Uddhav attacks BJP, says Central govt doesn’t need friends

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October 21, 2018

In the first of his statewide rallies, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday made a veiled attack on the BJP by claiming that the ruling dispensation at the Centre “did not need political alliances”.

Thackeray on Sunday addressed public meetings at Shirdi and Ahmednagar.

“When Atal ji’s (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) government was there (at the Centre), it had the support of many political friends. (However), the current government does not need any political alliances,” he said.

In another swipe at the Union government, of which his party is a constituent, Thackeray asked people to find out the veracity of claims made in the speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I am asking party workers to find out how many people really benefited from the schemes of the BJP-led Central government. You should put up a poster of your findings next to that of PM Modi and let people decide,” Thackeray told the gathering.

He targeted the BJP for “spreading lies” and raising the issue of construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya for electoral gains.

Speaking at a rally in Shirdi, Thackeray also addressed the frequent criticism of the Sena for hanging on to power (at the Centre and in Maharashtra) despite differences with the BJP.

“I am in power to get those things done that would benefit people. I am not one who will wag his tail in front of power. I am not hankering for power,” Thackeray said.

In an apparent reference to the BJP, Thackeray said that “attaining power by spreading lies is sedition”.

Training his guns on the Devendra Fadnavis government in the state, Thackeray said that its farm loan waiver scheme was a fraud and fiasco.

“If farmers have not benefited from the loan waiver, then we should speak about it,” he said.

Thackeray confirmed that sitting Lok Sabha MP from Shirdi constituency, Sadashiv Lokhande, would be renominated for the 2019 general elections.

JNPT plans acquisition of three ports in state

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Afternoon Voice

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October 21, 2018

Country’s largest container port JNPT is mulling to acquire three ports in Maharashtra, as it targets to more than double its profits. The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) is also going ahead with its efforts to develop an offshore port at Wadhawan, north of the financial capital.

Union Shipping and Ports Minister Nitin Gadkari told agencies that the JNPT, which handles more than half of the overall container traffic, is looking to acquire Vijaydurg, Revas and Dighi ports. It can be noted that of the three, only Dighi is an operational port while the other two are concessions held by corporations with little or no development on the ground.

Gadkari said the Revas port, where the concession is held by Reliance Industries, is “in problem” and a solution will have to be found in co-ordination with the Maharashtra government. The minister also said that the port is in talks to acquire Vijay Kalantri-promoted Dighi Port in Raigad district, which is facing financial trouble and has been undergoing resolution in insolvency courts. According to reports, the Dighi Port owes over Rs 1,600 crore to a consortium of banks led by the Bank of India.

While Gadkari did not elaborate on the Vijaydurg port buy, it can be noted that the port for which concession is held by BJP MP Rajeev Chandrashekhar promoted Jupiter Capital will act as the home port for the proposed mega refinery at Nanar, to be built by state-run oil marketing companies. Asked if JNPT will be given budgetary support for the acquisitions, Gadkari said money is not an issue and the port, located off the financial capital, has enough reserves as it makes Rs 1,400 crore profits a year.

Gadkari said there are “environmental and political” issues with regard to the greenfield Wadhawan port development but added that the ministry is still going ahead with it. Meanwhile, JNPT’s acting chairman Neeraj Bansal said the port is targeting to more than double its profits to Rs 3,000 crore in the next seven years and will take it up to Rs 2,000 crore in the next three years. Without elaborating, he said a detailed plan has been prepared to achieve the profit growth.

Shiv Sena not serious about Ayodhya temple matter: Ashok Chavan

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Afternoon Voice

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October 21, 2018

Former chief minister of Maharashtra and Congress leader Ashok Chavan has criticised the Shiv Sena for not being serious about the Ayodhya temple matter, adding that the name of the temple is being taken as the 2019 general elections are inching closer.

Reacting on Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s upcoming visit to Ayodhya, Chavan told agencies, “Uddhav Thackeray is giving new statements every other day. The Shiv Sena has never been serious on Ayodhya matter. Ayodhya name is being taken again and again because elections are approaching.”

Upset with the delay in the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Thackeray, on October 18, announced that he would visit the city on November 25.

“We warn everyone who thinks that Hindutva has died. We are still alive. We are saddened that Ram Temple has not been constructed yet. I will visit Ayodhya on November 25,” Thackeray had said.

Meanwhile, the Congress leader also responded to senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut’s recent remark that the Supreme Court cannot solve the Ram Temple issue because it is a matter of faith.

Chavan said, “Our country functions on the basis of the Constitution. Whatever decision will be taken by courts will be followed by the entire nation.”

The long-standing Ram Mandir matter is pending before the Supreme Court for its final resolution. The matter will next be heard on October 29.

Earlier, the court had asked the stakeholders of the issue to resolve the matter amicably out of the court.

The Babri Masjid, built by Mughal emperor Babur in Ayodhya in 1528, was, on December 6, 1992, pulled down allegedly by a group of Hindu activists, claiming that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a Ram Temple that originally stood there.

Shirdi Saibaba Temple receives donations worth Rs 5.97 cr

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Afternoon Voice

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October 21, 2018

The Saibaba Temple in Shirdi has received donations worth Rs 5.97 crore in three days during the centenary edition of the Saibaba Samadhi festival.

Last year, the Samadhi festival had seen devotees donating as much as Rs 4.71 crore.

Saibaba is believed to have taken samadhi in Shirdi in the year 1918. Every year, a festival is observed for three days on the auspicious occasion of Vijaya Dashmi, with lakhs of pilgrims from India and abroad gathering in the city for the festival.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived on Friday for the last day of the festival. The Prime Minister had paid his respects at the Samadhi Temple before taking part in the rituals at the sanctum sanctorum of the Saibaba Samadhi Temple Complex.

Banned plastic seized from Chakan industrial unit

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Afternoon Voice

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October 21, 2018

A huge cache of banned plastic was seized from an industrial unit in Chakan in Pune district on Saturday night, thanks to the alertness shown by state Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam.

The minister spotted a tempo carrying some plastic material while he was on his way to Ahmednagar district, a Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) official said.

“While the minister was on his way to Ahmednagar district, he spotted a tempo carrying some plastic material and upon enquiring with the driver it was revealed that the material belonged to a packaging firm in Chakan,” said the official.

The tempo driver led the minister and the officials accompanying him to the godown in the industrial town, located over 40 kms away from Pune.

Officials from Revenue as well as MPCB were summoned at the spot at the behest of the minister, he said.

We have seized around 200 tonnes of raw material (used in the manufacture of packaging products such as bubble sheets, granules etc) and 26 tonnes of finished products at the unit. After conducting the panchnana, the seized material has been handed over to MPCB for further action,” said Suchitra Amale, tehsildar of Khed region.

The MPCB is calculating the value of the seizure, she added.

The state government in March this year announced ban on the manufacture, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials, such as one-time-use bags, spoons, plates, PET and PETE bottles and thermocol items.

The government started enforcing the ban on a variety of plastic items from June 23.

Interstate ‘tourist vehicle’ racket busted in Thane

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Afternoon Voice

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October 21, 2018

A man has been arrested for allegedly taking cars from people to deploy them in the tourist circuit and then selling them in other states with forged documents, Thane police said on Sunday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Wagle Estate division, P R Nilewad said on Sunday that accused Ashfaque Noor Ahmed Siddiqui has several such cases against his name.

He was in the custody of Dahisar police in Mumbai when Thane police, while investigating one such complaint by a local resident, zeroed in on Siddiqui, he said.

His interrogation revealed that the modus operandi is to take cars from people for deployment as tourist vehicles after promising them good returns.

He said that Siddiqui and his associates would stop contact with the victim once the car and its papers were handed over.

They would then forge documents, change registration numbers as well as the colour of the vehicles and sell them in states like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Siddiqui has allegedly stolen vehicles in this manner from Mumbra in Thane and Mulund in neighbouring Mumbai, the official said.

Four vehicles worth Rs 22.72 lakh have been recovered and further probe into the interstate gang was underway, he added.

Strikers should make quick decisions: Indian hockey coach

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Afternoon Voice

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October 21, 2018

Despite registering a convincing 3-1 victory over Pakistan in the Asian Champions Trophy on Saturday, Indian men’s hockey team chief coach Harendra Singh has said that the strikers need to sharpen up and make decisions efficiently.

Complimenting his team’s performance, Harendra said that the squad deserves full credit, but he was concerned with the finishing as the men took too much time in making decisions.

“I am proud of the manner in which the Indian team staged a comeback. They deserve full credit, but I remain concerned with our finishing,” Harendra said.

“We missed a few chances. We are taking too much time to make decisions. That’s where we need to sharpen up. Any team can score early, but what mattered is how our team came back from the early reversal,” he added.

Skipper Manpreet Singh, who was adjudged ‘the Player of the Match’, said that the team needs to guard against giving away easy opportunities to the rivals.

“Despite playing a good match, there are many things we need to do. We need to guard against conceding easy chances. I do not think we should have conceded that early goal,” Manpreet said.

Pakistan got a penalty corner in the 35th second of the match and capitalised on it to surge ahead. Aleem Bilal’s penalty corner shot was blocked by Indian goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, but Muhammad Irfan Jr. picked up the rebound to shoot home.

India went all out to look for an equaliser, but the opposition packed the defence to keep the strikers at bay until Manpreet scored a fine field goal to equalise in the 24th minute. Mandeep Singh (31st minute) and Dilpreet Singh (42nd minute) scored field goals to seal India’s victory in the six-nation competition’s showpiece fixture of the preliminary league.

“We fell back too much. Any team that is allowed to attack to that extent will get chances. We made it easy for India by withdrawing too much,” Sardar said.

“It was in the second half that we also came out and attacked. In this game, we were good in parts and disorganised in some other parts. From the chances we created, we should have scored two goals.We can play a lot better. We look forward to a more organised game in our next outing,” he added.

Ongoing series against Windies will be crucial for Dhoni: Ganguly

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Afternoon Voice

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October 21, 2018

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Sunday backed struggling Mahendra Singh Dhoni to do well in the World Cup and said the ongoing series against West Indies would be crucial for the veteran stumper looking forward to next year’s showpiece event.

A colossus in ODI cricket, of late Dhoni is struggling with his batting and his scores have dwindled in the last few years.

Starting with the five-match ODI series against West Indies here, India have 18-odd matches left for the World Cup and the think-tank has brought in dashing Delhi wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant in the mix to spice up the scenario.

“I don’t know what combination they are thinking at. But I’m sure he (Dhoni) will do well in the World Cup. It’s (against West Indies) big series for him,” Ganguly told agencies at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium while watching the ODI with Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi.

In the Asia Cup, Dhoni batted four times, scoring 77 runs with an average of 19.25 and a strike rate of 62.09.

Overall in 2018, he has batted 10 times in 15 matches, for an average of 28.12 and a strike rate of 67.36.

Dhoni has an unimpressive record in the seaming conditions of England where he is yet to score a century from 20 ODIs, and averages 38.06, a sharp drop from his career average of 50.61.

“His overall record is very good,” Ganguly pointed out.

“It all depends how the players perform going ahead to the World Cup. It’s about scoring runs. That’s why Pant has been given a chance,” he added.

“India are a good ODI side. This World Cup will be worth watching. All teams play all and the best four go. It will be a competitive one,” Ganguly said.

PM holds constitutional post but talks of politics 24/7: Singhvi

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Afternoon Voice

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October 21, 2018

Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Sunday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he talks of politics 24/7 and keeps on blaming others despite holding a constitutional post.

“Prime Minister holds a constitutional post and talks about politics 24/7 and blames others. Was it right for him to talk about that on an auspicious day like today?” Singhvi said in a press conference on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day.

Singhvi continued, “He sometimes drags Netaji into politics, sometimes he drags Sardar Patel. Is it befitting of a PM?”

The Congress leader’s reaction came after Prime Minister Modi questioned as to why it took 70 years to build the memorial and accused the grand old party of “setting up dust on the stone laid by senior BJP leader LK Advani.”

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister had launched an attack on Rahul Gandhi led-Congress party for not paying tribute to the policemen who sacrificed their lives by failing to construct the long pending police memorial while in power for decades.

“Today, I am proud of the National Police Memorial, but there are some questions too. After all, why did this memorial took 70 years since independence to come into existence? I believe that due some reasons this work was stopped for few years, but if the previous government had a desire, if they had tried diligently, then the memorial would have been built many years ago. But the earlier government had set up dust on the stone laid by Advani ji,” the Prime Minister had said.

Singhvi further said that the BJP and its ‘parivaar’ had no role in the independence movement.

“Like a fish outside water, this government and Prime Minister are desperately trying to appropriate a national legacy, the legacy of the independence movement, where he knows that BJP and all elements of its so-called ‘parivaar’ were bereft of any locus and had absolutely no role play,” the Congress leader said.

Amritsar mishap: Punjab CM seeks victims’ socioeconomic profile for extending help

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Afternoon Voice

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October 21, 2018

To ensure speedy, need-based solution for the rehabilitation of those affected by the recent Amritsar train mishap, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday directed the city’s top brass to make a detailed socio-economic profile of the victims.

The Chief Minister on Saturday had met some of the survivors of the accident in the hospitals on Saturday, including two young women, who have lost their entire families, including children and husbands, and in one case even her in-laws.

The Congress party-led Punjab government has come under heavy criticism for failing to dissuade organisers from erecting Ravana’s effigy near railway tracks, which ultimately led to several spectators crushed under the speeding train.

The Chief Minister has directed Chief Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar that the government will have to do more than just give Rs 5 lakhs to the victims.

The state government has also directed the Child Protective Services (CPS) that a proper system is needed t to ensure that such survivors are rehabilitated at the earliest as most of the victims are from the economically weaker section of the society.