1. Marathwada Still Faces 34% Rainfall Deficit, Kharif Sowing Affected
While the statewide monsoon deficit shrunk to three per cent following rain over the weekend in various parts, large parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha continue to face a shortfall from the average precipitation for this time of the year.
Hingoli district in Marathwada, the central Maharashtra region that has suffered a serious drought in recent months, is witnessing a 60 per cent deficit monsoon as of Monday.
Source: The Indian Express
2. Maharashtra To Get ‘Our Alliance’s CM’: Shiv Sena Strikes Conciliatory Tone
The Shiv Sena softened its stance on staking claim to the chief minister’s post if it comes back to power – in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – after the Maharashtra Assembly elections later this year.
The Sena on Tuesday said the person occupying CM’s post will be the “alliance’s chief minister” and not from Sena or BJP. Earlier, Sena leaders had said that the top post would be with their party. “The chief minister will be of Shiv Sena and BJP... Whatever has been decided between BJP national president Amit Shah and us will be implemented. Till then BJP and Sena workers should continue to say the ‘CM will be ours’…” said an editorial in Saamana, the Sena’s mouthpiece.
Source: Hindustan Times
3. Learnt From Media, Shooters Were Given Contract To Kill Me, Anna Hazare Tells Court
Social Activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday deposed as a prosecution witness in the murder trial of Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar. Hazare told the court that he had learned, through the media, that the alleged shooters of Nimbalkar had been given a contract to kill him as well.
Nimbalkar was shot in his car in Navi Mumbai on June 3, 2006, allegedly over a political rivalry in a conspiracy planned by accused, including NCP leader Padamsinh Patil.
Source: The Indian Express
4. BEST’s Fare Cut Brings Back Commuters To Buses In Mumbai
The first day of the implementation of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking’s reduced fares proved to be a success, with commuters thronging bus stops and major routes seeing crowded buses.
BEST has slashed fares of its regular as well AC buses to ₹5-₹20, and ₹6-₹25, respectively for the distance slabs of 5km, 10km, 15km and beyond 15km. So far, passengers had to pay ₹8 and ₹20 as minimum fare for regular and AC buses respectively, for a distance of 2km.
Source: Hindustan Times
5. CBI Books Three Customs Officials In Corruption Cases
The anti-corruption bureau (ACB) unit of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently booked three former deputy commissioners of the Customs department in three separate corruption cases.
The three officials served as deputy commissioners of Customs (drawback section) at Nhava Sheva in Raigad between March 2017 and April 2018. During each of their terms as deputy commissioners, they had allegedly helped a gang run a duty drawback fraud racket, which caused losses of around ₹6.5 crore to the Government of India.
Source: Hindustan Times
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