Mumbai, Maharashtra News Highlights:Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday led the protests against the controversial Metro 3 car shed site near the picnic point in Aarey forest. “This is a fight for Mumbai, fight for life. We fought for forest and to protect our tribals. When we were here no trees were uprooted. Cars go for maintenance once every 3-4 months, not every night,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
In other news, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took part in the annual puja of Lord Vitthal on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi on Sunday. The chief minister and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis met PM Modi on Saturday. Days after clearing the floor test to prove their government’s majority Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis travelled to New Delhi on Friday for a meeting with Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah.
Meanwhile, amid allegations against the BJP of toppling governments to gain power, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde lavished praise on his new-found ally on Saturday for giving the top post in the state to a “small worker” like him. “The BJP has 115 MLAs and people had expected a BJP chief minister in Maharashtra. People used to say that the BJP breaks other parties to come to power. I have 50 MLAs. Can people now say the same thing about the BJP? They cannot. A small worker like me has got a chance to be the chief minister,” Shinde told reporters on Saturday.
Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar on Sunday said the newly-formed Eknath Shinde-led state government’s decision to stay disbursement of funds and implementation of various works under the district planning committees (DPCs) would be challenged in the Bombay High Court.
In a notification issued on July 4, the Shinde government stayed all the funds sanctioned since April 1 for the works under various schemes of the DPCs until the appointment of new district guardian ministers.
When asked about the issue, Pawar said “justice” will be sought in the high court over the issue.
“Governments come and go, but there is no reason to stay or reverse the decisions taken by the previous government,” the senior NCP leader said. (PTI)
The fourth phase of Sea Trials for IAC has been successfully completed on 10 Jul 22, during which integrated trials of majority of equipment and systems onboard including some of the Aviation Facilities Complex equipment were undertaken. The ship’s delivery is being targeted in end Jul 22, followed by commissioning of the ship in Aug 22 to commemorate ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
The Indigenous design and construction of Aircraft Carrier by Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Ltd is a shining example in the Nation’s quest for ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India Initiative’ with more than 76% indigenous content. This has led to growth in indigenous design and construction capabilities, besides development of large number of ancillary industries, with employment opportunities for over 2000 CSL personnel and about 12000 employees in ancillary industries.
Maiden Sea Trials of IAC were successfully completed in Aug 21. This was followed by second and third phases of Sea Trials in Oct 21 and Jan 22 respectively. During these three phases of Sea Trials, endurance testing of propulsion machinery, electrical & electronic suites, deck machinery, lifesaving appliances, ship’s Navigation and Communication systems was undertaken. 
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday cited his humble background to take a veiled swipe at Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray saying some people think they are born to rule but they should have felt proud that a common man has assumed the CM’s chair.
He also said that his decision to rebel against the Sena leadership was “historic” and that his Hindutva will ensure “inclusive development”.
“I did not come with a golden spoon. I am one among you. Some people think they are born to rule. They should have felt proud that a common man has assumed the chair. We have the majority numbers to rule. We haven’t done anything illegal,” Shinde told a rally in temple town Pandharpur, where he performed ‘mahapooja’ at the famous Lord Vitthal temple on the occasion of ‘Ashadhi Ekadashi’ as part of a chief ministerial tradition. (PTI)
Maharashtra on Sunday reported 2,591 new Covid-19 cases. The state did not record any pandemic-related death, the state health department said.
While a total of 2,894 patients recovering during the day, the active number of cases in the state stand at 18,369.
Maharashtra on Sunday reported 2,591 new Covid-19 cases. The state did not record any pandemic-related death, the state health department said.
While a total of 2,894 patients recovering during the day, the active number of cases in the state stand at 18,369.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea filed by Telugu poet and an accused in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case, P Varavara Rao, challenging a Bombay High Court order that rejected his prayer for permanent medical bail in the matter.
Rao said he has challenged the high court order as he was not granted an extension of bail despite his advanced age and precarious and deteriorating health condition, and his prayer to shift to Hyderabad was also denied.
He was arrested on August 28, 2018 from his Hyderabad residence and is an under-trial in the Bhima Koregaon case for which an FIR was lodged by the Pune police at the Vishrambagh police station on January 8, 2018 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). (PTI)
A man who allegedly drove his car with a traffic policeman on the vehicle’s bonnet to escape a road violation fine has been arrested for attempt to murder, a Navi Mumbai police official said on Sunday.
The incident took place on Saturday morning on the Kharghar stretch of Sion Panvel Highway when traffic constable Namdeo Gadekar (32) stopped the vehicle of accused Akash Jahgir, he said.
“Even as he was being talked to about a traffic violation, the accused drove away and continued for almost 600 metres with the traffic policeman perched precariously on the bonnet of the vehicle. A video too had gone viral on social media,” the Kharghar police station official said. (PTI)
At least 80 people in Mumbai, mostly in the 60-80 age group, were duped of over Rs 1 crore by cyber fraudsters who tricked them into paying online claiming their electricity bills are not updated, and if they do not comply with, their power supply will be disconnected, police said on Sunday.
A man was arrested in connection with the fraud, they said.
He said the fraudsters used to send random SMSes to people claiming that their previous month’s power bill was not updated and they need to contact the “electricity officer” immediately to avoid disconnecting the power supply. (PTI)
According to a report by the state disaster management authority, 76 people have died in Maharashtra due to rain-related incidents during the monsoon season so far.
Of the total number of deceased, nine persons died on Saturday – four in Wardha district, three in Gadchiroli and one each in Nanded and the coastal Sindhudurg district, it said.
According to the IMD, rainfall of 64 mm to 200 mm is expected n the coastal Konkan region of the state till July 13. In view of the Met department’s prediction, teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been stationed in the costal districts, including state capital Mumbai, it added. (With inputs from PTI)
After the rain fury claimed lives of over 20 people in Ratnagiri in July last year, the district administration has installed a Real-Time Data Acquisition (RTDA) System at various places for effective communication about flooding and landslides, a senior official said.
Ratnagiri is a coastal district in Maharashtra, located over 300 km from the state capital Mumbai, and witnesses heavy rainfall during the monsoon season.
Last year, Chiplun town in Ratnagiri was among the worst-hit by heavy rains. Among the over 20 deceased in the district included eight Covid-19 patients who had died in a hospital after flood waters entered the premises. (PTI)
Maharashtra’s Thane district reported 231 new cases of coronavirus, a health official said on Sunday. The district currently has 2,418 active Covid-19 cases. No death was reported on Saturday and the Covid-19 fatality toll in the district stood at 11,913,
Former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday claimed the grassroot Shiv Sena workers were firmly with the organisation, despite “betrayal” by those whom the party trusted.
Speaking in Mumbai’s northern suburb Dahisar as part of his ‘Nishtha (loyalty) Yatra’, Aaditya Thackeray said those who wanted to leave the Sena have gone, but the grassroot Shiv Sainiks continue to support the party, led by his father and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.
“In each constituency, we have two to three formidable Shiv Sainiks…men and women who are ready to take on political rivals at the hustings,” said Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray. (PTI)
आज कांदिवली (पूर्व) येथील शिवसेना शाखा क्र. २६ व २८ ला भेट देऊन शिवसैनिकांशी संवाद साधला. pic.twitter.com/oObjer75Iz
निष्ठा यात्रेच्या अनुषंगाने शिवसेनेच्या शाखा क्र. ४ येथील शिवसैनिकांना भेटून त्यांच्याशी संवाद साधला. pic.twitter.com/3iHECdR0tq
Former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday participated in a protest against the state government’s decision to construct a Metro car shed in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony, and said the 808-acre area there was reserved as a forest to preserve the wildlife and biodiversity in the city. “I appeal to the new state government (led by CM Eknath Shinde) not to take out the anger against us on Mumbai,” Thackeray told reporters.
Thackeray said the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, wherein he had served as the tourism and environment minister, was “pro-Mumbai, pro-Maharashtra and a votary of sustainable development”.
In the Aarey forest, often termed as the city’s ‘green lung’, located in Goregaon western suburb, some 300 different varieties of flora and fauna are found, including a large number of leopards. (PTI)
A show cause notice has been issued by the Maharashtra legislature secretary to 53 out of the total 55 Shiv Sena MLAs – 39 of the faction led by Eknath Shinde and 14 of the Uddhav Thackeray group.
One of the 14 MLAs from Uddhav Thackeray’s group, Santosh Bangar, had joined the Shinde led faction on the day of the floor test on July 4. The Shinde faction has not included Aaditya Thackeray in the list of MLAs against whom they have sought disqualification.
Both the sides have accused each other of defying the party whip during the Speaker’s election and the trust vote on July 3 and 4, respectively, seeking disqualification of the legislators from both the sides. The notices have been issued under the Members of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (disqualification on grounds of defection) rules. (With inputs from PTI)
A 22-year-old youngster allegedly murdered his mother and attempted suicide in the Mulund area of Mumbai on Saturday.
The accused identified as Jayesh Panchal (22) allegedly slit his mother Chhaya Panchal’s throat before trying to come in the path of an oncoming train and attempt suicide. He was found by the Mulund police in an injured state at a railway station and rushed to the JJ hospital for treatment. (Read More)
Situated beside the renowned P D Hinduja National Hospital in Mumbai’s Mahim is a small park officially named Dr Ramhari Kishan Dhote Udyan. However, you might draw a blank stare if you mention the official name.
Spread just over an acre, the garden—better and widely known as Hinduja Park which gets its name from its famous neighbour—provides relaxation to all visitors. Located next to the Arabian sea, visitors are met with the cooling sea breeze that allows them to enjoy their moment of tranquillity. Alisha Ambre writes..
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took part in the the annual puja of Lord Vitthal on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi on Sunday.
New Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will be performing the customary pooja at the Vitthal-Rukmini temple at Pandharpur on Sunday with the State Election Commission (SEC) giving its nod, an official said.
Traditionally, the chief minister performs pooja at the temple in the Solapur district on `Ashadhi Ekadashi’.
But there was uncertainty as to whether Shinde, who took over as CM on June 30, would be able to attend the “official pooja” as the model code of conduct for municipal elections has come into force.(PTI)
The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce on July 11 its verdict on gangster Abu Salem’s plea challenging his life imprisonment in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case on the ground that his sentence could not exceed 25 years as per a solemn assurance given by India to Portugal for his extradition in 2002.
As per the cause list of July 11 uploaded on the apex court website, a bench of Justices S K Kaul and M M Sundresh would pronounce the verdict on that day.
The top court had on May 5 reserved its judgement in the matter in which the Centre had argued that the judiciary is independent of the solemn sovereign assurance given to the Portugal government during the extradition of Salem in 2002 and it is up to the executive to take a call on it at an appropriate stage.(PTI)
Despite the ongoing surge in Covid-19 cases in the state only 34.5 per cent of the eligible population above 60 years have taken the precautionary dose or the third dose. The response to the door-to-door drive under the ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ hasn’t been fruitful due to vaccine hesitancy among the elderly.
During the pre-and post-monsoon seasons, there has been a significant increase in areas in Latur in Marathwada classified as high, very high, or severe drought-prone, reveals a recent study. The study, ‘Monitoring drought pattern for pre-and post-monsoon seasons in a semi-arid region of Western India’, documented the increasing drought condition in the Latur district from 1996 to 2016 using satellite data. It also notes a constant decline in the region’s ability to use water for irrigation and other purposes during the pre-monsoon season.
Read | It’s more than a symbolic tussle between Sena factions
A 66-year-old woman recently approached the Bombay High Court seeking directions from authorities to grant her Indian Citizenship as she has been married to an Indian for the last 55 years and her children and grandchildren are all Indian citizens.