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Maharashtra

Conduct socio-economic impact assessment study on proposal to levy property tax on commercial units in slums, SP MLA Rais Shaikh to BMC

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Mumbai: Following the BMC’s announcement of levying property tax on commercial units in slums, Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator Rais Shaikh has written to the BMC demanding that the civic body conduct the socio-economic impact assessment study by renowned institutions such as Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to understand the far-reaching ramifications on the poorest of the poor in the city. The move will have a catastrophic impact on the informal sector, with over 3 lakh people losing their livelihoods and becoming unemployed, said Shaikh.

In his letter to BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani, Shaikh stated that the BMC Budget for 2025-26 proposes to levy property tax on commercial units in slums. “This move indicates the BMC’s impending financial crisis due to the mismanagement of its finances. It will have the potential significant impact of rendering over 3 lakh people unemployed, losing their livelihoods, with the poorest of the poor being hit hardest by this decision,” said Rais Shaikh, MLA.

Shaikh has demanded that the move will have an adverse impact on the sustainability of the MSMEs which provide employment to lakhs of people. “Levying property tax on commercial units in slums will render MSMEs unsustainable, as it imposes an additional financial burden. This move will have a significant impact on the informal sector, and lakhs of people will lose their livelihoods, leading to unemployment. It is completely unjustifiable to consider commercial units in slums on par with those in malls and commercial complexes for the purpose of levying property tax,” said Shaikh.

Shaikh further stated that the rise in unemployment may lead to social disharmony and a potential increase in crime in the city. “Therefore, I demand that an socio-economic impact assessment study of the BMC’s decision to levy property tax on commercial units in slums be conducted by renowned institutions such as TISS,” Shaikh demanded.

According to the BMC, there are around 2.5 lakh slums in Mumbai. A significant number of these slum areas (at least 20%, i.e., 50,000 slums) are being used for commercial purposes such as small and large industries, shops, godowns, hotels, etc. The BMC expects to generate revenue of Rs 350 crore by levying property tax on the commercial units in slums.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti public darbar on October 21 postponed due to Diwali

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Mumbai Police Commissioner’s Janta Awami Darbar will not be held in the backdrop of Diwali. Please note that due to the Diwali festival, Tuesday’s meeting with Mumbaikars has been postponed to October 21, 2025.

Citizens are requested to meet the Police Commissioner on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM with their complaints and suggestions.

No prior permission is required for this. This message has been shared by Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti on X.

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Maharashtra

SpiceJet connects Indian pilgrims to Najaf with new non-stop flights

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Non-stop services from Mumbai and Ahmedabad to begin October 18, 2025

Gurugram, October 17, 2025:
India’s leading airline SpiceJet has announced the launch of special non-stop flights from Mumbai and Ahmedabad to the holy city of Najaf, Iraq — one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations for Muslims across the world.

With this launch, SpiceJet becomes the only Indian airline to operate direct flights to Najaf, offering Indian pilgrims a faster, smoother, and more comfortable travel experience by eliminating long layovers and complex connecting routes.

Flight Commencement Schedule

  • Mumbai to Najaf: Starting October 18, 2025
  • Ahmedabad to Najaf: Starting October 19, 2025

These flights will provide a seamless connection for devotees travelling from India to Najaf, ensuring that their spiritual journey is convenient, time-saving, and comfortable.

Najaf – A Centre of Faith and Spirituality

Najaf holds immense religious significance for Muslims worldwide. It is home to the holy shrine of Imam Ali (A.S.), one of Islam’s most revered sites. Every year, millions of Indian pilgrims visit Najaf to pay homage, seek blessings, and strengthen their spiritual connection.

In addition to the shrine of Imam Ali (A.S.), Najaf offers a wealth of historical and spiritual landmarks, including:

  • Wadi-us-Salaam, the world’s largest cemetery
  • Kufa Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Islamic history
  • The Great Najaf Seminary, a renowned center of Shia religious learning

Najaf’s close proximity to Karbala and Kufa further enhances its spiritual importance, making it a central destination for pilgrims from across the world.

SpiceJet’s Strategic Expansion

This new service forms part of SpiceJet’s broader expansion strategy, under which the airline is significantly enhancing its fleet size, operational reach, and international connectivity.

SpiceJet aims to double its operational fleet and triple its Available Seat Kilometres (ASKM) by December 2025. As part of this growth plan, the airline will introduce new routes, increase flight frequencies, and add several attractive domestic and international destinations to its network.

Statement from SpiceJet

Mr. Debojyoti Mahapatra, Chief Business Officer, SpiceJet, said:

“For millions of devout Indians, the journey to Najaf is one of the most important pilgrimages of their lives.
We are proud that SpiceJet is the only Indian airline offering direct flights to this holy city.
Through these non-stop flights, we are not merely providing connectivity — we are honouring a sacred journey by making it simpler, safer, and more comfortable.”

Future Outlook

Initially, these flights to Najaf are being launched as special services, but SpiceJet is considering the possibility of making Najaf a regular scheduled destination in the near future to meet the growing year-round travel demand.

About SpiceJet

SpiceJet Limited is one of India’s leading low-cost carriers, known for its extensive domestic and international network, customer-centric service, and affordable travel options. The airline continues to expand strategically, focusing on enhancing connectivity to key religious, leisure, and business destinations across the globe.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Cyber Fraud: 26-Year-Old Actress Falls Prey To ‘Digital Arrest’, Loses ₹6.5 Lakh To Online Con Posing As Delhi Cop

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Mumbai: A 26-year-old television actress living in Mumbai was allegedly duped of Rs 6.5 lakh after falling victim to a cyber fraud operation by a fraudster posing as a Delhi cop who placed her under a digital arrest for nearly seven hours. The incident took place earlier this week and came to light after the actress filed a complaint with the Oshiwara police.

According to reports, the victim, who has worked in several Bengali television serials and a few Hindi shows, recently moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in Bollywood. She currently resides in Jogeshwari (West). On Monday, she received a phone call from a person posing as a mobile service provider executive, claiming that her number was linked to illegal banking activities and would soon be deactivated.

Shortly after, she received a WhatsApp video call from a man dressed in a police uniform, who introduced himself as an officer from the Delhi Police’s cybercrime department, reported News18. During the video call, the man instructed her to sit alone, display her Aadhaar card, and cooperate in what he described as a ‘verification process.’

The scammer claimed she was involved in multiple financial frauds and that her passport and bank accounts would be frozen unless she followed instructions. He also sent her fake Supreme Court documents and legal notices, heightening her fear.

Under pressure, the actress was told to deposit Rs 6.5 lakh into a bank account for ‘temporary verification’ to prove her innocence. The fraudster assured her that the money would be refunded once her identity was cleared. Believing the story, she made the transfer as directed.

After the prolonged video call ended, the actress grew suspicious and checked the caller’s number on the Truecaller app, which identified it as a potential scam. Realising she had been duped, she immediately approached the Oshiwara police station and lodged a complaint.

“The fraudster impersonated a Delhi Police officer and kept the victim engaged on video calls for hours, threatening her with legal action,” a police officer said as quoted by the Indian Express. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway to trace the suspects.

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