Latest news with #MahabaleshwarMahotsav
NDTV
06-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Eknath Shinde-Ajit Pawar 'Rift' Widens As Deputy Chief Ministers Skip Events
Mumbai: The ongoing rift between the two Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra seems to have widened with both Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar skipping events organised by each other's parties or departments. Ajit Pawar was not present at the Mahabaleshwar Mahotsav, organised by the Tourism Department which is held by Shiv Sena's Shambhuraje Desai, even though Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was present. Minister of State for the department and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Indranil Naik was also absent. Another event where the cold war came to the fore was 'Gauravshali Maharashtra', organised by the NCP to felicitate all previous chief ministers of Maharashtra. While Sharad Pawar stayed away from the event and Uddhav Thackeray did not attend as he was travelling, Mr Shinde did not attend either. Sharad Pawar had already said there was no question of him going to the event. But Mr Shinde staying away from the event made it clear that the two Deputy CMs were not seeing eye to eye. Mr Shinde had been Maharashtra's Chief Minister between 2022 and 2024, but after the 2024 state Assembly elections, Devendra Fadnavis returned to the top state post. Further adding fuel to the fire was an outburst by Sanjay Shirsat, who is the Minister for Social Justice from Shiv Sena. Mr Shirsat hit out at Ajit Pawar for diverting Rs 413 crore from his department without any prior consultation or approval. He said he will raise the issue with Mr Shinde and Mr Fadnavis, alleging that the finance department, helmed by Ajit Pawar is weakening the department responsible for the welfare of backward classes in the state. "If the government doesn't need the social justice department, it should shut it down. But don't cripple the funds meant for the socially backward classes," a visibly upset Mr Shirsat told reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar while addressing the issue. Ministers from the Shinde group have been at loggerheads with Ajit Pawar with the latter wielding considerable power over them through the all-important finance ministry. A comment made in a lighter vein has also led to speculation over the rift widening. "For several years, I have been feeling that I should also be chief minister, but that has not happened yet," Ajit Pawar said. Responding to this, Saamana, the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s mouthpiece took a dig at the NCP chief saying the partners in the Mahayuti alliance are involved in proxy war and all the top leaders want to become the chief minister. Mr Shinde is believed to upset with Ajit Pawar and had reportedly taken up the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah as well during his visit to Maharashtra last month. He reportedly complained about Ajit Pawar to Mr Shah for not clearing Shiv Sena's ministers' and MLAs' development funds. Ajit Pawar had downplayed reports about the issue and said, "I do not think that Eknath Shinde would complain against me to Amit Shah. I am sure if he has any issue, he will raise it with me. We regularly meet in cabinet and have other key meetings. If there are any issues, they can be resolved through the dialogue." The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi says government work is suffering and there is no coordination between ministers and departments.
India Today
29-04-2025
- India Today
Maharashtra to form 'Paryatan Mitra' for safety of tourists, pilot from May 1
In a bid to enhance tourist safety and revive confidence in domestic travel, the Maharashtra Government has announced the formation of the Maharashtra Tourism Security Force (MTSF), also referred to as Tourism Mitra, under its recently unveiled Tourism Policy initiative was formalised through a government circular dated April 17, 2025, issued by the state's Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department. The new force is envisioned as a specialised unit that will not only ensure security for tourists but also disseminate information about Maharashtra's cultural heritage and major tourist creation of the force is part of the state's broader tourism roadmap, which aims to attract private investment worth Rs 1 lakh crore and create an estimated 18 lakh direct and indirect jobs by capitalising on Maharashtra's natural and cultural assets. As a pilot, the force will be deployed in Satara district during the upcoming Mahabaleshwar Mahotsav, which is scheduled from May 1 to May 4, 2025. Twenty-five trained personnel will be stationed under the supervision of the Satara District Police Superintendent, in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Security Corporation. The force will remain operational in the region from April 25 to August to the directive, vehicles and logistical support will be made available, and senior officers will be assigned to oversee operations. Funding responsibilities will be shared between the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, the Maharashtra State Security Corporation, and the Satara Police Superintendent, with the Tourism Development Corporation set to receive reimbursements for incurred government has decided to form Maharashtra Tourism Security Force. The decision has been taken in view of increasing opportunities in the tourism sector, diversity with regards to geography and culture in the state and to give a secured tourist experience," news agency PTI quoted Maharashtra Tourism Minister Shamburaj Desai as saying."They will also be posted for the security of the tourists. This will increase employment opportunities in the state. They will take training to give information as well as protection to the tourists," Desai added.A statewide rollout of the Maharashtra Tourism Security Force is expected soon, pending further government orders issued under the directive of the Governor.
