Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Avinash Aadmane (Name Changed), resident of Omkar Nagar had a lodged complaint that, at his tap especially in every summer, fully pressurised water supply automatically turns into very low pressure water supply. He was in confusion about sudden low pressure supply at his residence and want to know How? & Why?

However, he was surprized to know that while working on to resolve Aadmane’s complaint OCW’s Zonal Team detected a Tullu Pump (Booster Pump) illegally installed at his neighbour’s residence which is fetching more water and creating artificial low pressure supply at Aadmane’s tap.

Similarly, recently a vigilant citizen Dinesh B (Name changed) called OCW Call Centre about low pressure water supply at his home in in Sindhi Colony, Khamla area. When and OCW team searched and raided , they found same reason: Tullu pumps (Booster pumps) mushroomed at every lane creating artificial water shortage in entire locality.

It may be mentioned here, with the scorching summer heat of Nagpur that is already hovering around 45 degree Celsius mark, in such condition it is often seen that some people start using (illegally) the Booster (Tullu) Pumps to fetch more volume of water. Thus, they not only snatch water from others which is not just unlawful but is also immoral. Using booster pumps is a punishable offence as per NMC’s water bylaw and strict legal action may be initiated against the defaulters.

NMC-OCW this year has not only decided to initiate legal action against the culprits but has planned to go for disconnection of tap connection also For this, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Orange City Water (OCW) have already started a massive “Tullu Pump Seizure Drive” all over city.

OCW also creating awareness neither among people for nor to use Tullu Pump and announcement vans moving in areas to stop these people from illegally fetching more volume of water and which ultimately creates low pressure or artificial water shortage problems for other residents in localities.

NMC-OCW teams have already seized over 105 Tullu pumps in just few days. In the past few days, NMC-OCW seized 17 pumps from LaxmiNagar zone- 9, Dharampeth -6, Hanuman Nagar zone-2,Dhantoli-26, Nehru Nagar 10, Gandhibagh 1, Satranjipura -7, Lakadganj-22, Aashi Nagar- 13, Mangalwari -9. Total -105

It may be mentioned here as per the NMC’s Water Rate Bylaw ”If a booster pump or any other contrivance is connected directly to the communication / supply pipe then in such an event, the Executive Engineer or his authorized representative in addition to disconnecting the water supply shall seize such contrivance without notice and the Consumer shall be prosecuted by the Corporation. The seized material shall not be returned in any case: Provided that the cost of restoration of water supply shall be borne by the consumer”.

Further as per Indian Penal Code its crime too. As per IPC 430: Section 430 of the Indian Penal Code Mischief by injury to works of irrigation or by wrongfully diverting water.

Whoever commits mischief by doing any act which causes, or which he knows to be likely to cause, a diminution of the supply of water for agricultural purposes, or for food or drink for human beings or for animals which are property, or for cleanliness or for carrying on any manufacture, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both.

OCW-NMC appeals citizen not to use booster (Tullu) pumps. They also appeal the vigilant citizens if they find booster pumps being used they should inform the OCW’s 24×7 Toll Free Helpline at 1800-266-9899 or similar information can be passed on OCW CGRC at 7280903636 to Zonal Managers/NMC Delegates at NMC-OCW Zonal offices.

Tullu Pump seized from various zones till from May 1 to May 17

Illegal use of ‘Tullu Pump’ creating artificial low pressure water supply

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Gittikhadan police have arrested a 62-year old man on the charges of molesting a 4-year old girl while riding her on his motorcycle. The heinous incident occurred in Hazari Pahad area here on Thursday morning.

The lewd accused has been identified as Nelson Alexander Decruise (62), resident of Gayatri Colony, 1/68, Hazari Pahad. The 4-year old girl was sitting in front of her house around 10.30 am on Thursday. At the same time, the accused lured her and asked her to sit on motorcycle for a ride. During the bike ride, the accused indulged in vulgar acts and thus outraged the kid girl’s modesty.

Gittikhadan Woman PSI Kinnake, acting on the complaint, booked the accused Nelson Alexander Decruise under Section 354(B) of the IPC tead with Sections 4, 8 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and arrested him. Further probe is underway.

Aged man arrested for molesting 4-yr old girl in Hazari Pahad

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Representational Image

Nagpur: In an outrageous act, a 37-year old married man entered house of a 17-year old girl when she was alone and raped her with life threat. The pervert accused again went to the girl’s house next day and raped her by threatening her of dire consequences if she protested and opened her mouth. The accused rapist has been booked and reportedly arrested.

A resident of Vaishali Nagar Slums, the accused has been identified as Sanjay Shyamrao Sayam (37). According to a complainant relative of the rape survivor, the 17-year old daughter was alone in the house in Beltarodi area on Monday, May 14. Around 1.30 pm, the accused Sanjay Sayam entered her house and raped her with life threat. Moreover, the accused again went to the minor girl’s house next day, May 15, and raped her. The accused threatened the victimised girl of dire consequences if she opened her mouth. However, the girl narrated the nasty incident to her relatives who in turn registered a case with Beltarodi police.

Beltarodi police constable Gautam Borkar, based on the complaint, booked the accused Sanjay Sayam under Sections 376(2)(J)(N), 452, 506 of the IPC and placed him under arrest.

Married man rapes minor girl twice in her house with life threat in Beltarodi

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: At a time when Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) undertakes cleanliness awareness drives and gives lessons to citizens to keep premises clean for curbing mosquitoes, the terrace of Health Department building has been found to be breeding ground for mosquitoes. The huge quantity of scrap material dumped at terrace of building housing Health and Education Department accumulates rain water and provides a perfect ground for mosquito breeding.

The Malaria Fileria Department of NMC’s Health Department on Wednesday, May 16 had taken out a ‘Prabhat Feri’ (rally) to mark the National Dengue Day in Gandhibagh Zone. During the rally, the department released Guppy fishes at unused wells, houses, tanks, earthen pots, fountains, big nullahs, five open plots, and other places with the intention of curbing mosquito menace. Guppy fish feasts on mosquito larvae and thus prevent mosquitoes causing dengue, malaria, and other diseases. The NMC team also pasted and distributed pamphlets, stickers, posters to make citizens aware about cleanliness and curbing mosquito-borne diseases.

However, a huge quantity of scarp material dumped in the premises of NMC headquarters seems to be not drawing attention of babus. The scrap material dumped at terrace of Health and Education Department building and at entrance gate of new administrative building could be a perfect ground for mosquito breeding.

Wake up, babus!

NMC’s Health Deptt building a perfect ground for mosquito breeding!

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur/New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices on a Special Leave Petition filed by Citizen Forum for Equality, Nagpur, an NGO, through its President Madhukar Kukde against the order passed by the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court on September 7, 2016, in the PIL No: 47/2013, seeking cancellation of lease of plot allotted to the Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha situated at Shankarnagar in city by the Nagpur Improvement Trust after being satisfied with it because of the illegal continuance of lease in its favour.

A bench of Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice R Bahnumathi accepted the explanation offered by the petitioner for delay in challenging the same and the delay in filing the SLP was condoned. The apex court issued notices to State of Maharashtra, through, Secretary Urban Development Department, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Director Town Planning, Pune, Deputy Director Town Planning, Nagpur, Sushil Kumar Shinde, ex-Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Municipal Commissioner, Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Chairman, Nagpur Improvement Trust, Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha, Girish Gandhi, Vice President of Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha, M/s Prajakta Developer, Nagpur, SMG Hospitals Pvt. Ltd., Nagpur, M/s Wockhardt Hospitals Pvt.,Ltd., Mumbai and the Director, Central Bureau of Investigation, New Delhi.

The petitioner contended that the High Court has erroneously refused cancellation of lease by ignoring the large scale illegalities by which the Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha has virtually handed over the plot admeasuring 1.14 acres, worth crores of rupees, to SMG Hospital under a revenue sharing agreement with Wockhardt Hospitals which is illegally running the hospital on the plot without the permission of NIT though the same is to be used for promoting Hindi language as per the condition of allotment.

The petitioner Madhukar Kukde further said that the High Court has ignored that this transaction is against public interest as Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha is getting only Rs 7,01,064 per annum whereas crores of rupees are being pocketed by SMG Hospital and Wockhardt Hospital since last ten years.

It is further contended that the High Court has condoned the illegal user change from Public Utility to commercial at the instance of the lessee i.e. Rashtrabhasha Sabha by the ex Chief Minister bypassing the objections of NIT & Town Planning Authority and instead of cancelling the lease of Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha has only directed that occupation charges be reassessed, enquiries be held against all those who have illegally conducted themselves and at the time of renewal of the lease expiring on 31.3.2021, the NIT should consider whether it is in public interest to renew the lease.

According to the petitioner such directions are vague and do not serve public interest since the conclusion of enquiries is not time bound whereas the renewal of the lease is to be done within a fixed period and in all likelihood the renewal in the absence of any material would be granted as the enquires have not even commenced till today.

The petitioner has alleged that the Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha has long abandoned the object of promotion of Hindi language and because of the continuance of lease in its favour, it has now just remained a front for SMG Hospital and Wockhardt Hospitals who are profiting illegally.

The petitioner has brought to the notice of the Supreme Court the subsequent events in pursuance of the direction for reassessment of the occupation charges passed by the High Court, by which the NIT has demanded Rs.1,63,75,63,688 but in the appeal preferred by Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha, the amount is reduced to Rs.8,07,33,661 by the Minster of State for Urban Development, Dr Ranjit Patil by giving direct monetary benefit to allottee.

The petitioner has preferred a Writ Petition in the High Court to challenge the order of the Minister. The Nagpur Improvement Trust which curiously does not feel aggrieved by the “huge loss of revenue” as it has not challenged the same and it is prayed that judicial notice be taken of this aspect of the matter.

The petitioner further alleged that in the peculiar situation the Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha is receiving Rs.7,01,064/-per annum from SMG Hospital which has deposited an amount of Rs 7 crore in NIT. It shows illegal proxy holding of the plot by SMG and Wockhardt Hospitals.

The petitioner prayed the Supreme Court for cancellation of lease of the plot and vesting of the Hospital in the Nagpur Improvement Trust or State of Maharashtra at the earliest. The petitioner has also prayed that if it is held that starting and running of the hospital is done unauthorisedly then in that event appropriate directions be issued to SMG Hospital and Wockhardt Hospital to refund the net income and for ascertaining the same has sought addition of Commissioner of Income Tax, Nagpur to the petition and directions to submit a report to the Court.

Adv. Sudheer Voditel and Adv. Tushar Mandlekar appeared for the petitioner whereas Senior Counsel K Vishwanathan, represented the Caveator-Wockhardt Hospitals who accepted notice. The next hearing will be held on July 4, 2018.

Rashtrabhasha case: SC issues notice to CM, top babus over plea seeking cancellation of lease of plot

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: The countdown for South-West monsoon 2018 has finally begun. This year, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that monsoon is most likely to set in Vidarbha by June 8. In normal, circumstances it reaches the region in second week of June. IMD has forecast that monsoon will touch Kerala on May 29, with an error margin of +/-4 days while Skymet Weather has forecast the onset date to be May 28 with an error margin of +/-2 days.

“Monsoon advances over Vidarbha normally around June 10-15, however, this year its onset is likely on June 6-8,” said Avinash Tathe, Director, Regional Meteorological Centre, Nagpur. Meanwhile, Vidarbha and some parts of Madhya Pradesh to face severe heat wave condition in next 48 hours. There is no relief from scorching heat in next week also, Tathe told ‘The Hitavada’. Before the onset of monsoon, temperature in some parts of Vidarbha including Nagpur, Chandrapur, Wardha, Bramhapuri, Akola and Amravati may be between 45 and 47 degree Celsius while temperature in other parts of Vidarbha will be around 45 degree Celsius, Tathe added.

On Friday, Chandrapur recorded the highest maximum temperature in the country with 47.4 degree Celsius while Damoh in Madhya Pradesh was 46.0 which was the second highest in the country. On Friday, Nagpurians braved the scoarch of 45.5 degree Celsius. Brahmapuri (45.6) and Khajuraho of Madhya Pradesh also recorded maximum temperature on the higher sides. According to IMD, the South-West monsoon advances over the Andaman Sea normally around May 20 with a standard deviation of about one week. Conditions are likely to become favorable for the advancement of South-West monsoon into some parts of Andaman Sea and South-East Bay of Bengal around May 23 this year.

Although the normal date of monsoon is June 1 but there have been early as well as delayed onset. However, the arrival of South-West monsoon has been never before May 10. To be precise, there has been a huge variation in the onset dates. In last 47 years, since 1971, there have been only three occasions — 1980, 2000 and 2013 — when monsoon hit the region on June 1. According to IMD, their operational forecasts of the date of onset of monsoon during the 13 years that is 2005-2017 were proved to be correct except in 2015.

Expect Monsoon to reach Vidarbha by June 8

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: There may be a lot of hype being built around Multi-modal International Hub Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) – a so called futuristic development zone in Nagpur, but the reality is certainly otherwise. Despite the renewed vigour at political ends to take the activities in Mihan on fast track, it fails to acquire the desire speed. Instead its still crawling at snail’s pace.

Official data shows that during the last 4 years there were about 2500 job creations whereas there were only 10000 jobs created ever since Mihan came into being.

Barring Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), not other big company has evinced interest in starting their operations here. At present 102 companies have started functioning in Mihan and Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

Well informed sources said that the economic slowdown emerged as the big reason behind the investors’ unwillingness to put their money in Mihan. Most of the companies are reportedly yet to emerge from the setback it suffered during the economic crisis that hit the nation recently. Moreover, there are many big companies who had bought big chunk of land but yet to start operations. Followed by the government’s order, notices were also issued to such companies but the situation failed to improve. There is 10,000 acres of land in MIHAN, of which, 1300 hectare land falls in SEZ. Out of this 1300 hectare, 1000 acre of land is still vacant in SEZ.

The MIHAN authorities though tried various measures to attract investors as well as local and small industries to set up their establishments but all the efforts also seem to have returned little.

MIHAN SEZ fails to generate desired jobs, still crawls

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: The heatwave conditions continue to grip most of the central parts of the country on the last day as well. Temperatures in most parts of Vidarbha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and parts of Gujarat are settling well above the 45-degree mark.

The reason for the rising mercury levels over all these aforesaid regions can be associated with the hot northwesterly winds that are blowing over Central India from the hot regions of Sindh and Balochistan in Pakistan. Additionally, the hotter desert region of Rajasthan is also influencing the rise in the maximums.

On Friday, Chandrapur recorded the maximum temperatures at a sizzling 47.4ºC, Damoh 46ºC, Bramhapuri 45.6ºC, Khajuraho 45.6ºC, Bundi 45.6ºC, Nagpur 45.5ºC, Chittorgarh 45.2ºC, and Kandla recorded the daytime high at 45ºC.

In addition to this, heatwave like conditions also prevailed in Akola with maximum temperature at 44.6ºC, Tikamgarh 44.2ºC, Sheopur 44.4ºC, and Yeotmal recorded the daytime high at 44.5ºC.

No relief is expected from the heatwave conditions over all these regions. In fact, the temperatures may witness a further rise.

Temperatures to rise further in Vidarbha, MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat; heatwave to prevail

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Representational Pic

Nagpur/New Delhi: Northeast Frontier Railway has started operating one lease Parcel Cargo Express Train (PCET) on a fortnightly basis, connecting the Northeastern part of the country with the West Coast.

The Parcel Cargo Express Train will connect New Guwahati in Assam and Kalyan in Maharashtra with stoppages at New Jalpaiguri, Kalumna Goods Shed.

The parcel train service would enable farmers to market their products like tea, betal nuts, pineapple, jute, horticulture products, cane furniture etc at the retail markets in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Nagpur, Pune etc, thereby promoting industries in the North East and providing sustainable job opportunity to the local youth, an official release stated.

The Parcel Cargo Express Train, which can carry consignment equivalent to 52 truckloads, will not involve any additional strain on the resources of the Railways.

On the contrary, these leased PCETs will generate substantial revenue to Indian Railways in their contractual periods of six years each. The unit transportation cost through PCET will be relatively less than the cost of road transportation. So, the transporters as well as ultimate consumers will be benefited on account of less transportation cost.

This will also ensure less carbon emission, which will contribute for Green India and saving of foreign exchange in terms of fuel import cost.

Several other zonal railways have also taken initiatives to lease out Parcel Cargo Express Train (PCETs) on round trip basis.

Parcel cargo express train now connects North East and West Coast

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Speaking right after Yeddyurappa, Karnataka CM of two days, Rahul Gandhi began his ‘victory’ speech by asking a question.

“Did you notice how the Speaker, Yeddyurappa and all BJP MLAs walked out of the Vidhan Bhawan before the national anthem could be played? This is their culture! This is the scant respect they show to any Democratic Institution of the country, be it the position of Governor, Parliament, Judiciary or even the Press.”

Many political observors and opponents of BJP know that the ‘Nagpur School of politics’ (meaning RSS) has ambiguous feelings towards the Indian constitution, of which Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was the Architect. Naturally so from their point of view may be because they were in no position to influence the principles outlined in it in any way.

It is no secret at all in Nagpur that RSS was averse to flying the National Tricolor for many decades after independence. (They were openly critical of the green colour that was part of the flag.)

Their disagreement about Reservation for SC/ST are known.

If you ask them – like I did in a press conference 3 years ago – when will RSS admit women and minorities in their ranks, the prompt reply was “we do not believe in ‘Minorities'”… meaning, we are all Hindus living in India. (They did not want to commit to admitting women in RSS one way or another either!)

The ‘Natak’ in Karnataka as many journalists had dubbed the last week’s drama, is but a symptom of the clash between two ideologies prevalent in the political mainstream of India.

On the one hand we have the ‘right wing’ Bharatiya Janata Party’ spawned by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and only reluctantly joined by some regional parties like Shiv Sena, and on the other we have the Congress and any number of ‘Leftist’ , ‘Secular’ and other parties that do not believe in the ‘Hindutva’ ideology. Not overtly at least.

Now that BJP is in absolute power at the Center and in maximum states of India – by hook or crook – it was a given that they would try and foist their way of thinking on the nation.

So, the party that came to power on the agenda of ‘Development’ soon began resorting to decisions like ‘Ban on beef’ going to the extent of ‘Death to beef eaters’ in the states where they ruled. Like Rajasthan.

(It is another story that on paper, Cow slaughter is banned in India but given that selling off old bulls and cows is the financial need of the poor farmers and beef is the protein of choice for many poorer sections of society, many of them from minority communities, it was never adhered to. Point to note is that they have not been able to ban beef in many BJP ruled states like Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya either.)

They also began a strident brand of nationalism where people, even physically challenged people, who could not stand up for the national anthem in Cinema halls could ‘legally’ be beaten up and thrown out of theaters.

Saying ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ was de rigour and Sanskrit was to be made ‘compulsory’ in all schools and colleges – even IITs. We also had grand measures announced like only Veg food to be served in Govt sponsored places of learning. Courtesy former HRD Minister Smriti Irani… wonder if her Parsee family also eats only vegetarian?

We have witnessed spectacles like a ‘Yogi’ – who by definition should renounce power and worldly positions – being sworn in as C.M. of India’s largest state U.P.

It does seem that the debacle of Karnataka has shown the way to stopping the juggernaut of this right wing radicalism.

The reaction of almost all non BJP parties of India to today’s happening – including Shiv Sena and PDP – does show that political sentiment has again begun swinging the ‘liberal’ way.

Congress and JD (Secular) combining in a post poll alliance in Karnataka could show the compass by which 2019 elections could be fought all over the country.

When BJP senior leader Atal Bihari Vajapayee could become PM of just 13 days in 1996, the party had realized that they were ‘pariahs’ in the eyes of other political parties due to their RSS background.

Vajapayee and Advani had worked hard in forming the NDA, National Democratic Alliance, since then, finding common cause with many fragmented regional parties.

But if you look at examples of Goa, Meghalaya, Manipur and Bihar in the last couple of years the only ideology that has propped the local governments there is greed for power on the side of BJP – which clearly believes in power at any cost which is depicted in their arrogant slogans like ‘Congress Mukta Bharat’ – aided and abetted by a wishy washy, weak ‘high command’ of Congress. Which could not muster support despite being the party that had maximum number of MLAs.

Well, this time around Sonia Gandhi stole the thunder from them by immediately announcing support to JD(S) and inviting them to take the ‘C.M.’s seat’. Which they did with alacrity; their leader justifying it by saying “it was a chance to wash the blot from his father’s, Deve Gowda’s illustrious political career – when they had misguidedly joined hands wit BJP for a short time .”

The Congress will have to capitalize on their new found strength and aggression if they want to survive and regain at least some lost ground.

Hope Rahul Gandhi, who came across as very vocal and aggressive today at least, will maintain this tempo?

—Sunita Mudaliar (Executive Editor)

Do politicians from the ‘Nagpur School’ RSS have any respect for any Institution including the National Anthem? Asks Rahul Gandhi

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Atleast two of the 8 college students met tragic end at city’s famous aqua park Krazy Castle on Sunday afternoon, when they accidentally slipped into deep waters in park’s pool area. The condition of one more student is said to be critical. Five of them were saved when the alerted lifeguards jumped into the waters. The incident, which happened on Sunday between 1 pm to 1.30 pm, has left the other visitors, who had gathered there in large numbers on account of Sunday, in deep shock and despair.

The deceased have beem identified as Akshay Bind, 19, resident of Mahal, and Sagar Sahasrabudhhe, 21, resident of Mecosabagh. Another student Snehal Morghade, Jaripatka, has been admitted to Wockhardt hospital, where her condition is said to be critical. However, latest reports suggest her condition was improving.

As per the information,  the incident happened when eight youths who came for picnic went into depth of an artificial wave pool.  The people succeeded in saving six of them. Unfortunately, Akshay and Sagar were declared dead by the doctors in the hospital.

After receiving the information of the incident, relatives and friends of the dead reached Wockhardt in large numbers.

According to an eyewitness, the  administration of the Krazy Castle is responsible for this incident. The relatives of the deceased filed a complaint against the Aqua park and demanded strict action.

Two students meet watery grave at Krazy Castle, one critical

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: In view of the tragic death of two youngsters after mishap in the Waves pool, the Crazy Castle management has decided to keep the Water park closed for some days till exact cause of mishap is ascertained and precautions are put in place

Meanwhile it is learnt through hospital sources that cause of one death could be due to Sun stroke. The temperature had crossed 47* today and long exposure to the sun while in water could also cause stroke.

” One of the boys looked ill and restless so our life guards helped him out of the water. On his family’s request we helped them take him to hospital in an auto” said a Haldiram Manager.

Krazy Castle will remain closed for 3- 4 days announces Haldiram management

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Petrol price on Monday touched a record high of Rs 84.33 per litre and diesel climbed to its highest ever level of Rs 71.08 in Nagpur as the oil PSUs passed on four weeks of relentless rise in international oil prices to consumers. With this latest increase, petrol has touched an all time-high, breaching the previous high.

Meanwhile, rates vary from state to state depending on the incidence of local sales tax or VAT.

According to today’s price notification, petrol is costliest in Mumbai where high local taxes has led a price of Rs 84.40 per litre. Petrol has breached Rs 80 mark in Bhopal (Rs 82.17 a litre), Patna (Rs 82.05), Hyderabad (Rs 81.11) and Srinagar (Rs 80.99).

Following the price hike, petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday said hinted towards cutting excise duty. “The Centre is sensitive towards the rising fuel prices. Various alternatives are being explored. I hope something will work out soon,” Pradhan told reporters yesterday.

Earlier also Pradhan had raised concern over the issue during a telephonic interaction with Saudi Arabias Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Falih. “Minister Pradhan expressed his concern about rising (oil) prices and its negative impact on consumers and the Indian economy,” an official statement said on Friday.

According to the statement, Minister Al-Falih also assured Pradhan that supporting global economic growth is one of the Saudi Arabia’s key goals.

He reiterated his commitment towards stable supplies and that “the Kingdom together with other producers will ensure availability of adequate supplies to offset any potential shortfalls and ensure that prices remain reasonable.”

Petrol Price at All-Time High Across States; Minister Hints at Cutting Excise Duty

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur:
It appears the worst ever fear of human kind is getting closer to reality. Well, we are talking about depleting water resources and severe water crisis, especially in remote belts of India. However taking step towards tiding the situation to some extent, a unique effort has been made to make avail potable water to the people living the Bhandewadi dumping yard, might come true soon.

Representative pic

Guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has said that a potable water ATM will be set-up in the area. The plant would come-up at Bidgaon, which is barely a kilometer away from dumping site of city’s municipal solid waste.
Bawankule added that he plans to use funds procured from corporate social responsibility of some private companies. “I have approached some and the final order should get passed in the coming ten days,” he said.
According to the minister, the plant will cost around Rs 12 lakh and will be based on ultra-filtration technology. Similar to Reverse Osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration is a process which separates suspended solids, solutes and bacteria and viruses to produce water with high purity.

Once the plant is set-up, Bawankule plans to hand it over to women self-help groups. “Drinking water will be sold at a nominal price of Rs 5 for 20 litres. We want to ensure that clean drinking water reaches to every stratum,” the minister added.

In the last one year, Bawankule has dedicated such water filter ATMS at many villages in the region.

Now ATM for potable water in Bhandewadi area

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur:
A sub-adult tigress was found dead in Kolitmara area in Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday.
“Prima facie it appears that the female was killed by an adult tiger. There are deep wound marks on the neck, snout forelimb, and shallow injury marks were found on lateral/front body area,” said Pench field director Ravikiran Govekar.

Representative pic

Govekar said presence of an adult has also been found nearby. “All body parts of the feline are intact,” he added.
Incidentally, assistant inspector general (AIG) of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Vaibhav Mathur, who was on tour of Pench, also visited the spot at around 6pm. A post-mortem will be conducted by wildlife vets on Monday.
With the latest casualty, 12 tigers have died in Maharashtra this year. The last tiger death was reported on April 9, in Dhakna forest range of Melghat Tiger Reserve.
While in Pench, this is the third tiger. Earlier, in March a four-month-old cub was found dead and prior to that a tigress said to be from MP Pench side was found dead in Maharashtra side of Pench.

Tigress found dead in Pench’s Kolitmara forests

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: As the metro rail project is being carried out on fast track in Nagpur, the builders lobby floating the project around the metro corridor has demanded more flexibility to streamline their projects. The concerned city builders have express their dissatisfaction towards the amended transit oriented development (TOD) policy of state urban development ministry (UD) for Nagpur Metro Rail corridor and have sought further relaxation.
The Nagpur unit of Credai has submitted a memorandum to UD in this regard. The ministry had earlier amended the TOD policy on request of builders.

TOD policy is vital for the success of Nagpur Metro. If more people live along Metro corridor, the ridership of the mass transit system will be higher. In addition, MahaMetro will earn 50% premium on extra floor to space index (FSI).
Earlier, UD had permitted open balconies in marginal spaces on request of builders. The balconies will be allowed in buildings leaving minimum three metres distance from the plot boundaries.

Anil Nair, city president of Credai, said that at present extra FSI was not permissible on plots on roads having width less than 9 metre. “We want the government to sanction a FSI of 1.5 on narrow roads and on plots of any size. Many roads in the Metro Rail corridor area are narrow and residents should not be deprived of benefit of the policy,” he added.

As per the present policy lift wells with machine rooms, refuge areas, voids, service floor, entrance lobbies and lobbies of the building in will not be counted in FSI. The builders want that all passages on all floors should also be free of FSI.

“The TOD policy only mentions the side margins. There is no mention of the front margin. We have, therefore, suggested that the front margin should be fixed on the basis of road width and building height. It should be 6 metres for road width of 9 metres and building height of 24 metres, 9 metres for road width of 12 metres and building height of up to 50 metres, 12 metre margin for road width of 18 metre and building height of between 50 metre and 70 metre and 12 metre for road width of 18 metre and building height of above 70 metre respectively,” said Nair.
“In cases when ever relaxation in height is required, it can be given by paying relaxation charges as precedence. The height of the building should be fully regulated by front road of higher width in case of double frontage or corner plots,” he added.

Nair further said that if 3 metres strip was left for public parking or pedestrian pathway requirement of visitor parking should be down away with.

Builders seek flexible norms for projects around Nagpur Metro rail

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: A 29 year old man died while his wife and brother sustained injuries in a brutal mob attack in Ramsumerbaba Nagar of Shanti Nagar locality here on Sunday night. The mob comprised around 24 people who furiously went loose on the deceased and his family members, resulting into the death of the man.

The deceased has been identifed as Nikhil Digambar Meshram, 29, resident of plot no. 106, Ramsumerbaba Nagar. His wife Priyanka Meshram (26) and brother Vicky alias Kiran Meshram (25) were injured in the attack. Police have arrested 3-4 people till now.

It is said learnt the Nikhil’s brother had an affair with a girl whose family had strong objection on their relationship. Sources said this enmity as the prime reason behind the attack.

On May 19 both the families exchanged heated argument following which the police had to be called. although it didn’t end there as on May 20 around 10:30 pm 24 people from Solanki family (girl’s family) entered the Nikhil’s house with sharp weapons and chili powder.

They started thrashing Nikhil, Kiran, and Priyanka Meshram, in which Nikhil and Kiran suffered head injury in which Nikhil succumbed to the attack. Kiran has been taken to the hospital where his treatment is going on in Mayo Hospital.

On the basis of deceased’s wife Priyanka, Shanti Nagar police has registered an offence under Section 143, 144, 147, 148, 149, 302, 307, 324 of the IPC along with 4/24 arms attack, 135 MCOCA. Further investigations are underway.

Youth brutally murdered in Shanti Nagar over brother’s love affair

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur/Chandrapur: Mercury soared to 48 degree Celsius at Chandrapur in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra on Monday.

The Brahmapuri forests, along the Chandrapur-Gadchiroli boundary, recorded 47 degree Celsius during the day.

According to data available from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the entire Vidarbha region is sizzling.

Nagpur and neighbouring Wardha recorded 46 degree Celsius each, while Akola, Yavatmal and Amravati touched 45 degree Celsius. In Mumbai, the maximum temperature hovered between 34 and 35 degree Celsius.

Parbhani district in Marathwada region registered 45 degree Celsius while Aurangabad, Nanded and Osmanabad recorded 42 degree Celsius.

As per Skymet Weather, the temperatures in most parts of Maharashtra are high due to the prevalence of dry and hot northwesterly winds blowing over the state from the hotter regions of Sindh and Balochistan.

However, Skymet Weather now anticipates a brief relief from hot weather conditions in Vidarbha as they expect isolated rain and thundershowers to occur over the eastern parts of Vidarbha.

The districts most likely to see thunderstorm over the next 24-48 hours include Gondia, Chandrapur, Bramhapuri and Nagpur.

Low pressure
A low-pressure area has formed over the south-west Arabian Sea with an upper air cyclonic circulation extending up to 3.6 km above mean sea level. It is very likely to concentrate into a depression during the next 48 hours which is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and move west-north-westwards towards south Oman-north Yemen in the subsequent 72 hours.

The IMD has warned fishermen along the Maharashtra-Goa coast.

Chandrapur sizzles at 48 degree Celsius

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Representational Pic

Nagpur: Atleast four people were arrested when Crime Branch sleuths raided a betting den at a farmhouse at Warad Shivraya under Kanhan police jurisdiction. The arrested men were caught betting on an IPL match played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders.

The arrested men have been identified as Shailesh Govind Kevadkar, Pragesh Subhash Meshram, Subhash Kewadkar and Raja Bokade. Rs 2500 cash and booty worth Rs 1.50 lakh were recovered from the spot.

The case has been registered at khanan police station and further probe is underway in the guidance of Police Inspector Kale.

IPL Betting : Farm house raided at Kanhan, 4 arrested

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: In the wake of increasing incidents of violent clashes between doctors and kin of patients, the resident doctors here have demanded adequate security to protect them from any possible attack in the future. Though security arrangements have been made, doctors think it was not appropriate to take on any emergent situation.

Setting an alert in the aftermath of the recent attack at Mumbai’s JJ Hospital where the relatives of patients thrashed up medicos, Dr. Lajpat Agarwal, General Secretary of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur wrote a letter to GMC Dean, apprising him of the security system at GMC Nagpur. He has also pointed out increase in violence against doctors citing the recent case at JJ Hospital, Mumbai.

Dr Agrawal, in his letter, said that despite multiple security meetings held at GMC, residents are agitated and feeling unsafe at the institution as there is no proper pass system which can check the entries of the family members and relatives of the patients. As a result the area around Operation Theatres along with wards get overcrowded, he pointed out. It was promised to increase security personnel in the premises by 128 but only 62 guards are currently appointed by the authorities, and in 1 year period 3 incidences of verbal and physical abuse had occurred, said Agrawal.

He has demanded to meet the demands within 24 hours.

Nagpur resident doctors demand extra security at GMCH