Maharashtra
MVA launches all-out attack on Centre over ‘Agnipath’
The ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi on Friday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre for its ‘Agnipath’ scheme which has triggered tension and inflammatory protests in many parts of the country.
As reports of anti-Agnipath agitations pour in from different states, the MVA allies’ sharp reactions ranged from “teasing the unemployed youth” to “BJP is anti-army” to “a Jumla-path” on the people of the country.
State Congress President Nana Patole said the BJP at the Centre has imposed yet another ‘mindless and arbitrary’ decision on the country like many others in the past.
“Only 4 years’ service in the armed forces under the cute name of ‘Agnipath’ means that the youth of the country face a bleak future. Then, these young boys and girls will again be rendered jobless. The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making a mockery of the people and deceiving the youth and the jobless of India,” said Patole.
Nationalist Congress Party chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said under the BJP rule, the country is witnessing its highest-ever unemployment ratio and the Centre is not serious about finding a long-term solution for the millions of jobless youth.
“The new Agnipath scheme envisages unemployed youths of the country to join the Indian Armed Forces for a short service tenure of four years, and then fails to safeguard the long-term service prospects of these hopeful young men and women. The scheme lacks imagination and direction, and this is evident from the massive protests that have erupted all over the country,” said Tapase.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande termed Agnipath as yet another instance of how the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ‘anti-army’ though our brave soldiers are always prepared to sacrifice their lives for the nation.
“First there was the controversial policy of OROP which was opposed by the armed forces also, and now the Agnipath. Till now the youth could serve for 16 years and then if found physically fit, their tenure could be extended. But Agnipath will completely dilute it,” said Kayande.
Slamming the scheme, she said “the 56-inch chest is nothing but a hype of ‘Modi and BJP’, and now they are even acting against the interests of the courageous soldiers who secure our borders from enemies.”
“The Agnipath scheme is clearly an injustice on the young people who are the future of the country. We demand that this scheme should be immediately withdrawn,” demanded Kayande.
Tapase said while earlier Modi had promised ‘One Rank One Pension’, under Agnipath, there will be ‘No Rank, No Pension’ or even gratuity for the youth who take up the 4-year jobs in the armed forces.
“Under such a scenario, how and where will the youth learn new skills to get them proper jobs after leaving the armed forces, and even the private sector will not accept them with full pay scales and the dignity they deserve,” pointed out Tapase.
Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe said that presently, there are 62,29,000 vacancies in the Central Government, out of which 2,55,000 are in the Indian Army.
“The decision to recruit only 46,000 of them was made with great fanfare. After six months training and then 3.5 years in the job, those opting will get barely Rs 30,000-Rs 40,000 salary, no job security and no future provisions. The BJP government is gambling with the careers of our youths and Agnipath must be rolled back,” said Londhe.
The trio of Patole, Tapase and Kayande raised the question of “what happened to Modi’s tall promises of two crore jobs every year” made during the 2014 elections, and sought details of exactly how many work opportunities were created in the past 8 years of the BJP rule.
“It was nothing but an election gimmick and now even Agnipath is attracting massive protests by the disillusioned youth all over the country,” added Kayande.
“Our valiant soldiers do not care about their lives while guarding the borders of the country. They don’t concern themselves about any party or group and messing around with them is like ‘compromising’ with the nation’s security,” warned Patole.
Maharashtra
Encroachment on forts will be removed, Ashish Shelar announced – campaign will run from 1 February to 31 May
Mumbai: The issue of encroachment on the historical forts of Maharashtra has again come into discussion. The dispute over encroachment on Vishalgarh had given a serious form to this problem. After this, the state government has decided to take concrete steps for the conservation of forts. Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar has announced that the work of removing encroachment on forts will be done between February 1 and May 31.
Formation of district level committee for conservation of forts
A district level committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate to prevent encroachment and conservation of forts. The concerned police officer, Chief Executive Officer of the District Council, Deputy Forest Conservator of Forest Department, officers of the Archaeological Survey of India Department and officers of other related departments will be members in this committee.
Status of forts of Maharashtra
Maharashtra has 47 centrally protected forts under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), while there are 62 state protected forts under the State Directorate of Archaeology and Museums. Apart from this, there are about 300 unprotected forts. Due to encroachment on forts, their cultural importance is decreasing and law and order is also under threat.
Time limit for action
The committee has been directed to prepare a list of encroachment on all forts by 31 January 2025 and submit it to the state government. The encroachment removal campaign will be run between 1 February and 31 May.
Objective and action plan
- Removal of encroachment from forts.
- Preserve the beauty of historical heritage and cultural heritage.
- Adopt strict measures to prevent new encroachment.
- Pay special attention to the conservation of central and state protected forts.
Responsible institutions and departments
- District Magistrate (Chairman)
- Police Commissioner / District Superintendent of Police
- Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad
- Officer of concerned Forest Department
- Department of Archaeological Survey of India
- State Directorate of Archaeology and Museum
Action as per government’s instructions
The encroachment removal campaign will be intensified under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The committee will have to submit a report of the action taken from time to time to the government.
A big step towards the conservation of forts
This step of the state government will conserve the historical forts of Maharashtra and their cultural heritage will be preserved. The people of the state have also been appealed to support this campaign.
Solapur: Solapur ATS and Barshi Police have achieved great success in a joint operation in Pankajnagar area of Barshi city of Maharashtra. In this action, six Bangladeshi citizens living illegally have been arrested.
During the raid, the police have recovered cash worth ₹ 1.41 lakh, mobile phones worth ₹ 46,000 and several fake documents from the accused. These documents were being used as proof of Indian citizenship. Initial investigation has revealed that the accused were living illegally in India for a long time.
This joint action of Solapur ATS and Barshi Police was taken with the aim of curbing illegal activities in the area. According to the police, a case has been registered against the arrested accused under the Indian Passport Act and the Foreigners Act.
Barshi Police said that the purpose behind the stay of these Bangladeshi citizens in India is being investigated. It is also being ascertained whether they are part of any big conspiracy. Intensive interrogation of the accused is going on and the police is ensuring that complete information about their contacts and activities is gathered.
After this incident, concerns about security have also increased among the local people. The police have appealed to the citizens to immediately report any suspicious activity in their surrounding areas.
Maharashtra
Dalwai targets Shiv Sena: “Leaving Marathi issue and adopting Hindutva is the biggest mistake”
Mumbai: Congress leader Hussain Dalwai has launched a scathing attack on Shiv Sena, saying that abandoning the issue of Marathi Manus and adopting Hindutva was the biggest mistake of Shiv Sena. According to Dalwai, this mistake led to a crisis in Maharashtra and rapid Gujaratisation of Mumbai. He has advised Shiv Sena to raise the Marathi issue again.
He said that at the time of the establishment of Shiv Sena, the issue of Maharashtra and Marathi people was a priority. But later Shiv Sena adopted Hindutva and formed an alliance with BJP and gained power. Dalwai believes that this move benefited BJP and Shiv Sena deviated from its basic principle.
During the formation of Mahavikas Aghadi, Shiv Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress formed the government together. However, after the rebellion of Eknath Shinde, the government fell and Shiv Sena split into two factions. After this statement of Dalwai, there is speculation of increasing tension in Mahavikas Aghadi.
Dalwai’s statement has sparked a debate in political circles. Leaders and experts are giving different opinions on whether the advice to Shiv Sena to bring back its old identity is right or not.
Encroachment on forts will be removed, Ashish Shelar announced – campaign will run from 1 February to 31 May
Six Bangladeshi nationals arrested in Barshi, fake documents and ₹1.41 lakh seized
Dalwai targets Shiv Sena: “Leaving Marathi issue and adopting Hindutva is the biggest mistake”
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