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Maharashtra winter session: Lokayukta Bill unanimously passed today

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Nagpur: The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed the Lokayukta Bill, 2022 through a voice vote.

The bill will empower Lokayukta to investigate even the state’s Chief Minister and members of the Council of Ministers if two-thirds of the Assembly votes for such an inquiry. The bill was passed in the absence of opposition which had earlier staged a walkout to protest against the state government protecting the minister in the alleged TET scam.

The Deputy Chief Minister Mr Devendra Fadnavis after the passage of the bill said that it has been a revolutionary move adding that Maharashtra will become the first state in tabling such a crucial bill which will become a trendsetter. 

Any present or former Chief Minister of Maharashtra can be investigated by the Lokayukta if a motion for such a probe is passed by the Legislative Assembly by a two-thirds majority.

However, the Lokayukta will not inquire into any charges of corruption against the Chief Minister if the matter relates to internal security or public order in the state. ‘The Lokayukta may investigate complaints against the Chief Minister, ministers, ministers of state, members of the Maharashtra State Legislature, All India Services officers, State Government employees (excluding Group D), members of local authorities, officers and employees of the Board, Corporation, Authority or Society, wholly or partly financed by the State Government or controlled by the Government,’ the Bill said.

The Lokayukta consists of five members with a retired chief justice of a high court or a retired justice of the Supreme Court or the Bombay High Court as chairperson and four other members, two of whom have to be judicial members. The Lokayukta will have two benches.

The bill proposes to allow the Governor to give additional functions to Lokayukta with the aim of attacking corruption.

The Lokayukta bench will be as powerful as a civic court and will be able to direct the Government to file a charge sheet before a special court in corruption matters.

It can also conduct a preliminary inquiry into any corruption case before a government agency and supervise state agencies tackling corruption cases.

Further, the Lokayukta will have powers of superintendence and can issue directions to state agencies to probe cases. It can also recommend a departmental inquiry and make a special report and submit it to the Government for action.

It is also empowered to take penal action. A person insulting or causing interruption to the chairperson or a member of the Lokayukta can be punished with a maximum of six months in jail and/or fine.

In case of false and vexatious complaints, the Lokayukta may impose a penalty of up to Rs2 lakh but only after hearing the person.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra: Nearly 10 Women Injured After Fireworks Misfire During Ganpati Visarjan In Nagpur;

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Nagpur: A major accident occurred during Ganpati Visarjan in Nagpur’s Umred area on Thursday night. The incident took place during the visarjan ceremony, which was accompanied by a large crowd and heavy fireworks. According to reports, while the fireworks were going off, sparks unexpectedly flew toward several people, leading to chaos. Local media reports confirmed that eight to ten women suffered burns as a result of the firework mishap.

Video Shows Terrifying Scenes

A video of the event has surfaced online, showing the moment when the fireworks went viral on social media. In the video shared on YouTube by news channel, one can see the celebration including the sound of drums and other instruments being played, but suddenly, fireworks erupt, filling the air with smoke. Panic ensues as people realise the danger and the women caught in the chaos try to escape.

a procession by the ‘Sivasneh Ganesh Mandal’ (a community group) was making its way to the Shri Krishna temple amid fireworks when the accident happened. According to eyewitnesses, a mandal member was bursting firecrackers when some flew off and exploded among those gathered to watch the procession, triggering a stampede-like situation.

Injured Women Rushed To Hospital

The suddenness of the event caused panic, especially in the densely packed crowd. People started running in all directions, creating a chaotic atmosphere. The injured women were immediately taken to the hospital, where they are receiving treatment for their burns. The police have stated that an investigation into the incident is underway.

Case Filed Against Mandal Workers

seven women suffered injuries after being struck by burning embers and were rushed to a local hospital. Four of them are reported to be in critical condition, confirmed an official from Umred police station. A case has been registered against the mandal workers under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Maharashtra Police Act

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: BEST Bus Conductor Injured After Being Stabbed During On-Duty Robbery Attempt At Dharavi’s Pila Bungalow; Accused Arrested

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Mumbai: A BEST bus conductor, Ashok Dagale was attacked by unidentified individuals while on duty on bus route number 7 at Dharavi’s Pila Bungalow stop on Thursday, September 19. The attackers assaulted him with the intent of robbery. He has since been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Sion Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment for his injuries.

BEST Kamgar Sena Condemns Attack On Conductor

BEST Kamgar Sena President Suhas Samant is scheduled to visit Dagale at the hospital today. Expressing his outrage over the attack, Samant condemned the incident and criticised the government’s failure to maintain control over such criminal activities.

He voiced his frustration with the functioning of the state’s Home Department, stating that the government, including the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, is more focused on winning elections rather than addressing the concerns of Maharashtra’s citizens.

Accused Arrested Swiftly By Police

In response to the attack, the police have arrested the accused, Shahbaz Khan, and recovered a mobile phone and knife from him. This swift action by the authorities has provided some relief, but the incident has sparked broader concerns about the safety of public workers, especially those in critical roles like bus conductors.

The attack on Dagale has raised questions about the lack of security measures in place for bus staff, who are often exposed to such risks during their duties. The BEST Kamgar Sena, led by Samant, is pushing for more stringent protection for workers and increased accountability from the government. As Dagale continues to receive treatment, the union and the public at large await further action from the authorities to ensure such incidents do not recur in the future.

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Maharashtra

Panvel: 3 Vehicles Collide, 1 Dead, 2 Injured In Major Accident On Mumbai Pune Expressway

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Mumbai: In another fatal accident on the Mumbai Pune Expressway, on Friday early morning three vehicles collided against each other, overturing a truck and mangling a car. As per reports, one passenger was killed on the spot and two others were severely injured.

The video of the horrifying accident has surfaced on the internet. The incident took place in Panvel.

In the accident, a truck, a tanker and a car smashed on one another. It is said that all the three vehicles were in high speed which lead the truck to overturn and crush the car.

The Panvel police, highway traffic police, ambulances and other concerned authorities reached the spot immediately. The injured are taken to a nearby hospital. As per initial information, the accident occurred on Pune lane of the expressway.

So far, the police have not informed the identification of the victims. The exact time of incident is not clear. Intestigations are underway.

Recent Accident

On July 16, a bus carrying 54 people collided with a tractor and plunged into a ditch on the Mumbai Pune Expressway. The mishap claimed five lives and left 46 injured.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde later announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the kin of the deceased and free treatment for the injured.

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