Mumbai: In a classic case of realpolitik, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has again turned critic of his own party, serving the Opposition on a platter as a talking point, neatly gift-wrapped for election. Gadkari, known for making discordant noises, has raised a red flag about the Maharashtra government’s Ladki Bahin scheme—an initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to women—that he feels might derail timely payments of subsidies in other sectors.

The irony is palpable as the opposition, with their well-trained radar for political missteps, has latched onto Gadkari’s comments. The Congress, the NCP (SP), and the Shiv Sena (UBT) wasted no time pointing out that if even those in power are admitting the state’s economy is in dire straits, perhaps we should all start panicking. Gadkari’s public take on the Ladki Bahin scheme and state finances is all the more significant considering the Maharashtra Assembly elections are slated after Diwali.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Expresses His Views

Speaking at a public event in Nagpur on Monday, he laid it all out: “Will investors get their subsidies on time? Who knows? We have to fund the Ladki Bahin scheme too!” In other words, he fears that funds previously earmarked for other subsidies will now be diverted.

As the Ladki Bahin Yojana rolls out, he bluntly warned “My opinion is that irrespective of the government, belonging to any party, keep the government at bay. Government is like a ‘vishkanya’ (poison maiden); whosoever goes along with it will doom themselves. So do not get into that matter,” he said in a lighter vein.

He went on to add, “If you are getting a subsidy, take it, but again, it is not sure when one will get it. With the Ladki Bahin Yojana being started, they have to use the funds allocated for subsidies for that work,” Gadkari said.

About Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana

Under the state’s shining new ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana,’ women aged 21-65, regardless of marital status, will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 — assuming their family income doesn’t exceed Rs 2.5 lakh. All this comes at a cool cost of Rs 46,000 crore to the state’s treasury, just in time for the Maharashtra Assembly polls. Naturally, the opposition is ecstatic.

Congress has seized the moment to slam the Mahayuti government for its apparent lack of fiscal responsibility, with General Secretary Jairam Ramesh noting that this Ladki Bahin Yojana looks like a desperate electoral ploy designed to distract from the state’s economic woes. He pointed out that Gadkari, a senior Union Minister, is now publicly acknowledging Maharashtra’s fiscal troubles, which is a twist worthy of a soap opera. Ramesh highlighted the “financial ruin” caused by what he termed the BJP’s “puppet” government.

After all, nothing says fiscal responsibility like cancelling aid for families of farmers who committed suicide due to “emergency fund shortages”—only to reinstate it when the opposition made a fuss. He also mentioned the 400+ contractors left unpaid for 15 months and a fiscal deficit soaring past Rs 1 lakh crore—while the state’s total debt now eclipses Rs 7 lakh crore, roughly 20% of its GDP. A real feather in the cap!

The weather in Mumbai shows a temperature of 32 °C, with a predicted fall in temperatures up to 26.99 °C and 33 °C as the minimum and maximum temperatures for the day, respectively, on October 1, Tuesday. The humidity rises to the level of 75%, while the wind blows at a speed of 75 km/h. Today, the sun was seen rising at 06:29 AM and will be setting at 06:27 PM.

Today’s Air Quality

As the city experiences monsoon withdrawals, the air quality has immencely fallen. Mumbai’s air quality is currently classified as ‘Poor’ with an AQI of 167.0.

Tomorrow’s Weather Forecast

The weather forecast for Mumbai on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, anticipates temperatures ranging from 27.89 °C to 29.36 °C. Humidity levels are expected to reach 79% tomorrow.

The forecast for today predicts cloudy skies. Please plan your day according to the temperature and forecasted weather, as well as apply sunscreen and carry umbrellas for just-in-case situations. Have fun in the sun and remember to wear your sunglasses while you bask-in-the warm weather.

How Does The Week Look Ahead?

The clouds are beginning to shift towards the north due to the monsoon withdrawal in Maharashtra. As a result of these weather conditions, there has been a rise in humidity levels and poor air quality, with minimal chance of light showers.

This also means it is time to welcome Autumn and with them comes clear and beautiful blue skies!

Mumbai: A tragic accident occurred on Film City Road in Mumbai’s Goregaon on Tuesday morning, claiming the life of a young schoolgirl. The incident took place near Oberoi Mall, where the girl was on her way to school with her father. She was struck by a dumper and died on the spot.

According to reports, police quickly arrived at the scene, arrested the dumper driver and initiated an investigation into the accident.

Another Hit-And-Run Reported Recently

In another tragic hit-and-run case, a 39-year-old plumber, Sunil Khandu Palke, tragically lost his life on Sunday morning after being hit by an unidentified vehicle near Sindhi Colony in Chembur. The Chunabhatti police are reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding areas in an effort to identify both the vehicle and the driver involved in the incident.

Palke, a resident of the SRA Co-operative Society in Lal Dongar, Chembur, reportedly lived with his wife Deepali, their son, and his mother. According to the police, Palke had spoken to his wife at around 1:30 am on Sunday, informing her that he was on his way home.

However, after that call, he stopped answering his phone. By 6:30 am, when Palke had still not returned, his son tried calling him again. This time, a police officer answered and informed him that his father had met with an accident and had been taken to Sion Hospital.

Case Filed Against Unknown Car Driver

Despite receiving medical treatment, Palke succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The police have since filed a case against the owner of the unidentified vehicle under sections 106(1) (causing death by negligence) and 281 (rash driving or riding on a public way) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.