Latest news with #MIDC
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Raut accuses NCP MLA of illegal mining in letter to CM
Pune: Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut wrote a letter to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, alleging that NCP MLA Sunil Shelke and his family members carried out illegal mining at Maval tehsil's Ambale village and cheated the govt out of crores of rupees by not paying the royalty. Raut also alleged that Shelke, in connivance with some MIDC officials, made the govt acquire a piece of land unsuitable for industrial purposes because the mining activity was being carried out. "The valuation of Shelke's plot was Rs 73 lakh per acre. After acquiring that plot, the proposal of giving an alternative piece of land valued at Rs2.5 crore per acre as compensation is pending with the MIDC." Refuting the allegations, Shelke dared Raut to come out with evidence against him. Anurag Bende
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Bombay HC directs Maharashtra archaeology body to preserve ancient rock art sites in Konkan region, utilise funds of Rs 4.32 crore
The Bombay High Court Wednesday ordered the Maharashtra director of archaeology and museums to take required steps to protect and preserve ancient rock art petroglyphs or geoglyphs found in the Konkan region. The court also directed that the sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs 4.32 crore be utilised for preservation, conservation, development and management of these carvings or engravings on rock surfaces. A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Sandeep V Marne disposed of a PIL that raised concerns that a proposed mega oil refinery in the Barsu-Solgaon area in Ratnagiri district may end up harming the rock art. However, it granted liberty to the petitioners to give suggestions on the maintenance of the petroglyphs and to suggest any additional sites for preservation beyond the seventeen listed by the authorities. The PIL was filed by three people, including two residents of Barsu and Goval villages in the Ratnagiri district, where residents and activists had staged protests against the oil refinery project last year. The Indian Express in December 2022 reported that conservationists and archaeologists, including members of an expert team from the Central government, had raised concerns, stating that the refinery would damage the petroglyphs and could be relocated 5-10 km away from the present site. The petitioners, through senior advocate Gayatri Singh and advocate Hamza Lakdawala, sought preservation and protection of petroglyph sites in Maharashtra. They also sought direction to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to initiate necessary proceedings under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, to protect the geoglyphs included in the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list. The assistant director of the state Directorate of Archaeology and Museums filed an affidavit, in reply to the PIL, stated that it submitted a proposal to the ASI in July 2021 for inclusion of nine petroglyph sites in Maharashtra, including Kasheli, Rundhetali, Devache Gothane, Barsu, Devihasol, Jambhrun and Ukshi in Ratnagiri district, and Kudopi in Sindhudurg district, along with Fansaimal in Goa, in the UNESCO World Heritage category. The Directorate added that the final nomination dossier was submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Paris, through the ASI in January 2024. The affidavit further stated that on May 25, 2023, the Directorate sent a letter to the CEO of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) for excluding the Devache Gothane and Barasu petroglyph sites from the oil refinery project. The affidavit added that based on the Directorate's request, the MIDC took a 'positive action' and informed it in July 2023 about the exclusion of Devache Gothane and Barasu petroglyph sites land parcels from the proposed land acquisition for the project. The Directorate further stated that it proposed to the Maharashtar state cultural affairs ministry for conservation, development and management of seventeen petroglyph sites, including Bhagavatinagar, Chave, Deud, Ukshi Pochri, Ukshi, Niwali Gawadewadi, Kapadgaon, Umare, Kolambe, Kasheli, Wadi Rundhe, Devi Hasol, Solgaon, Devache Gothane, Goval and Barasu (petroglyph No. 1) and Barasu (petroglyph No. 2). Furthermore, the state government granted administrative approval for Rs 4.32 cror e for the conservation of petroglyph sites in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. The bench, in view of the stand taken by the state government and the Directorate, ordered authorities to preserve the identified petroglyph sites.
India Today
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Tata opens bookings for the Harrier.ev
Tata Motors has officially started accepting bookings for its flagship electric SUV, the Interested buyers can now reserve the vehicle through Tata's official website or at select dealerships. Prices for this electric SUV were announced on June its safety credentials, the has secured a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, the highest score achieving 32/32 for adult occupant protection and 45/49 for child below are the variant-wise (ex-showroom) prices of the (kWh)Price (ex-showroom)Adventure (RWD)65Rs 21.49 lakhAdventure S (RWD)65Rs 21.99 lakhFearless+ (RWD)65Rs 23.99 lakhFearless+ (RWD)75Rs 24.99 lakhEmpowered (RWD)75Rs 27.49 lakhEmpowered (QWD)75Rs 28.99 lakh The is available in multiple configurations, offering two battery pack options: 65kWh and 75kWh. Both versions come with a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) setup as standard, while the larger 75kWh battery variant also gets the option of a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (AWD) the RWD variants deliver 238bhp and 315Nm of torque, while the AWD version boosts output to 313hp and 504Nm of terms of range, the 65kWh RWD version offers a claimed 538km on a full charge, while the 75kWh RWD and AWD models promise up to 627km and 622km, respectively, as per the MIDC Part 1 + Part 2 capability is a major highlight, with the SUV able to gain 250km of range in just 15 minutes. A 120kW DC fast charger enables a 20–80% charge in around 25 minutes. For home setups, Tata offers 7.2kW and 3.3kW AC charger options. Additionally, the supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality up to 3.3kW and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) power transfer at up to enhancements include 19-inch alloy wheels with aero inserts, LED bi-projector headlamps, sequential turn indicators, and wing mirrors that project the 'Harrier' logo. Customers can choose from four colour options: Nainital Nocturne, Empowered Oxide, Pure Grey, and Pristine White—along with a Stealth Edition featuring a matte black finish and dark interior the boasts the plush Zenith Suite, offering a premium, lounge-like environment. Key features include ventilated, power-adjustable front seats (6-way for the driver with memory, 4-way for the passenger), the Power Boss Mode for additional rear legroom, and amenities like rear headrests, manual sunshades, and a voice-activated panoramic sunroof. The SUV also offers impressive cargo space, with a 502-litre rear boot expandable to 999 litres, and a frunk (front trunk) of 35 litres in QWD or 67 litres in RWD variants. Multi-colour ambient lighting adjusts based on drive modes and music, enhancing the in-cabin the safety front, the features Level 2 ADAS with over 20 functionalities, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Autonomous Emergency Braking that detects pedestrians, vehicles, and cyclists. Additional features include seven airbags (with a knee airbag), ESP with i-VBAC, Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS), TPMS, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlamps, and an SOS emergency call Motors offers a lifetime warranty on the battery, providing long-term peace of mind and reinforcing its commitment to quality and customer to Auto Today Magazine- Ends
News18
17 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Sanjay Raut Asks CM Fadnavis To Probe NCP MLA's ‘Illegal Mining', Royalty Evasion
The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP said Sunil Shelke used government-allotted industrial land for illegal sand and stone mining, causing huge losses to the state exchequer Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has fired a fresh salvo at the Ajit Pawar-led NCP by writing a detailed letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing Pawar's close aide Sunil Shelke of serious misuse of government land and massive royalty evasion worth crores. In his letter dated June 25, Raut alleged that Shelke, who represents the Maval constituency, used government-allotted industrial land for illegal sand and stone mining, causing huge losses to the state exchequer. According to Raut, Shelke and his relatives extracted minerals from industrial plots in several survey numbers spread over more than 29 hectares in Maval area, but did not pay any statutory royalty for the extracted material. Raut pointed out that Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) had acquired the said lands under Section 6 of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Act for promoting industrial development. However, instead of using the land for its intended purpose, Shelke allegedly misused it for large-scale mining. Raut has also attached details of land survey numbers and mining quantities in his letter. The Shiv Sena MP further alleged that Shelke's mining activities have damaged local village roads and caused severe inconvenience to villagers. He questioned why no strict administrative action has been taken despite repeated complaints and media reports. Highlighting the scale of the alleged scam, Raut stated that royalty worth several thousand crores has been evaded and questioned whether the state government would recover the huge loss. He also accused local officials, including MIDC officers and district administration, of ignoring these illegal activities and demanded an immediate high-level investigation. Raut concluded by stating that this case is a glaring example of how public land is being looted under the guise of development and demanded that action be taken not just against Shelke but also against the officials who allegedly turned a blind eye to the misuse. When contacted, Shelke told News18: 'Every morning, Sanjay Raut makes some or the other allegations against leaders. On what basis is he accusing me of evading royalty? What proof has he got against me? Why was he silent when he was with us? All his allegations are baseless and have no substance in them." First Published: July 02, 2025, 12:07 IST
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Maharashtra plans vertical industrial development policy amid land crunch
In a push to boost industrial growth, the Maharashtra government is preparing to come out with a new policy to promote vertical industrial structures due to the acute land shortage and soaring land prices in the state. The announcement was made by Maharashtra Development Commissioner Deependra Singh Kushwah during an industry-oriented conclave in Mumbai on Monday. Speaking at the event B Radhakrishnan, chairman and managing director of MahaGenco (Maharashtra State Power Generation Company) said that the state also aims to gradually reduce electricity tariffs for industries over the next five years and pointed that cheaper electricity from renewable sources will soon become more accessible to industries. The announcements came during a panel discussion organised by Loksatta at the World Trade Center, aimed at exploring ways to transform Maharashtra into a USD 1 trillion economy. Key participants included Anant Goenka , vice-chairman RPG Group; Pratik Agarwal, managing director, Sterlite Power; Dinesh Joshi, Chairman of Satyagiri Group and Co-Chair of FICCI Maharashtra; Deependra Singh Kushwah and B. Radhakrishnan. P Velarasu, CEO of MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation), presented the state's industrial policy roadmap. Industry leaders at the event voiced concerns over Maharashtra's high power tariffs, currently among the highest in the country. Addressing the concerns, Radhakrishnan said that the state plans to double its power generation capacity to 26,000 MW over the next decade, with the majority coming from renewable sources. This transition, he assured, will lead to a gradual decrease in electricity rates for industries over the next five years. Highlighting the land scarcity challenge, Kushwah said the proposed vertical industrial development policy would address cost pressures while ensuring sustainability. The policy will include strict guidelines to prevent pollution from waste, plastics, sewage, or air emissions, he said. RPG Group's Anant Goenka urged the government to immediately bring down power tariffs to Rs 6.50 per unit, ideally using green energy. In response, Radhakrishnan emphasised the state's shift toward renewable energy sources, which would help bring down prices sustainably. MIDC CEO Velarasu asserted that Maharashtra remains a leader in attracting foreign investment across multiple sectors and has maintained its competitive edge despite strong competition from other states. Speaking on urban development, Sterlite's Pratik Agarwal stressed the need for clean, livable cities to attract industrial investment. 'Cities like Singapore, London, Beijing, and Shanghai weren't always ideal—they overcame pollution and infrastructure challenges to become models of urban excellence. India too should aim to build at least five such pollution-free, world-class cities,' he said. He also cited Mumbai's hazardous air quality during winters, largely due to dust from construction and coal combustion, as an area needing urgent attention.
