Maha govt to sponsor some non-official events to boost tourism

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January 1, 2019

The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday cleared a proposal to provide government sponsorship to non-official events related to exhibitions, art, culture and cinema to boost tourism.

An official in the Chief Minister’s office said since tourism has immense employment potential, coordination was being done with private sector to tap prospects.

Several private organisations hold exhibitions, conferences related to literature, cinema and theatre and the government had decided to provide sponsorship to these events on certain terms and conditions, he said.

Accordingly, a Rs 12 crore fund has been set aside for annual expenditure for this purpose, the official said.

NCP slams Sena Minister’s comment on Ahmednagar mayoral poll

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January 1, 2019

The NCP Tuesday termed Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra minister Ramdas Kadam’s comment on NCP corporators supporting the BJP in the Ahmednagar mayoral poll as inappropriate.

BJP’s Babasaheb Wakale was elected Ahmednagar mayor after polling 37 votes despite the party having just 14 seats in the 68-member civic body as 18 NCP corporators, four from the Bahujan Samaj Party and one Independent voted for him.

The Shiv Sena is the largest party in the civic body with 24 seats.

The five Congress corporators in the civic body had abstained from voting.

Kadam had earlier called the BJP-NCP ‘tie-up’ in the mayoral poll as an “illicit” one.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, “Shiv Sena should mind its own business rather than making inappropriate. comments against us and our ties with the BJP. Instead, the Shiv Sena should be bothered about its own ties with the BJP.”

Malik said NCP has already issued a show cause notice to the 18 corporators who defied party whip in the Ahmedanagr civic body.

“Despite being told not to support the Shiv Sena and BJP, the local (NCP) leadership took a decision which was against the state leadership directive. Action will be taken against them,” Malik said.

Amid security, 201st anniversary of Bima Koregaon observed at ‘Vijay Stambh’

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January 1, 2019

Over hundreds of people on Tuesday visited the Vijay Stambh (War Memorial) near Perne village here to mark the 201st anniversary of the Bima-Koregaon battle.

Amidst heavy security, an event was organised at midnight to commemorate 201 years of the battle. Thousands of visitors paid their tribute at the memorial and a special ‘puja’ was also organised during the night.

The visitors paid their respects at the Victory Pillar which was decked up with colorful lights and flowers.

In the battle, which was fought between the British East India Company, containing Dalits in its infantry, and the Peshwas, who were upper-caste Brahmins, at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818, the Marathas ultimately withdrew. Since then, members of different communities have been viewing it as a symbolic victory for themselves.

On the 200th celebrations of the same, violence spilled over to adjoining parts of Maharashtra after clashes broke out between the Dalits and alleged right-wing groups on January 1, during the bicentenary celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle.

The right-wing groups were objecting to the observance of ‘Victory Day’ since they considered it as an anti-national celebration. Also, both RSS and BJP were being accused of instigating the violence by opposition leaders.

Maha govt to stand guarantor for Central loans worth Rs 325 cr

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January 1, 2019

The Maharashtra government will stand guarantor for loans worth Rs 325 crore extended by Central agencies to four corporations under the state Social Justice department.

The decision was approved by the cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday.

An official in the Chief Minister’s office said the state government will stand guarantor for a Rs 135 crore loan given by the National Scheduled Caste Finance Development Corporation to the state-run Mahatma Phule Backward Class Development Corporation.

It will similarly guarantee two loans, of Rs 70 crore each, extended to Maharashtra Handicap Finance and Development Corporation and the Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Development Corporation respectively.

A Rs 50 crore loan given to the Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation will also get a state government guarantee.

The official said the decisions were taken in view of the demands of these corporations, adding that the state would intervene in case they failed to repay the loans.

The decision will benefit people in the leather industry and help the handicapped and deprived sections of the society to avail loans as well as boost implementation of various schemes for social justice.

A state government release said this decision would help expedite 19,224 proposals which are being looked into by these corporations.

In another move, the cabinet approved a three-month local body tax amnesty scheme for 27 villages included in the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) limits.

As part of the scheme, if the original tax is paid, the interest and penalty will be waived off, a release said.

A CMO functionary said an amnesty scheme implemented for these 27 villages between June 3 and August 31 in 2015 did not benefit them much.

Mumbai Police registers 455 cases of drunk driving on New Year Day

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January 1, 2019

Mumbai police have registered at least 455 cases of drunk driving in the early hours of the New Year Day on January 1, an official said on Tuesday. As per a report compiled by the traffic police till 6 AM, at least 455 drivers were found driving drunk.

Action like imposition of fine and compounding of driving licenses has been taken against them, the official said. A large number of police personnel manned various parts of the megapolis to ensure smooth conduct of celebrations to ring in 2019, and to prevent rash driving.

Till December 31 midnight, police had caught 1,533 drivers, and 76 of them were found positive in a breath analyser test, the official said. “During the early hours of the New Year day, at least 455 drivers were found positive in the drunk driving test,” he said, adding that further action will be taken against them as per orders of court.

Maha politicos hail Kader Khan as cinematic legend, brilliant

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January 1, 2019

Politicians in Maharashtra on Tuesday remembered Bollywood actor-writer Kader Khan as a “cinematic legend” who made lakhs of people laugh through his silver screen performances and dialogues.

Khan, 81, who was best known for penning some of the most powerful dialogues and comic timing as an actor, died on December 31 due to prolonged illness in Canada.

Maharashtra Culture Minister Vinod Tawde said an “era of brilliance” in Indian cinema has come to end with the passing away of Khan. “My condolences are with his family and loved ones,” he said.

Former chief minister and state Congress unit president Ashok Chavan said he was deeply saddened by Khan’s demise.

“My heartfelt condolences. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

Maharashtra Congress twitted: “Kader Khan will be remembered for being the reason behind limitless laughter through his brilliant comedy”.

Mumbai Congress leaders have also condoled Khan’s demise.

“We are saddened by the passing away of veteran actor-writer Kader Khan who made his debut in 1973 and has featured in over 300 films. He wrote dialogues of over 250 movies. Our thoughts and prayers with his family and followers at this hour of grief,” the Mumbai Congress twitted.

Former Mumbai University (MU) Vice-Chancellor and Congress leader Bhalchandra Mungekar also mourned Khan’s death.

Man held with ganja in Thane

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January 1, 2019

A 29-year-old man has been arrested from Thane in Maharashtra with ganja worth Rs 3 lakh which was meant to be sold to New Year revellers, police said on Tuesday.

Ganja weighing 9.700 kgs was seized from possession of one Arun Kumar Chourasia near Bethany Hospital in Shastri Nagar, a police officer said.

A case has been registered under provisions of the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, he said

Woman delivers twins in Palghar railway station waiting room

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January 1, 2019

New Year Day brought in a huge pleasure, though in a small size, in the life of Chhaya Savra as she delivered twins in a waiting room at Palghar station in Maharashtra on Tuesday, officials said.

Savra and her newborn son and daughter are doing fine.

A police official said, the woman went into labour this morning when she was travelling in a suburban train for Dahanu along with her husband and mother-in-law.

As the train reached Palghar railway station, Savra was taken to the first class waiting room and doctors were informed, he said.

Dr. Rajendra Chavan of Kanta Hospital assisted in the delivery along with Dr Umesh Dhumpalwar.

Dr. Chavan said that the girl was born first.

The infants weighed around 2.50 kg at the time of delivery, he said.

Savra and the infants remain admitted at Palghar rural hospital, he said.

Man sets teenage daughter ablaze over ‘phone addiction’; held

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January 1, 2019

A teenage girl from Palghar district in Maharashtra is battling for her life in Mumbai’s JJ Hospital after she was allegedly set on fire by her 40-year-old father at their house, police said on Tuesday.

The accused was apparently angry with his daughter for being continuously hooked to her mobile phone.

The 16-year-old victim suffered 70 per cent burn injuries in the incident and is currently undergoing treatment at JJ Hospital, a police official said.

Following an argument with his daughter, the accused Mohamad Mansuri doused her in kerosene and set her ablaze, he said, adding that other members of the family were away from the house when the incident occurred.

The girl was rushed to hospital by her neighbours, he said.

Mansuri has been arrested and booked for murder under section 307 of the Mohamad Mansuri (IPC).

Bumrah is nightmare to face but Pujara’s runs made vital difference’

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January 1, 2019

Former Australia cricketer Brad Hodge called Jasprit Bumrah “a nightmare to face” in an enormous compliment but picked Cheteshwar Pujara’s runs at number three as the vital difference between the two sides.

The final Test starts here on January 3, with India leading the four-match series 2-1.

“Pujara has been the difference between the two sides. Both bowling units have looked strong. Barring the first session in Perth (where Australia scored 112-0), and Mayank Agarwal in Melbourne, all four openers have struggled,” Hodge told agencies.

“So, the number three position where Pujara has dominated, has been of importance. Not only has he not lost his wicket cheaply, but he has also taken time out of the game.”

India regained the lead with a 137-run win in the third Test Melbourne, with Pujara scoring a hundred in the first innings.

“He also negated Nathan Lyon who bowled extremely well in Adelaide and Perth. So Pujara’s importance cannot be ignored. He was left out of the first Test in England, and came back into contention.

“He has not been playing T20 cricket, and instead went to play for Yorkshire. He does the hard work and is getting rewards.”

The former Kings XI Punjab coach was full of praise for the Indian pace-attack, in particular Bumrah.

“Bumrah is a nightmare to face. If you ask any batsman, he is one of the most dangerous bowlers to face. He is quick, very accurate and moves the ball both ways, which is what you want from a Test match bowler. His economy and strike-rates in Test cricket are already comparing to those for Kapil Dev, who is legendary in Indian cricket. So to be in that category within 12 months is amazing.

The Indian attack has looked strong ever since they have arrived here. They have performed and backed up their captain well. Bumrah and Ishant Sharma, in particular, have looked in shape,” he added.

Hodge said that the Australian batsmen have let themselves down with a lack of Test cricket temperament and application. Even so, he added that the selectors have no option but to stick with the same combination.