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Thursday,20-March-2025
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Maharashtra

Mumbai: BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani Reviews ₹13-Cr JJ Flyover Beautification Amid Traffic Police NOC Denial; Activists Slam Project

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Mumbai: The BMC’s Rs 13 crore beautification below JJ flyover has hit a road block with the traffic police confirming on Thursday that it has not given NOC. The project on a 2.1 km stretch below the flyover is embroiled in a major controversy with activists alleging that the it will only add to the acute congestion in the area. On Thursday, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani visited the site below JJ flyover to review the situation.

Pradnya Jedge, deputy commissioner of police (traffic) confirmed to the media that the traffic department has not given its NOC for the project. “The BMC is carrying out the work without the mandatory NOC from us,” Jedge said on Thursday.

In a letter dated December 15, 2023, the then Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Pravin Padwal had written to BMC’s additional commissioner (projects) requesting him to obtain an NOC from his department.

“We would like to bring to your attention the necessity of obtaining NOC from the traffic control branch for such beautification projects. Ensuring proper traffic flow and safety of pedestrians is of utmost importance and obtaining a traffic NOC will help coordinate efforts to minimize any potential impact on vehicles and pedestrian movements,” the letter said.

Local activist Kamlakar Shenoy slammed the project calling it a waste of public money and risking citizens’ safety. “The corporation is violating its own order passed in 1999 prohibiting any new structures below a flyover. Thus the structures, including the dummy double-decker BEST bus below the flyover are totally illegal.”

Kamlakar also questioned the high-handedness of the BMC in carrying out the beautification work without traffic NOC. “The structures obstruct pedestrian movement and cause inconvenience to motorists. Installing new structures is not beautification,” he said.

Meanwhile, local MLA Congress’ Amin Patel has demanded an inquiry from the Economic Offence Wing of the police against the public funds spent on the so-called beautification. “I had proposed for beautification like landscaping below the flyover costing Rs 2 to 3 crore. However, BMC came up with a project, appointed a consultant and Rs 10 crore was given to the contractor to carry out the beautification. The contractor now claims that 80% of the work is completed, however, the work is not visible. It is nothing but minting money.”

Education

CBSE pattern in Maha govt schools from academic year 2025-26: Education Minister Bhuse

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Mumbai, March 20: Maharashtra Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse announced on Thursday that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) pattern will be implemented in government schools across the state from the academic year 2025-26.

Textbooks under CBSE will be made available in Marathi by April 1.

The Education Department has issued instructions to the schools governed by the state education boards to implement the CBSE curriculum, the Minister told the Legislative Council.

The minister replied to the question raised by the BJP legislator Prasad Lad. He wanted to know whether the Steering Committee has approved the curriculum plan of the CBSE especially when the implementation of the National Education Policy for schools from class 3 to 12 is underway in the state.

“CBSE pattern will be implemented from the academic year 2025-2026 and the government has taken this decision with an aim of improving the quality of students in the state,” said the minister.

His announcement comes days after the Steering Committee had approved the State Curriculum Framework in relation to the school education department.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had reviewed the work of all the departments including the school education department for the next 100 days.

Accordingly, he had expressed confidence in the meeting of the School Education Department that Maharashtra would once again come to the forefront of school education.

The Chief Minister directed that the Education Department should take steps for quality education.

He has also directed the School Education Department about the adoption of the CBSE pattern in the state government schools by making necessary changes.

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Business

Bill Gates will support Maha’s digital governance model, Lakhpati Didi project: CM Fadnavis

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Mumbai, March 20: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that Microsoft and Gates Foundation will provide support to make Maharashtra a role model in the country in digital governance and right to service, especially when the government has started the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Also, the Gates Foundation has shown its readiness to participate in the Lakhpati Didi initiative to fulfil the state government’s goal of making 25 lakh women entrepreneurs.

CM Fadnavis said this after meeting Microsoft co-founder, renowned entrepreneur and founder of the Gates Foundation Bill Gates.

The chief minister’s office in a release said that the duo also held a positive discussion on the use of artificial intelligence in health, agriculture and infrastructure.

CM Fadnavis said that as Maharashtra is going through a transformation phase, major projects are underway in infrastructure, agriculture, and health.

“Since there is a shortage of doctors in rural areas, the Gates Foundation should cooperate to provide quality health services and facilities. The Budget has also made provision for the use of AI in the health and agriculture sectors,” he added while giving the example of doubling the production of sugarcane in the Pune district using the technology.

CM Fadnavis told Bill Gates that the state government is trying to ensure that farmers have access to electricity during the day and for this, solar power is being used from 2022-23. From 30 per cent of electricity generation, now up to 52 per cent is being generated through solar, so farmers are getting electricity at a lower cost.

He also shared that there is a plan to make all the electricity feeders solar to provide them with electricity for 24 hours.

The Chief Minister also informed that an Innovation City is being set up in an area of 300 acres in Navi Mumbai.

Bill Gates assured to partner in technical assistance along with financial assistance for the Innovation City and other initiatives, according to the release.

Gates Foundation will provide technical and financial support to the state government to contain dengue in Gadchiroli district.

Bill Gates invited the chief minister to Seattle.

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Maharashtra

Ruckus in both houses of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly over mysterious death of Disha Salian

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Mumbai: After the mysterious suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s manager Disha Salian, there was an uproar in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and Vidhan Sabha and the members demanded an inquiry into the matter. The proceedings of the Upper House were adjourned twice, while the proceedings of the Lower House had to be adjourned once for 10 minutes. Disha Salian’s father had filed a petition in the High Court demanding an inquiry into his daughter’s death, after which the ruling members not only created a ruckus in the House over the matter but also demanded action against the accused involved in it.

In the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Legislative Assembly member Amit Sattam said that Disha Salian’s father has suspected suicide and the investigation of the case is not yet complete. Amit Sattam has also demanded that the government take necessary steps and take action against the culprits and investigate.

Minister Nitesh Rane said that the Supreme Court’s guiding principle is present in cases of gang rape and atrocities on women, yet action has not been taken in the Disha Salian case. Is there a separate law for the accused? He said that the Supreme Court has directed that the accused in rape and murder cases should be arrested immediately, so why are these three people being protected? They should be arrested and sent to jail.

When Rane was asked why he did not come for investigation even when he was called by the SIT, he said, “I have doubts about the person who was appointed as the ST officer, Chimaji Udayo. I have written a letter to express my views. Why should I go to the same officer with evidence, so that he can give these evidences to the accused and destroy them?” In this matter, Aditya Thackeray said that what should be done if the work of the House is to be stopped on this issue because we are raising questions on the development of Maharashtra and other issues. Where has Maharashtra been taken?

He said that earlier the proceedings of the House were affected on the Aurangzeb issue, during which a minister had to resign. This is being done to suppress all these things, but Maharashtra has sent you to the House to work. The public will have to answer this.

Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam has ordered to complete the investigation of the Disha Salian case and said that the government will not accept any pressure in this matter and he has also demanded to seek the SIT report on this matter as soon as possible.

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