Articles by Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Monsoon leaves state with drought-like situation
The end of the monsoon season in India has left the state of Maharashtra facing a water deficit of around 26%, with the drought-prone region of Marathwada having the lowest water availability. The insufficient rainfall has led to over 2,300 villages and hamlets being supplied with potable water through tankers, a number that is expected to increase in the coming months. The deficit in water availability is also affecting hydro power generation in the state.
Updated on Oct 02, 2023 06:54 AM IST
NCP leader Rohit Pawar alleges political vendetta in MPCB action against his factory
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board shuts down NCP MLA Rohit Pawar's factory for violating environmental rules, but high court grants relief until October 6.
Updated on Sep 30, 2023 09:16 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha, Mumbai
Speaker cancels Ghana tour after Raut slams him for delaying disqualification hearing
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar cancels his visit to Ghana for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference following criticism by Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut. Raut accused Narwekar of delaying the hearing of Sena MLAs disqualification pleas. The Shiv Sena plans to object to Narwekar's schedule of procedure and will highlight his Ghana tour in their submission to the Supreme Court. Narwekar's office confirmed the cancellation of the Ghana tour.
Updated on Sep 30, 2023 08:02 AM IST
Is smart meter a smart step? Experts disagree
Experts question Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company's plan to install 2.5 crore smart prepaid electricity meters at a cost of INR 26,921 crore. They argue that the expenditure will be recovered from consumers through a tariff hike. Additionally, power experts raise concerns over the company's claims of reduced losses and improved supply. Electricity worker unions suggest that the project is part of a privatization bid in the distribution sector, with the potential loss of jobs for thousands of employees.
Updated on Sep 28, 2023 08:08 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha, Mumbai
No entry in Mantralaya with more than ₹10k cash
A 30-point order was released containing various measures to be undertaken to upgrade the security and restrict unnecessary crowds in Mantralaya.One of them being there will be no entry for visitors in Mantralaya carrying more than ₹10,000 cash
Updated on Sep 27, 2023 09:12 AM IST
Disqualification petitions: Speaker bats for ‘natural course of justice’
Sena (UBT) had petitioned for the disqualification soon after Shinde had defected from the party along with 40 MLAs in June 2022, while the Shinde camp had petitioned to the speaker for the disqualification of Sena (UBT) during the speaker’s election when UBT had fielded its candidate Rajan Salvi against Narwekar
Published on Sep 26, 2023 12:36 AM IST
GST officials seize assets worth ₹19 crore from Pankaja Munde’s sugar factory
In April, GST officials visited the factory, indicating the beginning of the action. GST action on the Vaidyanath factory came as a surprise and also a political message in Beed as Munde is a senior leader and former minister of the BJP
Published on Sep 26, 2023 12:33 AM IST
Following SC directives, Speaker to hold hearing of disqualification plea of Sena MLAs on Monday
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has scheduled a hearing on Monday, following a Supreme Court directive, for the disqualification petitions against chief minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena MLAs. The Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in conducting the hearing and ordered Narwekar to open disqualification proceedings within a week.
Updated on Sep 25, 2023 12:34 AM IST
Infighting again? Govt stays order of women empowerment scheme within 24 hours
“The scheme – which aims to grant financial assistance to one crore women – was started by the women and child development department that is with the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the coalition government. However, the chief minister’s office (CMO) wants to have complete control of the scheme as it has its own political benefits,” they said
Published on Sep 22, 2023 12:31 AM IST
Adani forms SPV for Dharavi redevelopment project
Adani Properties has formed a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project in Mumbai. The SPV will prepare a master plan for the redevelopment of the slum. The government will appoint its representative on the SPV.
Updated on Sep 21, 2023 01:05 AM IST
VHP to hold yatra in Maharashtra, Goa
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad will hold the 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shaurya Jan Jagran Yatra' in Maharashtra and Goa from September 30 to October 15 to reach out to youths, marking the 60 years of its foundation. The yatra aims to create awareness about the bravery of Hindu society and establish an emotional connection with the local people.
Updated on Sep 16, 2023 11:36 PM IST
Aaditya Thackeray starts tour of drought-affected areas to meet farmers
He began his tour on Friday along with leader of opposition in council Ambadas Danve, former MP Chandrakant Khaire etc from Nipani village in Paithan tehsil. Farmers showed him the field and crops dried due to dry spell and informed him about the crops loss
Published on Sep 16, 2023 12:17 AM IST
Disqualification hearing: Speaker gives 2 weeks’ time to both camps for exchange of documents
Assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar has given both factions of Shiv Sena two weeks to exchange documents in the hearing on the disqualification of MLAs. The Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized the decision, accusing it of being a deliberate move to delay the proceedings. The split in Shiv Sena last year led to petitions for disqualification of 39 MLAs by the Uddhav Thackeray faction and 14 MLAs by the Shinde faction. The speaker has granted the two factions two weeks' time to exchange documents. The hearing began after a four-month delay following a Supreme Court ruling.
Updated on Sep 15, 2023 12:58 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha, Mumbai
Threat of drought looms large as water levels in Maha dams down by 20%
Maharashtra is facing a drought-like situation as the monsoon deficit widens due to a prolonged dry spell. Water levels in the state's dams are down 20% compared to last year, and 194 out of 358 tehsils are facing drought. The state agriculture minister has indicated that if the dry spell continues, the government will declare a drought on a district-wise basis. The lack of rainfall has also affected crop production, with decreases expected in pearl millet, sorghum, soybean, cotton, and groundnut.
Updated on Sep 14, 2023 12:11 AM IST
State’s move to outsource 75,000 jobs kicks up a row
The Maharashtra government's decision to outsource 75,000 jobs to private agencies has drawn criticism from unions and opposition parties, who claim it will end job security and reservation in government jobs. The companies will receive a 15% commission on each post filled. The opposition alleges that the move is part of a scam, allowing private companies to earn billions of rupees in commissions.
Updated on Sep 14, 2023 12:11 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha, Mumbai
Pune outfit plans Ganesh decoration contest to promote ideology of Savarkar; CM supports it
Pune-based organisation Har Ghar Savarkar Samiti has announced a Ganesh decoration competition based on the life of V D Savarkar across Maharashtra. The competition is being organised in collaboration with the Maharashtra government and offers prizes worth ₹15 lakh. This comes after controversy erupted over criticism of Savarkar by Congress leaders.
Updated on Sep 13, 2023 12:42 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha, Mumbai
Shiv Sena (UBT) left out of all-party meet
Bitterness between Sena factions seen at Maratha reservation meeting as Thackeray faction left out. Opposition leader criticizes government's discrimination.
Updated on Sep 12, 2023 12:23 AM IST
PM Modi fears INDIA alliance, so changing name of country : Uddhav
Slamming the BJP and the RSS, Thackeray said that both are “stealing leaders from other parties.” He said, “BJP and RSS failed to create iconic personalities and that’s why they steal leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Now, they are stealing my father to get votes in Maharashtra”
Published on Sep 11, 2023 12:39 AM IST
Thackeray faction expresses displeasure on Udhayanidhi’s remark on ‘Sanatan Dharma’
Disagreement arises between Shiv Sena and DMK over Udhayanidhi Stalin's remark on 'Sanatan Dharma', with Shiv Sena expressing displeasure.
Updated on Sep 08, 2023 12:50 AM IST
Vote-seeking leaders turn Dahi Handi into political battlefield
Political leaders in Mumbai and Thane used the religious festival of Dahi Handi as a platform to woo young voters ahead of the elections. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, and Shiv Sena's Aaditya Thackeray visited various Dahi Handi sites, delivering speeches that included party propaganda and religious chants. The events were organized on a grand scale by both the ruling and opposition alliances.
Updated on Sep 08, 2023 12:30 AM IST
Parties all set for Dahi Handi slugfest
Ahead of elections, the celebrations will be marked by grand shows and big cash prizes for Govindas.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has organised Dahi Handi across Mumbai and MMR on a massive scale, but the tussle on ground will be between the Chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT)
Updated on Sep 07, 2023 12:11 AM IST
State stares at water crisis as it logs 18% rain deficit; 18 districts affected
Mumbai is facing a severe water crisis as the region has experienced a 18.4% deficit of rain in the last three months, impacting water reserves. 1955 villages and hamlets are facing a shortage of drinking water, with the government deploying 406 tankers to supply potable water. The water storage in dams is also low, with only 64.75% of capacity compared to 84.84% last year. The rain deficit has also affected crops in one third of the state, leading to farmers losing a significant portion of their produce.
Updated on Sep 06, 2023 01:01 AM IST
Who is Manoj Jarange-Patil, at the centre of the Maratha agitation?
Jarange-Patil, who originally hails from the adjoining Beed district, settled in Shahgad in Jalna district after marriage, as he perceived more stability there. He joined the movement for reservations for the Maratha community in government jobs and education about 15 years ago
Updated on Sep 05, 2023 12:43 AM IST
Fadnavis apologises for lathi charge on activists
Deputy CM Fadnavis apologized to Maratha activists for police lathi charge as CM Shinde announced a panel to consider their demand for reservation benefits.
Updated on Sep 05, 2023 01:40 AM IST
INDIA alliance will finish dictatorial regime of BJP: Uddhav Thackeray
Thackeray urged workers to go to the public and hold interaction on the failure of the Modi government on pressing issues like gas-fuel price hikes, inflation, unemployment, poor implementation of government schemes etc
Updated on Sep 03, 2023 12:21 AM IST
Maharashtra nucleus of Congress, strengthen party here: RaGa
While slamming Modi’s slogan of ‘Congress Mukt Bharat’, Gandhi said, “The British, who were the superpower of that time, could not finish Congress, then how can PM Modi do it? Congress defeated the British and was thrown out of India,” he said, adding that Maharashtra is the nucleus of the Congress
Updated on Sep 02, 2023 12:34 AM IST
State sets up Anti-Narcotics Task Force
The Maharashtra government has established an Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) to combat the rising drug trade in the state. The task force will be headed by a Special Inspector General of Police and will take action against drug peddlers and smugglers, as well as work towards rehabilitating victims and spreading awareness about narcotics. The ANTF will submit a monthly report to the director general of police.
Updated on Sep 01, 2023 12:38 AM IST
NITI Aayog proposal is a conspiracy to separate Mumbai from Maha, says MVA
Controversy erupts over NITI Aayog's proposal for economic development of Mumbai; opposition parties claim it is an attempt to control Mumbai from Delhi and separate it from Maharashtra.
Updated on Aug 31, 2023 12:39 AM IST
Project-affected farmers jump on Mantralaya safety mesh to press demands
The farmers were seeking fair compensation for their land taken over by the state government decades ago for the Upper Wardha irrigation project in Vidarbha region. Their sudden jump into the mesh and the subsequent raising of slogans against the government caught everyone unawares
Updated on Aug 30, 2023 12:54 AM IST
Shinde holds infra meet to show Ajit who’s boss
chief minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday asserted his authority by holding a review of infrastructure projects with his two deputy CMs sitting right next to him.In the ‘war room’ meeting, Shinde issued a host of directives to the administration on completing various ongoing projects and working out solutions to other issues.
Updated on Aug 30, 2023 12:45 AM IST