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Maharashtra

BMC Budget 2025: Mumbai Civic Body Extends ₹1000 Crore Grant To BEST For Growth & Sustainability

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Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed a financial grant of Rs 1,000 crore to the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking in its Budget Estimates (B.E.) for the financial year 2025-26. This allocation comes despite BMC’s own pressing financial commitments toward ongoing infrastructure projects and other essential objectives.

Since 2012-13, BMC has extended financial assistance totaling Rs 11,304.59 crore to BEST until January 2025. The new Rs 1,000 crore provision aims to address various operational and capital expenditures, including infrastructural development, capital equipment procurement, loan repayment, acquisition of new buses through a wet lease model, employee pay revisions, day-to-day operational costs, the Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS) project, Diwali bonuses, pensioners’ gratuities, and electricity dues.

Additionally, the grant includes Rs 128.65 crore as BMC’s 5% share for the procurement and deployment of 2,000 electric buses for Mumbai, in accordance with the directives of the Maharashtra State Government.

Boost for Electric Mobility

In a significant push toward sustainable urban transport, the 15th Finance Commission has sanctioned Rs 992 crore for the purchase of electric buses. Of this, Rs 493.38 crore has already been disbursed to BEST, while the remaining Rs 498.62 crore will be transferred upon receipt from the Finance Commission. This initiative aligns with Mumbai’s long-term goal of transitioning to an eco-friendly public transport system.

Mumbai’s public transportation backbone, BEST, has been grappling with financial challenges in recent years. Despite serving nearly 35 lakh passengers daily, the BEST fleet is dwindling, with the number of buses reduced to below 3,000. Notably, nearly two-thirds of these buses are operated on wet lease agreements.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Harassment of ordinary Muslims in the name of Bangladeshis should stop, Abu Asim makes serious allegations against the government over Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement

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abu azmi

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader Worker Assembly Abu Asim Azmi criticized the statement of Home Minister Amit Shah and said that it is the responsibility of the Home Minister and the Central Government to take action against Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators. The population of Muslims in India has increased due to Bangladeshis. This is completely wrong. The residents of West Bengal and ordinary Muslims are being targeted under the guise of Bangladeshi and Pakistanis. He said that the government is yours in many states and at the center, so how do Bangladeshi infiltrators enter from the border? What action has the government taken against those who forge their documents so far? He said that targeting Muslims under the guise of Bangladeshi should be stopped, just as Karat Soumya is trying to fake the certificates and documents of every Muslim and is targeting Muslims. He said that the government should pay attention to how Bangladeshi infiltrators infiltrate from the Indian border. This is not the job of Congress, SP or other parties. It is the job of the government to take action against Bangladeshi and Pakistanis and to bring them to justice. But Muslims should not be harassed or disturbed. He said that action is being taken against those officers who are preparing documents for Bangladeshis.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai underworld don DK Rao arrested for extortion on Saturday

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Mumbai: Mumbai Crime Branch has claimed to have arrested gangster DK Rao, a member of the Mumbai underworld Don Chota Rajan gang, on charges of extortion. Along with this, the police have also arrested two of his associates Anil Singh and Menit Bhuta. The gangster, along with Menit Bhuta, had collected Rs 1.25 crore from an investor and threatened him with dire consequences, after which the complainant lodged a complaint with the police. The police took action and arrested DK Rao and obtained his remand. The Mumbai Crime Branch had also arrested DK Rao on charges of threatening a hotel owner and demanding Rs 2.5 crore. Along with this, his associates were also arrested.

A hotel owner in the suburban Sakinaka area was threatened and forced occupation of a hotel is also an allegation. A case was registered in this matter in which DK Rao is on bail. Last night, DK Rao appeared in the sessions court in connection with the hearing of his old case. He had gone for an appointment and the police arrested him. In this case, the police are interrogating him and his associates. It is said that DK Rao still has a hold and terror in the Dharavi area and is involved in other illegal activities including weekly summons. The Crime Branch has now tightened its grip on this, which is causing terror in the underworld. In this case, the Crime Branch will also interrogate DK Rao’s associates. Along with this, the Crime Branch will also interrogate the victims who were victims of DK Rao’s harassment.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Addresses Criticism, Urges Shiv Sena Workers To Gear Up For Upcoming Elections

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Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde responded sharply to criticism from local leaders, emphasizing that Shiv Sena works on the ground rather than just through posters. Speaking at a rally of party workers, Shinde remarked that while some make foreign trips to London, they often return empty-handed.

Shinde criticized opponents threatening disruption (“humbarada fod”) in the wake of the Mumbai municipal elections, highlighting that his government has provided ₹32,000 crore in aid to flood-affected farmers, exceeding opposition expectations. He also recalled past elections, noting that after setbacks in 2022, the party fought 100 assembly seats, winning 20, and metaphorically “broke humbarada” then—implying that some challenges should be reserved for future confrontations.

Shinde stressed the importance of grassroots workers, stating, “Our party belongs to the workers, not to the master-servant hierarchy. I work as a worker, not just as Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister.” He praised Shiv Sena’s proactive response during crises in Sangli, Kolhapur, Chiplun, Kerala, and Uttarakhand.

He outlined recent developmental initiatives, including a ₹32,000 crore relief package for flood-affected areas and the progress of the Marathwada Water Grid project. Shinde emphasized that the party aims to reach every household, and urged party officials and workers to uphold Hindutva, ensure voter engagement, and maintain organizational discipline.

On elections, Shinde highlighted the role of booth and group leaders in determining success. He advised meticulous verification of voter lists, stressing that errors could cost votes. A special app has been launched for election preparedness, enabling real-time surveys and corrections.

He called for unity within the Maha Yuti alliance, warning against actions that might create divisions, and encouraged party workers to commit to spreading the Shiv Sena’s presence in every home.

Present at the rally were Social Justice and Sambhajinagar Guardian Minister Sanjay Shirsat, MP Sandipan Bhumre, MLAs Pravin Jayswal, Vilas Bhumre, Ramesh Bornare, Sanjana Jadhav, city chief Rajendra Janjal, and other senior Shiv Sena leaders and workers.

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