State – Page 155 – SD NEWS agency

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Wreckage of Learjet 45 Cleared Near Baramati Runway

2Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Maharashtra, State

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Wreckage of Learjet 45 Cleared Near Baramati Runway

Pune/Baramati: On the fifth day after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s tragic plane crash, the wreckage of his chartered Learjet 45 was removed from near the Baramati runway on Sunday. Using cranes, the damaged aircraft parts were lifted onto a large trailer and cleared from the site. The areas where the debris fell were marked, and burnt fragments were collected for forensic investigation. Ajit Pawar’s private jet had taken off at 8:10 AM on 28 January, but crashed at 8:44 AM, killing all five onboard. Immediately after the accident, multiple investigations were launched. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team arrived from Delhi on the same day, accompanied by DGCA officers, while the Maharashtra government handed over the case to the CID for a legal probe...

Sunetra Pawar Sworn in as Deputy CM: Will NCP Get Finance Ministry? CM Fadnavis Responds

2Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Maharashtra, Politics, State

Sunetra Pawar Sworn in as Deputy CM: Will NCP Get Finance Ministry? CM Fadnavis Responds

Mumbai: Following the tragic demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, his wife Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as Maharashtra’s 11th Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday, becoming the first woman to hold the post. While she has been assigned key portfolios—including Excise, Sports, Minority Development, and Wakf—questions have emerged about whether the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will receive the Finance Ministry, previously held by Ajit Pawar. Reacting to this, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that he has retained the Finance and Planning Departments for himself. “Presently, the budget preparation is under way. It is not just a speech; it involves multiple departmental meetings. It was not feasible to hand such a significant responsibility to Sunetra Pawar immediately,” he said. Fadnavis...

Budget 2026: Maharashtra to Receive Nearly ₹1 Lakh Crore, Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Funded

2Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Maharashtra, State

Budget 2026: Maharashtra to Receive Nearly ₹1 Lakh Crore, Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Funded

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday praised the Union Budget 2026, calling it a transformative budget for India’s journey toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy. He expressed gratitude to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for keeping Maharashtra’s interests in focus. Fadnavis claimed that Maharashtra is set to receive nearly ₹1 lakh crore from the central budget, including ₹98,306 crore from central taxes. Initial allocations for various state projects amount to ₹12,355 crore. The state budget for the year will be presented by Chief Minister Fadnavis himself, who noted that late Deputy CM Ajit Pawar had completed significant groundwork, which he will continue to focus on from Monday. Key Allocations for Maharashtra ₹6,103 crore for the Mumb...

Power Game in Maharashtra: Sharad Pawar’s Rajya Sabha Term Ends, 7 Seats Including Priyanka Chaturvedi’s to Fall Vacant

2Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Maharashtra, Politics, State

Power Game in Maharashtra: Sharad Pawar’s Rajya Sabha Term Ends, 7 Seats Including Priyanka Chaturvedi’s to Fall Vacant

Mumbai: Maharashtra’s political landscape is in flux following the tragic death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. While it was initially expected that the Pawar family and both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would unite in grief, divisions appear to be resurfacing. Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, has assumed his Deputy Chief Minister responsibilities, but the real power struggle is far from over. Leaders of Ajit Pawar’s faction, including Sunil Tatkare, have set conditions that make a merger of the two NCP factions challenging. Tatkare emphasized that the NCP is aligned with the NDA, welcoming anyone willing to join the coalition. Meanwhile, Sunetra Pawar has resigned from the Rajya Sabha, opening the stage for discussions about succession. Aji...

Mumbai-Pune High-Speed Rail Announced in Budget 2026: Travel Time to Shrink Drastically

2Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Maharashtra, State

Mumbai-Pune High-Speed Rail Announced in Budget 2026: Travel Time to Shrink Drastically

Mumbai: In the Union Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced seven high-speed rail corridors across India, including two in Maharashtra — one connecting Mumbai to Pune and the other Pune to Hyderabad. The introduction of a high-speed rail between Mumbai and Pune is expected to drastically reduce travel time between the two cities, potentially bringing them just minutes apart. Currently, travelers between Mumbai and Pune have three main options: conventional trains, flights, and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. While the missing link of the expressway is expected to open soon, the announcement of the high-speed rail corridor has already created a buzz. Mumbai, India’s financial capital, and Pune, an emerging IT hub, will benefit from improved connectivity that could further...

Kshatriya Community Voices Demands in Massive Alwar Rally, Calls for 20% EWS Quota and Greater Political Representation

2Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Rajasthan, State

Kshatriya Community Voices Demands in Massive Alwar Rally, Calls for 20% EWS Quota and Greater Political Representation

Alwar, Rajasthan: A historic gathering of the Kshatriya community took place on Sunday in Khedli, Alwar, as thousands of members from ten districts staged a powerful show of unity and strength. Under the banner of the Social Unity Forum, the community demanded an increase in the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation from 10% to 20% and called for fair political representation. A memorandum highlighting these demands was submitted to local authorities following a disciplined and spirited march. Focus on Reservation and RepresentationThe main agenda of the conference was to push for doubling the EWS reservation, ensuring better access to education and employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged youth. Leaders from 39 assembly constituencies, including Alwar, Bharatpur,...

Rajasthan Farmers Disappointed as Budget 2026 Ignores MSP, Allocates Just 5% to Agriculture

2Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Rajasthan, State

Rajasthan Farmers Disappointed as Budget 2026 Ignores MSP, Allocates Just 5% to Agriculture

Jaipur, Rajasthan: Rajasthan’s farmers have expressed strong disappointment following the Union Budget 2026-27, criticizing the government for remaining silent on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and allocating only 5.31% of total spending to agriculture. Farmers say the budget offers the allure of “cashew and almonds” in speeches, while ignoring the real issues facing wheat and soybean cultivators who continue to struggle with fair pricing and crop insurance. MSP Silence Sparks AngerWhile the government hailed the budget as forward-looking, farmers in Marudhara criticized it as “corporate-friendly.” There was no mention of an increase in MSP or legal guarantees for crop procurement, leaving many growers feeling sidelined. Only 5% for 75% of PopulationRam Pal Jat, National President o...

Former Rajasthan Minister Hem Singh Bhadana Passes Away After Battle with Cancer

2Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Rajasthan, State

Former Rajasthan Minister Hem Singh Bhadana Passes Away After Battle with Cancer

Alwar, Rajasthan: Former Cabinet Minister and two-time MLA from Thanagazi, Hem Singh Bhadana, passed away on Monday morning after a prolonged battle with cancer. Known for his straightforwardness and close connection with the public, Bhadana remained actively engaged with people despite his illness until his final days. His death at around 7 AM in a private hospital has sent waves of grief across Alwar and the broader political landscape of Rajasthan. From Student Politics to Cabinet MinisterBhadana’s political journey began in student politics, where he built a strong rapport with young voters. His dedication and grassroots work earned him two consecutive wins from the Thanagazi assembly constituency on a BJP ticket. Recognized for his active role in the Vasundhara Raje-led government,...

Budget 2026 Boost for Rajasthan Duty Cuts on Batteries and Solar Glass to Power Growth

2Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Rajasthan, State

Budget 2026 Boost for Rajasthan Duty Cuts on Batteries and Solar Glass to Power Growth

Jaipur, Rajasthan: The Union Budget 2026 has opened new doors of opportunity for Rajasthan’s solar energy sector, positioning the state to potentially become a global hub for solar manufacturing. The government has announced duty exemptions on raw materials for lithium-ion batteries and solar glass, a move expected to attract significant foreign investment and reduce costs for solar panel installations in households across the state. Lower Costs for Battery StorageThe budget proposes major customs duty cuts on equipment used to manufacture lithium-ion cells. For Rajasthan, this is a game-changer. Reduced costs are expected to encourage major companies to establish battery storage units locally. Since solar energy is primarily produced during the day, affordable storage solutions will en...

SIT Questions Multiple People in Sadhvi Prem Baisa Death Case; Investigation Focuses on Injection

2Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Rajasthan, State

SIT Questions Multiple People in Sadhvi Prem Baisa Death Case; Investigation Focuses on Injection

Jodhpur, Rajasthan: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the mysterious death of Sadhvi Prem Baisa in Jodhpur. Led by ACP Chhavi Sharma, the SIT began intensive investigations on February 1, questioning several key individuals, including the Sadhvi’s father, ashram staff, and her maternal uncle. Police are combining technical evidence with witness statements to gather crucial leads in the case. Father, Ashram Staff QuestionedSadhvi Prem Baisa’s father, Veermanath, arrived at the Jodhpur ashram from his village following police instructions. He told authorities that he was not formally summoned but came after learning that the police would visit. Veermanath was questioned for nearly three hours about the circumstances surrounding his daughter’s death, including the...