Woman’s 3rd bid to set self ablaze foiled

Nagpur: Savita Chavan, 28, a social activist from Solapur, created flutter outside Vidhan Bhavan on Friday after she attempted self-immolation. The bid was, however, foiled by alert security personnel.
The activist had attempted self-immolation at Azad Maidan in Mumbai and Solapur earlier also.
Chavan later claimed she was miffed over the ongoing insults meted out to revered personalities like Shivaji Maharaj and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Police said Chavan, who has a family-owned senior citizens’ home at Solapur, had doused herself with kerosene and was trying set herself on fire when security personnel pounced on her to stop from taking the drastic step. Chavan is learnt to have raised slogans hailing Shivaji and Ambedkar before attempting immolation.
After the drama outside the Vidhan Bhavan, Chavan was handed over to Sitabuldi police. She would be escorted back to Solapur by a woman cop.
Diwali ration kit tender process was trasparent: Government
The state government told the legislative council on Friday that there was ‘complete transparency’ in the tender process of Diwali ration kits. These kits were distributed during Diwali to ration card holders who met specific income criteria through fair price shops.
Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve said, “Some food items were purchased at an exorbitant price. The entire process was done online and very fast, including a day of holiday.”
Cabinet minister Ravindra Chavhan said, “There was complete transparency in the process as we did the tender process online. Whenever the government wants to do something with urgency, for the benefit of the people, then conducting the process for the same is within the rights of the government. And the entire process is completely transparent as we did it online. And whenever we need to procure items on an urgent basis, we do it through such a process.”
MLC Manisha Kayande questions living conditions in government hostels
MLC Manisha Kayande said the condition of student hostels being run by the social welfare department is highly questionable. She also cited examples of government funds not being allocated properly, with some some getting less than demanded while the others getting more.
Kayande said, “I want to know when the government will ensure proper facility for students.”
Cabinet minister Sanjay Rathod said, “Under the social welfare department, there are 441 hostels. Of these, 221 are for boys and 212 are for girls. The minister did not share details about hthe remaining hostels. In these, over 43,000 students are residing and getting education. We always want to ensure top class facilities in these hostels, but whenever we get complaints we send a team to the place. This team has to mandatorily stay in those hostels and gather information. We checked everything from cleanliness and food facilities.” The minister shared the shortcomings found and action taken against officials responsible for that.