Latest news with #MaharashtraSadan
United News of India
31-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Ahilyadevi Holkar Jayanti celebrated in national capital
New Delhi, May 31 (UNI) The Maharashtra Sadan in the national capital observed Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar's 300th birth anniversary on Saturday, with officials paying floral tributes at her statue. In a programme organised in the auditorium of the old Maharashtra Sadan, located at Copernicus Marg, Resident Commissioner and Secretary R. Vimala offered flowers at the statue of Ahilyabai Holkar. On this occasion, Assistant Resident Commissioner Dr. Rajesh Adapwar, Smita Shelar were present and also offered flowers. A similar programme was organised at the new Maharashtra Sadan, located at Kasturba Gandhi Marg, where former state minister Mahadev Jankar offered flowers at a statue and image of Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar. On this occasion, Jankar highlighted the unparalleled work of Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar. Resident Commissioner and Secretary R Vimala, Assistant Resident Commissioner, Dr. Rajesh Adpawar, Smita Shelar, along with the officers and employees of Maharashtra Sadan were present, and also paid floral tributes at the statue. Ahilyabai Holkar was the Rajamata and later the ruling queen of Indore within the Maratha Empire. She is renowned for her good governance, social welfare, and humanitarian work, as well as her contributions to religious, educational, and cultural advancement. UNI VKB RN
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Fadnavis backed my cabinet induction in last Dec, says Bhujbal
1 2 3 4 Nagpur: Newly-inducted Maharashtra food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Friday said that CM Devendra Fadnavis made serious efforts to include him in the Mahayuti govt during its first cabinet expansion last December. "Fadnavis was very keen on my induction in the first expansion. Not just him, PM Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah also tried for the same. But the party decided otherwise then," Bhujbal told reporters during his first visit to Nagpur since taking oath on May 21. The 77-year-old NCP veteran, who represents Yeola in Nashik district, was sworn in during the second expansion of Fadnavis ministry. His return to the cabinet triggered political speculation about internal rifts amid reports of opposition within his own party. Clarifying his stand, Bhujbal said, "Those targeting me should understand I am not a BJP minister. I belong to Ajit Pawar's NCP. It is our party that decides who becomes a minister. The CM only issues administrative directions." Responding to corruption allegations that resurfaced after his induction, Bhujbal pointed out that the court has already exonerated him. "The verdict came during Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) govt's tenure. An 80-page order cleared me and others. The case is shut," he said referring to Delhi's Maharashtra Sadan case. He added, "The five-star Maharashtra Sadan building is complete, but the govt hasn't paid a single rupee. We also upgraded Mumbai's RTO and built official quarters, yet no payments were made. That's why the court acquitted us." Bhujbal remained firm on his stand against inclusion of Marathas under OBC category when asked about Maratha activist Manoj Jarange's call for a fresh agitation in August. "We are also ready," he said. Addressing concerns over possible discontent among NCP ranks, especially Beed MLA Dhananjay Munde, Bhujbal said, "If someone has to resign after becoming a minister, disappointment is natural. It's human nature." Declining to comment on the guardian minister post for Nashik, Bhujbal said he would not be drawn into the discussion. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chhagan Bhujbal, OBC stalwart who kept himself relevant amid changes in Maharashtra politics
Veteran Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal, a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics, has weathered many storms but managed to stay relevant and take his place as the oldest minister in the State Cabinet. A prominent Other Backward Classes (OBC) leader, Mr. Bhujbal has had an eventful political career spanning several decades and has kept himself afloat amid changes in Maharashtra politics over the last few years. Born on October 15, 1947, in Nashik, Mr. Bhujbal's political career began with the Shiv Sena in the 1980s, winning the Mazgaon assembly seat (Mumbai) in 1986 and 1990. He served as Mumbai's mayor from 1990 to 1991, building a reputation as an orator, and his early loyalty to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray defined his rise in the party. As a Sena leader, he had demanded a statue of Nathuram Godse, the key accused in Mahatma Gandhi's assassination, in Mumbai. Sharad Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal share stage in Pune for Phule event Mr. Bhujbal left the Shiv Sena in 1991, citing Mr. Thackeray's alleged opposition to the implementation of recommendations of the Mandal Commission, and joined the Congress, and by 1999, he aligned with Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He served as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1999 to 2003, focusing on OBC issues. His shift to the NCP strengthened his influence among OBCs, though it drew criticism from former allies. The Telgi stamp paper scam in the early 2000s led to Mr. Bhujbal's resignation as Deputy Chief Minister in 2003. At the time, he claimed that Mr. Sharad Pawar had pressured him to step down despite no formal charges. The controversy strained his relationship with Mr. Sharad Pawar, influencing his later defection to Ajit Pawar's faction. However, Mr. Bhujbal's career went on a downward trajectory in 2013, when BJP leader Kirti Somaiya levelled allegations of corruption in the construction of Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi and filed a complaint with the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau. Accused of financial irregularities in the construction of the state's Delhi guest house, he was arrested in 2016 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and he spent over two years in jail, claiming to be the "first victim" of the law, and was released on bail in 2018. Mr. Bhujbal's loyalties shifted again in 2023 when he joined Mr. Ajit Pawar-led NCP after the split in the Mr. Sharad Pawar-founded party, becoming a part of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance. He cited dissatisfaction with Mr. Sharad Pawar, particularly over the Telgi scam, claiming the latter forced his resignation in 2003 even though no charges were pressed against him. In 2024, Bhujbal, who holds sway in Yeola in Nashik, opposed Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange's demand for reservation under the OBC category. Mr. Jarange sought Kunbi certificates for all Marathas to access OBC benefits, prompting Mr. Bhujbal to organise rallies and meetings with community leaders to resist this move. "Marathas will never get reservation under OBC quota," he said and questioned the "backdoor entry" for Marathas. Mr. Jarange accused Mr. Bhujbal of inciting tensions, claiming his language provoked clashes between the two communities. Mr. Bhujbal demanded a caste census, insisting that Marathas receive separate reservations, as seen in his support for the 10% Maratha quota bill in 2024. The veteran leader's exclusion from the Devendra Fadnavis cabinet in December 2024 led to protests by OBC activists. The omission also fuelled speculation about his next move, with some suggesting a return to Mr. Sharad Pawar's fold or a shift to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Mr. Bhujbal's advocacy for OBC reservations has shaped his political identity. His opposition to Mr. Jarange's demands strengthened his support among OBC voters but alienated Maratha communities, impacting his 2024 Yeola re-election. His ability to mobilise voters and navigate Maharashtra's caste dynamics keeps him relevant despite controversies.
Hans India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
'Work ably or else robot will replace you': Ajit Pawar cautions govt employees
Amid the Maharashtra government's push for the use of Artificial Intelligence in the administration, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday cautioned government officers and employees to work ably or else a robot will replace them. He said that if the administration is adaptable to changes with the time, people can get more dynamic, transparent and better services. He was speaking in his address after inaugurating the four day 'Tech Wari: Maharashtra Tech Learning Week' organised from May 5 to 9 by the state general administration department at the Mantralaya. A confluence of modern technology and new ideas, 'Tech Wari' is the beginning of spreading technology to every nook and corner of Maharashtra and creating a modern tech-friendly state. The Maharashtra Deputy CM further said the 'Tech Wari' initiative will serve as a guide for the administrative officers and employees of the state to expand their administrative capacity. 'The message of ' Tech Wari' initiative is that we are not just accepting changes but also leading them,' he added. Ajit Pawar said that everyone will benefit from the guidance of renowned speakers on various topics such as Blockchain, Internet of Things, Cyber Security, Digital Finance, Transformation of Administration through Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Frontier Tech for a Developed Maharashtra. He appealed to the government staff to accept the changes of the times and make the administration more dynamic. He pointed out that guidance sessions on stress management, music therapy, meditation and work-life will help in creating a balanced and healthy government workforce. Information Technology Minister Ashish Shelar said that Maharashtra, which is implementing the Maharashtra Public Service Right Act, is ahead in every field. 'Our state will get first place from the top three in completing training on 'I Got' system implemented by the Centre. The administration should focus on providing more dynamic services. The overall work is measured only through the evaluation of each of our work,' he said and expressed his belief that the officers and employees of the administration will also accept these changes and do their work in a more dynamic manner. Chief Secretary (in-charge) Rajesh Kumar said that officers and employees are working by learning new technologies and Maharashtra should become number one in ease of doing in providing various services to the citizens. Maharashtra Sadan Commissioner R. Vimala said that due to the efforts of Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department V. Radha and the spontaneous response of the officers and employees of the state, today Maharashtra is among the top three states in the country that has received the most training on the Central Government's 'I Got' system. She expressed that the 'Tech-Wari' initiative is innovative and all officers will definitely benefit from it.
