Nagpur – The Winter Session of the Maharashtra Legislature commenced in Nagpur on Monday. Traditionally, accommodations for all legislators are arranged at the expansive and well-equipped Amdar Niwas. However, a majority of legislators are now opting to stay at luxury hotels in the city instead. Surprisingly, not only the legislators but also their personal assistants, staff, and even some party workers are reportedly staying in these upscale hotels.

The Amdar Niwas, a grand and spacious building, was initially designed to provide a convenient space for legislators to meet constituents and address their concerns. However, the culture has shifted over time, and the building is now primarily occupied by the legislators’ relatives and party workers. This raises a key question: Will common citizens now be expected to take their grievances to these star-rated hotels?

Government Funds Footing the Hotel Bills
Reports indicate that the expenses for accommodations, meals, and related costs of legislators, their staff, and party workers staying in luxury hotels are being covered by public funds. Despite the availability of the Amdar Niwas, this additional financial burden falls on the government treasury, sparking widespread criticism.

Crores Spent on Renovating Amdar Niwas Go to Waste
Ahead of the Winter Session, the Amdar Niwas undergoes extensive beautification, costing crores of rupees. This includes repainting the building, decorating the dining halls, and purchasing new furniture, curtains, and bedding for every room. However, despite these upgrades, legislators continue to prefer hotels or government guest houses over the newly renovated quarters.

This discrepancy has led many to question the rationale behind such lavish spending. Critics argue that if legislators have no intention of staying at the Amdar Niwas, why are taxpayers’ funds being used for unnecessary renovations?

The situation highlights a larger debate about financial accountability and the priorities of lawmakers during a time when public resources could be better utilized for addressing citizen needs.

The post “Lavish Living: Lawmakers and Staff Opt for Luxury Hotels Over Amdar Niwas” appeared first on Nagpur Today : Nagpur News.

Nagpur: Former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray made an appearance in Nagpur on Tuesday for the State’s Winter Session. Thackeray attended the Legislative Council session and later held a press conference to address various issues and criticize the State Government.

Thackeray raised questions about the Ladki Bahin Yojana, targeting the Fadnavis Government. “Initially, there were no conditions, so why impose them now while disbursing funds under the scheme? The benefits should be given to everyone without discrimination,” said Thackeray. He also took a dig at the government over senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal’s reported dissatisfaction.

The Winter Session has begun in Nagpur, but Thackeray criticized the ruling government, calling it “unconstitutional” and attributing its existence to EVM manipulations. “The election results were baffling, and this is what they call an ‘EVM government.’ People have expectations from this administration, but there is no visible joy of victory. While the cabinet has expanded, discussions revolve more around discontent than accomplishments,” he remarked.

Thackeray also criticized the introduction of ministers with multiple allegations against them, saying, “For the first time, a Chief Minister had to introduce ministers with serious accusations.”

Addressing the Ladki Bahin Yojana, Thackeray accused the government of delaying its implementation. “The scheme, initially aimed at empowering women, has now sparked debates about ‘favourite and discontented MLAs.’ Since the elections and the model code of conduct are over, the scheme should be implemented immediately without any conditions. As promised, pending payments of ₹2,100 should be released to the beneficiaries,” he demanded.

Session a ‘mere formality’

Thackeray expressed disappointment with the Governor’s speech, particularly its lack of focus on pressing issues. “While there was mention of forming an environment committee, we need to know who will be on it. Meanwhile, reports suggest that 1,400 trees are set to be cut down in Dongri for a car shed project,” he said.

He also questioned the government’s efforts to ensure women’s safety, stating, “It seems like this session is being held as a mere formality. The cabinet portfolios should have been allocated earlier. Ministers are giving random responses to questions, showing a lack of clarity.”

Bhujbal’s dissatisfaction

Amid speculations that NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal would be inducted into the cabinet, reports indicate he has been sidelined, leaving him deeply dissatisfied. Bhujbal’s cryptic remark, “Jahan nahi chaina, wahan nahi rehna” (Where there is no peace, I won’t stay), has fuelled rumours about his potential exit from the Ajit Pawar faction.

Commenting on the issue, Thackeray said, “I feel bad for Bhujbal. Many MLAs are struggling under this government. Their dissatisfaction reflects the turmoil within this administration.”

Transparency in democracy

Thackeray also criticized the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill presented in the Lok Sabha. He claimed that the bill is a diversionary tactic to push aside other critical issues, such as those involving the Adani Group. “Even the Election Commissioner should be elected transparently. Why is the government afraid to conduct even a village election using ballot papers? Democratic processes should be transparent; otherwise, the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’ should not be implemented,” he stated.

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Nagpur: As part of the ongoing redevelopment project at Nagpur Railway Station, the main booking-cum-PRS office on the west side of the station will be temporarily relocated. Effective from December 18, (12 midnight) the new temporary office will be operational from the dome area located within the second class waiting hall near the escalator and foot over bridge (FOB) landing on Platform No.1, at the Mumbai end of the station.

The temporary facility is approximately 200 metres in the direction of the Mumbai end on Platform No.1. Passengers can continue to access both unreserved and reservation ticketing services at this new location without any disruption to services, said a press release of Central Railway.

To ensure a seamless transition, necessary signages have been placed at prominent locations throughout the station to guide passengers to the temporary office. Additionally, a dedicated help desk has been established to assist passengers with any queries or directions during this period, the release further said.

The relocation is a temporary measure aimed at facilitating the comprehensive redevelopment of Nagpur railway station, which is focused on modernising infrastructure and significantly improving passenger amenities.

The release stated, “Passengers are requested to take note of the change and avail themselves of ticketing services from the new location.”

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Nagpur: Two leaders who have been politically at odds for the past five years, Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, surprised everyone by meeting face-to-face on Tuesday in Nagpur. Thackeray directly visited Fadnavis’ office, leaving political circles buzzing with speculation. While the meeting is being described as a goodwill gesture, there are rumours that significant political developments might emerge from it.

According to sources, the discussion between Thackeray and Fadnavis lasted for about seven minutes. The meeting took place in Fadnavis’ office, with Aditya Thackeray and a few Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs accompanying Uddhav Thackeray. The exact reason for the meeting remains unclear, but it has certainly stirred conversations in Maharashtra’s political circles.

Following his meeting with Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray also met Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar. This has raised questions about whether the Speaker’s meeting was related to his role as the Leader of the Opposition. The purpose and implications of both meetings remain a topic of intense speculation.

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Nagpur: “Lord Ram is the path itself and the destination. The Ram Temple of Ayodhya is the beginning of Ram consciousness,” stated renowned poet and orator Dr Kumar Vishwas, while delivering a discourse under ‘ApneApne Ram’ on the fourth day of the Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav (KSM) 2024 being held in Nagpur.

The festival is underway at Ishwar Deshmukh College of Physical Education Ground at Krida Chowk. Along with Gadkari, present among the dignitaries were Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister; Kanchan Gadkari, President of Sanskar Bharti; Manjula Gavit, MLA; Amit Gorkhe, MLA; Rajendra Purohit, Managing Director of ‘The Hitavada’; Yashpal Arya, Patanjali Chief; Padmesh Gupta and SanjayGupta, industrialists, and others.

Fadnavis addressed the gathering and said that this festival enriches the cultural atmosphere and the platform has given recognition to artists and intellectuals. “The highlight of this festival is to experience great artists performing live. This platform has also given a big support to emerging artists and it has now become an integral part of the city,” stated Fadnavis.

In his discourse, Dr Vishwas said that when showing the symbol of love to tourists, instead of the Taj Mahal, people should show the Ram Setu. He narrated the emotional dialogue between Lord Ram and Jatayu and linked it with present time. “Without harbouring hatred for the exile, Ram always thanked Mata Kaikeyi with love for giving him a brother like Bharat,” mentioned Dr Vishwas.

Dr Kumar Vishwas’s group members Viren, Neerja Upreti, Priyansh Shah presented devotional songs and ‘Ramdhun’. The programme was conducted by Renuka Deshkar, Kavita Tiwari and Richa Sugandh.

In the first session, a rendition of classical and Sufi songs was presented by the young artists of city ‘Safar’ band which included Ayush Mankar, Vansh Goratkar, Sushant Patil, Akash, Aditya, Saurabh and Abeer. The festival’s organising committee members are working hard for the success of the programme.

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Nagpur: A leakage has been observed on the Pandey Layout feeder in front of Bhagwati Hospital, Corporation Colony, Bajaj Nagar Road. Considering the severity of the leakage, an emergency breakdown has been undertaken for repair work on the afternoon of 17th December 2024.

As a result, water supply to the following areas has been affected:

Pratap Nagar CA:
Khamla Old Basti, Sindhi Colony, Venkatesh Nagar, Ganesh Colony, Milind Nagar, Pratap Nagar, Telecom Nagar, Swavalambi Nagar, Dindayal Nagar, Loksewa Nagar, Agne Layout, Pioneer Society Khamla, Trisharan Nagar, Jivan Chhaya Nagar, Sanchyani, Poonam Vihar, Swaroop Nagar, Haware Layout, Ashok Colony, Gedam Layout, NIT Layout, Bhujbal Layout, Priyadarshni Nagar, Ingale Layout, Sainath Nagar.

Khamla CA:
Pawanbhoomi, Ujwal Nagar, Jaiprakash Nagar, Panchdeep Nagar, Rajiv Nagar, Sita Nagar, Rahul Nagar, Savitri Nagar, Tapovan Complex, Somalwada, Karve Nagar, Pande Layout, Old and New Sneh Nagar, Gawande Layout, Central Excise Colony, Malviya Nagar, Yogesham Layout, Lahari Krupa, Ganguly Layout, Abhinav Colony, Paryavaran Nagar, Narkeshri Layout, Mehar Baba Colony, Chhatrapati Nagar, Bagyoday Society, Nagbhoomi Layout, Doctor Colony.

Ram Nagar ESR CA:
Gokulpeth, Ram Nagar, Marartoli, Telenkhedi, Tilak Nagar, Bharat Nagar, Hindustan Colony, Verma Layout, New Verma Layout, Ambazari Layout, Samta Layout, Yashwant Nagar, Hill Top, Ambazari Slum, Pandhrabodi, Sanjay Nagar, Trust Layout, Munjhe Baba Slum.

Chinchbhuvan Exist & NIT CA:
Shilpa Society, Jaidurga Society, Samaj Bhushan Society, Panchatara Soc., Bhartiya Gruhnirman Soc., Rishi Soc., Suraj Soc., Vaishali Nagar, Kaikade Nagar, Dattatray Soc., Mangalmay Soc., Sai Pallavi Soc., Gharkul Soc., Guruchaya Soc., Pitruchaya Soc., Zhulelal Soc., Jai Hind Soc., Uday Soc., Kusum Soc., Rai Imperial, Florina Park, Om Shanti Soc., Meher Baba Nagar, Shantiniketan Nagar, Juni Wasti, Dattamandir, Bhartiya Soc., Jaidurga 2/3/4/6, Santaji Soc., Manish Nagar Soc., RTO Soc., Shubhangi Soc., Shakti New Samarth Soc., Jai Badrinath Soc., Giri Kunj Soc., Ingole Nagar, Kannamwar Nagar, Karve Nagar, Jivan Akshay Soc., Samaj Ekta Soc., Krushi Nara Soc., Laghuvetan Soc., Nagar Nagrik Soc., Shyam Nagar, Prabhu Nagar, Sant Tukdoji Soc.

Efforts are underway to complete the repairs as soon as possible, and the water supply will be restored at the earliest.

For more information about water supply consumers can contact NMC-OCW Helpline No 1800 266 9899 or mail at contact@ocwindia.com.

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Nagpur: The Winter Session of the Maharashtra State Legislature, currently underway in Nagpur, is raising questions about a possible extension beyond its scheduled conclusion on Saturday, December 21, 2024. The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) is set to meet on Wednesday to deliberate on the session’s future schedule.

As of now, usually any session of State Legislature conducted immediately after the formation of the Government has not much business, said Principal Secretary of the State Legislature, Jitendra Bhole while talking to a local daily. Bhole pointed out that such sessions typically focus on formalities and initial groundwork rather than substantial legislative action. However, it is mandatory to convene the session as per tradition.

Interestingly, the limited workload has impacted staffing for this session. Around 25% of the State Legislature employees have not been called to Nagpur, an unusual situation compared to previous years. Nonetheless, the formation of the new government has created logistical demands, including the allocation of chambers for 39 newly sworn-in ministers and the heads of 40 legislative committees.

Adding to the logistical strain is the increase in political parties, each demanding dedicated office space in the legislative premises. Officials are grappling with these requirements while planning future expansions.

Another issue under discussion is the lack of a Central Hall in Nagpur for the Governor’s address. The government has proposed constructing such a facility within the premises of the Government Press. However, the Press itself is in a dilapidated condition and marked for redevelopment. According to Bhole, this redevelopment proposal is also on the table for consideration.

The BAC’s decision on Wednesday will determine whether the session will continue beyond December 21, providing clarity on the legislature’s plans amid these evolving challenges.

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Nagpur: The election of a new Chairperson for the Maharashtra Legislative Council will be held on December 19, Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe announced on Tuesday. Gorhe informed the members that the post has been vacant since July 7, 2022, after the term of Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar ended.

She said that finally the House would see a successor on Thursday. Among 78 members in the Upper House of the State Legislature, the BJP has 19 members, Congress 7, Shiv Sena (UBT) 7, Shiv Sena 6, NCP (SP) and NCP (Ajit Pawar) 5 each, and Independent 3.

Recently, Governor C P Radhakrishnan approved the nomination of seven new MLCs, filling some of the vacant seats. After the announcement of the election, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab raised a query in the Upper House regarding the criteria of nomination of new Chairperson. “As per the rule the Chairperson of the Council has to be a member of the Upper House. What about members whose disqualification petition is pending in the Supreme Court of India and are they eligible for the nomination?” asked Parab in the House.

Neelam Gorhe, Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council assured that the rules and criteria about the procedure would be shared till December 18 in the House.

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Nagpur: The city has added another feather to its cap as 2-year-old Syed Hamza Alwi has been awarded the prestigious “Young Star 2024” title by Raaba Media and the Raaba Book of World Records in General Knowledge category.

This remarkable achievement highlights the transformative power of early education and the unwavering dedication of his mother, Dr. Sana Mahewish. Her unique and personalized approach to homeschooling has played a pivotal role in nurturing Hamza’s intellectual growth, setting an inspiring example of the impact of focused and creative learning methods.

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Nagpur: The Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce (NVCC), in collaboration with ECGC Ltd., is organizing the “Exporters-Importers Summit” to promote exports from Nagpur and the Vidarbha region. The event will take place on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 6:30 pm at Hotel Tuli Imperial, Ramdaspeth, Nagpur.

Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Parth Pawar will grace the event as chief guests to guide and motivate exporters and members.

The summit is supported by Vishvesh Agromed Private Limited, ECGC Ltd., and Milage Logistic Pvt. Ltd. Associated partners include the Chamber of Association of Maharashtra Industry & Trade (CAMIT), Vidarbha Industry Association (VIA), Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Nagpur Chamber of Commerce Ltd. (NCCL), Federation of Vidarbha Rice Industries Association, COSIA & COSIA, Gandhibag-Golibar Chowk Vyapari Sangh (GGVS), the Wholesale Cloth & Yarn Merchants Association, and Vidarbha Plywood Merchants Association.

NVCC President Arjundas Ahuja, Vice President and event coordinator Swapnil Ahikar, and Secretary Sachin Puniyani have urged exporters and importers from Nagpur, Vidarbha, and NVCC members to attend the summit in large numbers and benefit from the discussions and guidance.

This information was shared via a press release issued by NVCC Secretary Sachin Puniyani.

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Nagpur: The Maharashtra Government has announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of a “sinister plan” to arrest Devendra Fadnavis during his tenure as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime. The assurance came from Cabinet Minister Shambhuraje Desai during a session in the Legislative Council on Tuesday.

The demand for the SIT was raised by BJP MLC Pravin Darekar, who presented a pen drive claiming it contains sting operation videos exposing the conspiracy. Darekar alleged that the footage shows a Deputy Police Commissioner (DCP) coercing a citizen to provide false statements to implicate Fadnavis.

Allegations of targeted conspiracy

Darekar alleged that the sting operation revealed discussions involving ACP Sardar Patil, who admitted to reopening an old case with the intent of targeting Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, who was then a Cabinet Minister in the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA Government.

He further claimed that the alleged plan was motivated by political vendetta, as Fadnavis was vocal against the MVA government on various issues. Darekar also noted that Shinde, despite being part of the government at the time, was a target due to his role as Urban Development Minister.

Demand for action

Darekar urged the government to take strict action, including:

* Registering a criminal case in the matter.

* Suspending DCP Laxmikant Patil.

& Removing former Advocate General Shekhar Jagtap from the government panel.

He also accused former Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey of orchestrating the alleged plan and questioned whether such actions could have been carried out without the support of the then Chief Minister and Home Minister.

Government’s response

Minister Shambhuraje Desai assured the House that an SIT headed by a senior IPS officer would be formed to investigate the allegations. He stated that if former DGP Sanjay Pandey is found guilty, action will be taken against him.

Opposition queries delay

Opposition MLC Sachin Ahir expressed skepticism, stating that the alleged conspiracy, if true, is deeply regrettable. However, he questioned the delay in investigating the matter since the Mahayuti Government has been in power for over two years. “Why wasn’t this investigated earlier if it was such a serious issue?” asked Ahir. He cautioned against exaggerating the matter and called for an objective probe.

The announcement of the SIT marks a new chapter in the political controversy surrounding the MVA government, with BJP leaders asserting that the investigation will expose the “true face” of the previous regime.

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Nagpur: In an outrageous incident, a male staffer entered the trial room at an upmarket mall near Untkhana Square in Nagpur leaving a 16-year old girl ashamed. Despite her protests, the male staffer was adamant. The shocked family, which later approached Imambada Police Station, was in for another shock when the mall’s supervisory staffers did not offer them support in registering a case against the pervert staffer, a report in a local English daily said.

According to the report, the teen, who had gone to the mall for an outing with her parents, wanted to try on some new clothes at one of the outlets. After picking up an item, the girl went inside the changing room for a trial. Much to her horror, a male staffer barged into the cabin, leaving the teen shocked. When she challenged the intruder, he tried to justify his presence in the trial room by citing some work. Miffed by the indifference, the girl stepped out to alert her parents.

The girl’s father said the mall’s managers and others supported the action of the male staffer. Enraged by their brazen indifference, the father vented his ire at the accused trying to defend his actions. “There were no women attendants at the outlet or near the women’s trial room. We want to raise the question how and why a male staffer entered a woman’s place of privacy when it’s clearly declared so by a display board,” the newspaper report said.

The family later approached Imambada Police Station, where an offence of sexual harassment through voyeurism was registered against the accused, Sunil Raut, apart from invoking the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

According to DCP Rashmitha Rao, the accused Raut was taken into custody, and a proposal for preventive action was also prepared against him. “We will take up the issue of safety of women and girls in the malls. We will also ensure installation of CCTV cameras in their premises and the deployment of women attendants in sections where women and girls are likely to visit,” said the DCP.

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Brisbane: Indian cricket team spinner R Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket following the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday. Ashwin made the announcement in the post-match press conference along with skipper Rohit Sharma after the game ended in a draw.

Ashwin played the second match of the five-Test series in Adelaide but was replaced by Ravindra Jadeja for the match in Brisbane. Ashwin retires from the game as the second highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 games, leaving him only behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets).

Ashwin will continue to play T20 tournaments and he will represent Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025.

“I won’t take too much of your time. Today will be the last day for me as an India cricketer,” Ashwin said at the end of the drawn third Test here in a joint press conference with Captain Rohit Sharma during which he declined to take any questions and left after making the announcement.

The 38-year-old played the day-night Test in Adelaide and picked up one wicket.

“He was very, very sure of his decision. We should stand by what he wants,” said Rohit after Ashwin left the stage.

He was seen sharing an emotional moment with star batter Virat Kohli in the dressing room hours before the announcement. “A name synonymous with mastery, wizardry, brilliance, and innovation,” said the BCCI in its tribute post on X.

With Ashwin stepping down from the international stage, he is truly leaving behind a tremendous legacy and massive boots to fill for the youngsters who will come in to make up for his presence. Ashwin spearheaded the bowling attack and was a major face behind India’s rise to the top and eventual domination in Test cricket that lasted from 2014 to 2019.

When one turns to look at his dominance in the home conditions, he was a phenom. His expertise wasn’t just limited to the ball but also some impactful contributions with the bat.

In the white-ball format, Ashwin made 181 appearances and snatched 228 wickets. He made 116 ODI appearances and took 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with best figures of 4/25. He also made 707 runs at an average of 16.44, with one fifty, a knock of 65 in 63 innings. He is the 13th-highest wicket-taker in ODIs for India.

In 65 T20Is, he took 72 wickets at an average of 23.22. His best figures are 4/8. He also scored 184 runs in 19 innings at an average of 26.28, with a best score of 31. He is the sixth-highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is.

With 765 scalps in 287 matches, he is India’s second-highest wicket-taker across all formats, next to Kumble (953). He also won the 2011 50-Over World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy with India.

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Nagpur: Ajni Railway Station, a crucial hub for commuters from South and West Nagpur, resumed train operations on Tuesday after a hiatus of nearly 100 days. The station, which handles originating and terminating trains as well as train stoppages, had been temporarily closed for redevelopment work under the Rs 300 crore project by the Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA). However, passengers have raised concerns about the poor condition of the station, with many amenities still missing despite the extended closure.

The station’s platforms number 2 and 3 were out of service from September 12 to December 10 due to construction activities, with the closure extended by an additional eight days. While trains resumed as scheduled, passengers expressed frustration over the lack of basic facilities.

A regular commuter to Wardha said, “Both platforms are in a worse condition than before. The surface is uneven, making it difficult to walk, especially with luggage. There are no platform shades, the lighting is poor, and there’s no access to drinking water or toilets. It’s hard to believe this is a major railway station – it feels like a ‘D’ grade station.”

In addition to the basic amenities, passengers pointed out the lack of accessibility features. “There are no escalators on platforms 1 and 2, especially on the Wardha-end. Senior citizens and Divyang passengers will still have to use the foot-over-bridge (FOB) or take a long detour from the Nagpur-end,” said another traveller. “After a 100-day closure, we expected some modern facilities, but nothing has changed.”

Central Railway officials confirmed that all mail/express and MEMU trains resumed operations from both platforms at Ajni on Tuesday. However, they stated that the restoration of passenger amenities is the responsibility of the RLDA. The redevelopment includes the construction of a new concourse, which necessitated the closure of platforms 2 and 3.

As part of the ongoing redevelopment, the east side station building is 65% complete, and the Type IV quarters are 80% finished. Work on the west side station building is at 20% completion, while the concourse is 25% complete. “Refurbishment of the platforms will begin after the concourse is completed,” said railway officials. They assured that the redevelopment would eventually lead to improved facilities, better passenger amenities, and enhanced connectivity, contributing to the region’s economic development.

“Refurbishment of the platforms will commence after the concourse is launched. The ongoing redevelopment of Ajni station is expected to bring state-of-the-art facilities, improved passenger amenities, and better connectivity, contributing significantly to the region’s economic development,” said railway officials.

Resumption of halts/boarding

* Nagpur-Wardha MEMU at 8 am daily, except Sundays

* Gondia-Kolhapur Exp at 10.50 am (Daily)

* Shalimar-LTT at 1.45 pm (Daily)

*Nagpur-Kolhapur Exp at 3:24 pm (Tuesdays & Saturdays)

* Gondia-CSTM Vidarbha Exp at 5.10 pm daily

* Nagpur-Pune Exp at 6 pm (Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays)

* Nagpur-Pune Exp (12136) at 6 pm (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays)

* Nagpur-CSMT (12140) at 9.25 pm daily

Originating from Ajni

*Ajni-Amravati Exp at 6.30 pm daily

* Ajni-Pune Exp at 7:50 pm (Tuesdays)

* Ajni-Pune Exp at 7.50 pm (Sundays)

Terminating trains

* Amravati-Ajni Exp at 8:15 am

* Pune-Ajni Exp at 4:50 am

* Pune-Ajni Exp at 12:50 hrs

The post Ajni Rly Station opens after 100 days, but passengers face poor amenities appeared first on Nagpur Today : Nagpur News.

Nagpur: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC Ram Shinde on Wednesday filed a nomination for election to the post of Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. The election will be held on Thursday and if Shinde gets elected, the top presiding officer’s posts in both Houses of the State Legislature will be with the BJP.

Last week, BJP MLA Rahul Narwekar was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the 15th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. The Council Chairperson’s post has been lying vacant since July 7, 2022, after NCP leader Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar’s term ended.

During the filing of his nomination, Shinde was accompanied by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, BJP State head Chandrashekar Bawankule and party leader Chandrakant Patil. Shinde became a member of the State Legislative Council on July 8, 2022.

He served as a minister in the previous Devendra Fadnavis government (from 2014-19). Shinde lost to NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar from Karjat Jamkhed Assembly seat in the November 20 state polls by a narrow margin. Pawar also defeated him in the 2019 state polls.

Among 78 members in the Upper House of the state legislature, the BJP has 19 members, Congress 7, Shiv Sena (UBT) 7, Shiv Sena 6, NCP (SP) and NCP 5 each, and there are 3 Independent members. Governor C P Radhakrishnan, acting on the recommendation of the state cabinet, in October approved the names of seven MLCs out of the 12 vacant posts under the gubernatorial quota.

Shinde is from the Dhangar community and hails from Ahilyanagar formerly Ahmednagar district. In his post on X, Shinde thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar and state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule for his nomination.

Shiv Sena was also quite keen to get the State Council Chairperson’s post. However, the BJP declined to leave the post to Shiv Sena.

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Nagpur: In an outrageous incident, a male staffer entered the trial room at Pantaloons Store situated at VR Mall near Medical Square in Nagpur leaving a 16-year old girl ashamed. Despite her protests, the male staffer was adamant. The shocked family, which later approached Imambada Police Station, was in for another shock when the mall’s supervisory staffers did not offer them support in registering a case against the pervert staffer.

According to a report, the teen, who had gone to Pantaloons Store for an outing with her parents, wanted to try on some new clothes at one of the outlets. After picking up an item, the girl went inside the changing room for a trial. Much to her horror, a male staffer barged into the cabin, leaving the teen shocked. When she challenged the intruder, he tried to justify his presence in the trial room by citing some work. Miffed by the indifference, the girl stepped out to alert her parents.

The girl’s father said the store’s managers and others supported the action of the male staffer. Enraged by their brazen indifference, the father vented his ire at the accused trying to defend his actions. “There were no women attendants at the outlet or near the women’s trial room. We want to raise the question how and why a male staffer entered a woman’s place of privacy when it’s clearly declared so by a display board,” the report said.

The family later approached Imambada Police Station, where an offence of sexual harassment through voyeurism was registered against the accused, Sunil Raut, apart from invoking the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

According to DCP Rashmitha Rao, the accused Raut was taken into custody, and a proposal for preventive action was also prepared against him. “We will take up the issue of safety of women and girls in the malls. We will also ensure installation of CCTV cameras in their premises and the deployment of women attendants in sections where women and girls are likely to visit,” said the DCP.

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Nagpur: The suspense surrounding the allocation of portfolios in Maharashtra’s newly expanded Cabinet continues, with political speculation and discussions intensifying. According to media reports, the portfolio distribution in the Mahayuti Government is expected to be finalized within the next 24 hours.

On December 15, 39 legislators from Mahayuti allies — the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP — were sworn in as part of the first Cabinet expansion under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The reshuffle saw 10 ministers from the previous Mahayuti Government dropped, while 16 new faces were inducted. The BJP secured 19 ministerial berths, while Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP were allocated 11 and 9 portfolios, respectively.

BJP likely to get key Ministries

As per the latest reports, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to retain several important ministries, including Home, Law and Justice, Energy, Irrigation, Rural Development, Revenue, Skill Development, General Administration, Environment, and Tribal Development.

Shiv Sena’s expected portfolios

Under Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s leadership, the Shiv Sena is likely to take charge of ministries such as Urban Development, Housing Development, Social Justice, Tourism, Mining, Water Supply, Industry, Health, Education, and Public Works Department (PWD).

NCP’s likely share of portfolios

Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is anticipated to handle significant portfolios, including Finance and Planning, Food and Supplies, FDA, Excise, Agriculture, Women and Child Development, Sports and Youth Welfare, Minority Affairs, and Relief and Rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, amid these developments, Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant acknowledged that some party leaders, who were excluded from the Cabinet, are upset. Samant stated that efforts are being made to address the discontent within the party. “We work as a family under Eknath Shinde. There could be unhappiness if someone does not get a place in the Cabinet. It is the responsibility of those who have become ministers to address the unhappiness,” he said.

Samant further assured that Deputy Chief Minister Shinde would work to pacify upset party members, including leaders like Tanaji Sawant and Vijay Shivtare, who have expressed disappointment over their exclusion from the Cabinet.

As political discussions continue, the finalization of the Cabinet portfolios is eagerly awaited in the coming hours.

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Nagpur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement on Dr B R Ambedkar made in Parliament rocked Maharashtra’s Legislative Council on Wednesday, leading to the opposition walking out.

The Council’s Leader of Opposition (LoP), Ambadas Danve, said, “Through the point of information rule, I want to know about the statement on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament yesterday.”

As soon as Danve mentioned this, uproar started from the treasury benches, with the opposition matching them in decibel level.

The Council’s Deputy Chairperson, Neelam Gorhe, said this issue cannot be discussed. “We cannot discuss something which happened in another (legislative) house. I will not allow this, as per rules,” said Gorhe. Denial of permission to discuss the issue led to the opposition questioning the chair on why the important issue should not be discussed.

Gorhe said, “We all respect Babasaheb Ambedkar a lot, but you are all aware of the rules. You know very well that permission for such a thing cannot be granted, so do not pursue this further. Do you not want the proceedings of the House to continue? Please understand that we all have immense respect for Babasaheb, but how can we discuss something which happened in Lok Sabha here, that’s the rule.”

As the opposition continued to push for its demand for a discussion, Gorhe said some members are trying to indulge in politics. “You are misusing and indulging in politics over Babasaheb’s name. I shall not allow Babasaheb’s name to be misused. If you want to do any kind of protest, then do it outside,” said Gorhe.

She added that despite the protests, the House proceedings won’t be stalled. “If we stop the house proceedings because you used Babasaheb’s name in the wrong way, it will send the wrong message. I will continue with the house’s proceedings. You are misleading the public; hence I won’t give you permission,” said Gorhe.

Following this, the opposition, led by LoP Danve, walked out to protest in the premises of Vidhan Bhavan.

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Nagpur: The Day 5 of the ongoing Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav (KSM) 2024 in Nagpur witnessed a moving theatrical, dance and musical creation ‘Abhangwari’, performed by 2,000 Varkaris, presented by Vishwa Varkari Seva Sanstha.

The cultural festival by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, is being held at Ishwar Deshmukh College of Physical Education, Krida Chowk in the city. On this occasion, Kanchan Gadkari, President of Sanskar Bharti, Vitthal Maharaj Namdas, Sanjay Pachpor, Shrirampant Joshi, Pramod Thakre, Prashant Dharmapurikar, Sachin Pawar, Dnyaneshwar Rakshak, Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar, Nitin Khara and Atul Goyal, industrialists, Pravin Datke, MLA, Mohan Mate, MLA, Anil Ahire, Sameer Kunawar,MLA, and many others were present.

The presentation started with the bijmantra of Warkari sect ‘Ramakrishna Hari’, and the audience felt as if they were in the pilgrimage site of Pandharpur on stage. It depicted the desire of the devotees, rushing to meet their deity in Pandharpur. The devotion induced kakad-aarti, ‘arjav’ of Rakhumai, ‘dindi’ of saints, the tradition of Vari, the history of the palanquin ceremony, the journey of Vari, the arrival in Pandharpur, the Ashadhi festival celebrated in Pandharpur were beautifully staged on the occasion.

The premise was filled with the divine chants of Lord Vitthal. With 1000 talkaris, 50 mridangam players, 50 tabla players, 250 singers, 500 theatre artists, horses, palanquins, flag bearers, this was one of the grand events of Varkari in the country.

Rajiv Chaudhary of Aksharayan School of Calligraphy along with Saroj Chaudhary, Sanjay Wankhede, Sanjeev Mendhe, Asawari Mendhe, Darshan Kadhav, Shubham Tarekar,Sachi Marwade, were also a part of the programme.

The event was conducted by Renuka Deshkar and Sandeep Kohale of Vishwa Varkari Sanstha.

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Nagpur: The Phase 2 of Nagpur Metro got a big boost on Tuesday with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) to provide financial assistance of Rs 1,530 crore (USD 200 million) for the project.

The agreement was formalised at a ceremony held at Vidhan Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The MoU was signed by Maha Metro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar and ADB country director Mio Oka.

Fadnavis highlighted the transformative potential of the project, stating that Phase-II would accelerate the development of Nagpur city and surrounding peri-urban and rural areas. The total funding for Nagpur Metro Phase-II amounts to Rs 3,586 crore, with contributions from ADB and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

ADB’s share of Rs 1,530 crore will be disbursed in Japanese Yen, ensuring lower interest rates. The funding will be facilitated through the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The metro officials informed that Rs 900 crore is still in the metro account for Phase 2, to which this will be an addition.

With the addition of these routes, Nagpur Metro Phase-II will provide seamless connectivity to an additional eight lakh residents. Combined with Phase-I, the expanded metro network will serve a projected population of 21.39 lakh. Officials noted that the project would significantly enhance urban mobility, improve accessibility for residents, and promote sustainable development in the region.

Phase-II serves as an extension of Nagpur Metro Phase-I, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2022. The ridership of Nagpur Metro Phase-I has already crossed the one lakh mark and continues to grow steadily. With the completion of Phase-II, MahaMetro expects a significant increase in ridership, particularly from suburban and rural segments.

The signing ceremony was attended by Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Principal Secretary to CM Ashwini Bhide, and MITRA CEO Pravin Pardeshi. ADB experts Sharad Saxena and Anurag Sinha, along with MahaMetro Directors Anil Kokate (strategic planning) and Harendra Pandey (finance), were also present on the occasion.

Nagpur Metro Phase-II spans a total distance of 43.8km and includes four key routes. The first route, Khapri to MIDC ESR, covers 18.5km with 10 stations and is expected to boost connectivity to the MIDC industrial area. The second route, Prajapati Nagar to Transport Nagar, stretches 5.6km with three stations, improving access to transport hubs. The third route, Automotive Square to Kanhan river, covers 13km with 12 stations, extending metro connectivity to suburban areas like Kamptee and Kanhan. The fourth route, Lokmanya Nagar to Hingna, runs for 6.7km with seven stations, serving the industrial corridor and residential clusters in Hingna.

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