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Monday,11-August-2025
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After ‘fake-khadi scam’, KVIC blacklists Mumbai’s famed Khadi Emporium

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In a shocker, the Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has cancelled the ‘Khadi Certification’ of Mumbai’s 68-year-old and famed ‘Khadi Emporium’, and banned it from sale of khadi products henceforth, an official said here on Saturday.

The development came after the KVIC detected that fake and non-khadi products were being sold from the Khadi Emporium located in the prime area near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, in the heritage building Metropolitan Insurance House, on Dr D.N. Road.

During a routine inspection, the KVIC officials took away samples from Khadi Emporium that were found to be fake/non-khadi products being passed off to the customers as ‘genuine khadi’.

The KVIC slapped a legal notice to the Mumbai Khadi & Village Industries Association (MKVIA), its approved distributors, for flouting norms of the ‘Khadi Certificate’ and ‘Khadi Mark Certificate’, which now stand cancelled.

“With cancellation of the registration, Khadi Emporium ceases to be a genuine Khadi Outlet and is no longer permitted to sell Khadi products,” the KVIC said.

It has also warned the MKVIA – which reportedly runs other branches in Mumbai and outside – of legal action for criminal breach of trust, cheating the people at large by misusing the credibility and popularity of the Khadi brand.

The KVIC had handed over the management of the Khadi Emporium to MKVIA in 1954 with the strict condition to sell only genuine khadi products.

However, in recent years, the MKVIA allegedly indulged in unfair trade practices like selling fake khadi products, duping the gullible customers who were under the impression that the Khadi Emporium was run by the KVIC.

The once venerable Khadi Emporium was the top destination for buying khadi products from locals, domestic and international tourists, including many celebs and VVIP lovers of the comfy fabric created by Mahatma Gandhi, which has attained global popularity.

In its tough drive against fake khadi products, in the past few years, the KVIC has served legal notices to over 1,200 individuals and firms across the country.

This includes a reputed one like FabIndia accused of misusing the ‘Khadi India’ trademark brand to sell non-khadi products, and the KVIC has sought damages of Rs 500 crore with the case pending before the Bombay High Court.

Last year, the KVIC targeted online shopping portals like Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal to take down 140 weblinks that were hawking non-khadi products and misusing the official brand name.

Maharashtra

Vasai-Virar Tragedy: 17-Year-Old Teen Drowns While Swimming In Well In Dhumal Nagar

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Palghar, Maharashtra: A 17-year-old boy tragically drowned while swimming in a well near the crematorium ground in Dhumal Nagar, Vasai, on Sunday afternoon.

The deceased, identified as Masoom Samsul Khan, a resident of Vasai, originally from Uttar Pradesh. He was the son of Jinat Samsul Khan, who works in a private company.

Rescue Efforts and Medical Response

According to police, Masoom had gone swimming in the well when he accidentally drowned. Fire brigade personnel retrieved his body and rushed him to Nagnath Municipal Hospital in Tulinj, Nalasopara East, where doctors declared him dead before admission at 9:50 a.m.

he Pelhar Police have registered an accidental death case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The cause of death has been recorded as drowning.

Assistant Police Inspector Yuvraj Choudhary is conducting further inquiries.

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Maharashtra

Thane News: Ambernath, Badlapur & Ulhasnagar Face Prolonged Power Cuts Due To Pipeline Rupture; Water Supply Disruption Feared

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Thane: Residents of Ambernath, Badlapur, and Ulhasnagar faced significant power cuts starting from Monday morning. The power supply was interrupted because of a rupture in the high-pressure line near Golegaon, Ambivali on the main line from Padgha. Employees of the Maharashtra Distribution Company indicate that restoring the power supply may take at least 4 to 5 hours.

The power outage has halted all activities, affecting everything from domestic tasks to large and small industries. Residents are voicing dissatisfaction due to the ongoing power outages in this region. The daily power outages in Ambernath and Badlapur are also significantly impacting the water supply, forcing residents to wait longer for water due to inadequate storage in tanks.

The Maharashtra Distribution Company is vigorously engaged in fixing the damaged wires. Nonetheless, as these issues often arise during the rainy season, the tolerance of residents is beginning to diminish. “Residents have insisted that lasting solutions are essential to enhance the power supply quality in Ambernath and Badlapur, or else the issues of water scarcity and disturbances to daily activities will only worsen.

Despite Mahavitaran’s maintenance and repairs, the power supply in Badlapur and Ambernath cities appears to remain poor. On Saturday, the day of Raksha Bandhan, electricity was cut off multiple times in different areas of Badlapur. On Sunday, a holiday, power outages occurred to varying degrees in different parts of Badlapur East.

The day on Monday started with interruptions in the power supply. A problem in the high-pressure line from Morivali caused power outages in parts of Badlapur. As a result, residents will encounter difficulties right from the very first day.

Owing to ongoing power outages, festivals and celebrations must be observed in the dark. Ganeshotsav will commence in the upcoming days. Citizens are insisting that measures be implemented to guarantee a continuous power supply, at least during that timeframe. There is a request for maintenance and repairs to continue for several more days, taking as long as needed, but ensuring electricity is supplied during the festival.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Metro 3: MMRC Plans To Boost Ridership On Aqua Line Through Discounts, Exclusive Offers & More

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), operator of the city’s underground Aqua Line (Metro Line 3), is preparing a promotional push to increase ridership on its newest corridor. Officials are considering discount schemes, corporate tie-ups and digital collaborations to attract more passengers, with formal decisions expected later this week.

Phase-wise Inauguration Of Mumbai’s 1st Underground Metro

The 33.5 km Aqua Line connects Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai to Aarey in the western suburbs and is being opened in phases. The first stretch, from Aarey-JVLR to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), began operations on October 7, 2024. The second segment, from BKC to Worli’s Acharya Atre Chowk, was inaugurated on May 9 this year and opened to commuters the next day. The final leg to Cuffe Parade is scheduled for launch by the end of August.

Currently, a 12.69 km operational stretch, including the recently opened 9.77 km section, carries over 52,500 passengers daily on weekdays. Before the Worli extension opened, the average ridership per trip was just 91 passengers, far below the trains’ maximum capacity of 2,500. MMRC had projected 1.4 million daily passengers once the entire line is functional.

To bridge the gap, the MMRC plans to appoint an external agency to market the metro, identify major commercial and residential hubs near stations and set up promotional kiosks,QR codes at these kiosks will link commuters to the metro’s mobile app. Officials are also considering offering discount coupons for first-time monthly pass users to encourage a shift from road-based transport.

Potential partnerships include collaborations with online platforms, mobile wallets, IRCTC and Indian Railways’ UTS app for ticket bookings. The MMRC is also exploring the integration of Line 3 into Google Maps to improve trip planning. For last-mile connectivity, talks are underway with private taxi operators, e-bike providers, intermediate public transport services and bus operators.

While these promotional activities may be rolled out only by late 2025, a few months after the full line becomes operational, MMRC says the effort is a first-of-its-kind initiative for the corporation. “Such a thing has not been done earlier.

The Aqua Line project’s cost has risen sharply to Rs 37,275.5 crore from the initial Rs 23,136 crore, mainly due to construction delays and legal battles. Environmentalists had earlier opposed tree felling in south Mumbai and the location of the car depot at Aarey Milk Colony, leading to prolonged disputes before work could proceed.

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