<p>At least 17 people have died in a truck accident on the Pune-Satara highway near Khandala in Maharashtra and left over 15 people&nbsp;injured.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The truck, carrying construction labourers from&nbsp;Bijapur&nbsp;district in Karnataka, was going towards Pune when it met with the accident around 4.30 am on&nbsp;Mumbai-Bengaluru highway&nbsp;passing through the district, around 250 km from here, Satara's&nbsp;Superintendent&nbsp;of Police&nbsp;Sandeep Patil&nbsp;said.</p>

<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="1" id="google_ads_iframe_/6516239/outofpage_1x1_desktop_0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_iframe_/6516239/outofpage_1x1_desktop_0" scrolling="no" title="3rd party ad content" width="1"></iframe>The&nbsp;driver&nbsp;apparently lost control over the wheels at an accident-prone stop near Khambatki ghat. As a result, the vehicle rammed into a barricade and then overturned, he said.</p>

<p>The police were trying to ascertain the exact reason of the accident, the&nbsp;official&nbsp;said, adding that they suspect the accident occurred due to the driver's lack of concentration as he had been constantly driving and was deprived of sleep.</p>

<p>The bodies were sent for postmortem and the process to identify the deceased was on, the police added.</p>


15 people were reportedly injured in the accident.

At least 17 people have died in a truck accident on the Pune-Satara highway near Khandala in Maharashtra and left over 15 people injured. The truck, carrying construction labourers from Bijapur district in Karnataka, was going towards Pune when it met with the accident around 4.30 am on Mumbai-Bengaluru highway passing through the district, around 250 km from here, Satara's Superintendent of Police Sandeep Patil said. The driver apparently lost control over the wheels at an accident-prone stop near Khambatki ghat. As a result, the vehicle rammed into a barricade and then overturned, he said. The police were trying to ascertain the exact reason of the accident, the official said, adding that they suspect the accident occurred due to the driver's lack of concentration as he had been constantly driving and was deprived of sleep. The bodies were sent for postmortem and the process to identify the deceased was on, the police added.

Maharashtra: 17 killed in truck accident on Pune-Satara highway near Khandala

<p>Days after the Karnataka government gave minority status to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-are-lingayats-and-how-will-they-impact-the-assembly-elections-36507">Lingayat community</a> in the state, the All India Lingayat Coordination Committee carried out a "Mahamorcha" in Maharashtra&nbsp;demanding a Constitutional recognition of the community in Maharashtra.</p>

<p>The Committee also demanded its minority status on a national level.</p>

<p>The "Mahamorcha" was carried out to the Divisional Commissioner's office in Maharashtra.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-government-gives-nod-to-separate-religion-for-lingayats-36379">Minority status was given to the Lingayats in Karnataka on March 23</a> after the Karnataka's Lingayat community's long pressed demand for a separate religion tag and minority status. The move is believed to have a bearing on the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Lingayats also known as the Veerashaiva community owes loyalty to the social reform movement of the 12th century initiated by Basaveshwara, a saint, has a considerable population in the northern part of the Karnataka. They rebelled against established Hindu traditions by defying the caste system and vedic rituals.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/difference-between-veerashaivas-and-lingayats-36608">Difference between Veerashaivas and Lingayats</a></p>

<p>In their bid for a separate religion status, Lingayats were eager to dissociate themselves from Veerashaivas, a Shaivite religious tradition, whose followers adhere to the vedas. Lingayats, on the contrary, do not believe in rituals or vedas.</p>

<p>At the core of their ideology and belief systems, the Lingayats reject the ancient Hindu texts and vedas, the caste system and the belief in karma and reincarnation. In the Lingayat tradition, worship revolves bhakti or devotion and is centred on god Shiva.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Aurangabad: All India Lingayat Coordination Committee carried out a ‘Mahamorcha’to the Divisional Commissioner's office demanding constitutional recognition of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lingayat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lingayat</a> in Maharashtra & also a minority status to the community on national level. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maharashtra?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maharashtra</a> <a href="https://t.co/Bxx55RbEtD">pic.twitter.com/Bxx55RbEtD</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/982928053750902784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The 'Mahamorcha' was carried out to the Divisional Commissioner's office in Maharashtra

Days after the Karnataka government gave minority status to the Lingayat community in the state, the All India Lingayat Coordination Committee carried out a "Mahamorcha" in Maharashtra demanding a Constitutional recognition of the community in Maharashtra. The Committee also demanded its minority status on a national level. The "Mahamorcha" was carried out to the Divisional Commissioner's office in Maharashtra. Minority status was given to the Lingayats in Karnataka on March 23 after the Karnataka's Lingayat community's long pressed demand for a separate religion tag and minority status. The move is believed to have a bearing on the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections. The Lingayats also known as the Veerashaiva community owes loyalty to the social reform movement of the 12th century initiated by Basaveshwara, a saint, has a considerable population in the northern part of the Karnataka. They rebelled against established Hindu traditions by defying the caste system and vedic rituals. Also read: Difference between Veerashaivas and Lingayats In their bid for a separate religion status, Lingayats were eager to dissociate themselves from Veerashaivas, a Shaivite religious tradition, whose followers adhere to the vedas. Lingayats, on the contrary, do not believe in rituals or vedas. At the core of their ideology and belief systems, the Lingayats reject the ancient Hindu texts and vedas, the caste system and the belief in karma and reincarnation. In the Lingayat tradition, worship revolves bhakti or devotion and is centred on god Shiva. Aurangabad: All India Lingayat Coordination Committee carried out a ‘Mahamorcha’to the Divisional Commissioner's office demanding constitutional recognition of #Lingayat in Maharashtra & also a minority status to the community on national level. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/Bxx55RbEtD — ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2018 ×

Lingayat Committee demands minority status and constitutional recognition

<p>The controversy surrounding a 29-year-old police constable’s request to the Maharashtra government to undergo a sex reassignment surgery, has prompted the state police to include gender determination test in their recruitment process.</p>

<p>Lalita Salve, who now prefers to be called Lalit, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis last month seeking his permission to undergo the surgery and be retained in the police force as a male police constable after the procedure.</p>

<p>“Till now, we did not have a gender determination test during police recruitment. However, going by this case, we felt the need to introduce such a test to avoid complications in future,” Rajkumar Vhatkar, inspector general of police (establishment), told PTI in Mumbai today.</p>

<p>The recruitment process of around 8,000 police constables is underway in Maharashtra, he said, adding the gender determination test will be included during the process.</p>

<p>Besides physical tests, the police force is including the gender test to avoid male candidates being selected in the female category, another police official said. &nbsp;This case is unique for the 1.80-lakh-strong police constabulary in Maharashtra. Salve grew up as a woman and was recruited as a woman police constable, he said.</p>

<p>Salve moved the Bombay High Court in November, seeking a direction to the DGP to grant Salve leave to undergo the surgery. Salve also sought a month’s leave for the surgery, but it was rejected by Beed police authorities, after which the constable approached the high court.</p>

<p>Later, Fadnavis asked the DGP to consider Salve’s case favourably. Salve is a member of the all-women patrolling team called “Damini” squad, formed to keep eve-teasers at bay, at Majalgaon in Beed district. When Salve met Fadnavis last month, the latter asked DGP Satish Mathur to take a “quick decision” in the case. After meeting the chief minister, Salve had appeared “hopeful” of getting permission for the surgery and of being retained as a male police constable.</p>


Lalita Salve, who now prefers to be called Lalit, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis last month seeking his permission to undergo the surgery and be retained in the police force as a male police constable after the procedure.

The controversy surrounding a 29-year-old police constable’s request to the Maharashtra government to undergo a sex reassignment surgery, has prompted the state police to include gender determination test in their recruitment process. Lalita Salve, who now prefers to be called Lalit, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis last month seeking his permission to undergo the surgery and be retained in the police force as a male police constable after the procedure. “Till now, we did not have a gender determination test during police recruitment. However, going by this case, we felt the need to introduce such a test to avoid complications in future,” Rajkumar Vhatkar, inspector general of police (establishment), told PTI in Mumbai today. The recruitment process of around 8,000 police constables is underway in Maharashtra, he said, adding the gender determination test will be included during the process. Besides physical tests, the police force is including the gender test to avoid male candidates being selected in the female category, another police official said. This case is unique for the 1.80-lakh-strong police constabulary in Maharashtra. Salve grew up as a woman and was recruited as a woman police constable, he said. Salve moved the Bombay High Court in November, seeking a direction to the DGP to grant Salve leave to undergo the surgery. Salve also sought a month’s leave for the surgery, but it was rejected by Beed police authorities, after which the constable approached the high court. Later, Fadnavis asked the DGP to consider Salve’s case favourably. Salve is a member of the all-women patrolling team called “Damini” squad, formed to keep eve-teasers at bay, at Majalgaon in Beed district. When Salve met Fadnavis last month, the latter asked DGP Satish Mathur to take a “quick decision” in the case. After meeting the chief minister, Salve had appeared “hopeful” of getting permission for the surgery and of being retained as a male police constable.

Maharashtra to start gender determination test for police recruitment

<p>The plastic ban order of the Maharashtra government is likely to make nearly 3,00,000 people jobless as industry urged the government to come out with a solution, an industry official said here. “The ban on plastic bags has derailed the production, packaging and supply schedules of grains, bakery and clothing industries. Many units are on the verge of closure in the absence of basic packaging material – plastic bags and we fear that nearly 3,00,000 people employed may become jobless. We urged the Maharashtra government to come out with a solution to save the industry,” Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president Lalit Gandhi told reporters here.</p>

<p>“We met and petitioned the minister for environment -Ram Das Kadam yesterday and sought waiver on packaging material till alternatives are identified and made available” Gandhi said. We have urged the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to treat food grains and all food items including fruits and vegetables at par with milk and extend the repository (50 paisa per bag) scheme on them.</p>

<p>Failure to act immediately will cause untold misery to all. This may not yield commensurate gains to the environment as envisioned by the plastic ban notification, Gandhi said. “The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to file its reply by April 9 and hopefully will rule on our petition seeking a stay on this ban on April 11,” Maharashtra Plastic Manufacturers Association vice president Ravi Jasnani said.</p>

<p>“In Mumbai alone over 6,80,000 readymade garments pieces for exports are stuck on account of non-availability of transparent plastic bags for packing,” Clothing Manufacturers Association of India chairman Rajesh Masand said. The state on March 23 had issued the Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products notification that banned the manufacture, use, storage, distribution, sale, import and transportation of all kinds of plastic items.</p>

<p>The ban covers a wide range of articles made of plastic and thermocol, including, bags, dishes, cups, glasses, bowls, forks, spoon, straw, containers, small PET bottles and decoration items.</p>


We urged the Maharashtra government to come out with a solution to save the industry," Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president Lalit Gandhi told reporters here.

The plastic ban order of the Maharashtra government is likely to make nearly 3,00,000 people jobless as industry urged the government to come out with a solution, an industry official said here. “The ban on plastic bags has derailed the production, packaging and supply schedules of grains, bakery and clothing industries. Many units are on the verge of closure in the absence of basic packaging material – plastic bags and we fear that nearly 3,00,000 people employed may become jobless. We urged the Maharashtra government to come out with a solution to save the industry,” Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president Lalit Gandhi told reporters here. “We met and petitioned the minister for environment -Ram Das Kadam yesterday and sought waiver on packaging material till alternatives are identified and made available” Gandhi said. We have urged the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to treat food grains and all food items including fruits and vegetables at par with milk and extend the repository (50 paisa per bag) scheme on them. Failure to act immediately will cause untold misery to all. This may not yield commensurate gains to the environment as envisioned by the plastic ban notification, Gandhi said. “The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to file its reply by April 9 and hopefully will rule on our petition seeking a stay on this ban on April 11,” Maharashtra Plastic Manufacturers Association vice president Ravi Jasnani said. “In Mumbai alone over 6,80,000 readymade garments pieces for exports are stuck on account of non-availability of transparent plastic bags for packing,” Clothing Manufacturers Association of India chairman Rajesh Masand said. The state on March 23 had issued the Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products notification that banned the manufacture, use, storage, distribution, sale, import and transportation of all kinds of plastic items. The ban covers a wide range of articles made of plastic and thermocol, including, bags, dishes, cups, glasses, bowls, forks, spoon, straw, containers, small PET bottles and decoration items.

Maharashtra plastic ban may render 3 lakh people jobless

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-can-do-a-silicon-valley-in-5-years-but-innovation-ecosystem-needs-a-boost-world-bank-128109">India can do a Silicon Valley in 5 years but innovation ecosystem needs a boost: World Bank</a></p>

<p>India has the potential to innovate on the lines of Silicon Valley but it needs to do more for expanding the innovation ecosystem as it aspires to become a middle-income country, World Bank India head Junaid Kamal Ahmad said today.'</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/scst-act-we-are-not-against-it-says-supreme-court-but-refuses-to-cancel-earlier-order-128083">SC/ST Act: We are not against it, says Supreme Court but refuses to cancel </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/scst-act-we-are-not-against-it-says-supreme-court-but-refuses-to-cancel-earlier-order-128083">earlier</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/scst-act-we-are-not-against-it-says-supreme-court-but-refuses-to-cancel-earlier-order-128083"> order</a></p>

<p>The Supreme Court has said that it is not against the SC/ST Act and doesn't want the innocent to be punished. The court made these observations while hearing Attorney General K K Venugopal's submission during the hearing of Centre's petition of SC/ST Act.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-government-passes-resolution-for-1-parallel-reservation-for-orphans-128118">Maharashtra government passes </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-government-passes-resolution-for-1-parallel-reservation-for-orphans-128118">resolution</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-government-passes-resolution-for-1-parallel-reservation-for-orphans-128118"> for 1% parallel reservation for orphans</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;In one of&nbsp;the first ever reservation for orphans in government jobs in the country, Maharashtra government has issued a resolution of 1 per cent parallel reservation for orphans in the open category for education and jobs.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/boat-carrying-rohingya-refugees-intercepted-in-malaysia--128087">Boat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/boat-carrying-rohingya-refugees-intercepted-in-malaysia--128087"> carrying Rohingya refugees intercepted in Malaysia </a></p>

<p>Malaysia intercepted a boat carrying 56 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar off its northern island of Langkawi on Tuesday and will allow them to enter on humanitarian grounds, with rights groups expecting further such perilous journeys by sea.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/stormy-daniels-case-should-be-settled-privately-trump-lawyer-128115">Stormy Daniels' case should be settled privately: Trump lawyer</a></p>

<p>United States President Donald Trump and his attorney Michael Cohen have filed court papers on Monday asking a federal judge to demand porn star Stormy Daniels to raise her disputes through private arbitration.</p>


India can do a Silicon Valley in 5 years but innovation ecosystem needs a boost: World Bank India has the potential to innovate on the lines of Silicon Valley but it needs to do more for expanding the innovation ecosystem as it aspires to become a middle-income country, World Bank India head Junaid Kamal Ahmad said today.' SC/ST Act: We are not against it, says Supreme Court but refuses to cancel earlier order The Supreme Court has said that it is not against the SC/ST Act and doesn't want the innocent to be punished. The court made these observations while hearing Attorney General K K Venugopal's submission during the hearing of Centre's petition of SC/ST Act. Maharashtra government passes resolution for 1% parallel reservation for orphans In one of the first ever reservation for orphans in government jobs in the country, Maharashtra government has issued a resolution of 1 per cent parallel reservation for orphans in the open category for education and jobs. Boat carrying Rohingya refugees intercepted in Malaysia Malaysia intercepted a boat carrying 56 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar off its northern island of Langkawi on Tuesday and will allow them to enter on humanitarian grounds, with rights groups expecting further such perilous journeys by sea. Stormy Daniels' case should be settled privately: Trump lawyer United States President Donald Trump and his attorney Michael Cohen have filed court papers on Monday asking a federal judge to demand porn star Stormy Daniels to raise her disputes through private arbitration.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>The Maharashtra police on Tuesday shot three Naxals during an encounter carried out in Gadchiroli district.&nbsp</p>

<p>Out of the three killed, two were women.&nbsp</p>

<p>Further details are awaited.&nbsp</p>

<p>Last week, five Naxals surrendered before the police in Gadchiroli as well, which included two women, carrying a reward of Rs 24 &nbsplakh on their heads.&nbsp</p>

<p>The surrender of Sainu, Rupi alias Jhuri Kande Narote, Arjun Naresh Barsai Poya, Chaya alias Raje Devi, and Vinu alias Ramnath Bijou Sundar Kovachi indicates the success of state government's campaign to encourage the Naxals lay down their weapons.</p>

<p>The surrendered Naxals have confessed to being involved in activities such as blasts, kidnappings, and encounters.</p>


The Maharashtra police on Tuesday shot three Naxals during an encounter carried out in Gadchiroli district. Out of the three killed, two were women. Further details are awaited. Last week, five Naxals surrendered before the police in Gadchiroli as well, which included two women, carrying a reward of Rs 24 &nbsplakh on their heads. The surrender of Sainu, Rupi alias Jhuri Kande Narote, Arjun Naresh Barsai Poya, Chaya alias Raje Devi, and Vinu alias Ramnath Bijou Sundar Kovachi indicates the success of state government's campaign to encourage the Naxals lay down their weapons. The surrendered Naxals have confessed to being involved in activities such as blasts, kidnappings, and encounters.

3 Naxals killed during encounter in Maharashtra

<p>Maharashtra government has moved to ban hookah in the state. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Girish Bapat tabled a Bill -- Amendment to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act.&nbsp</p>

<p>The bill proposes to check and disallow opening or running hookah bars across the state. Hookah sale will not be allowed at eating joints as well.&nbsp</p>

<p>The bill describes hookah bars as “establishments where people gather to smoke tobacco from a community hookah or a narghile provided individually.”</p>

<p>However, the bill does not propose a ban on smoking hookah at home or at designated areas similar to cigarette smoking zones where food or beverage is not permitted.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Punjab government also decided to impose a permanent ban on hookah bars in the state. The government decided not to issue temporary orders against hookah serving bars every two months.</p>

<p>Punjab cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, approved an amendment to the Cigarette & Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, for prevention & control of diseases caused by the use of tobacco products.</p>

<p>The amendment would be proposed in the Vidhan Sabha and later forwarded for the President's assent if passed by the House.&nbsp</p>


Hookah sale will not be allowed at eating joints

Maharashtra government has moved to ban hookah in the state. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Girish Bapat tabled a Bill -- Amendment to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act. The bill proposes to check and disallow opening or running hookah bars across the state. Hookah sale will not be allowed at eating joints as well. The bill describes hookah bars as “establishments where people gather to smoke tobacco from a community hookah or a narghile provided individually.” However, the bill does not propose a ban on smoking hookah at home or at designated areas similar to cigarette smoking zones where food or beverage is not permitted. Meanwhile, Punjab government also decided to impose a permanent ban on hookah bars in the state. The government decided not to issue temporary orders against hookah serving bars every two months. Punjab cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, approved an amendment to the Cigarette & Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, for prevention & control of diseases caused by the use of tobacco products. The amendment would be proposed in the Vidhan Sabha and later forwarded for the President's assent if passed by the House.

Maharashtra tables bill to ban hookah bars across state

Days after Maharashtra government assented to some of the demands of farmers who staged a protest in Mumbai, about 91 farmers in Buldhana district from Amravati division of the state submitted a letter to the Governor and SDO seeking permission for euthanasia.

The farmers' claim that they are not being paid the remunerative prices for crops and adequate compensation for their land.

The state government acquired their land for the construction of a highway.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Maharashtra: 91 farmers from Buldhana submitted a letter to the Governor & SDO seeking permission for Euthanasia as they are not getting remunerative prices for crops and adequate compensation for their land which has been aquired by the government for construction of a highway. <a href="https://t.co/lltXRgrjpt">pic.twitter.com/lltXRgrjpt</a></p>&mdash ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/978129857258446848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">26 March 2018</a></blockquote>
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Earlier this month, over 50,000 farmers led by the All India Kisan Sabha headed to Mumbai from Nashik, protesting against the agrarian distress in the state.

The farmers demanded a complete loan waiver amongst other things.


The farmers said they were not being paid remunerative prices for their crops or adequate compensation for their land acquired by the government

Days after Maharashtra government assented to some of the demands of farmers who staged a protest in Mumbai, about 91 farmers in Buldhana district from Amravati division of the state submitted a letter to the Governor and SDO seeking permission for euthanasia. The farmers' claim that they are not being paid the remunerative prices for crops and adequate compensation for their land. The state government acquired their land for the construction of a highway. Maharashtra: 91 farmers from Buldhana submitted a letter to the Governor & SDO seeking permission for Euthanasia as they are not getting remunerative prices for crops and adequate compensation for their land which has been aquired by the government for construction of a highway. pic.twitter.com/lltXRgrjpt &mdash ANI (@ANI) 26 March 2018 Earlier this month, over 50,000 farmers led by the All India Kisan Sabha headed to Mumbai from Nashik, protesting against the agrarian distress in the state. The farmers demanded a complete loan waiver amongst other things.

91 Maharashtra farmers write to Governor, seek euthanasia

<p>Maharashtra state government has imposed a complete ban on plastic across the state becoming the 18th state of the country to impose such ban.</p>

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<p>Effective from today, the ban has been put on storage, manufacture, use, &nbsp;distribution, wholesale and retail sale import and transportation of all kinds of plastic bags.</p>

<p>Use of thermocol and disposable cutlery&nbsp;including straws,&nbsp;pouches to store food items and liquid items are also banned.</p>

<p>The government has given one month to traders, manufacturers and consumers to dispose of the banned plastic items.</p>

<p>Local administrations of the state have also been asked to start a collection point to accept the banned item from consumers only while manufacturers and traders will have to look for recycling facilities.</p>

<p>The proposal of the ban was cleared by Maharashtra cabinet on March 15.</p>

<p>In&nbsp;case&nbsp;of violation, the manufactures and users will have to pay fine of 5,000 rupees.</p>

<p>Plastic products that have been exempted from the ban are milk pouches, wrappers for processed food, dustbin liners, medicines packs, solid waste and agricultural products and PET bottles.</p>

<p>However, the PET bottles and milk pouches will be sold on an additional price of 1-2 rupees which will be refunded to the consumer after the return the retailer for recycling.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dairies have also been instructed to make an attempt to sell milk in glass bottles.</p>

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Effective from today, the ban has been put on storage, manufacture, use, distribution, wholesale and retail sale import and transportation of all kinds of plastic bags

Maharashtra state government has imposed a complete ban on plastic across the state becoming the 18th state of the country to impose such ban. × Effective from today, the ban has been put on storage, manufacture, use, distribution, wholesale and retail sale import and transportation of all kinds of plastic bags. Use of thermocol and disposable cutlery including straws, pouches to store food items and liquid items are also banned. The government has given one month to traders, manufacturers and consumers to dispose of the banned plastic items. Local administrations of the state have also been asked to start a collection point to accept the banned item from consumers only while manufacturers and traders will have to look for recycling facilities. The proposal of the ban was cleared by Maharashtra cabinet on March 15. In case of violation, the manufactures and users will have to pay fine of 5,000 rupees. Plastic products that have been exempted from the ban are milk pouches, wrappers for processed food, dustbin liners, medicines packs, solid waste and agricultural products and PET bottles. However, the PET bottles and milk pouches will be sold on an additional price of 1-2 rupees which will be refunded to the consumer after the return the retailer for recycling. Dairies have also been instructed to make an attempt to sell milk in glass bottles.

Maharashtra becomes 18th state to ban plastic, effective from Saturday

<p>Maharashtra Environment Minister has urged the plastic manufacturers to produce cotton bags. He also said that the state was banning thermocol.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-becomes-18th-state-to-ban-plastic-effective-from-today-36943" target="_blank"> Maharashtra becomes </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-becomes-18th-state-to-ban-plastic-effective-from-today-36943" target="_blank">18th</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-becomes-18th-state-to-ban-plastic-effective-from-today-36943" target="_blank"> state to ban plastic, effective from Saturday</a></p>

<p>State&nbsp;Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam has said that the government will recycle milk pouches and&nbsp;PET bottles adding that an additional charge of 50 paise and 1 Re would be put on every milk pouch and PET bottle respectively.</p>

<p>The extra amount will be refunded&nbsp;after the consumers return the milk pouch and the PET bottle which will then be sent for recycling.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PET bottles and milk pouches have been exempted from the ban, however, these will be sold at an additional price.</p>

<p>Other items exempted from the ban are&nbsp;wrappers for processed food, dustbin liners, medicines packs, solid waste and agricultural products.</p>

<p>He added that&nbsp;Maharashtra produces 1100 tonnes of waste every day&nbsp;and currently there&nbsp;were tonnes of waste in the state.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thermocol used for decoration also stands banned. I would like to urge the plastic manufacturers to produce cotton bags. Recycling of milk pouches and PET bottles will be done. Customers will have to pay 50 paise extra on every milk pouch and Re 1 for PET bottle: Ramdas Kadam <a href="https://t.co/R3pTByzxFz">pic.twitter.com/R3pTByzxFz</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/977744072747122689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Maharashtra is the 18th state of the country which has imposed a complete plastic ban.</p>

<p>The ban has been put on storage, manufacture, use, &nbsp;distribution, wholesale and retail sale import and transportation of all kinds of plastic bags. Use of thermocol and disposable cutlery&nbsp;including straws,&nbsp;pouches to store food items and liquid items are also banned.</p>

<p>The government has given one month to traders, manufacturers and consumers to dispose of the banned plastic items.</p>

<p>The proposal of the ban was cleared by Maharashtra cabinet on March 15.</p>

<p>In&nbsp;case&nbsp;of violation, the manufactures and users will have to pay fine of 5,000 rupees.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Maharashtra Environment Minister said 'Thermocol used for decoration also stands banned'

Maharashtra Environment Minister has urged the plastic manufacturers to produce cotton bags. He also said that the state was banning thermocol. Also read: Maharashtra becomes 18th state to ban plastic, effective from Saturday State Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam has said that the government will recycle milk pouches and PET bottles adding that an additional charge of 50 paise and 1 Re would be put on every milk pouch and PET bottle respectively. The extra amount will be refunded after the consumers return the milk pouch and the PET bottle which will then be sent for recycling. PET bottles and milk pouches have been exempted from the ban, however, these will be sold at an additional price. Other items exempted from the ban are wrappers for processed food, dustbin liners, medicines packs, solid waste and agricultural products. He added that Maharashtra produces 1100 tonnes of waste every day and currently there were tonnes of waste in the state. Thermocol used for decoration also stands banned. I would like to urge the plastic manufacturers to produce cotton bags. Recycling of milk pouches and PET bottles will be done. Customers will have to pay 50 paise extra on every milk pouch and Re 1 for PET bottle: Ramdas Kadam pic.twitter.com/R3pTByzxFz — ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2018 × Maharashtra is the 18th state of the country which has imposed a complete plastic ban. The ban has been put on storage, manufacture, use, distribution, wholesale and retail sale import and transportation of all kinds of plastic bags. Use of thermocol and disposable cutlery including straws, pouches to store food items and liquid items are also banned. The government has given one month to traders, manufacturers and consumers to dispose of the banned plastic items. The proposal of the ban was cleared by Maharashtra cabinet on March 15. In case of violation, the manufactures and users will have to pay fine of 5,000 rupees.

After plastic, Maharashtra also bans thermacol

<p>As the country celebrates the spring festival of Gudi Padwa, Mumbai witnessed a colourful parade of women bikers clad in traditional Marathi attire to commemorate the new year for Marathi Hindus.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Women ride two wheelers wearing traditional Maharashtrian sarees in Mumbai&#39;s Girgaon during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GudiPadwa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GudiPadwa</a> celebrations. <a href="https://t.co/V8o4ng927Q">pic.twitter.com/V8o4ng927Q</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/975275116249649152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Women in Mumbai&#39;s Girgaon area took to the streets, riding two-wheelers in traditional Maharashtrian sarees. Some pinions carried elaborate parasols to save themselves from the scorching heat and add more drama to their grand avatar.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Women ride two wheelers wearing traditional Maharashtrian sarees in Mumbai&#39;s Girgaon during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GudiPadwa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GudiPadwa</a> celebrations. <a href="https://t.co/jUVk0lSXhP">pic.twitter.com/jUVk0lSXhP</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/975277345090293761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Every year, Gudi Padwa is celebrated in Maharashtra and adjoining regions on the first day of the Chaitra month of the Hindu calender.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The day marks the onset of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar.&nbsp;</p>


The day marks the onset of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar

As the country celebrates the spring festival of Gudi Padwa, Mumbai witnessed a colourful parade of women bikers clad in traditional Marathi attire to commemorate the new year for Marathi Hindus. Women ride two wheelers wearing traditional Maharashtrian sarees in Mumbai's Girgaon during #GudiPadwa celebrations. pic.twitter.com/V8o4ng927Q — ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2018 × Women in Mumbai's Girgaon area took to the streets, riding two-wheelers in traditional Maharashtrian sarees. Some pinions carried elaborate parasols to save themselves from the scorching heat and add more drama to their grand avatar. #WATCH: Women ride two wheelers wearing traditional Maharashtrian sarees in Mumbai's Girgaon during #GudiPadwa celebrations. pic.twitter.com/jUVk0lSXhP — ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2018 × Every year, Gudi Padwa is celebrated in Maharashtra and adjoining regions on the first day of the Chaitra month of the Hindu calender. The day marks the onset of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar.

Mumbai: Saree-clad biker women take to streets to celebrate Gudi Padwa

<p>&nbsp;Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced the withdrawal of all cases, except for serious ones,&nbsp;in connection with the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-battle-of-bhima-koregaon-and-its-significance-28406" target="_blank">Bhima-Koregaon violence</a>.</p>

<p>He also said that his government would compensate for the loss of Rs 13 crore incurred during the violence.</p>

<p>He said that their government will not spare anyone found responsible for the violence.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Will not spare anyone found responsible for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BhimaKoregaon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BhimaKoregaon</a> incident. Government is giving financial assistance to those who suffered losses. Appointed Inquiry Committee headed by Retd Chief Justice J.N.Patel: CM Devendra Fadnavis (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/who6NgrARo">pic.twitter.com/who6NgrARo</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973523298624720896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Fadnavis added that the Maharashtra government would form a committee under Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) to examine serious offenses committed during the violence. The committee will submit recommendations to a cabinet sub-committee within three months&nbsp;deciding on the cases that should be withdrawn.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/one-killed-3-injured-in-clashes-at-koregaon-bhima-battle-anniversary-in-pune-28313" target="_blank">One killed, 3 injured in clashes at Koregaon Bhima battle anniversary in Pune</a></p>

<p>Out of the total 622 cases registered in the violence, 350 were serious offenses, the CM said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that as many as 1,119 people were arrested after the violence. Seventeen cases were registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and 2,053 people were taken into preventive custody.</p>

<p>The chief minister also clarified that the government will not withdraw the cases against history-sheeters who took advantage of the situation and indulged in a shooting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The chief minister also denied Opposition&#39;s allegation that the government did not take immediate action against Milind Ekbote, chief of Samasta Hindu Ekta Aghadi. He also said that those responsible for negligence will be dealt with strictly.</p>

<p>Fadnavis announced that the state government will take control of the Samadhi (memorial) of Chhatrapati Sambhaji at Vadhu dismissing the allegation that Ekbote&#39;s organisation had taken control of the Samadhi.</p>

<p>An inquiry will also be conducted to examine the harassment against women&nbsp;during the combing operations in Aurangabad (to arrest rioters).<br />
<br />
To mark the 200th anniversary of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-battle-of-bhima-koregaon-and-its-significance-28406" target="_blank">battle of Koregaon</a>, several Dalits on January 1 gathered around the victory pillar erected by the British at Koregaon-Bhima - 40 kilometres from Pune. The gathering was to commemorate the&nbsp;victory of&nbsp;British East India Company over the army of Peshawa Bajirao II.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is widely believed that the Mahar community - then considered untouchable - played a key role in East India Company&#39;s win.</p>

<p>Soon, violence broke out and many vehicles were torched <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/one-killed-3-injured-in-clashes-at-koregaon-bhima-battle-anniversary-in-pune-28313" target="_blank">leading to the death of one youth</a>.</p>

<p>Incidents of violence were reported from many parts of Maharashtra, including Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Nagpur, Dhule, Beed, Akola, Nashik, Pune, Solapur, Thane and Palghar as Dalits protested against Monday&#39;s incidents in Koregaon-Bhima.</p>

<p>Many prominent Dalit outfits, including Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a party headed by BR Ambedkar&#39;s grandson Prakash Ambedkar, called for a &#39;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-tense-after-pune-violence-28374">Maharashtra bandh</a>&nbsp;(shutdown)&nbsp;to express anger over violence.</p>

<p><em>(With input from agencies)</em></p>


Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced the withdrawal of all cases, except for serious ones, in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced the withdrawal of all cases, except for serious ones, in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence. He also said that his government would compensate for the loss of Rs 13 crore incurred during the violence. He said that their government will not spare anyone found responsible for the violence. Will not spare anyone found responsible for #BhimaKoregaon incident. Government is giving financial assistance to those who suffered losses. Appointed Inquiry Committee headed by Retd Chief Justice J.N.Patel: CM Devendra Fadnavis (file pic) pic.twitter.com/who6NgrARo — ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2018 × Fadnavis added that the Maharashtra government would form a committee under Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) to examine serious offenses committed during the violence. The committee will submit recommendations to a cabinet sub-committee within three months deciding on the cases that should be withdrawn. Also read: One killed, 3 injured in clashes at Koregaon Bhima battle anniversary in Pune Out of the total 622 cases registered in the violence, 350 were serious offenses, the CM said. He added that as many as 1,119 people were arrested after the violence. Seventeen cases were registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and 2,053 people were taken into preventive custody. The chief minister also clarified that the government will not withdraw the cases against history-sheeters who took advantage of the situation and indulged in a shooting. The chief minister also denied Opposition's allegation that the government did not take immediate action against Milind Ekbote, chief of Samasta Hindu Ekta Aghadi. He also said that those responsible for negligence will be dealt with strictly. Fadnavis announced that the state government will take control of the Samadhi (memorial) of Chhatrapati Sambhaji at Vadhu dismissing the allegation that Ekbote's organisation had taken control of the Samadhi. An inquiry will also be conducted to examine the harassment against women during the combing operations in Aurangabad (to arrest rioters). To mark the 200th anniversary of the battle of Koregaon, several Dalits on January 1 gathered around the victory pillar erected by the British at Koregaon-Bhima - 40 kilometres from Pune. The gathering was to commemorate the victory of British East India Company over the army of Peshawa Bajirao II. It is widely believed that the Mahar community - then considered untouchable - played a key role in East India Company's win. Soon, violence broke out and many vehicles were torched leading to the death of one youth. Incidents of violence were reported from many parts of Maharashtra, including Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Nagpur, Dhule, Beed, Akola, Nashik, Pune, Solapur, Thane and Palghar as Dalits protested against Monday's incidents in Koregaon-Bhima. Many prominent Dalit outfits, including Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a party headed by BR Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar, called for a 'Maharashtra bandh (shutdown) to express anger over violence. (With input from agencies)

Bhima-Koregaon violence: Maharashtra government to withdraw minor cases

<p>About 14 people died in Yavatmal village of Maharashtra due to alleged consumption of&nbsp;water from a 250-ft borewell.</p>

<p>While 38 others were being treated in a hospital.</p>

<p>The locals in the area have said that the deaths were the result of toxins present in a 250-ft borewell in Yavatmal.</p>

<p>A doctor from the hospital said that 13 patients were found to have a high level of keratin. He also added that the water of the area&nbsp;seems to have a high amount of nitrate.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Locals allege that 14 people have died due to toxins present in the water in a 250-ft borewell in Maha Village of Yavatmal. 38 people have been admitted in the hospital &amp; are being currently treated. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maharashtra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maharashtra</a> <a href="https://t.co/QfGbqNjeVw">pic.twitter.com/QfGbqNjeVw</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973589703780962305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">38 patients humaare yahaan abhi admit huye hain, jinme 13 logon mein keratin ki value badhi huyi hai. Paani mein nitrate ka pramaan bahot zyada dikh raha hai: Dr. Abhyuday Meghe, OSDM Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maharashtra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maharashtra</a> <a href="https://t.co/SAu83JmcqQ">pic.twitter.com/SAu83JmcqQ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973589707882926083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The locals in the area have said that the deaths were the result of toxins present in a 250-ft borewell in Maharashtra village Yavatmal

About 14 people died in Yavatmal village of Maharashtra due to alleged consumption of water from a 250-ft borewell. While 38 others were being treated in a hospital. The locals in the area have said that the deaths were the result of toxins present in a 250-ft borewell in Yavatmal. A doctor from the hospital said that 13 patients were found to have a high level of keratin. He also added that the water of the area seems to have a high amount of nitrate. Locals allege that 14 people have died due to toxins present in the water in a 250-ft borewell in Maha Village of Yavatmal. 38 people have been admitted in the hospital & are being currently treated. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/QfGbqNjeVw — ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2018 × 38 patients humaare yahaan abhi admit huye hain, jinme 13 logon mein keratin ki value badhi huyi hai. Paani mein nitrate ka pramaan bahot zyada dikh raha hai: Dr. Abhyuday Meghe, OSDM Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/SAu83JmcqQ — ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2018 ×

Maharashtra: 14 people dead due to toxins in well, say locals

<p>Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured the farmers protesting in Mumbai for taking a positive step towards fulfilling their demands.</p>

<p>He said that his government has tried to discuss the matter with them since the first day of the &#39;&#39;Morcha&quot; adding that the Cabinet Minister for Water Resources,&nbsp;Girish Mahajan, was in touch with them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that the farmers were, however firm on taking out the protest.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Maharashtra CM speaks in the state assembly on farmers&#39; march, says, &#39;We&#39;re positive towards fulfilling their demands.Since 1st day of Morcha we tried to discuss issues with them. Girish Mahajan was in touch with them from day 1. But they were firm on taking out the march&#39; <a href="https://t.co/zE8Ut79dRB">pic.twitter.com/zE8Ut79dRB</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973136906094546944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>A meeting was conducted between the delegation of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-farmers-complete-180-km-protest-march-reach-azad-maidan-to-demand-loan-waiver-35468" target="_blank">farmers protesting in Maharashtra </a>and political parties at Vidhan Bhawan on Monday.</p>

<p>A six-member&nbsp;committee is formed to look into the matter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The meeting which continued for about three hours has decided to take an action on the transfer of forest land to the cultivators, within six months.</p>

<p>Over <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/50000-protesting-farmers-to-march-on-mumabi-vidhan-sabha-six-member-committee-to-look-into-demands-35420" target="_blank">50,000 farmers had marched to Mumbai</a> on Sunday to protest at the legislative assembly in Maharashtra.</p>

<p>The farmers are demanding&nbsp;a complete loan waiver amongst&nbsp;other things.</p>

<p>The meet&nbsp;is led by the chief minister Devendra Fadnavais.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flash?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flash</a>: Meeting with delegation of farmers and all political parties begins at Vidhan Bhawan under the chairmanship of Maharastra CM Devendra Fadnavis.</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973128149637783552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Their other demands included higher&nbsp;prices for their produce and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations.&nbsp;Longtime cultivators of Adivasi&nbsp;land also demanding transfer of the land to their names.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The farmers&#39;&nbsp;had marched to Mumbai from Nashik on Sunday, with the 180-km-long march being led by All India Kisan Sabha National President Ashok Davle, local MLA JP Gavit and other leaders.</p>

<p>They are protesting against the Maharashtra government which had promised&nbsp;loan waiver for them in November 2018&nbsp;after they had staged a long protest of over 10 days in the state.&nbsp;</p>


The meet is led by the chief minister Devendra Fadnavais

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured the farmers protesting in Mumbai for taking a positive step towards fulfilling their demands. He said that his government has tried to discuss the matter with them since the first day of the ''Morcha" adding that the Cabinet Minister for Water Resources, Girish Mahajan, was in touch with them. He added that the farmers were, however firm on taking out the protest. #WATCH Maharashtra CM speaks in the state assembly on farmers' march, says, 'We're positive towards fulfilling their demands.Since 1st day of Morcha we tried to discuss issues with them. Girish Mahajan was in touch with them from day 1. But they were firm on taking out the march' pic.twitter.com/zE8Ut79dRB — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × A meeting was conducted between the delegation of farmers protesting in Maharashtra and political parties at Vidhan Bhawan on Monday. A six-member committee is formed to look into the matter. The meeting which continued for about three hours has decided to take an action on the transfer of forest land to the cultivators, within six months. Over 50,000 farmers had marched to Mumbai on Sunday to protest at the legislative assembly in Maharashtra. The farmers are demanding a complete loan waiver amongst other things. The meet is led by the chief minister Devendra Fadnavais. #Flash: Meeting with delegation of farmers and all political parties begins at Vidhan Bhawan under the chairmanship of Maharastra CM Devendra Fadnavis. — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × Their other demands included higher prices for their produce and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations. Longtime cultivators of Adivasi land also demanding transfer of the land to their names. The farmers' had marched to Mumbai from Nashik on Sunday, with the 180-km-long march being led by All India Kisan Sabha National President Ashok Davle, local MLA JP Gavit and other leaders. They are protesting against the Maharashtra government which had promised loan waiver for them in November 2018 after they had staged a long protest of over 10 days in the state.

Positive towards fulfilling their demands, CM says of 50,000 farmers protesting in Mumbai

<p>The Farmers who were protesting against the Maharashtra&nbsp;government demanding a complete loan waiver were returning to their native villages after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-has-accepted-most-demands-of-farmers-cm-devendra-fadnavis-35538" target="_blank">government assented to their demands</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, 300 farmers were undergoing treatment in JJ Hospital over complaints of fever, stomach-related ailment, and leg injuries.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mumbai: Farmers returning to their native villages after Maharashtra government accepted their demands <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaharashtraFarmersProtest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MaharashtraFarmersProtest</a> <a href="https://t.co/9DX9FwUhRN">pic.twitter.com/9DX9FwUhRN</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973232415635394560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mumbai: Treatment of 300 farmers from Nashik underway at JJ Hospital following complaints of fever, stomach related ailment and leg injuries. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaharashtraFarmersProtest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MaharashtraFarmersProtest</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973243501390520320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that his government has accepted most of the demands of the farmers protesting in Mumbai. He also added that they have given a written letter to the farmers.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan had said&nbsp;that the farmers seemed satisfied after meeting with the ministers.</p>

<p>Over&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/50000-protesting-farmers-to-march-on-mumabi-vidhan-sabha-six-member-committee-to-look-into-demands-35420" target="_blank">50,000 farmers had marched to Mumbai</a>&nbsp;on Sunday to protest at the legislative assembly demanding a complete loan waiver amongst&nbsp;other things, in Maharashtra.</p>

<p>Their other demands included higher&nbsp;prices for their produce and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations.&nbsp;Longtime cultivators of Adivasi&nbsp;land also demanding transfer of the land to their names.&nbsp;</p>


Meanwhile, 300 farmers were undergoing treatment in JJ Hospital over complaints of fever, stomach-related ailment, and leg injuries

The Farmers who were protesting against the Maharashtra government demanding a complete loan waiver were returning to their native villages after the government assented to their demands. Meanwhile, 300 farmers were undergoing treatment in JJ Hospital over complaints of fever, stomach-related ailment, and leg injuries. Mumbai: Farmers returning to their native villages after Maharashtra government accepted their demands #MaharashtraFarmersProtest pic.twitter.com/9DX9FwUhRN — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × Mumbai: Treatment of 300 farmers from Nashik underway at JJ Hospital following complaints of fever, stomach related ailment and leg injuries. #MaharashtraFarmersProtest — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that his government has accepted most of the demands of the farmers protesting in Mumbai. He also added that they have given a written letter to the farmers. Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan had said that the farmers seemed satisfied after meeting with the ministers. Over 50,000 farmers had marched to Mumbai on Sunday to protest at the legislative assembly demanding a complete loan waiver amongst other things, in Maharashtra. Their other demands included higher prices for their produce and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations. Longtime cultivators of Adivasi land also demanding transfer of the land to their names.

Maharashtra farmers return to village after govt's assent to demand

<p>&nbsp;A committee of six ministers has been appointed to look into the matter of the farmers&#39; protest in Maharashtra.</p>

<p>The members include&nbsp;Chandrakant Patil, Pandurang Fundkar, Girish Mahajan, Vishnu Savara, Subhash Deshmukh and Eknath Shinde, sources from Maharashtra CMO said.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-farmers-protest-demanding-loan-waiver-reaches-thane-35177">30,000 farmers head towards Mumbai to demand complete loan waiver</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A committee of 6 ministers comprising Chandrakant Patil, Pandurang Fundkar, Girish Mahajan, Vishnu Savara, Subhash Deshmukh and Eknath Shinde to look into the matter of farmers&#39; demands: Maharashtra CMO sources.</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/972858196355362816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier Aditya Thackeray from the Shiv Sena interacted with the farmers protesting in Mumbai.&nbsp; Leaders from opposition parties such as Congress, Nationalist Congress Party have also extended their support to the farmers.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a>: Shiv Sena&#39;s Aditya Thackeray met farmers of All India Kisan Sabha and interacted with them. Over 30,000 farmers marched from Nashik to Mumbai demanding a complete loan waiver among other demands. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mahrashtra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mahrashtra</a> <a href="https://t.co/Vl6MsqTRgG">pic.twitter.com/Vl6MsqTRgG</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/972795899725451264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>In a single day, the numbers of the farmers protesting in Maharashtra swelled to 50,000.</p>

<p>Some&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-30000-farmers-marching-from-nashik-demanding-farm-loan-waiver-to-reach-mumbai-today-35356" target="_blank">35,000 farmers had reached Mumbai on Sunday&nbsp;</a>demanding, among other things, a complete loan waiver.</p>

<p>Their other demands include higher&nbsp;prices for their produce and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations.&nbsp;Longtime cultivators of Adivasi&nbsp;land also demanding transfer of the land to their names.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The farmers who reached Mumbai today were received by Girish Mahajan, a senior minister in the Maharashtra cabinet in Mulund in suburban Mumbai.</p>

<p>They plan to&nbsp;gherao the Vidhan Sabha on Monday.</p>

<p>The farmers&#39;&nbsp;had marched to Mumbai from Nashik, with the 180-km-long march being led by All India Kisan Sabha National President Ashok Davle, local MLA JP Gavit and other leaders.</p>

<p>They are protesting against the Maharashtra government which had promised&nbsp;loan waiver for them in November 2018&nbsp;after they had staged a long protest of over 10 days in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
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The members include Chandrakant Patil, Pandurang Fundkar, Girish Mahajan, Vishnu Savara, Subhash Deshmukh and Eknath Shinde, sources from Maharashtra CMO said

A committee of six ministers has been appointed to look into the matter of the farmers' protest in Maharashtra. The members include Chandrakant Patil, Pandurang Fundkar, Girish Mahajan, Vishnu Savara, Subhash Deshmukh and Eknath Shinde, sources from Maharashtra CMO said. Also read: 30,000 farmers head towards Mumbai to demand complete loan waiver A committee of 6 ministers comprising Chandrakant Patil, Pandurang Fundkar, Girish Mahajan, Vishnu Savara, Subhash Deshmukh and Eknath Shinde to look into the matter of farmers' demands: Maharashtra CMO sources. — ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2018 × Earlier Aditya Thackeray from the Shiv Sena interacted with the farmers protesting in Mumbai. Leaders from opposition parties such as Congress, Nationalist Congress Party have also extended their support to the farmers. #Mumbai: Shiv Sena's Aditya Thackeray met farmers of All India Kisan Sabha and interacted with them. Over 30,000 farmers marched from Nashik to Mumbai demanding a complete loan waiver among other demands. #Mahrashtra pic.twitter.com/Vl6MsqTRgG — ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2018 × In a single day, the numbers of the farmers protesting in Maharashtra swelled to 50,000. Some 35,000 farmers had reached Mumbai on Sunday demanding, among other things, a complete loan waiver. Their other demands include higher prices for their produce and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations. Longtime cultivators of Adivasi land also demanding transfer of the land to their names. The farmers who reached Mumbai today were received by Girish Mahajan, a senior minister in the Maharashtra cabinet in Mulund in suburban Mumbai. They plan to gherao the Vidhan Sabha on Monday. The farmers' had marched to Mumbai from Nashik, with the 180-km-long march being led by All India Kisan Sabha National President Ashok Davle, local MLA JP Gavit and other leaders. They are protesting against the Maharashtra government which had promised loan waiver for them in November 2018 after they had staged a long protest of over 10 days in the state.

50,000 protesting farmers to march on Mumabi Vidhan Sabha, six-member committee to look into demands

<p>The former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Narayan Rane has accepted the offer to fight in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from the&nbsp;BJP ticket.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rane will file the nomination papers from the party&nbsp;quota for the biennial Rajya Sabha seat on March 12.</p>

<p>The elections&nbsp;to the 58 seats of the&nbsp;upper house of the Parliament are scheduled for March 23.</p>

<p>Rane was part of&nbsp;Congress for over a decade. He had joined the party in 2005 after&nbsp;quitting from Shiv Sena.</p>

<p>He ended his longtime association with Congress in September 2017 accusing&nbsp;the party that it was not fulfilling its promise of appointing&nbsp;him as the chief minister of Maharashtra.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After quitting Congress, Rane formed his own party called the Maharashtra Swabhiman Party and allied with BJP led NDA.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Maharashtra Swabhiman Party (MSP) chief Narayan Rane accepts BJP&#39;s offer of Rajya Sabha seat, to file nomination papers on 12 March. He will meet Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis later today. <a href="https://t.co/YjhCVmJrF5">pic.twitter.com/YjhCVmJrF5</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/972447416044675073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Rane will file the nomination papers from the party quota for the biennial Rajya Sabha seat on March 12

The former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Narayan Rane has accepted the offer to fight in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from the BJP ticket. Rane will file the nomination papers from the party quota for the biennial Rajya Sabha seat on March 12. The elections to the 58 seats of the upper house of the Parliament are scheduled for March 23. Rane was part of Congress for over a decade. He had joined the party in 2005 after quitting from Shiv Sena. He ended his longtime association with Congress in September 2017 accusing the party that it was not fulfilling its promise of appointing him as the chief minister of Maharashtra. After quitting Congress, Rane formed his own party called the Maharashtra Swabhiman Party and allied with BJP led NDA. Maharashtra Swabhiman Party (MSP) chief Narayan Rane accepts BJP's offer of Rajya Sabha seat, to file nomination papers on 12 March. He will meet Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis later today. pic.twitter.com/YjhCVmJrF5 — ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018 ×

Narayan Rane to contest Rajya Sabha polls in Maharashtra from BJP ticket

<p>Nearly 30,000 farmers in Maharashtra, marching from Nashik to Mumbai to protest what they term as government&#39;s anti-farmer policies, reached Thane on Friday morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 180-km-long march is led by All India Kisan Sabha&nbsp;National President Ashok Davle, local MLA J P Gavit and other leaders.</p>

<p>Davle claimed that&nbsp;1,753 farmers have killed themselves since June last year when the BJP-led state government announced a conditional farm loan waiver of Rs 34,000 crore.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maharashtra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maharashtra</a>: All India Kisan Sabha protest reaches Thane. More than 30,000 farmers from across the state of Maharashtra are heading towards Mumbai from Nashik demanding a complete loan waiver for the farmers of the state. The march will reach Mumbai on 12th March. <a href="https://t.co/pvadOFrxQr">pic.twitter.com/pvadOFrxQr</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/971942163436072961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Apart from seeking a complete waiver of farmers&#39; loans and electricity bills, the farmers&nbsp;are demanding the implementation of recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, which addresses issues of providing minimum support prices (MSP) and safeguarding interests of small farmers.</p>

<p>Davle accused the BJP government of having betrayed farmers. He said that&nbsp;promises made have remained unfulfilled.</p>

<p>He is also demanding transfer of forest land to those who have been tilling it for years and an increase in the compensation for peasants whose crops were damaged in the recent hailstorms and pink bollworm infestation.</p>

<p>Farmers and farm labourers in large number from various districts of the state gathered in Nashik city before setting off on a six-day &lsquo;long march&rsquo; to Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon.</p>

<p>They aim to reach Mumbai by Monday and gherao the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha on March 12.</p>

<p>The Devendra Fadnavis government has been under immense pressure after continuous protests by farmers who alleged that he did not honour assurances given to farmers for a farm loan waiver of Rs. 34,000 crore in June last year.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The 180-km-long march is led by All India Kisan Sabha

Nearly 30,000 farmers in Maharashtra, marching from Nashik to Mumbai to protest what they term as government's anti-farmer policies, reached Thane on Friday morning. The 180-km-long march is led by All India Kisan Sabha National President Ashok Davle, local MLA J P Gavit and other leaders. Davle claimed that 1,753 farmers have killed themselves since June last year when the BJP-led state government announced a conditional farm loan waiver of Rs 34,000 crore. #Maharashtra: All India Kisan Sabha protest reaches Thane. More than 30,000 farmers from across the state of Maharashtra are heading towards Mumbai from Nashik demanding a complete loan waiver for the farmers of the state. The march will reach Mumbai on 12th March. pic.twitter.com/pvadOFrxQr — ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2018 × Apart from seeking a complete waiver of farmers' loans and electricity bills, the farmers are demanding the implementation of recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, which addresses issues of providing minimum support prices (MSP) and safeguarding interests of small farmers. Davle accused the BJP government of having betrayed farmers. He said that promises made have remained unfulfilled. He is also demanding transfer of forest land to those who have been tilling it for years and an increase in the compensation for peasants whose crops were damaged in the recent hailstorms and pink bollworm infestation. Farmers and farm labourers in large number from various districts of the state gathered in Nashik city before setting off on a six-day ‘long march’ to Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon. They aim to reach Mumbai by Monday and gherao the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha on March 12. The Devendra Fadnavis government has been under immense pressure after continuous protests by farmers who alleged that he did not honour assurances given to farmers for a farm loan waiver of Rs. 34,000 crore in June last year.

Maharashtra: 30,000 farmers head towards Mumbai to demand complete loan waiver

<p>Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials destroyed 7700 litres of adulterated milk recently. According to reports, milk procured from Sangram milk collection centre and one other centre smelled of oil and was tasteless.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The destroyed amount of milk was worth Rs 2.42 lakh.</p>

<p>&quot;Acting on a tip-off, sleuths of FDA from Pune division raided Sangram milk collection centre, run by one Dhanaji Pawar in Pandharpur taluka, and recovered 30 cans of cow milk (approximately 1200 litres). Milk in the cans smelled like oil and was tasteless. Upon raiding the house of Pawar, we found powder and soyabean oil in large quantity, which were used for adulteration,&quot; an FDA official said.</p>

<p>According to an official, samples of milk and other products were sent for forensic examination. Nearly 1200 litres of milk was destroyed after the investigation.</p>

<p>&quot;During the investigation, it was revealed that Pawar used to supply the adulterated milk to Srichakra Milk Products Pvt Ltd in Pandharpur taluka. We then raided the firm and took samples of milk and destroyed approximately 6500 litres milk,&quot; said the officer.</p>

<p>Maharashtra FDA is currently in the process of cancelling the permit of Sangram milk collection centre.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>

<p><br />
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The destroyed amount of milk was worth Rs 2.42 lakh

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials destroyed 7700 litres of adulterated milk recently. According to reports, milk procured from Sangram milk collection centre and one other centre smelled of oil and was tasteless. The destroyed amount of milk was worth Rs 2.42 lakh. "Acting on a tip-off, sleuths of FDA from Pune division raided Sangram milk collection centre, run by one Dhanaji Pawar in Pandharpur taluka, and recovered 30 cans of cow milk (approximately 1200 litres). Milk in the cans smelled like oil and was tasteless. Upon raiding the house of Pawar, we found powder and soyabean oil in large quantity, which were used for adulteration," an FDA official said. According to an official, samples of milk and other products were sent for forensic examination. Nearly 1200 litres of milk was destroyed after the investigation. "During the investigation, it was revealed that Pawar used to supply the adulterated milk to Srichakra Milk Products Pvt Ltd in Pandharpur taluka. We then raided the firm and took samples of milk and destroyed approximately 6500 litres milk," said the officer. Maharashtra FDA is currently in the process of cancelling the permit of Sangram milk collection centre. (With inputs from PTI)

Maharashtra: FDA destroys 7700 litres of adulterated milk

<p>Maharashtra is on the verge of achieving a trillion dollar economy status. The state will be the first in India to achieve&nbsp;the milestone, said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>Modi was addressing the inaugural address of&nbsp;Global Investors&#39; Summit - &#39;Magnetic Maharashtra: Convergence 2018&#39;&nbsp;in Mumbai on Sunday evening.</p>

<p>&quot;I am sure that Maharashtra will achieve the objective of being first trillion dollar economy state in India,&quot; he stated.</p>

<p>&quot;India&#39;s ranking in ease of doing business has increased. 51 per cent of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) stems from Maharashtra,&quot; Modi added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our budget is not limited to outlay, focus of our budget is not limited to output, focus of our budget is on outcome: PM Modi at the Global Investors&#39; Summit-Magnetic Maharashtra: Convergence 2018 in Mumbai <a href="https://t.co/HTSynSfLT5">pic.twitter.com/HTSynSfLT5</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965222502069882882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Referring to Gujarat&#39;s model of development, PM Modi noted that the state&#39;s prosperity is visible across the nation; now &quot;there is competition among states to attract investment&quot;.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister shared that during his tenure the government repealed nearly 1400 laws and brought new laws to facilitate simplification and not complication.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Our budget is not limited to outlay, the focus of our budget is not limited to output, the focus of our budget is on the outcome,&quot; the Prime Minister noted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited exhibition at the Global Investors&#39; Summit-Magnetic Maharashtra: Convergence 2018 in Mumbai <a href="https://t.co/NvM6v2fTFf">pic.twitter.com/NvM6v2fTFf</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965232946079813632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He further said that in the last three years the budget has been reformed and that these changes will transform the social and economic aspects. &quot;The time of the budget is also now fixed one month ahead, this all will lead to funds reaching departments in advance.&quot; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;We believe potential, policy, planning and performance leads to progress,&quot; he further added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We believe potential, policy, planning and performance leads to progress: PM Narendra Modi in Mumbai <a href="https://t.co/1xaFJzbtMT">pic.twitter.com/1xaFJzbtMT</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965221494912667648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Prime Minister Modi also attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the Navi Mumbai International Airport and laid its foundation stone earlier today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He dedicated the 4th container terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust to the nation -- the country&#39;s largest container terminal.</p>

<p><br />
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Referring to Gujarat's model of development, PM Modi shared that the state's prosperity is visible across the nation

Maharashtra is on the verge of achieving a trillion dollar economy status. The state will be the first in India to achieve the milestone, said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi was addressing the inaugural address of Global Investors' Summit - 'Magnetic Maharashtra: Convergence 2018' in Mumbai on Sunday evening. "I am sure that Maharashtra will achieve the objective of being first trillion dollar economy state in India," he stated. "India's ranking in ease of doing business has increased. 51 per cent of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) stems from Maharashtra," Modi added. Our budget is not limited to outlay, focus of our budget is not limited to output, focus of our budget is on outcome: PM Modi at the Global Investors' Summit-Magnetic Maharashtra: Convergence 2018 in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/HTSynSfLT5 — ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018 × Referring to Gujarat's model of development, PM Modi noted that the state's prosperity is visible across the nation; now "there is competition among states to attract investment". The Prime Minister shared that during his tenure the government repealed nearly 1400 laws and brought new laws to facilitate simplification and not complication. "Our budget is not limited to outlay, the focus of our budget is not limited to output, the focus of our budget is on the outcome," the Prime Minister noted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited exhibition at the Global Investors' Summit-Magnetic Maharashtra: Convergence 2018 in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/NvM6v2fTFf — ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018 × He further said that in the last three years the budget has been reformed and that these changes will transform the social and economic aspects. "The time of the budget is also now fixed one month ahead, this all will lead to funds reaching departments in advance." "We believe potential, policy, planning and performance leads to progress," he further added. We believe potential, policy, planning and performance leads to progress: PM Narendra Modi in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/1xaFJzbtMT — ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018 × Prime Minister Modi also attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the Navi Mumbai International Airport and laid its foundation stone earlier today. He dedicated the 4th container terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust to the nation -- the country's largest container terminal.

Maharashtra will become first trillion dollar economy state in India: PM Modi

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-in-davos-highlights-of-his-speech-at-wef-30514" target="_blank">Highlights: PM Narendra Modi&#39;s big India pitch at Davos</a></p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed the plenary session of the 48th edition of the World Economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland. PM Narendra Modi is the first Indian prime minister to attend Davos summit in 20 years.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bsf-launches-operation-bhima-against-pak-rangers-along-loc-30509" target="_blank">BSF launches &#39;Operation Bhima&#39; against Pak Rangers along LoC</a></p>

<p>BSF launched &quot;Operation Bhima&quot; against<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-pm-says-committed-to-seizing-charities-run-by-hafiz-saeed-30454">&nbsp;Pakistan Rangers even as firing&nbsp;</a>stopped along the Line of Control(LoC) today. Reports said&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-firing-positions-fuel-dump-destroyed-in-retaliation-bsf-30385">Pakistan Army chief met Pakistani&nbsp;</a>Rangers as India&#39;s border security force(BSF) released a video on Monday and informed about the planned firing on Pakistan&#39;s post.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sensex-closes-at-36140-nifty-ends-above-11000-mark-30507" target="_blank">Sensex closes above 36,000 </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sensex-closes-at-36140-nifty-ends-above-11000-mark-30507" target="_blank">mark</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sensex-closes-at-36140-nifty-ends-above-11000-mark-30507" target="_blank"> at all-time high</a></p>

<p>The BSE Sensex on Tuesday BSE Sensex breached the 36,000 level mark to end at an all-time high at 36, 140 after the International Monetary Fund said India would regain the title as the world&#39;s fastest growing major economy in 2018-19.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-should-focus-on-womens-inclusion-in-economy-imf-chief-lagarde-30519" target="_blank">India should focus on women&#39;s inclusion in economy: IMF Chief Lagarde</a></p>

<p>IMF chief Christine Lagarde today said India must continue with reforms especially in the financial services sector and should urgently focus on broad- based and the true inclusion of women in its economy.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/uddhav-thackeray-lok-sabha-maharashtra-elections-could-be-held-in-2018-30484" target="_blank">Uddhav Thackeray: Lok Sabha, Maharashtra elections could be held in 2018</a></p>

<p>Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday that the next general elections and the elections to the Maharashtra state assembly could be held in December 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Highlights: PM Narendra Modi's big India pitch at Davos Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed the plenary session of the 48th edition of the World Economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland. PM Narendra Modi is the first Indian prime minister to attend Davos summit in 20 years. BSF launches 'Operation Bhima' against Pak Rangers along LoC BSF launched "Operation Bhima" against Pakistan Rangers even as firing stopped along the Line of Control(LoC) today. Reports said Pakistan Army chief met Pakistani Rangers as India's border security force(BSF) released a video on Monday and informed about the planned firing on Pakistan's post. Sensex closes above 36,000 mark at all-time high The BSE Sensex on Tuesday BSE Sensex breached the 36,000 level mark to end at an all-time high at 36, 140 after the International Monetary Fund said India would regain the title as the world's fastest growing major economy in 2018-19. India should focus on women's inclusion in economy: IMF Chief Lagarde IMF chief Christine Lagarde today said India must continue with reforms especially in the financial services sector and should urgently focus on broad- based and the true inclusion of women in its economy. Uddhav Thackeray: Lok Sabha, Maharashtra elections could be held in 2018 Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday that the next general elections and the elections to the Maharashtra state assembly could be held in December 2018.

WION Evening News brief, January 23, 2018

<p>At least 13 people died and three others injured after a minibus fell into a river in Maharashtra&#39;s Kolhapur city on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.</p>

<p>News agency ANI quoting local officials said that many were also feared missing in the accident that took place in Panchganga river at about midnight.</p>

<p>The bus was travelling from the coastal city of Ratnagiri to Kolhapur when the accident took place.</p>

<p>The initial reports suggest that the driver lost control due to some reasons following which the bus fell into the river.</p>

<p>As of now, police have reached the spot and search and rescue operations are underway.</p>


The bus was travelling from the coastal city of Ratnagiri to Kolhapur.

At least 13 people died and three others injured after a minibus fell into a river in Maharashtra's Kolhapur city on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. News agency ANI quoting local officials said that many were also feared missing in the accident that took place in Panchganga river at about midnight. The bus was travelling from the coastal city of Ratnagiri to Kolhapur when the accident took place. The initial reports suggest that the driver lost control due to some reasons following which the bus fell into the river. As of now, police have reached the spot and search and rescue operations are underway.

Maharashtra: 13 dead as minibus falls into river

<p>Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) has issued an advisory urging farmers to prepare for &quot;untimely rains and hailstorms&quot;.</p>

<p>On Sunday, several states in&nbsp;the country woke up to sudden change in the weather with heavy rains and hailstorms causing severe crop&nbsp;damage.</p>

<p>Districts which were most hit in Maharashtra included Beed, Osmanabad, Latur, Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, Dhule, Nandurbar, Aurangabad among others.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rain and hailstorm lashed <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maharashtra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maharashtra</a>&#39;s Jalna, yesterday afternoon. The sudden weather change has partially damaged crops &amp; other property. <a href="https://t.co/Sg1n1xEKYb">pic.twitter.com/Sg1n1xEKYb</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962880558274613250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to the media reports, three farmers have lost&nbsp;their lives during the hailstorms.&nbsp;Rabi crops was reportedly damaged during the unexpected hailstorm. Several farmers lost&nbsp;cotton&nbsp;and wheat crops, reports said.</p>

<p>Agriculture minister of Maharashtra Pandurang Pundalik Fundkar ordered assessment into the crop&nbsp;damage.</p>

<p>Madhya Pradesh also experienced unexpected rain and&nbsp;hailstorm causing crop damage.</p>

<p>Sehore, Vidisha, Hoshangabad, Guna, Rajgarh, Harda, Betul and Raisen districts were among the badly&nbsp;hit districts of Madhya Pradesh.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rain and hailstorm lashed Sehore, Vidisha, Hoshangabad, Guna, Rajgarh, Harda, Betul and Raisen districts of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MadhyaPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MadhyaPradesh</a> yesterday. The sudden weather change has damaged crops in these districts. <a href="https://t.co/TDPVLXy5kc">pic.twitter.com/TDPVLXy5kc</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962892568265666561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Reports said&nbsp;thunderstorms with hails are expected to&nbsp;remain for another two days.&nbsp;</p>


According to the media reports, three farmers have lost their lives during the hailstorms

Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) has issued an advisory urging farmers to prepare for "untimely rains and hailstorms". On Sunday, several states in the country woke up to sudden change in the weather with heavy rains and hailstorms causing severe crop damage. Districts which were most hit in Maharashtra included Beed, Osmanabad, Latur, Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, Dhule, Nandurbar, Aurangabad among others. Rain and hailstorm lashed #Maharashtra's Jalna, yesterday afternoon. The sudden weather change has partially damaged crops & other property. pic.twitter.com/Sg1n1xEKYb — ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2018 × According to the media reports, three farmers have lost their lives during the hailstorms. Rabi crops was reportedly damaged during the unexpected hailstorm. Several farmers lost cotton and wheat crops, reports said. Agriculture minister of Maharashtra Pandurang Pundalik Fundkar ordered assessment into the crop damage. Madhya Pradesh also experienced unexpected rain and hailstorm causing crop damage. Sehore, Vidisha, Hoshangabad, Guna, Rajgarh, Harda, Betul and Raisen districts were among the badly hit districts of Madhya Pradesh. Rain and hailstorm lashed Sehore, Vidisha, Hoshangabad, Guna, Rajgarh, Harda, Betul and Raisen districts of #MadhyaPradesh yesterday. The sudden weather change has damaged crops in these districts. pic.twitter.com/TDPVLXy5kc — ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2018 × Reports said thunderstorms with hails are expected to remain for another two days.

Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh experience unexpected hailstorm; crops damaged

<p>Swedish home furnishing major Ikea has opened a Rs 100-crore distribution centre in Pune, and is also scouting for land in Maharashtra to build more facilities at an investment of Rs 750 crore, a senior company executive has said.</p>

<p>&quot;We have opened a 2.3 lakh sq ft distribution centre in Pune, on leased land and have pumped in Rs 100 crore into this. We will expand this to 3.7 lakh sq ft by next year,&quot; Bimal Patel, the manager, distribution operations at Ikea India, told.</p>

<p>&quot;We are also scouting for more land in Maharashtra to build our own warehousing facilities over the next two to three years, and have earmarked an outlay of Rs 750 crore for this,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The distribution centre has been set up to service its first store scheduled to be opened in Hyderabad by the middle of the year, followed by the second store in Mumbai in 2019.</p>

<p>The company has also purchased land in Bengaluru and Gurgaon to open more outlets. Ikea India plans to set up 25 stores by 2025, investing Rs 10,500 crore.</p>

<p>The company has so far hired 100 people for its distribution operations in Pune, and is looking to employ at least 200 more there.</p>

<p>&quot;We have hired about 100 people and 50 per cent of them are women. We are looking to hire another 200 people once our distribution operations are running in full steam,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The company will employ 600-700 people per unit, he said.</p>

<p>Ikea will operate a non-bonded warehouse for domestic goods, and a custom warehouse which will stock imported goods, Patel said.</p>

<p>Last year, Ikea India had committed to double its local sourcing from Euro 318 million to Euro 600 million by 2020.</p>

<p>According to the retail policy, the overseas companies have to mandatorily source 30 per cent of their wares locally, preferably from small suppliers.</p>


Ikea India plans to set up 25 stores by 2025, investing Rs 10,500 crore.

Swedish home furnishing major Ikea has opened a Rs 100-crore distribution centre in Pune, and is also scouting for land in Maharashtra to build more facilities at an investment of Rs 750 crore, a senior company executive has said. "We have opened a 2.3 lakh sq ft distribution centre in Pune, on leased land and have pumped in Rs 100 crore into this. We will expand this to 3.7 lakh sq ft by next year," Bimal Patel, the manager, distribution operations at Ikea India, told. "We are also scouting for more land in Maharashtra to build our own warehousing facilities over the next two to three years, and have earmarked an outlay of Rs 750 crore for this," he said. The distribution centre has been set up to service its first store scheduled to be opened in Hyderabad by the middle of the year, followed by the second store in Mumbai in 2019. The company has also purchased land in Bengaluru and Gurgaon to open more outlets. Ikea India plans to set up 25 stores by 2025, investing Rs 10,500 crore. The company has so far hired 100 people for its distribution operations in Pune, and is looking to employ at least 200 more there. "We have hired about 100 people and 50 per cent of them are women. We are looking to hire another 200 people once our distribution operations are running in full steam," he said. The company will employ 600-700 people per unit, he said. Ikea will operate a non-bonded warehouse for domestic goods, and a custom warehouse which will stock imported goods, Patel said. Last year, Ikea India had committed to double its local sourcing from Euro 318 million to Euro 600 million by 2020. According to the retail policy, the overseas companies have to mandatorily source 30 per cent of their wares locally, preferably from small suppliers.

Ikea opens distribution centre in Pune; to invest Rs 750 cr in Maharashtra

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