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Maharashtra

Maha: 2 men test ‘Positive’ and ‘Negative’ in 24 hrs, Aarogya Setu unmoved

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 In these panicky times of the pandemic, two persons from Mumbai and Thane this week got bizarre shockers on their Covid-19 infection status from a government lab, two private labs of a single company, and their status on the Centre’s Aarogya Setu portal.

Within hours after they underwent RTPCR tests, the two men were declared as both Covid-19 “Negative” and “Positive”, playing havoc with their lives, families, neighbourhood, offices and travel plans.

In a strange further development, for one of the two persons who tested negative, the Aarogya Setu team threw up its hands and said that his positive status on the app will change only after he tests negative!

On Monday, a realtor named Vijay P. Agarwal (58) from Malad, who had to step out for some meetings, routinely checked his status on the Aarogya Setu portal and was aghast to find himself mentioned as Covid positive.

“I immediately went into self-isolation, and underwent an RTPCR test from a BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) centre nearby to confirm my infection status. Yesterday (January 11), the BMC test returned negative, creating further confusion,” Agarwal said.

After facing flak for the mega-scare on all fronts, a peeved Agarwal shot off an email to Aarogya Setu authorities seeking an explanation for the misleading status against his name.

In its reply on Wednesday, the Aarogya Setu team said: “COVID-19 positive status will change automatically in the application within 14 days, from the date the user is declared Covid negative.”

“This is even more ridiculous. They are forcing me to remain positive. How can I get a negative report on an existing negative report? They should honour the BMC RTPCR test report and immediately change my status on Aarogya Setu so that I don’t face any hassles,” Agarwal said.

A Thane resident, K.G. (40), who was due to fly to the Gulf last week, had a similar harrowing experience.

He underwent the pre-flight mandatory RTPCR test at a reputed private lab and was relieved to find him as negative. Accordingly, he made preparations for his flight the next day (January 3).

“When I went to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), I was asked to do another RTPCR test. Shockingly, that report came positive and I could not board the flight,” rued K.G., declining to reveal his full identity, apprehending reprisals.

Ironically, both his tests, received within a gap of barely 24 hours, were conducted by the same lab at its Thane branch and at the CSMIA.

While Agarwal – who has several heart-related comorbidities – recently took the first jab of Covid-19 vaccine and is awaiting the second dose after around 45 days, K.G. was fully vaccinated a few months ago on account of his frequent foreign travels.

As far as K.G. is concerned, he cooled his heels under home isolation for a week, underwent another RT-PCR test, which again came positive on Tuesday, nixing his foreign travel plans further.

Demanding action, the duo slammed the lab authorities for the “sheer negligence” leading to such contradictory RT-PCR reports, which caused turmoil for the unsuspecting victims, with their scared families, neighbours and others shunning or boycotting them completely.

Maharashtra

Three lakh pilgrims visit Haji Ali in Mumbai on Eid

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Mumbai: Eid-ul-Fitr passed off peacefully in Mumbai. Muslims celebrated Eid with simplicity and protested against the Waqf Bill by offering namaz with black bands on their arms. After Eid-ul-Fitr, a huge crowd of pilgrims thronged Haji Ali and Mahim dargahs. Three lakh pilgrims visited Haji Ali, for which the police had made tight security arrangements.

More than 300,000 pilgrims visited Haji Ali Dargah on the occasion of Basi Eid 2025. As per the preparations made with the Haji Ali Dargah Trust

200 volunteers

25 swimmers

78 CCTV cameras, CCTV camera operators, public announcement were arranged on the main road as well as in the dargah premises. First aid facilities were available on the main road as well as in the dargah premises. Heavy police force was deployed for search, barricades and ropes were also arranged. Eid and Basi Eid passed off peacefully in Mumbai and no untoward incident took place. On the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Panchalkar, the police had made additional security arrangements at dargahs and mosques.

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Crime

Mumbai Malad Gudi Padwa violence: Three arrested, situation peaceful, police alert, DCP Asmita Hotel

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Mumbai: After the violence on Gudi Padwa in Malad, Mumbai, the situation is now peaceful here, but despite this, politics has also started on this issue and an attempt has been made to spread communal tension by giving it a Hindu-Muslim color. On the occasion of Gudi Padwa, a local youth attacked five minors passing in front of Noorani Mosque. In this case, the police has controlled the situation and so far three people have been arrested. A case of rioting has also been registered against them. The crowd is also being identified. The accused have been identified on the basis of CCTV and three people have been arrested. Along with this, after getting control of the situation, the police has put Malad on high alert and is also keeping an eye on communal elements.

Now communal elements have started trying to spoil the atmosphere in Mumbai, so the police is also keeping an eye on social media. Local DCP Smita Patil said that the situation in Malad Maloni is peaceful and action is being taken against the miscreants. Arrests are also continuing after examining CCTV footage and other footage.

So far three people have been arrested in this case, one of whom is Sharan, who attacked the minor. In this case, Vishwa Hindu Parishad Bajrang Dal has given an ultimatum to the police that if they do not arrest the accused as soon as possible, they will protest. In this case, the DCP has made tight security arrangements at all places and has also appealed not to pay attention to rumors and not to share unverified videos or controversial posts on social media. The police is on alert to maintain law and order in Mumbai and Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Panchalkar has issued strict instructions.

Sanjay Nirupam’s venomous attack on the violence on Gaddi Padwa

After the violence on Gudi Padwa, Sanjay Nirupam has made many serious allegations against the police, he has accused the police of delaying action and protecting the accused. He has questioned the action of Mumbai Police and said that the main accused Sharan and his mother do not allow Hindus to celebrate their festivals and their hooliganism continues here. Sanjay Nirupam has called Muslims Jihadis. Sanjay Nirupam said that the police took action when pressure was put on them.

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Maharashtra

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Achieves Historic Property Tax Collection Nearing ₹800 Crores In Financial Year 2024-25

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Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has reached a historic property tax collection of Rs 795 crore for the first time ever. High-ranking officials from the property tax department mentioned that this amount might increase since the deadline for online payments remains available until midnight.

A campaign was launched to engage delinquent taxpayers, and the collection offices stayed open during holidays. Moreover, the ‘Abhay Yojana’ was introduced on March 10, 2025, providing a 50 percent reduction on late fees for outstanding payments if settled by March 31, 2025.

Municipal Commissioner took advantage of the chance to auction assets owned by individuals with tax debts, after sending notices to proprietors with unpaid taxes for three straight years, including state entities. This initiative led to the largest recovery of property taxes in the municipality’s history, according to report by Lokmat.

Municipal Commissioner Dr. Shinde advised property owners at risk of confiscation to settle their debts right away, cautioning that seized properties would go up for auction beginning in April 2025.

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Achieves Historic Property Tax Collection Of ₹795 Crores. Comparative data shows a steady increase in property tax income over the years: ₹521 crore in 2021-22, ₹562 crore in 2022-23, and ₹666 crore in 2023-24.

During the first nine months of the financial year 2023-24, Rs 465.70 crore has been gathered, rising from Rs 398.65 crore in the equivalent timeframe of the prior year. The NMMC aimed to reach its target of Rs 800 crore for the whole financial year, ultimately arriving at Rs 795 crores.

PMC Achieves Record Property Tax Collection

The Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) has reached a historic Rs 400 crore in property tax revenue this financial year, representing its highest earnings since being founded in 2016.

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