'Ajit dada' made big contributions in development of Maharashtra, India: PM Modi
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed grief over the death of Maharasthra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash and said he had made big contributions in the development of the western state and India, especially in uplifting rural lives.
Addressing a gathering at the PM National Cadet Corps (NCC) Rally at Delhi Cantonment here, the prime minister said fate took away Ajit Pawar and a few others in an accident on Wednesday morning in Pune district.
Modi welcomed the gathering, largely of NCC cadets, with a heavy heart and expressed grief over the demise of Pawar (66).
"'Ajit dada' made big contributions in the development of Maharashtra and India, especially in uplifting rural lives. I express my condolences to his family members. We stand with the kin of those who lost their lives today (in the crash)," he said.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Pawar and four others were killed in the plane crash.
The incident occurred when the deputy chief minister was travelling to Baramati from Mumbai to address public meetings as part of the NCP's campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections in the state. There were five people on board when the aircraft crashed at 8.50 am, a police official said.
Earlier in the day, Modi posted on X, "Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra."
"His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti," Modi said.
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Liquor manufactures can sell liquor on tetra packs in Odisha: Minister
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Odisha Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Friday said the government has allowed the sale of liquor on tetra packets with certain criteria in its new Excise Policy for 2026-29.
Speaking to media persons here, Harichandan said selling liquor in tetra packs was there in the state's excise policy since 2014. However, it is not yet made available in the Odisha market, he said.
"If any licensed liquor manufacturer or vendor wants to produce or sell the liquor on tetra pack, they can do it. The government will not restrict them," he clarified.
The state government is giving priority for proper regulation of manufacturing and selling of liquor in the state, the minister added.
"We just ensure that there is no illegal sale of liquor in the state," he stated.
As per the new Excise Policy, which came into force from April 1, India-made foreign liquor (IMFL) manufacturers can supply their products in tetra packaging and in glass bottles in specified sizes. Only 180 ml can be supplied in tetra packs.
The tetra packs must have six protective layers and must have the shelf life or the date fit for consumption clearly mentioned on the packaging, the policy guidelines said.
Before using the tetra packs for packaging of liquor, the manufacturing units must take certification from the Central Food Technology Research Institute or Indian Institute of Packaging, or any such institute as notified by the excise commissioner, it said.
Earlier, opposition leaders had demanded the rollback of the government's decision to introduce the sale of liquor in tetra packs, calling the move "unethical" and "anti-youth".
