Mumbai: As Ashray Yojana, the housing project for the BMC’s conservancy staff, continues to be stuck in limbo, former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar has urged the civic body to expedite works else he will be “compelled” to take legal recourse.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the project, located at Cochin Street in Fort, was conducted in October 2024. Estimated at a cost of Rs17 crore, the plan envisages 54 houses, each measuring 238 sq ft. However, even 10 months after the ceremony, no construction work has begun.

Former BJP Corporator Makarand Narwekar’s Letter To Civic Chief Bhushan Gagrani

In a letter to civic chief Bhushan Gagrani, Narwekar said, “If immediate steps are not taken to commence the project on a war-footing, we will be compelled to raise this matter vigorously across all appropriate platforms, including the courts.” He pointed out that beyond their vital role in keeping Mumbai clean, the conservancy staff also play an important part in initiatives like deep clean drives.

“It is deeply disheartening that the project is yet to commence. There is a growing perception that projects only gain momentum before elections to secure votes,” said Narwekar.

He added, “The work has been sanctioned for the redevelopment of buildings 1 and 2. However, the silence and inaction following the tender process indicate a lack of seriousness from the departments concerned.”

Such negligence sends a dangerous message that the welfare of conservancy workers is not a priority for the BMC, Narwekar asserted. He urged the BMC to address the issue with urgency or face legal consequences. Kiran Dighavkar, deputy municipal commissioner (solid waste management), was not available for comment.

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to question Reliance Group Chairman and Managing Director Anil Ambani on Tuesday, August 5, in connection with a multi-crore money laundering and loan fraud case. The probe involves financial irregularities amounting to a staggering Rs 17,000 crore, with a specific focus on a Rs 3,000 crore loan fraud linked to Yes Bank.

Anil Ambani has already reached the ED office in Delhi for questioning. Visuals of his car reaching the investigation agency’s office have surfaced on the internet. The interrogation comes days after the agency intensified its investigation into financial dealings linked to companies associated with Ambani’s Reliance Group.

Recently, the ED had earlier issued a lookout circular against Anil Ambani on August 1, effectively restricting his international travel without prior approval from the agency. Officials confirmed that Ambani could be detained at any Indian airport if he attempts to leave the country.

ED Searches On Multiple Locations Linked To Anil Ambani

The latest development follows an extensive crackdown by the ED last week, during which over 50 locations linked to Anil Ambani, including offices and premises in Mumbai and Delhi, were raided. The operation was conducted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). More than 25 individuals were also questioned as part of the ongoing probe.

The case reportedly centres around loans disbursed by Yes Bank to various firms under the Reliance Group between 2017 and 2019. Preliminary findings suggest that a major portion of the funds were allegedly diverted to shell companies or siphoned off to other entities within the group. Investigators are also probing potential kickbacks paid to top officials at Yes Bank during the loan disbursement process.

The ED’s probe aims to uncover whether these funds were used for legitimate business activities or laundered through a web of fake firms. The agency is also looking into possible violations of banking norms and financial misappropriation on a large scale.

Thane: The issue of missing children in Bhiwandi has escalated significantly, leading to heightened public concern. Over the past six months, 142 children, comprising 47 boys and 95 girls, have vanished from the area. In response, the Bhiwandi police have undertaken extensive investigations and successfully located 126 of these missing children, reuniting them with their families.

The increase in missing minors has created numerous challenges for local law enforcement. The police, faced with this alarming rise, registered kidnapping cases and employed technical tools and CCTV surveillance to assist in their search. Investigation findings suggest that many children left home for various reasons, including familial disputes, deceptive romantic promises, and academic pressure.

A significant number of the missing girls were reportedly lured into relationships, resulting in their abduction to other states. The police collaborated with other state forces to locate and rescue these individuals. Anecdotal evidence indicates that external pressures from parental expectations and romantic pursuits often contribute to children’s decisions to leave home. The Supreme Court’s directives to classify these incidents as kidnappings have led to a more accurate record of these cases, making the issue more visible.

The data shows a worrying trend, particularly in the months following school exam results, where children often flee due to academic disappointment or parental anger. The situation has prompted increased anxiety among parents, particularly in a densely populated city like Bhiwandi. Between January and June, 142 minors went missing, with 44 boys and 82 girls successfully traced; however, as of now, 16 children remain unaccounted for.

In Bhiwandi, police stations have established specialized teams to find missing minors, achieving a remarkable 90% success rate in investigations. Recovered children receive counseling before being reunited with families. Some investigations uncover physical abuse, leading to charges under the POCSO Act.

A recent case of a 14-year-old girl abducted in Narpoli emphasizes these issues, as her mother reported an unidentified suspect. Mental health professionals, like Dr. Vijay Teli, stress the importance of improved parent-child communication, especially amidst digital distractions. Parents are urged to engage more with their children to prevent disappearances and provide emotional support while guiding them through adolescent challenges.