Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Concerned over the staring water crisis in view of uneven rainfall this year, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has taken a stern stand to curb wastage of water. Acting tough on the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Bawankule sent out a warning to the officials that strict action will be taken against the those civic officials failing to curb wastage of drinking water. He stressed the dire need to bring down to less than 15 percent.

The available water stock in three dams under Pench Project is 286.668 MM3 that is just 22.48 per cent of the designed capacity of the reservoirs. Of it for municipal corporations, 155 MM3 is reserved and water supply is also provided to Kalmeshwar, Parseoni, Ramtek and Nagardhan. This year however there would be substantial cuts in water supply and hence there is need to cut down on use.

Bawankule presided over a meet on water sharing in which he asked the Revenue Department to take pro active steps in counselling Sub Divisional Officers on avoiding wastage of water.

Mayor Nanda Jichkar, President of ZillaParishad, Nisha Sawarkar, legislators Sudhakar Deshmukh, Prof Jogendra Kawade, Mallikarjun Reddy, Dr Milind Mane and Girish Vyas, ex-legislator Ashish Jaiswal, Collector Ashwin Mudgal, Jayant Gawli, SE, Command Area Development (CAD), SG Dhawle, Exe.Engineer, Jitendra Turkhede, EE, CEOs, and others were present for the meeting.

Bawankule acts tough on officials ignoring water wastage

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Mankapur indoor sports stadium has been decked up for the upcoming mega event of Indian Road Congress (IRC) being organised under the leadership of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari.

Gadkari formally visited the stadium on Sunday and reviewed the arrangements being made there. Maharashtra is hosting the annual conference of IRC for the fourth time and Nagpur city has been given the task.

After the review Gadkari expressed satisfaction over the stadium’s upgradation work drew praise from Gadkari who lauded the team work of officials. He went through entire campus of Mankapur sports stadium spread over 66 acres seated in e-rickshaw.

IRC’s 79th conference is slated for November 22 to 25 and thousands of delegates through out the country and a few from abroad are also attending the event. Ulhas Debadwar, Chief Engineer, PWD, who is also President of Organising Committee, Ramesh Hotwani, Secretary of Committee, Vidyadhar Deshmukh, SE, Janardan Bhuse, Exe. Eng, and others were present during the inspection visit of Gadkari on Sunday evening.

The Organising Committees have erected several domes for hosting various sub events during the four days mega event. Gadkari also gave some suggestions which were noted down by the organising team. He said the refurbishes stadium is going to come handy for various sports event and also for regular training purpose in future.

Gadkari reviews IRC preparation at Mankapur stadium on e-rickshaw

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur/NewDelhi: A CBI officer, who was probing the FIR lodged against Special Director Rakesh Asthana, Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking quashing of his transfer to Nagpur in Maharashtra. Manish Kumar Sinha, an IPS officer who was part of the investigation team probing Asthana’s role in an alleged corruption case, mentioned his plea before a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi for urgent hearing tomorrow.

The bench also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph is scheduled to hear tomorrow the plea of CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma challenging the government’s decision of divesting him of duties and sending him on leave.

Sinha said that his plea be also heard along with Verma tomorrow. He has alleged that he was transferred to Nagpur and as a result has been taken out from the probe team investigating the FIR against Asthana.

Asthana has also been divested of his duties and sent on leave by the central government following his ongoing feud with the CBI Director. The CBI had booked Asthana on allegations of receiving a bribe from an accused probed by him in a case linked to meat exporter Moin Qureshi.

Manish Sinha , CBI officer probing FIR against Asthana moves SC

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: That young kids are being pushed into child labour is a passe! A notorious trend is alarmingly increasing in the region where children are being subjected to sexual exploitation and violence while a majority of them are even pushed into child trafficking.

Feeling the prick of the situation, two young minds – Yash Gorkhude and Barkha Patnaik stepped to lend a deep thought over it and thus formed Twinkle Foundation that works for rescuing the kids caught in any form of abuse including the trafficking.

Both Yash and Barkha then went on to form a team of young volunteers, aging between 16 yr to 22 yr who are working tirelessly to achieve the goal.

Till date Twinkle Foundation have successfully rescued 133 children from child trafficking. These children have been sent to child rehabilitation centers.

In an exclusive interaction with Nagpur Today, the duo opened up about their intent to pull the innocent lives out of the world of abuse and exploitation.

Countering any doubts on their efforts, Yash candidly quips, “People think we only distribute clothes, sweets and organized events but no! We are not made for this… we are here for the change.”

Reciprocating the equal thoughts Barkha said, “We are not scared about our lives we are concerned about children. We conduct rescue operation with the help of police and we have Sitabuldi Police Inspector Hemant Kharabe on our board of advisors, who is always ready to help us even in midnight also.”

Commenting on the sorry state of society Yash says, “Culprits are not only who sell children, but also those who seek such children. People sell them and damage their body parts and force them to beg.”

Citing a recent incident the duo revealed that a couple lives in ‘Patrakar Sahnivas’ had brought 13 year old girl as a maid and when they rescue that girl then they got to know that she was sold at Rs 20,000 and she was raped number of times by the owner. Many times she was molested and repeatedly made victim of domestic violence. She herself wanted to get out of that circle and as luck had it she met Barkha who took her to Police Inspector Hemant Kharabe.

When asked how should one know that any child is being taken for trafficking, Barkha told NT, “We have good observation skills.” Adding to Barkha’s point Yash said, “We are improving the same skills in our volunteers also.”
In the month of January ‘Twinkle Foundation’ is coming with 15 days event for childs and giving ‘Pankh’ award for inspirational stories.

Check out the video for details…

By Farhan Kazi

Video : Nagpur’s young minds continue fight against child trafficking

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

A delegation of Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry & Trade – CAMIT led by Dipen Agrawal consisting of Nikunj Turakhia , Saurabh Shah ,Mitesh Prajapati, Hemant Bhuta from Steel Chamber of India – SCI , Rajeev Khandelwal and Ajit Jain from Darukhana iron & steel merchants association- DISMA met CIDCO Chairman Prashant Thakur regarding kalamboli Market issues. Officer from Estate department were also present.

Dipen Agrawal said CIDCO is India’s Premiere Town Planning Agency . When it says, ‘We make Cities’, CIDCO does not solely attribute this claim on the creation of eminent housing infrastructure – rather various urban development projects, some of which are very unique, fully justify CIDCO’s legendary vision in city planning and development.
City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd., is a company wholly owned by the Govt. Of Maharashtra and was incorporated on 17th March 1970, with the specific aim of Mumbai city and at the same time creating a new planned, self-sufficient and sustainable city on the mainland across Thane creek adjoining Mumbai. What began as a mission to Mumbai ended up in the creation of one of the largest planned city known today and elevated CIDCO into the position of India’s premier town planning agency because of which now every city in state wishes that Cidco takes up a new city project in their city .
He further apprised the chairman about exorbitant Additional Lease Premium and transfer charges being charged at kalamboli market area . He emphasised on the need to grant amnesty scheme at kalamboli area wherein additional lease premium , interest & penalty should be waived and plot owners should be granted a window to settle non practical claims & ensure smooth functioning at market place .
Nikunj Turakhia said ALP should not be applicable since KWC is for warehousing of Iron & steel. Rajeev Khandelwal took up the issue of market committee abolishment and there should be only one nodal agency. Shri Thakur assured the delegation that he will discuss with concerned officials of Departments and has fixed next meeting on 27th November along with market committee and Panvel municipal corporation to take the decision and resolve the issues. Meeting was very positive.
Vote of thanks was proposed by Rajeev Khandelwal.

CAMIT members meet CIDCO chief, share their market woes

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

The winter session of Maharashtra Legislature began today on a stormy note today as the members of the opposition protested on the steps of Vidhan Bhavan. They were raising issues such as farm loan waiver, free electricity to the drought-affected farmers and reservation. They also created a ruckus at the beginning of the proceedings of the house.

Amid ruckus state finance minister Dipak Kesarkar tabled supplementary demands for the year 2018-19. Three bills were also tabled. After the appeal of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, opposition members returned to their places. Mr Fadnavis paid tributes to Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Vidhan Sabha.

In the upper house of the legislature leader of the house, Chandrakant Patil paid tributes to Vajpayee. The supplementary demands of Rs. 20,326 crore was tabled in both the houses.

Winter session of Maharashtra Legislature begins today on a stormy note

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: In an outrageous act, a bunch of goons tried to murder a youth at a Wardha-road based dhaba on Sunday night. The goons tried to hack the youth, who was known to them, with a sharp-edged weapon. The victim youth received deep injuries on his neck and head and received 16 stitches. Shockingly, no complaint of such brutal attack was registered with police probably out of fear.

According to sources, the victim has been identified as Sagar Meshram. He has been admitted in a private hospital with deep cut on his neck and stab wound on head. Following the murderous attack, Sagar Meshram and his family are under severe stress and fear. For this reason only, they have not registered a case with police against the assaulters.

The incident took place at Gurmit Dhaba situated on Wardha Road. Sources said that liquor is sold freely at this dhaba despite ban. The dhaba comes under Beltarodi Police Station jurisdiction or Hingna Police Station jurisdiction. The brutal attack on the youth has raised many questions.

Goons attack youth murderously at dhaba on Wardha Road but no case registered

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: A group of four youths on Monday pelted stones at Aapli Bus and damaged window glass on Gangabai Ghat Road.

The agitating youths raised slogans for formation of separate Vidarbha and justice to Halba community. It could not be verified the name of organisation the youths belonged.

As a result of stone pelting, the bus was halted and passengers deboarded. There is no report of injury to passengers. Cops have registered a case and investigating the matter.

4 youths pelt stones at a bus, demand separate Vidarbha, justice to Halbas

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Khandelwal is the first from city and youngest Grand Master of GLI

Nagpur: City’s Rajeev Khandelwal will be installed as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India for a 3-year term 2018-21 in a grand function to be held on November 24 and 25 at Empress Palace, Wardha Road.

Khandelwal is the first from city and Central India to occupy the highest office of Freemasonry in India and the youngest Grand Master since the consecration of the GLI. He will take over the reins from Harcharansingh Ranauta to become the 17th Grand Master.

The event, also called grand festival, is likely to be attended by 1300 Masons prominently. Currently, the membership strength of Grand Lodge of India is around 24000.

Khandelwal was unanimously elected as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of India (GLI) for 2018-2021 recently. A Chartered Accountant by profession, Khandelwal is among the 73 highly decorated prominent Freemasons to receive the highest honour — ‘Order of Service to Freemasonry’ — in the past six decades and has also served as Deputy Grand Master, GLI and Regional Grand Master of Regional Grand Lodge of Western India.

In Nagpur there are 12 local lodges under the Grand Lodge of India, with about 700 prominent masons as its members. The apex body is headed by the Grand Master.

Khandelwal joined freemasonry in August 1984 in Lodge Gondwana No. 226, Nagpur and has been a continuous member since last 34 years. He is also a member of Lodge Trimurty No. 294 and Lodge Vivekananda No. 367, both of Nagpur. All the lodges meet at the freemason’s Hall, Civil Lines, Nagpur. He became an Active Officer of the Regional Grand Lodge of Western India in 1991 and in 1996 he became a Grand Lodge Officer. In 2009 he was appointed the Regional Grand Master of Western India, having Masonic jurisdiction over Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhatisgarh. He had a very successful tenure and brought up the Region to its pristine glory.

He was adjudged one the best Regional Grand Masters of his time and for his efforts and achievements, he was awarded the highest possible award Medal in Freemasonry known as the Order of Service to Masonry. Since the inception of the Grand Lodge of India, less than 100 Masons have been awarded this medal. He got elected to the Grand Board of General purposes in 2005 and is continuously serving on the Grand Board since that year without any break.

He was appointed the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Grand Lodge three times and also member of its Constitution Committee as well as Procedure and protocol Committee. He was also awarded the Yograj Guruwara Trophy for being the Outstanding Mason of the Western Region. Now he will be installed as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India. This is a singular achievement for a citizen of Nagpur.

Among others, Khandelwal was also on the forefront to dispel the myth that Freemasonry is a secret society. Under his leadership, several mega charitable projects were undertaken by the Masonic fraternity in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Khandelwal is also associated with Lions Club and had served as Region Chairman of Lions District 323-H.

Freemasonry has been in existence in the present form for nearly 280 years in the world and for over 250 years in India. It is one of the world’s oldest secular fraternal societies. It is a world-wide organisation based on the principle of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. It is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion.It is based on three great principles of Brotherly Love.

Every Freemason shows tolerance and respect for opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures. Members are taught to practice charity, and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals. Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.

There are more than 150 Grand Lodges functioning all over the world. Khandelwal will head the GLI which was consecrated as a Sovereign Grand Lodge with full Masonic jurisdiction over the territories of Republic of India in November 1961. As of now, there are 380 Masonic Lodges and over 200 other Masonic bodies located in different parts of the country under GLI with a total membership of about 22,000 Freemasons.

Khandelwal to be installed as Grand Master of Grand Lodge of India

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Dr. Sunita Dhote has finished Hyderabad IRONMAN TRIATHALON 2018 with no IRONWOMAN in title on 11 November, 2018 which includes thrice challenge- 1.9 kms Swimming followed by 90 kms cycling and 21 kms running’, which is an ultimate test of stamina, patience, endurance, fall & recovery ….rather many more countless happenings. Till date she is only lady from Nagpur to complete this toughest halfironman.

She is professor with Shri Ramdeobaba College of Engineering and Management, Department of Management Technology.

She gives credit of her success to Principal Dr. Rajesh Pande, HOD Dr. Chandan Vichoray, her colleagues, her sports and fitness gurus Dr.Amit Samarath, Dr. Nina Shahu & Dr. Shoeb, her running buddies, her brother Ganesh Kshirsagar and Rajendra Jaiswal Sir for all support, Miles N Milers, Orange City Runners, her husband Nitin Dhote and two sons Rajas (16years) and Tejas (19 years) for continuous support and encouragement. She extends her gratitude to each and everyone who always encourages sports as a part of cheerful life.

Dr Sunita Dhote finishes IRONMAN TRIATHALON 2018 in Hyderabad

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Transportation of goods by Railways is considered cheaper, easy and safe compared to that by roadways. But this medium of transportation is also used for smuggling, thanks to the nexus between lease holders and contractors and security agencies. This can be witnessed at Nagpur Railway Station, where smuggling of banned goods and articles is going on openly through parcel and luggage services. It is very difficult to believe that the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and other security agencies have no knowledge about these illegal activities.

Khur parcels from Kolkata
Sources said that smuggling of goat legs (commonly known as khur) is done at large scale at Nagpur station. Nagpur has a huge population of non-vegetarians, who relish on khur. But the local supply of khur is less than the demand and therefore it is smuggled from Kolkata to the Nagpur market. However, khur parcels are illegally brought in Railways in the name of fish or meat.

Illegal transport of banned items
As per Railway rules, stinking material cannot be booked as parcel. Animal skins and khur are particularly banned from being transported through Railways. These items can be booked for parcel only when they are completely dried and odorless. But, due to negligence by officials, these items are packed with salt to reduce its odor and then parceled through Railways. Apart from this, dried veins of cow are also smuggled out from Nagpur in large quantity.

The non-action of RPF
The Nagpur RPF had made headlines when it had seized foreign-made liquor worth Rs 1.75 crores from GT Express and Tamil Nadu Express on 30 September 2016. Though the seized material was billed and its taxes were paid, the lease holder from Delhi was transporting it without informing it to the Parcel department and the RPF. Following action by RPF in the case, the license of the lease holder was cancelled. The question is that when RPF can take such action against liquor transport, why they can’t action against illegal transportation of animal skins, meat and khur?

Smuggling of cigarettes
Sources said that smuggling of cigarettes is also being done in huge quantity. Transportation of cigarettes is banned in Railways. However, cigarettes are being transported in the boxes of readymade clothes almost every day.

CIB, SIB in deep slumber
Alike Armed Forces and Police, the RPF also has intelligence and investigation agencies named as CIB and SIB, which are responsible for collecting information on illegal transportation of banned items in Railways also to seize such material by raiding the consignments. But no such action was ever taken at Nagpur Railway Station. This has obviously encouraged the lease holders to continue their illegal transportation.

Railways being used to smuggle banned materials

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: To the young and healthy, donating blood is no loss at all as the human body produces the amount of donated blood within few hours. Whereas, blood often proves to be the only hope of life to the sick and ailing. One should donate blood to restore life.

Round Table India, through its Nagpur chapter – the young and active members of Nagpur Spirits Round Table 258 (NSRT 258), recently organised blood donation camp, from where Jeevan Jyoti Blood Bank collected the blood for needy patients.

Each unit of blood donated is supposed to save three lives and the satisfaction of knowing that the precious blood that they have donated may save some precious life was very evident on the faces of all the 162 donors. Pratik Kedia and Vipul Choudhary were the convener of the event while Sohail Rana proposed the vote of thanks.

The camp was organised by the NSRT 258 in the presence of Ladies Circle chairman Farheen Rana, Nagpur Ladies Circle member Vinny Goplani, AHT Sq Leg Sharad Agarwal, NSRT 258 secretary Sahil Shah, NSRT 258 vice-chairman Amit Khemka, NSRT 258 treasurer Dhiraj Agarwal, NSRT 258 HT Sameer Agarwal, NSRT 258 HT Siddharth Saraf, Pratik Kedia, Priyank Diwanka, Narayan Rath, Sanket Agrawal and Roshan Saraf.

Round Table India, following its motto of ‘Freedom through Education,’ has been striving hard over the years to provide infrastructure to schools, which cater to educational or academic needs of underprivileged children.

By farhan kazi

Nagpur Spirits Round Table holds blood donation camp

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

File Pic

nagpur: Petrol prices have come down by Rs 9.14 per litre in the last 44 days in Nagpur city. Diesel prices also dropped by Rs 5.17 per litre in the same period.

On 4 October 2018, petrol was sold at Rs 91.91 and diesel at Rs 80.71 per litre in Nagpur. On 18 November 2018, petrol was priced at Rs 82.77 while diesel cost Rs 75.54 per litre.

Now what prompted the fall in petrol and diesel prices? Experts in petroleum sector say that prices of crude oil had dropped in the international market from $86 per barrel to $68 per barrel. The USA had banned eight countries, including main importers India and China, from purchasing crude oil from Iran. This had resulted in steep rise in petrol and diesel prices. Petrol prices had touched Rs 90 per litre in Nagpur.

The USA has increased its supply of crude oil in the international market and also relaxed the ban on eight countries to some extent. This is resulting in continuous fall in crude oil prices.

Fuel prices may rise again after 6 Dec

Experts in petroleum sector informed that an important meeting of OPEC – an organization of crude oil producing countries – has been scheduled on 6 December. The meeting is likely to decide on reducing production of crude oil. If this happens, then prices of crude oil will once again jump in the international market, further resulting in increased prices of petrol and diesel.

Slight gain for Rupee against USD

The slight improvement in Rupee against the US Dollar also resulted in fall of fuel prices. The Rupee has gained from 74 to 72 per USD.

Falling crude oil reduces fuel prices in Nagpur

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: A car zoomed off road while trying to save a stray dog from being hit and accidentally overturned after hitting the divider, killing the driver on the spot and injuring two others. The incident took place on Wardha road in the wee hours of Monday.

Shridatt Sajay Warade resident of 598, Zenda Chowk, Mahal died on the spot, while Kartik Sajay Warade (19), Gopi Sanjay Rajhans and Prathamesh Rebe sustained severe injuries. Both were rushed to the hospital where their condition was reportedly stable.

It is learnt that all the friends were returning from a dhaba on Wardha road in a Maruti Suzuki SX4 (MH/31/DC/6111) driven by Shridatt in the wee hours of Monday. However when they reached Shivangaon fata in under the jurisdiction of Sonegoan police station, a street dog came in the middle of a road. While trying to save that dog Shridatt lost control and rammed his car into a divider, turning the vehicle turtle.

The impact was so grievous that Shridatt died on the spot before any medical help could reach to him while his friends were rushed to nearby private hospital in critical condition.

Driver dead, 2 injured as car hits divider in a bid to save dog on Wardha road

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Panel summons hunters Nawab Shafat and his son Ajgar Ali for questioning

Nagpur: The committee formed by State Government to conduct an in-depth probe into the killing of tigress Avni will also investigate the hunter Nawab Shafat and his son Ajgar Ali. The problem tigress T1, who was believed to have turned a man-eater and killed 13 people in the last two years, was killed in Pandharkawada forest of Yavatmal district recently. The committee started its probe on Monday.

Facing the heat over killing of the big cat, the State Government had constituted a four-member committee headed by Principal Chief Conservator of Forest SH Patil and comprising Wildlife Institute of India member Habib Bilal, Wildlife Conservation Trust Chairman Anish Andheriya and Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Nitin Kakodkar.

However, on the suggestion of Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, who had lashed out at the State Government over Avni’s killing and dubbed it a “ghastly murder,” two more members were also included in the committee. Director of Bangalore-based Centre for Wildlife Studies Dr Ulhas Karanth and Dehradun-based Indian Wildlife Institute researcher Dr Parag Nigam were made members of the probe committee.

The killing of tigress Avni led to an outrage among animal lovers and wildlife organisations. Despite strong opposition, the the hunter Nawab Shafat and his son Ajgar Ali gunned down the big cat on the night of November 2. The circumstances in which the tigress was hunted down in the dead of night raised questions over the entire exercise. The committee has summoned the father-son duo for interrogation.

The Maharashtra Government had defended itself calling the incident “sad” but necessary after the tigress attacked forest staff trying to tranquilise it.

Avni killing: State-formed Committee begins probe

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: In view of Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule holding Janata Darbars in all ten zones of Nagpur Municipal Corporation from December 3, the District Collector Ashwin Mudgal has directed the babus to resolve the complaints received at Janata Darbars speedily.

Bawankule will hold Janata Darbar every week on Monday. It will start from December 3 from Mangalwari Zone and end on February 11 at Laxmi Nagar Zone. The schedule of Janata Darbar is as follows: Mangalwari Dec 3, Aashi Nagar Dec 10, Lakadganj Dec 17, Satranjipura Dec 24, Gandhibagh Jan 7, Nehru Nagar Jan 12, Dhantoli Jan 21, Hanuman Nagar Jan 28, Dharampeth Feb 4, and Laxmi Nagar Zone on February 11. The Minister will hear complaints of people for four hours between 2 pm and 6 pm at every Janata Darbar.

The District Collector Ashwin Mudgal reviewed the arrangements for Janata Darbars. Others present at the meeting include Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar, Chief Minister’s OSD Asha Pathan, Resident Deputy Collector Ravindra Khajanchi, Deputy Collector Ravindra Kumbhare, Additional Municipal Commissioner Ram Joshi, NIT’s Superintending Engineer Sunil Gujjelwar, MSEDCL’s Manish Wath, Regional Transport Officer Atul Aade and other officials. Mudgal directed the concerned officials to resolve the complaints received at Bawankule’s Janata Darbars speedily.

State Government had directed all the Guardian Ministers to organise meeting at zonal level to resolve citizens’ complaints in their areas. Complaints regarding Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Nagpur ImprovementTrust (NIT), District Collectorate, Public Works Department, Maha Metro, and all other departments would be accepted at the Janata Darbars.

Mudgal asks babus to resolve complaints received in Bawankule’s Janata Darbars speedily

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Faced with severe cash crunch, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is now toying with a new idea to boost its revenue. The civic body is planning to privatise collection of property tax from owners. The hint of this proposal was given by the Chairman of Standing Committee Virendra Kukreja while interacting with media persons the other day.

It may be recalled that the ruling party – BJP – in its 12-year rule in the NMC has already privatised water supply and garbage collection. But despite spending around Rs 6-7 crore per month on these endeavours, the systems have not been streamlined as yet. Similarly, retired officials such as Ramnath Sonavane, Rizwan Siddiqui, Shashikant Hastak and over half a dozen other officials have been assigned responsibility for implementing various projects as experts. These ‘favourite’ men are drawing hefty salaries. Sonavane is even ‘pocketing’ salary more than double the salary of Municipal Commissioner, sources said.

As of now, more than 100employees of local body are collecting property tax from the owners. The civic body is targeting to collect Rs 870 crore in the current financial year with the help of private contractors. The Property Tax Department has been asked to prepare a proposal for appointment of contractors to collect property tax. The NMC will give them incentive for collection of tax above Rs 350 crore. The Department has distributed 3 lakh demands out of the 4.07 lakh demands. The Department will distribute around 4.50 lakh demand notes by December 7 and generate accumulated 6.50 lakh demand notes by December 31.

The Property Tax Department has collected Rs 107 crore, which is Rs 21 crore more than last year’s collection of Rs 86 crore. As against this dismal and disappointing performance, the Standing Committee set a very high target of Rs 870 crore from property tax including recovery of arrears worth Rs 470 crore and Rs 400 crore from present year’s demand.”

The financial position of NMC is likely improve further as State Government has decided to enhance Goods and Service Tax (GST) grants from Rs 52.57 crore to Rs 86.50 crore. Moreover, the civic body could breathe easy after receiving the remaining special grant of Rs 175 crore from the State Government.

However, the moot point is unless the NMC explores new sources of income and stands on its own feet, the dismal situation would continue to haunt in coming days.

NMC toys with idea of giving property tax collection in private hands

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: It’s been over 12 days since the murderous assault on CP Club member and businessman Brijesh Khemka was registered, no arrest has been made in the case as yet.

The Sessions Court has on Friday, November 16, rejected the anticipatory bail plea of main accused Jaspreet Singh Tuli. The Judge D P Surana had also criticized the casual approach of police. Despite the brutal attack and serious injuries on the victim’s head and other parts of body, Sadar police had booked the accused under Sections 324, 323, 506, 34 of IPC and later added Section 326.

The Sadar Police Inspector Sunil Bonde informed Nagpur Today that no arrests have been made in the case so far as all the accused are still absconding.

As an aftermath of the outrageous incident, the 1901 restaurant in CP Club which used to be thronged in weekend, wore a deserted look with only 15 to 20 entries on Saturday.

During the pre-Diwali meet organized at CP Club on November 6, the accused Jaspreet Singh Tuli and his 4-5 accomplices smashed beer bottles and glasses on the head of the complainant Brijesh Khemka injuring him seriously when he tried to intervene to settle a dispute between two groups. The complainant sustained 30 stitches on his head, fractures on his nose and other injuries.

CP Club brawl: No arrest as yet, cops say accused absconding

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Former Prime Minister the late Indira Gandhi was paid tributes on her birth anniversary today by Nagpur Municipal Corporation. Deputy Mayor Deepraj Pardikar garlanded statue of Indira Gandhi at Shantinagar and remembered her. Others who paid tributes to the former Prime Minister include Leader of Opposition Tanaji Vanve, Prabhag Corporator Nitin Sathavane, Adv Abhijit Wanjari, Nirmaltai Borkar, Dnyaneshwar Thakre, Vinod Afrele, Rajesh Yadav, Deshmukh Guruji, and large number of residents.

Jhansi Rani Laxmibai Jayanti:

The Deputy Mayor Deepraj Pardikar also remembered Virangana Jhansi Rani Laxmibai on her birth anniversary. Pardikar garlanded the statue of Jhansi Rani Laxmibai at Jhansi Rani Square and paid his tributes. Other dignitaries who remembered the great fighter include Corporators Sunil Hiranwar, Rupa Roy, Ujwala Sharma, Divya Dhurde, former Mayor Archana Dehankar, former Corporators Varsha Thakre, Shraddha Pathak, Kavita Gotmare, Kalpana Pazare, and others.

Raje Raghujirao Bhonsale:

The Mayor Nanda Jichkar, Deputy Mayor Deepraj Pardikar, Chairman of Water Works Committee Vijay Jhalke paid tributes to Raje Raghujirao Bhonsale on his birth anniversary today by garlanding his statue at Sakkardara Square.

Present on the occasion include Shrimant Raje Raghuja Maharah Bhonsale, Shrimant Raje Mudhoji Maharaj Bhonsale, Yuvraj Jaisinghraje Bhonsale, Sakkardara Traders Association President Satish Chaudhary and large number of citizens.

NMC pays tributes to Indira Gandhi on birth anniversary

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur/Mumbai: In the Rashtriya Pradnyashodh exam (state level) conducted by Maharashtra State Council of Examination on November 12, 2016, 92 students from Maharashtra were selected for scholarships. The students include 71 boys and 21 girls.

A total of meritorious 389 students in accordance with the quota of Maharashtra for Rashtriya Pradnyashodh exam appeared for national level exam conducted by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on May 13, 2018.

The 92 students selected for scholarships include 39 students of State Government course, 39 of CBSE course, 10 students of ICSE course while the remaining 4 students are of other courses.

There are 1000 sets of scholarships at national level out of which 92 sets were bagged by students from Maharashtra, the Commissioner of Maharashtra State Council of Examination Tukaram Supe said.

92 students from State selected for scholarships