Page 19 - Maharashtra

Maharashtra logs 29 new Covid cases - lowest since early days of pandemic

Maharashtra on Monday recorded 29 new cases of coronavirus -- the lowest daily tally since the early days of the pandemic more than two years ago -- taking the overall count to 81,35,242, while no fresh death linked to the infection was reported in the state, the health department said. Dr Pradip Awate, state surveillance officer, said the daily infection figure is the lowest since the cases that were registered in initial days when the pandemic began in March 2020. The toll remained unchanged at 1,48,404, while the count of recoveries reached 79,86,087 after 89 patients recuperated from the infection in the last 24 hours, the official said. Maharashtra currently has 751 active cases, he said. "We had never seen daily figures dropping this low in the first, second and the third wave. It is prior to the start of the first wave. The figures are similar to what we had seen in March (2020) when the initial cases were recorded," Dr Awate told PTI. At least 9,470 swab samples were test

Shinde govt withdraws SC plea challenging HC order on Arnab Goswami's FIRs

The Supreme Court on Monday permitted the Maharashtra government to withdraw an appeal filed by the state during the previous Uddhav Thackeray dispensation against a Bombay High Court's 2020 order suspending the probe in two FIRs filed against Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami for allegedly making inflammatory comments. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli took note of the submissions of the counsel of Maharashtra that he wanted to withdraw the plea which was filed against the interim order of the Bombay High Court. The appeal against the high court order was filed in the top court when the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by the then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray was ruling the state. It was replaced by the NDA government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on June 30 after a revolt in the Shiv Sena. The order of the high court is an interim order. I have the instructions to withdraw it, the counsel for the state government told the benc

Sanjay Raut praises Rahul for inquiring about his health during Yatra

After differences emerged between Rahul Gandhi and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction over the Cong leader's comment on Savarkar, Sanjay Raut appreciated Wayanad MP for enquiring about his health

BJP's actions to be blamed for distress among farmers and tribals: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has claimed the Bharatiya Janta Party's actions are the root cause of distress among farmers, youth and tribal people in Maharashtra. In a statement dated November 20, which was released on Monday, Gandhi said during his Bharat Jodo Yatra's Maharashtra leg, voices of farmers were heard whose long-standing distress has worsened in recent years due to the rising costs, uncertain prices and the failure of insurance schemes to support the cultivators in bad years. Voices of the state's youth, who are worried about finding work which meets their dreams, despite hard work and sacrifice, and the adivasis, were heard, the Congress leader said. The root cause of this distress is the BJP government's actions, which concentrate wealth and power in the hands of a few. It is worsened by their agenda of dividing Indians against each other using culture, religion, caste and language, Gandhi alleged. Standing against this agenda is Maharashtra's rich progressive ...

Shivaji row: Shinde faction MLA demands governor be shifted out of state

Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction on Monday demanded that Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari be shifted out of the state for his recent remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Gaikwad, who represents the Buldhana Assembly constituency, claimed that Koshyari had made statements about the founder of the Maratha Empire and stoked controversy in the past as well. "The governor should understand that the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj never age and he cannot be compared to any other great person in the world. My request to BJP leaders at the Centre is that a person who does not know the history of the state and how it functions, be sent somewhere else," the MLA said. Shinde is an MLA of the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena faction of the party led by Shinde who helms the government in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Koshyari had, on Saturday, said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was an icon of "olden days" and referred to Babasa

Uddhav hints at alliance with Dr B R Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar

Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, who heads a faction of the Shiv Sena, on Sunday alleged that the country was moving towards dictatorship and said he was ready to join hands with anyone who protect freedom. Thackeray said this during an event, where he shared the stage with Dr B R Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar, chief of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), for the first time, and hinted at joining hands with him. The two leaders were together at the launch of Prabhodhankar.com, a digital platform to highlight the work of Thackeray's grandfather 'Prabhodhankar' Keshav Sitaram Thackeray. Speaking on the occasion, Thackeray said, "The country is moving towards dictatorship. There is a need to throw out people who are greedy for power. I am willing to join hands with those who want to protect freedom." "At present, the British policy of divide-and-rule is being followed," he said. Thackeray described Prakash Ambedkar as a person full of knowledge and ...

Truck hits at least 30 vehicles on slope of Pune bridge in Maharashtra

At least 30 vehicles were damaged after being hit by a truck on the downward slope of a bridge on the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway late Sunday evening, in which some persons were injured, a police official said. The accident occurred on Navale bridge and it happened either due to suspected brake failure of the truck or its driver losing control, he said. As per the information received so far, six persons have suffered injuries in the incident and they are being treated at two hospitals, the official said. There are several vehicles in damaged condition at the site, with fire brigade and police personnel as well as passersby engaged in rescue efforts, eyewitnesses said. "As per the preliminary information, at least 30 vehicles have been damaged after a truck went on to hit these vehicles due to suspected brake failure or the driver losing control," a Sinhgad Road police station official said, adding that the rescue operation is on.

Bharat Jodo Yatra: Maha leg ends, Rahul says experience in state enriching

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said his experience was enriching as the Bharat Jodo Yatra wound up its Maharashtra leg during the day with a 'Light of Unity' show in Nimkhed in Buldhana district. He said he learnt a lot during his 14 days and the experience in the land of Chhattrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj and Mahatma Phule was enriching. "I will always cherish this experience," he said, adding he interacted with farmers, youth, women, Dalits and backward classes and deprived sections of the society on the socio political situation in the country. The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which began in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, reached Jalgaon Jamod from Bhendval during the day. The march, which had reached the Madhya Pradesh border by the evening, will halt at Nimkhedi for two-days before moving into Burhanpur in the neighbouring state.

Shiv Sena office razed in Kalyan-Dombivali under anti-encroachment drive

Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation officials in Thane district demolished eight shops, one of which housed the local office of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), as part of an anti-encroachment drive, an official said on Sunday. However, local Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ramakant Devlekar said Saturday's demolition action was due to his refusal to join the faction of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He said other illegal structures in the area were not touched. Local Shiv Sena (UBT) workers held a protest against the demolition. Meanwhile, KDMC ward officer Kavita Hile said the structures were encroachments and the razing was carried out after following all civic rules, including issuing notices.

Shivaji an idol, says Fadnavis amid row over statements on warrior king

Amid a row caused by remarks of Maharashtra Governor B S Koshyari and BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi regarding Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the warrior king will remain a hero and idol for the state and country as long as the sun and moon exist. A major row erupted a day after Koshyari called Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj an idol of "olden times" at a function in Aurangabad. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has accused Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi of claiming the founder of the Maratha empire apologised to Mughal king Aurangzeb five times. "One thing is clear that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will remain a hero and idol of Maharashtra and our country till the Sun and the Moon exist," Fadnavis, who is attending the closing ceremony of the 71st All India Police Wrestling Cluster Championship in Pune, told reporters. "Even Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had no doubts about this in his mind. ..

Positive energy generated due to Yatra undone by Rahul's criticism: Raut

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed that the positive energy generated due to the Congress's Bharat Jodo Yatra has been undone by Rahul Gandhi's criticism of freedom fighter V D Savarkar. In his weekly column 'Rokhthok' in the party mouthpiece Saamana, Rajya Sabha member Raut questioned why Gandhi was raking up issues which touch the people's emotional chord and giving the BJP a chance on a platter to divert attention. During a press conference in Maharashtra as part of his ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi recently called Savarkar a symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Gandhi had also claimed that the late Hindutva ideologue helped the British rulers and wrote a mercy petition to them out of fear, the remarks that drew criticism and triggered protests. Raut, who was recently granted bail in a money laundering case, said, ''I spent three months in jail. Many freedom fighters were lodged in the

'Why are you in govt with BJP': Raut asks Shinde, demands Guv's removal

Shiv Sena (Uddhav) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday demanded the removal of Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari over an "old idol" remark on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Thane records 17 new Covid-19 infections in a day; active case tally at 120

As many as 17 new cases of coronavirus have been detected in Maharashtra's Thane district, taking its infection count to 7,47,235, a health official said on Sunday. With the addition of the latest cases on Saturday, there are currently 120 active COVID-19 cases in Thane, which comes under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, he said. The death toll in the district remained unchanged at 11,967. The recovery count has reached 7,35,899 he added.

Maharashtra governor calls Shivaji 'Old Idol', draws Uddhav Sena fury

An emotive and iconic figure in Maharashtra, transcending political affiliations, the governor's remark on the Maratha warrior did not go down well with leaders

Maharashtra sees 119 new Covid cases, one death in a day; active tally 821

Maharashtra on Friday recorded 119 new cases of coronavirus and a fatality that raised the tally of infections to 81,35,010 and toll to 1,48,403, an official from the state health department said. At least 156 patients recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours, taking the count of recoveries to 79,85,786, he said. On Thursday, the state had recorded 108 cases and zero fatality. As per a bulletin issued by the health department, of the latest infections, Mumbai accounted for 13 cases, while the only casualty of the day was reported in Pune. With this, the state is now left with 821 active cases, it said. The fatality rate stands at 1.82 per cent, while the recovery rate is at 98.17 per cent, it was stated. As many as 15,410 swab samples were tested in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of tests conducted to 8,55,05,054. Maharashtra's coronavirus figures for the day: Fresh cases: 119; Fatality: 1; Active cases: 821; Tests: 15,410.

Bharat Jodo Yatra proceeds to Shegaon in its last leg in Maharashtra

The Bharat Jodo Yatra of the Congress resumed from Balapur in Akola district on the 12th day of its Maharashtra leg on Friday morning and is heading towards Shegaon in Buldhana district, where Rahul Gandhi will address a public rally. The yatra began at 6 am from a Zilla Parishad school at Kupta in Balapur. It will reach Shegaon during its morning break, where the Congress leader will visit the famous Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj temple. Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson Tushar Gandhi joined Rahul Gandhi in the morning session of the yatra. Rahul Gandhi waved at the crowds gathered along the route to greet him early morning and also interacted with them. A public meeting will be addressed by Gandhi at Shegaon in the evening. The Congress has planned a show of strength at the rally with party workers from all over the state coming to attend it, its leaders said. Gandhi had addressed a rally in Nanded last week. The Bharat Jodo Yatra, a mass contact initiative of the Congress, entered .

Non-cognisable offence recorded against Rahul for remarks against Savarkar

A complaint has been filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly making "derogatory remarks" against freedom fighter VD Savarkar during the Bharat Jodo Yatra

8 suspected measles deaths, 503 cases logged in Maha; CM reviews situation

Maharashtra has reported 503 cases of measles so far this year and eight deaths suspected to be caused by the viral infection - all in Mumbai -- the health department said on Thursday as Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reviewed the situation and asked officials to give special attention to hospitalised patients. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in a separate bulletin, said the metropolis has reported eight suspected deaths due to the disease and 169 confirmed cases so far. As per the bulletin, 25 new patients of measles were admitted in the city, taking the number of hospitalised persons to 105. While two patients are on oxygen support, 38 others were discharged from hospitals. A state health department bulletin said measles outbreak has been reported from 26 places in Maharashtra - 14 in Mumbai, seven in Bhiwandi (Thane district) and five in Malegaon town (Nashik district). Chief Minister Shinde reviewed the situation arising out of the spread of the infection and ...

Maharashtra sees 108 new Covid cases, 131 recover; active tally 859

Maharashtra on Thursday recorded 108 COVID-19 cases and 131 recoveries, while the fatality count stood unchanged, a health official said. The state's tally is 81,34,891, its recovery count stands at 79,85,630, and the toll remains 1,48,402, he said. The addition to the tally is a dip from the 156 cases reported on Wednesday, he added. The active tally of the Maharashtra was 859, he added. Mumbai led with 26 of the new cases, the official said. As per health department data, the recovery rate in the state stands at 98.17 per cent. So far, 8,54,89,644 coronavirus tests have been conducted in Maharashtra, including 13,617 in the last 24 hours, as per official data. Maharashtra's coronavirus figures for the day: Fresh cases: 108; Fatality: 0; Active cases: 859; Tests: 13,617.

Bharat Jodo Yatra continues in Maharashtra, Rahul interacts with locals

The Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi resumed on Thursday morning in Maharashtra's Akola district after a night halt at a factory. Gandhi waved at the crowd gathered on the route and interacted with locals. He will address a press conference on Thursday afternoon. It is the 71st day of the foot march, which began on September 7 from Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu, and the 11th day of its Maharashtra leg. On Thursday, the yatra began at 6 am from Patur after a night halt at a ginning pressing factory. It will proceed to Balapur in the evening and reach Shegaon in Buldhana district on Friday morning. On Wednesday, Gandhi targeted the Centre and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming their policies have destroyed the Indian economy and broken the back of farmers. He said small and medium business enterprises, and not big industrial houses, generate large-scale employment, but they were at the receiving end of the Centre's 2016 note-ban exercise and the w