The Maharashtra General Administration Department, working under the Chief Minister, has decided to halt the large-scale appointments of IT and non-IT consultants in government departments, corporations, and authorities. According to the government order, no department can appoint more than two IT consultants.

Additionally, the appointment of other consultants will also follow a specified process. The government has observed that many departments, regional offices, and corporations are employing a large number of consultants under the guise of 'consulting services.' There has been a growing trend of appointing retired officials to these positions. The order states that each department can only retain a maximum of two IT consultants.

Departments that currently have more than two consultants can continue until April 30, 2026, but from May 1, 2026, no department will have more than two IT consultants under any circumstances. Prior approval from the Directorate of Information Technology will now be mandatory for the appointment of any type of consultant. The responsibility for ensuring compliance with these rules will lie with the heads of departments and office heads, although these rules will not apply to the Chief Minister's office, Deputy Chief Minister's office, Chief Secretary's office, IT department, and the Directorate of Information Technology.

This decision by the government follows a statement by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in which he emphasized that all departments should work with transparency, timeliness, and trust, so that people can easily benefit from the schemes and the goal of a developed Maharashtra can be achieved. He made these remarks during an event organized under the 150-day e-governance reform program, where outstanding officials and employees were also honored.

Chief Minister Fadnavis has directed the IT department to implement the 'One State, One Portal' scheme, aimed at eliminating the hassles caused by multiple government websites and providing all services on a single platform. He stated that making government services accessible to the public should be the top priority.

The political activity surrounding the upcoming by-election for the Baramati Assembly seat in Maharashtra has intensified. The state's Deputy Chief Minister and NCP President Sunetra Pawar will file her nomination on April 6, with several prominent leaders expected to be present.

As per agency report,, during the nomination process, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will also be in attendance. This by-election is being held following the death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash along with four others in Baramati on January 28. Ajit Pawar had a long-standing dominance in the Baramati seat, having been elected as an MLA eight times, making this seat politically significant.

Interestingly, the NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar has decided not to field a candidate for this seat. However, its ally Congress has made it clear that it will not allow the election to be one-sided. Besides Baramati, a by-election will also be held for the Rahuri Assembly seat in Ahmednagar district on April 23.

In the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Shivaji Kardile contested again for the BJP from this seat and defeated the NCP candidate Prajakta Tanpure by a margin of over 14,000 votes. Shivaji passed away from a heart attack in October 2025, leading to this seat also becoming vacant. The results of the by-elections for both seats will be announced on May 4.

According to the Election Commission, by-elections are being held for eight assembly seats across six states. Voting will take place on April 23 in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura, while voting in Gujarat and Maharashtra will occur on April 9, 2026. The commission has instructed the state administrations to ensure free, fair, and peaceful voting, along with necessary measures for security and electoral preparations.

Thane, December 6: In a significant case of cyber fraud reported from Maharashtra, a 78-year-old man residing in Thane city was allegedly swindled out of Rs 1.06 crore. The victim was lured into the scam with promises of high returns on online investments, according to information provided by the police on Saturday.

The police have registered a case against an individual in connection with this incident. An official from the Rabodi police station stated that the accused initially added the senior citizen to a WhatsApp group. Later, the victim was inducted into another group specifically for investment purposes, where he was enticed with the prospect of lucrative profits, as per agency report.

Trusting the claims made by the fraudster, the victim allegedly transferred a total of Rs 1.06 crore through 21 online transactions into various bank accounts.

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These transfers took place between the months of October and November. The fraud came to light when the victim attempted to withdraw his funds or asked for his money back, at which point the accused ceased all communication and stopped responding.

Based on the complaint filed by the victim, the police registered a case of cheating against the accused on Thursday. The authorities have confirmed that an investigation into the matter is currently underway.

Nagpur: Union minister Nitin Gadkari has underlined that taking responsibility for any task and ensuring its effective implementation is crucial in every sphere of life. Speaking at the Changemakers Conclave organised by Yuva Bharati Foundation at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Nagpur, he stressed the need for clear goal-setting and persistent hard work to achieve desired outcomes, as per agency report.

Gadkari told the audience that even small contributions can bring about meaningful change in society and should not be underestimated. He cautioned that setting small ambitions is akin to doing a disservice to one’s potential and urged young people to dream big, visualise a better future and develop a strong and practical vision for their lives and careers.

Emphasising the importance of capable leadership across different sectors, the minister highlighted the role of experience and practical insight in shaping effective decision-makers. He pointed out that theoretical knowledge alone is not enough and that real understanding comes from direct engagement with people and their problems.

Drawing from his own work in Nagpur, Gadkari explained that many development projects he had pursued were conceptualised only after he closely examined local issues and understood citizens’ needs on the ground. He said that success in any undertaking depends greatly on the willingness to accept responsibility and to execute the task with dedication and sincerity.

Referring to various development initiatives, he observed that individuals and leaders must strive to turn their goals and dreams into reality. He noted that people appreciate those who inspire them with a vision of progress, but they also hold leaders accountable if those promises are not fulfilled, while showing enduring support for those who deliver on their commitments.

Latur, October 20 – Gujarat Police have arrested dismissed sub-inspector Ranjeet Kasle from Maharashtra’s Latur district in connection with a robbery case registered against him in Surat, officials confirmed on Monday.

As per agency report, Kasle was taken into custody on Sunday night in a joint operation. Kasle had been dismissed from service by the Maharashtra government a few months ago after allegations surfaced that he had been offered a contract to kill Valmik Karad, the prime suspect in the Beed sarpanch murder case last year.

Inspector Sudhakar of the Crime Branch informed that a robbery case against Kasle was registered at Pal Police Station near Surat, prompting a Gujarat Police team to travel to Latur. The arrest took place around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Another official added that during interrogation, other suspects arrested in the Surat case had pointed to Kasle’s alleged involvement in assisting the gang responsible for the robbery, leading to his subsequent arrest.

Pune police have dismantled a fake call center that was allegedly extorting over Rs 25 lakh daily from US citizens by threatening them with arrest. As per agency report, five individuals have been arrested in connection with the operation, which targeted mostly senior citizens and retirees in the United States.

Operating under the name "Magnetel BPS and Consultants LLP," the illegal call center had been functioning since August 2024 from a commercial building in the Kharadi area of Pune. Over 120 individuals, including at least a dozen women, were employed as night-shift calling agents to carry out the scam.

Acting on a tip-off, Pune police’s Crime Branch conducted a late-night raid on Friday. During the operation, numerous agents were taken in for questioning.

Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma stated that the suspects contacted American citizens claiming their bank accounts had been misused in drug trafficking or other criminal activities. The victims were then threatened with arrest and coerced into purchasing gift cards, which the accused later redeemed for personal financial gain.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the call center was extorting between $30,000 to $40,000 (over Rs 25 lakh) per day through what the scammers referred to as "digital arrests." The scam primarily preyed on vulnerable elderly individuals by exploiting their fear of legal repercussions.

During the raid, police seized 64 laptops and 41 mobile phones used in the fraudulent operation. Authorities continue to interrogate those detained and are expanding the investigation to identify additional individuals involved in the international scam.

Ratnagiri, May 19 – A tragic road accident occurred on the Mumbai-Goa Highway near Jagbudi River in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and leaving one seriously injured. As per agency report, the victims were travelling from Mira Road in Mumbai to Devrukh in Ratnagiri to attend a funeral when the vehicle lost control and plunged into the river.

The accident took place when the driver lost control of the car while navigating a stretch near the Jagbudi River. The vehicle veered off the road and fell into the water. Five passengers died on the spot due to the impact, while the driver sustained serious injuries.

Upon receiving information about the incident, local residents rushed to the scene and promptly informed the police. Emergency responders arrived shortly thereafter, transporting the injured driver to a nearby hospital for treatment. The bodies of the deceased were recovered and sent for postmortem examination.

This incident adds to a series of road accidents that have occurred in Maharashtra in recent weeks. On April 28, a collision near Bela village on the Mumbai-Kolkata National Highway in Bhandara district claimed four lives and left one person critically injured. A Bolero vehicle travelling from Raipur to Nagpur was struck by a speeding truck approaching from the opposite direction, resulting in the fatalities.

Earlier, on April 18, a BMC garbage truck overturned on the Eastern Express Highway in Mumbai’s Chembur area, killing one laborer and injuring two others. On April 15, in Buldhana district, three people were killed and 20 injured when a Madhya Pradesh Transport Corporation bus collided with a brick-laden truck on the Khamgaon-Nandura highway.

These incidents highlight the growing concerns over road safety in Maharashtra, with authorities urging drivers to exercise caution, especially on high-speed corridors and highways prone to accidents.

Palghar, April 25 – A tragic incident occurred in Maharashtra’s Palghar district where a seven-month-old baby slipped from his mother’s arms and fell from the 21st floor of a residential building, resulting in his death. The heartbreaking event took place in Bolinj town, as confirmed by the police on Friday.

As per agency report, the mother was holding the child in her arms while attempting to close a door near an open window in the room. In the process, the infant accidentally slipped from her grasp and fell out of the window. The baby was rushed immediately to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

According to the police, a case of accidental death has been registered, and further investigation is underway to understand the exact sequence of events. Eyewitnesses stated that the mother collapsed to the floor screaming after the incident, and the commotion quickly drew the attention of family members and neighbors who rushed to the scene.

Pune, April 21 – A tragic road accident occurred late Sunday night near Lonavala hill station on the old Pune-Mumbai highway, where a truck collided with five vehicles, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to twelve others. As per agency report, the incident took place around 10:20 PM at Battery Hill in the Bhor Ghat area.

According to police officials, the truck is believed to have lost control after its brakes failed, leading it to crash into multiple vehicles ahead. The impact of the collision was severe, especially on a car carrying a 10-year-old girl and her father, both of whom lost their lives on the spot. Another individual, traveling separately, also succumbed to injuries.

Senior Inspector Suhas Jagtap of the Lonavala Police Station confirmed the fatalities and stated that all twelve injured victims were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the exact cause of the accident and are assessing the mechanical condition of the truck involved.

The stretch where the accident occurred is known for its steep slopes and sharp turns, and officials are once again emphasizing the need for strict adherence to safety protocols, especially for heavy vehicles operating in the region.

Thane, April 12, 2025 — A shocking case of fraud and attempted murder has come to light in Mumbai, where an IT professional was allegedly duped of Rs 1.96 crore and poisoned by a man he considered a friend. Thane police registered a case against the accused, identified as Ajinkya Ashok Mohite, a resident of Sion, based on a complaint filed by the 43-year-old victim from Thane.

As per agency report, the incident is said to have occurred over a prolonged period between July 2022 and February 2025. Mohite allegedly convinced the victim to invest in a land deal in Chiplun, Ratnagiri, and fraudulently extracted Rs 92.7 lakh from him. The victim also handed over gold coins worth Rs 1.03 crore under pressure.

According to the police, Mohite emotionally manipulated the victim, threatened him for property documents, and even forced him to prepare a will in the accused's name. In a disturbing turn, the victim was allegedly served alcohol laced with a suspicious white powder.

A forensic report cited in the complaint revealed traces of tricyclic antidepressants and barbiturates in the victim’s system — both known for their strong sedative and toxic effects when consumed in large doses.

An officer stated that Mohite has been booked under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 109 (attempt to commit murder), Section 123 (administering poison with intent to harm), and Section 318(4) related to fraud, among other relevant provisions.

Investigations are currently underway. Authorities are verifying financial records, medical documentation, and witness testimonies. However, no arrests have been made so far.

Mumbai, March 31 – Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has condemned the recent attempts to incite communal tension over the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, urging people not to view history through the lens of caste and religion.

Addressing the annual Gudi Padwa rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, Thackeray expressed concern over the growing tendency to rely on WhatsApp messages for historical knowledge. He criticized the narrative that stokes communal discord and emphasized the need for a more informed and rational understanding of history.

As per agency report, Thackeray said that the Mughals aimed to suppress an ideology represented by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but failed in doing so. He cited the burial of Bijapur general Afzal Khan near the Pratapgad Fort as an example, suggesting it was only possible with Shivaji’s permission, highlighting the complexity and nuances of that historical period.

He appealed to the public not to be provoked or distracted by such controversies, stating that the socio-political context before and after Shivaji’s time was different and should not be conflated with modern-day issues. Thackeray criticized the trend of people reacting to films to learn about historical figures, questioning whether audiences learned about the sacrifice of Sambhaji Maharaj by watching Vicky Kaushal or about Aurangzeb through Akshaye Khanna.

He concluded by emphasizing that people are losing sight of real, present-day issues, urging citizens to remain focused and avoid being misled by distorted historical narratives.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently tested a new pesticide sprayer developed by an Indian startup, marking a significant recognition for indigenous agricultural innovation. The sprayer, designed to provide farmers with a more efficient and user-friendly alternative, was created by local engineer Yogesh Gawande.

As per agency report, Gawande founded his company in 2019 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, with the aim of developing innovative agricultural solutions. On March 17, during his visit to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi, Gates personally tried operating the sprayer in the presence of its creator.

Gawande explained that he initially developed the sprayer as part of a college engineering project. Unlike traditional methods where farmers carry heavy pesticide tanks on their backs, this device operates on wheels, allowing simultaneous spraying on four rows of crops. The sprayer's nozzle height can be adjusted between 12 to 14 feet, making it suitable for spraying pesticides on taller trees. Additionally, the nozzle pressure can be regulated to prevent crop damage.

Despite the product’s initial appreciation, Gawande faced challenges in commercializing it. However, with support from the Marathwada Accelerator for Growth and Incubation Council (MAGIC), he successfully established his company. Today, the sprayer is sold in 22 Indian states and has also received orders from African countries like Kenya and Namibia.

Gawande, who is associated with the Gates Foundation, was given an opportunity to present his invention to Bill Gates during his visit to India. Gates spent several minutes examining the device, tested its operation, and inquired about its working mechanism.

MAGIC directors Prasad Kokil and Ashish Garde highlighted the achievement as a proud moment for their organization and the city, emphasizing that locally developed innovations are gaining global recognition.