Daily Despatches

World Bank conditions for issuing loans to MSEBMUMBAI: The state government is seeking to fulfill the conditions stipulated by the World Ban...

World Bank conditions for issuing loans to MSEB

MUMBAI: The state government is seeking to fulfill the conditions stipulated by the World Bank (WB) for issuing loans to the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB), Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde, who also holds charge of the Energy portfolio, said during Question Hour in the state Legislature on Monday. The WB has stipulated that: 1) The state government will have to hand over the entire amount issued by the bank for its projects to the MSEB. 2) The rate of return on net immovable property owned by the MSEB should not be less than 4.5 per cent in a financial year. 3) The commercial dues of the MSEB should be less than its revenue generated in two and a half months. 4) The commercial outstandings of the board should be less than its expenses for two months. 5) The self-financing ratio of the board should not be less than 25 per cent every year since 1994-95. 6) If the board cannot recover its dues, then the outstandings of Rs 730 crore shouldbe written off.

Enforcing ban on single-digit lotteries

The police have been instructed to enforce the ban on single-digit lotteries and on those bearing numbers coated with a non-transparent colour that is removable when scratched with a coin. Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde said the police were instructed on January 7 to enforce the ban following a December 18, 1997 directive of the Bombay High Court. He added that the government’s ban on lotteries operated by Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Himachal Pradesh had been challenged by all these states in the High Court.

Special courts for crime on women

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Nine special courts, handling cases pertaining to atrocities on women, set up in nine districts of the state began functioning in February, Law and Judiciary Minister Leeladhar Dake told the Legislature during Question Hour on Monday. Dake said the courts were set up at Ahmednagar, Amravati, Akola, Aurangabad, Beed, Buldhana, Jalgaon, Nagpur andYavatmal.

Governor’s secretary appointed

MUMBAI: Dinesh Jairath, an Indian Administrative Service official of the 1982 batch, has been appointed secretary to the governor of Maharashtra. Jairath succeeds Satish Tripathi, who has been appointed secretary (energy and environment). Earlier, Jairath was commissioner of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation.

India warns of ‘likely humanitarian consequences’ after US H-1B visa fee hike

India26 min ago

India voices concerns over new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa, citing humanitarian impact and family disruptions. Government urges US to address issues, while industry and policymakers study the move for mutual benefits. September 21 deadline for H-1B visa holders to return to US could affect skilled Indian professionals, who make up 72% of beneficiaries.

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