Maharashtra to list energy utilities starting with transco in 2026: Fadnavis
Mumbai (PTI): Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced a plan for a phased equity listing of Maharashtra's power utilities, starting with the transmission company next year.
He said it is essential to undertake the process to make the entities more efficient and agile.
"It is the right time to start the listing process for government entities and corporations. We have decided that we will certainly list the electricity transmission company at first," Fadnavis said at an event here.
Later, he shared that the government expects the listing of Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company in 2026.
The transmission company's listing will be followed with generation company's listing in second phase and the distribution company's in the next, the chief minister said without giving a timeline.
Speaking at an event for the listing of Nashik Municipal Corporation's maiden bond issue, Fadnavis said there are 15 urban local bodies in the state which can access funding from the route.
He added that the slew of incentives, including the Union Minister of Housing's AMRUT scheme and also the Urban Challenge Fund ensure that the interest burden on municipal bodies actually comes down and added that Nashik has raised the money at zero interest costs.
It can be noted that three ULBs in the state have so far raised money by issuing municipal bonds.
As per a June 2025 media report, Maharatra's Transco had invited bids for financial advisors for its initial public offering. The power utility, which had an authorised share capital of Rs 15,000 crore and a paid-up share capital of Rs 8,984 crore, will be looking for inputs on an IPO's feasibility, capital structuring and valuation from the advisor.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
RSS man's defamation case against Rahul: Key witness unavailable, hearing adjourned to Dec 20
Thane (PTI): A court in Bhiwandi in Thane district on Saturday adjourned the hearing in the criminal defamation case filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker to December 20 due to non-availability of a crucial prosecution witness.
Advocate Narayan Iyer, counsel for Rahul Gandhi, confirmed the adjournment, stating that the witness, Ashok Saykar, currently Deputy Superintendent of Police in Barshi in Solapur, could not remain present due to personal reasons.
Saykar's evidence is now likely to be recorded on December 29.
His testimony is considered key because he, as police sub inspector in 2014, conducted the preliminary inquiry into the private defamation matter under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
It was on the basis of Saykar's submitted report that the court subsequently issued process (summons) against Rahul Gandhi under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The criminal defamation case was filed by local RSS worker Rajesh Kunte following a speech given by Rahul Gandhi at an election rally near Bhiwandi on March 6, 2014.
The case stems from the Congress leader's alleged statement that "the RSS people killed (Mahatma) Gandhi."
The matter is being heard by Bhiwandi Joint Civil Judge, Junior Division, P M Kolse.
The hearing had previously been adjourned on November 15 after the complainant's counsel, Advocate Prabodh Jaywant, moved an application seeking permission to examine Saykar, who had submitted the probe report to the court.
The matter was originally scheduled for November 29 but was deferred to December 6 after Rahul Gandhi's legal team sought an adjournment citing their non-availability. The proceedings will now resume on December 20.
