News Analysis India

Tag: Maharashtra

  • ‘One lakh farmers are contemplating suicide in Maharashtra’, reveals ex-state official’s report

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: A confidential report submitted by a former Maharashtra government official has revealed that as many as one lakh farmers in the state’s Marathwada region were contemplating suicide. As per the report, the wretched decision is influenced by factors such as rising debt, infertile land, drought, lack of funds for kin’s weddings, lack of remunerative prices for agricultural produce, and rising poverty.

    According to the report, the Maharashtra government had carried out a survey featuring 10 lakh farmers in the Marathwada region and asked them 104 questions. The report revealed that a total of 2.98 lakh farmers had been mentally disturbed and were in distress of which 1.05 lakh farmers were contemplating suicide due to their financial situation.

    The survey had been aimed at preventing farmer suicides by understanding their psychology and launching various welfare schemes to support them.

    Former Aurangabad divisional commissioner Sunil Kendrakar, before taking voluntary retirement, had carried out the survey of ten lakh farmers in the Marathawada region and submitted a 25-page report to the state government. Kendrekar was scheduled to retire on May 31, 2024, but instead chose to quit the service after the Maharashtra government had accepted his VRS request last month.

    According to the report, Kendrekar has suggested abolishing all current state and centre government welfare schemes such as crop insurance and the Namo Sanman scheme in which the state provides an aid of Rs 6,000 along with the Centre’s aid of Rs 6,000. Kendrakar in his report stated that such schemes helped the farmers “very little” and “did not bring any positive change.”

    Kendrakar had also suggested terminating all staff and officers who are working in the agriculture and cooperation department because the salaries of these employees added a burden of Rs 8,000 to 10,000 to the state, rather than bringing any solution to the farmers. “Therefore, the agriculture department should seriously stop wasting money on these staffers’ salaries,” the report had stated.

    Instead, Kendrakar opined that every farmer should be given Rs 20,000 per acre of agricultural land as financial aid during the rabi and kharif seasons.

    “Each farmer should be given a total of Rs 20,000 as ex-gratia for per acre of agricultural land during both rabi and kharif seasons. If the farmer is owning ten acres of land, then he or she should be given Rs 2 lakh per year as financial aid rather than doling out various schemes and welfare programs that do not reach the farmers,” reads the report.

    The report stated that a total of Rs 50,000 crore must be raised annually to execute this mega overhaul of providing Rs 20,000 per farmer. The report also provided suggestions on how this Rs 50,000 crore sum can be raised.

    As per the report, a sum of Rs 30,000 crores can be saved annually if the welfare and insurance schemes for farmers are stopped. A sum of up to Rs 10,000 crores can be raised by terminating the jobs of agricultural and cooperative department staffers and officials. The remaining amount can be raised by increasing the stamp duty and registration charges from the current Rs 60,000 per acre to Rs 1 lakh. “Once these suggestions are implemented, farmers will surely get Rs 20,000 per acre for their land in Maharashtra. This will not only end their financial issues but also help them lead a comfortable life,” the report stated.

    NCP leader and MLC Eknath Khadse said that this is a very serious matter and urged the state government to think it over and bring solutions. He said every farmer’s life is important highlighting the report’s revelations.

    Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde said that he will check whether the former IAS officer had submitted a report stating that one lakh farmers in the Marathwada region were contemplating suicide. “Kendrakar was the divisional commissioner of Aurangabad so he must have submitted the report to the revenue department. I will check if the report has reached the government. I will read it and speak in detail later,” Munde added.

    Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call Sneha Foundation – 04424640050 (available 24×7)

    MUMBAI: A confidential report submitted by a former Maharashtra government official has revealed that as many as one lakh farmers in the state’s Marathwada region were contemplating suicide. As per the report, the wretched decision is influenced by factors such as rising debt, infertile land, drought, lack of funds for kin’s weddings, lack of remunerative prices for agricultural produce, and rising poverty.

    According to the report, the Maharashtra government had carried out a survey featuring 10 lakh farmers in the Marathwada region and asked them 104 questions. The report revealed that a total of 2.98 lakh farmers had been mentally disturbed and were in distress of which 1.05 lakh farmers were contemplating suicide due to their financial situation.

    The survey had been aimed at preventing farmer suicides by understanding their psychology and launching various welfare schemes to support them.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    Former Aurangabad divisional commissioner Sunil Kendrakar, before taking voluntary retirement, had carried out the survey of ten lakh farmers in the Marathawada region and submitted a 25-page report to the state government. Kendrekar was scheduled to retire on May 31, 2024, but instead chose to quit the service after the Maharashtra government had accepted his VRS request last month.

    According to the report, Kendrekar has suggested abolishing all current state and centre government welfare schemes such as crop insurance and the Namo Sanman scheme in which the state provides an aid of Rs 6,000 along with the Centre’s aid of Rs 6,000. Kendrakar in his report stated that such schemes helped the farmers “very little” and “did not bring any positive change.”

    Kendrakar had also suggested terminating all staff and officers who are working in the agriculture and cooperation department because the salaries of these employees added a burden of Rs 8,000 to 10,000 to the state, rather than bringing any solution to the farmers. “Therefore, the agriculture department should seriously stop wasting money on these staffers’ salaries,” the report had stated.

    Instead, Kendrakar opined that every farmer should be given Rs 20,000 per acre of agricultural land as financial aid during the rabi and kharif seasons.

    “Each farmer should be given a total of Rs 20,000 as ex-gratia for per acre of agricultural land during both rabi and kharif seasons. If the farmer is owning ten acres of land, then he or she should be given Rs 2 lakh per year as financial aid rather than doling out various schemes and welfare programs that do not reach the farmers,” reads the report.

    The report stated that a total of Rs 50,000 crore must be raised annually to execute this mega overhaul of providing Rs 20,000 per farmer. The report also provided suggestions on how this Rs 50,000 crore sum can be raised.

    As per the report, a sum of Rs 30,000 crores can be saved annually if the welfare and insurance schemes for farmers are stopped. A sum of up to Rs 10,000 crores can be raised by terminating the jobs of agricultural and cooperative department staffers and officials. The remaining amount can be raised by increasing the stamp duty and registration charges from the current Rs 60,000 per acre to Rs 1 lakh. “Once these suggestions are implemented, farmers will surely get Rs 20,000 per acre for their land in Maharashtra. This will not only end their financial issues but also help them lead a comfortable life,” the report stated.

    NCP leader and MLC Eknath Khadse said that this is a very serious matter and urged the state government to think it over and bring solutions. He said every farmer’s life is important highlighting the report’s revelations.

    Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde said that he will check whether the former IAS officer had submitted a report stating that one lakh farmers in the Marathwada region were contemplating suicide. “Kendrakar was the divisional commissioner of Aurangabad so he must have submitted the report to the revenue department. I will check if the report has reached the government. I will read it and speak in detail later,” Munde added.

    Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call Sneha Foundation – 04424640050 (available 24×7)

  • Maharashtra: Ailing infant dies as parents reach hospital late due to lack of road in village 

    By PTI

    PALGHAR: A two-month-old ailing girl from a hamlet in predominantly tribal Vikramgad taluka of Palghar district died as her parents could not reach the nearest primary health centre (PHC) on time due to lack of a proper road in the area, her family said.

    A video of family members with the child in their arms crossing a river to reach the PHC has gone viral on social media.

    When contacted, Vikramgad taluka medical officer Dr Sandeep Nimbalkar said the child died on Wednesday due to pneumonia.

    The child from Mhasepada village fell ill a couple of days ago and her parents decided to take her to the nearest PHC at Malwada.

    As there is no approach road to the village, which has a population of around 150 people, the parents had to take a circuitous route in heavy rains to reach the health centre.

    Wooden planks were placed for them to cross the river.

    However, they got delayed and before they could reach the PHC, the child died on the way, her father Naresh Chavan said.

    ALSO READ | Uttar Pradesh: Newborn dies after delivery in government hospital toilet, probe ordered 

    Villagers said they have been demanding a bridge over the river for a long time, but nothing has happened so far.

    ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker of the village, Mamta Diva, told reporters at the PHC that since 2013, local residents have been demanding construction of an approach road to the hamlet.

    The hamlet is situated near two rivers – Gargai and Pinjal — and remains largely cut off from the rest of the district during the monsoon months.

    PALGHAR: A two-month-old ailing girl from a hamlet in predominantly tribal Vikramgad taluka of Palghar district died as her parents could not reach the nearest primary health centre (PHC) on time due to lack of a proper road in the area, her family said.

    A video of family members with the child in their arms crossing a river to reach the PHC has gone viral on social media.

    When contacted, Vikramgad taluka medical officer Dr Sandeep Nimbalkar said the child died on Wednesday due to pneumonia.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The child from Mhasepada village fell ill a couple of days ago and her parents decided to take her to the nearest PHC at Malwada.

    As there is no approach road to the village, which has a population of around 150 people, the parents had to take a circuitous route in heavy rains to reach the health centre.

    Wooden planks were placed for them to cross the river.

    However, they got delayed and before they could reach the PHC, the child died on the way, her father Naresh Chavan said.

    ALSO READ | Uttar Pradesh: Newborn dies after delivery in government hospital toilet, probe ordered 

    Villagers said they have been demanding a bridge over the river for a long time, but nothing has happened so far.

    ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker of the village, Mamta Diva, told reporters at the PHC that since 2013, local residents have been demanding construction of an approach road to the hamlet.

    The hamlet is situated near two rivers – Gargai and Pinjal — and remains largely cut off from the rest of the district during the monsoon months.

  • Shinde, Ajit men to meet Amit Shah as Maharashtra Cabinet’s rift over key portfolios deepens

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  A tug-of-war continues between Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar-led NCP over allocations of key portfolios such as finance, urban development department, cooperation, irrigation and agriculture. Both sides have decided to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to resolve the issue.

    Sources said Shinde has refused to concede the key portfolios to NCP ministers, including Ajit Pawar, arguing that it will reduce his importance in the government.

    “Shinde has conveyed to the BJP leadership that unless Shiv Sena MLAs are sworn in, he will not allocate the portfolios to the NCP ministers. Shinde fears that after the allocation of portfolios to the NCP ministers, the BJP may not allow him further cabinet expansion. Shinde plans to meet top BJP leaders in Delhi,” said a source.

    Another senior minister said the BJP has conveyed it will be reluctant to induct Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale and Sanjay Shirsat into the cabinet.

    “Shinde told the BJP leadership that if these two faces — Gogawale and Shirsat ­- are not inducted, then he will have a tough time keeping the flock together.  Most of the Shiv Sena MLAs of Shinde factions already started extending olive branches to Uddhav Thackeray and opening the communications line. If a significant number of Shiv Sena MLAs join Uddhav Thackeray, then Shinde’s CM chair will be in trouble and his party will also face another split. This can damage the BJP. Therefore BJP needs to stand by him,” said a Shiv Sena minister.

    Meanwhile, Sunil Tatkare, the state NCP chief (Ajit Pawar faction) said that there is no dispute over allocations of ministries.  

    MUMBAI:  A tug-of-war continues between Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar-led NCP over allocations of key portfolios such as finance, urban development department, cooperation, irrigation and agriculture. Both sides have decided to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to resolve the issue.

    Sources said Shinde has refused to concede the key portfolios to NCP ministers, including Ajit Pawar, arguing that it will reduce his importance in the government.

    “Shinde has conveyed to the BJP leadership that unless Shiv Sena MLAs are sworn in, he will not allocate the portfolios to the NCP ministers. Shinde fears that after the allocation of portfolios to the NCP ministers, the BJP may not allow him further cabinet expansion. Shinde plans to meet top BJP leaders in Delhi,” said a source.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Another senior minister said the BJP has conveyed it will be reluctant to induct Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale and Sanjay Shirsat into the cabinet.

    “Shinde told the BJP leadership that if these two faces — Gogawale and Shirsat ­- are not inducted, then he will have a tough time keeping the flock together.  Most of the Shiv Sena MLAs of Shinde factions already started extending olive branches to Uddhav Thackeray and opening the communications line. If a significant number of Shiv Sena MLAs join Uddhav Thackeray, then Shinde’s CM chair will be in trouble and his party will also face another split. This can damage the BJP. Therefore BJP needs to stand by him,” said a Shiv Sena minister.

    Meanwhile, Sunil Tatkare, the state NCP chief (Ajit Pawar faction) said that there is no dispute over allocations of ministries.  

  • Journalist Shashikant Warishe was deliberately run over by accused, reveals SIT probe

    Express News Service

    A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe has revealed that journalist Shashikant Warishe was deliberately run over by real estate dealer Pandharinath Amberkar in Maharashtra in February.

    According to the chargesheet filed by the SIT, Amberkar was furious with Warishe over a story in the Mahanagari Times, a Marathi daily.

    “The protesting farmers against the proposed oil refinery asked the chief minister and deputy minister whose photographs are displayed along with the CM and DCM on banners. The CM and DCM should check the background of this particular person. He is a serious criminal,” stated the story, referring to Amberkar.

    Amberkar supported the setting up of the Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd (RRPCL) in Barsu, which was opposed by a section of locals.

    On February 7, he drove his Mahindra Thar on the wrong side of the road at Khondwali in Rajapur tehsil, then intentionally and deliberately mowed down Warishe’s Activa two-wheeler while the scribe was waiting at a petrol pump in Ratnagiri district, dragging him for several metres before fleeing from the spot. Warishe was taken by locals to Kolhapur hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

    As per the chargesheet, Amberkar has been charged under IPC sections 301 (imprisonment for life punishment for the crime of death) and 201(Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) and Maharashtra media person and media institutions (prevention of violence and damage or loss to property) Act 2017, section 4.

    Earlier, various journalist associations in Mumbai staged a protest near Mantralaya over Warishe’s murder and demanded that the case be fast-tracked. They also demanded that the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act be invoked in the case.

    A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe has revealed that journalist Shashikant Warishe was deliberately run over by real estate dealer Pandharinath Amberkar in Maharashtra in February.

    According to the chargesheet filed by the SIT, Amberkar was furious with Warishe over a story in the Mahanagari Times, a Marathi daily.

    “The protesting farmers against the proposed oil refinery asked the chief minister and deputy minister whose photographs are displayed along with the CM and DCM on banners. The CM and DCM should check the background of this particular person. He is a serious criminal,” stated the story, referring to Amberkar.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Amberkar supported the setting up of the Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd (RRPCL) in Barsu, which was opposed by a section of locals.

    On February 7, he drove his Mahindra Thar on the wrong side of the road at Khondwali in Rajapur tehsil, then intentionally and deliberately mowed down Warishe’s Activa two-wheeler while the scribe was waiting at a petrol pump in Ratnagiri district, dragging him for several metres before fleeing from the spot. Warishe was taken by locals to Kolhapur hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

    As per the chargesheet, Amberkar has been charged under IPC sections 301 (imprisonment for life punishment for the crime of death) and 201(Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) and Maharashtra media person and media institutions (prevention of violence and damage or loss to property) Act 2017, section 4.

    Earlier, various journalist associations in Mumbai staged a protest near Mantralaya over Warishe’s murder and demanded that the case be fast-tracked. They also demanded that the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act be invoked in the case.

  • Maharashtra: Tribal girl kidnapped by Naxals clears Class 12 exams, aims to become police officer

    By PTI

    GONDIA: A 19-year-old tribal girl from Maharashtra’s Gondia district who was once a member of a Naxal squad has cleared the Class 12 board examination, and is aspiring to join the police force.

    Rajula Ravelsingh Hidami, resident of Lavhari village in Kurkheda tehsil of the eastern Maharashtra district, cleared the state board exam with 45.83 per cent marks, a senior police official said.

    The results of the board examination were declared earlier this week.

    Rajula was abducted by Naxals in 2016-17 when she was grazing cattle near her village, and forcibly inducted into the Kurkheda Korchi Deori (KKD) dalam (squad), the official said.

    She was given arms training and was allegedly involved in an incident of violence against the police too, he said.

    The police’s intelligence wing received information that she wished to leave the banned outfit, following which police helped her escape in 2018, the official said.

    Rajula surrendered before then additional superintendent of police Sandeep Athole.

    Considering her young age, senior officers counselled her and convinced her to join the mainstream of society, he said.

    Athole, now the superintendent of police of the Anti-Corruption Bureau in Aurangabad, became her guardian, and with the help of tribal development project officer Jitendra Chaudhari, helped her enrol in a tribal residential school.

    Rajula had studied upto Class 7 before she was abducted.

    Back at school, she resumed her studies and some police personnel even tutored her.

    She managed to clear the Class 10 exam in 2021, and now she has passed the Class 12 examination too, the police official said.

    Speaking to reporters, Rajula said she wanted to complete graduation and join the police force.

    She has realised the importance of education, she said, appealing to others like her to give up violence and join the mainstream.

    Gondia Superintendent of Police Nikhil Pingale felicitated her on Saturday.

    GONDIA: A 19-year-old tribal girl from Maharashtra’s Gondia district who was once a member of a Naxal squad has cleared the Class 12 board examination, and is aspiring to join the police force.

    Rajula Ravelsingh Hidami, resident of Lavhari village in Kurkheda tehsil of the eastern Maharashtra district, cleared the state board exam with 45.83 per cent marks, a senior police official said.

    The results of the board examination were declared earlier this week.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Rajula was abducted by Naxals in 2016-17 when she was grazing cattle near her village, and forcibly inducted into the Kurkheda Korchi Deori (KKD) dalam (squad), the official said.

    She was given arms training and was allegedly involved in an incident of violence against the police too, he said.

    The police’s intelligence wing received information that she wished to leave the banned outfit, following which police helped her escape in 2018, the official said.

    Rajula surrendered before then additional superintendent of police Sandeep Athole.

    Considering her young age, senior officers counselled her and convinced her to join the mainstream of society, he said.

    Athole, now the superintendent of police of the Anti-Corruption Bureau in Aurangabad, became her guardian, and with the help of tribal development project officer Jitendra Chaudhari, helped her enrol in a tribal residential school.

    Rajula had studied upto Class 7 before she was abducted.

    Back at school, she resumed her studies and some police personnel even tutored her.

    She managed to clear the Class 10 exam in 2021, and now she has passed the Class 12 examination too, the police official said.

    Speaking to reporters, Rajula said she wanted to complete graduation and join the police force.

    She has realised the importance of education, she said, appealing to others like her to give up violence and join the mainstream.

    Gondia Superintendent of Police Nikhil Pingale felicitated her on Saturday.

  • Teen from Maharashtra dies after witch doctor beats him to expel ‘demon’

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: A 14-year-old ailing boy from Maharashtra’s Sangli district died allegedly after he was severely beaten up by a witch doctor, who claimed that the teenager was possessed, an official said on Tuesday.

    Aryan Deepak Landge, who lived in Kavathe Mahankal of the district, died of injuries on May 20 but the incident came to light after anti-superstition activists approached the police, he said.

    As per the complaint by activists from Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti, an organisation that works towards eradicating superstitions and blind faith, Landge had a fever for many days and there was no relief despite treatment.

    His family took him to a ‘mantrik’ (witch doctor), Appasaheb Kamble, at Shirgur in neighbouring Karnataka, the official said.

    Kamble claimed that the boy was possessed by a ‘demon’ and he would need to ‘drive it away’ by beating up Landge.

    However, the boy sustained serious injuries due to the beating, prompting his family to rush him to a hospital in Miraj in Sangli district, about 40 km from Shirgur.

    He died during treatment, the official said.

    After learning about Landge’s death, activists from Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti met his family members and then assistant police inspector Jitendra Shahane at Kavathe Mahankal police station to lodge a complaint.

    As there is no anti-superstition legislation in Karnataka, the official said, police registered a Zero FIR under Indian Penal Code section 304 (causing death by negligence) against the witch doctor.

    A Zero FIR (first information report) allows any police to accept a complaint and forward it to the appropriate station for action.

    The case will now be probed by the Karnataka police, he added.

    MUMBAI: A 14-year-old ailing boy from Maharashtra’s Sangli district died allegedly after he was severely beaten up by a witch doctor, who claimed that the teenager was possessed, an official said on Tuesday.

    Aryan Deepak Landge, who lived in Kavathe Mahankal of the district, died of injuries on May 20 but the incident came to light after anti-superstition activists approached the police, he said.

    As per the complaint by activists from Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti, an organisation that works towards eradicating superstitions and blind faith, Landge had a fever for many days and there was no relief despite treatment.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    His family took him to a ‘mantrik’ (witch doctor), Appasaheb Kamble, at Shirgur in neighbouring Karnataka, the official said.

    Kamble claimed that the boy was possessed by a ‘demon’ and he would need to ‘drive it away’ by beating up Landge.

    However, the boy sustained serious injuries due to the beating, prompting his family to rush him to a hospital in Miraj in Sangli district, about 40 km from Shirgur.

    He died during treatment, the official said.

    After learning about Landge’s death, activists from Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti met his family members and then assistant police inspector Jitendra Shahane at Kavathe Mahankal police station to lodge a complaint.

    As there is no anti-superstition legislation in Karnataka, the official said, police registered a Zero FIR under Indian Penal Code section 304 (causing death by negligence) against the witch doctor.

    A Zero FIR (first information report) allows any police to accept a complaint and forward it to the appropriate station for action.

    The case will now be probed by the Karnataka police, he added.

  • Mumbai Diary: Shinde responsible for Kharghar heat stroke deaths, says BJP 

    Express News Service

    Shinde responsible for heat stroke death: BJP After 12 people died due to heat stroke during the Kharghar incident, the BJP instructed its ministers and leaders not to defend Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in any way. According to the state leadership, Shinde was solely responsible for organizing the event in scorching heat that led to the tragic deaths, and he should face the consequences since he was seeking credit for the program. A BJP minister was scheduled to hold a press conference in support of Shinde but received a last-minute call cancelling the meeting.

    Congress leaders upset with party membersCongress leaders expressed dissatisfaction with their party members for granting special treatment to Uddhav Thackeray during the Maha Vikas Aghadi rallies. They argued that Thackeray’s current MLA strength was lower than that of the Congress, so there was no reason to treat him differently or preferentially. In the MVA’s Vajramut rallies, Thackeray was given a special chair and podium due to health reasons while other leaders were provided with regular chairs. The Congress leaders believed that all individuals should be treated equally.

    MVA emerges strong in APMC electionsIn the recent elections for the agriculture product market committee (APMC), the Maha Vikas Aghadi emerged as the dominant force, while Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who led the Shiv Sena’s minister, failed to retain their agriculture stronghold. The APMC holds significant importance in rural and farmer politics. The BJP emerged as the single largest party, winning 60 APMCs, followed by the NCP with 40 APMCs, and the Congress with 35 APMCs. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena won 15 APMCs,  while Shinde’s Shiv Sena  secured 11 APMCs, with the remaining being shared  by joint and independent forces in the state.

    Sudhir Suryawanshi Our correspondent in [email protected]

    Shinde responsible for heat stroke death: BJP 
    After 12 people died due to heat stroke during the Kharghar incident, the BJP instructed its ministers and leaders not to defend Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in any way. According to the state leadership, Shinde was solely responsible for organizing the event in scorching heat that led to the tragic deaths, and he should face the consequences since he was seeking credit for the program. A BJP minister was scheduled to hold a press conference in support of Shinde but received a last-minute call cancelling the meeting.

    Congress leaders upset with party members
    Congress leaders expressed dissatisfaction with their party members for granting special treatment to Uddhav Thackeray during the Maha Vikas Aghadi rallies. They argued that Thackeray’s current MLA strength was lower than that of the Congress, so there was no reason to treat him differently or preferentially. In the MVA’s Vajramut rallies, Thackeray was given a special chair and podium due to health reasons while other leaders were provided with regular chairs. The Congress leaders believed that all individuals should be treated equally.

    MVA emerges strong in APMC elections
    In the recent elections for the agriculture product market committee (APMC), the Maha Vikas Aghadi emerged as the dominant force, while Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who led the Shiv Sena’s minister, failed to retain their agriculture stronghold. The APMC holds significant importance in rural and farmer politics. The BJP emerged as the single largest party, winning 60 APMCs, followed by the NCP with 40 APMCs, and the Congress with 35 APMCs. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena won 15 APMCs,  while Shinde’s Shiv Sena  secured 11 APMCs, with the remaining being shared  by joint and independent forces in the state.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Sudhir Suryawanshi 
    Our correspondent in Maharashtra
    [email protected]

  • Delhi reports 83 new Covid-19 cases, one more death

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Delhi logged 83 COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 5.83 per cent on Tuesday along with one more fatality, according to data shared by the Health department.

    The city has seen an increase in the number of fresh Covid cases over the last few days, amid a sharp rise in H3N2 influenza cases in the country. The national capital on Monday recorded 34 cases with a positivity rate of 6.98 per cent.

    Delhi logged 72 COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 3.95 per cent on Sunday. The capital had on Saturday recorded 58 Covid cases with a positivity rate of 3.52 per cent.

    The city registered 38 cases with a positivity rate of 3.13 per cent on Friday and 32 cases with a positivity rate of 2.25 per cent on Thursday.

    The number of fresh cases had dropped to zero on January 16, the first time since the pandemic began ravaging countries.

    With the fresh cases, the national capital’s COVID-19 case tally has risen to 20,08,087 while the death toll stands at 26,524. A total of 1,423 tests were conducted the previous day.

    Only 17 of the 7,984 beds are occupied in dedicated COVID-19 hospitals while 179 patients are in home isolation.

    The number of active cases in the national capital currently stands at 209, the data showed.

    Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had on Friday said there are not many influenza cases in Delhi hospitals and the situation is being monitored closely.

    The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that the rise in influenza cases is due to the Influenza A subtype H3N2 virus. The H3N2 virus is leading to more hospitalisations than other subtypes. The symptoms include a runny nose, persistent cough and fever.

    Maha logs 280 new COVID-19 cases, one fatality

    Maharashtra on Tuesday recorded 280 new cases of coronavirus and one fatality due to the infection, taking the tally to 81,40,145 and the toll to 1,48,429, an official from the state health department said.

    The daily count of cases has more than doubled since Monday when it reported 128 new cases.

    According to an official report, with 7,845 swab samples tested in the last 24 hours, the total number of tests conducted across the state rose to 8,65,57,062.

    Of the latest cases, Pune circle reported the highest 133 infections, followed by 101 from Mumbai, 14 from Nashik, 10 from Kolhapur, nine from Nagpur, seven cases from Akola and six from Aurangabad.

    The only casualty of the day was reported from Latur circle, the report said.

    Mumbai has reported 61 new cases that raised its tally of infections to 11,54,999, which includes 19,747 fatalities.

    The count of recoveries rose to 79,90,227 after 154 patients recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours, the report said.

    With this, the state now has 1,489 active cases, of which the highest number of 466 cases was from Pune district, followed by 321 from Mumbai and 265 from Thane district.

    The recovery rate in the state is 98.16 per cent, while the fatality rate is at 1.82 per cent, it stated.

    Coronavirus figures of Maharashtra are as follows: Positive cases : 81,40,145; fresh cases: 280; death toll 1,48,429; recoveries 79,90,227; active cases 1,489; total tests: 8,65,57,062.

    NEW DELHI: Delhi logged 83 COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 5.83 per cent on Tuesday along with one more fatality, according to data shared by the Health department.

    The city has seen an increase in the number of fresh Covid cases over the last few days, amid a sharp rise in H3N2 influenza cases in the country. The national capital on Monday recorded 34 cases with a positivity rate of 6.98 per cent.

    Delhi logged 72 COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 3.95 per cent on Sunday. The capital had on Saturday recorded 58 Covid cases with a positivity rate of 3.52 per cent.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The city registered 38 cases with a positivity rate of 3.13 per cent on Friday and 32 cases with a positivity rate of 2.25 per cent on Thursday.

    The number of fresh cases had dropped to zero on January 16, the first time since the pandemic began ravaging countries.

    With the fresh cases, the national capital’s COVID-19 case tally has risen to 20,08,087 while the death toll stands at 26,524. A total of 1,423 tests were conducted the previous day.

    Only 17 of the 7,984 beds are occupied in dedicated COVID-19 hospitals while 179 patients are in home isolation.

    The number of active cases in the national capital currently stands at 209, the data showed.

    Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had on Friday said there are not many influenza cases in Delhi hospitals and the situation is being monitored closely.

    The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that the rise in influenza cases is due to the Influenza A subtype H3N2 virus. The H3N2 virus is leading to more hospitalisations than other subtypes. The symptoms include a runny nose, persistent cough and fever.

    Maha logs 280 new COVID-19 cases, one fatality

    Maharashtra on Tuesday recorded 280 new cases of coronavirus and one fatality due to the infection, taking the tally to 81,40,145 and the toll to 1,48,429, an official from the state health department said.

    The daily count of cases has more than doubled since Monday when it reported 128 new cases.

    According to an official report, with 7,845 swab samples tested in the last 24 hours, the total number of tests conducted across the state rose to 8,65,57,062.

    Of the latest cases, Pune circle reported the highest 133 infections, followed by 101 from Mumbai, 14 from Nashik, 10 from Kolhapur, nine from Nagpur, seven cases from Akola and six from Aurangabad.

    The only casualty of the day was reported from Latur circle, the report said.

    Mumbai has reported 61 new cases that raised its tally of infections to 11,54,999, which includes 19,747 fatalities.

    The count of recoveries rose to 79,90,227 after 154 patients recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours, the report said.

    With this, the state now has 1,489 active cases, of which the highest number of 466 cases was from Pune district, followed by 321 from Mumbai and 265 from Thane district.

    The recovery rate in the state is 98.16 per cent, while the fatality rate is at 1.82 per cent, it stated.

    Coronavirus figures of Maharashtra are as follows: Positive cases : 81,40,145; fresh cases: 280; death toll 1,48,429; recoveries 79,90,227; active cases 1,489; total tests: 8,65,57,062.

  • Maharashtra farming community in doldrums: Average of eight farmers end life every day

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Death by suicide among Maharashtra’s farming community continues to be an area of concern with an average of eight farmers ending their lives every day due to several factors including economic distress and falling crop prices.

    According to the state government data, as many as 1,203 farmers have died by suicide in the last seven months under the Eknath Shinde administration’s rule, while 1,660 farmers died in the two-and-a-half-year period under the Uddhav Thackeray-lea MVA administration.

    As many as 5,061 farmers died by suicide during the Devendra Fadvais-led BJP administration between 2014 and 2019, as per the data.

    Citing the data, senior NCP leader and Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar said that farmer suicides had increased under the Shinde-Fadnavis administration and accused the ruling government of being insensitive to farmers’ problems.

    “We do not want to blame any individual or any particular chief minister, but it is the harsh reality that the farmers are ending their lives in the Shinde government in large numbers. Financial distress among farmers is one of the major reasons behind farmer suicide. The cotton, onion, and Soyabean growing farmers did not get fair prices for their crops this year. We have seen how onion farmers are throwing the products on the road while some of them are burning them on farms. The farmers are unable to recover their input cost and expenses as well,” Pawar said.

    “In the Marathwada region, 62 farmers committed suicide in the last two months, while a total of 22 farmers ended their lives in the Beed district,” he added.

    The criticism comes amid Finance Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ slew of farmer welfare schemes as part of the state budget for 2023-24 including an additional financial assistance of Rs 6000 annually, along with the Rs 6000 per year provided by the Union government.

    Meanwhile, NCP state president Jayant Patil said that farmers were being discriminated on the basis of their caste under the ruling government. Patil was referring to an incident in the Sangli district where farmers were allegedly being asked about their caste before buying chemical fertilizers.

    “Now while buying the fertilizers on a government site, the farmer’s caste has been asked. It is bizarre how they can humiliate the farmers by asking about their caste. A Farmer is a farmer, please do not divide them on the basis of caste and religion,” he said 

    Criticising the caste discrimination incident, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar said, “It is wrong to ask the farmers’ caste. Such a thing has never happened before in the history of this country or in the state. If farmers are being asked about caste, what is the reason for this? This should come up.”

    The NCP chief also targeted the state and central government for failing to help or provide subsidies to onion farmers. “The Govt should either buy the farmers’ onions or give them adequate compensation. Other neighbouring states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are helping the farmers but our state is only making empty promises, nothing has been done on the ground that will arrest the anger of the farmers and pull them from the distress,” Pawar said.

    Farmer deaths by suicide in Maharashtra

    A total of 7,444 deaths in the last eight years
    5,061 deaths between 2014-19 under the BJP administration
    1,660 deaths between 2019-21 under the MVA administration
    1,023 deaths between July 2022 – Jan 2023 under the Shinde administration

    MUMBAI: Death by suicide among Maharashtra’s farming community continues to be an area of concern with an average of eight farmers ending their lives every day due to several factors including economic distress and falling crop prices.

    According to the state government data, as many as 1,203 farmers have died by suicide in the last seven months under the Eknath Shinde administration’s rule, while 1,660 farmers died in the two-and-a-half-year period under the Uddhav Thackeray-lea MVA administration.

    As many as 5,061 farmers died by suicide during the Devendra Fadvais-led BJP administration between 2014 and 2019, as per the data.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    Citing the data, senior NCP leader and Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar said that farmer suicides had increased under the Shinde-Fadnavis administration and accused the ruling government of being insensitive to farmers’ problems.

    “We do not want to blame any individual or any particular chief minister, but it is the harsh reality that the farmers are ending their lives in the Shinde government in large numbers. Financial distress among farmers is one of the major reasons behind farmer suicide. The cotton, onion, and Soyabean growing farmers did not get fair prices for their crops this year. We have seen how onion farmers are throwing the products on the road while some of them are burning them on farms. The farmers are unable to recover their input cost and expenses as well,” Pawar said.

    “In the Marathwada region, 62 farmers committed suicide in the last two months, while a total of 22 farmers ended their lives in the Beed district,” he added.

    The criticism comes amid Finance Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ slew of farmer welfare schemes as part of the state budget for 2023-24 including an additional financial assistance of Rs 6000 annually, along with the Rs 6000 per year provided by the Union government.

    Meanwhile, NCP state president Jayant Patil said that farmers were being discriminated on the basis of their caste under the ruling government. Patil was referring to an incident in the Sangli district where farmers were allegedly being asked about their caste before buying chemical fertilizers.

    “Now while buying the fertilizers on a government site, the farmer’s caste has been asked. It is bizarre how they can humiliate the farmers by asking about their caste. A Farmer is a farmer, please do not divide them on the basis of caste and religion,” he said 

    Criticising the caste discrimination incident, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar said, “It is wrong to ask the farmers’ caste. Such a thing has never happened before in the history of this country or in the state. If farmers are being asked about caste, what is the reason for this? This should come up.”

    The NCP chief also targeted the state and central government for failing to help or provide subsidies to onion farmers. “The Govt should either buy the farmers’ onions or give them adequate compensation. Other neighbouring states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are helping the farmers but our state is only making empty promises, nothing has been done on the ground that will arrest the anger of the farmers and pull them from the distress,” Pawar said.

    Farmer deaths by suicide in Maharashtra

    A total of 7,444 deaths in the last eight years
    5,061 deaths between 2014-19 under the BJP administration
    1,660 deaths between 2019-21 under the MVA administration
    1,023 deaths between July 2022 – Jan 2023 under the Shinde administration

  • Maharashtra: BJP ministers face farmers’ wrath over plunging onion, cotton prices

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: BJP ministers in Maharashtra face the wrath of the farmers over free-falling prices of onion and cotton.

    This comes even as a group of Tamil Nadu farmers, led by its leader PR Pandian, began their march towards the Parliament from Kanniyakumari, a few days ago, urging the Prime Minister to implement his assurances during farmers’ protest in Delhi. 

    On Sunday, angry farmers threw onions at the vehicle of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Union minister for state and BJP Lok Sabha MP Bharati Pawar and state agriculture minister Abdul Sattar too faced the ire of the farmers.

    The unrest among onion and cotton growers in the state has been escalating over plunging prices and the failure of the Centre to extend a helping hand to the farmers in crisis. 

    Angry farmers could be seen surrounding Bharati Pawar as seen in a video that went viral on social media even as the minister tried to soothe their tempers by stating that the Centre has been buying onion through NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) and ensured that there is no ban on the export of onion as well. She said that onion prices in the international market were down and hence the fall in the prices in the domestic market. Further, the supply of onion in the market is quite high.

    However, in the video, the farmers could be seen attributing the wrong export-import policies of the Centre for their plight. The angry farmers argued that the Centre keeps changing its policies constantly and the farmers are suffering because of this.

    “The Centre should compensate us by buying our onions at the international market rate and also extend all possible help to us,” the farmers insisted.

    Meanwhile, Devendra Fadnavis faced the ire of the farmers in Amaravati where the latter threw onions at his vehicle before the police swung into action and detained the protesters.

    ALSO READ | We’re with onion farmers, says CM Eknath Shinde in Maharashtra assembly

    Maharashtra agriculture minister Abdul Sattar also faced the ire of the farmers at the agricultural exhibition in Amaravati. The farmers informed him that the price of onion has gone down below the price of old newspapers. Farmers argued that last year they sold a quintal of cotton for s 14,000 but currently they get only Rs 8,000 per quintal.

    “We are not able to recover the input cost as well. If the government fail to help us there is no option left for us but to commit suicide,” the farmers told him. 

    As reported by The New Indian Express, the representatives of the Tamil Nadu All Farmers Organization Coordination  Committee, set out their Delhi march from Kanniyakumari late last week. They would travel via Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Vijayawada,  Hyderabad, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna, Varanasi, Jaipur and Chandigarh, before reaching New Delhi on March 20. The farmers are seeking, among other demands, a permanent law for fixing profitable minimum support price for agricultural produce every year.

    MUMBAI: BJP ministers in Maharashtra face the wrath of the farmers over free-falling prices of onion and cotton.

    This comes even as a group of Tamil Nadu farmers, led by its leader PR Pandian, began their march towards the Parliament from Kanniyakumari, a few days ago, urging the Prime Minister to implement his assurances during farmers’ protest in Delhi. 

    On Sunday, angry farmers threw onions at the vehicle of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Union minister for state and BJP Lok Sabha MP Bharati Pawar and state agriculture minister Abdul Sattar too faced the ire of the farmers.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The unrest among onion and cotton growers in the state has been escalating over plunging prices and the failure of the Centre to extend a helping hand to the farmers in crisis. 

    Angry farmers could be seen surrounding Bharati Pawar as seen in a video that went viral on social media even as the minister tried to soothe their tempers by stating that the Centre has been buying onion through NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) and ensured that there is no ban on the export of onion as well. She said that onion prices in the international market were down and hence the fall in the prices in the domestic market. Further, the supply of onion in the market is quite high.

    However, in the video, the farmers could be seen attributing the wrong export-import policies of the Centre for their plight. The angry farmers argued that the Centre keeps changing its policies constantly and the farmers are suffering because of this.

    “The Centre should compensate us by buying our onions at the international market rate and also extend all possible help to us,” the farmers insisted.

    Meanwhile, Devendra Fadnavis faced the ire of the farmers in Amaravati where the latter threw onions at his vehicle before the police swung into action and detained the protesters.

    ALSO READ | We’re with onion farmers, says CM Eknath Shinde in Maharashtra assembly

    Maharashtra agriculture minister Abdul Sattar also faced the ire of the farmers at the agricultural exhibition in Amaravati. The farmers informed him that the price of onion has gone down below the price of old newspapers. Farmers argued that last year they sold a quintal of cotton for s 14,000 but currently they get only Rs 8,000 per quintal.

    “We are not able to recover the input cost as well. If the government fail to help us there is no option left for us but to commit suicide,” the farmers told him. 

    As reported by The New Indian Express, the representatives of the Tamil Nadu All Farmers Organization Coordination  Committee, set out their Delhi march from Kanniyakumari late last week. They would travel via Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Vijayawada,  Hyderabad, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna, Varanasi, Jaipur and Chandigarh, before reaching New Delhi on March 20. The farmers are seeking, among other demands, a permanent law for fixing profitable minimum support price for agricultural produce every year.