Surendra P Gangan is Senior Assistant Editor with political bureau of Hindustan Times’ Mumbai Edition. He covers state politics and Maharashtra government’s administrative stories. Reports on the developments in finances, agriculture, social sectors among others.
Articles by Surendra P Gangan
8 jail artisans make 1,101 Ganesh idols
Eight prisoners from Nashik central jail and Dhule open jail have made 1,101 Ganesh idols using natural clay, with some inmates serving life imprisonment.
Updated on Sep 21, 2023 01:14 AM IST
Surendra P Gangan, Mumbai
More liquor shops proposed to mop up more revenue for state
The excise department in Maharashtra has proposed allowing liquor manufacturers to open retail outlets in multiple districts, in an effort to increase revenue for the state. The department also suggests allowing the sale of mild liquor in beer shops and issuing more drinking permits. These proposals could generate additional revenue of up to ₹650 to ₹700 crore annually for the government.
Updated on Sep 21, 2023 01:06 AM IST
Verdict in due time but I will not succumb to pressure, says Narwekar after SC remarks
The Supreme Court has directed the assembly speaker to begin hearings on disqualification petitions against Shiv Sena MLAs next week. The speaker had been given two weeks to obtain copies of the Thackeray faction's documents before the hearings, but failed to submit a status report as ordered by the court. The delay prompted the Thackeray faction to file a petition with the Supreme Court. The court recognized the speaker as a constitutional post and emphasized that no other institution can intervene. The hearings will now proceed in a reasonable time.
Updated on Sep 19, 2023 12:37 AM IST
Mumbai-Goa Highway: A dream plagued by glitches
The National Highway 66 connecting Mumbai and Goa, touted as a dream thoroughfare, has been plagued with potholes, causing extensive traffic jams and delays.
Updated on Sep 18, 2023 12:42 AM IST
Shinde placates Marathas, Fadnavis pacifies OBCs, Ajit maintains a low profile
Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil called off his 17-day indefinite hunger strike only after CM Shinde visited him on Thursday. The visit of the CM and two deputy CMs was the precondition put forth by the activist for withdrawing his strike, and was scheduled to take place a day earlier. Ajit Pawar was supposed to accompany Shinde to Jalna, but cancelled at the last minute
Published on Sep 18, 2023 12:32 AM IST
The power of non-political players on state leaders
On April 17, 14 people died from heatstroke at an event where the Maharashtra Bhushan award was conferred on the spiritual leader Appasaheb Dharmadhikari in Navi Mumbai. Over 20 lakh followers had turned up at the event. A probe was ordered after the incident, which is progressing at a snail’s pace
Published on Sep 17, 2023 12:09 AM IST
GST dept proposes addl tax on liquor to mop up more revenue
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) department in Mumbai has proposed a hike in the tax on liquor served in restaurants and hotels below 3 stars, from 5% to 10-15%. This could help the government increase revenue by ₹300 to ₹600 crore annually. The department has also proposed an increase in tax on gold and gold jewellery, as well as uniformity in tax on fabric and readymade garments. No decision has been made by the government on these proposals.
Updated on Sep 16, 2023 12:35 AM IST
Jarange-Patil calls off hunger strike after CM pays a visit
Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil ended his 17-day hunger strike after meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who assured him of reservations for the Maratha community. The hunger strike was in protest against the lack of quotas for the community. The government has promised to fulfill most of Jarange-Patil's demands, but some will take time to implement. The Maratha community has been demanding reservations for decades, and while the government granted 16% reservation in 2018, it was later slashed by the court. The current crisis began after protests demanding OBC status for Marathas were lathicharged by the police.
Updated on Sep 15, 2023 01:05 AM IST
Maratha reservation row: Activist ends hunger strike after meeting with Shinde
The state government has already conceded his other demands, including the withdrawal of cases registered against protesters.
Updated on Sep 15, 2023 04:56 AM IST
CM Shinde defers plan to visit Maratha reservation activist
The proposed visit was cancelled as the government does not want to bow before any pressure tactic, a leader from Shinde-led Shiv Sena said
Published on Sep 14, 2023 12:38 AM IST
Surendra P Gangan, Mumbai
CM defers plan to visit Jarange-Patil
Shinde and a few other state ministers are expected to meet Jarange-Patil on September 16, when they are scheduled to visit Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar [formerly Aurangabad], barely 70 km from Jalna, for a cabinet meeting, an official from CMO said, requesting anonymity
Published on Sep 14, 2023 12:13 AM IST
Maratha activist to end fast, quota stir to go on
Manoj Jarange said he was giving one month’s time to the Maharashtra government so that a state-appointed committee could prepare its report on the reservation.
Updated on Sep 13, 2023 04:52 AM IST
Bhide visits activist, praises CM and Dy CMs for their resolve on reservation for Marathas
On Tuesday, Bhide urged the Maratha activist to call off his hunger strike and praised chief minister Eknath Shinde, and deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar for their resolve to give reservation to a section of the community. He said that he would stand by Jarange-Patil and ensure the government sticks to its word
Published on Sep 13, 2023 12:30 AM IST
Maratha quota agitation leader seeks treatment, likely to end hunger strike
Manoj Jarange Patil has been on an indefinite hunger strike in Jalna since August 29 demanding blanket reservation for Marathas and the inclusion of the Kunbi community in the OBC category
Published on Sep 12, 2023 12:43 PM IST
Decoding the Maratha-Kunbi reservation row
Three panels had already studied the issue and offered specific steps to confirm the backwardness of the Maratha community. Yet, the agitation continues
Published on Sep 12, 2023 09:34 AM IST
Maharashtra to withdraw all Maratha quota cases, suspend officers
Chief minister Eknath Shinde reiterated his commitment to grant reservation to the Maratha community.
Updated on Sep 12, 2023 04:43 AM IST
Surendra P Gangan, Mumbai
Shinde Committee meets to frame action-plan for reservation of Marathas as Kunbis in Maha
The Devara Committee has handed over data on Marathas as Kunbis from the Nizam era to the Shinde Committee, which will issue Kunbi certificates. The Shinde Committee is expected to submit its report in three to four weeks.
Updated on Sep 12, 2023 12:24 AM IST
3 cops involved in lathicharge suspended, cases against protestors withdrawn
An all-party meeting in Mumbai led by CM Eknath Shinde agreed to suspend three senior police officers involved in a lathicharge on Maratha protesters in Jalna. The government also urged activist Manoj Jarange-Patil to end his hunger strike and offered him a position in the committee on issuing Kunbi certificates to Marathas, but he refused. The government is concerned about Jarange-Patil's health and the law and order situation in the state. The CM assured OBCs that their reservation would not be affected.
Updated on Sep 12, 2023 12:22 AM IST
Maratha quota stir simmers as talks with Shinde govt fail again
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has demanded that Marathas from the Marathwada region be extended reservation under the OBC
Updated on Sep 10, 2023 04:46 AM IST
Jarange-Patil refuses to call off hunger strike, demands amended GR
The government has now decided to await a response from the Marathas and to not negotiate for two days since Jarange-Patil’s further demands are difficult to accept due to legal constraints
Updated on Sep 10, 2023 12:11 AM IST
CM-Maratha delegation hold talks in late-night meeting
Jarange-Patil’s contention is that Kunbis in eight districts of central Maharashtra or Marathwada were listed as Kunbis during the rule of the Nizam in pre-independence India, and thus should be entitled to reservation benefits in the OBC quota
Updated on Sep 09, 2023 12:34 AM IST
State accepts demand of Maratha agitators
The Maharashtra government has announced that Marathas in central Maharashtra will be issued Kunbi caste certificates to enable them to receive reservation benefits under the OBC category. This comes after protests erupted following a lathi charge on Maratha demonstrators. A committee has been formed to verify records and issue the certificates. The decision may lead to demands for blanket issuance of Kunbi certification to all Marathas, potentially causing problems for the ruling alliance. The government is also working to restore the reservation that was quashed by the Supreme Court in 2021.
Updated on Sep 07, 2023 12:27 AM IST
Govt overturns its own decision, stands guarantee for sugar factory loans again
The Shinde government in Mumbai has reversed its decision and will now provide a bank guarantee for loans taken by sick sugar factories controlled by political leaders. The loans amount to about ₹1,100 crore and will be given to 13 sugar factories under politicians from ruling and opposition parties. If the factories fail to repay the loans, the state government will be responsible for repayment. The government has already paid ₹1,220 crore in the last five years towards bank guarantees for defaulter factories.
Updated on Sep 07, 2023 12:14 AM IST
Talks fail, Jarange-Patil gives govt four more days to issue notification
Talks between the government and Maratha protestors over the reservation issue failed, as the government was given four more days to issue a Government Resolution. The Maratha activist on hunger strike since August 29 has requested the government to declare Marathas as kunbis and extend reservation benefits to them in the OBC category. The government delegation requested the activist to withdraw the protest, citing the need for more time, but the activist granted four more days. The government is working on formulating a foolproof reservation policy.
Updated on Sep 06, 2023 12:48 AM IST
Surendra P Gangan, Mumbai
Existing OBCs strongly oppose OBC status to Marathas
The Maharashtra government is considering including Marathas in the Other Backward Class (OBC) category to restore their reservation, which was struck down by the Supreme Court. However, this move could face opposition from castes in the existing OBC category. The government has appointed a committee to collect records to support the inclusion of Marathas in the OBC category. The inclusion of Marathas in the OBC category is likely to face legal battles and agitations, as it could disturb the existing OBC quota. Marathas are demanding reservation without disturbing the OBC quota.
Updated on Sep 05, 2023 12:41 AM IST
Maha acts against cops after Maratha quota stir violence
The opposition, meanwhile, reiterated its demand that Fadnavis should resign, saying that he was behind the baton charge
Updated on Sep 04, 2023 12:23 AM IST
Surendra P Gangan, Mumbai
Govt scrambles to placate Maratha protesters, shunts out senior police officers from Jalna district
Holding Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi responsible for the lathi charge, the Shinde government sent him on compulsory leave while additional SP Rahul Khade and deputy SP Mukund Aghav were transferred out of the district. IPS officer Shailesh Balkawade, along with some other officers, has been appointed instead
Updated on Sep 04, 2023 12:24 AM IST
Shinde initiates action against senior officers over lathi charge incident in Jalna
A group of activists led by Maratha Marcha coordinator Manoj Jarange Patil have been protesting since August 29 in Antarvali-Sarati village demanding reservations in education and government jobs for the Maratha community
Updated on Sep 03, 2023 04:58 PM IST
Adjust, sacrifice: Ruling alliance members told
he ruling alliance of over eight parties in their joint rally at NSCI dome in Worli, resolved to win all the 48 Lok Sabha seats from Maharashtra.The leaders also criticised the INDIA alliance saying they have come together to save their own parties and leadership.
Updated on Sep 02, 2023 12:39 AM IST
TRP case against Arnab Goswami: Crime branch finds flaws in Waze’s probe
Flaws found in the investigation of alleged TRP manipulation by Arnab Goswami; case may be withdrawn.
Updated on Sep 02, 2023 04:10 PM IST
Vinay DalviSurendra P Gangan
