Latest news with #Harshal
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
None from govt paid visit to grieving family of contractor who committed suicide, says NCP(SP) leader Jayant Patil
Kolhapur: After visiting the family of contractor Harshal Patil, who committed suicide a week ago at Tandulwadi village in Sangli district, senior NCP(SP) leader Jayant Patil said no govt representative or official has visited the grieving family yet. Patil (35), was a civil engineer and a contractor, who used to get work from registered contractors to carry out Jal Jeevan Mission's water supply projects. Both his relatives as well as the contractors' association have claimed that he committed suicide as the govt failed to clear bills worth Rs 1.40 crore. He also had a personal debt of Rs65 lakh. The association claimed that the govt has pending bills of Rs 89,000 crore for works of various govt departments. The state govt has denied any role in Patil's suicide, stating that he was not a registered contractor and therefore had no dues pending for works, he did. "Harshal was a promising young man from a farming family. He placed his trust in the govt and the contractors above him, but the government failed to clear his pending bills, which led him into a financial crisis. Ultimately, out of desperation, he took his own life," said Jayant Patil, who visited the family of Harshal Patil on Monday night accompanied by Shashikant Shinde, the recently appointed new state chief of NCP(SP). Patil claimed that the government has withheld payments worth Rs 89,000 crore to 5 lakh contractors. "Before the elections, the government made false promises and inaugurated projects, but now it lacks the funds to pay. This is affecting every section of society in the state. I repeatedly advised contractors not to take up work based on trust in this government and to do as much work as the government pays for and not undertake projects in advance relying on the government's promises," said Patil. He expressed concern that just as the series of farmer suicides has not stopped, a similar situation should not arise for contractors. "A week has passed since Harshal's death, and no one from the government has visited his family. Forget providing assistance, not a single government official has inquired about the family's well-being. Instead, the government is shirking responsibility by claiming Harshal was not a direct government contractor. If the government had paid the original contractors' bills, this tragedy with Harshal could have been avoided," added Patil.
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pahalgam victims' kin thank Army for eliminating three terrorists
Thane/Navi Mumbai: Families of tourists from Dombivli and Navi Mumbai who were killed or injured in the Pahalgam, J&K, massacre of April 22, thanked the Indian Army for eliminating three terrorists, including Suleiman Shah, who is believed to have led the attack, in Srinagar on Monday. Six tourists from Maharashtra were shot dead and six others injured when a group of assailants escaped after having shot dead 26 tourists in Baisaran meadow. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor to destroy terror bases in Pakistan. Kamothe resident Subodh Patil (52), who survived after a bullet grazed his neck, said, "I saw Monday's news on television. It is indeed satisfactory and worth appreciating that the govt did not rest after Operation Sindoor, and ensured that the mastermind is eliminated." You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Atul Mone, Sanjay Lele and Hemant Joshi, three cousins from Dombivli, near Mumbai, lost their lives that fateful day. Hemant and Atul were cousins of Sanjay's wife, Kavita, and lived within a kilometre of each other in Dombivli East. On Monday, Sanjay Lele's son Harshal congratulated the Indian Army. "It was my father's birthday on Sunday, July 27, and by coincidence, on Monday, July 28, the Army eliminated the mastermind. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Shop Sale Libas Undo This is a true tribute to my father. I used to buy a cake on his birthday every year, but this year, Baba was not there." Harshal was happy that the Army was not resting on its laurels. "It often happens that after a few days of a furore, everything calms down. But the Army has continued its operation. I hope it will kill all the terrorists involved." He added, "I feel that the Indo-Pak cricket and hockey matches should not be held either. Earlier, I believed that sports should not be mixed with politics. But unless we completely boycott them, there will be no reformation," he said. Pune-based Nitin Desale, son of New Panvel resident Dilip Desale (64), who was killed, did not respond to calls and text messages for comment on Monday. After Operation Sindoor Nitin had said, "It feels good... This revenge shows that the govt cares about the lives of ordinary citizens. I have complete faith in our defence forces and govt." The Pahalgam terror strike that shook the safety perception of the nation had destroyed the lives of newly married couples, fledgling households, and families who were simply visiting the 'Paradise on Earth' to enjoy their summer break.
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pahalgam terror victims' kin thank Army for eliminating mastermind
Thane/Navi Mumbai: Families of tourists from Dombivli and Navi Mumbai who were killed or injured in the Pahalgam, J&K, massacre of April 22, thanked the Indian Army for eliminating three terrorists, including the mastermind of the massacre, Suleiman Shah, in Srinagar on Monday. Six tourists from Maharashtra were shot dead and six others injured when a group of assailants escaped after having shot dead 26 tourists in Baisaran meadow. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor to destroy terror bases in Pakistan. Kamothe resident Subodh Patil (52), who survived after a bullet grazed his neck, said, "I saw Monday's news on television. It is indeed satisfactory and worth appreciating that the govt did not rest after Operation Sindoor, and ensured that the mastermind is eliminated." You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Atul Mone, Sanjay Lele and Hemant Joshi, three cousins from Dombivli, near Mumbai, lost their lives that fateful day. Hemant and Atul were cousins of Sanjay's wife, Kavita, and lived within a kilometre of each other in Dombivli East. On Monday, Sanjay Lele's son Harshal congratulated the Indian Army. "It was my father's birthday on Sunday, July 27, and by coincidence, on Monday, July 28, the Army eliminated the mastermind. This is a true tribute to my father. I used to buy a cake on his birthday every year, but this year, Baba was not there." Harshal was happy that the Army was not resting on its laurels. "It often happens that after a few days of a furore, everything calms down. But the Army has continued its operation. I hope it will kill all the terrorists involved." He added, "I feel that the Indo-Pak cricket and hockey matches should not be held either. Earlier, I believed that sports should not be mixed with politics. But unless we completely boycott them, there will be no reformation," he said. Pune-based Nitin Desale, son of New Panvel resident Dilip Desale (64), who was killed, did not respond to calls and text messages for comment on Monday. After Operation Sindoor Nitin had said, "It feels good... This revenge shows that the govt cares about the lives of ordinary citizens. I have complete faith in our defence forces and govt." The Pahalgam terror strike that shook the safety perception of the nation had destroyed the lives of newly married couples, fledgling households, and families who were simply visiting the 'Paradise on Earth' to enjoy their summer break.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt denies responsibility in paying Sangli contractor found dead as opposition questions pending payments
Kolhapur: Even as the opposition targeted state govt over the death of a 35-year-old contractor from Sangli, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and minister for rural water supply Gulabrao Patil on Thursday said govt did not give any contract to him and, thus, was not entitled to pay him. Harshal Patil was found dead hanging from a tree on his farm in Sangli on Wednesday, prompting his family to allege that he was under stress as the payment for work done under the govt's Jal Jeevan Mission was pending. The family claimed a payment of Rs 1.4 crore was due and Harshal also had a loan of Rs 65 lakh. When asked about Harshal's death, Ajit Pawar said in Mumbai, "Govt did not award a contract to Harshal Patil. Govt awarded the work to a contractor, who had a subcontract with Harshal. So, we do not have a direct connection with this. Govt makes payments after the main contractor sends his bills. We do not pay the subcontractor. We are not aware of what happened between the main contractor and the subcontractor." Pawar also said the Jal Jeevan Mission is a central scheme with a 50-50 share of the Union and state govts. It involves laying pipelines and building tanks to ensure every household gets a piped water supply. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Rochdale: If You Were Born Between 1940-1975 You Could Be Eligible For This Life Cover Reassured Undo Pawar said bills are paid as per the rules after checking the quality of work done. "It is unfortunate that a person ended his life. Police are investigating the reason for his death. His (Harshal) phone is being checked to see whom he spoke with before his death. Police are also checking if he left behind a note," the deputy CM added. Minister Gulabrao Patil also said he was told by the Sangli ZP that Harshal was not "associated with any work and, therefore, has no dues with the department." Harshal's relatives and neighbours from Tandulwadi village in Sangli said the minister's statements were like rubbing salt on their wounds. "Two years ago, we did not have water in our taps. Even the children in our village know who did the water supply work. It is because of Harshal that we have water in our taps. The statement by minister Gulabrao Patil that 'Harshal Patil was not a contractor and govt does not have dues' has hurt us," said a neighbour from Tandulwadi. The opposition parties are, however, questioning govt over payments to contractors. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, in a post on X, said, "Many Harshal Patils are dying by suicide daily in Maharashtra. The govt is committing these murders." Speaking to reporters in Pune, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar claimed contractors have not received payment for the work done with the help of subcontractors for the past year. "Govt kept bills pending. How can one expect the subcontractors to be paid? We want justice for Harshal Patil. It is not a case of suicide but murder by the corrupt system," Rohit Pawar said, adding govt should share details of payments made to contractors till now and the dues.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sangli contractor found dead; kin say he was under financial stress due to unpaid govt bills & debts
Kolhapur: A 35-year-old govt contractor from Tandulwadi village in Sangli's Islampur taluka was found dead on his farm on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Harshal Patil, who worked on pipe-laying and tank-contruction projects of the Jal Jeevan Mission (a rural water supply scheme). Harshal's cousin Akshay told the police that the contractor was under immense financial strain because of bills of Rs 1.4 crore pending clearance with govt, and debt of Rs 65 lakh with banks and private lenders. Many contractors across the state are awaiting govt bill payments. On July 4, the contractors held a statewide strike demanding immediate clearance of dues. Since Jan 2025, contractors have also held at least five protests in different districts. Milind Bhosale, the state president of the contractors' association, said he has written at least 25 letters to govt to hold a meeting over Rs 90,000 crore dues. "Across the state, govt's Jal Jeevan Mission department alone has pending bills of Rs 12,000 crore. The public works department also has Rs 46,000 crore dues. In March, we met PWD minister Shivendraraje Bhosale. There are pending bills of Rs 8,500 crore with the rural department and Rs 20,000 crore with the water resources department. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like $30K Goes a Long Way in This Clementi Condo squarerooms Read More Undo We met Girish Mahajan, who assured us of a meeting with CM Devendra Fadnavis during the assembly session, but the session has ended, and there is no word from govt's side yet," he said. Sangli ZP chief executive officer Trupti Dhodmise told TOI: "The deceased contractor was not registered with us. Some big contractor may have leased out works to him, which we need to find out." On Tuesday, at 7pm, Harshal Patil left home. When he did not return even late in the night, his relatives went looking for him in Satara and Pune. They also registered a missing complaint at the Kurlap police station on Tuesday night. However, on Wednesday afternoon, Harshal's family members found him dead on the farm. Assistant inspector Vikram Patil said, "We have not found any suicide note. We are, however, getting the statements of the deceased man's relatives. We have registered the death as a suicide." Akshay said Harshal did not want his father, who is a farmer, to know about his financial troubles. "Harshal was of a quiet nature. He used to tell such things to our common friends," said another relative. Harshal is survived by his wife, parents, two younger brothers and a four-year-old daughter. His family was financially dependent on him. Jayant Patil, senior NCP (SP) politician and local MLA, said, "Fed up with the govt's false promises of employment, the children of ordinary farmers had turned to contracting. Govt has dashed the dreams of these youths who were striving to build their world through hard work. State govt is distributing contracts to win elections despite having no funds in the treasury. Today, contractors across the state are forced to beg and protest at the govt's doorstep to recover their pending dues. This is not the situation of just one department, but of all departments. Contractor don't just support their households; many workers' families also depend on them, but govt seems to have no regard for this. Just as we see farmer suicides, I fear a wave of contractor suicides may begin."
