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Tag: Ajit Pawar

  • Maharashtra is against any move to encroach upon state’s rights to levy taxes: Dy CM Ajit Pawar

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said the state government was against any move to encroach upon the state’s rights to levy taxes and would put forth its view in the GST Council meeting on Friday.

    He was replying to questions that the GST Council meeting, scheduled in Lucknow on Friday, might consider taxing petrol, diesel and other petroleum products under the single national GST regime, a move that may require huge compromises by both central and state governments on the revenues they collect from taxing these products.

    Pawar, who holds charge of Maharashtra’s finance department, told reporters here that said the Centre was free to levy taxes, but “what is under the state’s jurisdiction should not be touched”. “If there is any move to do so, the state government will put forth its view in tomorrow’s GST Council meeting,” he said.

    Pawar said the central government should abide by all assurances made in Parliament when the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law of ‘one nation one tax’ was enacted. “We are yet to get Rs 30,000 crore to 32,000 crore of our share of the GST refund. Apart from Excise and stamp duty, the largest pool of revenue for the state government is from the GST. Earlier this week, the Maharashtra government highlighted the state’s issues regarding finances during discussions with the NITI Aayog members,” he said.

  • Maharashtra Deputy CM urges people to follow COVID-19 norms; not make government shut everything during third wave

    By PTI

    PUNE: Expressing concerns over people letting their guard down against COVID-19 in rural areas, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday urged citizens not to put the state government in a position where it has to shut everything in the event of a third wave of the pandemic.

    Speaking to reporters here, Pawar said the Centre has already cautioned all the states, citing that Kerala and Maharashtra have been reporting the highest number of cases.

    “Unfortunately, in rural areas, some people are becoming lax. They are not scared of coronavirus. They don’t use masks, don’t follow physical distancing, and they have assumed that everything (COVID-19 pandemic) is over. This has led to rise in infections,” Pawar said.

    The chief minister has appealed to people from time to time, but some people politicise the issue and resort to celebrating festivals, he said.

    “All this should stop somewhere. People should not put the state government and administrations in a position where they have to close everything if the third wave hits,” he appealed.

    When asked about reopening of schools, Pawar said discussions are being held with the concerned experts and a decision will be taken.

    “There are two opinions. Some say schools should open after Diwali, while others say they should be reopened in places where the COVID-19 positivity rate is zero. The chief minister, however, will take the decision,” he said.

    Speaking about the BJP and MNS’ demand to open temples in the state, Pawar said as the civic elections are round the corner, every party was striving to make its presence felt, which is why this “emotional” issue was being raised.

    Pawar, who is also the guardian minister of Pune, was speaking to the media after holding a review meeting of the COVID-19 situation in the district.

    The divisional commissioner (Pune division) has informed that at least 5 lakh doses may be available for the district soon, and the authorities will try to speed up the vaccination in slums, he said.

    Pawar further said that while Ganesh Utsav is drawing closer, people must refrain from celebrating the festival on a grand scale.

    “Since all big mandals (organisers) have decided to celebrate the festival in a simple manner and as there will be no decorations, there is no scope for crowding.

    However, we will monitor the situation from day one, and if we find that gatherings are taking place, stricter measures will be taken from the second day,” he said.

  • Maharashtra Governor against Eknath Khadse’s nomination as MLC

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  The standoff in Maharashtra over the appointment of 12 MLCs continued even after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Congress minister Balasaheb Thorat held a meeting with Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Wednesday night.

    After the Bombay High Court observed that the governor cannot indefinitely put on hold the appointment of MLCs nominated by the government, Uddhav Thackeray once again sought to push the governor on the appointment of 12 MLCs.

    According to sources, the governor raised objections over two (NCP leader Eknath Khadse and farmer leader Raju Shetti) of the 12 names submitted by the government.

    However, the governor’s office refused to confirm or deny this.  

    Ajit Pawar said he was told that Raju Shetti, who lost in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, cannot be nominated as an MLC through the governor’s quota.

    Pawar pointed out that, however, in 2014, BJP leader Arun Jaitely lost the Lok Sabha polls in Amritsar but was nominated to Rajya Sabha and made the Union finance minister.

    “We are checking various issues so that there should not be any obstructions while appointing these 12 names as MLCs,” Pawar said. 

    The governor also objected to Khadse being made an MLC. 

    “The Pune land case against Eknath Khadse and an ongoing inquiry by Enforcement Directorate against him were cited as the reasons for delay in the approval of 12 names. Besides, Raju Shetti’s name was propped up. However, we have not been told by the governor in writing on specific names and issues. We tried to pursue this issue diligently,” said a senior minister in Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

    Another minister said that the governor has no right to reject the names proposed by the elected government.

    “Ours is an elected government, and so, the governor has no right to interfere and raise objections to any name.”

  • Ajit Pawar seeks PM Modi’s intervention in Maharashtra-Karnataka border row

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention to resolve the state’s long pending boundary dispute with neighbouring Karnataka.

    In the letter dated August 9, Pawar appealed to Modi to take the lead in stopping the Karnataka government’s “atrocities” on Marathi-speaking people and include the disputed areas in Maharashtra.

    Maharashtra claims certain areas, including Belgaum, Karwar and Nippani which are part of Karnataka, contending the majority of population in these areas is Marathi-speaking.

    The dispute between the two states over Belgaum and other border areas is pending before the Supreme Court for many years.

    ALSO READ | PM Narendra Modi told me incidents like Assam-Mizoram border violence pain the country: Himanta Biswa Sarma

    Pawar said it has been more than 60 years since the formation of Maharashtra state, with Mumbai as its capital, but, Belgaum, Karwar, Bidar, Bhalki, Nippani and other Marathi-speaking areas of Karnataka are still not in Maharashtra.

    “People of Maharashtra and those living in the Marathi-speaking areas of Karnataka bordering Maharashtra regret that the issue hasn’t been resolved yet,” the NCP leader said.

    Maharashtra will not rest till the dream of a “Sanyukta Maharashtra”, including Marathi-speaking areas along the border, is realised, he said.

    “The fight through legal means will continue. We want you to take cognisance of wishes of the people of Maharashtra and ensure justice,” Pawar said in his letter to the PM.

    Currently, the legal battle is on in the Supreme Court and “we are confident that Maharashtra will get justice”, he said.

    “We seek your help in ensuring justice to Marathi people from border areas of Karnataka. I am sure you will do so,” the deputy CM said in the letter.

  • Timings of shops, restaurants extended in Pune, malls to open for fully vaccinated

    By PTI

    PUNE: Shops in Pune city can remain open till 8 pm from August 9 and restaurants with a 50 per cent capacity till 10 pm, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Sunday.

    Malls are also allowed to function in Pune and neighbouring Pimpri Chinchwad township till 8 pm but only citizens who have received both the doses of COVID-19 vaccines will be allowed entry, he said.

    Restaurant owners, traders and mall workers associations have been demanding that the timings of their establishments be extended and had also staged a protest.

    Recently, the Maharashtra government had allowed shops to function till 8 pm in 25 districts excluding Pune and ten other districts where level-3 restrictions continue to remain in force.

    “Considering the constant positivity rate at 3.3 per cent in Pune and at 3.5 per cent in Pimpri Chinchwad, we are relaxing some norms for business. From Monday, all shops are allowed to open till 8 pm. However, shop owners and staff must wear masks and get themselves fully vaccinated. Restaurants are also allowed to operate with a 50 per cent capacity till 10 pm. Pune rural areas will continue to remain under the current level-3 restrictions owing to a high positivity rate,” Pawar told reporters after attending a coronavirus review meeting.

    He said malls are allowed to remain open in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad but only citizens who have received both doses of vaccines will be allowed entry.

    “The mall staff must get themselves fully vaccinated.

    Also, staff should undergo tests once every fortnight.

    Malls are allowed to remain open till 8 pm,” said Pawar, also guardian minister of the Pune district.

    The Deputy CM also appealed to traders to keep all the commercial establishments and markets closed in the limits of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad civic areas once a week on a day of their choice.

    Public gardens will be allowed to remain open in the morning and evening like they used to be before the pandemic.

    Sports activities are also allowed in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad except for swimming.

    Temples will continue to remain closed, Pawar said, adding that people should strictly follow COVID-19 norms.

    A total of 65, 25, 580 citizens have been inoculated against COVID-19 so far in the Pune district, as per the district administration.

     

  • Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar calls for structures that allow free flow of flood water underneath

    By PTI
    PUNE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday said that residential structures in flood-prone areas should be built in such a way that they allow free flow of flood water on the ground, which would avoid damage.

    He was speaking after flagging off the first trial run of the Pune Metro rail on Vanaz-Ramwadi route.

    Talking about the last week’s flood situation in Konkan region’s Ratnagiri and Raigad districts as well as Kolhapur and Sangli districts of western Maharashtra, Pawar said,”Cities like Mahad (Raigad), Chiplun (Ratnagiri) face flood situation. If these areas witness flood water reaching up to the level of 10 feet, then we would suggest that the residential structures there should be elevated with columns of up to that height.”

    ALSO READ| Rehabilitation only solution to hardships caused by floods: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray

    “This should be done in such a way that the flood water flows smoothly underneath such structures without any restriction…This method of development can be adopted in these areas,” he said. Pawar also shared the examples of China and Germany, where floods caused large-scale damage, and said, “We need to take precautions to tackle such natural calamities.”

    He added that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state was taking measure to avoid damages due to such calamities in future. Sharing the progress of the Pune Metro rail project, the deputy CM said the Vanaz-Ramwadi route will start functioning by June 2022.

    On relaxing the COVID-19 restrictions in the state, Pawar said, “During a recent meeting, we discussed about easing curbs. This will be done in areas where the COVID-19 positivity rate is around one per cent. The deadline for operation on shops and other establishments could be extended from the present 4 pm to 8 pm in such areas. Also instead of complete closure of such units during the weekend, the restrictions will be relaxed on Saturdays, while the curbs would continue on Sundays.”

  • Maharashtra rains: Ajit Pawar says 90,000 people evacuated so far from nine districts

    By PTI
    PUNE: Taliye village in Raigad district of Maharashtra was not identified as a landslide-prone area but the tragedy occurred due to excessive rains, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Saturday.

    Prima facie, at least 37 people lost their lives due to the landslide in the Taliye village on Thursday evening, according to officials.

    Speaking to reporters, Pawar also said 90,000 people were evacuated to safety so far from nine districts in Maharashtra hit by heavy rains.

    He said 21 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been working with 14 teams of the Army, the Coast Guard and others in the rain-ravaged districts.

    Besides, four teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have also joined the evacuation operations.

    Parts of Raigad, Ratnagiri districts in the coastal Konkan region and Kolhapur district in western Maharashtra, have been worst affected by the floods.

    Besides that, heavy rains have been pounding parts of the Satara district.

    At least 76 people died and 38 others injured in rain-related incidents, largely landslides and floods, in parts of Maharashtra, the state government said on Saturday.

    Speaking about the Taliye village landslide, Pawar said it was not a landslide-prone area but the excessive rain caused the incident.

    “Maharashtra has marked various areas which are landslide-prone and accordingly alerts are issued and other precautionary measures are taken. But Taliye wasn’t a landslide-prone area. Considering the red alert people from some of the areas of villages were warned while some were shifted already. However, an unfortunate incident took place,” said Pawar, who is guardian minister of Pune district.

    He said 23 areas in the Pune district are landslide-prone including five areas in Ambegaon, two in Maval, two in Khed, three in Bhor, besides one area each in Mulshi, Junnar, and Velha.

    “In these areas also many people have lost their lives. A total of 76 people have lost their life due to heavy rains till Saturday morning (in Maharashtra). These include 47 in Raigad, six in Satara, four in Mumbai and nearby areas, one in Pune, 11 in Ratnagiri, five in Kolhapur, and two in Sindhudurg.53 people are missing in Raigad, four in Satara and two in Thane till Saturday morning,” Pawar added.

    Pawar said the state government had already announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the victims killed in floods and landslides while the Central government has announced Rs 2 lakh each.

    “As many as 90,000 people have been relocated from the affected areas (in nine districts) and the flood-prone areas. 21 teams of NDRF have been working along with 14 teams of the Army, the Coast Guard and others. Four teams of the SDRF have also joined the operations,” he said.

    Pawar said the government has decided to distribute ration kits in these affected areas.

    “Usually a ration kit includes wheat, rice, pulses, and kerosene. But considering the restrictions to get wheat flour in this scenario, the government has decided to give rice, pulses, and kerosene in ration kits, which will help people prepare khichdi as a meal.

    Along with this, we are appealing social organisations to come forward to run Shivbhojan thali centres in the affected areas,” Pawar added.

    The deputy CM also said the Maharashtra government is coordinating with its Karnataka counterpart to ensure flood relief for the people (in Kolhapur district) by releasing water (from Almatti dam).

    Pawar said people from the 23 landslide-prone areas in Pune district are demanding relocation in view of the current incidents.

    “Many people are seeking their permanent relocation on the lines of the Malin village in Ambegaon tehsil but many people are also opposing. The government is very positive about relocating such villages and localities that fall under landslide-prone areas. We are ready for it,” Pawar added.

    Located in the foothills of the Sahyadri mountain range, Malin village housing nearly 50 families had disappeared within a minute in the landslide in July 2014.

    The village was rehabilitated two km away from its original location in 2017 and is spread over on 8-acre land in Amde village.

  • Deputy CM Ajit Pawar speaks with Rajnath Singh over Maharashtra flood situation

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday spoke to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on the worsening flood situation in the state.

    Singh assured the help of defense forces in the rescue and relief operations, a statement by Pawar’s office said.

    Army and Navy teams have already been deployed in the state.

    Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation Secretary Aseem Gupta has been appointed as the nodal officer for coordination with the Defense Ministry, the statement added.

    Unprecedented flooding in some part of Maharashtra that caused the death of more than 70 people in various incidents.38 deaths at Taliye landslide12 deaths Ambheghar Satara11 deaths Polandpur Raigad8 deaths Covid centre2 deaths Wai Satara @NewIndianXpress #flooding
    — Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) July 23, 2021

    District guardian ministers and local elected representatives have been asked to stay put in the flood-hit districts till the situation is normal.

    Raigad guardian minister Aditi Tatkare, Ratnagiri guardian minister Anil Parab, Sindhudurg guardian minister Uday Samant, Satara guardian minister Balasaheb Patil and all MLAs from these areas have been asked to remain available to participate in and oversee the rescue and relief operations, the release said.

    Heavy rains are battering the coastal Konkan and parts of Western Maharashtra for the last two days.

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  • Those who have taken two doses of vaccine should be allowed to go out: Ajit Pawar

    By PTI
    PUNE: Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Wednesday that he was of the view that those who have received both the jabs of coronavirus vaccines should be allowed to “go out”.

    He was going to discuss this issue with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, he told reporters here.

    “In my opinion those who have received two shots of COVID-19 vaccines should be allowed to go out, in a phased manner. I will speak with the CM on this subject in the next two days,” he said.

    Pawar, however, did not elaborate on what exactly he meant by `going out’.

    While restrictions induced by the pandemic vary across the state, there is no curfew.

    In Pune and some other districts people are not allowed to visit tourist spots.

    The deputy chief minister conceded that not everyone may agree with him.

    “Different institutes put forth their views, people from the medical fraternity have different views. Some people say the next 100 to 120 days are very crucial and everyone should follow the rules in true letter and spirit during this period,” he said.

    Asked about the tardy pace of vaccination in Pune district, Pawar said the pace had not slowed down but it depends on the availability of the vaccines and it is the Union government which supplies them.

    “The CM in every video conference with the prime minister raises the demand for supply of vaccine doses in proportion with the state’s population,” he said.

    Earlier it was told (by the Centre) that the production of vaccines would be ramped up and the states will receive the doses in sufficient quantity in July, but this has not happened so far, Pawar claimed.

    People are now coming forward to take the vaccine and there is no `vaccine hesitancy’ which was a good development, he said.

    Speaking about the Pegasus spyware row, Pawar said measures such as phone tapping could be used against a person who is a threat to national security, but under the protection of laws enabling them, innocent people are being targeted.

    People must know what exactly happened and in whose tenure, the NCP leader said.

  • ‘Uddhav government united, strong’: Ajit Pawar plays down Patole’s remarks

    By PTI
    PUNE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday said that despite some statements made by state Congress chief Nana Patole, the latter’s colleagues Balasaheb Thorat and Ashok Chavan have clarified that the MVA government in the state was strong and working unitedly.

    Queried on whether Patole’s recent remarks pointed to lack of unity in the ruling dispensation, Pawar said such statements are made in closed-door meetings to boost the morale of party workers.

    “Even if such statements were made, other Congress leaders like Balasaheb Thorat and Ashok Chavan have clarified that the (MVA) alliance is strong and we all are working together. Even Patole echoed similar sentiments later,” he said, adding that the entire Congress party was working as one under the leadership of its chief Sonia Gandhi.

    Pawar refuted media reports that he had discussed this issue with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, and also rubbished others which said the Zoting Commission report had indicted BJP-turned-NCP leader Eknath Khadse in a land deal.

    He added that the state government had not received the Zoting Commission report as yet.

    Asked on the BJP-ruled Pune Municipal Corporation passing a resolution to draft a development plan for 23 villages merged into it recently, Pawar said the PMC could take such a decision but it was for the state government to decide whether the DP will be made by the civic body or the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

    The state government had recently issued a notification appointing PMRDA as the “planning authority” for the 23 villages.