Mumbai, Sep 26: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ daughter Divija Fadnavis and his wife, Amruta Fadnavis, on Saturday participated in the Divyaj Foundation’s annual ‘Sea Shore Shine 2026’ beach clean-up drive at Juhu Beach, a day after Ganesh Visarjan.

Speaking to reporters, Divija Fadnavis said it was important for young people to participate in social initiatives such as beach clean-up drives as they help foster a sense of responsibility towards the nation.

“I think it’s very important for the youth and younger generation to be involved in social initiatives like beach clean-ups, because it gives us a sense of responsibility towards our nation and builds confidence in ourselves to ensure that we keep our beaches and our nation clean,” she said.

BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide also joined the clean-up drive at Juhu Beach to promote environmental awareness and cleanliness. The campaign was organised under the leadership of Divyaj Foundation founder Amruta Fadnavis.

Actor Ajay Devgn also participated in the initiative and said he wanted to support the campaign because of its creative approach.

“Because this is a creative initiative. I wanted to thank the whole team, so I want to be a part of it, and I am a part of it,” Devgn said.

Speaking to media, BJP MLA Ram Kadam said Amruta Fadnavis, through the Divyaj Foundation, had been working for the cleanliness of the beach for the past six years and personally participated in the clean-up efforts.

“Several NGOs and spiritual organisations are also associated with this initiative. This is a great work. The immersion has been completed, but we ourselves should keep our city clean,” Kadam said.

Ganesh Visarjan was observed on Friday, September 25, coinciding with Anant Chaturdashi. The occasion marks the conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, when devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha after bringing idols home or installing them in public pandals.

The immersion of idols, accompanied by devotional songs, prayers and offerings, marks the departure of the deity, with devotees seeking Lord Ganesha’s blessings before bidding him farewell until the following year.

Environmental concerns surrounding idol immersion have also highlighted the need for post-immersion clean-up drives. The use of non-biodegradable materials, paints and other substances in idols can affect water quality, aquatic ecosystems and marine life.

Such initiatives aim to remove waste from beaches and promote greater public awareness about keeping marine and river ecosystems clean.

Nanded, Sep 26: In a direct interaction with drought-affected farmers during an on-site visit in Sonkhed village from Nanded district, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President, Sunetra Pawar, on Saturday assured affected families that the state government is taking strict note of crop damage and will not leave anyone stranded.

Speaking to a gathering of local farmers while inspecting dry and damaged crops hit due to scanty rainfall, Dy CM Pawar highlighted that government officials are actively conducting ground inspections to assess the situation directly rather than relying solely on official data or statistics.

She told the farmers that on-ground surveys (Panchnamas) are ongoing to evaluate actual ground conditions and crop losses. Reports will be finalised quickly to expedite government relief.

Addressing concerns over agricultural credit, Dy CM Pawar confirmed that loan waiver processes are underway, with funds being processed directly through banking channels based on individual loan categories.

“Funds will be directly credited into farmers’ bank accounts based on the specific type/category of loan they hold,” she said.

“State intervention will extend beyond crop damage. Special focus is being given to livestock care—including fodder and water supply—as well as managing education-related difficulties faced by farmers’ children due to financial stress,” she assured.

Emphasising her connection to the region as a daughter of Marathwada, Dy CM Pawar stated that she deeply understands the agrarian plight and assured farmers that the administration is treating their hardship with utmost gravity.

“I am a daughter of Marathwada. I intimately understand the pain and hardship of our farming community,” she reassured the growers.

“We will not abandon a single farmer to uncertainty. Ensuring quality education for your children, securing fodder for livestock, and supporting family livelihoods remain top-tier priorities for this administration,” she said.

Local farmers also brought forward urgent demands regarding local water infrastructure, requesting that nearby lakes and water storage facilities be filled to tackle the severe drought. Pawar reassured the crowd that the government stands firmly with them and that comprehensive relief announcements will follow as soon as field reports are submitted.

She urged farmers not to worry, reassuring them that the government will not leave anyone in the lurch. Dy CM Pawar confirmed that following her firsthand inspection, comprehensive follow-ups will be initiated at the state Cabinet level to roll out necessary relief packages and structural measures. She added that district administrative officials will be instructed immediately to execute thorough situational audits and deliver swift executive action.

Reaffirming the state government’s commitment amid volatile rainfall patterns, severe crop yield declines, and compounding financial pressure, she assured rural communities that the administration stands firmly behind Maharashtra’s agrarian sector.

Meanwhile, former Union Agriculture Minister and NCP SP President, Sharad Pawar, will lead a march in Solapur district to draw the state government’s attention for declaring drought and providing immediate relief to the farmers hit due to the agrarian crisis.

Further, Aaditya Thackeray is on a tour of Dharashiv, Solapur, and Nanded today, where he will interact with drought-affected farmers.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) conducted a screening test on March 22, 2026, for 154 posts of Drug Inspector (Group B) under the Food and Drug Administration cadre across six examination centers in Maharashtra. A case was registered at the Cuffe Parade Police Station regarding the breach of the examination paper’s confidentiality and the unauthorized leaking of the question set for financial gain.

The Special Investigation Team of the Property Cell, Crime Branch, Mumbai, is investigating the matter. Based on a technical investigation, two candidates who obtained the question paper through illegal means have been arrested, along with two intermediaries.

The investigation revealed that copies of the question sets selected by experts were prepared in the MPSC’s confidential room and subsequently leaked illegally for financial gain. Previously, Under Secretary Abhijit Landge, Assistant Room Officers Vishweshwar Nakte and Gopal Marathe, Kautilya Academy Director Pravin Patil, intermediaries Amrit Patil and Lokesh (alias Gaurav) Patil, and candidate Rituja Patil had been arrested in connection with this case. Further investigation led to the arrest of candidates Sajid Sandhe (Sangli) and Vijay Kangar (Buldhana)—who had obtained question sets through illegal means—as well as Sandeep Khalte and Bhairunath Kadam (Navi Mumbai), who acted as intermediaries; they were arrested on September 22, 2026, by the Special Investigation Team of the Crime Branch’s Property Cell.
With this action, the total number of accused arrested in the case has reached 11.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Krishnakant Upadhyay, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Raj Tilak Roshan.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Sadanand Rane and Police Inspector-in-Charge Mangesh Desai led the investigation, with police officers from the branch playing a pivotal role in the inquiry.