Latest news with #Bawankule
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra to cancel 42,000 fake birth certificates issued to Bangladeshi nationals by Aug 15
The state government will cancel over 42,000 fake birth certificates issued to Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in Maharashtra by August 15, state revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Bawankule said the figure could rise as verification continues. 'By August 15, fake birth certificates given to Bangladeshis staying illegally in the state will be cancelled,' he said, adding that the revenue and health departments have been directed to coordinate on the matter. The minister also held a video conference with the state Chief Secretary to review the progress of the exercise. The issue gained attention earlier this year after BJP leader Kirit Somaiya alleged that 3,997 birth certificates had been fraudulently issued to Bangladeshi nationals using forged documents. Following the allegation, two officials posted in Malegaon were suspended. In March, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam told the Maharashtra Assembly that the government had ramped up its crackdown on illegal immigrants over the past four years. 109 Bangladeshis were deported in 2021,77 in 2022,127 in 2023 and in 2024, 716 arrests and 202 deportations have been recorded so far. Until March 2024, action had been taken against 600 more Bangladeshi nationals found living illegally in Maharashtra.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP Kicks Off Vidarbha-Level Poll Preparations
1 2 Wardha: The BJP launched preparations for the upcoming local body polls in Vidarbha with a strategy meeting in Wardha on Monday. District-level representatives were asked to hit the ground running, as elections for municipal corporations and zilla parishads are expected to be held back-to-back. The meeting, attended by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis , revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, minister of state Pankaj Bhoyar, and other senior leaders, focused on organisational unity and the need to begin groundwork early. Fadnavis told party workers that the BJP must ensure the inclusion of first-time voters, those who turned 18 after the 2024 assembly polls, in the electoral rolls. He also urged party cadres to iron out differences and work in unity to secure the party's victory in the upcoming elections. "These polls will happen almost one after the other. We don't yet know which one will come first, but going by the 2017 format, it seems the municipal corporation elections will precede zilla parishads. Processes like delimitation are underway. Minor differences must be set aside. BJP is like a family. People want to vote for us, so let us prepare for it together," he said, noting that several parties declined due to internal conflicts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Affiliate Marketing Can Boost Your Income TheDaddest Undo Bawankule asked party members to start working at the booth level. "We need to get 10 to 20 more votes from each booth. During Lok Sabha 2024, we lost some crucial seats like Amravati by an average of 10 votes per booth," said Bawankule, adding that the saffron party must aim to secure 51% of votes in every seat. Setting the tone for the campaign, Fadnavis highlighted development initiatives undertaken by the government. He said the long-pending river linking project would be a game-changer for Vidarbha. "When I used to speak about this earlier, people would say it is only on paper. But planning has advanced significantly. I am hopeful that by year-end, tenders will be floated. This project will solve Vidarbha's drought problems," he said. Highlighting rural infrastructure projects, Fadnavis said the government will build pandhan roads across the state in the next five years. "The biggest demand from rural areas is for these roads. A committee under minister Bawankule has been set up to take the matter forward," he added. On farmers' needs, the CM stated that uninterrupted daytime power supply would be ensured through the Krishi Saur Yojna. The scheme is targeted for completion by December 2026. "Earlier, about 40,000 electric pumps were installed. After Bawankule took charge, that number rose to one lakh, and now we are fitting up to three lakh solar pumps," he said. Fadnavis also defended the Jan Suraksha Bill. "Urban Naxal activities increased because they realised jungles were no longer safe due to development. The new law targets only those who oppose the Constitution framed by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. It does not infringe on anyone's freedom," he said. On the language row, Fadnavis accused the opposition of spreading a "fake narrative." "Marathi is mandatory in Maharashtra. The issue was only about which other Indian language would be the third option. Still, the opposition tried to create division," he said.
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Over 42,000 fake birth certificates of illegal Bangladeshis cancelled in Maharashtra till now, but many more exist'
Over 42,000 'fake' birth certificates to Bangladeshis staying illegally in Maharashtra have so far been cancelled by the Maharashtra government. In a special drive, the State government will cancel all the 'fake' certificates issued to illegal Bangladeshis till August 15, Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on Wednesday. He said that the number of such birth certificates to be cancelled in the coming drive is likely to be much higher than the number of certificates cancelled so far. 'By 15 August, all the fake birth certificates will be cancelled,' he said. 'Many illegal Bangladeshis have so far taken birth certificates in Maharashtra. But now, we have formed a task force to look into it. The Collectors have been given the responsibility at the district level to cancel all the fake certificates. These certificates will be collected till August 15. We have informed them that they should send a copy of these cancelled certificate to the Health Department as well as to the Revenue Department,' Mr Bawankule said. He has already spoken with the Chief Secretary of the State over the issue. The State government has started working on it as a part of the task force. As per the data provided by BSF, Maharashtra has so far handed over 110 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The State government has also set up a Special Investigation Team to probe into the issuance of birth and death certificates after a BJP leader had claimed a large-scale scam of fake birth certificates to illegal Bangladeshis. Kirit Somaiya had alleged that many illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingyas were staying in parts of Maharashtra by using fake documents.
India Today
8 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Encroachers on state-owned land to get ownership rights in Maharashtra
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday announced that the state government will grant ownership rights to individuals who have encroached on state-owned land prior to 2011. The move is expected to benefit nearly 30 lakh households across the state.'This policy covers encroachments on state-owned land such as collector land, grazing land, and zilla parishad land,' said Bawankule. 'Encroachments up to 500 square feet will be regularised free of cost. Larger plots will need to be purchased at the current ready reckoner rate.'advertisementThe cut-off date for eligibility under the scheme is January 1, 2011, in line with an earlier protection granted in 2018. Beneficiaries will also be eligible for housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), ensuring they are not rendered SAND (M-SAND) POLICY The minister also announced that the Maharashtra Government has finalised the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Artificial Sand (M-Sand) Policy. The policy aims to put a complete stop to sand mining from the state's rivers by promoting the use of manufactured the new framework, details of suitable public and private lands for M-Sand units will be made available on the 'Mahakhanij' portal for auction. Registered undertakings will be required to set up these units. The government plans to conduct awareness campaigns, including workshops, camps, and webinars, at the district level to ensure widespread SCHEME FOR SINDHI REFUGEESIn a significant relief for displaced families, the state has approved a special amnesty scheme to regularise land leases in 30 notified areas where Sindhi refugees were settled post-Partition, excluding estimated 5 lakh people are expected to benefit from this move. Under the scheme:A 5 per cent premium on the 1989 Ready Reckoner Rate will be charged for residential properties up to 1,500 sq properties will be charged a 10 per cent exceeding 1,500 sq ft will attract double the applicable decision provides long-awaited legal ownership to families that migrated from West Pakistan during the communal unrest following India's independence. CRACKDOWN ON FAKE BIRTH CERTIFICATESBawankule further revealed that the state government is taking steps to address the issue of illegal birth certificates held by Bangladeshi nationals residing in Maharashtra. A task force will verify and cancel such of now, around 45,000 fake birth certificates have been identified. This number may rise in the coming days. The verification and cancellation process will be completed by August 15, under the supervision of District Collectors.- Ends
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Maharashtra finalises SOP for M-Sand Policy, ‘Aims to stop river sand mining completely,' says minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule
The Maharashtra Government on Tuesday finalised the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for implementing the Artificial Sand (M-Sand) Policy aimed at completely stopping sand mining from rivers in the state. As per the Government Resolution issued by the Revenue Department, information on suitable land for M-Sand units on public and private properties will be compiled and made available on the 'Mahakhanij' for auction. A registered undertaking will be required for setting up M-Sand units. According to Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, with the SOP now in place, there will be no obstacles in implementing the policy. Providing an alternative to sand is essential to safeguarding the environment. Therefore, efforts are underway to stop sand mining from rivers completely in the future,' Bawankule said on Wednesday. Ensuring sand availability for construction and simultaneously curbing illegal sand transportation are critical for environmental protection, Bawankule said. The GR stated that the auction process would be conducted for land parcels up to five acres. However, individuals or entities found guilty of illegal mining or transportation will be barred from participating in the auction. Proposals must include a 'Consent to Establish' certificate from the Pollution Control Board, a No Objection Certificate from the planning authority, an Industry Base Registration Certificate, and necessary permissions under the Maharashtra Minor Mineral Extraction Rules, 2013. The SOP provides guidelines for local authorities on implementing the policy that is meant to encourage the use of M-Sand as an alternative to natural sand to maintain the environmental balance of rivers. M-Sand is manufactured by crushing hard stone rocks into sand-sized particles. As per the SOP, existing quarry leaseholders can also apply through the 'Mahakhanij' system for M-Sand production. Upon government approval, the old quarry lease will be cancelled, and a new M-Sand quarry lease will be executed, said the resolution. M-Sand unit holders must apply separately for concessions from the Industry Department. The first 50 projects in each district will be eligible for concessions from the Revenue and Industry Departments. A secondary transport permit will be mandatory for the sale and transportation of M-Sand, the GR stated. Unit holders must establish the unit within six months and obtain a 'Consent to Operate' from the Pollution Control Board before starting production. The Deputy Collector will serve as the nodal officer for the implementation of this policy.
