Nagpur, Aug 24: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, reacting to the Amravati hospital fire, called it “very unfortunate” and demanded that the administration conducts fire audit of all government hospitals and also prepare a six-month action plan.

Rohit Pawar, speaking to media, said, “This is a very unfortunate incident. Three children, all from poor families, lost their lives. A similar incident had occurred in 2021, after which a special committee was formed and tasked with auditing hospitals across Maharashtra and recommending measures that needed to be taken.”

He demanded that the government prepares a six-month action plan.

“The committee submitted its report to the government, but unfortunately, we understand that no action was taken on it. Therefore, the government should prepare a six-month action plan based on that report and inform people about the measures that will be implemented in every government hospital in every taluka of Maharashtra,” he said.

The NCP (SP) MLA further alleged that the government does not value the lives of the poor.

“Whenever such incidents occur, it is the poor who lose their lives. We feel that this government does not value the lives of the poor. If you look at the figures, around 44,000 children have died in the last three years due to various reasons, including malnutrition, serious illnesses, accidents, and snakebites, in schools and hostels for tribal children. This issue also needs to be addressed,” he said.

BJP leader Navneet Rana raised questions over the fire audit at the hospital and demanded strict action.

“How many times has the fire audit been conducted? Many poor children come to the government hospital, and we have lost three children today. I think strict action will be taken in this matter. I have just spoken to the minister and requested that an immediate letter be issued. If the fire audit was not conducted, then who is responsible for this?” she said.

According to preliminary reports, an explosion in a ventilator sparked the blaze, which quickly engulfed the unit. The ventilator explosion led to the rapid spread of fire and smoke inside the ward. The exact cause of the blaze remains unknown, and authorities are investigating the site to determine what triggered the fire.

Duty doctors, nurses, and hospital staff managed to rescue several infants from the unit as soon as the fire was detected. The third floor houses three NICU wards with a combined capacity of 39 beds (13 in each). The unit where the fire broke out reportedly had 9 to 12 high-risk, premature infants under critical care at the time.

The tragic event has sparked intense outrage and raised severe questions regarding the emergency preparedness of the medical facility. Despite the building being newly constructed — inaugurated just a year ago by the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar — the automated fire suppression system reportedly failed to activate. Authorities are investigating whether the ventilator that exploded was outdated, poorly maintained, or suffered from a critical technical failure.

Mumbai, Aug 24: The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) launched a fierce broadside against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday, accusing the state administration of financial improprieties in youth outreach events and severe corruption in Maharashtra’s school midday meal scheme.

An editorial in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, targeted CM Fadnavis over the quality of food served to school children and questioned the financing behind the BJP’s political rallies aimed at young voters. It centred on the school nutrition programme in Ambegaon, Pune district, where children were reportedly served rock-hard dried peas that failed to cook even after 13 pressure cooker whistles. The editorial alleged that the supply contractor, identified as a Nagpur-based businessman, shares close ties with CM Fadnavis.

The Thackeray camp further claimed that the said businessman provided financial backing for the BJP’s recent Gen Z youth outreach event held at the Reshm bagh Ground in Nagpur. “Supply contractors eat up millions by serving substandard food to school children, risking their lives… Moving forward, his peas of falsehood will certainly not cook,” said the editorial.

The scathing editorial comes against the backdrop of intense political manoeuvring for the youth vote across Maharashtra. Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi recently hosted the “Chatron Ki Goonj” event in Pune, drawing thousands of students.

The Thackeray camp claimed that local authorities initially resisted granting police clearance for Gandhi’s event before issuing permission bound by 30 to 35 strict conditions. It further alleged that political agitators attempted to cause disruptions prior to the event, while police filed cases against Congress workers instead.

“What is certain is that Gandhi has outsmarted the entire BJP, leaving them utterly paralysed. The youth are not merely angry with the BJP; they are enraged. They have lost interest in the repetitive speeches of PM Modi, HM Shah, and Fadnavis. People are tired of the same old promises, the intoxicating dose of Hindu-Muslim tension, startup rhetoric, and fake patriotism. These leaders remain intoxicated with self-praise and self-obsession,” remarked the editorial.

In response to CM Fadnavis calling Rahul Gandhi’s interactive sessions “paid publicity events” subject to state investigation, the Thackeray camp demanded that the BJP first audit its own event expenditures and contractor funding sources.

However, the Thackeray camp claimed that Fadnavis does not address roads and pothole scams. Among the 12 people who lost their lives falling into potholes in Nashik, seven belonged to Gen Z. Furthermore, there is a massive scam in the procurement and supply of midday meals in state schools.

The editorial accused the administration of ignoring graduate unemployment, pushing educated youth towards low-tier jobs while ignoring systemic corruption in public contracts.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena concluded that public discontent among the youth is reaching a boiling point over repetitive political promises, calling on CM Fadnavis to engage in self-reflection before launching selective investigations.

Navi Mumbai, Aug 23: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday urged students to stay away from addiction and direct their energy toward education, sports, skill development and nation‑building.

He was speaking at the launch of Campus Connect, a special awareness campaign against drug abuse among college students, organised under the Navi Mumbai Police’s Nasha Mukt Navi Mumbai (Drug‑Free Navi Mumbai) initiative.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Fadnavis highlighted that given the lure of drugs and their severe social, physical and mental impacts, the Navi Mumbai Police’s direct outreach to students through this initiative is a vital step. He noted that college campuses mark a crucial phase in personal development, making early awareness and accurate information essential for this age group.

Referring to India’s “Demographic Dividend,” CM Fadnavis stated that the country’s 65 per cent youth population is its greatest strength. Hostile nations and anti‑social elements are attempting to neutralise this power by ensnaring youth in addiction. He emphasised that combating this threat requires a 360‑degree approach, dismantling the drug supply chain while simultaneously eliminating demand through widespread awareness.

The Chief Minister said every educational campus serves as a battleground and every student is a soldier in this anti‑drug campaign. He assured that students trapped in addiction would receive non‑discriminatory support through de‑addiction centres. Expressing confidence in the youth, he stated that their collective efforts will defeat drug abuse and fulfil the vision of a self‑reliant and developed India.

The police, municipal corporations, citizens and youth took a joint resolution to make Navi Mumbai completely drug‑free and safe. During the event, CM Fadnavis inaugurated a De‑addiction Rehabilitation Centre and released an awareness video. He also presented certificates to the top three winners of the poster and reel‑making competitions organised as part of the drive.

Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis inaugurated Navi Mumbai Police’s Prahari Integrated CCTV Command Centre, which aims to enhance the safety of Navi Mumbai residents and bolster crime control and advanced surveillance. The Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), and Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) developed it in collaboration.

Guided by the motto Always Watching, Always Protecting, the Prahari system will maintain 24/7 surveillance across the city. The command centre will serve as a crucial asset for Navi Mumbai Police in traffic management, maintaining law and order, and handling emergencies, the government said.