Connect with us
Friday,04-April-2025
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Another scam? Maharashtra Opposition demands Minister Abdul Sattar be sacked

Published

on

In what is alleged as another land scam, the Maharashtra opposition on Monday vociferously demanded the resignation of Agriculture Minister Abdul Sattar – recently in the limelight for the slur on NCP MP Supriya Sule.

The opposition clamour came after the Bombay High Court made certain observations against Abdul Sattar for ordering the “regularisation” of a 37-acre plot reserved for cattle-grazing (‘gairan’) in Washim, ostensibly to favour a private individual despite a civil court order to the contrary.

Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar said that when Abdul Sattar was the MoS for Revenue in the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime, he had passed the order though knowing fully well that the Additional District Judge, Washim, had overruled the claim of the private party for continued possession of the land in April 1994.

“It’s a scam worth Rs 150 crore and therefore Sattar should be forthwith dismissed from the cabinet,” demanded Pawar as other opposition legislators joined in.

The opposition also asked the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis to oust Abdul Sattar for asking the Agriculture Department to collect “huge funds” for organising an agro-fair in his constituency, Sillod in Aurangabad.

Earlier, Pawar had submitted an adjournment motion on this issue which was rejected but Speaker Rahul Narwekar permitted him to speak on the matter.

Senior NCP leader Dilip Walse-Patil referred to a Supreme Court verdict pertaining to such ‘gairan’ lands and said that a criminal case should be lodged against the Minister for the lapse.

Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan sought Abdul Sattar’s removal from the post till the high court gave him a clean chit, with the case scheduled for hearing on January 11.

Fadnavis replied that the government will examine the high court order and then take the appropriate action, and on the allegation of fund collection for the agro-fair, assured that nobody would be spared for any wrongdoings.

As the issue led to a heated exchange, the Speaker adjourned the house for an hour this afternoon.

Recently, the high court stayed Abdul Sattar’s order in favour of Yogesh Khandare following a plea filed by two petitioners, Shyam Deole and Umesh Pophale, who contended that the Minister had regularised the flouting the Washim court’s order rejecting the claim earlier.

Maharashtra

Struggle Against Land Mafia in Waqf Properties: New Amended Bill Adds to the Challenges

Published

on

New Delhi : In the ongoing battle to protect Waqf properties and ensure their benefits reach the deserving, land mafias, encroachers, and illegal groups were already a major hurdle. Now, the government’s newly amended bill has emerged as another significant challenge. Advocate Dr. Syed Ejaz Abbas Naqvi has strongly criticized this move and demanded immediate reforms. He stated that the primary objective of Waqf was to benefit the needy, but unfortunately, this objective has completely failed. On the other hand, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the largest Sikh religious organization, has been actively involved in the welfare of its community for decades. As a result, the Sikh community has nearly eradicated beggars and human rickshaw pullers.

Illegal Encroachments and Misuse of Waqf Lands Exposed :
According to Dr. Naqvi, Waqf properties have suffered the most due to unlawful encroachments by vested interest groups. The most unfortunate fact is that many Waqf lands were originally donated for the shrines (Dargahs) of Syed families, but they have been grossly misused. He revealed that a well-known individual shamelessly sold an acre of prime Waqf land on Mumbai’s Altamount Road for just 1.6 million rupees, a blatant violation of Waqf principles and laws.

Demand for a Stricter Amendment in Section 52 :
Dr. Naqvi has called on the government to take strict action against those who illegally sell Waqf properties. He has urged for an immediate amendment to Section 52 of the Waqf Act to introduce

capital punishment or life imprisonment* for unauthorized Waqf land sellers. This issue is a major setback for those fighting to safeguard Waqf properties, who are already battling corrupt elements and illegal land grabbers. It remains to be seen whether the government takes these concerns seriously and enacts effective legislation to protect Waqf lands.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai Cleanup Marshal and Swachh Mumbai campaign ended, fine collection from citizens also stopped, BMC helpline number released

Published

on

Mumbai: Mumbai BMC has abolished the clean-up marshal policy, after which now the clean-up marshal has disappeared from the streets of the city. The Municipal Corporation has completely banned the clean-up marshal and the Swachh Mumbai Mission has been stopped. This means that now no clean-up marshal will be able to force citizens to pay fines or take any other punitive action. After complaints against clean-up marshals, Mumbai BMC has decided to stop and suspend the service of clean-up marshals from today.

The Solid Waste Management Department of Mumbai Municipal Corporation, under the Department of Garbage and Sanitation, oversees public cleanliness in Mumbai and the ‘Swachh Mumbai Mission’ has been closed from April 4, 2025. However, the Municipal Corporation administration has appealed to the citizens that if any fine has been imposed on them despite this, then they can complain about it. Complaints regarding cleanup marshals can be made to the divisional control room of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation at 022-23855128 and 022-23877691 (extension number 549/500).

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

New India Cooperative Bank embezzlement accused’s properties attached

Published

on

Mumbai: Mumbai Economic Branch (EOW) has also started property seizure proceedings in the case of embezzlement of crores of rupees from New India Cooperative Bank. EOW said that after identifying the properties obtained from the embezzled amount, it has been attached and seized. 5 accused have been arrested in this case and 21 immovable properties of these accused have been found, which have been allowed to be confiscated.

This is the first action under 107 BNSS in Mumbai city in which the property of the accused has been seized. Mumbai AOW said that the amount recovered from the seized properties will also be estimated. After the bank scam in Mumbai, EOW has taken major action and details of other properties of the accused are also being investigated.

Continue Reading

Trending