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CAG frowns at BMC in Special Audit of expenses during MVA rule

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The Accountant General (Audit-I) Maharashtra has rebuked the country’s biggest and richest civic body, BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), for certain lapses and irregularities in a Special Audit of 76 identified works worth Rs 12,000 crore.

The audit, covering nine key BMC departments, was performed for works carried out between November 28, 2019 – the day when Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) came to power in the state and Uddhav Thackeray took oath as the Chief Minister – and October 31, 2022.

Ordered on October 31, 2022 by the new government headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the audit also included the expenditure on 13 Jumbo Covid Centres, 24 ward offices, five major hospitals, six specialised hospitals, 17 peripheral hospitals, one dental hospital and others.

However, the BMC had sent a legal notice to the CAG on November 17, 2022, not to go ahead with any audit of acts, works or decisions taken for Covid management or expenditure of Rs 3,538.73 crore, referring to the Epidemic Act, 1897 and Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The state government, in November 2022, rubbished the BMC’s contentions, and despite many reminders, the Mumbai civic body did not produce records related to Covid-19 management.

Accordingly, the Special Audit has omitted the Covid-19 management part on grounds that without the relevant records, no confirmation can be made in audit on the propriety, efficiency, economy and effectiveness of Covid 19 related expenditure by BMC.

“Needless to mention that non-cooperation of BMC in producing the Covid-19 management records for the purpose of Special Audit, apart from impinging on the Constitutional Aresponsibilities devolved on the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, also deprived BMC of crucial audit inputs. As per the powers and functions entrusted under Constitution and DPC Act and in keeping with legal replies filed as mentioned above, further appropriate steps, are reserved,” said the Audit Report.

Established in 1873, the BMC administers an area of 480 sq km through three divisions, seven zones and 24 Wards, that makes up the country’s commercial capital.

Crime

‘Hum Bhaagna Chah Rahe The Fire Karke…Galti Hogayi Sir’: Bahraich Murder Accused Apologises To UP Cops After Being Shot Near Nepal Border 

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'Hum Bhaagna Chah Rahe The Fire Karke...Galti Hogayi Sir': Bahraich Murder Accused Apologises To UP Cops After Being Shot Near Nepal Border 

UP police on Thursday released a video showing the two accused Sarfaraz and Mohammad Talib, who allegedly killed Ram Gopal Mishra on October 13 in Bahraich, being taken to a police jeep after they were shot while trying to escape to Nepal. 

In the video, cops wearing bulletproof vests can be seen carrying both the accused who were writhing in pain after being shot in their legs. One of the accused can be heard telling the cops that they wanted to run away and that is why they fired at them. 

Amitabh Yash, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Special Task Force, Uttar Pradesh told news agency that five accused in the matter have also been arrested. 

“A total of five people who are the main accused in the case have been arrested. A short exchange of fire took place in which two people were injured. The injured are Sarfaraz and Mohammad Talib. There is no death and the injured have been taken to the hospital,” Amitabh Yash said.

Injured accused admitted to hospital for treatment

ADGP (Law and Order), STF Uttar Pradesh said that two people were injured in the encounter and were admitted to a hospital for treatment.

SP Bahraich, Vrinda Shukla said that “5 people have been arrested. Two of them have been injured in police firing. I am here to assess their condition. One of the injured is Md. Sarfaraz, the other other is Md. Talib.” Ramgopal Mishra was killed while several others were injured after a clash erupted between two communities during the Durga idol immersion procession in the Mahasi area in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

Earlier today, Bahraich Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Sanjay Kumar Sharma said that Ramgopal Mishra, who was killed in a clash that erupted between two communities during the Durga idol immersion procession in Bahraich, died due to “excessive bleeding”, officials said.

The CMO said, “The information that we have – that man died of excessive bleeding due to 25-30 pellets injuries. There are some injury marks above his left eye and on the toes. Some part of the nails of both the feet is also missing.” 

Appealing to not spread misinformation on social media, Superintendent of Police (SP) Rural, Pavitra Mohan Tripathi said, “To disturb the social harmony, misinformation is being spread on social media – there’s been a single death in the incident and the reason for death is also clear in the post-mortem report which is bullet injuries. I request people not to spread misinformation and also not to believe in any of such misinformation. The situation is peaceful in the district.” 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that providing justice to the family of the victim of the Bahraich violence is the government’s top priority, and the culprits will not be spared at any cost. He said this after meeting with family members of the deceased of the Bahraich incident in Lucknow.

The family has been provided Rs 10 lakh, a house under the PM Awas Yojana, and an Antyodaya card.

On October 16, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led state government also initiated action against police officials.

According to the police, the procession was passing by a Muslim area when the two groups argued over some issues.

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National News

Assam Train Tragedy: 8 Coaches Of 12520 Agartala–Lokmanya Tilak Express Derail At Dibalong, No Casualty Reported; Visuals Surface

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New Delhi, Oct 17: The Mumbai-bound Lokmanya Tilak Express that left Agartala this morning derailed at Dibalong station in Assam at about 3:55 pm, a spokesperson of the Railways said.

“Eight coaches, including the power car and the engine of the train, got derailed. However, no casualty or major injuries have been reported,” the CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway zone said. The accident took place in the Lumding-Bardarpur Hill section under Lumding division.

According to railway officials, Accident Relief Train and Accident Relief Medical Train have already left for the site from Lumding along with senior officials of the division to supervise the rescue and restoration works.

“Running of trains over the Lumding-Badarpur single line section has been suspended. Helpline numbers at Lumding are 03674 263120, 03674 263126,” the CPRO said.

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Maharashtra

Election Commission To Announce Poll Dates Of Maharashtra, Jharkhand Assembly Elections Today

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News Delhi: The Election Commission of India is set to announce the dates of elections for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections on Tuesday, October 15. The announcement on the dates of the crucial polls will be done by ECI through a press conference scheduled at 3.30 pm today. The poll officials are also expected to announce bypolls for three Lok Sabha seats and 12 Assembly seats of UP and Gujarat today along with the polls for the two assemblies.

When Do Assembly Terms End For Both States?

The Maharashtra Assembly’s term is set to conclude on November 26, while on the other hand, the Jharkhand Assembly’s term will end on January 5, 2025. Maharashtra has a 288-member Legislative Assembly, while the state of Jharkhand consists an 81-seat Assembly.

Crucial Battle In Both States

In Maharashtra, the ruling Mahayuti coalition, which consists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), will face off against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The MVA is a coalition of the Congress, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SP and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).

In Jharkhand, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), a key part of the opposition INDIA bloc, will be up against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The NDA in Jharkhand includes the BJP, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) and Janata Dal (United). Both states are gearing up for high-stakes elections, with major political alliances vying for power.

Congress Reviews Poll Strategy In Maharashtra

The Congress central leadership, on Monday, held a meeting to assess its preparations for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. The meeting, chaired at party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, included senior state leaders and was attended by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

During the discussions, the Congress leadership reflected on lessons learned from the Haryana elections, particularly focusing on addressing caste-related issues. The results of the Haryana elections and their potential impact on expectations within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), were also reviewed.

A key decision made during the meeting was the commitment to maintain the MVA alliance despite any challenges. Prominent Congress leaders like general secretary KC Venugopal and Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, along with state figures including Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Nana Patole, former president Prithviraj Chavan and Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, participated in the meeting.

BJP To Release 1st List Of Candidates Soon

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing to release its first list of candidates for the Maharashtra polls, expected to include over 60 names. This list will be finalised by the party’s central election committee (CEC) in the next two days.

A meeting led by BJP national president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also held in New Delhi yesterday, where key leaders from the party’s Maharashtra unit and state election in-charges Bhupender Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw were present. The BJP’s Maharashtra unit has already shortlisted around 100 candidates, including sitting MLAs, for the CEC’s consideration ahead of the elections.

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