In a shocking tragedy, at least 10 new-born infants were suffocated in a fire that erupted in the children’s ward of a government hospital in Maharashtra’s Bhandara district early on Saturday morning, officials said.
The fire, due to a suspected electrical short-circuit, erupted around 1.45 a.m. when the mothers and relatives of the infants were fast asleep and quickly engulfed the Sick & Newborn Care Unit of the Bhandara District General Hospital.
Around that time, a nurse on duty happened to pass by the ward, noticed the smoke inside and raised an alarm as other hospital staffers rushed to the spot.
At least 10 infants — a majority of them less than 3-months-old — had perished due to suffocation and another 7 were saved.
Though the police have not declared the cause of the blaze, it is suspected that an electrical short-circuit led to an air-conditioner blast, followed by a fire with thick smoke billowing in the ward and the resultant deaths due to suffocation.
Taking strong note of the shocking incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ordered an investigation into the cause of the fire in the district, around 900 km from Mumbai.
Expressing anguish over the tragedy, the Chief Minister also discussed the matter with Health Minister Rajesh Tope and district authorities and said stringent punishment must be given to those found responsible.
Thackeray and Tope have also spoken to the Collector and Superintendent of Police of Bhandara and directed them to take up immediate relief measures.
District Surgeon Dr. Pramod Khandate told mediapersons that the hospital staff and fire brigade managed to rescue 7 infants from the ‘inbound ward’ after battling the blaze with fire-extinguishers.
Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, District Guardian Minister Vishwajeet Kadam, Maharashtra Leaders of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis and Pravin Darekar, other senior leaders have expressed grief over the incident.
“I am deeply shocked by the fire incident in Bhandara. My heartfelt sympathies with the families of those who have lost their infants in the tragedy,” Kovind said.
“Heart-wrenching tragedy where we have lost precious young lives. My thoughts are with all the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover as early as possible,” Modi said in a message.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the death of kids in the fire and said: “The fire accident in Bhandara district hospital, Maharashtra is very unfortunate. I am pained beyond words. My thoughts and condolences are with bereaved families…”
“The unfortunate incident of fire at Bhandara District General Hospital in Maharashtra is extremely tragic. My condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives. I appeal to Maharashtra government to provide every possible assistance to the families of the injured and deceased,” Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said.
Tope also announced that a compensation of Rs 500,000 would be given to the parents of each of the deceased infants while a probe would be conducted and the guilty would be punished severely.
Stressing that there was nothing wrong with the demands of the farmers, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh urged the Prime Minister to immediately repeal the farm laws in order to resolve the crisis.
Categorically rejecting as “highly irresponsible” reports in a section of the media that Punjab had already implemented the new farm laws, the Chief Minister said Food Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu’s statement had been mischievously twisted by one newspaper, with others picking it up.
Punjab was the first state to have opposed the Central farm laws and, in fact, passed amendments Bills to negate their dangerous impact on agriculture, he pointed out, slamming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for spreading misinformation on the issue with their fake propaganda machinery.
The Governor, he said, “should have forwarded our Bills to the President for assent, which he has not done”.
The Chief Minister made it clear that Punjab would not allow the lives of its farmers to be ruined by the new laws.
“We will do whatever possible to help the farmers and their families, for whom the state government had already started two helplines on which they could reach out in case of any emergency,” he said.
Urging the Prime Minister to withdraw the controversial laws and talk to the farmers, Amarinder Singh said, “The farmers have made their stand very clear that the laws should be repealed. It is the job of the government of India to listen to them.”
The Centre can bring in new laws after due consultation with the farmers, he said, pointing out that the Constitution has been amended many times and can be done again for the revocation of the recently enacted farm legislations.
Noting that farmers from across the country had joined the protests against the farm laws, Amarinder Singh said after six-seven meetings, it was time that the matter is resolved and the farmers, who are sitting out in the cold and rains, can go back and everyone else can get on with their lives.
The Chief Minister lambasted those calling the protesting farmers Naxals and terrorists, terming it as wrong and irresponsible.
India Farmers shout slogans as they take part in a protest against the newly passed farm bills at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, in New Delhi.(Credits@Pallav Paliwal)A protester sleeping on a green rug on an empty road during the demonstration. Farmer still protest at Delhi – Uttar Pradesh border in New Delhi.(Credits@Pallav Paliwal)Farmers play volleyball during the ongoing protest against the new farm laws at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, in New Delhi, India.(Credits@Pallav Paliwal)Farmers play volleyball during the ongoing protest against the new farm laws at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, in New Delhi, India.(Credits@Pallav Paliwal)IFarmers play volleyball during the ongoing protest against the new farm laws at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, in New Delhi, India.(Credits@Pallav Paliwal)
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Maharashtra remains the biggest magnet for investors, attracting a whopping Rs 1.12 lakh crore plus worth of industrial investments in the past six months, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said.
The state signed 25 fresh MoUs with investment commitments of Rs 61,000 crore spanning 15 different sectors, with an estimated potential of creating 2.70 lakh new jobs in the state, under the ‘Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0’.
The third MoU signing ceremony was held in the presence of Thackeray with industry bigwigs from pharmaceuticals, healthcare, biotechnology, food-processing, FMCG, steel, automobiles, engineering, oil & gas sectors in attendance.
Hon’ble Chief Minister Sh.Uddhav Thackeray
In June, the state secured commitments of Rs 17,000 crore investments, followed by November with another Rs 35,000 crore, besides Rs 14,000 crore more in organic investments via the state’s advanced single window clearance system implemented in 2020.
Speaking on the occasion, Thackeray noted that the state hopes to cross the total investments target of Rs 200,000 crore during the financial year 2020-2021.
“The Rs 1.12 lakh crore investment commitments received underscore the state’s positive domestic business sentiments which is in tune with the vision of a self-reliant India and thereby Maharashtra,” he pointed out.
He said that Maharashtra has been numero uno and at the forefront of FDI inflows in India, attracting the largest share of approximately 30 per cent of India’s cumulative Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows during April 2000-2020.
In the past 15 years, the state’s journey has included an increase in FDI inflow from Rs 2,543 crore in 2004-05 to Rs 79,216 crore in 2019-20, and now upto Rs. 1.12 lakh crore.
Encompassing key investment promotion initiatives under Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0, such as Plug & Play Infrastructure, the state government has launched schemes like Maha Jobs, Maha Parwana, Investor First Programme, Capacity Augmentation of MIDC land banks and Dedicated Country Desks, said a senior Industry Department official.
This has helped consolidate industrial growth and boost the confidence of investors catapulting the state as one of the most favoured investment destinations in India, thereby boosting the industrial sector of the state, he said.
According to the official, that coupled with the state’s robust FDI pipeline of an additional Rs 79,000 crore, the state intends to surpass its previous targets and cross Rs 2 lakh crore in formal industrial investment intentions signed by the state during this fiscal.
Expressing satisfaction at the outcome, the CM reiterated the state’s commitment to industries, sector diversity, indigenous capacities, future readiness and the prowess for execution for the state’s all-round progress and development.
“With this, Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 bolsters the message that Maharashtra – the torchbearer of India’s growth – is now ‘Open for Business’,” Thackeray asserted.
Recently Indian two-and-three-wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto has entered into an MoU with the Maharashtra government to set up a manufacturing facility in the state.
The MoU envisages a proposed investment of Rs 650 crore in the state’s Chakan.
“The facility is expected to commence production in 2023. This facility will be utilised for manufacturing high end KTM, Husqvarna and Triumph motorcycles as well as for electric vehicles starting with Chetak,” the company said in a statement.
Chief Minister Shri Uddhav Thackeray’s Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 is attracting global focus to the West Indian state and boosting state’s investment competitiveness… A special report by Asian Lite Newsdesk
Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) is Government of Maharashtra’s nodal investment promotion agency. The corporation is not only the India’s largest Industrial development authority but one of South East Asia’s most competent Investment Promotion Agency. Over the last 5 decades, MIDC has enabled the state to achieve an undisputed leadership position with regards to investments and industries.
It was set up in the year 1962 by the special act of the state government with the mandate to achieve balanced industrial development in Maharashtra. It is the special planning body which operates through a vast network of local offices. It acts as an important link between investors and the government being the single point of contact for all investor relations. MIDC administers the investment lifecycle in the state from outreach to aftercare and is responsible for providing essential infrastructure to businesses like land, power, water and more.
Dr.P.Anbalagan, IAS, CEO, MIDC
Dr.P.Anbalagan, IAS, CEO, MIDC: “As the world is advancing, we are attempting to recognize and fulfil the needs of our investors in terms of world-class infrastructure at MIDC. By maintaining a team of capable individuals, who are constantly pushing the frontiers of industry and modern facilities, we ensure a futuristic approach that keeps up with the changing dynamics of the business world. It is our target to stay one step ahead of the expectations of our investors and ensure them the best arrangement in terms of business ecosystem in the country. ”
In June 2020, Chief Minister Shri Uddhav Thackeray unveiled Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0; the state’s investment and growth stimulus strategy. Initiatives under this strategy enhanced the state’s policy framework and overall investment sentiment. With focus on economic recovery, the strategy features some of the boldest and most impactful investment reforms. Key Interventions proposed under Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 to boost state’s investment competitiveness.
Capacity Augmentation of MIDC Land Bank
MIDC manages 289 industrial parks built over 2.25 lakh acres of land across the state. It is geared to further acquire additional 40,000 acres of land for companies looking to invest in Maharashtra.
The acquisition is targeted in the regions viz. Pune-Chakan-Talegaon-Satara belt, Mumbai-Thane-Raigad belt, Aurangabad-Jalna region, Nagpur-Amravati belt and Nashik-Ahmednagar region.
Plug and Play Infrastructure
MIDC will offer a ready-to-move-in factories complete with advanced utilities, and affordable pricing structure to be made available with sectoral tailoring. It will host a diverse base of entrepreneurs, local suppliers and anchor units.
Industrial Shed Spaces will be provided on a rental basis to enable quick setting up of Industries without a major cashflow impact to the investor.
This helps a new investor immediately start operations from day one while offsetting the company’s risk appetite and liquidity crunch especially in a post-COVID scenario
Maha Parwana
The Government of Maharashtra has unveiled a mega single permission system to fast track industrial permissions as quickly as 48 hours.
This will facilitate investors to get all the permissions through a single-window clearance system and enable industries and their operations to start instantly.
All FDI and Investment Proposals exceeding INR. 50 Crore that are environmentally sustainable will be processed on priority to immediately start construction and production.
Maha Jobs
Designed by the state to act as an Industry employment bureau. Maha Jobs will have a dual impact – It will help industries meet the talent shortfall that they face the recent with ready access to unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled talent. In parallel, it will also allow youth of the state to list his/her skillsets on the portal across 17 sectors and 950+ job roles. Currently it hosts 2.94 lakhs applications and 2731 registered employers. This matchmaking of talent with industry will help the state achieve an optimal mix of utilization and boost manufacturing productivity.
Investor First Programme
Relationship Managers (RM) and Relationship Executives (RE) have be assigned to all the companies investing above INR 50 crore. RMs & REs will be responsible for overall co-ordination and providing necessary support to the Investors on continuous basis.
Dedicated Country Desks
Maharashtra houses large and small businesses as well as MNCs from several countries. In order to boost its bilateral ties and to provide dedicated handholding to investors and industry associations of partner countries, the state has setup country desks for each of its priority partners with the aim of providing extended support and facilitation.
Investment Intentions Signed
Under the leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister and Hon’ble Minister Industries, the Industries department along with MIDC signed 29 MOUs with key investors in the months of June 2020 and November 2020. The engagements saw participations from national and global business leaders who reinforced their confidence in the state. MoUs worth over Rs 51,000 crore were signed with business partners from USA, UK, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Spain across various traditional and novel sectors.
Hon'ble Minister Industries State Sh.Subhash Desai
The coronavirus pandemic has taken its toll in every walk of life and continues. However economic and industrial activities globally are cautiously coming back on track. Minister of Industries Shri Subhash Desai, Maharashtra Government, talks to Asian Lite in a candid interview about the Maharashtra government’s latest initiatives to bring in investments to the state, sustaining interest from the automotive sector, creating an EV manufacturing hub, and the strategic approach towards signing MoU’s.
ASIAN LITE: How is MAGNETIC MAHARASHTRA 2.0 unique and different from its earlier versions and what are the key focus areas? How is MAGNETIC MAHARASHTRA 2.0 better than investment initiatives of other states?
SHRI SUBHASH DESAI: In June 2020, Chief Minister Shri Uddhav Thackreayji unveiled Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0; the state’s investment and growth stimulus strategy. Initiatives under this strategy enhanced the state’s policy framework and overall investment sentiment. With focus on economic recovery, the strategy features some of the boldest and most impactful investment reforms. Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) – the state’s nodal investment promotion agency, having the largest industrial land bank in the country of 2.25 lakh acres is geared to acquire additional 40,000 acres for companies looking to invest in Maharashtra. Among our key offerings, MIDC offers ready-to-move-in factories with advanced utilities and affordable pricing structure, tailor-made for specific sectors.
The growth story of Maharashtra coupled with investor confidence seen in last few months has positioned the state to retain its advantage of being “the most favoured investment destination in the country”. Magnetic Maharashtra – the torch bearer of India’s growth is “Open for Business”.
Hon’ble Minister Industries State Sh.Subhash Desai
These facilities will host a diverse base of entrepreneurs, local suppliers, and anchor units. The state has also launched ‘Maha Parwana’, a mega single-permission system to fast track industrial permissions as quickly as 48 hours. The state has designed ‘Maha Jobs’ portal to act as industry employment bureau. Currently it hosts 2.94 lakhs applications and 2731 registered employers. In order to further strengthen bilateral ties with our partner countries the state offers dedicated country desks managed by a team of Relationship Managers and Relationship Executives that ensures priority investor handholding. I assure you, only Maharashtra offers these initiatives backed by robust infrastructure and clear policies, unmatchable to any competitive state’s reform strategies. The state’s capacity to harbour industrial ecosystem coupled with visionary leaders and policymakers that successfully deploy resources in a strategic manner makes Maharashtra a numero uno business destination.
ASIAN LITE: What special initiatives are there for investors to make it convenient for them in setting up their industries, acquiring land banks, ease of doing business, infrastructure etc, in short, the entire business ecosystem?
SHRI SUBHASH DESAI: Technology coupled with strong vision and governance is Maharashtra’s forte. Recent engagements under Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 witnessed participation of domestic and global business leaders from 29 companies who reinforced their confidence in the state by signing MoUs worth over Rs 50,000 crore. The Maha Jobs portal, Maha Parwana (accelerated permission system) and Plug & Play infrastructure are just a few examples that form the backbone for the state’s economic recovery.
In terms of industrial infrastructure and connectivity, we host some of the most successful industrial clusters in the country with robust connectivity via rail, road, ports and air links. In the use of technology, our single window clearance regime has simplified and streamlined various statutory approvals and clearances required for industries to a great extent. In Ease of Doing Business, we have undertaken various reforms and a transformative approach recently. Specialized policies and markets have been developed across the districts to bring suppliers, producers, sellers and buyers together. We have consistently upgraded our industrial ecosystem through infrastructure development and aim to continue with the development process.
The growth story of Maharashtra coupled with investor confidence seen in last few months has positioned the state to retain its advantage of being “the most favoured investment destination in the country”. Magnetic Maharashtra – the torch bearer of India’s growth is “Open for Business”.
ASIAN LITE: With many states trying aggressively to attract investments, how do you plan to retain your state’s share and rather grow in the coming years?
SHRI SUBHASH DESAI: A robust policy framework and progressive actions initiated by the state political leadership have helped the state in achieving this unparalleled growth. This has led to strong performance in our Ease of Doing Business ranking and a recent study published by NITI Aayog on Export Preparedness ranked Maharashtra as second among Indian states. Maharashtra provides a mature industrial ecosystem to diversified sectors with dominant presence of Automobile and Auto-Components, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical, Chemicals, Creative Industry, Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM), Engineering, Food Processing, Information Technology (IT), Textiles & Garments. Besides emerging technologies such as Industry 4.0 including Internet of Things (IoT), IoT based Kiosks, Embedded Technologies, 3D Printing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Nanotechnology and Data Centers have been identified as thrust sectors. A well-developed infrastructure, large pool of skilled manpower, presence of prominent educational and research institutions as well as excellent living conditions, continues to give Maharashtra an edge in attracting global investments.
ASIAN LITE: How far do you think the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has dampened the spirit of investors in terms of volumes? How do you see the pandemic as an opportunity?
SHRI SUBHASH DESAI: The pandemic posed a new normal for the industries to relook at their strategies and operational models to become resilient. Maharashtra, India’s most industrialized state, mirroring the National Growth vision, has scaled its efforts to meet this unprecedented situation, and at the same time realizes its economic response will determine the long-term effects of this pandemic. To promote manufacturing, in line with the Hon’ble Prime Ministers vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and ‘Vocal for Local’ we aim to support manufacturers through the policy measures of Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 strategy. The state shall remain to be one of the most preferred investment destinations within India and in South East Asia.
ASIAN LITE: Maharashtra wants to also be a major manufacturing hub for the EV industry, are you offering any special incentives to investors from the EV industry?
SHRI SUBHASH DESAI: The EV industry is in a very nascent stage, yet a consistently developing market. The State’s Electric Vehicle Policy envisions to develop Maharashtra as the leader in EV manufacturing and use. In this regard, we are targeting to generate an investment of Rs 25,000 crores in EV and its component manufacturing which will create jobs for over 1 lakh persons. The Government of Maharashtra through its EV Policy has a focus on promoting R&D, innovation and skill development in the EV which will benefit the existing auto component manufacturing hubs.
Along with the components needed for the vehicles themselves, we need to look at the components needed for the EV infrastructure such as sufficient number of charging points, cables, sockets and other accessories will also be a necessary part of the transition to EVs.
The state promotes EV public transport in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Thane, Nagpur and Nashik in its initial phases and other new regions as well.
Maharashtra is marching on a fast pace to achieve its goals. Despite the fall out of Covid-19 pandemic, the state is attracting foreign investments and creating jobs. Asian Lite meets Chief Minister Shri Uddhav Thackeray to get more details about Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 and other developmental projects
What are the key highlights of Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0, and how is it different from similar initiatives by other states and from the earlier format of Magnetic Maharashtra? How will you ensure that Maharashtra stays ahead in the race?
We unveiled Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 in June 2020; the state’s investment and growth stimulus strategy. Initiatives under this strategy enhanced the state’s policy framework and overall investment sentiment. With focus on economic recovery, the strategy features some of the boldest and most impactful investment reforms. Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) – the state’s nodal investment promotion agency, having the largest industrial land bank in the country of 2.25 lakh acres is geared to acquire additional 40,000 acres for companies looking to invest in Maharashtra. MIDC offers ready-to-move-in factories with advanced utilities and affordable pricing structure; tailor-made for specific sectors. These facilities will host a diverse base of entrepreneurs, local suppliers, and anchor units. The state has also launched ‘Maha Parwana’, a mega single-permission system to fast track industrial permissions as quickly as 48 hours.
“Maharashtra has world class infrastructure and established industrial ecosystem across multiple sectors. This along with the presence of diverse value chain and socio-economic diversity enables the state to have range of engineering, research and design hotspots”
The state has designed ‘Maha Jobs’ portal to act as industry employment bureau. Currently it hosts 2.94 lakhs applications and 2731 registered employers. It aids employers and employees to match adequate skillsets and talent; to achieve an optimal mix of utilization and higher manufacturing productivity. In order to further strengthen bilateral ties with our partner countries the state offers dedicated country desks; managed by team of Relationship Managers and Relationship Executives who ensures priority investor handholding. These unique offerings are custom made after consultation with international and domestic business communities, trade bodies and consul generals of partnering countries. I assure you, only Maharashtra offers these initiatives backed by robust infrastructure and clear policies, unmatchable to any competitive state’s reform strategies. The state’s capacity to harbor industrial ecosystem coupled with visionary leaders and policymakers that successfully deploy resources in a strategic manner makes Maharashtra a numero uno business destination. The state has grown leaps and bounds across every possible investment parameter in last few years.
Maharashtra’s economic development has been traditionally centered around Mumbai. hailed as the commercial capital of India. How are you planning to change that for the inclusive growth of the state?
Historically Mumbai has been epicenter of economic development not only for the state but also for the country. To ensure balanced regional development; Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 envisioned the developmental strategy of “Inclusive Growth”.
We are constantly engaging with different investors to help them realize their developmental dividends across the state for equitable growth. The gradual economic recovery backed by an uptick in consumption and manufacturing output, it is expected that we should soon return to normalcy.
Hon’ble Minister Industries State Sh.Subhash Desai
To support both greenfield and brownfield investments, MIDC is geared to acquire additional 40,000 acres of land across Maharashtra with special focus on Marathwada and Vidarbha. MIDC’s new plug-and-play infrastructure concept helps a new investor immediately start operations from day one, while offsetting the company’s risk appetite and liquidity crunch. This ensures that land requirement is easily fulfilled for all types of investors. It is our believe that with our investment in infrastructure, skill and training and dedicated relationship management the entire state can rise of being truly magnetic.
How have new initiatives under Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 helped in attracting investment in the state in 2020?
Technology coupled with strong vision and governance is Maharashtra’s forte. Recent engagements witnessed participation of domestic and global business leaders from 29 companies who reinforced their confidence in the state by signing MoUs worth over Rs 50,000 crore. The Maha Jobs portal, Maha Parwana (accelerated permission system) and Plug & Play infrastructure are just a few examples that form the backbone for the state’s economic recovery. In terms of industrial infrastructure and connectivity, we host some of the most successful industrial clusters in the country with robust connectivity via rail, road, ports and air links. In the use of technology, our single window clearance regime, has simplified and streamlined various statutory approvals and clearances required for industries to a great extent.
In Ease of Doing Business, we have undertaken various reforms and a transformative approach in the recent years. Even during these unprecedented and volatile times, we have invested strongly in the social, physical and industrial infrastructure of the state. Specialized policies and markets have been developed across the districts to bring suppliers, producers, sellers and buyers together. We have consistently upgraded our industrial ecosystem through infrastructure development and aim to continue with the development process.
What shall be your strategy to attract more FDI in the state? What kind of incentives and facilities are being given to foreign investors? What kind of infrastructure development is being ensured for them to facilitate a robust industrial ecosystem in the state?
Maharashtra government is actively aiding global businesses to diversify and decouple supply chain dependencies on any one nation. As they scout for alternative manufacturing bases, Maharashtra offers strategic and inherent comparative advantages.
The state has world class infrastructure and established industrial ecosystem across multiple sectors. This along with the presence of diverse value chain and socio-economic diversity enables the state to have range of engineering, research and design hotspots. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has bought innovative technologies and raised competitiveness. While the state retains its position as the preferred investment destination for FDI, in the last one year alone, the state attracted FDI inflows of over Rs 60,000 crore, accounting for more than 25% of total FDI inflow in the country.
The strategy envisioned under Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 received a lot of interest from countries like USA, Germany United Kingdom, South Korea, Singapore, Spain among others. Constant feedback engagments with consulates of multiple countries, trade bodies, industry associations, export promotion councils in resolving their queries on priority basis; ensured that businesses can continue as well as expand their operations. Approving record 15 FDI proposals and attracting highest share of FDI in past one year, the state continued to grow from strength to strength.
With a fresh spike of 48,648 coronavirus infections and 563 deaths in 24 hours, India’s tally on Friday rose to 80,88,851. The national capital too continued to witness a rise in the number of daily infections.
Out of the total Covid-19 cases, 5,94,386 are currently active, 73,73,375 have been discharged, while 1,21,090 lost the battle against the pandemic.
While the recovery rate stands at 91.15 per cent, the fatality rate is 1.50 per cent, the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare showed.
“India has exponentially scaled up its testing capacity from one in January to more than 10.65 crore at present. The very high testing has resulted in the continuously falling positivity rate. It is 7.54 per cent presently,” the ministry stated.
Positivity rate is the percentage of people who test positive for the coronavirus of those overall who have been tested.
Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit with a total of 16,66,668 cases, including 43,710 deaths; followed by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
Delhi continues to witness an unprecedented rise in the number of daily infections. According to a health department bulletin on Thursday, the national capital recorded 5,739 fresh Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day spike till date, taking the total caseload to over 3.75 lakh with 27 new fatalities pushing the death count in the national capital to 6,423.
This was the highest single-day figure Delhi reported since pandemic struck the country. The national capital, which has been battling the third wave of infections, has been logging over 5,000 cases daily for the past two days while the daily tally has remained above 4,000 since October 23.
Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted 11,64,648 sample tests in a single day on Thursday, taking the total number of samples tested so far to 10,77,28,088.
Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said he was “shocked and surprised” with the “kind of language” used by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari in his letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray this morning…reports India Daily News.
Shooting off a letter directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pawar said that he was in agreement with the Governor to have his independent views and opinions on the issue of reopening of religious places, but simultaneously the Maratha strongman also threw his weight behind Thackeray.
The fast-paced developments came a day after a Shiv Sena leader Kishore Tiwari wrote a letter to the Governor accusing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis of violating the Oath of Office and Secrecy by revealing details of the Aarey Colony project, and demanded he should sacked from the post.
It was brought to my notice through the media, a letter written by the Hon. Governor of Maharashtra to the @CMOMaharashtra
In this letter the Hon. Governor has sought the intervention of the Chief Minister to open up religious places for the public. pic.twitter.com/1he2VOatx3
“I also appreciate the prerogative of the Governor to convey his views to the CM. However, I am shocked and surprised to see the letter of the Governor and the kind of language used (in it),” Pawar informed Modi, even as the Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress stood rock-solid behind Thackeray.
Quoting some of the statements by Koshyari in his letter to Thackeray, Pawar pointed out to Modi the “intemperate language” used therein, and which “invokes the connotation” as if written to the leader of a political party.
“In the very Preamble of our Constitution, the word ‘Secular’ is added that equates and shields all religions, and hence (the Chair) of the Chief Minister must uphold such tenets of the Constitution,” Pawar pointed out.
He added that the CM was left with no options but to release his reply to the Governor, though he had not spoken with either of the state’s two top Constitutional dignitaries.
“I thought I must share my pain with you and the public at the erosion of standards of conduct of the high Constitutional office of the Hon. Governor,” said Pawar.
In the letter, making a case for permitting people to worship in temples — closed since the lockdown was clamped on March 23 — Governor Koshyari had asked a pointed question to Thackeray: “You have been a strong votary of Hindutva… Have you turned ‘secular’ yourself, the term which you hated?”
Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar
Congress state President and Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat said that the Governor’s language which was against the Constitution would be acceptable to the President of India.
“Moreover, a similar situation is there even in Goa, then why the Governor has not issued such a letter to reopen the places of worship there,” Thorat demanded.
NCP President and Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil pointed out that there’s a possibility of a second wave of Coronavirus in November which could pose a further risk of infections spreading.
“Religious leaders of all faiths have accepted that people must remain safe, and so any measures in this regard would be taken with utmost precautions,” Patil asserted.
Top leaders of Sena including Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut, Arvind Sawant (both MPs), several ministers and leaders also attacked the BJP and the language in the Governor’s letter.
“Comparing temples with bars is not proper…the PM said even today that the Corona threat has not been fully averted in Maharashtra. When the PM is so much concerned about the situation here, then the Governor should also think about it,” Raut said.
Tiwari — who is accorded a Ministerial status — has demanded that President R.N. Kovind should sack Koshyari “who has insulted the CM” and engaged in mudslinging in pandemic times, maligned the office of Governor besides running the “BJP agenda”, while Awami Party leader Shamsher Khan Pathan urged the President to dismiss the Governor immediately.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray (Photo: IANS)
Several top BJP leaders lambasted Thackeray and supported Koshyari, among them Fadnavis, Leader of Opposition in Council Pravin Darekar, and State party chief Chandrakant Patil who said that “bars and wine shops have been permitted to reopen, but not temples”.
Koshyari’s letter to Thackeray this morning sparked off a major political row in the state though the CM indicated that he would not be cowed down and the government would consider the (Governor’s) request seriously and take an appropriate decision soon with all Covid precautions.
As the controversy raged, the BJP along with seers and saints organised protests outside all prominent temples in the state including the famed Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai and the Saibaba Temple in Shirdi (Ahmednagar), demanding they be reopened for worship.
