Articles by Dheeraj Bengrut
Govt’s band-aid solutions make onions politically sensitive
Farmers and traders in a fix over onion-related issues in Maharashtra as both blame state and centre for lack of political will to find solutions

Published on Sep 25, 2023 12:03 AM IST
2.5K Ganpati mandals register for festival this year in Pune
The state government had given orders to the local governing bodies to carry forward the mandals’ last year’s permissions for the 2023 Ganesh festival

Published on Sep 25, 2023 12:01 AM IST
Now, Panshet-like cluster schools to come up across Maha
All deputy directors of education offices in the state have been instructed to submit proposals related to cluster schools by October 15

Updated on Sep 25, 2023 12:32 AM IST
Onion traders firm on strike; auctions in 17 APMC markets to remain closed
The indefinite strike by onion traders in Nashik district continues as no resolution was reached during a meeting with the district guardian minister. Another meeting is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss the traders' demands. The traders are protesting against increased export duty and restrictions on the sale of NAFED. The Nashik APMC has threatened action against the protesting traders.

Updated on Sep 22, 2023 12:08 AM IST
Ganpati celebrations at home reduce over the years in Pune
Some of the Ganpati mandals too have started holding immersion processions on the eighth or ninth day of the festiva

Published on Sep 21, 2023 11:37 PM IST
Nashik onion traders call for an indefinite strike over demands
Starting Wednesday, onion traders have decided not to participate in the auction in 17 market committees across Nashik district including Lasalgaon over various demands

Published on Sep 20, 2023 11:42 PM IST
Punekars unhappy over Ganesh immersion arrangements
The artificial tank at Omkareshwar Ghat was not a pleasant sight as garbage and debris were seen in and around the artificial tank

Published on Sep 20, 2023 11:23 PM IST
Residents irked as police cordon off many roads in Peth areas
Steps taken to check vehicular movement have so far resulted in chaotic traffic snarls at many locations in Narayan Peth, Shaniwar Peth, and Shukrawar Peth

Updated on Sep 20, 2023 11:15 PM IST
Maha govt okays adoption of state-run schools
The Maharashtra government has implemented a scheme allowing individuals, corporations, and NGOs to adopt government schools to improve educational quality and infrastructure. Donors will provide goods and services for a defined period, but cash contributions are not permitted. The school's name can be changed temporarily but will be restored after the contract period ends.

Updated on Sep 19, 2023 11:43 PM IST
Devotion, eco-friendly decor on display as Ganesh festival begins in Pune
Citizens in Pune welcomed Lord Ganpati Bappa with enthusiasm and eco-friendly measures as they installed clay idols instead of plaster of paris ones.

Updated on Sep 19, 2023 11:29 PM IST
Farmers seek relief from govt as tomato prices slide
Farmers and traders from the Ghodegaon Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) markets protested against the State government on Monday, demanding relief from price cuts for tomatoes and onions

Updated on Sep 18, 2023 11:56 PM IST
‘Earn and Learn’ scheme not yet started in colleges affiliated to SPPU
Meanwhile, students’ unions have raised the issue and demanded that the scheme be started immediately

Published on Sep 18, 2023 11:44 PM IST
Pune’s Manache Ganpati mandals set to welcome Bappa
Preparations are in full swing for the 10-day Ganesh festival in Pune, with five Manache Ganpati mandals performing Pratishthapana puja on Tuesday.

Updated on Sep 18, 2023 11:31 PM IST
100 SPPU-affiliated colleges get NAAC notice for non-accreditation
Maharashtra government’s Higher Education Department has strongly vouched for NAAC accreditation for all colleges in the state

Published on Sep 18, 2023 12:17 AM IST
Kalyani Nagar residents demand better facilities for senior citizens at Pune Airport
Residents of Kalyani Nagar in Pune are concerned about the lack of essential facilities for senior citizens at Pune Airport, such as recliner seats, priority check-ins, and basic amenities in the washrooms. They are demanding the introduction of priority check-in counters and improved facilities to reduce stress and improve the overall travel experience for senior citizens. The director of Pune Airport has stated that they are working on developing better facilities for senior citizens.

Updated on Sep 18, 2023 12:07 AM IST
Highways, bus stands, markets crowded in Pune ahead of Ganeshotstav
Ahead of the 10-day Ganpati festival, heavy crowds were seen at bus stands, railway stations, highways, and markets in central parts of Pune. Traffic was backed up on the Pune-Mumbai expressway and other major highways. Many people were also visiting their native places, leading to rush at bus stands and the railway station. Private bus operators were charging high fares despite efforts by the regional transport office to monitor rates. The festival will be celebrated from September 19 to 28.

Updated on Sep 17, 2023 11:56 PM IST
30 % work at Hadapsar railway station complete
The cost of this project is ₹135 crore, said officials on Friday. The platform extension works at the Pune railway station is also underway

Updated on Sep 16, 2023 11:46 PM IST
Auto union stages protest against issue of permits
The protestors said that allowing government-subsidised electric rickshaws to ply without licence will only increase more vehicles on roads, causing acute traffic congestion

Published on Sep 16, 2023 12:22 AM IST
Seven Loves Chowk: A deadly spot for commuters
On Wednesday, the Traffic police department visited the spot and discussed the course of action to mitigate such fatal incidents

Published on Sep 16, 2023 12:07 AM IST
Edu dept extends deadline for self-certification for teacher recruitment
The deadline for candidates to fill their self-certificates for the recruitment of teachers in Maharashtra has been extended to September 22 due to low completion rates and internet issues. Candidates who do not complete the self-certification will not be eligible for further recruitment process.

Updated on Sep 15, 2023 12:46 AM IST
RSS meet in Pune: 3-day holiday to students of SPM
Students studying in institutions run by Shikshan Prasarak Mandali (SPM) have been given three days holiday due to an RSS meeting taking place at SP College campus. The meeting will last from 9 am to 8.30 pm and some classrooms will be used for the meeting.

Updated on Sep 13, 2023 10:50 PM IST
82 illegally running school transport vehicles penalised by Pune RTO
These vehicles did not have proper permissions and licence to transport school students and were penalised by the Pune RTO squads, said officials

Published on Sep 12, 2023 11:45 PM IST
Finally, New Airport Terminal Building in Pune to be operational from October
Pune Airport's New Integrated Terminal Building (NITB) is set to be operational from October after missing several deadlines. The new terminal has a built-up area of 50,000 sq m and will have 10 aerobridges and 72 check-in counters. The construction of the new terminal building is part of an expansion project that also includes a multilevel car park and new cargo complex. The need for the new terminal arose due to increased flight operations and new destinations being connected.

Updated on Sep 12, 2023 11:37 PM IST
Now, Pune RTO squads to restrain private tourist buses from charging exorbitant fares
According to the Motor Vehicles Act, private tourist buses can only increase their fares by 1.5 times the normal fares of MSRTC

Published on Sep 12, 2023 11:03 PM IST
FYJC admissions: 40K seats still vacant in Pune division
In the first four special rounds and earlier three regular rounds, a total of 76,159 admissions were allotted to students and after all these rounds 40,871 seats still remain vacant in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad divisions

Published on Sep 11, 2023 11:52 PM IST
Chandrakant Patil to review traffic issue at Chandani Chowk
Pune guardian minister Chandrakant Patil will review the new bridge and underpasses at Chandani Chowk after ongoing traffic congestion issues.

Updated on Sep 11, 2023 11:46 PM IST
Farmers destroy tomato crop as prices drop from ₹200 per kg to ₹2 in one month
According to farmers, the retail price of tomatoes in Maharashtra was around ₹160 per kg and ₹200 per kg in north Indian states during July and the first week of August, before crashing to ₹2 per kg in wholesale markets following a glut

Published on Sep 10, 2023 11:40 PM IST
There is a 15- 30 centimetre rise in groundwater levels: SPPU study
Under the study, a total 103 villages across 13 talukas of Pune district were selected where trench-cum-recharge shaft structures were proposed to tackle drinking water scarcity issues

Published on Sep 10, 2023 11:03 PM IST
SPPU to fill 111 vacant professor posts
The Maharashtra state government has approved the filling of 111 vacant professor posts at the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), and the process will commence by the end of September

Published on Sep 08, 2023 10:51 PM IST
On display at G20, a 450-year-old manuscript of the Rigveda
The story of how a 106-year-old institute in Pune came to possess a document now deemed to be a UNESCO 'Memory of World Heritage

Updated on Sep 08, 2023 08:38 PM IST