Navi Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has appealed to all advertisers, businesses, and citizens to secure mandatory permissions before displaying any form of advertisement within city limits, in accordance with the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations (Regulation and Control of Display of Sky-Signs and Advertisements) Rules, 2022.

As per the Urban Development Department’s notification dated May 9, 2022, the rules are applicable to all municipal corporations in Maharashtra except the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Under Sections 244 and 245 of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, no advertisement can be displayed without prior written permission from the Municipal Commissioner.

The term “advertisement” covers all forms of displays visible from public roads, including hoardings, banners, name boards, neon and glow signs, LED and digital screens, video or laser displays, and other illuminated publicity material.

To ensure compliance, NMMC has appointed M/s Ornate Technologies Pvt. Ltd. to conduct a citywide survey of all advertisement hoardings and signage. The agency will use a mobile application to gather data, contact advertisers through a call centre for guidance, and issue notices to those operating without valid permissions.

NMMC officials have urged citizens and advertisers to extend full cooperation to representatives of Ornate Technologies during the survey. “Our goal is to ensure transparency, safety, and orderly display of advertisements across Navi Mumbai,” said a senior civic official.

“We request all advertisers to regularize their displays by applying for permissions online to avoid penalties and ensure compliance.”

The civic body has directed advertisers to apply through its official website https://app.nmmconline.in, submit the required documents, and pay the prescribed advertisement fees to obtain valid permits before putting up any form of advertisement.

Mumbai: Irked by repeated non-compliance with its orders, the Bombay High Court has issued a bailable warrant of Rs 25,000 against former Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, directing her to appear before the court on November 26, 2025.

The order was passed by a bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Ashwin Bhobe while hearing two contempt petitions filed by Ram Arjunrao Shete and Anil Vasantrao Palande, along with several teachers. The petitioners have alleged non-implementation of a government decision granting double increments to award-winning teachers.

When the petitions were initially filed in 2022, Saunik was serving as the Additional Chief Secretary (General Administration Department). The court noted that despite multiple opportunities, she had failed to comply with or respond to its orders.

The bench observed that when a contempt notice was issued on June 12, 2025, instead of responding personally, Saunik had sent another bureaucrat, V. Radha, to tender an apology on her behalf. The government pleader then justified this by stating that Sunik was “now the Chief Secretary and Smt. V. Radha is occupying her earlier position”, hence Sunik “was not tendering an apology”.

“Our judicial conscience is shocked to note that though Respondent No.1 is Smt. Sujata Saunik, the apology is tendered by Smt. V. Radha, who is not arrayed as Respondent/Contemnor… This indicates an attitude of defiance,” the court remarked in its earlier order.

The judges further pointed out that Saunik had refused to accept court notices even after her retirement. “The office remark based on the bailiff’s report clearly mentions that Smt. Sujata Saunik refused to accept the notice of the Court, declined to acknowledge the service and obstructed the bailiff from affixing the notice at a conspicuous part of the premises,” the bench said.

A further “disturbing event,” the court noted, was that a court employee had delayed issuing the contempt notice until after Saunik retired on June 30, 2025. “The Registry of this Court delayed the issuance of the notice only to enable the Contemnor to demit office,” the bench recorded.

After examining internal reports, the bench held Section Officer Aditya P. Satghare responsible for the lapse and allowed the Registrar (Judicial-I) to initiate disciplinary action against him. Compliance has been sought by January 15, 2026.

“In view of the glaring conduct of Smt. Sujata Saunik, we direct issuance of a bailable warrant to secure her presence in this Court,” the judges concluded.

Mumbai: Bringing festive cheer ahead of Diwali, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has announced an ‘ Bonus ‘of Rs 31,000 (Rupees Thirty-One Thousand Only) to each of its 23,596 officers and employees. The bonus amount was credited directly into their bank accounts on Friday, October 17, 2025 (Vasu Baras), much to the delight of the workforce.

This year’s ex-gratia amount marks an increase compared to last year, and has created a wave of happiness among the employees. The timely credit of the Diwali bonus ahead of the festival has given employees the financial boost to make festive purchases on the occasion of Dhanteras.

BEST Workers Union office-bearers met with the newly appointed General Manager of BEST, Dr. Sonia Sethi recently, at the BEST Bhavan in Colaba. During the meeting, discussions were held regarding long-standing demands of the employees, including the Diwali ex-gratia. Dr. Sethi assured the union representatives that BEST employees would receive a Diwali bonus on par with their counterparts in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).