Mumbai, Dec 15: The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Monday accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra of being engrossed in self-celebration and political self-interest even as the state grapples with an alarming rise in cases of missing girls.

In a scathing editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray camp alleged that the government machinery is being diverted to protect “traitors” and serve a handful of cronies, while public safety — particularly that of women and girls — has been pushed to the margins.

Terming the Chief Minister Fadnavis’ recent announcement on the establishment of a grand Global Capability Centre in Powai, Mumbai, a “celebratory move”, Thackeray camp claimed it stands in stark contrast to a deeply alarming crisis gripping the state — the rising number of missing girls, especially from the very city where the new centre is planned. The issue has prompted concerns about the government’s priorities and the effectiveness of welfare schemes like the ‘Ladki Bahin’ Yojana.

The Thackeray camp alleged that the government is not at all serious about the safety of mothers, sisters, daughters, and daughters-in-law. “You get Rs 1500 per month under the Ladki Bahin Yojana, take that and keep quiet. Don’t utter a word about kidnapping, atrocities, or security. The government is engrossed in its own revelry, but if the public also sits silent and apathetic, the destruction of Maharashtra will not take long; in fact, the destruction has already begun,” it warned.

According to the editorial, the Ladki Bahin Yojana was rolled out ahead of the state Assembly elections to garner votes. The editorial also referred to cash transfers announced before the Bihar elections, alleging a pattern of “vote-buying” through financial incentives.

“In Maharashtra, beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme receive Rs 1500 per month, and the Chief Minister says he will soon increase it to Rs 2100 for political gain. However, the government that buys the votes of the ‘Beloved Sisters’ by giving only Rs 1500 has failed to secure their safety in the state,” the editorial alleged.

“Exploitation of girls is happening in ashram schools, hostels, but now the rate of girls disappearing from Mumbai, including the rest of Maharashtra, has increased,” it remarked.

The editorial has highlighted a severe failing in maintaining law and order, particularly regarding the safety of women and girls.

“Once considered the safest city for women in India, life for girls and women in Mumbai has become difficult since the Shinde-Fadnavis government took power, with rising cases of atrocities and abductions. Mumbai Police records show 1187 cases of kidnapping of minor girls registered in the last ten months. An average of five to six girls are missing from Mumbai every day. About 136 cases of girls’ kidnapping were recorded in just the last 30 days. The situation is reportedly no different in Pune and Nashik,” said the editorial.

Further, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena claimed the problem is especially acute in North Maharashtra, with Nandurbar district registering the highest rate of missing girls. It has cited two main causes, including enticement and abduction and economic distress for the girls going missing, with many being traced to the neighbouring states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

“Girls are either lured away or directly kidnapped.
Driven by extreme poverty and hardship, girls are leaving the state on their own in search of employment. This is a shameful situation for the government,” it said.

Mumbai: Malad police have arrested an interstate gang of five for cheating shop owner Dinesh Mehta of Rs 25 lakh by selling him fake gold. The accused, primarily from Rajasthan, were arrested in Gujarat and Virar.

The main accused, Babulal Waghela, who is wanted in multiple cases, falsely claimed to have discovered gold while digging near a Nashik temple. The gang gained Mehta’s trust by first showing him a silver coin, then giving him genuine gold beads to test. After Mehta handed over Rs25 lakh, they gave him a necklace made of copper and nickel.

Police traced and arrested Waghela, his wife, and three others, successfully recovering Rs15.45 lakh in cash. A fifth accused, Govind, remains wanted.

Mumbai: Mumbai woke up to a seemingly perfect winter morning on Monday, with clear blue skies, gentle winds and a noticeable chill in the air. However, the pleasant start was quickly overshadowed by a thick blanket of smog that hung over the city, dulling visibility and raising fresh concerns about deteriorating air quality. Despite favourable weather conditions, pollution once again emerged as Mumbai’s dominant challenge.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast a bright and comfortable day, with temperatures expected to range between 19°C and 34°C. Yet, residents stepping out early in the morning were met with hazy surroundings and an acrid smell in the air. Visibility dropped in several areas, turning what should have been a refreshing winter day into an uneasy one for commuters, morning walkers and schoolchildren.

According to the air quality monitoring platform AQI.in, Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 188 in the early hours, placing the city in the ‘poor’ category. While marginally better than the alarming readings recorded late last month, the air remains unhealthy, particularly for children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments.

The persistent pollution is due to dust and fine particulate matter generated by Mumbai’s relentless construction activity. Large-scale government infrastructure projects, including metro corridors, flyovers, coastal road stretches and road-widening works, along with intensive private real estate development, continue to add to the city’s pollution load.

Several areas emerged as severe pollution hotspots. The Wadala Truck Terminal recorded an alarming AQI of 345, categorised as ‘severe’, posing serious health risks even to otherwise healthy individuals. In Goregaon and Chembur, AQI levels were recorded at 277 and 267 respectively, both falling in the ‘unhealthy’ category. Vashi also reported an AQI of 263, while Colaba registered 237.

Suburban areas showed comparatively better readings, though air quality remained far from ideal. Charkop recorded an AQI of 65, Kandivali East 82 and Govandi 93, all falling under the ‘moderate’ category. However, areas such as Malad West and Jogeshwari East registered AQI levels of 127 each, placing them back in the ‘poor’ bracket.

For reference, AQI levels between 0–50 are considered ‘good’, 51–100 ‘moderate’, 101–150 ‘poor’, 151–200 ‘unhealthy’, and above 200 ‘hazardous’. With large parts of Mumbai nearing or crossing unhealthy thresholds, concerns are growing over long-term health impacts.

Several areas emerged as severe pollution hotspots. The Wadala Truck Terminal recorded an alarming AQI of 345, categorised as ‘severe’, posing serious health risks even to otherwise healthy individuals. In Goregaon and Chembur, AQI levels were recorded at 277 and 267 respectively, both falling in the ‘unhealthy’ category. Vashi also reported an AQI of 263, while Colaba registered 237.

Suburban areas showed comparatively better readings, though air quality remained far from ideal. Charkop recorded an AQI of 65, Kandivali East 82 and Govandi 93, all falling under the ‘moderate’ category. However, areas such as Malad West and Jogeshwari East registered AQI levels of 127 each, placing them back in the ‘poor’ bracket.

For reference, AQI levels between 0–50 are considered ‘good’, 51–100 ‘moderate’, 101–150 ‘poor’, 151–200 ‘unhealthy’, and above 200 ‘hazardous’. With large parts of Mumbai nearing or crossing unhealthy thresholds, concerns are growing over long-term health impacts.