A police sub-inspector (PSI) from Ganeshpuri police station under Thane Rural Police is facing a departmental inquiry over allegations of forging a remand copy in a gutka-related case and demanding Rs 12 lakh in extortion. The PSI, who has since been transferred to the traffic control room, allegedly included the names of unrelated individuals in the case and sent them a forged remand copy to extort money. mid-day has obtained copies of both the original and the allegedly forged remand orders. According to the original remand copy, dated January 27, under Ganeshpuri police station, a case was registered against four individuals, with three—Samshad Ahmed and Mohammad Vasim Khan from Uttar Pradesh, and Asif Shaikh from Bhiwandi, Thane—shown as arrested. The fourth accused, identified as Guddu, was listed as absconding. In the forged remand copy, while the names of the three arrested individuals remain the same, seven additional names were included as absconding. These are Shabir Khan from Govandi, Nipul Shah from Vapi, Tejas Patil from Bhiwandi, Guddu from Vapi, Vais Zuber Khani, Arman Mirza, and Bilal Ansari—all three from Bhiwandi. The other details in both remand copies remain unchanged, including the seized gutka, valued at R29 lakh. Both documents also state that the three arrested accused were remanded to police custody for five days, from January 27 to February 7. However, while the original remand copy includes an attached order stamped by a judge from the Bhiwandi court, the forged version lacks any such official stamp. Both copies were signed by PSI Umesh Rothe and Assistant Police Inspector Sandipan Sonawane. S K Ali, an advocate representing Vais Zuber, said, “The fake remand copy was sent to my client via a friend in connection with an FIR registered at Ganeshpuri police station. It was forwarded by PSI Rothe and is fabricated and doctored. He then started demanding around R2 lakh per person, amounting to R12 lakh in total. This is a clear case of extortion and blackmail, with the officer forging the remand copy.” Ali added, “What happened is illegal and is causing torment to innocent people. The police officials responsible should be punished for abusing their power.” In a legal letter sent to multiple officials, including Dr D S Swami, Superintendent of Police, Thane (Rural), Ali wrote, “Upon proper inquiry, it was found that PSI Rothe had intentionally and deliberately fabricated the remand application with ulterior motives to extract and extort money from our client.” PSI Umesh Rothe did not respond to mid-day’s messages and calls. However, Dr D S Swami, Superintendent of Police (SP), Thane (Rural), confirmed that Rothe has been transferred to the traffic control room as a punishment, along with a stoppage of his salary increment. “There is an ongoing departmental inquiry covering both the extortion allegations and the forged remand copy. Once the findings are in, stringent action will be taken, as such behaviour is neither encouraged nor tolerated,” Dr Swami told mid-day.
07 March,2025 08:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerA thick layer of white toxic foam was seen floating again on the Pavana River near Kejudevi Bandara in Thergaon, triggering alarm among residents on Tuesday night. The city's environmentalists and locals expressed concern over the river pollution. The sight of the foamy, chemical-laden water made the river appear like an icy stream rather than an urban water body, highlighting the growing pollution crisis in the industrial twin town. A few months ago, mass fish deaths were reported, with the municipal corporation attributing the cause to fertilisers mixing with the water. However, despite various clean-up drives and promises of action, the pollution continues. Residents complain that calls to the civic body’s environment department go unanswered, leaving them with no choice but to raise their voices through protests and social activism. Anil Shrimant Ghodekar, a core committee member of the Thergaon Social Foundation and a local resident, said the pollution problem has persisted for four to five years. “The frequent pollution in these areas is due to untreated sewage from the municipal corporation and industrial wastewater being directly discharged into the river. The Pavana has lost its natural essence and has essentially turned into a sewer. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and its officials are solely responsible for this crisis,” Ghodekar said. “Simply removing water hyacinths and installing a few cleaning machines at select locations does not mean the river is being revived. From Kejudevi Bandara to Morya Gosavi Ghat, severe pollution is visible. Further downstream, untreated sewage is being openly released, turning the river into a stagnant pool of filthy water,” he added. In an effort to push for stronger action, local activists have created a WhatsApp group called PCMC Rivers Revival to coordinate their efforts. “We will launch major protests to restore this river to its sacred, life-giving form,” Ghodekar said. Shubham Pande, founder of World for Nature, said his team receives five to six rescue calls daily for large animals entering human settlements in search of clean water. “Water pollution is increasing human-animal conflicts. Every year, thousands of fish die in the Pavana and Indrayani rivers due to contamination. Around 25 fish species have already vanished,” Pande said. Officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and PCMC have yet to provide a long-term solution. MPCB Deputy Regional Officer Manchak Jadhav said his department had not received any complaints about the foam at Kejudevi Bandara but would investigate. “There are multiple reasons for toxic foam formation. While no major industries are located near the Bandara, several nullahs discharge directly into it. Increased use of household detergents, which are not treated in sewage plants, also contributes. Changes in water flow and atmospheric conditions sometimes exacerbate the problem,” Jadhav said. PCMC’s Chief Engineer and Head of the Environment Department, Sanjay Kulkarni, confirmed that a team had been sent to inspect the site. “Last time, we had to shut down a laundry that was releasing chemical-laden wastewater into the river, causing toxic foam. We are investigating this latest incident,” he said.
07 March,2025 08:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Archana DahiwalThe Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) outbreak in Pune has shown a significant decline, bringing relief to residents and health authorities. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has reported no new cases in the last four days, indicating that containment efforts and preventive measures have been effective. Dr Vaishali Jadhav, assistant health officer of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), said, "No new cases under PMC jurisdiction from the last couple of days, especially from the second week of February." The first Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) case in Pune was reported on January 9. The number of cases increased to double digits, with the highest number of cases recorded on January 20. The first suspected GBS case was hospitalised on January 9. The peak period was from January 18 to January 24, during which 77 cases were reported. The number of new cases declined by the last week of January. Water ATMs had been set up to allow locals to purchase RO water As per the health report of PMC, Pune alone has reported 140 suspected GBS cases, with 119 confirmed GBS cases through diagnostic tests (NCV/CSF/EMG). As per the health department report, there were 17 active cases under treatment in Pune city. Among them in the general ward: four patients, ICU with oxygen support: three patients, ICU with ventilator support: 10 patients (Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital: six, Navale Hospital: three, Sassoon Hospital: one), 114 patients have been discharged so far. There were nine suspected GBS-related deaths reported under PMC. The most affected age group: 16–45 years (66 cases), children (0–5 years): three cases, elderly (above 60 years): 16 cases, male patients: 98, female patients: 42.The outbreak was initially linked to contaminated water in several areas, including Nandedgaon, Kirkatwadi, Nandoshi, Dhayari, and DSK Vishwa. However, stringent water quality management and containment measures have helped control the spread. Rohini Dangad, 9, who was admitted at YCM hospital In light of the steady decline in cases, the PMC has decided to discontinue financial aid for GBS treatment from March 1, which was initially introduced to support affected patients. The PMC had introduced financial aid under the urban poor scheme, covering up to R2 lakh for affected patients from hotspot areas and R1 lakh for others. However, as the rate of new infections has dropped, the administration decided to halt financial assistance from March 1, stating that providing continuous aid for sporadic cases throughout the year is not feasible. As per the civic health officials, Rs 49 lakh has been disbursed to 35 Patients so far since January 14; among it, Rs 24 lakh has been disbursed to 12 patients under the urban poor scheme, and Rs 25 lakh has been distributed among 25 other patients at Rs 1 lakh each. The PMC health department has confirmed that containment efforts will continue, and monitoring of water quality and sanitation measures will remain in place to prevent future outbreaks.
07 March,2025 08:00 AM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalExpressing concerns over the “deteriorating” quality of education in Urdu-medium schools, the Chairman of the Maharashtra State Minority Commission, Pyare Zia Khan, has proposed converting all Urdu schools in the state into semi-English institutions. Khan suggested teaching Maths and Science in English in all Urdu-medium schools from Std I as well as making Marathi a compulsory subject and providing computers in all Urdu schools, introducing Information Technology education from primary to higher secondary levels, training Urdu-medium teachers in modern teaching methodologies. The Engish proposal has faced strong opposition from various groups, who argue that it interferes with the autonomy of these schools and violates constitutional provisions. Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Zia Khan at the meeting Khan recently convened a meeting in Nagpur with intellectuals from the minority community, education representatives, lawyers, and Urdu school teachers to discuss the challenges facing Urdu-medium institutions.“Many students in Urdu-medium schools struggle to even write their names correctly, which is a matter of grave concern. Compared to other institutions, these students lag behind in competitive exams, and the number of those pursuing higher education is significantly low,” Khan said. He further pointed out that over 90 per cent of Urdu schools in Maharashtra are in extremely poor condition. “Many schools have hired unqualified teachers, and several irregularities are affecting the education of minority students,” he added. Reactions to proposal The Akhil Bhartiya Urdu Shikshak Sangh has opposed the conversion of Urdu medium schools into semi-English schools, citing that it will be a great injustice to Urdu medium students. Sajid Nisar Ahmed, founder, Akhil Bhartiya Urdu Shikshak Sangh (right) Shaikh Taufiq Yunus, an Urdu school teacher Speaking to mid-day, Akhil Bhartiya Urdu Shikshak Sangh founder Sajid Nisar Ahmed said, “Article 350A of the Constitution of India mandates that states and local authorities provide primary education in the mother tongue for children from linguistic minority groups. The Right to Education Act of 2009 also emphasises that, as far as possible, the medium of instruction should be in the child’s mother tongue. Furthermore, Section 29(f) of Chapter V under the Right to Education Act, 2009, explicitly states that 'the medium of instruction shall, as far as practicable, be in the child’s mother tongue. In light of this, we strongly oppose any interference in the name of converting our schools.” Shaikh Taufiq Yunus, an Urdu school teacher, said, “There are valid reasons why schools of different mediums exist—it is the result of our hard work and dedication. If they genuinely want to convert our schools, why not engage directly with school management and teachers to understand how we run these institutions and what challenges we face? Has the chairman interacted with students of Urdu-medium schools or their parents to understand their perspective? Instead of making arbitrary decisions, they should provide us with the necessary funds based on our actual needs. Consulting a few so-called experts will not help. We strongly oppose this proposal.” Uzra Shaikh, a former student of an Urdu-medium school in South Mumbai who is now pursuing her graduation, said, “Some may see this as government interference, but even if it is, I believe that if it benefits minority and Muslim students, schools should welcome it with an open mind. I may not be familiar with the legal provisions or constitutional sections, but I do understand that if schools are modernised, both students and teachers will ultimately benefit.”
07 March,2025 07:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghChief minister Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP President and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule reiterated that everyone should learn and speak Marathi. On Thursday, speaking in the Legislative Assembly, the chief minister stated that respecting other languages is important but while doing so, one has to respect Marathi. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav brought to notice of the House Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Suresh ‘Bhaiyyaji’ Joshi’s statement that those coming to Mumbai need not learn the Marathi language. “The government has been talking about Marathi pride. The Mahayuti government has even made it mandatory to use the Marathi language for communication in all its offices and semi-government institutions. But, the language has been insulted and the government needs to explain its stand on the same,” Jadhav said. Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister Jadhav was referring to media reports quoting the RSS leader as stating at a public event in the city that it was not necessary to learn Marathi as Mumbai did not have a single language. He cited the example of Ghatkopar where the dominant language is Gujarati. Joshi, in a later clarification, claimed that his remarks were misconstrued. Fadnavis responds Replying to Jadhav, Fadnavis said, “I have not heard Bhaiyyaji Joshi’s statement. I obtain information before making any statement on this.” Elaborating on his government’s stand, Fadnavis stated that everyone in the state should learn and speak Marathi. The CM further clarified that his government respected other languages as well. “If one respects his or her language, they will do the same to another language too,” Fadnavis added. The language row was raised in the Legislative Council, too, by Congress leader Bhai Jagtap and Anil Parab of the Shiv Sena (UBT). “How can one tolerate insult to Marathi,” Jagtap asked. Replying to the issue, Bawankule claimed that Joshi’s statement seemed to have been presented in the wrong manner. Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had granted classical language status to Marathi, Bawankule said, “Everyone in Maharashtra should know Marathi.” Reacting to Bawankule’s reply, Parab complimented the government. “But will the government condemn those who have insulted the Marathi language,” Sena (UBTs) Anil Parab asked. Estranged Thackerays on same page Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, speaking with the media, claimed Joshi’s statement revealed a hidden agenda of the BJP to divide Mumbai. “The BJP should now book Joshi for his anti-Marathi statement,” he added. MNS chief Raj Thackeray, Uddhav’s estranged cousin, also came down heavily on Joshi, stating, “The BJP’s state unit should clarify whether they endorse such a statement”. Daring Joshi to make similar statements in Chennai and Bengaluru, he added, “MNS condemns such statements. The Marathi manoos will not forget this. I will speak on this issue on Gudi Padva [March 30].”
07 March,2025 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarAllegations of BJP leader, state cabinet minister and MLA Jaykumar Gore harassing a woman—raised by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and Rohit Pawar of the NCP-SP—have reached the state legislature. An irked Gore, on Thursday, moved a privilege motion in response to the accusations levelled against him by Raut, the executive editor of Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana, Pawar and a YouTube channel. The motion has been accepted by Rahul Narwekar, speaker of the Legislative Assembly. The previous day, Raut, Pawar and the channel had mentioned a case of a woman complaining of harassment by Gore. Refuting the charges, Gore, who holds charge of the rural development and panchayat raj department in the Mahayuti government, moved a breach of privilege motion against Raut, Pawar and the channel for maligning his image. During the discussion over the motion, Gore claimed in the Assembly that the case in question was an old one. “The case was tried before the court and I was acquitted,” he said. The latest statements by the Opposition camp are nothing but an attempt to malign my image, the minister added. Participating in the discussion, BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar suggested that a decision on the motion should be taken at the earliest. “A decision should come before the ongoing state budget session concludes [on March 26],” the former BJP minister said. Taking cognisance of the concerns raised by Gore and other members of the Assembly, Narwekar accepted the motion. “The motion will be forwarded to the privilege committee for further action on the same,” the speaker said. Meanwhile, Rohit Pawar, grandnephew of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, told mid-day on Vidhan Bhavan premises that he had only voiced the complaint of the woman. “A woman had been talking about harassment. As a public representative, I just reiterated concerns raised by the complainant,” he stated.
07 March,2025 07:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarThe operation to capture the young male tiger from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal (southwest of Nagpur) has been ongoing for the past two months. This tiger, which travelled approximately 500 kilometres to reach Solapur and Dharashiv districts, is displaying unusual behaviour, making the capture effort more challenging. Typically, after a kill, a tiger remains near the site to feed at regular intervals. However, this tiger kills an animal but does not return to feed, leaving the darting team waiting for an opportunity to tranquilise it. The presence of human settlements, farmlands, and difficult terrain is further complicating the operation. Officials from the Maharashtra Forest Department confirmed that despite continuous efforts, capturing the tiger has been difficult due to the challenging landscape and nearby villages. The tiger has been primarily roaming along the boundary of the Dharashiv and Solapur districts. The forest department staff and officials involved in the operation Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Dharashiv, BA Pol, said, “The forest department team and members from RESQ CT are taking all possible measures to safely capture the animal, but the difficult terrain and human settlements in the area make darting it extremely challenging.” Live camera traps, about 10-12 in total, have been deployed to monitor the tiger’s movements. Tuhin Satarkar, director of Wildlife at RESQ CT, said, “The terrain is very challenging, so we have to wait for the right moment when the tiger moves into an area where we can safely retrieve it before it wakes up. While we are aware of its movement zones, we must be extremely patient and seize the right opportunity.” Once captured, the tiger will be relocated to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, located 300 kilometres from Mumbai and spanning Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Ratnagiri districts. Researchers have identified it as the cub of tigress T22 from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, born in 2022. In Solapur, some farmers recently reported an increase in cattle attacks, prompting the forest department to install camera traps. To their surprise, the footage revealed the presence of the male tiger. This marks the first recorded sighting of a tiger at Yedshi Ramalinga Wildlife Sanctuary in Dharashiv district, Marathwada.
07 March,2025 07:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavThe Central Administrative Tribunal has set aside the transfer of IRS officer Sameer Wankhede from Mumbai to Chennai, saying the revenue department “patently violated” its own transfer guidelines. Wankhede, a 2008 batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, made headlines for allegedly demanding R25 crore from Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan’s family by threatening to implicate his son Aryan Khan in the Cordelia cruise drug bust case during his tenure in the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai in 2021. The principal CAT bench comprising Justice Ranjit More and member Rajinder Kashyap found procedural lapses and potential bias in the transfer decision issued by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. The tribunal said while government officers had an all-India service liability, transfer policies must be implemented in a fair, transparent, and just manner. “We are well aware of the facts that it is a settled law that a transfer, which is an incident of service, is not to be interfered with by the courts unless it is shown to be clearly arbitrary or vitiated by mala fides or infraction of any professed norm or principle governing the transfer. However, the actions of respondents are such which do not fall within the policy framework laid by themselves,” CAT’s February 20 order said. The bench said the judgments cited by the revenue department wouldn’t come to its rescue for it had “patently violated” the guidelines while transferring Wankhede. “With utmost restraint, we refrain from imposing the cost on the respondents. It is held that the transfer of the applicant is not in consonance with the new Transfer/Placement Guidelines, 2018 for Indian Revenue Service (C&CE) Officers issued by the respondents dated 12th April 2018,” it added. Wankhede is currently working as additional commissioner in the Department of Revenue in Chennai following his transfer on May 30, 2022. He previously held the zonal director’s position in the Mumbai NCB before his transfer. Wankhede alleged his transfer was punitive in nature and a direct consequence of his actions at the NCB, claiming he and his family members received multiple death threats from the underworld. His representations seeking reconsideration of the transfer, including one on June 6, 2022, and another on July 18, 2024, were rejected by the authorities. Wankhede was involved in several high-profile cases, including the arrest of Sameer Khan, son-in-law of a former Maharashtra cabinet minister, in a drug-related case. Following these events, an inquiry was initiated against him by a special enquiry team on June 16, 2022. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 March,2025 07:36 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesThe transport department has alerted citizens of six identified fake websites regarding high security number plates and appealed to them not to fall prey to such online sites. A first information report (FIR) has been filed at the cyber cell of Mumbai police. Sources said with the deadline fast approaching, citizens are falling prey to fake websites and getting duped. “The fake websites are generating a QR code and sending an OTP like the original one, but charging double the money and new plates are not delivered. Those who are not aware of the official rates are falling prey to the scam,” a source said. “We have received a number of complaints regarding fake websites. The complaints have come in at several RTO offices across the state. A cyber complaint has been filed in this regard identifying a few websites and we are also releasing a public advertisement to alert citizens. Citizens should be careful to use the authentic websites only,” Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar said. The onus is on vehicle owners for getting HSRPs installed by April 30, 2025. Enforcement authorities (Regional Transport Offices and police) have been authorised to take legal action and impose fines for non-compliance under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, after the expiry of the April 2025 deadline. Made of a rare aluminium alloy, an HSRP contains a retro-reflective film with a verification inscription ‘India’, a chromium-based Ashok Chakra hologram, the hot-stamped letters IND in blue, and a 10-digit laser branding of a unique serial number, making it tamper-proof. The number plates will have snap locks, which means they cannot be tampered with. The non-removable snap lock ensures that the number plate cannot be removed without visibly breaking the lock. Zones 1 to 3 Zone 1: Borivli, Thane, Panvel, Kolhapur, Pune, Nanded, Amravati, Washim, Yavatmal, and Nagpur (E). Zone 2: Mumbai Central, Mumbai (East), Vasai, Kalyan, Pen (Raigad), Ratnagiri, Malegaon, Nandurbar, Satara, Phaltan, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Vaijapur, Wardha, Nagpur (Rural), Gondia, and Gadchiroli Zone 3: Mumbai (West), Vashi (Navi Mumbai), Sindhudurg, Ahilyanagar, Nashik, Shrirampur, Dhule, Jalgaon, Bhusawal, and Chalisgaon. The original websites Zone 1: https://mhhsrp.comZone 2: https://hsrpmhzone2.inZone 3: https://maharashtrahsrp.com Beware! Don’t click on these fake websites 1. https://bookmyhssp.in/maharashtra.html2. https://bookedmyhsrp.com/registration3. https://www.bookmehsrp.com4. https://bookingmyhsrp.com5. https://indnumberplate.com6. https://hsrprto.in
07 March,2025 07:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarColour me ready Ahead of Holi festivities, a man browses through T-shirts featuring splashes of bright colours at a shop in Dadar Make a fish, Mumbaikars The plastic fish created by the volunteers. PICS COURTESY/ABDUL MUNAF A novel idea from the coastline of Florida has washed ashore in Mumbai. Plastic Fisherman, an initiative that encourages citizens to collect plastic waste from their local beaches to create fish-shaped artworks on the shores, has roped in Ghatkopar-based non-profit organisation Gully Classes as its India partner. A fish artwork created by the city-based group at a clean-up drive at Mahim Beach last weekend sealed the deal for the collaboration. “Ideas like this make conservation fun and engaging. Our team had great fun putting the fish exhibit together. Going forward, we will be conducting interactions, activities and clean-up walks around the city,” shared Abdul Munaf (right), founder, Gully Classes. Celebrating Shanta Gokhale Shanta Gokhale. FILE PIC Next week, veteran theatre critic, translator and writer Shanta Gokhale will add another feather to her cap at the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards and Festival in New Delhi. The annual theatre showcase will confer the META Lifetime Achievement award on Gokhale as part of its 20th year celebrations that will kick off on March 13. Ahead of the week-long programming of plays comprising stage productions from all across the country, Suraj Dhingra, META producer and senior vice president, Teamwork Arts, told this diarist, “Shanta Gokhale’s lifelong dedication to Indian theatre, literature, and translation has shaped the cultural fabric of India. Not only has she redefined the boundaries of theatre and literature, but her enduring legacy continues to inspire future generations of artists and writers.” Party like Madrid Members of the Real Madrid Mumbai fan club cheer the team at a screening Come April, and Mumbai will be divided into Los Merengues and Blaugranas. With the legends of Real Madrid Football Club and Barcelona Football Club planning an exhibition match at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai on April 6, Parth Gada, co-founder, Real Madrid Mumbai has already made plans. “It’s a huge benchmark for such a huge match happening in Mumbai, the biggest rivalry of club football kicking off on Indian soil,” he said. With Bay E and Bay F already booked for Real Madrid fans, Gada added, “We have many plans in the works such as a tifo (a large illustrated banner), placards, and flags for the stadium during kick-off and even a bus welcome and chanting at our loudest.” As for the legends, one name has been buzzing among the fans. On the club’s foundation day yesterday (March 6) the 26-year-old Mumbaikar shared his timely wish, “He has not been confirmed yet, but we are most excited to see Zinedine Zidane. Other than him, it will also be a thrill to watch players like Fernando Morientes, Luis Figo, and Roberto Carlos live in action.” Mumbai to Munich The interiors of the new space Foodies in Munich will soon learn the art of popping a piping hot bhatura and guzzling cold glasses of lassi, courtesy of popular food chain Kailash Parbat’s new outpost in the German city. Misbah Kapadia Mumbai-based designer Misbah Kapadia, who designed the interiors of the new space, assured us that the essence of Indian tradition will remain intact far from home. “We combined classic elements like arched ceilings and brick-lined walls with deep green and warm red tones to create a nostalgic yet modern feel. Every detail reflects tradition while fitting into an international space,” Kapadia told this diarist. Butterfly basics A section of the informative exhibit that will be installed in Belapur A month after this newspaper reported a new butterfly garden initiative that took over 10 police stations across Navi Mumbai, the winged guests answered the call, and arrived in style. “Now, the challenge is to educate people about what they are witnessing. We are working on a physical installation at the butterfly garden in Belapur, and digital scan-able codes at other locations that will simplify concepts such as butterfly life-cycles, and the insect ecosystem in Marathi and English,” Dr V Shubhalaxmi, the brains behind the project, elaborated.
07 March,2025 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayResidents of dilapidated buildings and stalled redevelopment projects can breathe a sigh of relief as the state government has promised to change housing policy rules, if required. On Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, in the state Legislative Assembly, mentioned that the government is sensitive and committed when it comes to ensuring safe homes for everyone. Shinde, who heads the Urban Development Department (UDD) and Ministry of Housing in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government, assured Assembly members that a meeting to resolve the issue will be held soon. Congress MLA Amin Patel, meanwhile, called attention notice raising the issue of delays in government agencies granting permissions when it comes to redevelopment of the cess buildings in the city. “The government should do something about issues with cess building redevelopment,” Patel said. Dy CM Eknath Shinde (centre) with party leaders at Vidhan Bhavan on Thursday. Pic/PTI The state government has authorised MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority) to undertake redevelopment, in cases where the society or owner fails to appoint a developer within six months of the premises being declared dangerous and unfit to occupy. MHADA maintains and repairs the cessed buildings which are decades old. Several residents faced delays in redevelopment due to differences between the tenants, developer and more importantly the landlord. Echoing similar views, BJP MLA Parag Alavani cited cases where the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has flagged a structure as C-1 category (dilapidated structure not in habitable condition and needs to be pulled down immediately), but no construction activity has commenced. “Will the government consider acquisition of such buildings?” the BJP MLA questioned. Ajay Choudhary, MLA, Shiv Sena (UBT) stated that there are about 16,000 dilapidated structures and the government is moving at slow pace when it comes to issuing permission for redevelopment of these buildings.Yogesh Sagar, BJP MLA alleged that the suburbs are given step-motherly treatment. “A meeting of the agencies concerned should be called and all MLAs from Mumbai (city and suburbs) should be invited to find a solution to the problem,” he demanded. Convinced by Sagar’s suggestion, Dy CM Shinde assured the members that a meeting of all officials concerned, along with Mumbai’s MLAs, will soon be called. “The government is coming up with a housing policy. If needed, rules would be changed to ensure smooth and expeditious redevelopment and restart of stalled projects,” Shinde added. Shamburaje Desai (Shinde’s colleague in the Mahayuti government), told mid-day in the Vidhan Bhavan premises that the issue that needs to be addressed on a priority basis. “A request to appoint one officer of deputy rank with MHADA and SRA (Slum Redevelopment Authority), specifically to handle this issue, will be sent to Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. We will have the officer appointed at the earliest, possibly by this (Thursday) evening,” Desai added.
07 March,2025 07:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarADVERTISEMENT
