Maharashtra
Conduct socio-economic impact assessment study on proposal to levy property tax on commercial units in slums, SP MLA Rais Shaikh to BMC
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
All India Sunni Jamiat Ulema to approach court against Vande Mataram

The All India Sunni Jamiat Ulema has decided to approach the court against the recent government order regarding Vande Mataram.
It should be noted that the Government of India has recently issued an order, under which the recitation of Vande Mataram has been made mandatory in government functions and educational institutions. An important meeting was held today, February 17, at the All India Sunni Jamiat Ulema office in Mumbai against this order.
The meeting was presided over by Haj Muhammad Saeed Noori, Vice President of the All India Sunni Jamiat Ulema. On this occasion, he said that the President of the organization, Hazrat Allama Syed Moinuddin Ashraf Ashrafi Jilani Sahib Qibla (known as Moin Mian Sahib), who has gone to Baghdad Sharif these days, has directed through phone to approach the court in this matter.
Haj Muhammad Saeed Noori said that there are some words in Vande Mataram that Muslims cannot recite on the basis of their faith, as they are against their religious beliefs. He said that this order can be termed as coercion against Muslims, Sikhs and Christians and is against the secular structure of the Republic of India, while the Constitution of India provides complete freedom to every citizen to practice his religion.
The meeting emphasized that the government should immediately withdraw this order, so that constitutional rights and religious freedoms can be ensured.
The meeting was attended by Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Amanullah Raza Sahib, Khatib and Imam of Masjid Quba, Hazrat Maulana Khalil-ur-Rehman Noori Sahib Qibla, Hazrat Maulana Farid-ul-Zaman Sahib Qibla, Hazrat Maulana Mufti Muhammad Manzar Hasan Khan Ashrafi Misbahi Sahib, Hazrat Maulana Qamar Raza Ashrafi Sahib, Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Shafiq Alam Noori Sahib, Hazrat Qari Niaz Ahmed Qadri Sahib Qulaba, Hazrat Qari Shahzad Sahib and others, as well as intellectuals.
Maharashtra
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: AAIB Retrieves Flight Data Recorder From Learjet Crash In Baramati, CVR Analysis Underway

Mumbai: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Tuesday provided an official update on the ongoing investigation into the Learjet 45 aircraft (VT-SSK) accident that occurred at Baramati on January 28, 2026. The probe is being conducted in strict accordance with the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, as well as international standards and recommended practices laid down under ICAO Annex 13.
Flight Data Recorders Suffer Major Fire Damage
In a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the AAIB said the aircraft was fitted with two independent flight recorders, a Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). Both recorders were exposed to intense heat for a prolonged period during the accident and suffered major fire damage.
Despite the damage, the AAIB confirmed that data from the DFDR has been successfully downloaded at the Bureau’s Flight Recorder Laboratory. The DFDR, manufactured by L3 Communications, is expected to provide critical technical information related to the aircraft’s flight parameters leading up to the crash.
The Cockpit Voice Recorder, manufactured by Honeywell, is currently undergoing detailed technical examination. According to the AAIB, assistance has been sought from the accredited representative of the State of Manufacture to provide specialised support for extracting and analysing the CVR data. Investigators believe the CVR could offer crucial insights into cockpit communications and crew actions prior to the accident.
The crash of the Learjet 45 at Baramati on January 28 claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, making the incident one of the most serious aviation accidents in recent times. The findings of the flight recorder analysis are expected to play a key role in establishing the sequence of events and possible causes behind the tragedy.
The AAIB emphasised that it is following all prescribed technical and procedural protocols to ensure the investigation remains comprehensive, objective and evidence-based. The Bureau reiterated its commitment to transparency, stating that further information will be shared at an appropriate stage once verified conclusions are reached.
AAIB Urges All To Refrain From Speculation As Probe Continues
In its statement, the AAIB also urged all stakeholders, including the public and media, to refrain from speculation while the investigation is in progress. “The Bureau respectfully requests all stakeholders to allow the investigation process to proceed in accordance with established procedures,” the statement said.
The AAIB added that efforts are continuing to retrieve usable data from the CVR, which, together with DFDR findings and other evidence, will contribute to the final accident report.
Crime
Palghar: 15-Year-Old Boy Allegedly Murders Elderly Aunt In Vasai With Friend’s Help After Being Scolded

Vasai: In a shocking incident, a 15-year-old boy, along with a minor friend, allegedly murdered his 65-year-old aunt in Vasai after she scolded him. The Manikpur police have apprehended both minors in connection with the crime.
The deceased, identified as Durga Bansode, resided alone in the Bhimai Bungalow in Barhampur village, Vasai (West). While her married daughter lives in Boisar and her son resides in Waliv, Bansode managed the household on her own. Her body was discovered inside the bungalow on Monday morning.
During the investigation, Manikpur police discovered that Bansode’s 15-year-old nephew frequently visited her. Upon being questioned, the teenager confessed to the murder.
On Sunday, the nephew visited his aunt as usual. An argument broke out over a trivial matter, and Bansode scolded him.
Enraged by the scolding, the boy called a friend over. While his aunt was caught off guard, the nephew struck her on the back of the head with a bamboo stick, killing her instantly.
The two minors reportedly tried to hide the body inside a bed storage compartment but failed. They subsequently fled the scene.
The police revealed that the nephew is a school dropout. This was not his first run in with his aunt; three months prior, he had allegedly committed a theft at her residence. Following that incident, Durga Bansode had moved all her jewelry to a bank locker for safety.
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