12% deficit: Rain report gives a dry reading
The impact is showing in commodity markets: prices of several pulses are up amid crop concerns and festive demand. Maharashtra has declared drought across large parts, and Karnataka is facing similar conditions.
Thousands of sugarcane growers from across Karnataka and neighbouring Maharashtra and Telangana staged a massive protest at Kittur Chennamma Circle in Hubballi on Tuesday, demanding remunerative prices for sugarcane and a revision of the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar. After appeal by union minister Pralhad Joshi, intervention by local legislators they agree for talks at Delhi, withdraw protest
Maharashtra Clears 10% Quota For Former Agniveers
The Central government launched the Agnipath military recruitment scheme in 2022 for the Army, Navy and Air Force. Under the scheme, candidates aged between 17.5 and 21 years are recruited for a four-year tenure. Agniveers undergo training in discipline, leadership, technical skills, disaster management, security and organisational processes.
Tata row: Maharashtra Charity Commissioner office may influence outcome
Maharashtra Charity Commissioner is examining whether Tata Trusts' actions breached norms as the Tata Sons board faces a governance dispute
80-year-old mans corpse in private freezer for 4 years, Mumbai cops look at legality
Pune bus shelter collapses in rain, commuters demand investigation
Afghan student pursuing MBA in Pune detained for overstaying in Bavdhan
Man assaulted by four at gunpoint in Pune
8 long-distance trains to terminate short of CSMT for 75 days
Andheri flyover repair faces second cost escalation, contract extension
Democracy without choice: how unopposed Maharashtra rural polls silence dissent
Narayan Ranes Lok Sabha win stands: Bombay high court dismisses Vinayak Rauts election petition
Areas with crop damage which did not have poor rain will still get relief after survey: CM Fadnavis
30-year-old killed, two cousins injured in car crash on Mumbai-Goa highway in Raigad
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy urges Centre to expedite the approvals for Tummidihetti barrage
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy met with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi on Tuesday, pressing the central government to help clear critical inter-state irrigation hurdles and expedite pending approvals for major water projects in the Krishna and Godavari basins. Telangana Chief Minister urged Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil to resolve the proposed construction of the Tummidihetti barrage through a dialogue with the Maharashtra government. Updating the Union minister about the submission of the proposal to construct the Tummidihetti barrage to the Maharashtra government, the Chief Minister requested Patil to facilitate required approvals for the barrage. Accompanied by State Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and a high-level delegation, the Chief Minister focused heavily on resolving the proposed construction of the Tummidihetti barrage via dialogue with the neighboring government of Maharashtra. Following the delay, the Chief Minister requested the Jal Sh...
Overnight sand mining crackdown nets 10 barges, 16 suction pumps in Thane
Maharashtra cabinet renews Bandra land lease for Clean Cities NGO
Maharashtra cabinet approves review of Surya Dam Land allotments in Palghar
One killed and two injured after ex-MPs car crashes into two scooters in Mumbai
Action needs evidence, says Mundhe on FDA corruption allegations
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Tuesday responded to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Rauts allegations of corruption in the department, saying specific information or evidence against any FDA officer would be acted upon, but public statements alone cannot justify action
Nirav Modis associate deported from UAE in PNB fraud case, sent to jail custody
Maharashtra FDA issues strict order against misleading infant formula ads, influencer promotions
HC denies man pre-arrest bail in Rs 20cr extortion case
Govt approves Pune's Swargate bus station redevelopment plan: Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik
Four CISF personnel killed after colleague opens fire in Jammu and Kashmir
The incident took place at around 7.30 pm at Sewa-III hydroelectric power project located at Mashka village in Basohli, near the border with Himachal Pradesh, the officials said
'Congress Jitao Party: Devendra Fadnavis claims grand old party using CJP to fill political vacuum
Asian Games 2026: Sonali Shingate receives warm welcome after India's kabaddi tr
Following the triumph, Maharashtra's Sonali Shingate received a warm welcome as she returned to the Santacruz Railway Colony in Mumbai
Breastfeeding notes now mandatory on infant food packages: Maharashtra FDA
Maharashtra FDA, led by Tukaram Mundhe, on September 29 has made breastfeeding notes mandatory on all infant food packages and prohibited the commercial sale of human milk
Revanth seeks Centre's intervention to secure Maharashtra clearance for Tummidihatti project
CM urges Jal Shakti Minister to expedite Tummidihatti barrage and environmental approvals
No protest here: Group confronts CJP members at Mumbai's Shivaji Park over ECI stir
Kunal Kamra moves Supreme Court over legislative privileges, cites free speech concerns
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has approached the Supreme Court seeking to intervene in a case concerning the scope of legislative privileges and their impact on freedom of speech. His plea comes amid privilege proceedings against him before the Maharashtra Legislature over remarks made during his comedy show
Maharashtra FDA orders tighter regulation of infant foods across the state
Order mandates FSSAI licences and BIS marks, tightens labelling and promotion rules, and bars advertising, discounts and benefits to health workers across Maharashtra.
Slovakia: Teacher killed, two injured in school knife attack
A 61-year-old teacher was fatally stabbed at an elementary school in northwestern Slovakia, authorities said. A pupil and another female teacher were also injured, with the pupil in critical condition and the teacher hospitalised with serious injuries
Spain housing crisis: Protesters camp in Madrid square as govt plans response
Housing protesters continued their encampment in Madrids Puerta del Sol as pressure mounted on Spains government to address rising rents and a housing shortage. The protests followed the eviction of an 87-year-old tenant and have spread to cities across Spain
Teerth Realties Strengthens Pune Portfolio with Focus on Integrated Urban Development
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], September 29: Teerth Realties is strengthening its presence across Punes western growth corridor with a portfolio spanning residential communities, commercial developments and integrated townships. With nearly four
Ukraine, Iran-Gulf conflicts could trigger major food crisis, Jaishankar says
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has warned of a possible major food crisis in the coming months, citing disrupted grain shipments, fertiliser shortages and energy pressures linked to global conflicts. He said the combined strain on food, fuel, fertiliser and finance is hitting Global South economies hard
Maharashtra Cabinet approves direct police recruitment for Ex-Agniveers without exams
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 29 (IANS) In a major policy shift aimed at safeguarding the career prospects of military recruits, the Maharashtra Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday approved direct recruitment for retired Agniveers into the state police force and allied uniformed services without the need to take competitive examinations or undergo fresh training. Under the newly formulated policy, the state government has instituted a 10 per cent horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers across Group-C uniformed posts, including police forces, fire services, and coastal security, said the CM. Ex-Agniveers will be inducted into state police and uniformed roles without appearing for recruitment examinations or repeating initial training modules. Upper age limit relaxations will be applied to accommodate retiring Agniveers seeking state government employment. Ex-Agniveers discharged from the Indian Navy will be directly integrated into Maharashtras coastal security wing. Post-sanction caps will be relaxed as a special case to absorb all interested navy veterans. Absorption will extend across various state security cadres, including the Fire Department and correctional security forces, the Chief Minister said. The first batch of Agniveers will soon complete their four-year service tenure. Every Agniveer who wishes to transition into state government service will be absorbed directly into our police and uniformed services without exam or training barriers, he stated. The move positions Maharashtra among the leading states to institutionalise post-service employment structures for the Armed Forces' Agnipath scheme. By eliminating re-examination hurdles and utilising military training, the state aims to strengthen its frontline security forces while offering long-term career continuity to young veterans. Alongside the Agniveer policy, the Maharashtra Cabinet also approved revision of drought assistance norms. Sub-committees will assess ground-level agricultural impact at the circle (mandal) level to extend financial relief, even to tehsils not strictly satisfying 'Trigger-2' meteorological parameters. The Cabinet also approved a state-wide strategy to ensure adequate, district-level feed and fodder availability for livestock.
Nityas Gems and Jewellery Limited IPO Opens on September 30, 2026
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 29: Nityas Gems and Jewellery Limited, engaged in the design, manufacturing, and sale of lab-grown diamond-studded gold jewellery in India, proposes to open its Initial Public
Estonia says Russia commissioned arson attack on defence firm linked to Ukraine
Estonian authorities say Russian security services commissioned an arson attack on Milrem Robotics, a defence company supplying unmanned military vehicles to Ukraine. Russia has rejected the allegation, calling Estonias claims unfounded
Maharashtra Congress seeks 2-month extension for SIR voter claims and objections
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal has urged Chief Electoral Officer S. Chockalingam to extend the deadline for claims and objections under the Special Intensive Revision by two months. Sapkal cited server issues, form errors, voter-data discrepancies and staff constraints
India in talks with China to use Xinjiang airspace amid Pakistan closure
India is in talks with China to use the Hotan route in Xinjiang for commercial flights to western countries, as the continued closure of Pakistani airspace has increased travel time and costs for airlines
Crackdown in Thane against illegal sand mining; barges, suction pumps seized
The Thane district administration said all 10 seized barges were found to be unregistered with the Maharashtra Maritime Board and were therefore unauthorised
Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff respond to FDA notices in surrogate advertisement case
Shah Rukh Khan, Tiger Shroff and Ajay Devgn have responded to notices issued by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in connection with a surrogate advertisement case. Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe confirmed that...
Kunal Kamra joins SC case on MLAs' privilege vs free speech
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has moved the Supreme Court to intervene in a significant case concerning the interpretation of legislative privileges of MLAs and their impact on freedom of speech. A seven-judge Constitution bench will hear the matter from October 6. Kamra's involvement stems from privilege proceedings against him in the Maharashtra Assembly over his comedy special. The case also revisits a 2003 matter involving journalist N Ravi, highlighting conflicting views on whether fundamental rights override legislative privileges.
Maharashtra Government Aims to Enhance Global Employment Opportunities for Youth
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasizes skill development to boost global job opportunities for Maharashtras youth. Maharashtra Government Aims to Enhance Global Employment Opportunities for Youth
From unhygienic handling and adulteration to unsafe storage, food safety is under growing scrutiny. Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhes crackdown has renewed calls for stricter safeguards and greater accountability across the food chain
Saudi Arabia invites UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour for visit
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman has invited UAE Vice-President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Saudi Arabia for a brotherly visit as Riyadh faces continued Houthi attacks and seeks support from regional and international allies
Maharashtra Couple Wanted Phones, Gold. They 'Sold' Their Baby For A Lakh
The child was bought and sold as many as four times by different people before being rescued from over 550 kilometres away.
Patel Retail Limited Continues Retail Expansion with 54th Store Opening in Kalyan (East)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 29: Patel Retail Limited (BSE: 544487 | NSE: PATELRMART), A diversified retail and food processing company, has announced the opening of its 54th retail store at
Hurricane Polo hits Baja California Sur; Mexico braces for flooding, mudslides
Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Polo is expected to hit Baja California Sur and southern and central Sonora on Tuesday, with life-threatening flooding and mudslides possible, particularly in areas of steep terrain
Percept Live Unveils the Debut Edition of 'Aaj ka Scene'
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 29: Percept Live has announced the launch of 'Aaj Ka Scene', its newest original Intellectual Property celebrating the energy, creativity and culture of hip-hop. The debut edition of this new youth-focused property will take place on 31 October and 1 November 2026 at Phoenix Marketcity at Kurla, Mumbai, bringing together established artists, emerging talent and the next generation of hip-hop creators on one dynamic platform.
Hockey Maharashtra has special plans for Mumbai, says newly-appointed sec. gen.
Krishna Prakash appointed President, Manoj Bhore named Secretary General at Hockey Maharashtra AGM and elections in Pune recently; Ramesh Pillay gets high performance role with special focus on Mumbai
Maharashtra drought: Farmers missed by technical norms to get full relief
Addressing a press conference following the Cabinet meeting, CM Fadnavis said that the state will conduct on-ground physical inspections in talukas where crops have withered but failed to meet standard automated triggers due to unusual weather patterns
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 29 (IANS) Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President, Harshwardhan Sapkal, on Tuesday requested state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), S. Chockalingam, to extend the deadline for submitting claims and objections to the draft electoral roll by two months. Denouncing the current October 12 deadline set under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive as grossly inadequate, the Congress leadership warned that millions of citizens risk disenfranchisement due to severe administrative and technical bottlenecks. In an official letter addressed to CEO Chockalingam, Sapkal highlighted that an MPCC delegation had previously met election authorities on September 22 to outline the operational challenges on the ground. However, the Election Commission (EC) granted an extension of merely 12 days, which Sapkal labeled insufficient, given the massive volume of pending revisions. Citing figures from the states electoral database, Sapkal pointed out that out of 1.54 crore voters flagged on the Absentee, Shifted, and Dead/Duplicate Voters (ASDDO) list, along with 40 lakh youth eligible for new registration, a meager 3,90,000 citizens have managed to submit Form 6 for voter registration. He further noted that despite errors in the newly formatted Form 6 being brought to the Election Commission's attention, revised forms have not been printed, leaving citizens unable to access error-free application copies. The MPCC chief outlined several major impediments disrupting the registration drive across Maharashtra. Frequent server downtime, combined with non-linking of Aadhaar and mobile numbers, has severely paralysed online submissions. Discrepancies between Marathi and English transliterations of voter names are creating further roadblocks, he said. He further stated that Booth Level Officers (BLOs)a significant portion of whom are schoolteachersare currently tied up with conducting mid-term school examinations alongside festive duties during Navratri. Serving notices house-to-house while collecting verification documents has stretched the staff beyond capacity, raising serious concerns over their availability to process fresh applications. Pointing to critical flaws in the EC's duplication software, Sapkal revealed that a list containing over 25,000 duplicate voter entries in a single Lok Sabha constituency was recently submitted directly to the Nagpur District Collector. To ensure a transparent, inclusive, and error-free electoral roll, the state Congress chief urged the Election Commission to immediately extend the deadline for claims and objections by two months beyond October 12 to provide adequate time for citizens and field staff, publish daily constituency-wise data detailing the exact number of Form 6, 7, and 8 applications received, following the transparent reporting model used in Delhi and conduct thorough re-verifications across all constituencies to purge bogus and duplicate entries that continue to persist in the draft rolls. To ensure that voter registration is conducted thoroughly and no eligible citizen is left out, a two-month extension is mandatory, Sapkal stated, urging the CEO to act swiftly in the interest of fair elections.
Telugu States Impacted Due to Drought Conditions in Kharif Season
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said that there are concerns about the drought situation in Karnataka, Maharashtra, parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rajasthan.
Cabinet clears 10 per cent ex-servicemen quota, expands drought relief
The Maharashtra Cabinet approved a 10 per cent quota for ex-servicemen in government jobs and a statewide fodder policy on Tuesday. CM Devendra Fadnavis also announced wider drought relief for farmers whose crops dried up despite missing technical drought triggers
Government to assess crop damage at mandal level, cover losses outside drought list: Fadnavis
As many as 265 of Maharashtra's 358 talukas, constituting around 74% of the State, have been declared drought-affected. The government has said crop-loss assessments will determine the financial assistance to affected farmers.
Govt to provide global job opportunities for youth: Maha CM
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 29 (IANS) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that to make the countrys youth employable, it is essential to integrate skill development, training and employment alongside education. He stressed that merely acquiring a degree is not enough, and with rapidly changing technologies such as AI, semiconductors and quantum computing, continuous upskilling is the need of the hour. He added that there is huge demand for human resources in over 28 countries worldwide, and the government is actively working to provide international employment opportunities to Maharashtras youth. He was speaking at the online inauguration of the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Maharojgar Melava across all districts of the Konkan and Nashik divisions. The event was organised by the Department of Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Womens University in Mumbai. During the event, the Chief Minister personally presented appointment letters to Sahida Parmanik and Kanti Shambhu Chavan, both hired by Crewa Capital Services Pvt. Ltd. CM Fadnavis said the job fair was organised under the Sewa Sankalp Abhiyan to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership. He said the fair would open up maximum employment and self-employment opportunities for youth in the Konkan and Nashik divisions. He said education, training and employment form the critical triad required to fulfil PM Modis vision of a Developed India (Viksit Bharat). He emphasised that human resource development through education, training and employment is the foundation for achieving a Developed India by 2047. To realise our dream of a poverty-free, unemployment-free and disease-free India, we must build our ecosystem on this three-pronged strategy. Today, 65 percent of the countrys population is an active youth workforce. While entrepreneurs need skilled human resources, young people need jobs. These job fairs serve as a robust bridge connecting both sides, he said. Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha stated that under the Chief Ministers guidance, initiatives are no longer limited to ITI students. At least three mini-job fairs are being organised in every taluka for youth from all educational backgrounds. He said the department provided seven days of free pre-employment training, benefiting 61,000 young men and women. With over 1,00,000 registrations for the fair, the department aims to connect at least 70 per cent of participants with job or self-employment opportunities. Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil said his department is working with the Skill Development Department to ensure employment avenues match the number of graduating students. Beyond job fairs, the initiative focuses on preparing candidates for interviews through soft skills, communication, personality development and management training. Minister Jaykumar Rawal highlighted Maharashtras position as a top investment destination in Asia and the countrys Startup Capital. He said the government is prepared to provide foreign language and skill training to youth seeking employment abroad. Additionally, under the Mobility project, Rs 2,500 crore is being invested in agriculture and marketing sectors to connect farmers children with industry and employment. Across 12 districts in the Konkan and Nashik divisions, over 1,500 employers and 1,00,000 job aspirants registered for the Maharojgar Kumbh. Employers posted requisitions for more than 25,000 vacancies. Candidate-employer matching was coordinated with local educational institutions, government ITIs, district administrations, MIDC, universities and industrial associations. To encourage womens participation, an exclusive job fair was organised at SNDT Womens University, with 36 companies recruiting women across sectors. State corporations also set up informational stalls to promote self-employment schemes.
Maharashtra Government Waives Exam Fees for Students in Drought-Affected Areas
The Maharashtra government has announced a waiver on exam fees for students in drought-affected regions to ease financial burdens. Maharashtra Government Waives Exam Fees for Students in Drought-Affected Areas
Asian Games: India clinch mixed 4x100m relay bronze, set national record
Digital Desk | Nagoya, Sep 29 (IANS) India signed off from the mixed 4x100m relay final at the Asian Games 2026 with a bronze medal and a new national record as Gurindervir Singh, Sneha Sathyanarayana, Animesh Kujur and Harita Bhadra combined to clock 41.06 seconds in Nagoya on Tuesday. The Indian quartet produced a season-best effort to finish third, improving the previous National Record of 41.35 seconds set by Ragul Kumar, Nithya Gandhe, Animesh and Sneha at the World Relays 2026 in Gaborone. China claimed the gold medal in 40.78 seconds, while Thailand finished second in 40.87 seconds. India crossed the line in 41.06 seconds, 0.28 seconds behind the champions. For Harita, the bronze marked her second medal of the Games after she had earlier secured bronze in the womens 200m final. Harita clocked 23.20 seconds to finish third in the 200m, becoming the first Indian woman since Dutee Chand in 2018 to win an Asian Games medal in the event. The 23-year-old Maharashtra sprinter had entered the Games after improving her personal best to 23.14 seconds at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships. Animesh, meanwhile, also finished fifth in the mens 200m final with a time of 20.80 seconds. The 22-year-old sprinter, who had won bronze and set a national record of 20.32 seconds at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships, has emerged as one of Indias leading short-distance runners. Gurindervir, Indias national record holder in the mens 100m, was another key member of the Indian quartet. He clocked 10.09 seconds in May this year to become the first Indian man to run the 100m under 10.10 seconds. Sneha, who specialises in the 100m and 4x100m relay, is also part of Indias senior relay setup. She was a member of the Indian womens 4x100m team that won gold at the 2026 Asian Relays Championships in China.
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 29: The Bharat Ethanol Forum 2026 concluded at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake on Tuesday. Organised by Phoenix Foundation and Tefla
Top Maharashtra poll official seeks more powers for EROs to handle voter discrepancies
An official in the State poll body said S. Chockalingam made the request to the Election Commission of India in a letter sent on September 24
Top Maharashtra poll official seeks more powers for EROs to handle voter discrepancies
An official in the State poll body said S. Chockalingam made the request to the Election Commission of India in a letter sent on September 24
Maharashtra to absorb former Agniveers in police, state forces without fresh exams
The first batch of Agniveers is completing its four-year tenure, with the state also considering additional posts if vacancies are insufficient
Uganda journalist set to become new king of Tooro Kingdom
The journalist is a prince who had long been employed as a broadcaster and editor with Uganda Broadcasting Corp. He picked the regnal name of Edward Rukidi Nyabongo. He performed rituals overnight, was ushered into the palace and will be formally unveiled to his followers later on Tuesday
Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam has requested modifications to the ECINet software for handling electoral roll anomalies. The proposal allows Electoral Registration Officers to exercise greater discretion regarding discrepancies in voter documentation. As part of the changes, personal hearings for voters can be waived when sufficient documents are submitted.
State recruitment exams: Candidates demand single test, fixed syllabus
Candidates seeking Maharashtra government jobs have urged an exam-reforms panel to introduce a single direct recruitment test, fix the syllabus and make written exams and interviews qualifying in nature
Maharashtra drought: State Govt waives technical norms to extend full relief to excluded farmers
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 29 (IANS) In a major move to mitigate the severe drought-like conditions across Maharashtra, the State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday announced that technical criteria will not prevent affected farmers from receiving government assistance. Addressing a press conference following the Cabinet meeting, CM Fadnavis said that the state will conduct on-ground physical inspections in talukas where crops have withered but failed to meet standard automated triggers due to unusual weather patterns. Farmers in these areas will now be granted full drought relief benefits as a special exemption. The decisions are expected to provide immediate financial and administrative relief to thousands of farmers who were initially left out of the state's drought declaration due to automated criteria. Specific guidelines detailing the distribution of financial aid and resources for these newly included regions are expected to be released in the coming days, informed the CM. Addressing an unusual weather cyclemarked by heavy rainfall during the initial two months followed by a total dry spellthe government noted that standard 'Trigger 1' parameters were not met in several areas. Physical crop damage assessments will now be conducted on the ground to ensure no affected farmer is left out, said the CM. He added that a dedicated drought mitigation sub-committee will meet regularly, with ministers directed to submit local proposals and feedback without delay. For districts excluded from the initial drought-hit list, officials have been instructed to apply alternate parameters and submit fresh relief proposals, informed the CM. According to the Chief Minister, the state will issue a transparent Government Resolution (GR) prioritising water usage, explicitly factoring in livestock water needs alongside drinking water before allocating supplies for other purposes. District Planning and Development Committees (DPDC) have been mandated to allocate maximum resources towards drought mitigation work. Guardian Ministers have been advised to take creative, localised action. In a direct relief measure for families in affected regions, Class 10 (SSC) and Class 12 (HSC) students will have their examination fees completely waived upfront, replacing the previous mechanism of fee collection and reimbursement, he said. The CM's announcement comes days after the Maharashtra government, through the Relief and Rehabilitation Department, on Saturday issued a Government Resolution declaring official drought conditions in 265 talukas of the total 358 talukas across the state following deficient monsoon rainfall during the 2026 Kharif season. The move comes after the implementation of Trigger-1 guidelines under the Drought Management Code 2016 and a report submitted by the Commissioner of Agriculture. District Collectors have been instructed to immediately initiate field assessments of crop loss across affected regions. The administration must collect geotagged photos with GPS coordinates of damaged farmlands and submit a comprehensive crop assessment report to the government through the Agriculture Commissioner. To support farmers, agricultural labourers, and affected rural populations, the state government has extended a 12-point relief and concessions package for the designated 265 talukas. The government has announced full waiver of land revenue for affected farmers, restructuring of existing agricultural loans, immediate stay on the recovery of all agriculture-related bank loans, exemption/concessions on current electricity bills for agricultural pumps above 7.5 HP capacity (up to 7.5 HP is already waived), waiver of examination fees for school and college students in the affected zones, relaxation of work norm criteria under the VB-G RAM G to maximise employment generation and deployment of water tankers wherever drinking water shortages occur. Further, the government has issued strict orders preventing the disconnection of agricultural pump power supplies in declared scarcity villages, implementation of targeted distribution systems to prevent food grain shortages for farmers and daily-wage agricultural workers, measures to ensure adequate supply and availability of fodder for cattle, immediate rollout of water conservation works in the affected belts and comprehensive planning for drinking and livestock water resources in accordance with government directives.
Tanishaa Mukerji calls Maharashtra state electricity board, a mafia
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 29 (IANS) Actress Tanishaa Mukerji has raised the issue of inflated electricity bills in Lonavala. On Tuesday, the actress took to her X, formerly Twitter, and penned a long note, as she expressed her anger at the Maharashtra state electricity board, and called them a mafia. She wrote, Maharashtra state electricity board in lonavala are behaving like mafia ! They are giving huge bills and forcing payment by cutting off electricity. She further mentioned, This is just criminal! Coming on a Saturday evening to cut off the electricity even if it is before the due date and just holding people hostage. @CMOMaharashtra @Dev_Fadnavis @myogiadityanath @AmitShah @TataPower pls come to lonavala ! There is no regulation. They are just doing whatever they want! #inhuman. Recent complaints over inflated electricity bills in Maharashtra have increasingly centred on the rollout of smart meters by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), popularly known as Mahavitaran. Consumers in Thane, Vasai-Virar, Palghar, Ulhasnagar and other areas have reported bills substantially higher than their previous consumption, with some alleging sudden spikes after meter replacement. In a recent case, a household in Nagpur received a bill of INR 1.44 lakh for 348 units. MSEDCL later acknowledged a meter-reading mismatch and revised the amount to about INR 13,800. MSEDCL maintains that smart meters do not inherently record higher consumption and says billing discrepancies can be investigated through meter testing. In Thane, the utility announced plans to install conventional check meters alongside 2025% of new smart meters and compare readings over two to three months. The authorities have also organised camps and technical teams to address the grievance and examine disputed bills and meters.
Maharashtra launches job fairs; youth to get global opportunities, says Fadnavis
CM Fadnavis said more than 28 countries around the world were facing a strong demand for manpower and stressed the need for young people to continuously upgrade their skills in line with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum computing
'Will ensure justice for your son,': Ramdas Athawale speaks to parents of IIT Bombay student
Chandukaka Saraf Enters Its 200th Year, Bringing a 200-Year Legacy Closer to Gen Z
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], September 29: For 200 years, jewellery has been part of Chandukaka Saraf's story. Today, the brand is looking at how the next generation wants to wear it.
Education, skills and jobs key to developed India by 2047: CM Fadnavis
Addressing the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Employment Mahakumbh in Mumbai, CM Fadnavis said the programme was organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, launched across Maharashtra to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing 25 years as the head of government
Top Maha poll official seeks more powers for EROs in SIR
Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer has formally requested the Election Commission to modify the ECINet software, seeking greater discretion for Electoral Registration Officers in addressing over 2 crore voter discrepancies.
Maharashtra clears 1.32 crore for 4 Lokayukta cars amid austerity calls
The Maharashtra government has approved 1.32 crore for the purchase of four luxury vehicles for members of the state Lokayukta.
Tanishaa Mukerji slams 'illegal' power cut at Lonavala home, urges for action
Tanishaa Mukerji slammed the Maharashtra State Electricity Board over an alleged power disconnection at her ancestral Lonavala property, claiming officials issued a hefty bill and disconnected electricity before the due date. She called the action criminal and sought government intervention
Pune: Fire breaks out at Bank of India building on busy Laxmi Road
A major fire broke out at the Bank of India building on busy Laxmi Road in Pune on Tuesday afternoon. Seven fire tenders were deployed to bring the blaze under control, while no casualties or injuries were reported so far
Mumbai train alert: 75-day CSMT block from October 1; 8 long-distance trains short-terminated
The Shares Grandfather Left Behind: How Forgotten Investments Are Becoming a New Business
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], September 28: It often starts with an old file pulled out while clearing a cupboard. Inside may be a share certificate bought by a father or grandfather
Antilia bomb scare: NIA court grants bail to former Mumbai cop Sachin Waze
Apraava Energy acquires Raigad transmission project SPV in Maharashtra
The project will involve 400 circuit kilometres of transmission lines and a pooling station, enabling reliable supply to pumped storage plants and evacuation of 3 GW of power
Fighting for electoral integrity: Thackeray brothers announce October 4 march against ECI
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 29 (IANS) In a bid to signal a unified front against the Election Commission of India (ECI), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday addressed a joint press conference to unveil the blueprint for a public protest march scheduled for October 4. The demonstration is directed against the ECI, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the body of functioning as an extension of the ruling party at the Centre and deceiving voters through the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Outlining the logistics and roadmap for the October 4 rally, Raj Thackeray announced that the protest is structured as a non-partisan movement representing the collective voice of citizens. Protesters will assemble at 10:00 a.m. at the Richardson & Cruddas premises in Byculla. The march will move from Byculla toward Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.. The march will terminate near the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters where a stage will be set up to convert the rally into a public meeting. We have been consistently raising concerns over EVM manipulation and electoral malpractices for years. Back in 201718, I met several political leaders regarding these issues. This march stands against the humiliation of voters and the subversion of our electoral integrity. Whatever we have to say, we will deliver directly from the stage on October 4, Raj Thackeray stated. Emphasising that the demonstration transcends individual party politics, the Thackeray cousin brothers laid down strict guidelines for participants. They said neither the MNS nor Shiv Sena (UBT) will carry party flags or banners. All marchers will carry exclusively the Indian National Flag to underscore the fight for democracy and the Constitution. Rather than sending formal letters, the leadership will personally place phone calls to all Opposition parties, inviting them to join the movement, said Raj Thackeray adding that leaders from ruling parties who oppose the poll panel's functioning are also welcome on stage. Responding to allegations from the BJP which claimed that the Opposition is manufacturing fabricated stories regarding CEC Gyanesh Kumar to blame the poll panel for political failures Raj Thackeray dismissed the ruling party's defence with a sharp Marathi idiom. If our protest is directed strictly at the Election Commission, why is the BJP feeling the heat? As the Marathi saying goes, 'Khai tyala khavkhave (guilty conscience needs no accuser)', he said. Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray said that there is no competition on who organises the protest march against the CEC and the malfunctioning of the poll panel. They were replying to a question on a nationwide protest organised by the Congress party on the issue. Raj Thackeray added that if residents of a housing society hold such a protest, it is welcome. The joint call for action follows a high-level meeting with Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam regarding irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Over the weekend, Raj Thackeray took to social media platform X to attack the poll panel, alleging that under CEC Gyanesh Kumar, the ECI has acted like a ranch office of the ruling establishment to perpetrate massive voter fraud. The upcoming October 4 demonstration marks a significant reunion of the Thackeray brothers on a shared political stage, setting the stage for a major political confrontation in Mumbai ahead of key electoral battles. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray announced his full support for the agitation by Cockroach Janata Party on October 2 in Mumbai against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Prozo has unveiled a new fulfilment centre in Bhiwandi, bolstering its presence in Maharashtra. The facility, which covers 1.1 lakh sq. ft., is strategically located to support logistics along vital corridors.
