Maharashtra
Mumbai: 2016 Kurla Fire Incident Victims Being Discriminated Against In Compensation, Say Activists In Letter To Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde
Mumbai: Activists have alleged that the victims of a tragic fire incident at Kurla’s Hotel City Kinara in 2016 are being discriminated for compensation by the Maharashtra government. After the state government announced compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to the kins of deceased victims of the recent Chembur slum fire, activists have written to the chief minister for similar compensation to the victims of Kurla fire.
In a devastating fire incident on the early Sunday morning, seven members of a family, including three children, lost their lives after a blaze engulfed a shop and its adjoining residential area in Chembur (E)’s Siddharth Colony. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had visited the location and announced compensation of Rs. 5 lakh to the families of the deceased and also assured a high-level investigation to identify the cause of the fire.
About The Incident
However, activists have alleged that the government has discriminated against the victims of a similar tragic fire incident in Kurla in 2016. In October 2016, seven college students and one elderly individual had lost their lives in a tragic fire at Hotel City Kinara in Kurla. Initially, no compensation was offered by the state government but after the Watchdog Foundation filed a complaint before the Lokayukta, the state government had issued a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh per person, following the Lokayukta’s directive.
On Monday, activists from the Watchdog Foundation wrote to CM Shinde requesting to address the discrepancy in compensation. The letter raised concern alleging that majority of the victim students were from minority communities and that may have influenced the unequal treatment in compensation.
“In the spirit of fairness and justice, we urge you to consider increasing the compensation provided to the families of the victims of the Hotel City Kinara fire, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of community or background, are treated with equal compassion and support in the face of such tragedies. We trust that your office will take swift and fair action,” said Godfrey Pimenta, trustee of Watchdog Foundation, in the letter.
Maharashtra
We will take initiative on the problems of Mumbai University – Ambadas Danve
Mumbai: Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve said that the government will take initiative regarding the vacant posts of teachers in Mumbai University, enrollment of colleges, and pending development works by MMRDA. Today he visited the Kalina campus and took stock of the problems and current situation of the students.
Delay in development works of the university
An agreement was signed between Mumbai University and MMRDA for the beautification of the Kalina campus and construction of buildings for educational purposes. But this work has not been done till now and concerns were raised about the completion of these works.
Issue of safety of students
Every day five to six thousand students visit the Kalina campus, but incidents of attacks on female students are increasing due to outside elements. Also, the Bit Chowki near the main entrance was demolished in the name of widening the road, which increased the threat to the safety of girl students, this issue was raised by Senate member Sheetal Devrukhkar-Sheth.
Issue of cancellation of teacher recruitment
Instead of improving the quality of education, the decision to cancel the teacher recruitment is proving to be harmful for the students, Senate member Milind Satam reported.
Challenge to the international recognition of the university
Despite getting international recognition, the students are facing problems due to the problems of Mumbai University, which is unfortunate, said Ambadas Danve. Students from all over the country and abroad come here to study, so it is important to solve these problems, he said.
Vice Chancellor Dr. Ravindra Kulkarni, Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr. Ajay Bhamare, local MLA Vilas Potnis, Senate members Sheetal Devrukhkar-Sheth, Milind Satam, Kisan Sawant, Param Yadav and other dignitaries were present in this meeting.
Danve resolved to raise voice with the government on the problems of the university and play an active role in the interest of the students.
Maharashtra
‘Water Grid’ project for Marathwada: Gulabrao Patil
Mumbai: The ‘Marathwada Water Grid’ scheme is being implemented to permanently solve the water shortage in Marathwada and ensure robust water supply. Under this project, 11 major dams of Marathwada will be connected through pipelines and drinking water will be provided to cities and villages across the region. Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Gulabrao Patil gave information about the project and said that this project will provide sustainable water supply to Marathwada.
The cooperation of global level banks will be taken to implement this scheme, Patil said. A review meeting was held with representatives of global banks in the ministry regarding this project. Many important officials including Principal Secretary of Water Supply and Sanitation Department Sanjay Khandare, Member Secretary of Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran Abhishek Krishna, Chief Executive Officer of ‘Mitra’ Praveensinh Pardeshi, Director of Jal Jeevan Mission Abhiyan E Ravindran, and Secretary of Water Resources Department Sanjay Belsare were present in this meeting.
Long-term water supply to Marathwada will be ensured through this project. Along with this, as per the advice of the central government, the project will be set up and implemented by taking loans from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and New Development Bank. The implementation of the project will be coordinated by the ‘Mitra’ institution, as told by Minister Gulabrao Patil.
The ‘Mitra’ institution has taken the initiative to discuss the project further and coordinate with the concerned banks. Patil expressed confidence that the project will significantly help in solving the water problem of Marathwada.
Maharashtra
The state government is preparing to bring private kindergartens under its control
Mumbai: The lack of educational facilities, midday meals for children, and proper implementation of government schemes in private schools running in the streets of the state has increased the concern of parents. As a measure against this, the School Education Department has started preparing a new manual to bring private schools under government control.
According to the new National Education Policy, pre-primary education for children between 3 and 6 years of age has been considered important, and it is proposed to include private schools in this policy as well. Currently, many schools running in the streets are running without any manual and are out of the control of the local administration. It has been assured that a suitable educational environment will be created for the children under this new rule of the Education Department.
Under the new regulations, educational curriculum for children will be implemented in the balwadis, along with midday meals and appropriate schemes for the physical and mental development of children. This is expected to provide quality education to the children.
It has not yet been decided which department will control these balwadis – the School Education Department, the Women and Child Welfare Department, and the Integrated Child Development Services Department. However, it is believed that this decision will reduce the anxiety of parents and improve the educational quality of children.
-
Crime2 years ago
Class 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra4 months ago
Mumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra3 months ago
Mumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra4 months ago
False photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News3 months ago
Ministry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Crime3 months ago
Baba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
-
Maharashtra2 months ago
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News4 months ago
J&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface