Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in his first comments to the media after the oath ceremony and his first cabinet meeting this evening, expressed hope that the state would not see the kind of political turmoil it has seen over the last few years. The ruling alliance Mahayuti will provide a stable government for the next five years, he told reporters.

“From 2019 to mid-2022, we saw a lot of changes. We hope that there are no more similar shocks in the future,” he told reporters an indirect jibe at the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.

The 54-year-old, who took oath for the top post for the third time today, also played down the two-week delay in the process of government formation, caused by resistance from Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. The party wanted the top post for its chief, arguing that it was his government’s welfare measures that steered the ruling  alliance to victory. 

Mr Fadnavis recounted the changeable nature of posts, underscoring that it made no difference to their coordination. Earlier too, he has called the post a “technicality”.  

“In 2014 I was the Chief Minister and Shinde was with us. In 2019, for 72 hours, Ajit Dada and I were Chief Minister and deputy Chief Minister. After that, Shinde was the Chief Minister and Ajit Dada and I were Deputy Chief Ministers. Now I am the Chief Minister and they both are Deputy Chief Ministers,” he said. 

“Our roles have changed but the direction is the same, the pace is the same… You will not see anything different when you talk about the relation between the three of us,” he added. 

“This is a government of very fast decisions. Today on the occasion of the oath ceremony, I say the pace at which Maharashtra is going we will not stop,” he said, “We have to make sure that all the decisions are well-thought, made at the same pace”. 

The “shocker” Mr Fadnavis spoke of involved the split in the Shiv Sena in 2023 caused by Mr Shinde and his rebel group, toppling the MVA government led by Uddhav Thackeray. He then joined forces with the BJP and formed a new government.  Later that year, Ajit Pawar split the Nationalist Congress Party of his uncle Sharad Pawar, causing the third seismic change in the politics of the state and joined the government.

The ruling alliance, after an initial reverse at the hustings during the Lok Sabha election, successfully underwent a course correction and wrested a sweeping victory in the assembly polls. 

Today, Mr Fadnavis reiterated that it was a victory of the governance provided in the state and the future will be better.

“This is a government of very fast decisions. Today on the occasion of the oath ceremony, I say the pace at which Maharashtra is going we will not stop,” he said, “We have to make sure that all the decisions are well-thought, made at the same pace”. 

As Delhi gets respite from toxic air with improved air quality, the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) has lifted stringent pollution curbs under stage 4 of GRAP in the national capital and surrounding areas with immediate effect. However, pollution restrictions under stage 2 of GRAP are in place in the national capital region. 

The ease in pollution restrictions comes in place after the Supreme Court allowed to revoke stage 4 of GRAP in Delhi NCR as it was no longer required. According to CAQM, Delhi’s air quality has continuously improved since November 24. An AQI of 165 was recorded today, making Delhi’s air quality ‘moderate’. 

However, the Supreme Court bench cautioned that the pollution restrictions under GRAP 2 should still be in place to maintain the improved air quality in Delhi.

So, what does it mean? 

Under stage 2 of GRAP, measures such as mechanised sweeping of roads, use of anti-smog guns, and sprinkling water daily will be taken to tackle dust with focused attention on identified air pollution hotspots. Power suppliers need to ensure uninterrupted supply so that the use of diesel generator sets can be minimised. Alerts will be issued through newspapers, television, and radio to advise people about air pollution levels.

Further, to ensure that the air quality index in Delhi NCR doesn’t slip into ‘very poor’ or ‘severe’ category again, people are advised to use public transport and ditch personal vehicles whenever possible. People are also requested to take a less congested route to their destination even if it is slightly longer along with regularly replacing air filters in their automobiles at recommended intervals. 

Ban on the use of coal and firewood will still be in place in Delhi NCR, including the use of tandoors at restaurants and hotels. Use of diesel generators sets will also not be allowed except for emergency and essential services under GRAP 2. All construction and demolition sites and industrial units which have specific closure orders against them are also not allowed to resume operations.
 

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