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<ul><li><keyword id="7772275" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mumbai-Fintech-Hub">Mumbai Fintech Hub</keyword> has launched an investment platform <keyword id="6384865" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Find">FinD</keyword>. </li><li>India has over 2,000 <keyword id="2461546" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="FinTech">fintech</keyword> startups with most of them based out of <keyword id="6358070" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai">Mumbai</keyword> and <keyword id="6354321" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bengaluru">Bengaluru</keyword>.</li><li><keyword id="6356172" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra-government">Maharashtra government</keyword> had launched a fintech policy in February 2018. </li></ul>Mumbai Fintech Hub, an initiative of the Maharashtra Government, has announced the launch of an investment platform called FinD. The platform aims to bridge partnerships between fintechs, investors and partners; and boost investment. “FInD is yet another initiative by Mumbai FinTech Hub to foster our vision of making Mumbai a global FinTech Hub. The unique value provided by the programme makes it crucial for all stakeholders involved, and helps unleash the true potential of India’s FinTech ecosystem,” said Suniti Nanda, Chief FinTech Officer, Mumbai FinTech Hub. Mumbai is the financial capital of India, and is home to a host of fintech startups. According to a <a href="https://yourstory.com/2019/03/india-second-biggest-fintech-hub-ld0slui9fn">report </a>in March 2019, India has over 2,000 fintech startups with most of them based out of Mumbai and Bengaluru, making the country the world’s second biggest fintech centre. “Providing access to capital and global or home-grown investors will eventually put us on the world map for fostering next-gen innovation and creating globally competent firms,” said Nanda. This investment platform is powered by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Medici with other partners like Aimcrest, NASSCOM, IVCA (Indian Venture Capital Association), among others. In February 2018, the Maharashtra government <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Politics/hRG81g8w6hvgFBEfCAwCAJ/Maharashtra-government-unveils-financial-technology-policy.html">announced</a> a fintech policy under which the state would facilitate startups with a ₹2 billion fund to be one of the top five fintech hubs in the world. According to the website, it has made way for 500 jobs in fintech sector. The Andhra Pradesh government too but an ecosystem for startups at Fintech Valley Vizag in the coastal city, in December 2016. The state had also held a fintech festival to promote innovation. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/these-are-the-top-fintech-hubs-in-india-bangalore-mumbai-leads-the-race/articleshow/68882150.cms">These are the top Fintech hubs in India — Bangalore, Mumbai leads the race</a>

Maharashtra Government launches an investment platform for fintech startups

The <keyword id="30335" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shares">shares</keyword> of multiplex players <keyword id="799" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="PVR">PVR</keyword> and <keyword id="105311" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="INOX-Leisure">Inox Leisure</keyword> plunged on Monday post the <keyword id="6356172" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra-government">Maharashtra government</keyword>'s decision to shut cinema halls and multiplexes amid rising number of <keyword id="8764262" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid">Covid</keyword> cases. Around 12 noon, shares of PVR on the BSE were trading at ₹1,136.20, lower by ₹100.60 or 8.13 per cent from its previous close. Stock price of Inox Leisure was trading at ₹263.45, lower by ₹15.60 or 5.59 per cent. On Sunday, the <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword> government announced a "week-end lockdown" across the state till April end, besides stringent weekdays norms, to combat the pandemic's resurgence. All agricultural, industrial manufacturing, production activities will be allowed but private offices, places of worship, restaurants, bars, pubs, cinemas, malls, shopping plazas, beauty parlours or gents salons, beaches, gardens, playgrounds, swimming pools, sports complexes, amusement parks, and other crowded places shall be shut. The decision comes at a time when the economy and business activities were on their recovery cycle. Market players are concerned that the latest restrictions may hamper the economic recovery and impact the already-battered businesses. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/heres-a-look-at-what-is-allowed-and-what-is-not-allowed-during-the-maharashtra-lockdown-again/articleshow/81907207.cms">Here’s a look at what is allowed and what is not during the weekend lockdown and night curfew in Maharashtra</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/facebook-backed-meesho-raises-300-million-from-softbank-vision-fund-2-valuation-jumps-to-over-2-billion/articleshow/81907721.cms">Facebook-backed Meesho raises $300 million from SoftBank Vision Fund 2 – valuation jumps to over $2 billion</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/pepperfry-co-founder-ashish-shah-gets-candid-about-its-ipo-plans-says-profitability-is-right-around-the-corner/articleshow/81908005.cms">Pepperfry co-founder gets candid about its IPO plans, says profitability is right around the corner</a>

PVR, Inox Leisure shares fall as Maharashtra government shuts cinema halls and multiplexes amid rising COVID-19 cases

In first-of-its-kind initiative, <keyword id="6356172" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Maharashtra-government">Maharashtra Government</keyword> is planning to introduce Key Result Areas (KRAs) for state’s bureaucrats to assess their performance, just like the private sector. 
 Maharashtra Chief Minister <keyword id="6355042" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Devendra-Fadnavis">Devendra Fadnavis</keyword> wants to give a corporate look to his government and ensure that top bureaucrats complete their projects on time. 
The Chief Minister wants to show that he means business and has told the babus that if targets are not met on time, it would reflect adversely on their Annual Confidential Records (ACRs) that determine their promotion and career progression. 
 
"We have a lot of projects and it's important that they are implemented in a time-bound manner. It will benefit more people if projects are completed within deadline, which is why we have set KRAs," he said. 
 
Economic Times had an access to the KRAs, which were finalised after Fadnavis held one-on-one meetings with the bureaucrats concerned. 
Another round to fine-tune KRAs to scheduled for May 27. 
 
State government officials said the government was also planning to shunt erring bureaucrats, if they failed miserably to meet their targets. 
 
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra CM said the babus received KRAs with enthusiasm and some even suggested that the current targets could be easily met. 
 
ET reported that the state government had set different targets for different departments. The housing department, for instance, has been set a target of building two lakh affordable houses every year in Mumbai. The home department has been given a task of taking Maharashtra's dismal conviction rate from about 13% to 50%. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Now even babus will have to achieve KRAs for promotion

The <keyword id="6356172" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra-government">Maharashtra government</keyword> on Thursday extended the lockdown-like restrictions in the state till June 1 to break the chain of COVID-19. Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte in an order said the curbs will remain in force till 7 am on June 1. As per the order, additional restrictions include mandatory negative RT-PCR test report for any person entering the state by any mode of transport. The test report will have to be issued within 48 hours before the time of entry into the state. All restrictions enforced as per earlier orders for people arriving from places of "sensitive origin" will be applicable to anyone arriving from any part of the country into the state, the order said. In case of cargo carriers, not more than two people will be allowed to travel in those vehicles. If the carriers are originating from outside <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword>,they will be allowed with a negative RT-PCR test report issued within 48 hours before the time of entry into the state and will be valid for seven days, the order said. The lockdown-like curbs were earlier imposed in the state on April 5. The curbs were further tightened on April 15 with Section 144 of the CrPc, banning assembly of five or more people, imposed in theentire state. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-responds-to-privacy-criticism-by-alleging-other-apps-like-zomato-ola-aarogya-setu-zoom-google-and-other-apps/articleshow/82570897.cms">WhatsApp responds to privacy criticism by alleging that other apps and tech companies also show disdain for user privacy</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/vodafone-idea-adds-subscribers-for-the-first-time-in-15-months/articleshow/82568343.cms">Vodafone Idea shares up by 10% as it adds subscribers for the first time in 15 months – Airtel, Reliance Jio expand their user base</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/markets/news/heres-why-the-spike-in-inflation-in-the-us-may-worry-markets-in-india/articleshow/82597218.cms">Here's why the spike in inflation in the US may worry markets in India ⁠— but experts say don’t panic yet</a>

Maharashtra government extends lockdown till June 1 to curb the spread of COVID-19 cases in the state

<ul><li>Under this collaboration, students and teachers will access blended learning programmes that combine classroom approach with online learning including free tools like <keyword id="3703875" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="G-suite">G Suite</keyword> for Education, <keyword id="2229515" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-Classroom">Google Classroom</keyword>, <keyword id="6355629" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="google">Google</keyword> Meet and others.</li><li>This makes Maharashtra the first state in the country to launch G Suite for Education and Google Classroom for the students currently engaged in online learning, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.</li><li>This makes Maharashtra the first state in the country to launch G Suite for Education and Google Classroom for the students currently engaged in online learning, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. </li></ul>As part of the policy for universal education, the Maharashtra government has tied up with Google to enable remote learning for 2.30 crore students and teachers, officials said here on Thursday. Under this collaboration, students and teachers will access blended learning programmes that combine classroom approach with online learning including free tools like G Suite for Education, Google Classroom, Google Meet and others. This makes Maharashtra the first state in the country to launch G Suite for Education and Google Classroom for the students currently engaged in online learning, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. The state government will provide individual educators and students their own <keyword id="9710673" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="g-suite-id">G Suite ID</keyword> to ensure all students in private or government schools in the remotest areas can experience continuity in learning, besides enhancing the teaching capabilities of educators. "In the Corona crisis when the world is at a standstill, how to restart education is one of the primary concerns we face today. I feel this global crisis has led us from the present to the future," Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said at the launch. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said during these tough times, education must not stop and everyone should get access to education like before. "With this cooperation, Google has enabled access to G Suite for Education and Google Classroom programme for our state schools, students can sit at home and learn, ask questions, clarify doubts, save lectures, etc," he said. School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad stressed on the power of the Internet to take education to the masses and reduce the learning gap. "With emphasis on online resources, platforms, bandwidth, and availability of technological solutions, we aim to make Maharashtra the most progressive state on education," she said. Google India Vice-President and Country Head Sanjay Gupta said since the Covid-19 outbreak, over 32 crore children have been hit by school closures, making access to quality education even more critical. "This collaboration builds upon our commitment to create useful tools that make information accessible over the internet, so that teachers and students continue to benefit from it," he added. Gupta said that this month, the Maharashtra government rolled out a survey asking teachers to register for the first batch of training programmes and out of the 700,000 educators across the state, Google received 150,000 sign-ups in less than 48 hours. Google for Education solutions help teachers provide excellent educational experiences and enable students to learn better by nurturing individual needs. Each solution has been designed to be easy to use, flexible and scalable. They are built for collaboration, secure by design, and will now be available to scores of teachers and students across Maharashtra, for free. At the sixth Google for India event, Google announced that it will enable over 1 million teachers across 22,000 schools in India with blended learning by the end of 2020. Earlier this year, Google collaborated with FICCI Arise to ensure teachers and students can transition to remote learning seamlessly, and trained teachers in over 250 schools across 23 states to use digital tools such as Google Meet. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rbi-governor-shaktikanta-das-leaves-repo-rate-unchanged-to-check-inflation/articleshow/77387591.cms">‘Watchful’ RBI leaves repo rate unchanged to keep inflation in check</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/the-beirut-explosion-created-a-huge-mushroom-cloud-and-visible-blast-wave-but-nuclear-weapons-experts-say-it-wasnt-an-atomic-blast-heres-why-/articleshow/77362144.cms">The Beirut explosion created a huge mushroom cloud and visible blast wave, but nuclear weapons experts say it wasn't an atomic bomb. Here's why.</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/microsoft-for-startups-lathika-pai-says-entrepreneurs-pitching-for-investments-need-to-have-this-one-question-answered-in-their-pitch-decks/articleshow/77352935.cms">Microsoft for Startups’ Lathika Pai says entrepreneurs pitching for investments need to have this one question answered in their pitch decks</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/linkedin-tcs-disney-hotstar-zee-and-other-companies-hiring-right-now-in-india/slidelist/77352775.cms">LinkedIn, TCS, Disney+ Hotstar, Zee and other companies hiring right now in India</a>

Maharashtra government partners with Google to provide remote learning to 23 million students

The <keyword id="6356172" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra-government">Maharashtra government</keyword> has allowed all COVID-19 <keyword id="54639" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccination">vaccination</keyword> centres in the state to operate round-the-clock if they have adequate staff, to speed up the immunisation drive in the state. So far, 21.25 lakh people have been inoculated against the viral infection in the state, a health official said on Thursday. "At present, it is an in-principle nod (for operating round-the-clock). It is up to the medical facilities, depending upon the availability of staff, to decide on the number of hours to carry out the vaccination," state health departments principal secretary Dr <keyword id="468728" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pradeep-Vyas">Pradeep Vyas</keyword> said. Currently, medical staff, frontline workers as designated by the government, people above 60 years of age and those between aged between 45 and 59 with co-morbidities are eligible to get the vaccine shots. The state government wants to speed up the vaccination process to cover the eligible population, said another health official. The state is also adding more vaccination centres in the state. A number of private hospitals have also been roped in for the inoculation drive. However, health officials are facing the challenge of some people coming up with fake medical certificates to show they are eligible for taking the vaccine. "We found some people in their late 40s who came up with fake medical certificates of co-morbidities to get the vaccine. When we asked them to describe their illness, we found they were lying. It is unfortunate," a health official from the <keyword id="53938" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Brihanmumbai-Municipal-Corporation">Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation</keyword> said. This was affecting other eligible people from getting vaccinated in time, the official said. ND GK GK

Maharashtra government directs vaccination centres to operate 24x7 amid rising COVID-19 cases

<keyword id="6356172" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Maharashtra-government">Maharashtra government</keyword> is planning to modify rules on liquor consumption including allowing a permit holder to keep 12 bottles of <keyword id="6359858" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="alcohol">alcohol</keyword> at home against the existing two as it feels that these steps would help curb deaths due to sale of spurious alcohol. 
 
Under the present rules, a person in the state also needs a day's permit to consume alcohol at a bar or any other public place (permit room) but the government is mulling doing away with this system too. 
 State <keyword id="97443" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Excise-minister">Excise Minister</keyword> <keyword id="6357736" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Eknath-Khadse">Eknath Khadse</keyword> said the government is likely to issue a notification next month to modify the existing law. 
 
"More than a 100 people unnecessarily lost their lives in the Malwani hooch incident. After that incident, the state Excise department is trying various measures to curb the sale of spurious and illegal alcohol," Khadse told PTI. 
 
"One of the steps the Excise department has suggested is to allow a permit holder to keep 12 bottles of liquor at home in place of the existing two," he said. 
 
Under the current law, a person needs a permit to keep alcohol at home in Maharashtra. 
 
The government will be not be required to amend the existing Bombay Prohibition Act, he said adding that the state Cabinet is empowered to bring necessary changes in the law. 
 
The government is also likely to do away with the existing system where a person consuming alcohol has to take a day's permit before consuming liquor, the minister said. 
 
"When a person goes to a permit room that is legal, he has to spend on getting a day's permit. One should not be asked to pay extra while sitting in a place that already has a permit to serve alcohol," he told PTI. 
 
Khadse said the Excise department has also suggested to increase the minimum quantity of alcohol to be stored in each bottle from the existing 750 ml to 1,000 ml. 
 
"The Excise department has suggested increasing the minimum quantity that can be stored in each bottle from 750 to 1,000 ml. But we are not keen on doing that at the moment," he told PTI. 
 
Image credit: Indiatimes

Raise a toast! Maharashtra government planning to let people keep 12 bottles of alcohol at home

<ul><li>Supreme Court to pronounce order on Maharashtra government formation at 10.30 am on Tuesday.</li><li>The BJP government said that they had the signature of 54 NCP MLAs in a letter submitted letters to the Supreme Court. </li><li>Sena, NCP and Congress stake claim to form the government with 154 signatures of MLAs. </li><li>Both the factions tell court that they are ready for a floor test. </li><li>Supreme Court will take a call on a possible floor test to test the unstable alliances in the state. </li></ul>Supreme Court to pronounce order on Maharashtra government formation tomorrow. The Maharashtra case hearing went on for 1 hour and 20 mins. According to Live Law, Supreme Court might pass orders on floor test tomorrow. The BJP government today submitted two letters to the Supreme Court, one of them include the letter submitted by Devendra Fadnavis to the governor. The letter had 54 signatures of NCP MLAs, and current deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s assurance that he will support the government for a stable government. Therefore, the governor had no reason to disbelieve the letter, said Solicitor General. Mukul Rogatgi, the advocate on behalf of the CM Fadnavis asserted to the court that they are ready for a floor test. The Shiv Sena an alliance-turned-ally of BJP filed a case against BJP government calling the move of the governor to swear in Devendra Fadnavis as the chief minister in the early hours of November 23 (Saturday)-- as illegal. In a shocking move, Ajit Pawar of NCP decided to support the BJP even as his uncle Sharad Pawar the founder of NCP, sided with Shiv Sena. . However, according to NCP, only Ajit Pawar has sided with BJP. As the courtroom drama persists, NCP-Sena-Congress combine reached the governor saying that they have the support of 154 MLAs, saying that they have the majority to form the government. In the meanwhile, an uproar was caused in Lok Sabha over the issue. Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi held banners outside the Parliament claiming, “murder of democracy’. Maharashtra political twist BJP won 102 seats in the recent assembly elections but need a partner to reach the magic number of 145, to form the government. While Sena had won 56 seats, NCP won 54 seats and Congress won 44 seats. As Sena and BJP disagreed on seat sharing, endless discussions and delays led to a President’s rule in the state. Ajit Pawar had decided not to U-turn yet again as widely expected. Siding with the BJP and Modi, he tweeted on Sunday that the BJP and NCP alliance will stay. This confused the already dazed voters of Maharashtra, who were under the assumption that Pawar had broken away from his mother party, led by his uncle Sharad Pawar. To clear the air, Sharad Pawar tweeted that Ajit Pawar’s message was misleading and that they still with the Sena. But the confusion over whose government will stand and who will fall is still unknown. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="PawarSpeaks" handlename="Sharad Pawar" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/708497800565235712/PqBqfZVu_normal.jpg" favoritecount="33503" retweetcount="7754" status="There is no question of forming an alliance with @BJP4Maharashtra. NCP has unanimously decided to ally with… https://t.co/WCQTqSPDi8" createdat="1574598463000" id="1198578943525187585"></div>















 Ajit Pawar decided to step away from his personal residence — where he had a flurry of NCP, BJP and Congress party leaders visit him all day — late in the night. The current chief minister Fadnavis too held a long discussion with deputy CM Ajit Pawar over bringing in the much needed 145 MLAs to form the government. In a dramatic turn of events, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as chief minister and deputy chief minister respectively by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at 8 am on Saturday at a hush-hush ceremony in Raj Bhavan here, leading to the lifting of the President's rule in the state.

Supreme Court reserves order on Maharashtra government formation till tomorrow

The <keyword id="6356172" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra-government">Maharashtra government</keyword> is considering the option of reimbursing fees of students who would have benefited with <keyword id="6389157" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="maratha">Maratha</keyword> reservation in admissions to medical colleges, state minister Amit Deshmukh said on Monday. Deshmukh, who is the state medical education minister, said his department will move a proposal in this regard before the state cabinet. The Supreme Court in September this year stayed the implementation of <keyword id="1643654" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maratha-quota">Maratha quota</keyword> in jobs and education and referred the matter to a larger bench. The Maharashtra government later filed an application before a larger bench of the SC, seeking vacation of the stay on implementation of the quota. The state government is thinking of how students who have been affected by the Supreme Court's interim stay on implementation of Maratha quota can be given relief in admissions to medical education, Deshmukh told a TV channel. Asked if the government will reimburse their fees, he said, "...this (reimbursing fees) could be an option and the proposal will be moved before the cabinet by the medical education department." "Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ji will take a final call on the same after the cabinet discusses it," he said. Deshmukh also said the Maha Vikas Aghadi government -- comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress -- is committed to ensure that Maratha community students do not suffer. The Supreme Court in September stayed the implementation of 2018 Maharashtra law granting reservation to Marathas in education and jobs, but made it clear that the status of those who have availed of the benefits will not be disturbed. The Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018 was enacted to grant reservation to people of Maratha community in Maharashtra in jobs and admissions. The Bombay High Court, while upholding the law in June last year, held that 16 per cent reservation was not justifiable, and said quota should not exceed 12 per cent in employment and 13 per cent in admissions.

Maharashtra government might reimburse fees of students after SC stay on Maratha quota

The <keyword id="6356172" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra-government">Maharashtra government</keyword> on Monday postponed the state <keyword id="32862" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="board-exams">board exams</keyword> of Classes 10 and 12, which were scheduled to be held later this month, in view of a steep rise in <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19">COVID-19</keyword> cases in the state. The board <keyword id="6359161" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="exams">exams</keyword> of Class 12 were to begin from April 23 and of Class 10 from April 30. "Given the current COVID-19 situation in <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword>, we've postponed state board exams for class 10th &amp; 12th. The present circumstances are not conducive for holding exams. Your health is our priority," state School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad tweeted. "Keeping in mind the schedule of entrance exams for professional courses, class 12th exams will be held by end of May, while 10th standard exams will be in June," she said in a series of tweets. The health situation was being closely monitored and fresh dates for the postponed exams would be announced soon, Gaikwad said. The decision is the outcome of consultations with various stakeholders, like students, teachers, parents, elected representatives from across parties, academicians and tech giants, the minister said. "We'll also be writing to the <keyword id="6356155" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="cbse">CBSE</keyword>, ICSE, IB, Cambridge boards, requesting them to reconsider their exams dates," she said. Thanking Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for approving the decision, Gaikwad said during the consultations, various alternative assessment options were evaluated keeping the health, well-being and future of students in mind. "Postponing exams seemed to be the most pragmatic solution," she added. On Sunday, Maharashtra recorded 63,294 new cases of coronavirus, its highest single-day rise since the pandemic broke out, which pushed the caseload to 34,07,245, as per official figures. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/aadhaar-pan-and-bank-account-numbers-leaked-in-upstox-data-breach/articleshow/82025949.cms">Discount broker Upstox suffers data breach – Aadhaar, PAN and bank account numbers leaked</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/how-ash-from-st-vincents-volcano-is-covering-the-caribbeans-largest-island-nation/slidelist/82025420.cms">Devastating images show how ash from St Vincent’s volcano is covering the Caribbean's largest island nation</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/lg-wing-gets-a-40000-price-cut-a-week-after-the-company-shuts-its-smartphone-business/articleshow/82027401.cms">LG Wing gets a ₹40,000 price cut a week after the company shuts its smartphone business</a>

Maharashtra  government postpones board exams of Class 10, 12 in surge of COVID-19 cases in the state

<ul><li>Uddhav Thackeray will take oath as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra with support from Sharad Pawar's NCP and the Indian National Congress.</li><li>The three parties differ in their ideologies and therefore have decided to arrive at a 'common minimum programme'.</li><li>Given the state's rural distress, financial aid for farmers cannot be ruled out.</li></ul>A month long political drama has come to an end paving the way for Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray to take oath as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra. This is a historic moment for the Thackeray family, which has been politically significant in the state for decades but never had a member on the hot seat. Thackeray has got to this point with support from Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party and the Indian National Congress. All three parties differ in their ideologies and therefore have decided to arrive at a 'common minimum programme' in a bid to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party out of power. Given the state's rural distress, financial aid for farmers cannot be ruled out. "There has been significant political discourse around farm stress in last few weeks. Farm loan waiver can potentially could be the first order of the business of the new government," a Macquarie research report said. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 <div type="image" title="Nagpur: NCP President Sharad Pawar interacts with farmers during a visit to Khap..." msid="72272944" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;NCP President Sharad Pawar interacts with farmers during a visit to Khapa village to inspect damaged crops, in Nagpur district of Maharashtra.Photo) (&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>





























 This has implication for the state's financial health. An estimated ₹50,000 crore farm loan waiver, spread over 2 years, will push the state's fiscal deficit beyond 3%. Fiscal deficit is the amount of money a government spends over and above its earnings and it's advised by law that any government (state or central) should keep the excess spending to less than 3% over its earnings. Maharashtra's budget deficit is already at a four-year high, which means the government has been spending a lot more than it earns. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 While the farm crisis in the state does warrant immediate attention, a farm loan will increase the deficit and reduce the money available for growth projects like building infrastructure. In the last three years, Mumbai has seen an explosion of infrastructure projects which are in various stages of completion. Roads have been dug up across the city causing traffic snarls but people have been hopeful that the temporary pain will make way for easier commute in the future. For instance, 274 kilometres (km) of metro-rail network is under construction. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 <div type="image" title="Mumbai: A view of a construction site of a metro train parking shed at Aarey Col..." msid="72272112" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A view of a construction site of a metro train parking shed at Aarey Colony, Mumbai. The Supreme Court on Monday restrained authorities from cutting any more trees in Mumbai&amp;#39;s Aarey colony for a Metro car shed before further hearing on Oct. 21.Photo)(&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>























































 In the particular case of the metro rail shed construction in the Aarey colony (a rare green cover in the mega city), the incoming coalition will be tested on its will to reverse the decision. The previous government had bulldozed opposition from the citizens to the cutting of about 2,0000 trees for the construction of the shed, while all opposition parties paid nothing more than lip-service to the cause. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 <div type="image" title="Mumbai: Residents protest against the cutting of trees in Aarey forest to make t..." msid="72273060" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Residents protest against the cutting of trees in Aarey forest to make the car shed for Metro project, in Mumbai.Photo/Shashank Parade)(&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



























 Aside from the metro rail construction in the capital city, there are also other marquee projects like the upcoming airport in Navi Mumbai, the high-speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Nagpur as well as Mumbai and Ahmedabad (in the neighbouring state of Gujarat) that will be in focus. As rivals of BJP, the parties in the incoming coalition have time and again criticised these ambitious projects heralded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the top NCP leadership, the three parties have decided that the money which is to be given by the state government for the Bullet Train will be diverted to the farmer welfare scheme as it is part of the common minimum programme they have agreed on, the IANS reported on Tuesday. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 <div type="image" title="Bullet train" msid="72272606" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The upcoming airport in Navi Mumbai, the high-speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Nagpur as well as Mumbai and Ahmedabad (in the neighbouring state of Gujarat) will be in focus as rivals of BJP, the parties in the incoming coalition, have time and again criticised these ambitious projects heralded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>







































 The good news is that the Navi Mumbai airport and the Trans-harbour sea link may not get stalled, according to Macquarie, but the pace of approvals may slowdown delaying the projects. The international financial services firm believes that the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine will be more favourable to the builders in the state and that will be music to the ears for the state's real estate sector that has been in shambles for a while now. It is important that Maharashtra's economy keeps moving at a fast pace because it is the largest contributor to India's GDP (gross domestic product). And already, Maharashtra's contribution to India's GDP is at a multi-year low at 14%. That's a significant setback for the state that is home to the country's financial capital. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/article/maharashtra-state-assembly-elections-2019-debate-veer-savarkar-or-jobs/articleshow/71644079.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">These are the issues the opposition could have capitalised on but didn’t</a>

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