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Business Standard
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Language row a distraction from core issues, says Prithviraj Chavan
Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has alleged that a controversy over the 'imposition' of Hindi language in Maharashtra was being created to divert people's attention from core issues and underlined the need to improve the quality of education. Claiming a drastic cut in the budgetary allocation for education, the former Maharashtra chief minister said the focus should be on providing quality education to students and strengthening infrastructure in the educational sector. "The budgetary allocation on education should be increased. The controversies over English and the imposition of Hindi are irrelevant and being created to divert focus from the core issues," Chavan told reporters in Kolhapur on Friday. The former Union minister claimed 41 per cent of posts of teachers in IITs are lying vacant in Maharashtra. "Similarly, 70 per cent of vacancies in agriculture universities are not filled," he said. The language row erupted after the state government last week issued an amended order stating Hindi will "generally" be taught as the third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5. According to the order, if 20 students per grade in a school wish to study any other Indian language, they can opt out of Hindi. If such a demand arises, either a teacher will be appointed, or the language will be taught online. Opposition parties, however, dubbed the move a default imposition of Hindi as a third language. The controversy has united estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray for the cause of the Marathi language. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS will take out a joint morcha in Mumbai on July 5. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) has extended its support to the protest march. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Community forest rights can end Naxalism. Gadchiroli is an example
Home Minister Amit Shah has declared that this government would end Naxalism by 31 March 2026. The Centre has also urged Naxal-affected states to expedite local infrastructure development programmes and provide the best possible rehabilitation packages to surrendered Naxals, while simultaneously continuing operations. These strategies have led to mixed results. Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra, in addition to the above strategies, has pushed for the recognition of customary and traditional rights of forest-dwelling communities over forest resources as a strategy to end Naxalism. Gadchiroli district's recognition of community forest rights (CFRs) is among the most advanced in the country. Forest-dwelling communities of the district collectively own 5,110.07 sq km of the district's 9,902.8 sq km of forest. This is unparalleled in comparison to any other part of the country, especially in a district where the Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste populations constitute 38.17 per cent and 11.25 per cent, respectively. All of this began with the recognition of the first community forest rights in India in August 2009, for the village of Mendha Lekha in Gadchiroli under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, recognises the pre-existing rights of forest-dwelling communities over forest resources irrespective of the classification of forests. These rights, in addition to several customary rights, grant exclusive control to these communities over all types of minor forest produce, including rights to bamboo and tendu leaves, and management rights through the Gram Sabha. While states across the country remain reluctant to recognise community forest rights and tend to deregulate colonial and post-colonial regulations on minor forest produce, Gadchiroli has witnessed significant developments. The first transit pass to sell bamboo by the Gram Sabha to contractors of their choice was handed over to the Gram Sabha of Mendha Lekha by the then Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and the then Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh. The process of deregulation and recognition of CFRs continued thereafter, despite the shift in political power. The current Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, during his first tenure (2014–2019), introduced a series of schemes, including financial support of Rs 1.78 lakh, to support the recognised CFR villages. Similarly, the Governor's Office of Maharashtra directed the state to modify its minor forest produce regulations and allowed the Gram Sabhas of Fifth Schedule areas to own, auction, and dispose of their collected minor forest produce to anyone who offers them a better price. Today, 1,109 CFR-recognised villages in the district are exercising these rights and have benefited enormously. The households in CFR-recognised villages earn a minimum of Rs 7,000 per month from forest resources. More importantly, a democratic, decentralised, and transparent process governs the forest resources. CFRs have provided livelihood security to thousands of forest-dwelling communities, protected tribal autonomy, and ensured the sustainable use of forest resources. Our research shows that forests managed by Gram Sabhas in Gadchiroli have experienced less deforestation than forest areas regulated by the Forest Department, where logging continues in an unsustainable and uncontrolled fashion. Economic outcomes have also been particularly remarkable: reduction in migration, less dependence on middlemen, creation of forest-based employment opportunities, and investment in education and health sectors. Many CFR-recognised Gram Sabhas have reinvested incomes from the forest into improving their recognised CFR areas. They have adopted forest plantation programmes and regularly patrolled the forest to protect it from both internal and external threats. A combination of factors explains these phenomenal achievements. First is the long history of collective action and grassroots movements initiated by local tribal leaders. They did not depend on external agencies or NGOs for their forest rights. While across the country the implementation of the FRA is largely NGO-driven, the case of Gadchiroli has been unique — driven by organic local initiatives. Also vital has been the district leadership and administration's genuine commitment to the decentralisation of decision-making over forests, irrespective of political alignment. The District Collector's office has initiated a series of activities, making policies at the Gram Sabha level more responsive to sustainable tribal livelihood and forest conservation. To date, the administration has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with 728 Gram Sabhas to provide necessary technical and financial support in the development, management, and implementation of the recognised CFR areas. Nevertheless, numerous challenges continue for forest-dwelling communities, especially in South Gadchiroli. Many villagers are afraid of displacement due to recent mining proposals. The Maharashtra government needs to ensure that its proposed development model—including steel plants, and mining proposals in tribal-populated areas—does not inhibit the exercise of recognised rights and safeguards under PESA (Provisions of the Panchayats [Extension to Scheduled Areas] Act) and FRA. It also needs to streamline its progressive district and block-level convergence schemes, implement them in a concerted manner, and provide communities with greater support to ensure their well-being and local development. Gadchiroli's community forest rights have been a success. The district administration's strategy — combining rehabilitation packages, local infrastructure development, and decentralisation of power — is worth replicating in other Naxal-affected areas in the country. The writer is a Professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
News18
08-06-2025
- General
- News18
Mumbai Metro 1 Turns 11: 111 Crore Passengers, Versova-Ghatkopar In 21 Minutes, Reasons To Celebrate
Last Updated: Mumbai's Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro Line: Unclogged roads, reduced pressure on railways to smoother commute, the city's first Metro line is special for more than 11 reasons In a key milestone for Mumbai, its first east-west Metro corridor, Mumbai Metro Line 1 or Metro One, completed 11 years of operation on Sunday. The 11.4-km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) corridor has transported over 111 crore passengers to date. 'On its 11-year run, Mumbai Metro One has made more than 12.66 lakh train journeys…," operator Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) said. Ghatkopar has seen almost 30 crore travellers, Andheri 23 crore and Saki Naka 11 crore since its launch. 11th Foundation Day of Mumbai Metro One 🎉Towards greater achievements, stronger connections, and continuous success!Here's to the journey so far — and the exciting path ahead. 🚇💙 #MMO11Years #FoundationDay #UrbanMobility #StrongerTogether #MetroAnniversary #ConnectingMumbai … — Mumbai Metro (@MumbaiMetro01) June 8, 2025 THE BLUE LINE The Mumbai Metro 1 Blue Line started operations on June 8, 2014, with inauguration by then CM Prithviraj Chavan. It is said to have the eighth highest passenger density of any metro line in the world. There are a total of 64 curves on the line, with the steepest curve being 107 metres (351 ft). Metro One was designed as an alternative to the roads and railways on public-private-partnership (PPP) between Reliance Infrastructure and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). On this Children's Day, young adventurers boarded the Metro and had a ride full of laughter and wonder! 🚇✨ #ChildrensDay #MetroFun #HappyRides #LittleExplorers #KidsOnTheMetro #JoyfulJourneys#ChildhoodAdventures #MetroMagic #HappyLittleTravellers #MetroJoy … — Mumbai Metro (@MumbaiMetro01) November 15, 2024 THE KEY CONNECTING LINK FOR MUMBAI Mumbai Metro 1 provides connectivity between the eastern and western suburbs to Western & Central Railway. It has 12 stations – Versova, DN Nagar, Azad Nagar, Andheri, Western Express Highway, Chakala (J B Nagar), Airport Road, Marol Naka, Saki Naka, Asalpha, Jagruti Nagar, Ghatkopar. It facilitates smooth and efficient interchange between suburban rail system and MRT System at Andheri and Ghatkopar Stations. Reduced the journey time from 71 minutes to 21 minutes, between Versova and Ghatkopar. Provides rail-based access to the MIDC, SEEPZ and commercial developments. It is also connected to other Metro lines – Line 2A at D N Nagar, Line 7 at Western Express Highway, and Line 3 at Marol Naka – making the north-south and east-west journey smoother. Metro One offsets over 67,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, an impact comparable to planting over 3 million trees. The line has also been recognised with over 40 prestigious awards for its service, innovation, and environmental contributions, according to MMOPL. First Published: June 08, 2025, 13:39 IST
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Mumbai Metro One turns 11 tomorrow, serving 111 crore passengers since 2014
Mumbai's first east-west Metro corridor, Mumbai Metro Line 1 or Metro One, completes 11 years of operation on Sunday, transporting over 111 crore passengers to date. Since its commencement on June 8, 2014, the 11.4-km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) corridor has become a lifeline for suburban railway commuters, saving time for the east-west commute. This milestone highlights the increasing dependence on Mumbai's maiden Metro line, which now transports almost 5 lakh passengers daily. 'On its 11-year run, Mumbai Metro One has made more than 12.66 lakh train journeys, traversed more than 1.45 crore km and recorded a punctuality rate of 99.99%,' operator Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) said. Metro One was designed as a fast, modern and secure alternative to the clogged roads and suburban rail network of Mumbai and developed on India's first public-private-partnership (PPP) model, with Reliance Infrastructure and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority collaboration. The service was inaugurated by the then chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and opened for public use the same day, attracting thousands of commuters in its early hours. 'Over the years, the Metro has evolved into more than just a transport link. It has become an integral part of Mumbai's daily commute, offering speed, safety, and seamless connectivity,' a Metro One spokesperson said. The line connects two of the city's busiest commercial hubs, Ghatkopar and Andheri and has played a key role in reducing travel time between Versova and Ghatkopar from 90 minutes to just 21 minutes. Besides, the foot traffic at key stations indicates that the line is preferred by commuters with Ghatkopar seeing almost 30 crore travellers, Andheri 23 crore and Saki Naka 11 crore, since its opening. The line is also recently lauded for reducing peak hour bottlenecks, introducing short loop operations between Andheri and Ghatkopar, and facilitating faster turnarounds without affecting full-length operations. Recent connectivity with other Metro lines – Line 2A at D N Nagar, Line 7 at Western Express Highway, and Line 3 at Marol Naka – has facilitated quicker east-west and north-south journeys. This multi-corridor connection has also eased pressure on suburban rail and road networks. 'Mumbai Metro One has been awarded more than 40 international and national awards for innovation, safety, and efficiency. It has also contributed to green mobility through fuel savings and reduction in city emissions. Entering its 12th year, Metro One continues to drive sustainable, intelligent mobility to Mumbai,' the spokesperson added.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Is RSS okay with ceasefire, does it still back Modi, asks Prithviraj Chavan
Kolhapur: Former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan questioned the RSS's position regarding the military conflict between India and Pakistan, the implementation of ceasefire, and the outfit's support of PM Narendra Modi. Speaking at the Congress Jay Hind Yatra in Satara on Wednesday, which celebrated the armed forces' bravery in Operation Sindoor, Chavan pointed out that it was unprecedented for a Prime Minister to avoid Parliament during periods of war. Responding to international media questions about the ceasefire, he said such matters should be discussed in Parliament. "Today, the international media is posing some questions regarding the ceasefire. The right place for the head of any state to answer these questions is Parliament. PM Modi should call a special session of Parliament, present the factual position of the conflict and let there be a discussion. Parliament can unanimously pass a resolution to make the PM's position stronger," said Chavan. Chavan mentioned that the opposition parties, led by Congress, have persistently requested a special parliamentary session through multi-party consultations. Govt has not acted upon these requests, including a written appeal from Rahul Gandhi. He noted that all previous prime ministers had addressed Parliament during conflicts, including the 1947 war and the confrontation with China. The former CM posed direct questions to the RSS, which forms the ideological core of BJP. "I have questions for RSS. Does the RSS leadership accept what happened in the conflict? Do they agree with the way the ceasefire was announced? Does RSS still support the PM?" asked Chavan. The Jay Hind Yatra in Sangli on Wednesday was spearheaded by Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam and independent MP Vishal Patil.
