The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cracked down hard on the booming quick-commerce sector, suspending the food license of a Blinkit dark store in Malad West, Mumbai. Watch the full video to know more on this.


Maharashtra ramps up food safety raids across state 

A significant legal development in the sensational Ketan Agarwal murder case: A court in Vadgaon Maval has rejected the Pune Rural Police's plea for further police custody, instead remanding the two prime accused, Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary, to 14 days of judicial custody.


Ketan Agarwal murder case: Key routes traced from fort to 'crime scene' 

The Ketan Agarwal murder case has shocked the country and raised more questions than answers. Ketan Agarwal, a Pune-based businessman, died after falling into a gorge at Lohagad Fort in what was initially believed to be an accident. But the investigation soon took a dramatic turn, with his fiancée Siya Goyal and alleged partner Chetan Chaudhary being arrested in connection with the case.

Did Ketan sense something was wrong before his death? Why did Siya agree to the marriage? And why are Siya and Chetan reportedly giving conflicting versions of events? In this Decodes, we break down the timeline, the allegations, the unanswered questions, and everything we know so far.

Ketan Agarwal murder: Route traced from Fort to 'crime scene'

The tragic "trekking accident" at Lohagad Fort has been unmasked as a calculated murder. New CCTV footage has surfaced, showing the victim's fiancée, Siya Goyal, and her lover, Chetan Chaudhary, meeting at a cafe just a day before the crime to finalize their plot.


Ketan Agarwal murder case: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis meets victim's family 

<p>A massive fire broke out at a highrise in Dombivili city in the Indian state of Maharashtra on Saturday (Jan 13). According to a report by the news agency ANI, four fire tenders were rushed to the spot. No deaths and injuries have been reported yet and all residents were evacuated safely.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Maharashtra: A massive fire broke out in a building at Khoni Palava near Dombivli. Four fire tenders are present at the spot. No casualty reported yet.<br />
<br />
(Video Source: Thane Municipal Corporation) <a href="https://t.co/jxUmZbeUp3">pic.twitter.com/jxUmZbeUp3</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1746109298302980114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The residential building has 18 floors in total. Speaking to the news agency PTI, an official from the Thane Municipal Corporation said that the fire started at around 1.30 pm and was doused an hour later.</p>

<p>"The fire started in the duct and spread from the ground floor to the top floor. Plastic fitments were gutted. No one was injured in the incident. The cause of the fire is being probed," the official said.</p>


A massive fire broke out at a highrise in Dombivili city in the Indian state of Maharashtra on Saturday (Jan 13). According to a report by the news agency ANI, four fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

A massive fire broke out at a highrise in Dombivili city in the Indian state of Maharashtra on Saturday (Jan 13). According to a report by the news agency ANI, four fire tenders were rushed to the spot. No deaths and injuries have been reported yet and all residents were evacuated safely. #WATCH | Maharashtra: A massive fire broke out in a building at Khoni Palava near Dombivli. Four fire tenders are present at the spot. No casualty reported yet. (Video Source: Thane Municipal Corporation) pic.twitter.com/jxUmZbeUp3 — ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2024 × The residential building has 18 floors in total. Speaking to the news agency PTI, an official from the Thane Municipal Corporation said that the fire started at around 1.30 pm and was doused an hour later. "The fire started in the duct and spread from the ground floor to the top floor. Plastic fitments were gutted. No one was injured in the incident. The cause of the fire is being probed," the official said.

India: Massive fire breaks out at highrise in Maharashtra’s Dombivli

<p>Dilip Rathod, an Indian farmer from Shivani village in Ghatanji tehsil of Yavatmal in the state of Maharashtra, expressed&nbsp;his frustration at the meager insurance payout of Rs 52.99 ($0.64) for the loss of his cotton and soybean crops due to unseasonal rains.</p>

<p>In a sarcastic letter addressed to the Yavatmal superintendent of police, Rathod asked for police protection to safely transport this 'significant' amount home.</p>

<p>Dated December 7, 2023, Rathod's letter was shared by politician Anil Deshmukh, who stressed on the farmer's attempt to use humour to address the government's perceived "anti-farmer stand."</p>

<p>Rathod, facing substantial losses running into thousands, mocks the state government's compensation by suggesting he can repay his farm loan and contribute to his wife's medical treatment with the princely sum.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-is-bhajan-lal-sharma-bjp-picks-first-time-mla-from-sanganer-as-rajasthans-new-cm-668918">Also read |&nbsp;Who is Bhajan Lal Sharma? BJP picks first-time MLA from Sanganer as Rajasthan's new CM</a></p>

<h2><strong>Tongue-in-cheek remarks against the government</strong></h2>

<p>Rathod went&nbsp;further to criticise the government's actions, referencing the Shinde faction's move of Sena MLAs to Guwahati ahead of the Mahayuti government formation.</p>

<p>In a tongue-in-cheek tone, he expresses his desire to tour Guwahati with the remaining payout.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rathod humorously mentions that he is "delighted and happy" to receive the huge amount of ₹52.99&nbsp;($0.64) and requests police protection for its safe transport. He expressed&nbsp; concern about taking the amount home, bringing his iron safe on a bullock cart to the collector's office.</p>

<p>A senior official in the state agriculture department acknowledged&nbsp;that other farmers in Yavatmal have received similarly low amounts.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Quad Summit 2024 in India postponed, current dates not working with Quad partners</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/quad-summit-2024-in-india-postponed-current-dates-not-working-with-quad-partners-668924/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Opposition leaders in the state assembly have demanded&nbsp;immediate assistance for farmers affected by unseasonal rains, including farm loan waivers and higher support prices, reported TOI.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Tragic farmer suicides in West Bengal</strong></h2>

<p>In West Bengal, two farmers, Bapi Ghosh and Tarun Palui, succumbed to suicide following extensive crop damage from unseasonal rainfall. Ghosh, a potato farmer, consumed pesticide, while Palui was found hanging after substantial losses to his paddy crop.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Dilip Rathod, an Indian farmer from Shivani village in Ghatanji tehsil of Yavatmal in the state of Maharashtra, expressed his frustration at the meager insurance payout of Rs 52.

Dilip Rathod, an Indian farmer from Shivani village in Ghatanji tehsil of Yavatmal in the state of Maharashtra, expressed his frustration at the meager insurance payout of Rs 52.99 ($0.64) for the loss of his cotton and soybean crops due to unseasonal rains. In a sarcastic letter addressed to the Yavatmal superintendent of police, Rathod asked for police protection to safely transport this 'significant' amount home. Dated December 7, 2023, Rathod's letter was shared by politician Anil Deshmukh, who stressed on the farmer's attempt to use humour to address the government's perceived "anti-farmer stand." Rathod, facing substantial losses running into thousands, mocks the state government's compensation by suggesting he can repay his farm loan and contribute to his wife's medical treatment with the princely sum. Also read | Who is Bhajan Lal Sharma? BJP picks first-time MLA from Sanganer as Rajasthan's new CM Tongue-in-cheek remarks against the government Rathod went further to criticise the government's actions, referencing the Shinde faction's move of Sena MLAs to Guwahati ahead of the Mahayuti government formation. In a tongue-in-cheek tone, he expresses his desire to tour Guwahati with the remaining payout. Rathod humorously mentions that he is "delighted and happy" to receive the huge amount of ₹52.99 ($0.64) and requests police protection for its safe transport. He expressed concern about taking the amount home, bringing his iron safe on a bullock cart to the collector's office. A senior official in the state agriculture department acknowledged that other farmers in Yavatmal have received similarly low amounts. Also watch | Quad Summit 2024 in India postponed, current dates not working with Quad partners Opposition leaders in the state assembly have demanded immediate assistance for farmers affected by unseasonal rains, including farm loan waivers and higher support prices, reported TOI. Tragic farmer suicides in West Bengal In West Bengal, two farmers, Bapi Ghosh and Tarun Palui, succumbed to suicide following extensive crop damage from unseasonal rainfall. Ghosh, a potato farmer, consumed pesticide, while Palui was found hanging after substantial losses to his paddy crop. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian farmer mockingly seeks police escort for $0.64 'significant' crop loss compensation from govt

<p>A shocking&nbsp;incident unfolded on Friday (Nov 24) afternoon in the Wanwadi area of Pune in the Indian state of Maharashtra when a 38-year-old real estate developer named Nikhil Khanna met his untimely demise, allegedly at the hands of his 36-year-old wife Renuka. According to the&nbsp;police, a fatal altercation was triggered by Renuka's discontent over her husband's failure to fulfill her desires, including not celebrating her birthday in Dubai.</p>

<p>Investigations have revealed that Renuka, whose birthday fell on September 18, had a desire to mark the occasion in Dubai. However when her husband did not fulfill her wish it led to simmering dissatisfaction.</p>

<p>Adding to the discord, the couple also faced issues surrounding their wedding anniversary on November 5, with Renuka expecting a gift. Moreover, her plans to attend a relative's birthday celebration in Delhi were also thwarted by her husband's unresponsiveness.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-up-police-says-bus-conductor-attacked-over-fare-dispute-not-insulting-prophet-662644">India: UP Police says bus conductor attacked over fare dispute not 'insulting prophet'</a></p>

<p>The escalating tensions culminated in a heated argument between the couple on the fateful Friday (Nov 24).</p>

<p>According to the police official, Renuka, in a fit of rage, allegedly delivered a forceful punch to Nikhil's face. The impact was such that it led to profuse bleeding. The loss of blood rendered Renuka's husband unconscious. Neighbours, alerted by the commotion, promptly informed the police.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajasthan-elections-2023-polling-begins-on-199-seats-key-constituencies-candidates-to-watch-out-for-662655">Rajasthan elections 2023: Polling begins on 199 seats, key constituencies &amp; candidates to watch out for</a></p>

<p>Upon arriving at the scene, the police team rushed Nikhil to Sassoon General Hospital. However, tragically, he was pronounced dead by the doctors.</p>

<h2><strong>Investigation ongoing&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The exact cause of death still remains under investigation and authorities are trying to ascertain whether the fatal blow was delivered solely by Renuka's fist or involved an object.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uttarakhand-tunnel-rescue-one-hurdle-after-another-in-rescue-operations-662681">Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: One hurdle after another in rescue operations</a></strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uttarakhand-tunnel-rescue-one-hurdle-after-another-in-rescue-operations-662681/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The Wanwadi police have taken Renuka into custody, initiating a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Nikhil's demise.&nbsp;"We have taken the woman into custody and further investigation into the case is on," an official said.</p>

<p>A case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for murder has been registered against her. The investigation will be further guided by the results of the autopsy once it clears the precise cause of Nikhil Khanna's tragic end.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A shocking incident unfolded on Friday (Nov 24) afternoon in the Wanwadi area of Pune in the Indian state of Maharashtra when a 38-year-old real estate developer named Nikhil Khanna met his untimely demise, allegedly at the hands of his 36-year-old wife Renuka.

A shocking incident unfolded on Friday (Nov 24) afternoon in the Wanwadi area of Pune in the Indian state of Maharashtra when a 38-year-old real estate developer named Nikhil Khanna met his untimely demise, allegedly at the hands of his 36-year-old wife Renuka. According to the police, a fatal altercation was triggered by Renuka's discontent over her husband's failure to fulfill her desires, including not celebrating her birthday in Dubai. Investigations have revealed that Renuka, whose birthday fell on September 18, had a desire to mark the occasion in Dubai. However when her husband did not fulfill her wish it led to simmering dissatisfaction. Adding to the discord, the couple also faced issues surrounding their wedding anniversary on November 5, with Renuka expecting a gift. Moreover, her plans to attend a relative's birthday celebration in Delhi were also thwarted by her husband's unresponsiveness. Also Read | India: UP Police says bus conductor attacked over fare dispute not 'insulting prophet' The escalating tensions culminated in a heated argument between the couple on the fateful Friday (Nov 24). According to the police official, Renuka, in a fit of rage, allegedly delivered a forceful punch to Nikhil's face. The impact was such that it led to profuse bleeding. The loss of blood rendered Renuka's husband unconscious. Neighbours, alerted by the commotion, promptly informed the police. Also Read | Rajasthan elections 2023: Polling begins on 199 seats, key constituencies & candidates to watch out for Upon arriving at the scene, the police team rushed Nikhil to Sassoon General Hospital. However, tragically, he was pronounced dead by the doctors. Investigation ongoing The exact cause of death still remains under investigation and authorities are trying to ascertain whether the fatal blow was delivered solely by Renuka's fist or involved an object. Watch | Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: One hurdle after another in rescue operations × The Wanwadi police have taken Renuka into custody, initiating a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Nikhil's demise. "We have taken the woman into custody and further investigation into the case is on," an official said. A case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for murder has been registered against her. The investigation will be further guided by the results of the autopsy once it clears the precise cause of Nikhil Khanna's tragic end. (With inputs from agencies)

Shocking! Indian man dies from wife's punch over her unmet Dubai birthday plans

<p>A disturbing footage showing&nbsp;a group of students lying face down in a puddle amid rain, and an unidentified senior NCC (National Cadet Corps) trainer ruthlessly hitting them&nbsp;with a thick stick is doing the rounds on social media. The heart-wrenching cries for help from the students have&nbsp;sparked widespread outrage.</p>

<p>Senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Jitendra Awhad, expressed profound shock in response to the alleged incident.</p>

<p>He emphatically called upon the state government to take immediate and stringent action in addressing the matter. In a media interaction held in Mumbai, Awhad voiced his disbelief, stating, "This is unbelievable… Such a thing is going on… We demand strict action in this case."</p>

<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: This&nbsp;video may contain&nbsp;graphic images disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.&nbsp;</strong></em></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shocking video of NCC students being brutally beaten up by seniors in Bandodkar and Joshi Bedekar College in Maharashtra's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Thane?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Thane</a><a href="https://twitter.com/ThaneCityPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThaneCityPolice</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CMOMaharashtra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMOMaharashtra</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mieknathshinde?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mieknathshinde</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSEShinde?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSEShinde</a> <a href="https://t.co/wHUm2YbciB">pic.twitter.com/wHUm2YbciB</a></p>
— Pranjal Mishra 🇮🇳 (@Pranjal_Writes) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pranjal_Writes/status/1687098596414627840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2><strong>Authorities remain silent</strong></h2>

<p>Despite the gravity of the situation, authorities from the Vidya Prasarak Mandal (VPM), along with the principals of associated colleges, including KG Joshi-NG Bedekar College and B N&nbsp;Bandodkar College, have remained unavailable for comment. The deafening silence from these institutions has further fuelled public outrage and concern.</p>

<p>As per an India TV report, the ongoing NCC training is a collaborative effort involving students from three colleges, who convene at a shared location within the Joshi-Bedekar campus.</p>

<p>The training aims to prepare students for potential careers with&nbsp;the army and navy, instilling discipline and skills crucial for such endeavours.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-restricts-imports-of-laptop-tablets-and-pcs-to-boost-local-manufacturing-621953">India restricts imports of laptops, tablets and PCs to boost local manufacturing</a></p>

<p>The footage shows a disturbing&nbsp;scene wherein several unidentified students are subjected to harsh treatment. They are seen lying in rainwater and mud, while some are forced to stand in the muck.</p>

<p>The severity of the situation is compounded as senior trainers deliver brutal blows with a stick in an utterly savage manner.</p>

<p>Despite the terrified students' desperate cries and pleas for mercy, the beatings persist unabated. The footage, believed to have been captured by a conscientious fellow student, has sent shockwaves through the community.</p>

<h2><strong>Call to action and seeking accountability</strong></h2>

<p>In light of the incident, Suchitra Naik, the principal of Joshi-Bedekar College, has issued a call for action.</p>

<p>Acknowledging the fear that has likely deterred many students and parents from speaking out, Naik appeals to them to step forward, identify the senior involved, and formally lodge complaints.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;X, formerly Twitter, sought to overturn Indian govt orders in July 2022</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/x-formerly-twitter-sought-to-overturn-indian-govt-orders-in-july-2022-621869/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Expressing condemnation for the incident, Naik assured&nbsp;that the authorities have initiated a comprehensive inquiry and pledged&nbsp;that those responsible will not escape accountability.</p>

<p>As public outrage intensifies and the video continues to circulate, the demand for justice grows louder. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a safe and nurturing environment within educational institutions, where students can grow and thrive without fear of such reprehensible treatment.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></p>


A disturbing footage showing a group of students lying face down in a puddle amid rain, and an unidentified senior NCC (National Cadet Corps) trainer ruthlessly hitting them with a thick stick is doing the rounds on social media.

A disturbing footage showing a group of students lying face down in a puddle amid rain, and an unidentified senior NCC (National Cadet Corps) trainer ruthlessly hitting them with a thick stick is doing the rounds on social media. The heart-wrenching cries for help from the students have sparked widespread outrage. Senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Jitendra Awhad, expressed profound shock in response to the alleged incident. He emphatically called upon the state government to take immediate and stringent action in addressing the matter. In a media interaction held in Mumbai, Awhad voiced his disbelief, stating, "This is unbelievable… Such a thing is going on… We demand strict action in this case." Disclaimer: This video may contain graphic images disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised. Shocking video of NCC students being brutally beaten up by seniors in Bandodkar and Joshi Bedekar College in Maharashtra's #Thane@ThaneCityPolice @CMOMaharashtra @mieknathshinde @DrSEShinde pic.twitter.com/wHUm2YbciB — Pranjal Mishra 🇮🇳 (@Pranjal_Writes) August 3, 2023 × Authorities remain silent Despite the gravity of the situation, authorities from the Vidya Prasarak Mandal (VPM), along with the principals of associated colleges, including KG Joshi-NG Bedekar College and B N Bandodkar College, have remained unavailable for comment. The deafening silence from these institutions has further fuelled public outrage and concern. As per an India TV report, the ongoing NCC training is a collaborative effort involving students from three colleges, who convene at a shared location within the Joshi-Bedekar campus. The training aims to prepare students for potential careers with the army and navy, instilling discipline and skills crucial for such endeavours. Also read | India restricts imports of laptops, tablets and PCs to boost local manufacturing The footage shows a disturbing scene wherein several unidentified students are subjected to harsh treatment. They are seen lying in rainwater and mud, while some are forced to stand in the muck. The severity of the situation is compounded as senior trainers deliver brutal blows with a stick in an utterly savage manner. Despite the terrified students' desperate cries and pleas for mercy, the beatings persist unabated. The footage, believed to have been captured by a conscientious fellow student, has sent shockwaves through the community. Call to action and seeking accountability In light of the incident, Suchitra Naik, the principal of Joshi-Bedekar College, has issued a call for action. Acknowledging the fear that has likely deterred many students and parents from speaking out, Naik appeals to them to step forward, identify the senior involved, and formally lodge complaints. Also watch | X, formerly Twitter, sought to overturn Indian govt orders in July 2022 Expressing condemnation for the incident, Naik assured that the authorities have initiated a comprehensive inquiry and pledged that those responsible will not escape accountability. As public outrage intensifies and the video continues to circulate, the demand for justice grows louder. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a safe and nurturing environment within educational institutions, where students can grow and thrive without fear of such reprehensible treatment. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Watch: Indian college students held face down in puddle and brutally thrashed by senior

The political shift in the Indian state of Maharashtra has seen a dramatic twist with a top leader from the state's opposition party. The NCP became a part of the ruling Coalition led by the BJP along with other legislators. The move by the National Congress parties leader Ajit Pawar has now raised questions not only on the future of this party but also on the health of India's opposition as they prepare for next year's elections.

What's next for NCP and Ajit Pawar?

<p>The fire in the ICU of a hospital in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district is one more in a series of devastating blazes in the state, claiming lives of coronavirus patients.</p>

<p>Eleven Covid patients being treated in the ICU died in the blaze in the district hospital at Ahmednagar on Saturday. On April 23 this year, when the second wave of the pandemic was at its peak, 13 Covid patients died as fire engulfed the ICU of the Vijay Vallabh Hospital in Virar, around 60 km from Mumbai.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There were 90 patients in the hospital, 18 of them in the ICU, when the fire broke out after a blast in the AC unit. The dead included six women and eight men.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ten coronavirus patients died in a fire at a hospital in the eastern suburb of Bhandup in Mumbai on March 26. The fire broke out in Dreams Mall, which housed a Covid-designated hospital. It raged for over 40 hours. The dead included those on ventilator support.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As many as 24 Covid patients on life support died at the civic hospital in Nashik on April 21 after a leak in the medical oxygen tank. The leakage from an oxygen tank caused disruption in oxygen supply for around 30 minutes, which led to the deaths of patients who were on oxygen support.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All the victims were on ventilators and in need of constant oxygen supply. Around 150 patients were either oxygen-dependent or on ventilators. The year began on a tragic note when 10 infants died in a fire at a special new-born care unit of the Bhandara district hospital on January 9.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Seventeen infants, aged one to three months, were in the ward at the time of the tragedy. A probe panel had suggested that trained engineers should be employed at government hospitals that mainly rely on the public works department (PWD) for maintenance work. The six-member committee, comprising health officials, electrical engineers and fire officials, found that the fire in the sick newborn care unit (SNCU) of the Bhandara district general hospital spread from a radiant warmer and electrical wiring system connected to it in the ?outborn section?.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On April 28, four patients were killed after a fire broke out at the private Prime Criticare Hospital at Kausa in Mumbra locality near Thane. The hospital had no Covid patients. In April this year, a major fire broke out in a building housing a private Covid care centre in Chandwad town in Nashik district. Around 22 patients admitted at the facility were shifted to the sub-district hospital in the town as a precaution.</p>


The fire in the ICU of a hospital in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district is one more in a series of devastating blazes in the state, claiming lives of coronavirus patients.

The fire in the ICU of a hospital in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district is one more in a series of devastating blazes in the state, claiming lives of coronavirus patients. Eleven Covid patients being treated in the ICU died in the blaze in the district hospital at Ahmednagar on Saturday. On April 23 this year, when the second wave of the pandemic was at its peak, 13 Covid patients died as fire engulfed the ICU of the Vijay Vallabh Hospital in Virar, around 60 km from Mumbai. There were 90 patients in the hospital, 18 of them in the ICU, when the fire broke out after a blast in the AC unit. The dead included six women and eight men. Ten coronavirus patients died in a fire at a hospital in the eastern suburb of Bhandup in Mumbai on March 26. The fire broke out in Dreams Mall, which housed a Covid-designated hospital. It raged for over 40 hours. The dead included those on ventilator support. As many as 24 Covid patients on life support died at the civic hospital in Nashik on April 21 after a leak in the medical oxygen tank. The leakage from an oxygen tank caused disruption in oxygen supply for around 30 minutes, which led to the deaths of patients who were on oxygen support. All the victims were on ventilators and in need of constant oxygen supply. Around 150 patients were either oxygen-dependent or on ventilators. The year began on a tragic note when 10 infants died in a fire at a special new-born care unit of the Bhandara district hospital on January 9. Seventeen infants, aged one to three months, were in the ward at the time of the tragedy. A probe panel had suggested that trained engineers should be employed at government hospitals that mainly rely on the public works department (PWD) for maintenance work. The six-member committee, comprising health officials, electrical engineers and fire officials, found that the fire in the sick newborn care unit (SNCU) of the Bhandara district general hospital spread from a radiant warmer and electrical wiring system connected to it in the ?outborn section?. On April 28, four patients were killed after a fire broke out at the private Prime Criticare Hospital at Kausa in Mumbra locality near Thane. The hospital had no Covid patients. In April this year, a major fire broke out in a building housing a private Covid care centre in Chandwad town in Nashik district. Around 22 patients admitted at the facility were shifted to the sub-district hospital in the town as a precaution.

Maharashtra: One more blaze, same old woes as Covid patients die in hospitals

<p>Maharashtra government has extended the lockdown in the state till May 31, news agency PTI reported quoting an official on Sunday.</p>

<p>Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta has issued an order notifying extension of the lockdown, the official said.</p>

<p>"The calibrated phase-wise relaxation/lifting of lockdown orders will be notified in due course," the order said. The present lockdown was valid till May 17.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>


Maharashtra government has extended the lockdown in the state till May 31, news agency PTI reported quoting an official on Sunday. Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta has issued an order notifying extension of the lockdown, the official said.

Maharashtra government has extended the lockdown in the state till May 31, news agency PTI reported quoting an official on Sunday. Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta has issued an order notifying extension of the lockdown, the official said. "The calibrated phase-wise relaxation/lifting of lockdown orders will be notified in due course," the order said. The present lockdown was valid till May 17. (With inputs from PTI)

Maharashtra government extends lockdown till May 31

In the backdrop of coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown, the Centre has come up with a Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package for the daily wage earners, women workers, and migrant workers as the country remains in a 21-day lockdown period.

Coronavirus Lockdown: India’s FM says 'No one will go hungry'

In the first case of coronavirus affecting military personnel, a soldier from Leh is reported to have been infected by the virus. He was on leave from February 25 to March 1. The soldier's father had returned from a pilgrimage in Iran.

Indian Army soldier tests positive for coronavirus

Health Ministry of India is planning to enhance the capacity for diagnosis and detection of novel coronavirus and has decided to allow accredited private labs to conduct the tests across the country.

India plans to boost Covid-19 testing

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday said that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India has risen to 147. 122 Indian nationals and 25 foreign nationals have tested positive for the virus, it said.

Coronavirus positive cases in India jumps to 147

A 64-year-old patient died to coronavirus in Mumbai's Kasturba hospital today. It is the third death due to COVID-19 in India. It is the first death due to the virus in Maharashtra.

Third death due to coronavirus in India, 64-year-old dies in Mumbai

Maharashtra Assembly elections 2019: Bollywood stars step out to cast their vote, see pics

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said once it was a big deal for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-sardar-sarovar-dam-illuminates-with-bright-colours-ahead-of-prime-minister-modis-visit-250086">Sardar Sarovar Dam</a> to clock 122 metres of water but now its level has reached 138 metres.</p>

<p>"The dream that Sardar Patel had dreamed of is being fulfilled decades later and that too in front of the grand statue of Sardar Saheb. We have seen the Sardar Sarovar dam full for the first time."</p>

<p>"There was a time when reaching the target of 122 meters was a big deal.&nbsp;But today, within 5 years, it is amazing and unforgettable to see that Sardar Sarovar is filled till 138 meters," he said while addressing people at Sardar Sarovar Dam site.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: How Modi rejuvenates the Indian diaspora worldwide</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-how-modi-rejuvenates-the-indian-diaspora-worldwide-250069/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>"Today is also Vishwakarma jii day. In the resolve to move towards creating a new India, creativity like Lord Vishwakarma and will power to achieve big goals are very important," The Prime Minister said.</p>

<p>Modi, who was in Gujarat on his 69th birthday also offered prayers to the Narmada at the dam site.</p>

<p>He also visited the Control Room of the Sardar Sarovar Dam.</p>

<p>"On one side is the Sardar Sarovar dam, there is electricity-generating equipment. On the other side, there are very beautiful arrangements related to eco-tourism like Ekta Nursery, Butterfly Garden.&nbsp;Amidst all this, a grand statue of Sardar Patel is seen blessing us. Today is the day to express gratitude to all the people who have contributed to this dam," he said.</p>

<p>The dam was illuminated with bright coloured lighting on late Monday night ahead of his arrival. The Prime Minister said that he will achieve every goal of new India with the inspiration of Sardar Patel.</p>

<p>"Today both the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the world's tallest statue of Sardar Saheb symbolize that willpower.&nbsp;I believe that with his inspiration we will prove every resolve associated with the new India, we will achieve every goal. Today's occasion is also very emotional," he said.</p>

<p>Modi said that the dam is significant for Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said once it was a big deal for Sardar Sarovar Dam to clock 122 metres of water but now its level has reached 138 metres.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said once it was a big deal for Sardar Sarovar Dam to clock 122 metres of water but now its level has reached 138 metres. "The dream that Sardar Patel had dreamed of is being fulfilled decades later and that too in front of the grand statue of Sardar Saheb. We have seen the Sardar Sarovar dam full for the first time." "There was a time when reaching the target of 122 meters was a big deal. But today, within 5 years, it is amazing and unforgettable to see that Sardar Sarovar is filled till 138 meters," he said while addressing people at Sardar Sarovar Dam site. Watch: How Modi rejuvenates the Indian diaspora worldwide × "Today is also Vishwakarma jii day. In the resolve to move towards creating a new India, creativity like Lord Vishwakarma and will power to achieve big goals are very important," The Prime Minister said. Modi, who was in Gujarat on his 69th birthday also offered prayers to the Narmada at the dam site. He also visited the Control Room of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. "On one side is the Sardar Sarovar dam, there is electricity-generating equipment. On the other side, there are very beautiful arrangements related to eco-tourism like Ekta Nursery, Butterfly Garden. Amidst all this, a grand statue of Sardar Patel is seen blessing us. Today is the day to express gratitude to all the people who have contributed to this dam," he said. The dam was illuminated with bright coloured lighting on late Monday night ahead of his arrival. The Prime Minister said that he will achieve every goal of new India with the inspiration of Sardar Patel. "Today both the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the world's tallest statue of Sardar Saheb symbolize that willpower. I believe that with his inspiration we will prove every resolve associated with the new India, we will achieve every goal. Today's occasion is also very emotional," he said. Modi said that the dam is significant for Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra

Amazing, unforgettable to see water touching 138 metres in Sardar Sarovar Dam: PM Modi

<p>Ten months after currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 were scrapped on November 8 last year, the ghost of demonetisation continues to haunt Deepak Badavne.</p>

<p>In early November, Badavne had harvested 31 quintals of cotton from his 2.5-acre farm. He expected good returns on it. &ldquo;The trader arranged for the truck and loaded the cotton from my house,&rdquo; he says. But just then, the demonetisation-induced cash crunch hit the farm sector. The payment for Deepak&rsquo;s cotton didn&rsquo;t materialise. &lsquo;The trader is now saying he will pay by Diwali [by mid-October 2017],&rdquo; he says.</p>

<p>The trader owes Badavne Rs. 178,483 for his cotton yield. A cheque he received for this amount on March 24 bounced&ndash; thrice. &nbsp;&ldquo;I am not the only one,&rdquo; says Deepak, 31, sitting under a tree in Karajgaon village on the outskirts of Aurangabad city in Marathwada, Maharashtra. &ldquo;There are others in my village who have been similarly duped.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Badavne, who lives in a joint family and has two children, has gathered some of them in this village of 1,300 people &ndash; people who are also waiting for their dues or have received cheques that bounced. In April, nearly six months after the demonetisation, Deepak&rsquo;s brother Jeetendra, 38, got a nearly two lakh rupees for 34 quintals of cotton. That too bounced. &ldquo;What am I supposed to do with this if I cannot have cash in hand?&rdquo; he asks. &ldquo;I need cash to buy inputs for the cropping season [that started in mid-June].&rdquo;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/01-u83a8688-farmers_in_karajgaon-ss-the_ghost.width-1400-20171107110445.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Deepak Badavne holds up the cheque he received in return for his cotton &ndash; it bounced three times (Others)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>On the morning of our visit in June, the trader in question had left the village to avoid reporters. So he was unavailable to give his version of the events, and is therefore not named in this story.</p>

<p>When the angry group barged into his house, his mother threatened that they would be responsible if her son committed suicide. &ldquo;The trader said the cash crunch was responsible for the delays in payment,&rdquo; says Deepak, &ldquo;but the sowing season does not wait for us. We have filed an FIR [at the Karmad police station, around four kilometres away, on charges of cheating].&rdquo;</p>

<p>In Hasanabadwadi village on the Aurangabad-Jalna highway, Atul Antarai, 28, was also struggling in June, months after the demonetisation. He has 1,000 mosambi trees on five acres. &ldquo;I have a private well and borewell,&rdquo; he says, &ldquo;so I manage to water the orchard better than many farmers cultivating mosambi around me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>In the first week of November, a trader had approached Antarai and offered him Rs. 6.5 lakhs for the entire produce. &ldquo;I had planned on harvesting around February,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;And going by the rate of Rs. 30-35 per kilo, I expected to make Rs. 10 lakhs from the crop. I told the trader I would get back to him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>On November 8, however, after the government&rsquo;s &lsquo;notebandi&rsquo; order, the same trader did not have the cash anymore, and rates plummeted. &ldquo;I eventually got Rs. 1.25 lakh for the entire yield,&rdquo; says Atul. &ldquo;Where I had expected Rs. 30&ndash;35 a kilo, I ended up selling the fruit at Rs. 3 a kilo.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>Watch video</strong>: &lsquo;<em>I got 3 rupees a kilo instead of 30-35 for my </em><em>mosambi</em><em>&rsquo; after the demonetisation last November, says Atul Antarai of Hasanabadwadi village</em></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1OxrbeBYN7g" width="560"></iframe></h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=&lt;iframe width=560 height=315  data-cke-saved-src=https://www.youtube.com/embed/1OxrbeBYN7g src=https://www.youtube.com/embed/1OxrbeBYN7g frameborder=0 allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Every year, the transactions for crops in Marathwada are made in cash. Relatively larger amounts than those for food crops get exchanged for cotton and mosambi &ndash; so after the demonetisation, when cash was in short supply, the impact on cotton and mosambi farmers was especially severe. November is when Marathwada&rsquo;s farmers harvest cotton, and it&rsquo;s just a few months before the year&rsquo;s first mosambi harvest of February-March (the second one is usually in August-September).</p>

<p>The rates plummeted and traders did not have cash to buy stock from farmers. The cashless future that demonetisation promised never came, and many in rural Marathwada scoff at the idea. &ldquo;ATMs are concentrated in cities,&rdquo; says Ashok Yedhe, a farmer in Anjanvati village of Beed district, who cultivates soyabean and jowar. &ldquo;Just to get to a bank or an ATM takes kilometres of travel for us.&rdquo;</p>

<p>ATMs in rural areas are few and far between. &nbsp;Of the 222,762 ATMs in the entire country, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data (till June 2017) only 40,997 are in rural centres &ndash; this means less than 20 per cent of the ATMs in India are available for the 69 per cent of the population that is classified as rural (by Census 2011).</p>

<p>Devidas Tuljapurkar, joint secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association, points out that it is also important to note the run time of ATMs. &quot;In cities, the cash is replenished almost every day,&quot; he says. &quot;That is not the case in rural areas, where the run time of ATMs is about 20 per cent what it is in cities.&quot; &nbsp;</p>

<p>Besides, Yedhe points out, online transactions cost more, and a farmer cannot afford to pay extra money for every such transaction. In any case, he explains, cash is central to any transaction in a rural economy. &ldquo;We cannot Paytm 250 rupees to an agriculture labourer,&rdquo; he laughs. &ldquo;Most of the time, a farmer gets cash and uses it immediately to buy inputs or rations or fodder. The entire trade chain in rural India is cash-based.&rdquo;</p>

<p>To add to the cash crunch after November 2016, banks in rural areas were the last to get the new currency notes. For months, the RBI did not even accept the old notes deposited with the district cooperative banks, where most farmers have their accounts. Hanumant Jadhav, managing director of the Latur District Cooperative Bank, says, &ldquo;For 7-8 months we continued to struggle when district banks were not remonetised and all our ATMs were dry.&rdquo;</p>

<p><i><strong>Watch video</strong>:&nbsp;</i><i>&#39;</i><i>A farmer can&#39;t go cashless&#39;, insists Deepak Badavne of Karajgaon village</i></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hs5eCUOFc7w" width="560"></iframe></h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=&lt;iframe width=560 height=315  data-cke-saved-src=https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hs5eCUOFc7w src=https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hs5eCUOFc7w frameborder=0 allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>In Karajgaon too, farmers say the push towards a cashless economy is city-centric, ignoring the majority living in the villages. &ldquo;We usually use cash the same day we get it from any source,&rdquo; says Deepak. &ldquo;If we start going to the bank to withdraw cash for each transaction, can you imagine the amount of money and time we would be spending? Cashless sounds fine in Mumbai and Delhi, but it is a farce in rural India.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Deepak has been unable to repay the 2016-17 agricultural season&rsquo;s bank loan. &ldquo;I owe the Bank of Maharashtra in Karmad Rs. 1.5 lakhs,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I have been repaying every year, so I am eligible for a new crop loan. But this year, I have been a defaulter.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Deepak has now borrowed Rs. 240,000 from a private moneylender at 3 per cent interest per month. He already has a debt of Rs. 2 lakhs from a private moneylender. He has used the new loan for the ongoing kharif season and repaid a part of his bank loan. But he remains worried. &ldquo;The harvest does not look promising this year due to intermittent rainfall,&rdquo; he says.</p>

<p>And in Hasanabadwadi village, Atul is wondering if he will have to phase out his mosambi orchard. &ldquo;The well has run dry. Rainfall has not been great. The harvest [the year&rsquo;s second, of August-September] could be mediocre. And because I lost a lot of money after demonetisation, it is difficult to purchase water to keep the plants alive.&quot;</p>

<p>This&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralindiaonline.org/articles/the-ghost-of-demonetisation" rel="nofollow" target="blank">article</a>&nbsp;was originally&nbsp;published on 15/ 09/ 2017 on the&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralindiaonline.org/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">People&#39;s Archive of Rural India.</a></p>

<p>Photos Credit:&nbsp;Shrirang Swarge</p>


In rural Marathwada, where the agrarian trade chain is cash-based, farmers are still reeling from the effects of the November 2016 demonetisation ? with bounced cheques, poor access to banks, and falling crop prices

Ten months after currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 were scrapped on November 8 last year, the ghost of demonetisation continues to haunt Deepak Badavne. In early November, Badavne had harvested 31 quintals of cotton from his 2.5-acre farm. He expected good returns on it. “The trader arranged for the truck and loaded the cotton from my house,” he says. But just then, the demonetisation-induced cash crunch hit the farm sector. The payment for Deepak’s cotton didn’t materialise. ‘The trader is now saying he will pay by Diwali [by mid-October 2017],” he says. The trader owes Badavne Rs. 178,483 for his cotton yield. A cheque he received for this amount on March 24 bounced– thrice. “I am not the only one,” says Deepak, 31, sitting under a tree in Karajgaon village on the outskirts of Aurangabad city in Marathwada, Maharashtra. “There are others in my village who have been similarly duped.” Badavne, who lives in a joint family and has two children, has gathered some of them in this village of 1,300 people – people who are also waiting for their dues or have received cheques that bounced. In April, nearly six months after the demonetisation, Deepak’s brother Jeetendra, 38, got a nearly two lakh rupees for 34 quintals of cotton. That too bounced. “What am I supposed to do with this if I cannot have cash in hand?” he asks. “I need cash to buy inputs for the cropping season [that started in mid-June].” Deepak Badavne holds up the cheque he received in return for his cotton – it bounced three times (Others) × On the morning of our visit in June, the trader in question had left the village to avoid reporters. So he was unavailable to give his version of the events, and is therefore not named in this story. When the angry group barged into his house, his mother threatened that they would be responsible if her son committed suicide. “The trader said the cash crunch was responsible for the delays in payment,” says Deepak, “but the sowing season does not wait for us. We have filed an FIR [at the Karmad police station, around four kilometres away, on charges of cheating].” In Hasanabadwadi village on the Aurangabad-Jalna highway, Atul Antarai, 28, was also struggling in June, months after the demonetisation. He has 1,000 mosambi trees on five acres. “I have a private well and borewell,” he says, “so I manage to water the orchard better than many farmers cultivating mosambi around me.” In the first week of November, a trader had approached Antarai and offered him Rs. 6.5 lakhs for the entire produce. “I had planned on harvesting around February,” he says. “And going by the rate of Rs. 30-35 per kilo, I expected to make Rs. 10 lakhs from the crop. I told the trader I would get back to him.” On November 8, however, after the government’s ‘notebandi’ order, the same trader did not have the cash anymore, and rates plummeted. “I eventually got Rs. 1.25 lakh for the entire yield,” says Atul. “Where I had expected Rs. 30–35 a kilo, I ended up selling the fruit at Rs. 3 a kilo.” Watch video: ‘I got 3 rupees a kilo instead of 30-35 for my mosambi’ after the demonetisation last November, says Atul Antarai of Hasanabadwadi village × Every year, the transactions for crops in Marathwada are made in cash. Relatively larger amounts than those for food crops get exchanged for cotton and mosambi – so after the demonetisation, when cash was in short supply, the impact on cotton and mosambi farmers was especially severe. November is when Marathwada’s farmers harvest cotton, and it’s just a few months before the year’s first mosambi harvest of February-March (the second one is usually in August-September). The rates plummeted and traders did not have cash to buy stock from farmers. The cashless future that demonetisation promised never came, and many in rural Marathwada scoff at the idea. “ATMs are concentrated in cities,” says Ashok Yedhe, a farmer in Anjanvati village of Beed district, who cultivates soyabean and jowar. “Just to get to a bank or an ATM takes kilometres of travel for us.” ATMs in rural areas are few and far between. Of the 222,762 ATMs in the entire country, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data (till June 2017) only 40,997 are in rural centres – this means less than 20 per cent of the ATMs in India are available for the 69 per cent of the population that is classified as rural (by Census 2011). Devidas Tuljapurkar, joint secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association, points out that it is also important to note the run time of ATMs. "In cities, the cash is replenished almost every day," he says. "That is not the case in rural areas, where the run time of ATMs is about 20 per cent what it is in cities." Besides, Yedhe points out, online transactions cost more, and a farmer cannot afford to pay extra money for every such transaction. In any case, he explains, cash is central to any transaction in a rural economy. “We cannot Paytm 250 rupees to an agriculture labourer,” he laughs. “Most of the time, a farmer gets cash and uses it immediately to buy inputs or rations or fodder. The entire trade chain in rural India is cash-based.” To add to the cash crunch after November 2016, banks in rural areas were the last to get the new currency notes. For months, the RBI did not even accept the old notes deposited with the district cooperative banks, where most farmers have their accounts. Hanumant Jadhav, managing director of the Latur District Cooperative Bank, says, “For 7-8 months we continued to struggle when district banks were not remonetised and all our ATMs were dry.” Watch video: 'A farmer can't go cashless', insists Deepak Badavne of Karajgaon village × In Karajgaon too, farmers say the push towards a cashless economy is city-centric, ignoring the majority living in the villages. “We usually use cash the same day we get it from any source,” says Deepak. “If we start going to the bank to withdraw cash for each transaction, can you imagine the amount of money and time we would be spending? Cashless sounds fine in Mumbai and Delhi, but it is a farce in rural India.” Deepak has been unable to repay the 2016-17 agricultural season’s bank loan. “I owe the Bank of Maharashtra in Karmad Rs. 1.5 lakhs,” he says. “I have been repaying every year, so I am eligible for a new crop loan. But this year, I have been a defaulter.” Deepak has now borrowed Rs. 240,000 from a private moneylender at 3 per cent interest per month. He already has a debt of Rs. 2 lakhs from a private moneylender. He has used the new loan for the ongoing kharif season and repaid a part of his bank loan. But he remains worried. “The harvest does not look promising this year due to intermittent rainfall,” he says. And in Hasanabadwadi village, Atul is wondering if he will have to phase out his mosambi orchard. “The well has run dry. Rainfall has not been great. The harvest [the year’s second, of August-September] could be mediocre. And because I lost a lot of money after demonetisation, it is difficult to purchase water to keep the plants alive." This article was originally published on 15/ 09/ 2017 on the People's Archive of Rural India. Photos Credit: Shrirang Swarge

The ghost of demonetisation

maharastra

Maharastra, News on Maharastra, stories on Maharastra, articles on Maharastra, Maharastra stories at Wion, Maharastra news, Maharastra latest news