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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mahayuti reverses pre-election hike in crop loss compensation to farmers
MUMBAI: The Mahayuti government, which had hiked the compensation for crop losses before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, cancelled this on Friday and restored a 2023 order which will leave farmers with reduced compensation. With this, the government will save the money it would have had to shell out to farmers for the damages they suffered on account of heavy rains in the past few days. Following the rains, the administration began a survey of the damage to crops and on Friday, a government resolution (GR) was issued. 'The state cabinet has decided to give compensation to farmers as per the criteria decided by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDRF). So from Kharif 2025, the compensation criteria would be followed as per the order dated March 27, 2023 and the order issued in this regard on January 1, 2024 has been cancelled,' states the GR. Compensation for farmers is calculated on the basis of crop loss. A particular amount is decided for per-hectare loss based on the type of farming, besides which a limit is put on compensation. The limit, which was two hectares or five acres in the March 2023 order, was hiked to three hectares (or 7.5 acres) by the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government in January 2024. Through the GR issued on Friday, the limit was reversed to two hectares. The GR also reduced the compensation on different types of farmland: non-irrigated, irrigated and horticulture. The January 2024 GR had hiked the compensation rate for non-irrigated crops from ₹8,500 per hectare to ₹13,600. For crops on irrigated land, it was increased from ₹17,000 per hectare to ₹27,000. For cash crops and fruits, it was hiked to ₹22,500 to ₹36,000 per hectare. All this stands to be reversed now. The losses to farmers are significant. For example, a farmer owning non-irrigated land would have got up to ₹40,800 in compensation for crop loss on three hectares. Now he will get a maximum of ₹17,000. After the unseasonal rains in 2023, the then Mahayuti government under chief minister Eknath Shinde, with an eye on the forthcoming Lok Sabha and assembly polls that year, had issued the increased compensation order on January 1, 2024. Farmer leader and former MP Raju Shetti said that the Mahayuti government had betrayed farmers by cancelling the additional compensation after winning the elections and getting the farmers' votes. 'The Mahayuti government came to power by offering various sops to different sectors,' he said. 'But after winning the elections, it has betrayed all those who voted for it on the strength of sops like Ladki Bahin. This cancellation of additional aid given to farmers in 2024 is another example. This government is a cheat.' As per the economic survey of Maharashtra, the average agricultural land holding in Maharashtra is 1.34 hectare (3.35 acres) but in areas like Vidarbha (where farmers are already under stress) it is above five acres.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Factional Feud Erupts In Shinde Shiv Sena In Akola
1 2 3 Akola: A major rift has surfaced within the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena with two district chiefs openly rebelling against party leader and former MLC Gopikishan Bajoriya. The tension stems from the recent appointment of four district chiefs in Akola — a first for the party in the district — with the inclusion of two allegedly controversial names triggering dissent. Appointment of Narayanrao Gawhankar and Chandrashekhar Pandey (Guruji) as new district heads sparked outrage among incumbent Shrirang Pinjarkar and Ashwin Navale. On Friday, both leaders held a protest meeting wherein they blamed Bajoriya of weakening the party by getting Gawhankar and Pandey appointed as district heads by 'misleading the party high command'. The leaders also accused Bajoriya of corruption, land grab, and even siding with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi during the legislative council elections. The protesters claimed Bajoriya had helped Congress MLA Sajid Khan Pathan secure support, thereby harming BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance's prospects. Following the meeting, angry Shiv Sena workers from the rebel faction burned Bajoriya's posters and effigies at two separate locations. Chants of 'Remove Bajoriya, Save Shiv Sena' filled the air as party symbols were desecrated with footwear — a sign of extreme protest in local political culture. In response, Bajoriya hit back and dismissed the accusations. "The move to appoint four district heads is aimed at expanding the party's base in Akola. Those making allegations are simply frustrated non-performers," he said. The infighting within Shiv Sena's Akola unit could pose a serious challenge for Shinde-led faction, especially ahead of upcoming elections. Such divisions may not only impact local organizational strength but also dent the image of the ruling alliance in the region, say political observers. The leadership will now be under pressure to manage the crisis and prevent further escalation. Whether the Shiv Sena (Shinde) can hold its ground and emerge united will be closely watched across Maharashtra.
India Gazette
18-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Shinde-led Shiv Sena holds Tiranga rally in Mumbai to honour Indian armed forces
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 18 (ANI): Shiv Sena leaders from the Eknath Shinde-led faction, along with citizens, took out a spirited Tiranga rally in Mumbai on Sunday to express unwavering support to the Indian armed forces following the success of Operation Sindoor. The rally, witnessed the participation of party workers, ministers, and residents of the city, and was marked by chants of patriotism and waving of the national flag. Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Ramdas Kadam, who was present at the event, underlined the significance of collective support for India's defence forces. 'Today, Shiv Sena has organised this Tiranga rally, but not just Shiv Sena leaders, but common people are also with us to support our brave armed forces,' Kadam told reporters. On Thursday, Maharashtra Minister and state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule led the 'Tiranga Yatra' organised in Nagpur, following the success of Operation Sindoor. Chandrashekhar Bawankule, while briefing the media informed that over 1500 'Tiranga Rallies' will be organised in Maharashtra from May 16 to 20. He highlighted that apart from the 'Tiranga' rally, 'Sindoor' rallies will also be organised and members from all the NDA parties will participate in it. 'Over 1500 Tiranga rallies are being organised in Maharashtra between today and May 20. Yesterday, CM Devendra Fadnavis conducted a Tiranga rally in Mumbai. People from all NDA parties are taking part in these rallies. There will also be 'Sindoor' rallies. The public is with our Armed Forces and the nation', Chandrashekhar Bawankule told reporters. BJP's 'Tiranga Yatra', which began on Tuesday, will continue till May 23. On Wednesday, the BJP organised the 'Tiranga Yatra' in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Odisha. Earlier, the BJP workers organised a 'Tiranga Yatra' in Srinagar on Thursday in honour of the Indian Armed Forces following the success of Operation Sindoor. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai airport replaces Turkey's Celebi with Indian firm
Mumbai: The Adani Group-led Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) has appointed Kolkata-based firm Indo Thai Airport Services to provide ground-handling services to airlines on a temporary basis after terminating its agreement with Turkish firm Celebi NAS Airport Services. Indo Thai, which operates at nine other Indian airports, will be the interim ground handling service provider at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) for the next three months until a long-term partner is finalised, according to an MIAL spokesperson. The development comes a day after the Ministry of Civil Aviation revoked the security clearance of Celebi NAS with immediate effect, citing national security concerns. This was after Turkey's diplomatic alignment with Pakistan during the recent conflict with India following Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. After Celebi's contract was terminated, MIAL held a meeting with all affected airlines before deciding to appoint Indo Thai Airport Services, an Indian firm, temporarily until it finalises a new, long-term ground-handling partner. MIAL will initiate a Request for Proposal to onboard a long-term partner in the next three days, according to the spokesperson. All existing Celebi NAS employees at the Mumbai airport will also be transferred to Indo Thai Airport Services on their existing terms and conditions of employment, thereby ensuring no loss of employment and continued service delivery to airline partners, the spokesperson said. 'All ground-handling equipment currently owned by Celebi NAS will be leased by Indo Thai Airport Services, in order to maintain continuity of service,' the spokesperson said. 'MIAL has also assured all its airline partners that ground-handling operations will remain unaffected, and operations at CSMIA will continue seamlessly.' Political credit Following the development, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena rushed to claim credit for terminating Celebi's contract and ensuring that 4,500 Indian employees of the Turkish firm did not lose their jobs. Addressing a press conference on Friday, Shiv Sena leader and state industries minister Uday Samant said, 'We held detailed discussions with the airport authority to ensure the continued employment of 4,500 Indian workers. Thanks to this initiative, their jobs are now secure.' Samant also threatened to launch protests if other Turkish companies operating in Maharashtra do not pack up and leave. 'Any foreign company that supports anti-India sentiments has no place in Maharashtra and must leave the country immediately,' he said. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena's ally in the Mahayuti government, the Bharatiya Janata Party, held a protest at a Turkish eatery at Fort on Friday.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MahaMetro to build Disaster Mgmt Institute worth Rs187.7 crore in Nagpur
Nagpur: Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. ( MahaMetro ), Nagpur, has been officially appointed as the project implementation agency for the upcoming State Institute of Disaster Management (SIDM), to be built in Nagpur at a cost of Rs187.73 crore. The state govt recently cleared the proposal, giving MahaMetro the task of planning, executing, and overseeing the construction of the new facility, which is designed to be Maharashtra's central hub for disaster preparedness and response, as stated in a GR released in the last week of institute will be established on a 10-acre plot within the Maharashtra Airport Development Company's jurisdiction in Mihan. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Did Pak shoot down Indian jets? What MEA said India foils Pakistan's attack on Jammu airport: What we know so far MahaMetro will prepare a detailed project report (DPR), including the layout, estimated costs, and timelines. The agency is entitled to receive up to 5% of the project cost as implementation reported on April 9 about the project inception in Nagpur. The SIDM will mirror the structure of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) in Delhi and will serve as the state's primary institution for research, training, and coordination in disaster risk reduction, mitigation, and management. It will provide technical and logistical support to authorities dealing with natural and human-induced disasters across the the SIDM was first approved in principle in December 2023 by the previous Eknath Shinde-led cabinet, it remained a non-starter until revived by the current administration. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who originally floated the idea while serving as deputy CM, fast-tracked the proposal after taking charge of the funding for the project will be drawn from the state's disaster prevention budget, earmarked for the establishment and furnishing of the SIDM. The institute will be regulated by the state's disaster management authority and overseen by a governing council led by the chief move comes on the heels of the recent operationalisation of a high-tech State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) in Mumbai, highlighting the state govt's push to modernise its disaster response framework. Officials said the SIDM will complement the SEOC by providing long-term training, planning, and knowledge MahaMetro now officially on board, the project is expected to move forward rapidly, with DPR submission due in the coming months.
