'BJP winning in states it couldn't even at peak of Modi wave': Abhijeet Dipke says no point in polls
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 5 (IANS) Veteran actors Jackie Shroff and Smita Jaykar, who shared the screen in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Devdas, recently reunited for a day at the formers picturesque farmhouse. Smita took to her social media account to share a series of pictures from her visit, further giving fans a glimpse of her fun-filled day surrounded by nature and animals. Sharing the photos, she wrote, Day spent at Jackie Shroff farm house What an experience. She also added hashtags including #jackieshroff, #smitajaykar, #farmhouse and #dayspentwell. The pictures capture the actors enjoying the lush surroundings of Jackies farmhouse. In one picture, Smita is seen posing alongside Jackie and another guest. Another picture shows Smita posing with a man in front of a horse. The visit also appeared to be an animal-filled one, with Smita seen feeding and interacting with a cow. In another frame, she is seen holding a large yellow-green reptile, while another picture shows her happily posing with a fluffy white rabbit. Smita is also seen holding an iguana in another picture. The carousel gives a glimpse of Jackies farmhouse, located between Mumbai and Pune, that is known for its extensive greenery and a variety of animals, including cows, ducks and rabbits. The post also received a warm reaction from Jackies wife, Ayesha Shroff, who dropped pink heart emoticons in the comments. Jackie Shroff and Smita Jaykars reunion also brought back memories of their association with Devdas. In Bhansalis 2002 adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyays classic novel, Jackie played Chunnilal, Devdas close friend. Smita, meanwhile, played Kaushalya Mukherjee, Devdas mother. The films cast also included Shah Rukh Khan as Devdas Mukherjee, Aishwarya Rai as Paro, Madhuri Dixit as Chandramukhi, Kirron Kher as Sumitra and several other prominent actors. Released in 2002, Devdas was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and produced by Bharat Shah. The film was based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyays celebrated novel and featured a screenplay by Bhansali and Prakash Kapadia. Ismail Darbar and Monty Sharma composed the music, while Binod Pradhan handled cinematography and Nitin Chandrakant Desai was responsible for the production design. The film went on to become one of the most celebrated films of Bhansalis career.
Maharashtra village put up for sale is finally promised a water pipeline, after 25-year wait
Marathwada fodder crisis looms: Beed, Jalna have just over two months of stock left
Five held for providing mule accounts to cyber fraudsters
Industry-academia collaboration key to semiconductor research: Chandrakant Patil
Delhi-based gang attempts to break open flats in Baner society; one nabbed
Unceasing infra projects pinch vital Nagar Road, prolong its traffic crisis
Motorcycle rider gives lift to minor, got bullet in the back
NCP (SP) will clarify stand on SIR issue soon, wrongdoers must be held accountable: Sharad Pawar
MPSC protest widens as students groups split over exam pattern, Pawar urges CM to initiate dialogue
Pune airport to get full-body scanners in phased rollout: Mohol
Alandi civic body to crack down on coaching centres flouting norms
Bird strike on Hyderabad bound flight; Flyers safe
BJPs Pune Teachers Pick Puts Mahayuti Unity Under Strain
The BJPs decision to contest the Pune Teachers seat has triggered speculation about a possible rebellion within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Protests Intensify in Pune as MPSC Students Demand Justice with Political Support
MPSC students protests escalate in Pune, with political leaders rallying support amid hunger strikes and demands for government action. Protests Intensify in Pune as MPSC Students Demand Justice with Political Support
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Indias supercomputing capabilities are expanding rapidly, with the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) enabling wider access to high-performance computing for applications ranging from artificial intelligence and weather forecasting to healthcare, disaster management and space research, the government said on Sunday. Indias supercomputing journey has evolved significantly since the development of PARAM 8000 in the early 1990s, with the country now building a national high-performance computing ecosystem under the NSM, launched in April 2015. As of September 2026, the mission has deployed 40 supercomputers with a combined computing capacity of 68 petaflops (PF), strengthening access to advanced computing infrastructure across research and academic institutions. The government said high-performance computing is increasingly essential for accelerating scientific discovery and technological innovation, particularly as Indias digital ecosystem continues to generate large volumes of data. India generates nearly 20 per cent of the worlds data, while emerging applications such as artificial intelligence, weather prediction, climate modelling and space research require increasingly powerful computing infrastructure. Supercomputers enable massive datasets to be processed and complex simulations to be conducted at much faster speeds by combining large numbers of processors to perform calculations simultaneously. This makes them critical infrastructure for advanced scientific research and strategic applications. The government said HPC is already supporting applications with direct societal benefits, including crop-yield prediction, disease-outbreak tracking, drug discovery and forecasting areas likely to be affected by river floods. The technology is also being used across areas such as Computational Biology, Weather Prediction and Climate Modelling, Disaster Management, Big Data Analytics and Astrophysics, helping researchers tackle increasingly complex scientific and technological challenges. The National Supercomputing Mission was launched with an outlay of around Rs 4,500 crore and is jointly steered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The mission aims to strengthen self-reliance in supercomputing and build indigenous high-performance computing capabilities in India. It promotes the use of supercomputing for research, development and problem-solving across a range of scientific and technological disciplines, while also developing solutions for societal applications. The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, are implementing the mission. Under the NSM, India is also developing indigenous technologies covering servers, software, cooling systems and networking, alongside expanding its supercomputing infrastructure.
BJP announces three candidates for Maharashtra MLC polls (Lead)
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 4 (IANS) Political manoeuvres in Maharashtra have intensified after the Election Commission announced the upcoming Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) elections. On the heels of the Congress Party's announcement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday released its official list of candidates for three key constituencies: Nagpur Graduate: Former MLA Sudhakar Kohale; Pune Graduate: Smita Jadhav, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Dr D Y Patil University, Pune Teachers: Kaustubh Gawade, Chief Executive Officer of the prominent Shri Swami Vivekanand Shikshan Sanstha in Kolhapur. With the announcement of these nominees, BJP will contest three seats, leaving Nagpur Teachers constituency to Shiv Sena and Aurangabad Graduates constituency to NCP. Polling for the five constituencies is slated for October 23. Kohale has been fielded to take on the incumbent Congress MLC, Abhijit Wanjari. Kohale, a seasoned leader and educator by background, previously served as a two-time municipal corporator, Water Supply Committee Chairman in Nagpur, and Nagpur East MLA (2014). In Pune Graduate Constituency, Dr Jadhav will face the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which has yet to declare its nominee. In Pune Teachers Constituency, Gawade will take on the sitting legislator Jayant Asgaonkar, who has been renominated by the Congress party. Incidentally, Shiv Sena and NCP have yet to announce their nominations. Shiv Sena has staked its claim over Pune and Amravati Teachers Constituencies. Congress has already announced Prof Aditi Rishikesh Pohare as nominee for the Amravati Teachers' Constituency. The Shiv Sena-UBT and NCP-SP are angry over Congress's decision to announce three nominees. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on September 22 sounded the poll bugle for the elections to five key Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) seats, triggering intense political manoeuvring within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. The election covers three Graduate constituencies (Aurangabad, Pune, and Nagpur) and two Teachers constituencies (Amravati and Pune), where the terms of the sitting members are set to expire on December 6, 2026. According to the official schedule released by the ECI, the last date for nominations: October 6, 2026; scrutiny of nominations: October 7, 2026; last date for withdrawal: October 9, 2026; polling day: October 23, 2026 (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM); and counting of votes: October 27, 2026. Incumbent representatives from Graduate Constituencies include Aurangabad Division Bhanudasrao Satish Chavan (NCP), Pune Division Arun Ganpati Lad (NCP-SP) and Nagpur Division Abhijit Govindrao Wanjari (Congress). The legislative members from the Teachers Constituencies include Amravati Division Kiran Ramrao Sarnaik (Independent but officially joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena as an associate member) and Pune Division Jayant Dinkar Asgaonkar (Congress).
BJP names three candidates for Maharashtra MLC polls; media baron's wife on the ruling party list
The BJP has announced its candidates for various constituencies in the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections. Dr Smita Jadhav will contest from the Pune Division Graduates constituency, while Sudhakar Kohle is fielded from Nagpur. Additionally, Kaustubh Gawde represents the Pune Division Teachers constituency in the elections. These biennial elections will occur on October 23, with results expected on October 27.
BJP Names 3 Candidates For Maharashtra MLC Polls; Media Baron's Wife On The List
Biennial elections are being held for Pune Division Graduates, Nagpur Division Graduates, Pune Division Teachers, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates and Amravati Teachers constituencies. Polling will take place on October 23
Bird strike hits Pune flight near Hyderabad airport
Hyderabad: A Pune-Shamshabad flight witnessed a bird strike on Saturday, October 3, near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad. The incident took place when the aircraft was near Shamshabad. Fortunately, despite the bird strike, the flight landed safely at the airport in Hyderabad. After landing, the officials conducted a check. 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 .
BJP names Dinesh Arya as RS candidate from U'khand, Koel Mallick from Bengal
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday announced Dinesh Arya as its candidate for the 2026 Rajya Sabha biennial election in Uttarakhand and Rukmini Mallick (Koel Mallick) from West Bengal. In Uttarakhand, the by-election is necessitated by the completion of the term of sitting Rajya Sabha member Naresh Bansal. Actress-turned-politician Rukmini Mallick, popularly known as Koel Mallick, recently switched to the BJP from the Trinamool Congress. She resigned as Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member in July this year, leaving the seat vacant and forcing a by-election. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on September 22 had announced the biennial elections for 11 Rajya Sabha seats, along with a by-election for one seat from West Bengal, on October 16. Of the 11 seats going to the polls in the biennial elections, 10 are from Uttar Pradesh, and one is from Uttarakhand. The West Bengal election will be held to fill a casual vacancy in the Upper House. The notification for the elections was issued on September 29, while the last date for filing nominations will be October 6. The scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on October 7, followed by the last date for withdrawal of candidature on October 9. Polling for the Rajya Sabha seats will be held on October 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while counting of votes will begin at 5 p.m. on the same day. In Uttar Pradesh, the terms of 10 sitting Rajya Sabha members are coming to an end. The members whose terms are expiring include Arun Singh, Geeta alias Chandraprabha, Brij Lal, Ram Gopal Yadav, Ramji Gautam, B.L. Verma, Seema Dwivedi, Dinesh Sharma and Hardeep Singh Puri. Earlier in the day, the BJP announced its candidates for three Teachers' and Graduates' constituencies for the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council election. The BJP has fielded Smita Yogesh Jadhav from the Pune Division Graduates' constituency, Sudhakar Vitthalrao Kohle from the Nagpur Division Graduates' constituency and Kaustubh Muralidhar Gawde from the Pune Division Teachers' constituency. The announcement comes after discussions within the ruling alliance over the distribution of the five seats going to polls. According to MahaYuti leaders, the alliance has finalised a 3:1:1 formula for the elections. Under the arrangement, the BJP will contest three seats, while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will contest one seat and the Shiv Sena will contest the remaining one seat. The NCP has been allotted the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates' constituency, while the Shiv Sena will contest the Amravati Teachers' constituency.
BJP announces 3 candidates for Maha Legislative Council polls
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 4 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday announced its candidates for three Teachers' and Graduates' constituencies for the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, while the ruling MahaYuti alliance has finalised its seat-sharing arrangement for the polls. The BJP has fielded Smita Yogesh Jadhav from the Pune Division Graduates' constituency, Sudhakar Vitthalrao Kohle from the Nagpur Division Graduates' constituency and Kaustubh Muralidhar Gawde from the Pune Division Teachers' constituency. The announcement comes after discussions within the ruling alliance over the distribution of the five seats going to polls. According to MahaYuti leaders, the alliance has finalised a 3:1:1 formula for the elections. Under the arrangement, the BJP will contest three seats, while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will contest one seat and the Shiv Sena will contest the remaining one seat. The NCP has been allotted the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates' constituency, while the Shiv Sena will contest the Amravati Teachers' constituency. Meanwhile, the Congress on Saturday announced its candidates for the upcoming elections, renominating two sitting members and fielding a new candidate for the third seat allotted to the party. In a release, the Congress said sitting MLC Abhijit Wanjari will contest from the Nagpur Division Graduates' constituency, while sitting member Jayant Dinkar Asagaonkar will seek re-election from the Pune Division Teachers' constituency. The party has also fielded newcomer Aditi Pohare from the Amravati Teachers' constituency. Voting for the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections across the three Graduates' and two Teachers' constituencies will take place on October 23. The Graduates' constituencies going to polls are Pune Division, Nagpur Division and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, formerly known as Aurangabad Division. The two Teachers' constituencies are Pune Division and Amravati Division.
BJP Announces Candidates for Maharashtra MLC Elections, Focusing on Pune and Nagpur Seats
The BJP has revealed its candidates for the Maharashtra MLC elections, targeting key seats in Pune and Nagpur. BJP Announces Candidates for Maharashtra MLC Elections, Focusing on Pune and Nagpur Seats
BJP announces candidates for Maharashtra Legislative Council polls 2026
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced three candidates for the 2026 Maharashtra Legislative Council elections from the Graduates' and Teachers' constituencies. The BJP's Central Election Committee approved the names of the candidates, according to a press release issued by the party's central office in New Delhi on October 4, 2026. The announcement covers the Pune Division Graduates' constituency, Nagpur Division Graduates' constituency and Pune Division Teachers' constituency.
Pune Rural police have alleged in a chargesheet that realtor Ketan Agarwals fianc Siya Goyal and her alleged lover Chetan Chaudhary researched deaths at Lohagad Fort and other methods before his killing. Agarwal, 26, died after allegedly being pushed from the fort in June. The 5,053-page chargesheet cites digital evidence, including online searches, messages, call records and social media material.
Pune-Hyderabad Flight Suffers Bird Hit, Lands Safely
After the plane landed, the authorities carried out a runway inspection.
MPSC protests: Supriya Sule urges Maharashtra CM to hold dialogue to find solution
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule said that she has personally intervened to mediate the ongoing Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) student agitation, calling on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to resolve the deadlock through executive dialogue. Addressing the media, Sule said that she has requested Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for an immediate pause in the demonstrations to allow constructive negotiations between the administration and the protesting aspirants. I had called the Chief Minister and urged that the agitation be paused so a solution could be found through dialogue. Pramod Patil was to convey certain instructions from the Chief Minister to the students and was supposed to call me after the discussion. I am awaiting his call, she said. The remarks came amid the ongoing agitation by MPSC aspirants over various examination-related demands. Students have previously held protests in Pune seeking action over alleged examination irre...
Three held on charge of robbery
Man held for bludgeoning friend to death
Traffic jams at night: Baner-Balewadi to get more traffic signals, wardens
Pune air quality dips to moderate; many now affected by dust, vehicle smoke, say doctors
Truck rams into vehicles due to brake failure in Pirangut; 1 killed
Yerawada MHADA residents protest stalled redevelopment, demand mini-clusters
City-based firm loses 9L in email spoofing scam
Man robbed of Rs34,500, assaulted after argument over being addressed by name
PM Modi to visit Baramati on Nov 3: Pawar
Earliest monsoon withdrawal commencement from parts of Maharashtra since 2018
Pune societies flag red tape, committee action risk under new redevelopment rules
First-time voter clause puts 1.52cr state electors in a bind
Rahul Gandhi to raise MPSC aspirants demands before state govt
After Abu Dhabi debut, drought hits farmers fruit export dream
Metro to run every 5 minutes during rush hours
Why Indias independent filmmakers are reclaiming the language of cinema
Maha CM launches Mumbai Book Festival 2026 logo and website
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 3 (IANS) Marking a major milestone for Maharashtras literary landscape, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday unveiled the official logo and website for the Mumbai Book Festival 2026. The announcement marks the commencement of preparations for a six-day celebration of books, literature, art and culture scheduled to take place from Nov 24 to Nov 29, 2026, at the University of Mumbais Kalina Campus. Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra and the University of Mumbai, the festival aims to celebrate Indias rich and diverse literary traditions, deepen the nations reading culture, nurture young readers and build a dynamic platform for intellectual exchange. The launch ceremony took place in the presence of several key dignitaries and stakeholders, including Milind Marathe, Chairman, National Book Trust, India; Ravindra Kulkarni, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mumbai; Ameet Satam, Chief Organiser; Acharya Pawan Tripathi, Chief Convenor; and Yuvraj Malik, Director, National Book Trust, India. Adding to the occasions significance, CM Fadnavis shared the announcement on social media, emphasising the festivals vital role in connecting the public with literature. The launch coincides with a significant anniversary. Exactly two years earlier, on Oct 3, 2024, the Marathi language was officially conferred the status of a Classical Language. Announcing the Mumbai Book Festival on Oct 3, 2026, connects this proud heritage with a renewed commitment to promoting reading across the state, the Chief Minister said. Now, NBT brings this large-scale initiative to Indias economic capital, Marathe said. He added that the upcoming festival at the Kalina Campus would serve as a single destination for readers, families, students and literature enthusiasts across Mumbai, featuring dedicated children and youth zones, interactive learning activities, workshops and talent-development programmes. Dozens of publishers will display works across multiple genres and languages under one roof. In addition, there will be evening performances showcasing local and national performing arts. Marathe said that the National Book Trust, established on Aug 1, 1957, operates on three core mandates: curating diverse literature, fostering multilingual translation, and promoting a culture of reading through the translation of outstanding literature across various Indian and international languages. It focuses on producing India-centric, non-academic, general-reading books for all age groups. During book festivals, Meet the Author sessions, translation workshops and youth writing initiatives are also organised. While the New Delhi World Book Fair remains NBTs flagship annual event, the trust has actively expanded its footprint across India to ensure books reach every citizen. NBT has successfully hosted regional festivals across the country, including the Gomti Book Festival in Lucknow, the Chinar Book Festival in Srinagar, as well as events in Patna, Sambalpur, Shillong, Pune, Nagpur, Goa, Ahmedabad and even at an altitude of 11,500 feet in Ladakh, Marathe said.
Cannabis worth Rs 1 Cr hidden in cosmetic jars seized at Pune airport
Pune Customs officials seized 1.243 kg of suspected cannabis extract (hashish), valued at around Rs 1 crore, from a woman The post Cannabis worth Rs 1 Cr hidden in cosmetic jars seized at Pune airport appeared first on Bilkul Online .
People of Purpose: Aarshiya Das
Aarshiya Das and her co-founders are building a community-led education model combining dropout prevention, foundational learning and STEM pathways in Pune.
Congress names candidates for Maharashtra MLC polls
The party renominated MLC Abhijit Wanjari for the constituency for Graduates of Nagpur Division, and member Jayant Dinkar Asagaonkar for the seat for Teachers of Pune Division. The party fielded Aditi Pohare for the constituency for Teachers of Amravati.
Maharashtra FDA cancels Cipla Pune warehouse licences over misbranding
Regulatory clampdown triggered by findings of misbranding, storage lapses at Wadki, Pune
FDA cancels Pune Cipla facility's drug sale and distribution licences
Chris Gayle's Iconic 175-Run Record For RCB Broken By 20-Year Proteas Star
The 20-year-old left-hander surpassed Gayle's unbeaten 175 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Pune Warriors India in the 2013 Indian Premier League, ending the West Indian's 13-year hold on the...
'Poisonous capsules, 50kg rat poison': How Pune man planned to poison 15,000 people in Mumbai
Maharashtra FDA Revokes Cipla Warehouse License in Pune
The Maharashtra FDA has canceled the license of Ciplas Pune warehouse due to multiple violations in drug handling and packaging. Maharashtra FDA Revokes Cipla Warehouse License in Pune
Maharashtra Government Approves Classical Marathi Studies Center at Deccan College
The Indian government has officially approved the establishment of a Classical Marathi Studies Center at Punes Deccan College. Maharashtra Government Approves Classical Marathi Studies Center at Deccan College
Parents to get bigger role in school development
Diveagar beach tragedy exposes regulatory vacuum around coaching class trips
Diveagar tragedy exposes gaps in beach safety, cops claim victims didnt know swimming
PMC pilots early-warning system for seasonal fever and diarrhoea
Iris scan, Aadhaar app if fingerprint fails during property registration
Fraudsters use SIR bait to siphon off 10 lakh
No UPI Day to protest proposed MDR affects sales for city traders
Case against two for duping woman of Rs27 lakh on promise of govt job
Pune customs catches woman from city airport with cannabis worth 1 crore
Man assaulted, robbed after meeting gay dating app contact in Pune
Pune fire brigade makes submission of Form B twice a year mandatory
Pune city at 34.8C, its third-highest Oct maximum since 2014
Pune to get Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Marathi at Deccan College
MPSC secretary Harpalkar relieved as candidates continue protest in Pune
Khadakwasla circle dams end Sept on 6-yr low, storage dips to 94% of total capacity
Survey of wells, borewells from Pune city areas on the cards amid potential water scarcity
Milk procurement price goes up, retail rate likely to increase
Centre approves classical Marathi centre at Punes Deccan College
Why were students allowed in water at high tide?: Father of Pune teen who drowned at Diveagar beach
Maharashtra FDA cancels Cipla warehouse's drug sale licences in Pune
Maharashtra FDA has cancelled the wholesale drug sale licences of Cipla Pharma & Life Sciences Ltd's C&F warehouse in Wadki, Pune, following an inspection that revealed alleged misbranding of Reactin Plus and multiple violations involving medicine storage, cleanliness and record-keeping
Cipla Disappointed By Maharashtra FDA Action, Says Pune Warehouse Complies With Protocols
Cipla said it is reviewing the Maharashtra FDA order cancelling its Pune warehouse licences, while maintaining the facility follows storage and distribution protocols.
Rs 50 lakh bribe: CBI arrests Mumbai CPWD engineer, kin, 3 officials of real estate firm
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 2 (IANS) The CBI arrested an Executive Engineer of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Mumbai, his relative and three officials of a Mumbai-based real estate group, in a Rs 50 lakh bribery case related to the issuance of a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for a land parcel, an official said on Friday. Vikrant Verma, Executive Engineer, CPWD Mumbai; Saurav Gupta, Vermas relative based in Pune; and Arvind Semwal, Vice President, Baya Company, were among those named in the FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday, the official said. The arrested accused were produced before the Special CBI Judge in Mumbai on Friday, the official said in a statement. The accused were booked by the CBI for penal offences including criminal conspiracy, bribing a public servant, taking undue advantage, influencing a public servant by corrupt or illegal means or by exercise of personal influence, obtaining undue advantage without consideration by a public servant and abetment, the statement said. The FIR said that the real estate company wanted to obtain an NOC from CPWD Mumbai in respect of a parcel of land at Antop Hill, South Mumbai. It wanted the NOC to state that the CPWD had no claim on the aforementioned tract of land, which would enable Baya Company to carry out a construction project there. It was alleged that the accused Executive Engineer demanded undue advantage of Rs 1 crore, later reduced it to Rs 70 lakh, through his relative, for issuing the NOC. The FIR said, Source information revealed that on September 30, Saurav Gupta and Vikrant Verma had a discussion where it was mentioned by Gupta that he is considering summoning Semwal to a location near the mall opposite the L&T building in Navi Mumbai. He further said that he would collect the cash and would depart for Pune straightaway, the FIR said. The CBI laid a trap on Thursday and caught the relative of the accused public servant while he was carrying the bribe amount of Rs 50 lakh, which he had accepted from the Vice President of the real estate group on behalf of the Executive Engineer, said the statement. The Executive Engineer was apprehended at Vashi, Navi Mumbai, where he was waiting to receive the bribe. A manager of the real estate group and a partner of the firm seeking the NOC, who were present during the transaction, were also arrested, the CBI said. While approving the registration of the FIR, CBI Superintendent of Police Amit Vasava noted, The aforementioned commissions and omissions on the part of Vikrant Verma, Saurav Gupta, Arvind Semwal and other unidentified individuals constitute offences U/s 7,7A, 8, 11 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and U/s 61 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The construction firm has its registered office at 203-ZO4,2nd Floor, Orbit Plaza, New Prabhadevi Road, Mumbai and is represented by its partners Vilas Kharche and Anil Deshmukh. Arvind Semwal is currently occupying the position of vice president at the company, said the FIR. It was further found during the investigation that the NOC was issued without an entry in the dispatch register against payment of Rs 50 lakh, with the balance of Rs 20 lakh to be paid after a week, the CBI said. Searches were subsequently conducted at the premises of the accused and their associates in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune, which led to the recovery of cash of about Rs 53.87 lakh (in addition to the bribe amount of Rs 50 Lakh), documents relating to immovable properties and other documents, the CBI said.
Cipla's Pune Godown Loses Drug Licence Over 'Misbranding, Storage Violations'
A major reason for the action was the misbranding of 'Reactin Plus', a Schedule-H drug that cannot be sold over the counter.
Maharashtra FDA cancels Cipla Warehouse Pune licence over alleged packaging, storage lapses
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 2 (IANS) The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled the drug sale and distribution licences of Cipla Pharma & Life Sciences Ltd's carrying and forwarding (C&F) warehouse in Wadki, Pune, citing a series of alleged regulatory violations related to drug packaging, storage conditions, inventory management and documentation. The licence cancellation order was issued on October 1 by the Assistant Commissioner (Drugs), Division 3, Pune, following a fresh review conducted in accordance with directions from the Bombay High Court. The latest action comes after earlier proceedings initiated against the facility on August 27 were withdrawn and reconsidered under a revised regulatory process. According to the FDA, the earlier action had raised concerns over the packaging and promotion of Reactin Plus Tablets, a Schedule H prescription medicine. The regulator alleged that the product packaging contained unauthorised claims and highlighted several shortcomings in warehouse operations, including storage practices, record maintenance and procedures for handling expired medicines. Following the High Court's directions, the FDA issued a revised show-cause notice to Cipla on September 4. The company submitted its written response on September 11 and subsequently appeared for a personal hearing on September 21. After examining the company's submissions, inspection reports, records and applicable legal provisions, the licensing authority issued a fresh order revoking the licences. The regulator said the latest decision represented an independent determination based on the findings of the renewed proceedings and was not merely a reiteration of the earlier action. A key focus of the FDA's review was Reactin Plus. According to the regulator, the medicine's packaging described it as an analgesic and listed multiple uses, including relief from headache, muscular pain, backache, joint pain, sprain, body ache and toothache. The FDA also objected to the use of a human figure and visual depictions suggesting relief from muscular pain. The agency alleged that the claims, wording and illustrations on the packaging did not comply with statutory requirements and amounted to misbranding under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The regulator further stated that Cipla's responsibilities as the marketer of the product could not be avoided solely because the medicine was manufactured by a separate entity. Apart from the packaging-related issues, the FDA inspection reportedly uncovered several deficiencies in warehouse management. These included the absence of the mandatory Form 35 inspection book, inadequate storage infrastructure that resulted in medicines being kept directly on the floor, accumulation of dust on drug stocks and shortcomings in overall cleanliness and maintenance. The regulator also observed that expired medicines were allegedly not stored in a separately designated area clearly marked as Expiry-Not for Sale. In addition, it cited the absence of prescribed standard operating procedures and records related to the disposal of expired drugs.
Cipla's Pune warehouse licences cancelled afresh by FDA
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled the drug sale and distribution licences of Cipla Pharma and Life Sciences Ltd's carrying and forwarding (C and F) warehouse in Pune. This action follows alleged violations related to packaging, storage, documentation, and recall of Reactin Plus Tablets, a Schedule H drug. The FDA cited issues like misbranding, inadequate storage conditions, and deficiencies in record-keeping, reiterating its commitment to ensuring medicine safety and compliance.
Maharashtra FDA Cancels Cipla Pune Warehouse Drug Licences Over Violations
The FDA cited alleged misbranding of Reactin Plus, storage deficiencies, record discrepancies and lapses in handling expired medicines at Cipla's Pune warehouse.
Maharashtra FDA cancels Cipla's Pune warehouse licences over Reactin Plus packaging claims
Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration has cancelled Cipla Pharma's distribution licenses due to serious violations. The FDA discovered irregularities with Reactin Plus Tablets, including misbranding and unsafe storage practices. Following inspections, it was revealed that expired medicines were stored incorrectly without proper documentation. The licensing authoritys decision was based on findings from earlier proceedings and legal directions.
Maharashtra govt terminates MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar
Mumbai/Pune Delivering on the promise made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants, the Maharashtra The post Maharashtra govt terminates MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkars deputation appeared first on Bilkul Online .
Assam CM Launches Bamboo Bicycle Initiative To Promote Green Mobility
Guwahati, Oct 2: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday launched the Assam Bamboo Bicycle, an initiative aimed at promoting sustainable transportation while creating new opportunities for local bamboo-based industries. The bicycles are being manufactured at the Bamboo Technology Park in Chhaygaon in partnership with Bamboo India, Pune. The project will source bamboo from... The post Assam CM Launches Bamboo Bicycle Initiative To Promote Green Mobility first appeared on Northeast Today .
Sharad Pawar Demands Full Loan Waiver for Farmers Amid Maharashtra Drought Crisis
Sharad Pawar visits drought-affected areas in Pune, urging the government to waive farmers loans and provide immediate relief measures. Sharad Pawar Demands Full Loan Waiver for Farmers Amid Maharashtra Drought Crisis
After 8 Pune students drown at Diveagar, Alandi coaching centre sealed for operating without licence
Pandya Key To India's Balance In 2027 ODI WC, Biggest Challenge Is To Get Him Fit, Says Ganguly
ODI World Cup: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes star fast-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be vital to maintaining the sides balance at the 2027 Mens ODI World Cup in South Africa, adding that keeping him fit and match-ready will be head coach Gautam Gambhirs biggest off-field challenge leading into the marquee event. The ICC officially launched the schedule for the 2027 Mens ODI World Cup in Cape Town on Thursday and set the stage for the tournament to commence in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21. Pandya has played two ODI World Cups for India in 2019 and 2023, where he was ruled out of the competition after sustaining an ankle injury in the clash against Bangladesh in Pune. I think Hardik Pandya is very important to India's balance in the World Cup. That's one of Gambhir's and the team's biggest challenges, to get him fit on the park. I don't think he plays enough cricket, but for India, the balance has got to be right. If Hardik is injured, the next best option is Nitish Reddy. But if they have to look at Nitish Reddy as a second option to Hardik Pandya, then he must play all cricket till the World Cup. Jadeja is another option, whether they will look at him, because he is a terrific batter at number seven and is playing against the West Indies currently. But I think in October in South Africa, you will need a seaming all-rounder because none of the top five batters bowl. So you will have to get that fifth or sixth bowling option from somewhere. So that's an area where India needs to find the right person. And that's why I keep saying Pandya is very important, said Ganguly to JioStar. Having a glance at Indias campaign, Ganguly noted that India opening their campaign against Australia, in what will be a re-match of the 2023 World Cup final, rather than facing arch-rivals Pakistan is a good sign, though hes more interested in a potential Super 7 clash against a gun South African team. Good to see that India start with Australia because we are too used to India starting against Pakistan. You have to play two good teams at any stage. It doesn't matter whether it comes first or whether it comes later. I think the ICC has realised that India-Pakistan is no longer the India-Pakistan game in terms of the level of competition. Pakistan is too weak and India have been beating them for a long time. I'm actually looking forward to the India-South Africa game, which will probably take place in the second round. South Africa is a gun team at the moment. Many of the regulars are not even a part of the squad which is playing Australia at the moment, and they have beaten them. Also, a World Cup in South Africa will be phenomenal. I was involved in SA20 last year, and the turnout for the franchise tournament was unreal. Every ground and every stand was full, added Ganguly. Parthiv Patel, the ex-India wicketkeeper-batter who was a part of the Ganguly-led 2003 ODI World Cup team finishing runners-up in South Africa, noted that starting with high-stakes fixtures allows India to fine-tune their combinations and manage key players workloads heading into the business end. This schedule gives you a chance to play two tough matches right at the start, and then you play the other matches, and when the actual business end of the tournament starts, you try to peak again. So you can do all those things with this schedule: your core players can play the first three or four matches, because you will have to manage fitness, form and workloads in this World Cup. It won't be like you go there and just keep playing every game. This schedule gives you a chance to play two tough matches right at the start, and then you play the other matches, and when the actual business end of the tournament starts, you try to peak again. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
