Latest news with #RaisShaikh
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Lokrajya Urdu magazine discontinued, SP MLA urges CM to resume publication
Mumbai: The Urdu edition of the state govt's Lokrajya magazine has been discontinued. Raising concerns over this, Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh wrote to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis , urging him to resume its publication. In his letter, Shaikh urged the CM to direct the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR) to restart the Urdu edition to cater to Urdu-speaking readers across Maharashtra. The Lokrajya magazine, first published in Marathi in 1947, was later released in English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Urdu. According to Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) data, Lokrajya is one of the most widely read govt magazines in the country. "However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Urdu edition was discontinued from April 2020. There are 75 lakh Urdu speakers in state. Urdu is the ninth most spoken language in India and is not limited to any one religion—it's a Hindustani language," said Shaikh. Citing the legacy of Urdu journalism in the freedom movement and its contribution to Bollywood, Shaikh noted that around 25 dailies are published in Urdu in Maharashtra. "The Urdu edition of Lokrajya served as a crucial source of information on govt schemes and policy decisions," said Shaikh. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SP MLA: Urdu academy treated unfairly, stay eviction order
Mumbai: After the state culture department asked Urdu Sahitya Academy to vacate its premises in a govt building in Fort and look for a rented office, SP MLA Rais Shaikh urged deputy CM Ajit Pawar and minority development minister Datta Bharane to stay the eviction notice. The academy will mark its golden jubilee this year. Shaikh said he will take the issue up in the assembly on Monday. "Evicting the academy from govt premises in such a manner is deeply regrettable. While academies for languages have been allotted spacious govt premises, the Urdu academy is being treated unfairly," he said. "The office should be relocated only after suitable govt space becomes available in Mantralaya area." Bharane said he will look into the issue after returning to Mumbai. —Chaitanya Marpakwar
Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Maharashtra to form committee to make Bhiwandi ‘largest logistics hub in Asia'
The Maharashtra government will form a committee in order to realise the plan of making Bhiwandi the largest logistics hub in Asia. The committee will include officials from the Industries and Urban Development Department and Bhiwandi East MLA Rais Shaikh, Industries Minister Uday Samant announced in the Legislative Assembly. During the discussion in the Assembly, MLA Rais Shaikh drew the government's attention to developing Bhiwandi as a logistics hub. 'There is a need to appoint an IAS officer for the Bhiwandi Surrounding Notified Area. 60 villages and Bhiwandi city together have an area of 144 square kilometers, which is 30 percent of Mumbai. All the powers of local bodies are with the authority. Government land worth Rs 3,000 crore is being encroached upon and needs to be saved. If the government is serious about this issue, Bhiwandi will have the biggest share in making the state's $1 trillion economy,' said MLA Rais Shaikh in the Legislative Assembly. Responding to this, Industries Minister Uday Samant said that the largest logistics hub in Asia can be built in Bhiwandi. 'The government agrees to the technical difficulties such as appointing an IAS officer and taking back the powers of MMRDA. Therefore, accepting the request of MLA Rais Shaikh, we will form a committee of four or five people including officials from Industries, Urban Development, and we will move forward after finalising the policy,' announced Minister Uday Samant.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
114 Muslims among 167 employees dismissed by Shani Shingnapur temple trust; SP MLA decries move
The Shani Shingnapur temple trust in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar district has dismissed 167 employees, including 114 Muslims, citing violations of discipline and irregularities, officials said on Sunday. The decision was taken purely on administrative grounds as these staffers were found to be in breach of certain service rules and disciplinary norms, an official from the trust that manages the renowned temple emphasised. The move comes amid recent agitations by Hindu organisations opposing the presence of Muslim staff within the temple premises. These groups had claimed allowing non-Hindu workers on the sacred platform of Lord Shani was unacceptable. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Belly Fat Removal Without Surgery in India: The Price Might Surprise You Belly Fat Removal | Search Ads Get Info Undo The Hindu community had warned of a large protest march outside the temple on June 14 if their demands were not met, another official said. While the temple trust maintained that the dismissals were not driven by religious identity, the inclusion of a large number of Muslim employees among those terminated has drawn attention. Live Events Shani Shingnapur, a temple known for its long-standing traditions and the absence of doors in homes nearby, had recently seen growing polarisation over religious identity in staffing decisions. Meanwhile, Samajawadi Party legislator Rais Shaikh , slamming the decision, said, "Termination of employment based on religious identity is a clear violation of civil rights. It is an illegal and arbitrary act. Targeting Muslims and Dalits has always been part of the BJP government's long-standing strategy. Their core agenda is to polarize votes along religious lines and seize power." The 114 Muslim employees terminated by the Trust were not working inside the temple premises but were employed in departments such as waste management, agriculture, and administration, the MLA from Bhiwandi East in Thane district said.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Livestock markets allowed from June 3 to 8 at APMCs
Mumbai: Under criticism for its advisory to the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) against holding livestock markets between June 3 and June 8 across the state for Bakr Eid, the Maharashtra Gauseva Ayog, a commission for the welfare of cows and their progeny, revoked its May 7 advisory. After animal husbandry officials informed the meeting headed by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on June 2 that the ban on holding livestock markets between June 3 and 8 was revoked, the commission issued a fresh advisory on June 3, stating only the sale and purchase of cows and their progeny would be banned. "We raised the issue with the CM, citing the law which does not give the commission any rights to issue such an advisory. The animal husbandry department intervened. The commission has the rights to only recommend, not to pass any advisory or order. I am glad now livestock markets will be organised, and animals which are allowed for slaughter (buffaloes, goats, sheep, lambs) can be sold," said Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh. Congress MLA Amin Patel, who also attended Monday's meeting chaired by the CM at Sahyadri Guesthouse, said it was a big relief to animal traders, farmers and the community at large. "Farmers and traders wait for the whole year to get a good price for livestock during Bakr Eid festival. Village markets run by APMCs are where most villagers sell and buy livestock during Bakr Eid, and the advisory had upset many," said Patel, who also suggested the modernisation of the BMC-run Deonar abattoir. Imran Babu Qureshi of All India Jamiatul Quresh said, "Anyway, the slaughter of cows and their progeny is prohibited. Our demand was to lift the ban on holding markets for livestock permitted for slaughter."tnn
