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BMC Budget 2025-26: Mumbai Civic Body Set To Present Budget On Feb 4; Take A Look At Key Expectations

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Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to unveil its Budget Estimates for 2025-26 on Tuesday, February 4, at 11:00 am in the municipal headquarters’ assembly hall. The budget presentation will begin with the Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs), Dr Amit Saini, outlining the Education Department’s financial plan to Municipal Administrator Bhushan Gagrani. Following this, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), Abhijit Bangar, will present the overall budget estimates to Gagrani.

Key Infrastructure Projects To Likely Get Good Funds

This will be the third consecutive budget since BMC’s elected general body was dissolved in March 2022, with Gagrani continuing to oversee civic operations. The upcoming budget is expected to prioritise major infrastructure projects, particularly the Mumbai Coastal Road (Phase 2), connecting Versova to Dahisar and the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR), as they near completion. Civic officials anticipate substantial allocations to these projects, emphasizing their role in transforming the city’s connectivity.

A key focus of the budget will be the ongoing construction of seven Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Mumbai, a massive initiative costing Rs 30,000 crore. These STPs are critical to improving wastewater management and addressing environmental concerns in the city.

Key Takeaways From Budget 2024-25

Looking back at the 2024-25 budget, BMC refrained from introducing new taxes while presenting a record-high allocation of Rs 59,954.75 crore. It earmarked major funds for major projects, including a Rs 1,200 crore provision for free medicines in civic hospitals.

The health sector saw a notable budget increase, from Rs 6,309 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 7,191 crore in 2024-25, reflecting the corporation’s focus on public healthcare. Other allocations included Rs 340 crore for footpath, lane and bylane upgrades and Rs 100 crore towards enhancing women’s security in the city.

Hopes High From This Year’s Budget

For the 2025-26 budget, civic authorities sought public feedback, receiving around 2,700 responses. Many of these submissions highlighted concerns about the deteriorating quality of BEST bus services, indicating possible budgetary attention to public transport improvements.

With expectations high, the upcoming BMC budget will likely continue its emphasis on large-scale infrastructure projects, healthcare and citizen-focused initiatives, shaping Mumbai’s urban development in the coming year.

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Torres Jewellery Ponzi Scam: Accused Armen Ataine Booked For Forged Birth Certificate In Mumbai

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Mumbai: In a shocking development in the multi-crore Torres scam, the Bhoiwada Police have registered a case against accused Armen Ataine (48) for illegally obtaining a fake birth certificate from the BMC’s F-South Ward. Along with Armen, two unidentified individuals who assisted him in acquiring the fraudulent document have also been booked under sections 120B, 34, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, and 474 of the Indian Penal Code.

During the investigation, the Bhoiwada Police discovered that Armen’s father, Garun Ataine, had lived in Lalbaug’s Jam Building between 1975 and 1978. Armen allegedly used this information to fraudulently secure an Indian birth certificate.

The Torres scam came to light in January, and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is currently handling the case. So far, six accused have been arrested, including Armen, who was apprehended a few days ago from Madh Road in Malad. Currently in judicial custody, Armen is expected to be handed over to the Bhoiwada Police for further investigation into the forged birth certificate case.

According to EOW findings, Armen obtained a fake birth certificate from the BMC’s F-South Ward to acquire an Indian passport. Since this ward falls under the jurisdiction of the Bhoiwada Police Station, the EOW requested them to file a case. Following an inquiry, the Bhoiwada Police registered an FIR against Armen and two others late last night.

Further investigations revealed that Armen used an address from the fake birth certificate to claim Indian nationality. The Bhoiwada Police visited Jam Building No. 2, Room No. 22 in Lalbaug, where they spoke to society chairman Mahesh Hendra and other members. They confirmed that Garun Ataine and his family lived there between 1975 and 1978 before moving out.

Armen, who has acted in minor roles in Bollywood films, holds a Ukrainian passport. However, he allegedly sought an Indian passport using the fraudulent birth certificate, which stated that he was born in 1976 in Mumbai. Investigations are ongoing.

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FM has given very clear picture of Indian economy, reforms: PM Modi

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New Delhi, Feb 15: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while responding to the debate on the Union Budget 2025-26 in the Parliament this week, has given a very clear picture of the Indian economy and ongoing reforms, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

“During her remarks in Parliament, Finance Minister @nsitharaman has given a very clear picture of the Indian economy and the reform trajectory we are undertaking,” PM Modi posted on social media platform X.

During the Budget debate in the Lok Sabha, the Union Finance Minister said the Indian economy will continue to be the world’s fastest-growing economy backed by the increase in the government’s capital expenditure in the Budget for 2025-26 and rising consumption levels, especially in the rural areas.

The Finance Minister said that the effective capital expenditure works out to 4.3 per cent of the GDP in the Budget for 2025-26 while the fiscal deficit is 4.4 per cent.

She further cited figures from the Budget to show that the capex allocation in the budget has increased to Rs 1.21 lakh crore, dismissing the opposition’s claim that the outlay has been reduced.

According to her, inflation management is the highest priority of this government and overall retail inflation is within the notified tolerance band of 2 per cent to 6 per cent.

During the Budget debate in the Rajya Sabha, FM Sitharaman said that the Budget for FY26 was prepared during a challenging time, with serious external challenges beyond estimates or forecasts.

“For decades, we have been talking about globalisation. Now we are facing the issue of fragmentation in the world. Everybody wants to have a free market but there are increasing tariff barriers. The world is growing through a major change,” said Finance Minister.

She further stated that there are no models that you can build and understand how the trends will be because they are very dynamic.

“Despite that, we have tried keeping the assessments as close as possible, keeping India’s interests as topmost. This immense uncertainty is still playing out and many Indian imports which are very critical for our economy to grow are also going to be left with uncertainty,” she mentioned.

The Budget has not reduced sectoral allocations and the effective capital expenditure during the next fiscal is estimated at Rs 19.08 lakh crore, according to FM Sitharaman.

She also introduced the new Income Tax Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha this week, as part of the tax reforms to streamline and simplify the provisions so that they are easier to understand and reduce the scope for legal disputes.

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KTM 390 Duke Price Cut: Now Available at Rs 2.95 Lakh, Rs 18,000 Cheaper

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KTM has announced a price reduction for its flagship streetfighter, the Gen-3 KTM 390 Duke, making it more accessible to motorcycle enthusiasts. The bike is now available at Rs 2.95 lakh (ex-showroom), reflecting a price cut of Rs 18,000 from its earlier Rs 3.13 lakh tag. Powered by a 399cc LC4c engine, the latest-generation Duke delivers 46 PS of power and 39 Nm of torque.

The KTM 390 Duke has long been a favorite among thrill-seekers, known for its bold design and sharp handling. The latest Gen-3 version takes performance a step further with a lighter chassis, improved agility, and better traction control. Equipped with advanced rider aids like multiple ride modes, launch control, and cornering ABS, it offers a refined yet exhilarating riding experience.

KTM 390 Duke is built for precision and control, especially on sharp turns. The latest Gen-3 model comes packed with advanced technology, including Supermoto ABS and Cornering ABS for enhanced braking performance. Riders can switch between Street and Rain ride modes with Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) to adapt to different road conditions. Features like launch control, Quickshifter+, and a dedicated Track Screen further elevate its performance, while the powerful 399cc engine delivers 46 PS and 39 Nm of torque, making it a true powerhouse on the streets.

Recently, KTM introduced the 2025 Adventure range in India, featuring three new models designed for adventure enthusiasts. The lineup includes the KTM 390 Adventure, 390 Adventure X, and 250 Adventure, offering a balance of highway comfort and off-road capability. With advanced features and rugged performance, these motorcycles cater to riders seeking versatility and power. The ex-showroom Delhi prices are set at Rs 3,67,999 for the 390 Adventure, Rs 2,91,140 for the 390 Adventure X, and Rs 2,59,850 for the 250 Adventure, making them accessible to a wide range of riders.

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