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Eknath Shinde. File Pic

CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena releases list of 8 candidates for polls

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Thursday evening released a list of eight candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024. The list includes seven sitting MPs. According to the list, Rahul Shewale will be contesting from the Mumbai South seat whereas Sanjay Mandlik will be contesting the election from Kolhapur seat. It gave a ticket to former Congress MLA Raju Parve from Ramtek (SC) seat, which will see polling on April 19. Parve had joined the Shiv Sena recently. He replaces Sena's sitting MP Krupal Tumane. The list suggests that Sadashiv Lokhande has been fielded from Shirdi (SC) Lok Sabha seat and Prataprao Jadhav from Buldhana seat. Hemant Patil has been fielded from Hingoli Lok Sabha seat, Shrirang Barne from Maval and Dhairyasheel Mane will be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Hatakanangle constituency, according to the list. Check complete list below here Meanwhile, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Bollywood actor Govinda, a mass entertainer of the 1990s on Thursday joined the ruling Shiv Sena in Mumbai, making a comeback in politics after a 14-year hiatus. The former Congress Lok Sabha MP joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the time of election season. Govinda, who gave multiple superhit films in his decades-long career, made a blockbuster entry in electoral politics in 2004. That year, the "Hero No. 1" actor emerged as a "giant killer" when, as the Congress candidate, he defeated BJP stalwart Ram Naik in the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat. CM Eknath Shinde welcomed the 60-year-old actor into his party, saying he was a popular figure in all sections of society. Speaking on the occasion, Govinda, said after his first stint in politics from 2004 to 2009, he never felt he would again come back to the same field, according to the PTI."I am back (in politics) after a 14-year-long 'vanvas' (exile)," he remarked. The veteran actor, whose full name is Govinda Ahuja, said he would work in the art and culture field if given a chance. Mumbai looks more beautiful and developed since Shinde has become CM, he remarked after his re-entry into politics, albeit under the banner of a different political party, which comes at a time when the country is in the midst of Lok Sabha polls. In June 2022, the Shiv Sena, which had fought the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the BJP, split and 13 of the 18 MPs from the state had allied with CM Shinde. (with PTI inputs)

28 March,2024 07:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Navi Mumbai woman assaulted after dispute over water usage during Holi

A 27-year-old lady was beaten in Taloja, Navi Mumbai, after a disagreement about the usage of water during Holi celebrations in a housing complex, according to police.  The victim approached the housing society's watchman to voice worry over the wastage of water during the Holi celebrations on Monday. She asked him to warn people to use water sparingly. However, this resulted in a dispute between a 50-year-old mother and her 24-year-old son, who live in the complex, reported PTI.  According to the report, the altercation escalated, and the accused assaulted the victim, causing significant injuries, according to the police. Subsequently, a case was filed under sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of duty) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Taloja police station, confirmed an official, the PTI report stated. Waiter stabbed to death A 26-year-old waiter was fatally stabbed on Thursday in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, a police official told PTI on Thursday. According to the report, the deceased Mukesh Mantu Yadav was waiting at a bus stop at 5 am after completing his shift at a local hotel when two bike-borne assailants attempted to grab his bag.  The duo, per the Vashi Police Station SI Madhukar Bhate's statement to PTI, assaulted him with a knife. "A hotel employee who went to help Yadav was also attacked and injured by the accused. A murder case has been registered against two unidentified persons and efforts were on to nab them," Bhate told PTI.  Share trading fraud racket busted In another unrelated incident, Navi Mumbai Police busted a share trading scam and arrested a man from Mira Road in Thane district.  According to a report in PTI, the cops also seized seven phones, 15 SIM cards, nine ATM cards from multiple banks, chequebooks, two PAN cards and four rubber stamps.  Reportedly, the fraud was discovered after a complaint was filed by a man who claimed to have been defrauded of Rs 29 lakh between January 18 and February 29 of this year after being lured into high-return share trading schemes.

28 March,2024 06:34 PM IST | Navi Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Western Railway to operate jumbo block of five hours on Sunday, check details

The Western Railway, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, on Thursday said that it will carry out a jumbo block of five hours between Churchgate and Mumbai Central on Sunday. In an official statement on Thursday, the Western Railway said, to carry out maintenance work of tracks, signaling and overhead equipment, a jumbo block of five hours will be taken on up and down fast lines between Churchgate and Mumbai Central station. The jumbo block would begin at 10.35 hrs and would go on till 15.35 hrs on Sunday, 31st March, 2024, the Western Railway said. According to a press release issued by Sumit Thakur –Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, during the block period, all UP and Down Fast line trains will be operated on Slow lines between Churchgate and Mumbai Central station. Some suburban trains will remain cancelled during the block and some Churchgate trains will be short terminated/reversed ex Bandra/Dadar station. "Detailed information is available with concerned station masters," the Western Railway said.  Meanwhile, in an another statement, the Western Railway said, for the convenience of passengers and with a view to meet the travel demand especially during the festive season, Western Railway has extended the trips of 07 pairs of Special Trains on Special Fare. The details of these trains are as under: 1.    Train No. 09207 Bandra Terminus – Bhavnagar Weekly Special which was earlier notified up to 29th March, 2024 has been extended up to 28th June, 2024.Train No. 09208 Bhavnagar– Bandra Terminus Weekly Special which was earlier notified up to 28th March, 2024 has been extended up to 27th June, 2024.  2.    Train No. 09415 Bandra Terminus – Gandhidham Weekly Special which was earlier notified up to 28th March, 2024 has been extended up to 27th June, 2024. Train No. 09416 Gandhidham – Bandra Terminus Weekly Special which was earlier notified up to 28th March, 2024 has been extended up to 27th June, 2024. 3.     Train No. 09456 Bhuj – Gandhinagar Capital Special which was earlier notified up to 31st March, 2024 has been extended up to 30th June, 2024.Train No. 09455 Gandhinagar Capital – Bhuj Special which was earlier notified up to 31st March, 2024 has been extended up to 30th June, 2024 4.    Train No. 09216 Bhavnagar - Gandhigram Special which was earlier notified up to 31st March, 2024 has been extended up to 29th June, 2024.Train No. 09215 Gandhigram – Bhavnagar Special which was earlier notified up to 31st March, 2024 has been extended up to 29th June, 2024. 5.    Train No. 09530 Bhavnagar – Dhola Special which was earlier notified up to 31st March, 2024 has been extended up to 29th June, 2024.                               Train No. 09529 Dhola – Bhavnagar Daily Special which was earlier notified up to 01st April, 2024 has been extended up to 30th June, 2024.    6.    Train No. 09211 Gandhigram – Botad Special which was earlier notified up to 31st March, 2024 has been extended up to 29th June, 2024.Train No. 09212 Botad – Gandhigram Special which was earlier notified up to 31st March, 2024 has been extended up to 29th June, 2024. 7.     Train No. 09213 Botad - Dhrangadhra Special which was earlier notified up to 31st March, 2024 has been extended up to 29th June, 2024.Train No. 09214 Dhrangadhra – Botad Special which was earlier notified up to 31st March, 2024 has been extended up to 29th June, 2024.

28 March,2024 06:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Thane Municipal Corporation office/ Pic/PTI

Thane civic body cracks down on water bill defaulters; 4430 connections snapped

Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has launched strict action against water bill defaulters, resulting in the removal of 4430 tap connections during the fiscal year 2023-24. Customers are advised to pay their bills as the deadline approaches to avoid being disconnected. "Water supply department of Thane Municipal Corporation has taken action against defaulters of water bills and from April 2023 to March 2024 4430 tap connections have been broken. The last date for payment of water bill is 31st March," TMC said in their official communique.  According to TMC officials, the last date for paying water bills is March 31. Failure to clear overdue dues and current invoices will result in disconnection beginning April 1. The corporation plans to recover a total of Rs 201 crore in water dues this fiscal year, with Rs 114 crore already collected. "Customers who do not pay their dues and current bills will be disconnected from April 1," the TMC said and added, "Thane Municipal Corporation is expected to collect total water dues of Rs 201 crore in the financial year 2023-24. Rs 114 crores have been recovered so far. The administration has appealed to the customers who have not paid the dues and water payments for the current year to cooperate with the Municipal Corporation by paying all the payments by March 31." To encourage prompt payment, TMC has given a 100 per cent administrative charge rebate for household tap connection holders who pay their outstanding bills along with the current year's bill by March 31, 2024. However, this scheme does not apply to commercial tap connection holders or those who have already paid. "Household tap connection holders who will deposit their outstanding water bills by March 31, 2024, along with the current year's bill, will be given a 100 per cent rebate in administrative charges on the outstanding bill. This scheme does not apply to those who have already deposited their payments, as well as commercial tap connection holders," TMC said.  The civic body said Mumbra has the most severed tap connections, with 905, followed by Kalwa at 796 and Naupada-Kopri at 682. Furthermore, recovery rates differ by ward committee, with Vartaknagar leading at 71.58 per cent and Diva at 36.85 per cent. Water connections disconnected: Mumbra - 905 Kalwa - 796 Naupada-Kopri - 682 Wagle Estate - 660 Diva - 553 Lokmanya - Savarkar Nagar - 398 Uthalsar - 283 Recovery of water bill dues (in %): Vartaknagar - 71.58 Majiwada-Manpada - 66.61 Lokmanya - Savarkar Nagar - 65.97 Uthalsar - 64.24 Naupada-Kopari - 61.43 Mumbra - 50.62 Kalwa - 55.33 Wagle Estate- 39.81 Diva - 36.85

28 March,2024 05:51 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
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Maharashtra Child Rights body issues transport safety guidelines for all schools

In the wake of rising cases of students getting molested and harassed during their commute to and from school, the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR), on Friday, issued transport safety guidelines for all the schools to adhere to.  MSCPCR Chairperson Adv. Susieben Shah said that the guidelines are for the safety of children in school buses and school excursions and also include responsibilities of the school management towards child safety.  According to the guidelines, the school management should ensure that details of the driver, school contact, bus owner, vehicle registration number and school name are displayed on the exterior of the bus and should be visible to all passengers as well as the public. "All the buses should have functional GPS and CCTV cameras arrangement and the school management should ensure that footage should be kept secured as backup for at least 15 days. Additionally, each bus is fitted with a speed governor to keep the speed limit in check to ensure a safe child commute. Moreover, these should have alarm and siren mechanisms installed for emergencies," said Susieben Shah.  The guidelines also stated that every school should form a transportation committee. "The committee will comprise management representatives, PTA, and students to oversee safety measures in the school buses. Parents and PTA should also encouraged to raise issues related to transportation and take necessary steps to resolve them," Shah informed.  The guidelines were framed in consultation with all stakeholders in a meeting with Mumbai Police officers, Transport officials, Education Officers, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials, representatives of unaided schools, private school owners, and the president of the school bus owners association on March 11, 2024.  "Overall, the guidelines are a collective effort to curb malpractices during student commute. Hereon, it is a shared responsibility of the school management, parents and guardians, and authorities to ensure a smooth process and strict implementation," said Shah.  According to the guidelines, all school buses should be equipped with First Aid kits and fire extinguishers. They should not have curtains or glasses with films and the activities inside the bus should be visible from outside. Proper safety grills need to be installed. The school management should refrain from outsourcing services during excursions. Although management may outsource services, but they cannot absolve themselves of children's safety and well-being during excursions. The guidelines state that the management should also ensure that the details of drivers and conductors are furnished properly and their character is verified by the police. The drivers should be restricted from using mobile phones and interacting with students beyond the limit. The driver should not be employed if he is challaned under even any one offence for over speeding, driving dangerously, or for offences under sections 279, 337, 338, 304A, 354, and 376 of the Indian Penal Code or under POCSO Act. The drivers should also be provided with a complete list of students boarding the bus with all details, including contacts of their parents.  The guidelines further stated that there should also be a well-trained female attendant on the bus. "These attendants shall ensure the safety of school children throughout the journey and offer assistance for secure boarding and alighting. To drop off and pick up the student, the children's parents shall ensure the presence of the child at the decided boarding point at the specified time. Moreover, there are guidelines to conduct quarterly workshops on 'good touch, bad touch' to sensitise students in child safety, POCSO guidelines, unacceptable behaviour, appropriate demeanour towards students, and basic communication skills," Shah said.

28 March,2024 05:43 PM IST | Mumbai | Ronak Mastakar
Sunil Kedar/ X

Congress leader Sunil Kedar issues warning to BJP: 'Will fight till the end'

Sunil Kedar, a disqualified Congress MLA convicted to five years in jail for a district co-operative bank scam, has delivered a direct warning to the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Kedar was recently sentenced to jail in connection with the district bank scandal and is currently on bail, reported ANI. The agency report added that Rashmi Barve, Kedar's supporter, has been appointed the Congress candidate for the Ramtek Lok Sabha constituency, one of Maharashtra's 48 parliamentary constituencies. Speaking about the nomination of the Maharashtra Congress candidate for the Ramtek Lok Sabha seat, Kedar told ANI, " I would just like to say to the ruling party that you and your government officers both listen and that next time you attack Sunil Kedar, just hang him. Don't leave him. Because the next time he comes out (of jail), he will go to each of your houses and not spare you. I will fight till the end. If I don't fight, then who will?" In contrast, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, has filed his nomination papers as the BJP's candidate for the Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra. Gadkari expressed confidence in winning by more than 5 lakh votes and said that the National Democratic Alliance would retain power at the Centre, the news agency reported.  Before Gadkari filed his nomination, his wife had applied 'Vijay Tilak' and the Union Minister also offered prayers at his residence. He was quoted in another ANI report as saying, "I am confident that I will win this election by more than 5 lakh votes. You all have loved me, whatever work I have been able to do in the country is because of your love and support, whatever work I have, the credit for it goes to the party workers and the public. I have never forgotten Nagpur and I will never forget it even." Elections for Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha seats will be contested in five phases beginning April 19. In the 2019 elections, the BJP won 23 of the 25 contested seats, while the Shiv Sena won 18 out of 23. The BJP-led NDA hopes to win more than 400 seats in the next elections, which will be held in seven stages beginning April 19 and will include roughly 97 crore eligible voters.

28 March,2024 05:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Govinda on Thursday joined Shiv Sena. Pic/CMO

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Actor Govinda joins CM Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Mumbai

Bollywood actor Govinda on Thursday officially joined Shiv Sena in presence of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde in Mumbai ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024.  Earlier, there had been speculations that CM Eknath Shinde could have possibly convinced former MP Govinda to be Shiv Sena’s candidate from Mumbai North West against the Uddhav Thackeray Sena’s Amol Kirtikar.  In 2004, Govinda had broken the BJP's five-term winning streak in Mumbai North. During his political tenure, the famous 'Virar ka Chokra' invited more criticism than accolades. Fed up, he quit politics before his five-year term ended. He has stayed away from politics since then. Govinda is reported to have met CM Shinde recently and that meeting triggered the talks of his comeback to the business of politics. Govinda had emerged as a "giant killer" in 2004 when, as the Congress candidate, he defeated BJP stalwart Ram Naik in the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat. CM Eknath Shinde welcomed the 60-year-old actor into his party, saying he was a popular figure in all sections of society. Speaking on the occasion, Govinda, who started his acting career in the 1980s, said after his first stint in politics from 2004 to 2009, he never felt he would again come back to the same field, as per the PTI. "I am back (in politics) after a 14-year-long 'vanvas' (exile)," he remarked, according to the PTI. Govinda said he would work in the art and culture field if given a chance. Mumbai looks more beautiful and developed since Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has become CM, he noted. The actor said development of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was unbelievable. # Live📡| 28-03-2024 📍 मुंबई🎥 शिवसेना पक्षात विविध लोकप्रतिनिधी व कार्यकर्त्यांचा जाहीर प्रवेश | पत्रकारांशी संवाद https://t.co/if6jATCLer — Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) March 28, 2024 CM Shinde, who took over as CM in June 2022, said there is positivity and prosperity in Mumbai and pollution levels are also coming down in the metropolis.The CM maintained the versatile actor has joined his party without any pre-conditions and rejected suggestions that the entry was linked to elections. "Govinda stands for progress. He is impressed with Modiji's development policies. He wants to do something for the welfare and progress of the film industry. I am sure he will be the link between the government and the film industry. He has joined us without any conditions," Shinde asserted, according to the PTI. "Govinda has ended his vanvas and come to Ram rajya," noted the Shiv Sena leader, whose party is an ally of the BJP. "My government is pro-development and pro-people, and he was impressed (with its policies)," the CM said. Asked whether the actor will be fielded from the Mumbai North-West Lok Sabha seat, Shinde clarified he hadn't put any conditions. "He just wants to work for the film industry," he said, adding Govinda hasn't joined the party for an election ticket. Shinde said the Shiv Sena, which heads the governing 'Mahayuti' coalition in the state, will soon release its list of Lok Sabha candidates. "The Mahayuti is contesting all 48 seats (in Maharashtra). Ours is not a government which runs from home. We are field people and work for the welfare of people," the CM maintained. The ruling coalition consists of the Shiv Sena, the BJP and the NCP led by Ajit Pawar. To a question on NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Jayant Patil calling Govinda a "flop actor", Shinde emphasised that insulting a film artist amounts to showing disrespect to the entire entertainment industry. Asked about Shiv Sena leader Vijay Shivtare contesting from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, the home turf of deputy CM Ajit Pawar in Pune district, Shinde said his colleague has clarified that the party's decision on the matter was final for him and added "I am thankful to him".  (with PTI inputs)

28 March,2024 05:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Prakash Ambedkar. Pic/ X

Prakash Ambedkar-led VBA accuses Sanjay Raut of stabbing it in the back

The Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) on Thursday accused Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut of "stabbing" it in the back amid seat sharing talks with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), reported the PTI. Prakash Ambedkar was in talks with the MVA, which comprises the Congress, the Nationalist Congress (SP) and the Shiv Sena (UBT), for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 but recently announced candidates on several seats. In a post on social media platform X, Prakash Ambedkar said, "How many lies Sanjay (Raut) is going to spread? If our thoughts are same, then why were we not invited to the MVA meetings? Why have you been holding meetings without inviting any representative of the VBA?" "Despite being a political ally, you have stabbed us in our back. We know what kind of discussions you had held at the silver oak (the residence of opposition stalwart Sharad Pawar), you had even proposed building a candidate against Prakash Ambedkar in Akola Lok Sabha constituency," he further said on X. The VBA alleged Raut was talking about an alliance but "on the other hand you conspire against us". Prakash Ambedkar will fight from Akola, though VBA has said it will support the MVA in Nagpur, where the Congress' Vikas Thakre is up against BJP heavyweight and Union minister Nitin Gadkari. Meanwhile, earlier this week, Sanjay Raut had on Tuesday said that the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi is still a part of the MVA and discussions with the former are still on, the news agency PTI had reported. The Rajya Sabha member told reporters that the MVA's proposal of leaving aside four seats for VBA in Maharashtra for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 is still open, reported PTI. Seat-sharing talks among MVA partners Congress, Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) are more or less over, said Raut, adding that the first list of his party's candidates is expected to be released on Tuesday. Elections to Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha seats will be held in five phases between April 19 and May 20, and votes will be counted on June 4. "Balasaheb (Prakash) Ambedkar and the VBA are still with the MVA. It is an important constituent of the MVA," Sanjay Raut said, reported PTI. "We have had discussions with them. Even Balasaheb was there. Discussions were on until yesterday (Monday). It (talks) is there even today," Sanjay Raut had said, reported PTI. (with PTI inputs)

28 March,2024 05:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Maharashtra: 22-year-old woman jumps into river to end life, rescued in Thane

A 22-year-old woman, who jumped into a river in Maharashtra's Thane district with the intention of killing herself, was rescued, the officials said on Thursday, reported the PTI. The incident occurred in Badlapur town on Wednesday night, they said. "The woman jumped into the Ulhas river around 10.30 pm. After being informed about the incident, the fire services personnel and a local rescue team foiled her suicide attempt," Badlapur Municipal Council's chief fire officer Bhagawat Sonawane said. The fire services personnel along with divers and the Natural Disaster Rescue Foundation team members carried out a search and finally spotted her entangled in the bushes, from where she was pulled out and saved, he said. The woman was then hospitalised and her condition is said to be stable, he added. The motive behind her extreme act is not immediately known, the official said. Meanwhile, in an another incident, a man, who is a tailor by profession, was arrested last week for allegedly kidnapping a 9-year-old boy for ransom of Rs 23 lakh with which he wanted to build a house and killing him in Thane district of Maharashtra, police said, reported the PTI. The boy, identified only as Ibadat, went missing when he was returning from a mosque in Goregaon village where he had gone for evening prayers last week, as per the PTI. Prima facie, the accused is known to the victim. He probably lured the victim to accompany him under some pretext, a Badlapur police station official said. Police are investigating the exact circumstances under which the boy was kidnapped, according to the PTI. "The kidnapper called up the family of the boy and demanded Rs 23 lakh for releasing him. He told them that he wanted money to build a house. Strangely, he disconnected the call abruptly," the official said, the news agency reported on Monday. Police launched a search for the boy after receiving the complaint on Sunday but failed to trace him or the kidnapper. "On Monday afternoon, Ibadat's body was found stuffed in a sack hidden in the home of a villager," the official said. However, it is not clear whether the arrested accused was the same villager or someone else. Police have registered an FIR under section 364 (Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), said Badlapur police station assistant inspector Govind Patil, the PTI reported. He said the accused is a tailor from the same locality of Goregaon village in Badalpur of Thane district. (with PTI inputs)

28 March,2024 04:12 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut/ File Photo

Sanjay Raut says Sena (UBT) firm on Sangli, warns against actions helping BJP

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut,  confirmed his party's determination to run for the Sangli Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra, emphasising the need to avoid measures that could directly aid the BJP. Raut emphasised the importance of unity among the opposition group in response to Congress' worries following the announcement of Sena's (UBT) candidate list, reported PTI.  "Even our local cadres were upset but we did not allow the resentment to spiral," Raut was quoted as saying in the PTI report.  According to the report, as partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, Raut responded to Congress' request to review the decision, emphasising the importance of coalition ethics. He noted instances of give and take within the coalition, such as seat allocations to Congress in Ramtek and Kolhapur. Raut stressed the importance of strengthening the alliance collectively rather than individual parties. He questioned whether Congress would compromise its fight against the BJP for the sake of one seat, urging for unity to secure victory in Sangli, the PTI report added.  Raut further stated, "Congress took Ramtek so Sena (UBT) said it would contest from Mumbai North. In an alliance, there is a need to strengthen and expand it, not individual parties.  The Congress has to lead the nation and we support the party in its endeavour. Will Congress give up the fight against BJP just for one seat (Sangli)?" "If the opposition alliance stays together as a cohesive unit, MVA can easily win the Sangli seat. If someone has other intentions to help the BJP indirectly, we will not allow that to happen," he said, according to the PTI report. Per the report, the Sangli seat nominee, wrestler Chandrahar Patil, was announced by Sena (UBT).  Regarding the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi's decision to contest independently, Raut expressed confidence in Prakash Ambedkar's commitment to safeguarding democracy and the Constitution. "I am sure Ambedkar will not take any step to help the BJP," he added. The Lok Sabha polls for Maharashtra's 48 seats are scheduled in five phases between April 19 and May 20, with the vote count set for June 4.

28 March,2024 03:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Fare for shared cabs on Mumbai to Pune, Nashik, Shirdi routes hiked

Transport department officials announced a rate hike of Rs 50 to Rs 200 for shared cab services on routes from Mumbai to Nashik, Shirdi, and Pune. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) approved the rate increase for both black-and-yellow non-AC taxis and blue-and-silver AC taxis on these routes during a meeting earlier this month. According to a PTI report, passengers departing from Mumbai would now pay Rs 100 for Nashik and Rs 200 for Shirdi in AC taxis, with an extra Rs 50 levied for both AC and non-AC taxi travel to Pune. The revised AC taxi prices for the Mumbai-Nashik and Mumbai-Shirdi routes will be Rs 575 and Rs 825, respectively. The charge for non-AC taxis on the Mumbai-Pune route is Rs 500, while AC cabs cost Rs 575. Reportedly, the fare revision was accepted based on the recommendations of the Khatua panel, which was formed by the Maharashtra government to review taxi fares, as well as demands from taxi union representatives who operate on these routes. Although the implementation date for the fee increase has not been announced, sources suggest it is likely to take effect from next month, the PTI report added.  The MMRTA asked Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) to publicise the revised tariff at taxi booths in Dadar, Mumbai. Despite appeals from taxi unions, the authority has not increased tariffs on the Mumbai-Nashik and Mumbai-Shirdi routes since September 2013, while the Mumbai-Pune route was revised in August 2021, the report added.  According to the report, passengers regularly use shared taxis to commute to Pune, Nashik, and Shirdi, in addition to trains and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (ST) bus services. However, cabbies express anxiety about falling business as a result of private buses and taxis, accusing RTOs of ignoring their complaints. Attempts to contact Bharat Kalaskar, RTO of Mumbai Central and secretary of MMRTA, for comment were unsuccessful, the PTI report stated.  MMRDA to launch pod taxis in BKC-Kurla The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) earlier this week approved the pod taxi project between Bandra and Kurla via BKC on a 8.8 km stretch. These taxis will be feeder transport and provide last mile connectivity to the Yellow Line 2B, Aqua Line BKC station and the upcoming bullet train. 

28 March,2024 03:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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