Maharashtra govt to set up information centre in Mauritius

Maharashtra govt to set up information centre in Mauritius. Pic/AFP

Maharashtra government Wednesday approved a proposal to set up an information centre of the state and a multi-purpose complex in Mauritius.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting at Mantralaya in Mumbai, a press release from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's office said.

The cabinet also gave the nod for setting up the Maharashtra bovine breeding regulatory authority. A police dog training centre will be set up in Baramati and five orange processing centres will be set up in Vidarbha region, the cabinet decided.

A high-powered committee will be set up for monitoring implementation of the schemes for the Dhangar community, the release said.

CM Shinde calls for united efforts to curb pollution in Maharashtra

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Wednesday said his government is making all efforts to curb rising pollution in Maharashtra and appealed for united efforts to make it happen.

Speaking at a function after administering the pledge of 'pollution-free Diwali' to schoolchildren at Mantralaya, the state secretariat in Mumbai, Shinde said rising pollution levels have become a cause for global concern.

"The state government has focused on planting trees. Environment awareness campaigns are being conducted through Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and subsidies are being given for bamboo plantation," he said.

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Shinde said if children can make up their minds to celebrate a pollution-free Diwali, their parents will follow the same path.

The CM's appeal comes at a time when Mumbai is witnessing rising air pollution levels.

To control air pollution in Mumbai, the civic body has served notices to more than 100 contractors and real estate firms engaged in executing private and government projects, asking them to adhere to dust mitigation norms or face action.

The Bombay High Court has also limited fireworks between 7 pm and 10 pm for Mumbai residents during the festival of lights.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai's civic body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has demolished four chimneys of gold and silver smelting units in Kalbadevi and Zaveri Bazar area in South Mumbai amid worsening air pollution in the city, officials said on Wednesday.

According to BMC officials, their C-ward took action against the units as they were compounding the air pollution in the metropolis. (With inputs from PTI)