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Cabinet Approves Rs 13,000 Cr For Vishwakarma Scheme; Nod For Digital India Programme & Railway Projects

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The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved four major initiatives, including the PM Vishwakarma scheme that seeks to benefit lakhs of traditional artisans and craftsmen and the PM-eBus Sewa that aims at promoting green mobility while improving city bus operations. The other two schemes to get Cabinet nod are the extension of the Digital India programme and seven multitracking projects of Indian Railways. The Vishwakarma scheme, for which an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore has been set aside for a period of five years, seeks to benefit about 30 lakh families of traditional artisans and craftsmen, including weavers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, laundry workers, and barbers.

Scheme will be launched on September 17

PM Modi had on Tuesday announced that the scheme will be launched on September 17. The artisans and craftsmen will be provided credit support of up to Rs1 lakh (first tranche) and Rs2 lakh (second tranche) with a concessional interest rate of 5 per cent. The government will also provide support of up to Rs15,000 to buy modern tools. The cabinet also gave its nod to the PM-eBus Sewa to promote green mobility and improving bus connectivity with cities that have no organised service.

10,000 e-buses will be deployed in 169 cities

As many as 10,000 e-buses will be deployed in 169 cities on a public-private partnership (PPP) model at an estimated cost of Rs57,613 crore of which Rs20,000 crore will be borne by the Centre. The scheme will cover cities with a population of three lakh or more and support bus operations for 10 years. States/cities will be responsible for running the bus services and making payments to bus operators, while the Centre will provide subsidies, the government said.

Union cabinet approved the extension of the Digital India programme

The Union cabinet has also approved the extension of the Digital India programme with an outlay of Rs14,903 crore to boost digital initiatives in skilling, cyber security, high performance computing and simplifying technology for masses, among other areas. The outlay has been approved for a five-year period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, Vaishnaw said. Under the extended programme, nine more super computers will be added under the National Supercomputing Mission (NCM), he said. The Digilocker app will be extended to micro, small and medium enterprises to help them avail of credit and other services by verifying their document stored in the app. As many as, 6.25 lakh IT professionals will be re-skilled and 2.65 lakh persons will be trained in information security, he said.

Cyber awareness courses will be conducted

Besides, cyber awareness courses will be conducted for 12 crore college students under the programme. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs also approved seven multi-tracking projects of Indian Railways at an estimated cost of around Rs32,500 crore, Vaishnaw said. The projects, which will be fully funded by the Centre, will help increase the existing line capacity, smoothen train operations, reduce congestion and facilitate ease of travelling and transportation. The projects will cover 35 districts in nine states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal, and increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 2,339 km and provide employment of an estimated 7.06 crore man-days to the people of the states.

Maharashtra

19-Year-Old Man Kills Wife, Ends Life Following Domestic Dispute in Agripada

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MUMBAI: A tragic incident unfolded in South Mumbai early Friday morning after a 19-year-old daily wage laborer allegedly murdered his 19-year-old wife before ending his own life near Kalapani Chowki in Agripada.

According to the Agripada Police, the incident occurred at around 5:00 AM. The accused, identified as Mohd. Ehsan Sheikh (19), got into an altercation with his wife, Jannat Ehsan Sheikh (19), following an ongoing domestic dispute. In a fit of rage, Sheikh slit Jannat’s throat with a kitchen knife, killing her on the spot.

Immediately after the assault, Sheikh turned the same weapon on himself and slit his own throat.
Local residents alerted the police, and Sheikh was rushed in critical condition to the nearby BYL Nair Hospital.

However, he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.
The Agripada Police have initiated legal proceedings in connection with the double tragedy. A case of murder is being registered against Mohd. Ehsan Sheikh, while an Accidental Death Report (ADR) is being filed regarding his death. Further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the dispute is currently underway.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Abu Asim meets Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal regarding provision of essential health facilities at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Hospital.

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In order to provide medical facilities to the people in Mumbai Govandi area, MLA Abu Asim Azmi met the Chief Secretary here in the backdrop of facilities and drew his attention towards the necessary facilities. The hospital is facing shortage of doctors, medical staff and key personnel required for emergency services. Pregnant women are also unable to access proper medical care. Moreover, despite the availability of machines and chairs in the dental department, there is a shortage of doctors and staff. Azmi demanded immediate restoration of essential services including the non-functional X-ray machine in Shatabdi Hospital. After reviewing the situation in both the hospitals, Rajesh Agarwal gave a positive assurance that immediate action would be taken. Azmi said that our aim is to ensure that the people of Govandi get better and timely health services.

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Maharashtra

BMC takes action against Mumbai Central Orchid City Mall; mall shut down.

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a coordinated action to implement the directions issued by the court. The Supreme Court had issued the necessary directions regarding the Orchid City Centre Mall located on Belasis Road in Mumbai Central area. As part of this process, a joint notice has been issued to the concerned owners/developers as well as the users/occupants of stalls, units and shops, directing them to vacate the premises of Orchid City Centre Mall. Further, clear instructions have been issued that entry or use of the mall premises is prohibited until formal permission is obtained from the competent authority. A coordination meeting was recently held by the BMC’s ‘D’ ward. Officers of the concerned municipal departments, representatives of Nagpada Police Station and Best Undertaking as well as representatives associated with Orchid City Centre Mall also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the representatives of the mall management were directed to voluntarily and strictly comply with the order of the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Orders In 2020, a fire broke out at the Orchid City Centre Mall located on Belasis Road in Mumbai Central. In this context, the Supreme Court issued directions on August 25, 2026. It should be strictly ensured that the entire Orchid City Centre Mall building which has been damaged due to fire shall not be used for any purpose until the developer completes comprehensive repairs of the entire structure. The building cannot be used in any manner until the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration is satisfied that the entire structure (including all floors) is completely safe for all activities and works and complies with all legal requirements. Directions issued by the court The Supreme Court has ordered that the entire building be kept completely sealed and no one should be allowed to enter the premises.

In light of the Supreme Court order, on the directions of the Supreme Court, it was decided during the meeting to conduct a joint operation to vacate the Orchid City Centre Mall building, involving the Building and Factory Department, Building Proposal Department and Mumbai Fire Brigade of the BMC. Accordingly, a joint notice has been issued to the concerned owners/developers as well as the users/occupants of the stalls, units and shops regarding the vacating of the building. Public notices prohibiting citizens and users from entering, using or occupying the building have been displayed in the premises of the mall. The notices clarify that the entire Orchid City Centre Mall cannot be used, and entry will remain strictly prohibited, until the Hon’ble. Supreme Court’s directions are followed and prior permission is taken from the competent authority. Meanwhile, instructions have been issued to disconnect the water supply of the mall, take appropriate action regarding the municipal license and disconnect the electricity supply (except for the electricity required for construction purposes). Nagpara Police has been directed to provide necessary police security for the smooth conduct of the operation and maintenance of law and order.

The BMC administration appeals to all concerned parties to voluntarily comply with the court’s directions. They are urged not to enter or use the premises of the mall until formal permission is obtained from the competent authority and to fully cooperate with the municipal and police administration. However, the administration has made it clear that if the directions are not followed, strict action as per the law and the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court will be taken regarding vacating and sealing the premises.
Meanwhile, the concerned departments of the Municipal Corporation will independently take necessary action within their respective legal jurisdiction. The administration has further stated that any future permissions regarding entry, use, or occupancy of the building will be granted by the Municipal Corporation acting as the competent authority, as per the directions issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

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