Maharashtra
Maharashtra: Bombay HC says bullet train project of ‘national importance’, junks Godrej plea
Mumbai: Declaring that the upcoming Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is of ‘national importance’, the Bombay High Court on Thursday dismissed a plea of Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. challenging the acquisition of its land in Vikhroli.
The verdict by a division bench of Justices R.D. Dhanuka and Justice M.M. Sathaye said: “The project is of national importance and public interest… No interference is required. No illegality found in the compensation.”
The judgement signalling a green flag comes as a breather for the mega-project on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mumbai on Friday.
Justices Dhanuka and Sathaye also said that it is the paramount collective interest that would prevail and not private interest “Project would be first of its kind. Petition is dismissed”.
When Godrej group’s counsel, Senior Advocate Navroz Seervai sought a stay on the order to enable them appeal in the Supreme Court, the high court refused to entertain the plea.
Opposing, the state’s Advocate-General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni told the court that the land acquisition for the project was completed except for the stretch owned by Godrej group, and pleaded that the company’s plea should be dismissed.
Additional Solicitor-General Anil Singh argued that the entire land acquisition in Gujarat was complete and the (project) work had started, while in Maharashtra, 3 per cent of the acquisition was remaining to be done.
He contended that the Godrej petition was delaying the project and led to cost escalations, and if the compensation amount was a concern, then a higher payout could be considered, but the project could not be made to suffer more.
For the past four years since August 2019, the government and the Godrej group have been squabbling over the acquisition of the company’s land for what is billed as Modi’s pet project coming up with Japanese collaboration.
Slated to cost around Rs 1.60 Lakh-Crore, the bullet train project will be 508 kms long, including 21 kms running underground and one of the entry points to the subterranean tunnel will fall on the land owned by Godrej in Vikhroli which was taken over by the government.
After the acquisition of around 9.69 acres of its land, Godrej group had challenged the compensation of Rs. 264 crore awarded by the Deputy Collector in Sep. 2022, claiming it was a fraction of the original offer of Rs 572 crore, and how there were multiple and patent illegalities in the entire process.
The company had also challenged the August 2019 notification under the Right To Fair Compensation and Transparency In Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 and the constitutional validity of certain sections, which has been upheld by the high court.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Submits His Resignation To Governor; Both Dy CMs, Devendra Fadnavis & Ajit Pawar Accompany
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has officially tendered his resignation. Accompanied by his deputies, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Shinde arrived at Raj Bhavan, the official residence of Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, on Tuesday morning to submit his resignation.
Accepting the resignation, Governor CP Radhakrishnan has requested Eknath Shinde to continue as the caretaker Chief Minister until a new government is formed in the state.
The speculation over the next chief minister continues. The Mahayuti Alliance secured a decisive win in the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly elections, clinching 230 out of 288 seats. According to the Election Commission’s announcement on Saturday, the BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats, while its allies—the Shiv Sena faction led by CM Eknath Shinde and the NCP faction headed by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar—won 57 and 41 seats, respectively.
Amid ongoing speculation about Maharashtra’s next Chief Minister, outgoing CM Eknath Shinde has reportedly appealed to his supporters not to gather at his official residence, ‘Varsha,’ in South Mumbai, to advocate for his continuation in the role.
In a social media message, Shinde remarked, “Following the resounding victory of the Mahayuti alliance, our government will once again take shape in the state. We contested the elections as a united grand alliance and remain united today.”
He further added, “I am deeply grateful for the love and support some people have shown by urging others to gather in Mumbai for me. However, I sincerely request everyone to refrain from assembling in my support in this manner.”
Maharashtra
President Droupadi Murmu Pays Tribute To 26/11 Martyrs, Reiterates India’s Commitment To Fighting Terrorism
New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to the martyrs of the 26/11 attacks on Tuesday.
“On the anniversary of cowardly terror attacks in Mumbai on 26th November 2008, I join the entire nation in paying homage to the bravehearts who lost their lives and expressing solidarity with their families,” said the President in a post on X.
She also reiterated India’s commitment to combat terrorism.
“A grateful nation salutes its valiant security personnel who made ultimate sacrifice while protecting our people. It is also the day to reiterate that India remains firmly committed to defeating terrorism in all its forms,” the post added.
Union Ministers Amit Shah & Rajnath Singh Pay Their Tribute
Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to the security personnel who died during the attacks,
“Terrorism is a blot on the entire human civilization. The Modi government’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy against terrorism has been appreciated by the entire world and today India has become a world leader in anti-terrorism initiatives,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s post said.
“We remember, and we will never forget those wounds,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s post said.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal Remembers Sacrifice Made By The People
Union Minister Piyush Goyal also remembered the sacrifice made by the people in a post on X.
“Respectful salute to the brave soldiers, policemen and innocent citizens who made the supreme sacrifice to protect the motherland in the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack. Their bravery, sacrifice and martyrdom will always be remembered,” the post said.
About 26/11 Terror Attack
Today is the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 attacks, a series of coordinated terror attacks at the Taj Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Leopold Cafe, Mumbai Chabad House, Nariman House, Cama Hospital and Metro Cinema by ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists.
Notably, at least 174 people, including 20 security force personnel and 26 foreigners, were killed and more than 300 injured in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.
The ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists came to Mumbai via the sea route from Pakistan and carried out the attacks.
Maharashtra
Aaditya Thackeray Elected Shiv Sena UBT Legislature Party Leader, Sunil Prabhu Named Chief Whip
Mumbai, November 25: Former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray was on Monday elected the Shiv Sena (UBT) legislature party leader at a meeting of the party legislators in Mumbai.
Aaditya, son of party president Uddhav Thackeray, defeated Milind Deora of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the recent assembly elections from Worli constituency by 8,801 votes.
His winning margin dipped compared to the last elections in 2019, where it was 67,427 votes.
Senior party leader Ambadas Danve told reporters after the meeting of party legislators that former minister Bhaskar Jadhav was elected the party group leader in the state assembly, while Sunil Prabhu was named the party’s chief whip.
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