with allied organisations across the country. Beyond the census, Wadettiwar raised concerns regarding student welfare and state support for marginalised communities. He accused the Maharashtra state government of stalling tactics in allocating funds to autonomous institutes like Mahajyoti and BARTI. He urged the administration to release funding proportional to the population and ensure timely disbursement of pre-matric and post-matric scholarships. Addressing the sensitive ongoing debate over Maratha reservation in Maharashtra, Wadettiwar reaffirmed that the OBC community opposes any dilution of its existing quota. The government should not slice away rights from one community to satisfy another. If the government wants to grant reservation to any group, it should do so independently. Do not allocate any portion of the OBC quota to others. If our constitutional rights are encroached upon, we will not sit quietly, he cautioned.
MOIL Limited has released the Manager (Survey) Recruitment 2026 notification for three unreserved posts. Candidates possessing a graduate degree, an unrestricted Surveyors Certificate of Competency and the prescribed underground mine-surveying experience can attend the walk-in interview. The walk-in interview will be conducted at the MOIL Head Office in Nagpur on 7 October 2026 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Candidates must bring the completed application form, original certificates, self-attested copies and the application fee Demand Draft, where applicable.
Cashew-almond row erupts at Maha drought meet, Fadnavis calls for sensitivity
Digital Desk | Nanded/Nagpur, Sep 19 (IANS) A massive political controversy has erupted in Maharashtra on Saturday after a video went viral on social media showing ministers, leaders and senior officials consuming cashews and almonds during an official drought review meeting in Nanded. The incident occurred at the District Planning Hall, where officials had gathered to assess the severe agricultural crisis and crop loss across Marathwada, triggering widespread public outrage over the administration's apathy toward struggling farmers. Speaking to the media in Nagpur, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged the customary administrative practices involved in such situations while stressing the need for greater empathy during times of crisis. It is a standard administrative protocol to provide dry fruits during official meetings. No one does this intentionally to mock the drought situation. However, the administration must keep ground realities in mind and act with greater sensitivity. Such practices should be avoided under these circumstances, he noted. Shiv Sena Minister Sanjay Shirsat, who was absent from the meeting due to prior commitments, shifted the accountability to bureaucratic arrangements. I did not attend as I had pre-scheduled engagements, and Agriculture Minister Datta Bhaarne was handling the responsibilities alongside the attending officers. It is the officials who arrange cashews and almonds, but elected representatives end up facing public criticism. I will issue strict directives to the divisional commissioner regarding this matter. Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar launched a scathing attack on the government, accusing it of a lack of seriousness regarding the severe drought conditions. While the drought crisis across the state is extremely grave, the government shows zero seriousness and is busy relishing cashews and almonds. The state government must immediately convene a special legislative assembly session to address the drought and offer concrete relief to farmers. In response to the dry spell, crop failure, and impending water shortages, Fadnavis outlined several emergency relief steps initiated by the state government. Cabinet ministers have been assigned to conduct ground-level reviews in their respective districts. Preliminary reviews and loss assessments (panchnamas) will be finalised within a week to expedite financial assistance. Process for the loan waiver is progressing rapidly; three beneficiary lists have already been published, and the remaining lists are being compiled on priority, he said. Leveraging planning under the fodder development program launched in response to the El Nino threat, fodder and drinking water are being arranged for heavily affected zones, the CM said. Fadnavis further stated that to help save standing crops, the state is providing extra electricity to farmers during evening hours, even in single-phase supply zones where wells still hold water. He added that water reserves in major reservoirs are being strictly reserved for drinking purposes to prevent shortages, especially in areas dependent on smaller, depleted dams.
Nagpur water crisis: 2 power failures disrupt raw water pumping, affect 70% city supply
NISER Student Dies After Falling From Hostel Roof In Odisha
A third-year student of the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) reportedly died after falling from the roof of the Bhagirathi hostel. The deceased has been identified as Vinay Sanyasi Venkat, a third-year Integrated MSc student and a resident of Nagpur, Maharashtra. Student Dies At AIIMS Bhubaneswar According to reports, Vinay reportedly slipped [] The post NISER Student Dies After Falling From Hostel Roof In Odisha appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
22, 24 carat Gold prices up across other cities on September 18
Maharashtra FDA Suspends Licences of Nair Hospital Canteen, Olympia in Colaba
The FDA also suspended licences of four restaurants in Pune and two in Nagpur
Man killed in hit-and-run on Nagpur-Jabalpur highway
Trimurti Nagar mandal brings Milky Way to Nagpur
Maharashtra HSC exams 2027 from February 8 and SSC from February 15, says MSBSHS
The timetable will apply to all nine divisional boards of the Maharashtra State Board. These include Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Kolhapur, Amravati, Nashik, Latur and Konkan
FDA Flags Medicine Quality at Nagpur Hospitals, Paracetamol and BP Drug Withdrawn
Two major government hospitals in Nagpur have recalled two medicines after the samples sent for quality check tested negative from Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The medicines including paracetamol and a drug to control high blood pressure were supplied to
Woman Rams Speeding SUV Into 7 People In Nagpur, Cops Suspect Drunk Driving
According to the police, the woman first crashed her car into another SUV and hit its driver - Balu Kulmethe - who was getting out of his vehicle with his young daughter.
Paracetamol, blood pressure medicine fail quality test at Nagpur government hospitals
Nagpur's two major government hospitals are facing questions over the quality of medicines supplied for patient use. Paracetamol and a blood pressure medicine sent to Government Medical College and Hospital and Indira Gandhi Medical College...
Maha faces severe dry spell as 83 talukas in 19 districts received no rain for over 20 days
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) With the monsoon taking a prolonged break, Kharif crops across Maharashtra are facing a severe crisis, pushing several districts to the brink of drought. During Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and several ministers expressed deep concern over the situation. Although no immediate relief package was announced, CM Fadnavis instructed state administrative machinery to stay on high alert. Following Cabinet discussion, the government clarified that a formal drought declaration cannot be made immediately. Under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines and Central Drought Management norms, official crop-damage surveys (Panchnamas) and ground verification must be conducted after October 5 to qualify for financial relief. Premature surveys would risk disqualifying farmers from central aid packages. Conducting assessments before that date would disqualify the affected farmers from official relief aid and result in an inaccurate estimation of damage. The government is currently preparing a comprehensive list of relief measures for farmers, and officials have been urged to coordinate effectively. This was stated by the agriculture department in its presentation, government sources have said. The Cabinet reviewed regional reports indicating severe dry spells (ranging from 20 to over 40 days) across 18-19 districts, with Marathwada, Vidarbha, and Western Maharashtra being the hardest hit. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and the CM instructed all District Collectors and field administration to remain on high alert and prepare preliminary relief proposals. The local administration across affected districts (especially in Marathwada) has been ordered to prioritise and reserve existing dam storage strictly for drinking water purposes to prevent potential urban and rural water crises. While waiting for the official October 5 survey window, the government is drafting emergency relief lists, evaluating fodder supply availability for livestock, and instructing agricultural departments to guide farmers on protective irrigation for the surviving Kharif crops. According to the compilation made by the state agriculture department on region-wise crop status, in Beed, 37.21 per cent of the sown area has been damaged; in Jalna, 27.83 per cent; and 7.06 per cent in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. In Latur, Dharashiv, and Parbhani, soybean, green gram (moong), black gram (udid), and cotton crops on light soils are drying up. A widespread outbreak of the Yellow Mosaic virus on soybean crops has also been detected. Long dry spells across rain-fed tracts of Solapur, Satara, Sangli, and Ahilyanagar from Western Maharashtra have put severe stress on moong, udid, soybean, maize, and bajra crops. Yields in these regions are expected to drop by 20 to 25 per cent. In the Vidarbha region, Soybean and cotton crops face significant risk. Several talukas in Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, and Washim have reported a 2 to 3-week spell without rain. Soybeans on light soil have withered; farmers with irrigation facilities are using protective watering to save crops. Paddy transplantation has been delayed in parts of Nagpur, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli due to deficient rainfall. In North Maharashtra, Nandurbar and select talukas of Nashik, the lack of rain has stunted the growth of maize, cotton, and other crops. However, recent rains in parts of Dhule and Jalgaon have brought partial relief to Kharif crops. Nandurbar has received only 46.6 per cent of its normal rainfall. Severe rainfall deficits are reported in Solapur, Kolhapur, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Parbhani, Hingoli, Akola, Washim, Amravati, Wardha, Nagpur, and Chandrapur. Meanwhile, opposition leaders -- including Vijay Wadettiwar and Solapur MP Praniti Shinde from the Congress, and the Shiv Sena(UBT) leaders -- have demanded the immediate declaration of drought in the affected districts. They highlighted that 19 districts and over 83 tehsils face severe rainfall deficits and looming fodder and water shortages. The opposition has urged the state government to issue an immediate emergency relief package, waive crop loans, and set up fodder camps and tanker water supply without waiting for formal post-monsoon timelines. Mahayuti coalition leaders, including NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde, have also written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis requesting a drought declaration for the hard-hit Marathwada region.
Jobseekers computer course for SC/ST shifted out of Nagpur midway
Nagpur Back As 'Tourism District'
Two 13-year-old boys drown during immersion in Nagpur
The incident took place when local women gathered at the lake for the immersion rituals of Goddess Hartalika (Gaurai) idols. A group of local children accompanied the adults and entered the water body as the ceremony got underway
4 Nagpur youths rescued from jaws of death at Kukdi Khapa waterfall
Nagpur Shelter Home Reunites Lost Nepal Man With Family
Solar Industries buys South Africas Omnia in $1.3 billion deal
Nagpur-based Solar Industries is acquiring South Africa's Omnia Holdings for $1.3 billion. This significant outbound deal aims to create an integrated global blasting platform. The acquisition includes Omnia's commercial explosives and crop nutrition businesses. Solar Industries currently manufactures explosives for defense and industrial applications.
Over 70 passports under scanner, MP STF widens fake passport probe
Digital Desk | Bhopal, Sep 14 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has widened its probe into a suspected fake passport racket, with more than 70 passports under scrutiny and four persons arrested so far. The investigation has spread to Bhopal, Gwalior, Betul, Chhindwara and Pandhurna, where investigators are examining passport applications, addresses and documents allegedly used to obtain the travel documents. STF Deputy Inspector General Rahul Lodha on Monday told IANS that the agency was also examining a passport of an accused arrested in Nagpur, which was found to have been issued in Gujarat. So far, a total of 70 passports are under investigation in connection with the fake passport case. We have also included another passport of an accused arrested from Nagpur, which was found to have been issued in Gujarat. The investigation is still underway, Lodha said. The four arrested accused are from the Northeast, including Assam, and their identities and other details are being verified, he said. The investigation has revealed that several passport applications were allegedly made using the same or suspicious addresses, raising the possibility of an organised network. In Madhya Pradesh, fake passports have been issued from four to five districts. In Gwalior, 17 passports were fraudulently applied for from the same location in Semariya Tal area of Dabra. In Bhopal, 40 passports were issued using an address in Anna Nagar, Lodha said. The STF is examining the Bhopal cases in which 40 passports were allegedly issued using the address of a math in Anna Nagar under the Govindpura police station area. Investigators are verifying the documents and addresses submitted with the applications to establish how the passports were obtained and whether local facilitators or agents were involved. The STF is also examining the suspected inter-state links of the network and checking whether the passports under scrutiny are connected. The officer also shared that further action, including arrests, would follow if the ongoing investigation establishes the involvement of more persons or uncovers additional fraudulent passport applications. The probe is being extended to other locations to determine the full extent of the suspected racket, he added.
24-yr-old ends lifein Nagpur Mental Hospital bathroom
MPSC task force to visit Nagpur on Sept 16, div comm holds meet
Ganeshotsav 2026: Bappa idols get their final touches ahead of festivities in Nagpur
Nagpur residents hold silent protest against high-decibel noise
The News Mill
Nagpur Man Kills Daughter-In-Law With Axe Over Black Magic Suspicion: Cops
The 72-year-old father-in-law then jumped into a well located behind the house, police said, adding that he was saved and is undergoing treatment at the Medical Hospital.
ADGP Armed Nitish Kumar Visits APC Mattan, Reviews Facilities ,Welfare Measures
Srinagar : Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Armed, J&K, Nitish Kumar, IPS, accompanied by DIG Armed, Kashmir Range, Maqsood-ul-Zaman, IPS, visited the Armed Police Complex (APC) Mattan in Anantnag and reviewed the administrative, welfare and training facilities available for police personnel. On his arrival, the ADGP was accorded a Guard of Honour by contingents of the 17 JKAP IR Battalion. He also paid homage to police martyrs at the Martyrs Gallery, honouring their sacrifice and service to the nation. During the visit, Kumar inspected various facilities at APC Mattan, including administrative blocks, barracks, MT and equipment stores and the gymnasium. He took stock of the facilities and welfare measures being provided to the personnel. A Joint Darbar of personnel from the 10, 11 and 17 JKAP IR Battalions was also held during the visit. The ADGP interacted with the personnel, heard their grievances and issued directions for the prompt redressal of genuine issues. He underlined that personnel welfare, morale and a conducive working environment remain key priorities. The ADGP also inaugurated several newly established facilities at APC Mattan, stressing the importance of continuous professional development and capacity building. Addressing the personnel, Kumar called for further strengthening of training programmes, with emphasis on physical fitness, mental well-being, discipline and operational preparedness. He encouraged personnel to participate regularly in sports and physical activities at unit and company levels. He also advised police personnel to stay away from drugs, excessive online gambling and other harmful habits, urging them to adopt healthy, disciplined and constructive lifestyles. As part of the visit, the ADGP participated in a tree plantation drive at the APC premises, planting Deodar and Chinar saplings. The initiative highlighted the importance of environmental conservation and creating a greener and sustainable environment. The ADGP further directed all Commanding Officers to meet the families of martyrs and retired police personnel at least twice a month, listen to their concerns and ensure timely redressal of genuine issues. DIG SKR Anantnag Javid Iqbal Matoo, SSP Anantnag Amod Ashok Nagpuri , SSP SO to ADGP Armed J&K Dalip Kumar, SSP/CO 10 JKAP IR Mohd Majid Malik, SP/I/C CO 17 JKAP IR Zahid Samoon, SP/I/C CO 11 JKAP IR Rahil Marchal, and DySP (S) and Private Secretary to ADGP Armed Syed Sajad Hussain, besides other officers, were present on the occasion.
60mm rain breaks dry spell, Nagpur drenched
Indigo flight to Hyd develops glitch, flies back to Nagpur
AIIMS Nagpur hosts national conference on patient safety
Nagpur police allow adult unmarried couples in hotels, but tighten entry rules
On Camera, Man Throws Chilli Powder At Staff, Robs Bank In Nagpur
The accused, identified as Suraj Borker, entered the bank in the evening and began throwing chilli powder at the unsuspecting bank employees.
AIIMS Nagpur Project Technical Support I Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Nagpur (AIIMS Nagpur) has released the Recruitment 2026 notification for Project Technical Support-I post. A total of 1 vacancy has been announced under this recruitment drive. The online application process will be conducted up to 27 September 2026. Interested candidates can apply online through the official website.
Mancherial-Warangal Expressway to open by Dec 27: Minister
Hyderabad: The Nagpur-Warangal-Vijayawada Greenfield Highway, widely known as the Mancherial-Warangal Expressway, will open to the public by December 2027, Roads and Buildings Minister Komtireddy Venkat Reddy informed the Telangana Assembly on Saturday, September 12. The Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Greenfield Highway is a 310 km long four-lane project, covering 280 kilometer of the state. 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 .
310 km long NagpurWarangal-Vijayawada highway to be completed by December 2027: Komatireddy
Telangana Roads and Buildings Minister says almost all land acquisition issues have been resolved
NagpurWarangal Highway to Be Completed by December 2027: Komatireddy
The Minister said the 310-km highway, of which 280 km falls in Telangana, would connect several districts and significantly improve connectivity between Telangana, Nagpur and Vijayawada
Nagpur turns festive as centuries-old Marbat tradition unfolds with grandeur
Kids Take Centrestage As Nagpur Celebrates Tanha Pola
Aapli Bus To Connect Devotees To Nagpurs Prominent Ganesh Mandals
Marbat Festival Symbolises Nagpurs Tradition Of Burning Away Peoples Woes: Fadnavis
Nagpur to get new district court complex with modern facilities
A daytime robbery at a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Nagpur's Sakkardara police station area turned chaotic after a masked man allegedly threw chilli powder at bank employees and fled with a bag containing Rs 4.53 lakh in cash. CCTV footage of the incident has now surfaced, showing the accused entering the bank with his face covered and attacking the employees with chilli powder.
AIIMS NEET 2026 Round 2 Cutoff Out - Check Category-Wise Closing Ranks @ aiimsexams.ac.in
AIIMS NEET 2026 Round 2 cutoff is out based on MCC's provisional seat allotment result. Check category-wise (Open, EWS, OBC, SC, ST) closing ranks for AIIMS Jodhpur, Bhopal, Rishikesh, Bhubaneswar, Nagpur, Madurai and 14 more institutes.
IIM Nagpur Assistant Programme Administrator Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online
Indian Institute of Management Nagpur (IIM Nagpur) has released the Recruitment 2026 notification for 1 Assistant Programme Administrator post. Eligible candidates can apply online up to 25-09-2026. The detailed notification and online application details are available on the official website.
Nagpur bank robbery: Man throws chilli powder at staff, flees with cash; watch
DRI seizes gold worth Rs 3 crore at Mumbai airport, four arrested
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 11 (IANS) In continuation of its operation against smuggling of precious metals, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized gold dust worth over Rs five crore and arrested four people, including two staffers, from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, officials said on Friday. An official statement said that 3.5 kg of gold dust worth Rs 5.5 crore has been seized by the DRI, leading to the arrest of four people, including two staffers at the airport and two transit passengers. According to officials, the accused were allegedly part of an international gold smuggling syndicate operating through the airport in Mumbai. In a similar operation last month, the DRI seized gold worth over Rs three crore from a train passenger at Nagpur in Maharashtra. Upon receiving a tip-off that gold, smuggled across the India-Bangladesh border, was being transported further by train, a DRI Nagpur team conducted an operation at Nagpur Railway Station and detained a passenger. An official statement said that the passenger was arrested with 2.165 kg of gold. The estimated value of the seized gold is reported to be Rs 3.09 crore. According to the intelligence received, the gold had been smuggled into India via the India-Bangladesh border. DRI officials subsequently learned that the gold was to be transported to its next destination by an individual travelling on the 12102 Dnyaneshwari Express. Acting on this information, DRI Nagpur officials laid a trap at Nagpur Railway Station. The passenger was searched upon his arrival at the station, during which the concealed gold was discovered. Officials seized 16 gold bars from the accused passenger. The DRI recently conducted six significant operations in different locations across the country, resulting in the seizure of two leopard pelts, 180 live Indian Star Tortoises, 12 live Tokay Geckos, around 24 kg of pangolin scales and 500 grams of tiger bones. At least 13 persons were arrested across these six operations. DRI officers intercepted a person in Jeypore, Koraput district, Odisha, and recovered one leopard pelt from his possession. The leopard pelt and the apprehended person were handed over to the State Forest Department, Koraput, for further investigation and legal action under the Act.
Eight Killed in Road Accident in Maharashtra's Bhandara District
The victims were coming to Nagpur from Chhattisgarh capital Raipur via National Highway 53, he added.
Nagpur Rural police first in Maha to use new anti-drug detention powers
22, 24 carat Gold prices up across other cities on September 10
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 10 (IANS) In a massive exercise to clean up Maharashtras voter database, the Election Commissions ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive has uncovered data discrepancies and technical anomalies in the enumeration forms of over 1.22 crore voters currently listed in the states draft electoral roll. Electoral authorities have initiated the issuance of formal notices to all affected individuals, requiring them to submit valid documentary proof to confirm their voter status. Concurrently, to prevent partisan misuse and safeguard against targeted mass deletions, State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S. Chockalingam has issued strict administrative directives barring any objections filed by individuals residing outside the targeted Assembly Constituency. Authorities have issued formal notices to all affected individuals, requiring them to submit supporting documentary proof to validate their status. Prior to the launch of the SIR drive, Maharashtras registered voter base stood at 9,78,54,049. Following field verification of enumeration forms, the Election Commission published the draft electoral roll on August 31, retaining 7,71,65,562 voters -- representing 78.86 per cent of the original total. Demographic breakdown of the retained electorate includes male voters: 3,95,89,905; female voters: 3,75,72,570; transgender voters: 3,087; and total retained: 7,71,65,562. Nearly 2,06,88,487 voters (21.14 per cent of the previous roll) were excluded from the draft list. Major factors behind the deletions include the removal of approximately 34 lakh deceased voters and 17 lakh duplicate entries spread across multiple constituencies. Of the 7.71 crore voters retained in the draft list, technical discrepancies were flagged in the enumeration records of 1,22,24,000 individuals, comprising inconsistent relative information for 62,48,281 voters and unmapped relatives for 59,75,626 voters. More than 1,00,000 data discrepancies were flagged per constituency in key areas including Malad, Dharavi, Panvel, Ovala-Majiwada, Kalyan Rural, Khadakwasla, Chinchwad, Hadapsar, Solapur South, Nagpur East, Nagpur West, Nagpur North, Hingna, and Badnera. Sources within the Election Commission confirmed that notices have been served to these individuals, and their voter status will only be confirmed upon the verification of additional evidence. Taking serious note of concerns raised by political parties regarding targeted mass objections aimed at deleting voters belonging to specific communities, the election machinery has introduced strict procedural safeguards. Following reports from Jharkhand where systematic mass applications were submitted by party representatives to drop specific names, the State CEO has directed the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner and all District Collectors to exercise extreme caution while processing claims and objections. Voters currently on the draft list have already undergone basic residential verification and are deemed eligible. While Form-7 remains available to challenge or request removal of an entry, objections will be accepted only from registered voters residing within the same Assembly constituency. Any individual raising an objection must submit valid proof of the challenged voter's ineligibility along with the application. The challenged voter must be granted a formal opportunity to appear at a hearing and present supporting evidence before any final decision is made, the sources said.
Why Do We Bring Ganesha Home During Ganesh Chaturthi? The Meaning Behind The Tradition
On the morning of 14 September 2026, in flats in Pune and bungalows in Chennai and one-room homes in Nagpur, families will carry home a small clay figure with an elephant's head and set it on a decorated platform, often with
AIIMS-Nagpur to host natl meet from Sept 11
MPSC paper leak: Protest in Nagpur, aspirants demand high-level probe, commission chairmans ouster
Targeting RSS headquarters will not be accepted, says Maha Minister Bawankule
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 9 (IANS) Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday warned the Congress that targeting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will not be accepted. He claimed that the RSS is working for nation-building and the integrity of the country. The government will under no circumstances tolerate a protest march targeted at the RSS land or headquarters. Expressing strong indignation over the protest march organised by Congress toward the RSS office, Minister Bawankule launched a scathing attack on the grand old party for politicising the national song 'Vande Mataram'. He dared the Congress to march on the BJP office if it has the courage. He clarified that if the Opposition wishes to agitate against the state government, they should direct their marches to official premises such as the District Collectorate, Police Commissionerate, Guardian Minister's Office, Chief Minister's Office or Ramgiri. Minister Bawankule has hit out at Congress over its stance on 'Vande Mataram', saying that the anthem reinforces India's culture, values, and glorious heritage globally. Insulting 'Vande Mataram', the Minister alleged, amounts to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and their entire party insulting the nation itself. Asserting that the public would demand answers for this stance by the Congress in the 2029 general elections, Minister Bawankule adopted an aggressive tone, saying that anyone living in India must respect and sing 'Vande Mataram'. Addressing the distress caused by the rainfall deficit in the state, which has severely impacted crops like soybean and cotton, Minister Bawankule noted widespread concern among farmers. Rainfall across several regionsincluding Marathwada, Vidarbha, and North Maharashtrastands at around 65 per cent, leaving a 35 per cent deficit. He appealed directly to the farming community not to lose hope or resort to extreme measures like suicide. The Minister announced that the state government has taken a strict stance regarding the misuse of government land allotted to gymkhanas in Mumbai, Nagpur, and other parts of Maharashtra. Land granted for specific recreational or athletic purposes must be used strictly for those reasons, he said. However, inspections have revealed widespread violations of lease terms and conditions. Surveys have been conducted across gymkhanas state-wide, including 16 major facilities in Mumbai. Following evidence of severe breaches, official notices are currently being issued. Minister Bawankule warned that it is the state government's duty to halt unauthorised commercial activities, such as hosting wedding ceremonies on government-allotted gymkhana grounds. While regularising terms, undertaking guarantees will be mandatory to ensure no future non-compliance. Repeat offenders will face strict action, including land repossession and cancellation of operations. Highlighting the Maratha reservation issue, Minister Bawankule emphasised that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde have done significant work to address the community's demands. He said that while the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government failed to defend the special reservation in the Supreme Courtresulting in its cancellation CM Fadnavis and Deputy CM Shinde subsequently stepped in with concrete steps. He noted that the Maratha community is currently benefiting significantly from the 10 per cent Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation. He also reaffirmed the Maharashtra government's dual policy of delivering justice to the Maratha community while ensuring that the existing reservation for 353 castes under the OBC category remains completely untouched. To curb irregularities in sports certificates, the Maharashtra Cabinet has finalised a comprehensive oversight policy. Minister Bawankule noted that Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar presented the proposal during Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. Strict regulations have been framed to prevent unqualified individuals from claiming government employment under the sports quota, the Minister said. Any fraudulent practice will result in immediate criminal prosecution (FIR), cancellation of the certificate, termination of employment, and disciplinary suspension or dismissal, the Minister added.
Maharashtra unveils Land Bank to accelerate infra projects and advance compensatory afforestation
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 9 (IANS) In a major initiative aimed at balancing rapid industrial development with environmental conservation, the Maharashtra Forest Department has established a comprehensive district-wise Land Bank to streamline land allocation for compensatory afforestation. Conceptualised by Forest Minister Ganesh Naik under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modis Viksit Bharat vision. The decision addresses long-standing bureaucratic delays in obtaining forest clearances under the Forest (Conservation and Development) Act, 1980. Currently, the state requires compensatory afforestation on an average of 2,000 to 3,000 hectares of degraded forest land and 1,000 to 2,000 hectares of non-forest land annually. Identifying suitable, encumbrance-free parcels and executing inter-departmental transfers has historically been a time-consuming barrier to major infrastructure works, including national highways, railways, bullet train corridors, transmission lines, and port developments. Through joint field assessments conducted by revenue and forest officials, the state has identified and compiled extensive land records across all districts. About 33,056 hectares of Degraded Forest Land are identified for projects eligible for double-degraded forest afforestation, such as central government ventures and power transmission lines: Nashik Region: 9,002 hectares, Nagpur Region: 8,109 hectares, Amravati Region: 5,724 hectares, Pune Region: 5,330 hectares, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Region: 4,179 hectares and Konkan Region: 712 hectares. Further, 7,546 Hectares of non-forest land have been provided by district collectors across revenue divisions comprising Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: 2,689 hectares, Nashik: 2,525 hectares, Amravati: 1,153 hectares, Pune: 640 hectares, Konkan: 408 hectares and Nagpur: 131 hectares, said a government statement. To ensure seamless execution, the Land Bank details are digitised and published on public web portals, including mahaforest.gov.in/DFLLandBank for degraded forest land and landdashboard.mahabhumi.gov.in for non-forest land. Before inclusion, each land parcel undergoes rigorous verification to confirm it is encroachment-free, clear of legal encumbrances, and ecologically suitable for afforestation. Non-forest land transferred by project agencies will be formally declared as Reserved Forest under Section 4 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, permanently expanding Maharashtra's overall forest cover. By creating a transparent, central inventory, state authorities aim to eliminate project bottlenecks, ensure robust compensatory plantations, and achieve a sustainable equilibrium between infrastructure growth and ecological protection, said the release.
Stopped From Entering Pub With 'Gutkha' Pouch, Man Sets It Ablaze
The man behind the arson is a chef and owns a restaurant in Nagpur.
From Sirpur School To Nagpur Glory: Telangana
TSWREIS alumnus Rajkumar defeated a field of 547 players to win the Nagpur FIDE-rated tournament without losing.
Students Thank Ex-Lovers Whose Breakup Exposed Maharashtra Paper Leak
During a protest at Nagpur's Samvidhan Chowk, what stood out were some of the posters thanking Rituja and Gaurav, the former couple whose breakup is said to have exposed MPSC drug inspector paper leak.
India's gross manufacturing leasing posts 49 pc CAGR since 2021
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) India's gross manufacturing leasing has reached a cumulative 69 million sq ft, registering a compound annual growth rate of 49 per cent since 2021, a report said on Wednesday. Indias manufacturing sector is witnessing an unprecedented transformation, with leasing demand for industrial spaces projected to capture 40 per cent of the market by 2030, the report from commercial real estate services firm JLL said. Manufacturing has now emerged as the second-largest occupier segment after third-party logistics (3PL), signaling a fundamental restructuring of Indias industrial real estate hierarchy. Gross absorption touched 19.2 million sq. ft. in 2025, and H1 2026 recorded 10.2 million sq. ft.a 19 per cent year-over-year increase for the first half. With manufacturing leasing absorption forecast to reach approximately 46 million sq. ft. by 2030, the sector's trajectory underscores India's evolution toward becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse aligned with its Vision 2047 aspirations, the report noted. The growth in the manufacturing real estate asset class reflects two distinct yet complementary strategies shaping India's industrial landscape. Tier-I cities are witnessing aggressive leasing of Grade-A facilities as manufacturers prioritise speed-to-market and be capex-light due to paucity of affordable land, said Yogesh Shevade, Managing Director, Industrial & Logistics, India, JLL. Simultaneously, Tier-II markets are seeing manufacturers opt for land acquisition, seeking greater customisation and long-term operational control, Shevade said. Both approaches signal robust manufacturing commitment; whether through leasing or ownership, India is becoming the factory floor of choice, he added. Grade-A properties captured 90 per cent of manufacturing leasing in 2025 and the shift toward high-specification facilities reflects stringent adherence to enhanced building standards, hygiene protocols, and safety norms. Nearly 14 emerging markets including Lucknow, Jaipur, Chandigarh tri-city, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Surat, Nagpur, Nashik, Goa, Indore, Sambhajinagar, Tuticorin, Coimbatore & Vizag are witnessing manufacturers prioritise land transactions over leasing, reflecting diverse regional strategies aligned with specific operational requirements.
