Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has disbursed Rs 25 lakh to a retired employee, which includes Rs 16 lakh for gratuity and Rs 9 lakh for interest, after delaying her gratuity payment due to an investigation involving her. Sujata Jadhav, a previous chief clerk, contested the BMC, recognised as the wealthiest municipal corporation but criticised for its management practices. More than ten years after retiring, Jadhav pursued justice in the labour court, resulting in a High Court decision that required her gratuity and interest to be paid.

The court ruled that gratuity must be disbursed within 30 days post-retirement, and if delayed, a 10 per cent interest applies, stressing that it cannot be delayed due to ongoing inquiries. Advocates Prakash Devdas and Vidula Patil represented Jadhav, effectively arguing her case in court.

Devdas commented on the impact of this situation on public finances, condemning the squandering resulting from the BMC’s negligence in meeting legal requirements, which might have avoided unnecessary expenditures. He emphasised the importance of accountability by proposing that the interest paid should be reclaimed from the officials who gave erroneous advice about withholding gratuity.

This situation emphasises a wider problem, as numerous other retired BMC workers face similar violations of their rights because of slight misconduct.

Devdas emphasises the need for prompt payment of obligations and compliance with regulations, claiming that incorrect interpretations of laws or guidance should be rectified to prevent additional misuse of public resources in the future. He determined that safeguarding the rights of retired staff is crucial for ensuring accountability and effective management of funds within the BMC.

Mumbai: After the flood situation and the wrath of rain in Maharashtra, the state government has claimed to help farmers and villages. State Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered all ministers to visit the affected villages, after which the ministers are also visiting the affected and flood-affected villages. Due to the flood situation in several villages including Beed and Osmanabad in Maharashtra, more than 100 villages have also been cut off. The situation has further deteriorated due to the increase in the water level of the river. Farmers’ crops have been destroyed.

State Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has visited the flood-affected villages in Mahad and assessed the damage. He has said that the villages and farms have been damaged on a large scale. Due to water accumulating in the houses in the low-lying areas, food items and household goods have been damaged. During the flood situation, 22 people have been safely evacuated by NDRF teams. The rescue operation is underway, along with this, there is anger among the people. The government has decided that relief will be provided to all the victims before Diwali. The government has released a fund of Rs 2,000 crore due to emergencies and floods, with this, relief is being ensured. The Chief Minister said that this relief will not be limited to farmers only, but all the victims will be provided relief, including those whose houses were flooded and compensation will be given for the damage caused in low-lying areas.

Dissatisfaction with the pictures of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Pratap Sarnaik in the relief campaign Dissatisfaction was found in Dharashiv Osmanabad over the pasting of pictures of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Pratap Sarnaik on relief and relief kits. The people expressed their displeasure and directed to take back the relief truck. After political publicity in relief works, the people of the state have now raised the question that they were in the rain for two or three days but no one provided them any assistance but now politics is being done on it. On the other hand, the opposition has also criticized it. On this issue, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bankole said that the flood-affected villages need assistance and politics should not be done on it. He said that the allegations being made by the opposition regarding publicity on aid, what did it do in its time? He said that instead of politicizing this matter, there is a need to extend a helping hand.

Mumbai: Seven people, of which six are women suffered severe burns upto 90%, in Kandivali’s Akurli area after a fire that erupted due to potential LPG gas leak. Four injured are taken to ESCI hospital. Three were taken to BDBA hospital and now are transferred to Kasturba hospital for further treatment.

The incident took place at Ram Kisan Mestri Chawl, Besides, Opposite ESIC hospital, Military Road, Akurli Cross Road No 3, Kandivali East, and reported this morning at 9.05 am to the Mumbai Fire Brigade. 

The injured taken to ESCI hospital are identified as : Shivani Gandhi (51), 70% burn; Nitu Gupta (31); 80% burn, Janaki Gupta (39), 70% burn and Manaram Kumacat (55), 40% burn. The injured transferred to Kasturba hospital are identified as: Raksha Joshi (47), 85 to 90% burn; Durga Gupta (30), 85 to 90% burn and Poonam (28), 90% burn injury.

As per details from disaster management, the fire was confined to electric wiring, electric installation, edibles, LPG cylinder, main valve, leaked LP Gas regulator, gas stove etc in the ground plus one floored shop. 

The fire was extinguished at 9.33 am.

The condition of the injured is said to be critical and they are under treatment. 

Further information in the incident is awaited.