Solapur | Correspondent

Solapur District Collector S. Karthikeyan has assured farmers that their interests will remain the administration’s top priority in the proposed Shaktipeeth Highway project and that every effort will be made to ensure they receive fair and just compensation.

The assurance was given during a positive discussion held on Monday afternoon between the Shaktipeeth Highway Support Committee (Malshiras Taluka) and the district administration at the Collector’s office. The meeting lasted nearly 40 minutes and focused on concerns raised by farmers whose lands are likely to be acquired for the highway project.

Among those present were prominent farmers and committee representatives, including Vikramsinh Mane-Deshmukh, Ninad Patil, Kiran Patil, Balaji Magar, Sandeep Mane-Deshmukh, Rahul Mane-Deshmukh, Dhairyashil Mane-Deshmukh, Viraj Gharage-Deshmukh, Bharat Mane-Deshmukh, Shivajirao Mane-Deshmukh, and Vijay Mirge.

During the meeting, farmers highlighted several issues related to land acquisition. One of the key concerns was the discrepancy between the “Potkharab” (uncultivable) land recorded in revenue documents and the actual irrigated land existing on the ground. Responding to this concern, Collector Karthikeyan said that compensation would be determined after assessing the actual condition of the land rather than relying solely on official records.

The discussion also covered the issue of farmers whose entire landholding is proposed to be acquired for the highway. Committee members requested that such fully affected landowners be provided alternative land near proposed interchange locations. The Collector assured them that these concerns would be carefully examined.

Addressing the most important issue for farmers—the amount of compensation—the Collector reiterated that the administration would stand by affected landowners and ensure that compensation is both adequate and equitable.

Separate Meeting Planned in Malshiras

Collector Karthikeyan also announced that he would personally hold a separate meeting in Malshiras Taluka with farmers from the 12 villages affected by the project.

“I will interact directly with the farmers and address their concerns on the ground. All genuine issues will be resolved through dialogue. Farmers should not pay attention to rumours or misinformation,” he said.

The delegation also submitted a memorandum urging the administration to ensure that all affected farmers receive fair compensation and justice during the land acquisition process for the Shaktipeeth Highway project.

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Mumbai, Correspondent 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that India will host the first-ever ‘Mumbai Climate Week (MCW)’ in February 2026, marking a major step in global climate collaboration. Organized by Project Mumbai in partnership with the Department of Environment and Climate Change and supported by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the event will bring together experts, policymakers, and citizens from over 30 countries to address pressing environmental challenges.

Unveiling the MCW logo at Mantralaya, Fadnavis said the event will “bring the best minds from the Global South together to find practical solutions for our shared climate challenges.” He added that Mumbai Climate Week reflects India’s leadership in climate action, aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to build a sustainable and equitable future.

The three-day event (February 17–19, 2026) will take place at the Jio World Convention Centre, using a unique hub-and-spoke format that combines policy sessions, exhibitions, art festivals, and community-driven activities across Mumbai.

Key themes include food systems, energy transition, and urban resilience, each explored through the lenses of justice, innovation, and finance. Partner institutions such as the India Climate Collaborative, WRI India, Eversource, and the Shakti Foundation will lead thematic discussions.

Calling MCW a “historic step,” Project Mumbai CEO Shishir Joshi said it will empower climate-resilient communities through inclusive collaboration.

With growing vulnerabilities in developing economies, Mumbai Climate Week aims to amplify the Global South’s collective voice, balancing development needs with urgent climate action and positioning Mumbai as a global hub for sustainable transformation.

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Mumbai : Preparations for the local body elections have started in the state. It seems that all the parties in the state have started preparing vigorously for these elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party has started major preparations for the elections of major municipal corporations in Mumbai, Thane and Pune. Notably, this time, information has come to light that the BJP will contest these municipal elections on its own. The reason for this is that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a three-day tour of Maharashtra. Notably, he is on a tour of Vidarbha for all these three days. But even in this, he has indicated that he will contest these three municipal elections on his own.

Amit Shah, who is on a three-day tour of Maharashtra, reviewed the local body elections in the state. This time, it is said that he has given instructions to investigate the possibility of contesting the Mumbai, Thane and Pune municipal elections on his own. On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has great power in Mumbai and Thane. While Ajit Pawar also has power in Pune. Therefore, discussions have started in political circles about whether the BJP can contest on its own here.

Meanwhile, yesterday (May 27) Eknath Shinde met Amit Shah at the Sahyadri Guest House. At this time, it has come to light that Eknath Shinde has asked for 107 seats in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. There are currently 227 wards in Mumbai. Eknath Shinde has claimed that there are candidates from the Shinde group in 107 of them. Although Amit Shah has listened to Eknath Shinde's side, it has come to light that he has not given any concrete assurance.

Amit Shah, who is on a tour of Maharashtra, has reviewed the local body elections. He has also given instructions to party leaders to contest on their own in municipalities like Mumbai, Pune and Thane. But now the strength of the BJP has increased due to the fall of two factions of the Shiv Sena. In 2017, the BJP and Shiv Sena had entered the fray separately in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections. At that time, the BJP had won 92 seats, while the Shiv Sena had won 84 seats. However, in the current situation, the comparative strength of the BJP is seen to have increased due to the division of the Shiv Sena into two factions. That is why there are indications that the option of fighting on its own is being seriously examined by the BJP.

In the last three years, giving a jolt to the Thackeray faction, many former corporators of Mumbai have joined the party led by Eknath Shinde. More than a hundred former corporators who won in the municipal elections of 2012 and 2017 are currently in the Shinde faction. They have left the Thackeray faction on the assurance that they will get a chance to contest in the municipal elections. Therefore, it is known that Dy. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has taken the stance that these corporators cannot be upset and the promise given must be kept.

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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has said that it is a big responsibility to take charge of the NCP away from the shadow of his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar after the split. In a conversation during his 'Jan Samman Yatra', Ajit Pawar said that preparations are underway for the Maharashtra Assembly elections and seat sharing talks between the ruling alliance partners NCP, Shiv Sena and BJP are progressing positively. It is worth noting that Ajit Pawar and some MLAs close to him broke ties with Sharad Pawar's party in July last year and joined the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. Later the party was named NCP and Ajit Pawar also got the election symbol. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP SP is part of the opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi. Apart from Sharad Pawar's NCP SP, the Maha Vikas Aghadi also includes Congress and Shiv Sena UBT.

Seat sharing talks underway

Speaking about seat sharing for the upcoming state elections, Pawar said he has spoken to Shiv Sena leader Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis two-three times and the talks are progressing in a positive manner. On the dates for elections in Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar said it is the Election Commission's job to decide. Ajit Pawar advocated an all-party meeting to discuss the Maratha community's demand for reservation in education and government jobs. Ajit Pawar said opposition parties cannot be ignored as they also represent the people.

Pawar said, 'Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had called an all-party meeting to discuss the reservation issue, but the opposition kept away from the meeting. I don't know if the boycott was intentional or not. He said time will be sought from them (the opposition) again.' Lauding the Mukhyamantri Ladki Behen Yojana, Pawar said the scheme will be launched on August 17 at a programme in Balewadi where beneficiaries will receive money for July and August. CM Shinde and Deputy CM Fadnavis will attend the programme.

What did Ajit Pawar say on reuniting with Sharad Pawar

On being asked about the mistake he referred to in connection with the fight between Supriya Sule and his wife Sunetra in the Baramati Lok Sabha elections was political or personal, he said, "There is nothing intentional in speaking about a mistake. I am the master of my mind. I speak my mind. I am a simple person." He refused to speak on the rift in the Pawar family (due to the NCP split). When asked about the possibility of reuniting with Sharad Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "I will just talk about my work and vision for Maharashtra. We will ask people to give us a chance again so that we can bring more money for the state." The opposition is always negative.

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