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Tag: Devendra Fadnavis

  • Covid-19: Fadnavis asks Maharashtra govt to procure remdesivir from other states amid shortages

    By PTI
    NAGPUR: BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said to address the shortage of remdesivir, the Maharashtra government should procure the drug from states that are not witnessing a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and take action against black marketing of the injection.

    Speaking to reporters at Nagpur airport, Fadnavis said the state government should pay attention to the availability of remdesivir, as instances of black marketing had been reported last year.

    “The same is happening now as well. Not all states are witnessing a second wave. Hence, the government should procure remdesivir from states that are not in the second wave of the pandemic and companies that are producing the drug,” he said.

    ALSO READ | NCP slams Centre for adopting ‘lackadaisical attitude’ towards Maharashtra despite ‘vaccine shortage’

    The BJP leader further said that the state government should stop playing politics over the COVID-19 vaccine.

    Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has clearly stated the number of vaccine doses given to Maharashtra, pending doses and the quantity which will be given, he said.

    “Those criticising the Centre should see that Maharashtra has more vaccines than Uttar Pradesh, which has double the population of the state,” Fadnavis said.

    ALSO WATCH:

  • ‘Uddhav held discussions with Opposition before imposing lockdown’: Raut hits back at Fadnavis

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Government has held discussions with the Leader of Opposition and other party leaders prior to taking the decision to impose restrictions in the state to curb the spread of COVID-19, said Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.

    “Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had held discussions with leaders of all parties including the Leader of Opposition before making the decision. The Maharashtra Government has taken the decision for the people’s good. Otherwise, the situation will be more critical. I feel the Prime Minister is also very concerned regarding the surge of COVID cases,” Raut told mediapersons.

    He has further drawn the example of the Gujarat High Court’s recommendation to impose lockdown.

    “In the neighbouring state of Gujarat, the High Court has directed the state government to implement lockdown. It means the High Court also observed that lockdown is pertinent to tackle the situation,” added Raut.

    Raut’s remarks come against the backdrop of Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, requesting him to reconsider restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

    Fadnavis asked the Chief Minister to discuss these matters with all stratum of society again and impose restrictions so that the lives of commoners are not affected.

    On April 4, the Maharashtra government announced new guidelines under its ‘Break the Chain’ campaign to curb the spread of novel coronavirus infections to remain in force till April 30.

    Maharashtra reported 55,469 new COVID-19 cases and 297 deaths on Tuesday.According to the state health department, 34,256 people have recovered from the disease. The active number of cases in the state stands at 4,72,283. The death toll in the state has gone up to 56,330.

    Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Tuesday informed that of the top 10 districts in the country having the most active COVID-19 cases in the country, seven are from Maharashtra. (ANI)

  • COVID-19: BJP supports Thackeray govt’s decision to impose weekend lockdown in Maharashtra

    By ANI
    NAGPUR: After the Maharashtra government announced the decision to impose a complete lockdown on weekends, former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that his party supports the decision and appealed to the people to follow the restrictions.

    “BJP supports government decision to impose lockdown. People should abide by restrictions and follow COVID-19 protocols. To ensure maximum vaccination, BJP workers would help people register and reach vaccination centers,” the former Chief Minister said in Nagpur.

    READ HERE | Maharashtra curfew: What services will remain open and what will be closed?

    The BJP leader also urged the government to provide financial aid to the poor and the middle-class people following the restrictions.

    Maharashtra will enter strict weekend lockdown from Friday 8 pm to Monday 7 am, said state Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik adding that essential services and transportation including buses, trains, and taxis will be allowed. The decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting today in view of surging COVID-19 cases, he told reporters here.

    “A cabinet meeting took place today and some important decisions were taken related to COVID-19. Strict rules have been made and they will be enforced from 8 pm tomorrow. The night curfew will be in force from 8 pm to 7 am. during day time, section 144 will be in force from tomorrow prohibiting more than five people to gather at one place. A decision has been taken to shut down malls, restaurants, bars. Take away services will continue. Essential services will be allowed. Government offices will open with 50 per cent capacity. Industries will continue. There is no restriction on construction work, markets,” he said.

    “A decision has also been taken to impose strict lockdown from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday in Maharashtra. The decision has been taken after consultations,” he added.

    READ HERE | Maharashtra sees highest 57,074 COVID-19 cases in day; 222 die

    Maharashtra reported 49,447 new COVID cases and 277 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the state health department on Sunday.

    As many as 37,821 people have recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 24,95,315.

    The active number of COVID cases in the state stands at 4,01,172. With the new deaths in the last 24 hours, the COVID death toll has mounted to 55,656 in Maharashtra. 

  • Panel probing charges against Anil Deshmukh an eyewash: Former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

    Express News Service
    MUMBAI: Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis raised questions over the constitution of retired High court judge KU Chandiwal committee, which has been formed to probe the allegations against Maharashtra Home minister Anil Deshmukh.

    Devendra Fadnavis said the panel formed is just a committee and not a judicial commission adding that this one-man committee has neither been constituted nor been given requisite powers under The Commissions of Inquiry Act 1952.

    He said this one-man committee has neither constituted nor has been given the powers under The Commissions of Inquiry Act 1952.

    ALSO READ | Why you didn’t approach police against Anil Deshmukh? Bombay HC asks Param Bir Singh

    “When we constituted the Justice Zoting Committee to probe allegations against Eknath Khadse in MIDC land case, this committee had given the right and power of quasi-judicial to carry out the probe. But the present Maha Vikas Aghadi government has made the powerless committee to probe the sitting home minister Anil Deshmukh,” said Fadnavis.

    “We are of the view that appointing such committee is merely eyewash and does not solve any purpose, looking at the gravity and severity of the allegations. Now the question remains how will a retired judge without power enquire against a sitting Home Minister,” he added.

    The state government on Tuesday set up the committee to be headed by retired high court judge Kailash Uttamchand Chandiwal.

    The panel is given the time of six months to submit its report to the state government.

    Earlier, NCP leader and minister Jitendra Awhad had said that the orders issued to set up the Zoting and Chandiwal panels were almost identical.

    Awhad had tagged Fadnavis in his tweet and sought production of official order, if any, issued by the then CM empowering the Zoting Committee with the Commission of Inquiry Act.

    Fadnavis responded with a letter issued by his government delegating powers under the Commission of Inquiry Act to the Zoting Committee.

    (With PTI inputs)

  • Rashmi Shukla may have leaked letter to Fadnavis: Maharashtra Chief Secretary

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: IPS officer Rashmi Shukla may have `leaked’ her confidential letter on alleged corruption in transfers in the Maharashtra police department to BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, state chief secretary Sitaram Kunte has said in his `fact-finding’ report.

    Kunte had been asked to submit a report by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray after Fadnavis alleged that the government suppressed Shukla’s letter or report, based on phone intercepts, on a `transfer scam’.

    “Despite stamping the letter as TOP SECRET, Rashmi Shukla seems to have leaked the letter, which is very serious matter.

    If it is proved, she will be liable for strictest action against her,” Kunte’s report, which was made public, said.

    “She had intercepted the phone calls and exposing these names also threatened the privacy of the officials,” Kunte said in the report.

    The transfers mentioned in Shukla’s letter, however, did not actually take place, and “there is no misdeed in transfers as well,” said the chief secretary.

    Referring to speculation about more data in a pen drive, Kunte said there was no accompanying pen drive when Shukla sent her letter to the state government.

    “Prima facie, it appears that the letter has been leaked by Shukla herself,” Kunte said.

    He also claimed that Shukla had sought permission to tap some phone calls saying it was needed “in the interest of public safety”, but she misled the state government.

    NCP leader Jitendra Awhad had on Wednesday alleged that Shukla, then Commissioner of Intelligence, sought permission for intercepting the calls of certain persons, but actually the calls of some other persons were tapped.

    Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister of State for Public Health Rajendra Patil-Yadravkar on Thursday claimed that Shukla had approached him and sought his support for the BJP post-2019 assembly polls.

    Speaking to reporters, Patil said, “I was contacted by her after assembly polls as I got elected as an independent. She asked me to extend support to the BJP as the party was short of numbers to form government. But I refused.”

    Shukla is at the centre of controversy after BJP cited her confidential report to allege corruption in police transfers in Maharashtra.

    Leaders of the ruling MVA coalition alleged that she tapped phones without permission while conducting the probe.

  • MVA vs BJP: After saffron party, ruling coalition leaders to meet Maharashtra Governor

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: A delegation of the ruling Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress coalition in Maharashtra will meet Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Thursday and apprise him of “facts” amid false allegations, Congress leader Nana Patole has said.

    Earlier on Wednesday, a BJP delegation led by Devendra Fadnavis met the governor.

    Patole, state Congress chief, said their delegation will be led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

    Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar too will be a part of it.

    “We will keep facts before the Governor against the backdrop of false allegations levelled against the coalition,” Patole said.

    The BJP delegation submitted a memorandum to Koshyari, urging him to seek a “status report” from the state chief secretary on the law and order situation.

    Fadnavis told reporters that they requested the Governor to seek a detailed report as chief minister Thackeray was not taking action despite “numerous scandals” coming to light over the past few days.

    Meanwhile, asked about the BJP’s “vasuli sarkar” (extortionist government) jibe, Patole hit back, saying the opposition party was “sharing its own experience”.

    “All of us know what the (previous) Fadnavis government did in Maharashtra,” he said.

    The BJP has been trying to corner the government over police official Sachin Waze’s arrest in the Ambani security scare case, businessman Manshukh Hiran’s death, corruption allegations against home minister Anil Deshmukh and a purported intelligence report on `corruption’ in police transfers.

  • ‘Corruption’ in police transfers: Fadnavis meets Union Home Secretary; verbal volleys continue in Maharashtra 

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday met the Union Home Secretary in Delhi and demanded CBI probe into a purpoted state intelligence department report on `corruption’ in police transfers in Maharashtra.

    The former Maharashtra chief minister had claimed earlier in the day that he had 6.3 GB data of telephone calls intercepted by then Commissioner of Intelligence Rashmi Shukla in which names of several key police officers figure.

    “The Union Home Secretary clearly told me that they will verify the documents and evidence and a report will be submitted to the central government. The government will take appropriate action accordingly,” he told reporters in the national capital.

    “It is unfortunate that this (Maharashtra) government inducts police officers suspended for 16 years, they plant bombs, try to extort people. Maharashtra needs to be rescued from such situation,” he said, apparently referring to police officer Sachin Waze, an accused in the case related to the bomb scare near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house.

    Fadnavis claimed that after a detailed report on intercepted phone calls was prepared, then Maharashtra director general of police had recommended a CID probe.

    “However, since August 25, 2020 there has been no action taken on the report. We want to know reasons behind it. Who are those people whom the MVA government is trying to protect,” said the BJP leader.

    ALSO READ | Ambani bomb scare: Sachin Waze involved in Hiran murder; will seek custody, says ATS chief

    On NCP spokesperson and state minister Nawab Malik’s claim that Shukla collected this data without due permissions, Fadnavis said there were “enough documents to prove that phone call tapping was officially sanctioned by the government.”

    Asked why he was not sharing it with the media, he said it contained very sensitive information about Maharashtra police and some politicians and he did not want “innocent people to suffer”.

    Meanwhile, Maharashtra NCP chief and minister Jayant Patil on Tuesday asked who gave a senior police official the permission for phone tapping.

    Speaking to reporters in Sangli, Patil asked if the official who carried out phone tapping had taken permission from the concerned authorities.

    “On whose directions was the phone tapping done? Who had given the right to (then Commissioner of Intelligence) Rashmi Shukla to tap the phones? Was permission to tap phones taken? All this needs to be investigated,” he said.

    The State Intelligence Department (SID) is a sensitive wing of the police and it is a serious issue if communication between its chief and a DGP came out in the open, Patil said.

    A question also arises about how the previous BJP-led government used the SID, the senior minister added.

    “In the report the Leader of Opposition (Devendra Fadnavis) has cited, several things are false. All transfers had taken place as per the establishment board’s directives,” the NCP leader said.

    Patil also dismissed the BJP’s demand that President’s rule be imposed in the state.

    Fadnavis did a good job as Leader of Opposition in the recently-held Assembly session but insistence on imposition of President’s Rule will make the BJP look greedy for power “and that kind of image is not good for the BJP”, he said.

    Earlier in the day, Fadnavis claimed the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government did not act on an “incriminating” state intelligence department report containing audio intercepts of a “large scale corruption” in police transfers and postings.

    The former Maharashtra CM said he had “6.3 GB data” of the calls intercepted by then Commissioner of Intelligence Rashmi Shukla with due permissions, where names of several key police officers were discussed.

    Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Tuesday evening met Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray at the latter’s official residence `Varsha’ here.

    Deshmukh is facing heat after former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh accused him of setting police officers a target of collecting Rs 100 crore per month from the pubs and bars.

    ALSO READ | Param Bir Vs Anil Deshmukh: SC to hear former Mumbai top cop’s plea on Wednesday against Uddhav government

    The NCP leader has denied the allegations.

    A delegation of BJP leaders including Fadnavis, state unit chief Chandrakant Patil, Sudhir Mungantiwar and Ashish Shelar will meet Maharashtra governor B S Koshyari on Wednesday.

    “The state has been direction-less for quite some time. We want governor Koshyari to seek a detailed status report from the chief secretary of Maharashtra,” said a senior BJP leader.

    The meeting is scheduled for 9.30 am, he said.

    The meeting will take place amid the BJP’s attempt to corner the Shiv Sena-led government over police officer Sachin Waze’s arrest in the case related to bomb scare near Mukesh Ambani’s house, corruption allegations against home minister Anil Deshmukh and intelligence department’s report about alleged bribery in police transfers.

  • Sharad Pawar wasn’t briefed properly on Anil Deshmukh: Devendra Fadnavis

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday claimed that NCP chief Sharad Pawar was not briefed properly on Home Minister Anil Deshmukh’s whereabouts after he was tested COVID-19 positive.

    The BJP leader, who addressed a press conference in Mumbai, also claimed that the MVA government in the state has not acted on an “incriminating” state intelligence department report containing audio intercepts of large-scale corruption in police transfers and postings.

    “As per police records of VIP movement, Anil Deshmukh went to Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai on February 17 and Mantralaya on February 24,” said Fadnavis, who is also the leader of Opposition in the state Assembly.

    “Deshmukh was in-home quarantine from February 15-27 but met officers and was not in isolation. I feel Pawar Sahab was not briefed properly yesterday,” Fadnavis said.

    Pawar had on Monday told reporters that Deshmukh was recuperating from COVID-19 infection during the period former police commissioner Param Bir Singh has claimed that he was indulging in “extortion activities” through police officers.

  • Param Bir letter row: Security beefed up at residences of Anil Deshmukh, Devendra Fadnavis

    By PTI
    NAGPUR: Amid the ongoing political tussle in the state, the police on Monday increased the security at the residences of Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh as well as former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis here.

    It was a precautionary step, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Zone II Vinita S.

    Platoons of Riot Control Police (RCP) were deployed at Deshmukh’s residence at GPO Square and Fadnavis’ residence near Trikoni Park.

    The police has also put up barricades in front of Deshmukh’s house for proper monitoring of vehicles.

    Sources said that the security was beefed up after the protests held by BJP and NCP workers on Sunday.

    The BJP workers demanded resignation of Deshmukh over allegations of corruption leveled by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh.

    On Sunday, Fadnavis had addressed a press conference in the city, targeting Deshmukh.

  • COVID-19: BJP leaders Devendra Fadnavis, Pravin Darekar get first vaccine shot

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra BJP leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Pravin Darekar on Friday received the first dose of coronavirus vaccine at a hospital here.

    They were administered the vaccine at the government-run J J Hospital.

    Took my first dose of #COVID19 vaccine at JJ Hospital, Mumbai.It is absolutely safe!I sincerely appeal all eligible people to come forward and take your jab!#vaccination #COVID19Vaccination pic.twitter.com/x3XZhad5id
    — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 19, 2021

    After the vaccination, Fadnavis and Darekar, who are leaders of opposition in the state Legislative Assembly and Council, respectively, appealed to the people to get themselves vaccinated for protection against the virus.

    State Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and NCP president Sharad Pawar have received their vaccine doses recently.