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Maharashtra

First in India, ‘Maharashtra Gene Bank’ project approved by State Cabinet

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With an aim to document native natural resources and conserve them with the help of the local community that will ensure not just biodiversity conservation but also inclusion of traditional knowledge, the Maharashtra Cabinet on Thursday approved the ‘Maharashtra Gene Bank’, a first-of-its-kind project in India.

While clearing the proposal for the Maharashtra Gene Bank, the Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray considered that the recommendations of the two-volume report of the pilot project by the same name, if implemented properly, would help in better conservation of the state’s rich biodiversity that will also ensure availability of natural resources for the future generation.

The Cabinet’s decision would guarantee the permanent continuation of the project that was run as pilot by Maharashtra government’s Rajiv Gandhi Science & Technology Commission across 27 districts. It would now be run by the State Biodiversity Board to sustain and continue the work.

“The Chief Minister understood and supported that biodiversity conservation cannot be a time-bound project. It is essential for survival, especially in these times of changing climatic conditions. Now, it will be a permanent institutionalised system cutting across 10-12 departments,” member secretary, Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB), Praveen Srivastava, told IANS.

The Maharashtra Gene Bank is unique because it has tried to authenticate traditional knowledge by scientific institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, and the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa, Srivastava said, adding that CSIR institutions, several agricultural universities in Maharashtra and 25-odd NGOs too were part of the pilot project.

The government also sanctioned Rs 172.39 crore for implementing the action plan for the next five years. Earlier, the Maharashtra government budget had created a separate account head for the same, which will benefit the local communities using traditional and scientific knowledge for sustainable development.

Marine biodiversity; local crop/seed varieties; indigenous cattle breeds; freshwater biodiversity; grassland, scrubland and animal grazing land biodiversity; conservation and management plans for areas under forest right, and rejuvenation of forest areas are the seven main themes identified for the Gene Bank work.

Ecologist and former Secretary in the government of India, Madhav Gadgil, had conceptualised the project that aims to bring the members of the grass-roots community and the scientific community together.

Maharashtra

Abu Asim Azmi Foundation organizes grand “Career Guidance and Counseling Session 2026” in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, along with education, skills are also the key to success : Abu Asim

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abu aasim aazmi

Mumbai: With an aim to create educational awareness and promote a bright future for the youth, Abu Asim Azmi Foundation today organised a grand “Career Guidance and Counselling Session 2026” at Geeta Vikas Hall in Mankhurdshivaji Nagar. Hundreds of students of class 10th and 12th from the area and their parents participated enthusiastically in the event. During the session, career guidance experts from various fields provided detailed guidance to the students.

They explained the new and emerging career options available today beyond traditional degrees. The experts also cleared the doubts of the students regarding competitive exams, technical education and professional courses. Addressing the students on the occasion, Abu Asim Azmi, Chairman of the Foundation and MLA, stressed on the importance of skills along with education. He said, “In today’s world, just getting a degree is not enough.

Children should learn different skills. If you have skills, then in the future, doors of great opportunities will open for you not only in the country but also abroad. Skill development is the key that will make you financially independent and empowered.” At the end of the program, the students directly interacted with experts and received valuable advice to plan their future. Local residents and parents praised the initiative of Abu Asim Azmi Foundation, saying that such events help children from poor and middle-class families choose the right path. The program was directed by Principal Zeba Malik and Shabana Khan. The large number of students made the program a success.

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Maharashtra

Those spreading lockdown rumours will be in trouble After a meeting with the Prime Minister, strict action has been ordered: Devendra Fadnavis

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Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai; Those spreading rumors about the lockdown in the country are no longer safe. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has warned of strict action against those spreading rumors after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has made it clear that the situation is improving in the meeting held by the Prime Minister of the country with the Chief Ministers. Despite the crisis, there is no shortage of gas and other fuels in the country. Therefore, people should not spread rumors. If anyone spreads rumors, strict action will be taken against them. So that the prices of crude oil do not increase, the government has reduced the excise duty rate and this concession has given relief to the people. Commenting on the rumors related to the lockdown, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also instructed the state ministers to take strict action against those spreading rumors in the country, after which today the Chief Minister has claimed that there is no shortage of gas and other fuels in the state. Therefore, artificial shortages should not be created. He said that in neighboring countries, the time has come for lockdown due to oil and other sources. A weekly work schedule has been fixed here, but the situation is fine here.

Therefore, rumors should not be spread if someone spreads rumors on social media. If anyone spreads misinformation, action will be taken against him, which is why the Chief Minister has appealed to the public not to spread misinformation.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Case Registered in Navi Mumbai Against NCB’s Amit Ghoute and Two Others on Complaint by Construction Company Owner’s Wife, Alleging Abetment to Suicide.

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Mumbai NCB Zonal Director Amir Ghaute has been booked in Navi Mumbai Police against two officers for abetting suicide on the complaint of the wife of construction company owner Gurunath Chachalkar. The accused have been accused of forcing Chachalkar to commit suicide by his wife Kiran Chachalkar. In April, Chachalkar committed suicide by shooting himself in his house, after which the wife declared it not suicide but murder and requested that a case be registered against NCB officers. On this, on March 25, a case was registered against NCP Zonal Director Amit Ghaute, Akash Malik, Sandeep Negre under other sections including abetting suicide, extortion, humiliation. Chichalkar committed suicide by shooting himself with his revolver on April 25, 2025.

His wife alleged that on February 2, the NCB team had searched the house and seized documents and a watch worth Rs 2 lakh. After that, they had threatened him several times and demanded Rs 10 to 15 crores and threatened to implicate him in the case otherwise. When NCB Zonal Director Amit Ghaute was questioned in this matter, he termed all the allegations baseless and said that the accused whom NCB has arrested so far in the drug syndicate case have not been granted bail. Along with this, allegations have also been made against the NCB’s investigation method, which is based on malice. He said that the investigation conducted by NCB in the drug case was in the right direction and due to this, progress has been made in the investigation in this case. Properties worth crores of rupees have also been seized in this case.

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