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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Govt Restricts Authority Of State Agencies; CM’s Panel To Clear Projects Over ₹500 Crore

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Mumbai: In a significant move, the state government has issued an order restricting the authority of all state departments, enterprises and semi-government bodies from independently approving projects exceeding Rs 500 crore. This directive effectively curtails the powers of key agencies like MMRDA, CIDCO, MHADA, SRA and MahaHousing.

CM’s Panel To Take Call On Projects Over ₹500 Cr

Issued by the Finance and planning department under Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the order mandates that any project with an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore or more must now be submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, for approval.

Trouble Expected For Shinde Sena

This move delivers another blow to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, already reeling from a series of controversies involving its leaders. With key departments under its control, the party now faces added challenges, as they will no longer be able to independently approve big-ticket projects – tightening the government’s grip on crucial decision-making.

While the MMRDA and CIDCO come under the urban development department, the MHADA, SRA and MahaHousing come under the housing department. Both departments are headed by Shinde.

Details On Cabinet Committee On Infra

The cabinet committee on infrastructure, headed by the CM, comprises six members and the other members are Shinde and Dy CM Ajit Pawar, revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, medical education minister Hasan Mushrif and industries minister Uday Samant.

The planning department order also says the chief secretary, instead of the planning department secretary, will be the secretary of the committee, who will move the proposals, which were earlier done by the planning secretary. Besides, the secretaries from the finance department and the law and judiciary department will be the permanent invitees. This will facilitates intense scrutiny by finance and planning department.

According to sources in the government, the decision was taken given the precarious condition of the state finances. The projected debt burden by the end of the current financial year is Rs 9.5 lakh crore, and the government is spending over Rs 1.5 lakh crore on repayment of the loan and the interest amount.

The Shinde-led Shiv Sena is facing a series of controversies related to social Justice minister Sanjay Shirsat. A few days back, a video clip became viral in which the Horticulture Minister Bharat Gogawale was shown participating in occult practices, performing hom-havan. Sandipan Bhumre, Lok Sabha Member from Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) has been in the news over speedy approvals for liquor permits held by his family members and close relatives.

Speculations Around Shinde’s Delhi Tour

Shinde’s Delhi tour on Thursday was said to be in connection with the controversies and the attempts to create trouble for him. Another reason being cited was his reported meeting over the scheduled hearing in the Supreme Court hearing on July 14 over recognition of his group as the real party and symbol – bow and arrow.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Nasik TCS case targeting Nida Khan, police tarnishing its image: Social activist Niranjan Tiklay

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Mumbai: Nashik TCS case has no connection with religious conversion. In this case, Nida Khan has been targeted even though she was not the HR head, yet she is being tried by the media. The Nashik case is not a case of inciting religious sentiments and religious hatred, love jihad or corporate jihad. It is only a case of sexual harassment, but Nida Khan has been targeted in it. This kind of serious allegation has been made by social worker Teesta Setalvad in a press conference organized by APCR here today at Marathi Patrikar Singh. She said that the media made the identity of a woman public and if the police had revealed this, then the news should have been broadcast regarding the police. An attempt should have been made to talk to the victim and the complainant. There are many such cases in which any accusation can be made against anyone, but in the Nashik case, an environment was created which is completely wrong. Nashik social worker Niranjan Takle said that the police have tried to set someone’s political agenda in this case, whereas the police should not do so because it tarnishes the image of the police. What happened in Badlapur? Akshay Shinde was encountered, after which the Badlapur agenda was run by putting up banners in accordance with it, after which the court declared it a murder. He said that in the same way, in the case of Somnath Suryavanshi, how much violence was inflicted on him, due to which he died in custody, the court has also ordered to register a case. Along with this, an agenda has been run in the Nashik case as well and under a specific agenda, Nida Khan, an employee of this company TCS, was targeted. Nida Khan is a minor employee but she was presented as the HR head. The media has conducted her trial. Valmik Karad did not reach the police until he surrendered. A case was registered against Ashok Kharat a year ago but he was arrested after Ajit Pawar’s death. The police is defaming itself to set someone’s political agenda. He further said that the way it is happening in the Nashik case, it is clear that the investigation done by the police is being made public through a media trial while there is no mention of conversion in it. In this press conference, the APCR has also presented a fact-finding report in the Nashik case. Dolphy D’Souza, Shakir Sheikh and others were present in this conference.

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Maharashtra

Woman supplying drugs at Nesco music concert party exposed, crores of rupees deposited in woman’s account, 11 accused arrested so far

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Mumbai: The Vanrai police have seized 933 narcotic pills, allegedly worth Rs 1.5 million, from Ayush Sahitya, an accused in a drug case. Before his arrest, Ayush Sahitya had dumped these pills at a place in Kolhapur, which have been seized by the police. Several important revelations were revealed during the interrogation of Ayush Sahitya, including the name of a female accomplice. The Vanrai police have arrested the accused woman from the Mira Road area.

Accused Jaya Rachel Jacob has been arrested from Mira Road. Jaya used to transfer the money of this entire drug syndicate to her account. The medicines purchased at the NESCO music concert were also transferred to Jaya’s account. Jaya is a high-ranking woman. Her links with a major drug supplier have been revealed. A large quantity of drugs have also been recovered from Jaya. Currently, the police are busy further linking the woman’s account and her contacts.

The Vanrai police have so far arrested 11 accused in the Goregaon drug case. This information was given here today by Mumbai Police DCP Zone 12 Mahesh Chamte.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai : Fire Engulfs 10–12 Vehicles On Ghatkopar–Mankhurd Link Road, No Injuries Reported

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Mumbai: A fire broke out on the busy Ghatkopar–Mankhurd Link Road on Thursday afternoon, engulfing at least 10–12 four-wheelers in flames and sending plumes of smoke into the air.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade officials rushed to the spot and managed to bring the blaze under control within an hour, preventing it from spreading further. No injuries were reported in the incident.

According to the MFB, the fire reported at 11:45 AM on Thursday. The blaze affected around 10 to 12 four-wheeler vehicles, sending thick smoke across the busy stretch near Baingan wadi signal at Govandi.

Firefighters, along with police personnel and 108 ambulance services, were immediately mobilized to the spot. Swift response by emergency teams ensured the fire was brought under control by 12:22 pm Cooling operations followed, and the situation was fully contained by the time of the latest update at 1:35 pm.

No injuries have been reported in the incident. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined and is likely to be investigated by authorities.

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