Mumbai News Today Live: Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal speaks during signing of MoU between the Government of Gujarat and Vedanta-Foxconn Group regarding the manufacturing semiconductor and display fab in the state, in Ahmedabad, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel is also seen on the stage. (PTI Photo) Mumbai News Live, Mumbai Rains Highlights: A political firestorm erupted in Maharashtra after a joint venture of mining conglomerate Vedanta and Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn, which had held talks with the state to set up its new semiconductor plant, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government Tuesday to locate its project there. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the MoU “an important step accelerating India’s semiconductor manufacturing ambitions. This will also create a huge ecosystem for ancillary industries and help our MSMEs”. The Vedanta-Foxconn MoU with Gujarat left Maharashtra officials stunned and the Opposition slammed the Eknath Shinde government over the “missed” opportunity. Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackerey said the MVA government had brought conversations on setting up the facility in the state to the “final stage”.
Meanwhile, rainfall resumed in Mumbai last week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for parts of the city, Thane and Palghar on all days till Thursday, indicating that heavy rain at isolated places is very likely. Rainfall in Mumbai over the week is due to the depression forming over South Odisha which will gradually move in the West Northwest direction, Skymet also said in its statement.
In other news, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Tuesday announced that 227 free healthcare centres will be set up in the eastern and western suburbs of Mumbai. The initiative will begin from October 2 with the launch of 50 centres.
A local court sent former Maharashtra minister Bachchu Kadu to judicial custody for obstructing a public servant during a political protest in 2018, ANI reported. He appeared before the court on Wednesday after a non-bailable warrant was issued against him.
A 33-year-old freelance journalist was stabbed and injured by a man after the former asked him not to consume drugs in suburban Tilak Nagar, police said on Wednesday. (PTI)
On Thursday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an ‘orange alert’ for Mumbai and Thane, with the cities likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few places.
For Palghar, the IMD has issued an orange alert for three days of September 14, 15, and 16; for Raigad, September 14 and 15, and for Ratnagiri the ‘orange alert’ has been issued for September 14. Read more
Over 48,000 taxi drivers and two lakh autorickshaw drivers in Mumbai will go on an indefinite strike from September 15, Thursday, seeking a hike in fares.
Read more here
Mumbai on Wednesday reported 203 new coronavirus cases, while two more patients succumbed to the infection in the city, the local civic body said.
With these additions, the overall COVID-19 tally increased to 11,48,502, while the death toll rose to 19,721, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in a bulletin.
On Tuesday, Mumbai had logged 193 COVID-19 cases, but zero fatalities linked to the infection. (PTI)
Mumbai Metro One services were delayed due to a technical fault, resulting in crowds at the stations.
Senior BJP leader and cabinet minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said 'lack of response' from the former Maha Vikas Aghadi government resulted in Vedanta-Foxconn to shift project from Maharashtra to Gujarat.
Mungantiwar said, "CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, industries minister Uday Samant will look into the matter."
Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar has demanded a probe by retired judge to look into what MVA government had done for Vedanta-Foxconn project.
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Maharashtra's Deputy CM and home minister Devendra Fadnavis, while on a five-day tour of Russia, spoke to the DGP about the attack on sadhus in the Sangli district. Fadnavis ordered a probe into the incident and urged the DGP to ensure strict action against individuals who attacked the sadhus.
Social reformer, writer Annabhau Sathe's statue was unveiled at Moscow on Wednesday. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said in a tweet that he is "honoured and blessed" to unveil the bust.
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar was also present at the occasion.
NCP MLA Rohit Pawar said that while the concern for Gujarat assembly elections is understandable, the question is why Maharashtra is subjected to such sacrifices. "Why should the youth of Maharashtra pay the price every time?" he asked in a tweet in Marathi.
As the Opposition lashes out at the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray claimed that after the Vedanta-Foxconn project, a bulk drug project proposed at Raigad too has gone out of Maharashtra.
Amid a row over the Vedanta-Foxconn project going to Gujarat, NCP MP Supriya Sule said the proposed project's relocation from Maharashtra to Gujarat is a huge loss to economy and employment to state.
"Setting aside political differences, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should immediately focus on challenges in Maharashtra. When the MoU was done how could the project shift to Gujarat overnight," Sule said.
Amid the political blame game over Maharashtra losing out on the mega Vedanta-Foxconn semiconductor project to Gujarat, state Congress president Nana Patole said he won't be surprised if Mumbai goes to Gujarat in future.
"This project has gone to Gujarat because BJP leaders in Maharashtra are more interested in pleasing their bosses in Delhi. They want the blessings of their leaders from Gujarat to continue. I won't be surprised if Mumbai goes to Gujarat tomorrow. Such a situation has arisen in Maharashtra," said Patole.
He attacked the Central and Maharashtra governments, in which BJP is a major partner, over inflation and unemployment. (PTI)
The Mumbai police Tuesday arrested a 50-year-old woman in connection with an abusive comment she uploaded in response to a post by Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The arrested, identified as Smruti Panchal, is in police custody till Thursday.
Who is Smruti Panchal? Read here
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Tuesday announced that 227 free healthcare centres will be set up in the eastern and western suburbs of Mumbai. The initiative will begin from October 2 with the launch of 50 centres.
These clinics will be called Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray dispensary and polyclinic. Read more
In a bid to promote initiatives that will help reduce carbon emissions, the Central Railway (CR) has set up electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities at nine important railway stations in Mumbai division, officials said.
The charging facilities have been provided at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Dadar, Byculla, Parel, Kurla, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Bhandup, Kalyan and Panvel. Read more
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Maharashtra of a project similar to or bigger than the $19.5 billion Vedanta-Foxconn project, Industries Minister Uday Samant said on Wednesday as the government came under Opposition attack after the semiconductor unit went to Gujarat.
“We are committed to bringing industries to the state. CM Eknath Shinde spoke to PM Modi on Tuesday night and discussed the project. Modi-ji has assured that some other big project would be brought to Maharashtra soon,” Samant said at a press conference. Read more
The daughter of Indrani Mukerjea, Vidhie Mukerjea, appeared before a special court in Mumbai Wednesday, seeking oral permission for a hug from her mother.
This development comes days after the same court rejected Vidhie’s plea to reside with her mother. Indrani is a former media executive who is facing trial for the alleged murder of her elder daughter, Sheena Bora. Read more
Vedanta has partnered with Foxconn through a 60:40 joint venture to set up an integrated display and semiconductor fabrication ecosystem. Maharashtra was confident on getting the project after advanced stages of discussions between the JV and state leadership.
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