Maharashtra
Maha power bills arrears – Central/State Ministers, MPs/MLAs equal sinners!

As Maharashtra reels under a heat wave, coal shortages, and resources crunch with over Rs 76,000 crore in unpaid power bills, it has emerged that even VVIPs and politicians across the political spectrum have blatantly defaulted in clearing their electricity consumption dues.
While some have piled up bills worth lakhs of rupees, others have small amounts – but that also remain unpaid for years or decades, shocking the departments and officials concerned.
Among the powerful ones who have yet to clear their power consumption bills are Union and State Ministers, their families, MPs, MLAs from various political parties and certain organisations linked to them.
The revelations come against the backdrop of the Andhra Pradesh power distribution companies admitting before the Andhra Pradesh High Court this week that they are unable to pay monthly bills of power plants since January 2022.
The AP discoms also requested for a one-year time to pay up their dues – against the high court’s order of March 15 to clear the outstanding within 6 weeks – as they are unable to arrange funds/loans from anywhere.
In the Maharashtra case, a total of 372 VVIP consumers and some organisations, spread across 36 districts, together owe the government an amount of Rs 1.27 crore, for electricity consumption at their residential or commercial premises.
“The question is not about the amount that is pending from them… Its also about how they have not paid up for many years even if the dues are very small, and the kind of example such VVIPs set among the common masses,” rued an official, requesting anonymity.
Contacted by IANS, Power Minister Dr. Nitin Raut declined to comment on the VVIPs who have defaulted on power bills, but said he “humbly requested all the people in the state” to pay up their dues to help the power companies.
“Against all odds, among the 17 most affected states, Maharashtra has managed to eliminate load-shedding after the power-cuts experienced for 14 days in April. We are doing our best in public interest and I appeal to the people to please pay up their outstanding bills for common benefit,” Dr. Raut told IANS.
The honourables in the “power hit-list” are Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Minister of State for Railways Raosaheb Dadarao Danve-Patil with two bills of Rs 25,000 (2009) and Rs 10,000 (2013) unpaid in his home and farms in Jalna, besides the bills of other family members.
Union MSME Minister Narayan Rane has a bill of Rs 2,000 not paid since 1987, well before he became the state Chief Minister for a year!
Another big-shot is Nationalist Congress Party’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar with two commercial bills not paid – Rs 14,000 (2020) and Rs 9,000 (2021).
State Health Minister Rajesh Tope also figures with just Rs 340 unpaid since 2009, as well as his wife Manisha Tope’s dues of Rs 19,000 from a commercial premise, besides other kin who also have to pay up.
Congress’ ex-Chief Minister and currently Revenue Minister Ashok S. Chavan has a bill of Rs 1,900 pending since 1991 and an another unpaid bill of 2005 for Rs 2,500.
Congress’ MoS Agriculture Vishwajeet P. Kadam has two pending farm bills – Rs 18,000 (2012) and Rs 24,000 (2016).
All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen MP from Aurangabad, Syed Imtiaz Jaleel has yet to cough out Rs 2,700 for his residential connection since 2017!
Maharashtra Assembly’s ex-Speaker and BJP leader Haribhau K. Bagade is sitting on a bill of over Rs 31,000 since 1980 – for the past 42 years!
There’s an outstanding bill of Rs 20,000 since 1996 in the name of the late Union Minister Gopinath Munde, besides his widow Pradnyatai, who has to clear two bills – Rs 850 (2016) and Rs 2,700 (1994).
Congress MP Rajani S. Satav has to pay up Rs.21,000 on a residential bill, due since 1982.
Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai South Arvind G. Sawant has not paid Rs 425 for his residential connection in Sindhudurg, and MP Bhawana P. Gawali from Yavatmal-Washim has to pay up a residential bill of Rs 22,000 since 1974 and one more pending bill of Rs 7,600 since 2021.
Former Leader of Opposition and now BJP leader Radhakrishna E. Vikhe-Patil has to clear an agriculture bill of Rs 11,000 since 2011.
BJP MPs Ranjitsinh H. Naik-Nimbalkar has pending commercial, agriculture and residential bills of Rs 1,600 (2016), Rs 300 (2012) and Rs 210,000 plus Rs 88,400 (2013-2014), respectively and Ranjitsinh V. Mohite-Patil has to pay up two agriculture bills – Rs 171,000 (1989) and Rs 14,000 (1997).
Ex-home minister of NCP Anil V. Deshmukh has not paid two farmland bills – Rs 111,000 and Rs 122,000 – since 1997.
Shockingly, there are around 10 bills that remain unpaid since the 1960s – including the oldest dated March 1961 in the name of Pandurang N. Patil for Rs 196 !
Among the lowest dues are a bill of Rs 107 for Ramesh K. Karad (1999) among his many other bills, and Sunil S. Shelke’s residential bill of Rs 106 (2011) at the bottom of the heap.
At the top is the biggest debtor, BJP legislator Jaykumar B. Gore, who has a staggering unpaid bill of Rs 7.03 lakh, pending since 2008.
Maharashtra
Fraud under the guise of Mumbai loan, Delhi call center exposed, fraud in the name of Bajaj Finance, three accused arrested, use of 105 mobile phones in fraud.

Mumbai: The Cyber Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch has exposed a gang that is fooling people by luring them with interest-free loans. The complainant, a 70-year-old senior citizen, filed a complaint at the Cyber Police Station, West Mumbai, after which the police took action and traced these fraudsters and also busted a call center in Delhi from where people were being fooled. The complainant was cheated from August 28, 2023 to November 2, 2024. The complainant was told that he could get a loan from Bajaj Finance Delhi at zero interest. Under the guise of this, the complainant received Rs 1.14 crore from banks in the name of fees for various matters. After that, the Crime Branch conducted an investigation and conducted a raid at Maximum Marketing Private Limited, Anand Vihar in Delhi and busted this call center. In this, the police arrested Shahzad Lal Khan alias Rehman, 30, Anuj Uttam Singh Raut alias Anil Kumar Yadav. 30-year-old and Aamir Hussain, 34, were arrested. 105 mobile phones and a laptop were recovered from their possession.
The investigation concluded that this mobile number has been used in cyber crimes across the country and this number has been used in 132 crimes. This operation was carried out by the Mumbai Crime Branch and Cyber Cell. This operation was carried out on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Pansalkar, Special Commissioner Devin Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner Crime Lakshmi Gautam. DCP Crime Detection Datta Nalawade said that Mumbai Police has appealed to the citizens to remain alert against cyber fraud and not to invest in the lure of profit in the name of high investment. Do not fall for the trap of providing loans without documents on social media. Do not make any kind of investment on the advice of acquaintances and do not download any kind of mobile app. If anyone is a victim of fraud, immediately contact 1930.
Exclusive
Pahalgam We Will Revenge – But How?

Kamar Ansari (Mumbai), April 25: The nation is still reeling from the shock of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Due to the widespread narrative that terrorism has been eradicated from Kashmir, over 2.5 million tourists flocked to the region—only for this tragic attack to take place. There is widespread anger among the public, demanding that every drop of blood and every tear shed in Kashmir be avenged, and that Pakistan be taught a lesson.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are suggesting that the Pahalgam incident should not be politicized. Their sudden concern about politicization seems to stem from the fact that this attack has exposed the hollowness of the government’s claims. Had this administration refrained from politicizing tragic events over the past ten years, they wouldn’t be in a position today to ask others not to do the same.
The Pahalgam attack was inhumane and despicable, and it must be avenged—but what does “revenge” really mean?
The real threat to the nation lies with those who believe that voting for the BJP and electing Modi as Prime Minister constitutes revenge, and that doing so will drive terrorists back into their hideouts. The true target for retribution should be Pakistan and the terrorists—not India’s Muslims. Will attacking mosques and madrasas or targeting Indian Muslims serve as justice for Pahalgam? Some people feel a strong urge to act this way. But the battle is against Pakistan, not against patriotic Indian Muslims who are citizens of this country.
After the Uri and Pulwama attacks, there were loud proclamations of revenge and punishment in Parliament and public gatherings. A “surgical strike” was carried out across the Line of Control in response to Uri, and we were told that Pakistan and the terrorists had been crippled and taught a lesson. Yet, the threat persists. Indira Gandhi truly taught Pakistan a lesson in 1971 by waging a direct war and splitting the country into two. Still, Pakistan did not learn.
So what is the Modi government planning to do now? The government needs to act—not indulge in propaganda. Even adhering to this one principle would be a significant step forward.
Prime Minister Modi has called a cabinet meeting and made some swift decisions. The Pakistani embassy in India has been shut down. All Pakistani nationals in India have been ordered to leave within 24 hours. Even the Wagah border has been temporarily closed. It’s being said that this marks the beginning of cutting diplomatic ties with Pakistan—but what about cricket? India and Pakistan play matches in Dubai, and large numbers of Indian fans attend. Jay Shah heads global cricket affairs and must clearly state that India will no longer play with Pakistan. Chanting “Pakistan Murdabad” in India while playing cricket with them abroad must come to an end.
Deeply affected by the Pahalgam attack, Modi canceled his visit to Saudi Arabia, and Rahul Gandhi is also cutting short his U.S. trip. After such an attack, convening an all-party meeting is standard procedure. But what will that achieve when the same government suppresses opposition voices and refuses to allow discussions on issues from Kashmir to Manipur in Parliament?
The Home Minister does not appear serious about national security. He has failed to protect the lives of citizens, and his resignation is now a common demand across party lines. If the government ignores this demand, then such meetings are just for show.
The abrogation of Article 370 was a welcome move, but what did we gain by stripping Jammu & Kashmir of full statehood? The government offers no answers. Meanwhile, it has slashed the defense budget and made deep cuts in military personnel. This is a dangerous game. Soldiers in Pulwama were denied aircraft for transport, and now in Pahalgam, the safety of thousands of tourists was left in limbo.
Now that the attack has happened and innocent people have died, the government is scrambling to respond. While the Pahalgam attack is inhumane, inciting Hindu-Muslim conflict in its aftermath is even more inhumane.
Local villagers in Pahalgam immediately began helping the injured and their families. A young local man, Syed Hussain Shah, tried to resist the terrorists. When he attempted to snatch a gun from them, he was shot. He pleaded with the attackers, saying, “These people are our guests—please don’t kill them.” In the end, he lost his life. Syed was not a Hindu, but the terrorists still killed him.
Despite tourists reporting that locals helped them during the crisis, the BJP’s IT cell is painting this incident with communal colors. The attack in Pahalgam was not just on tourists—it was an attack on all of us. The people of Kashmir have shown humanity and compassion, saying, “We are also wounded.” We must respect their sentiments.
Our fight is against Pakistan and terrorist organizations. Anyone trying to vilify Indian Muslims or Kashmiri locals in this fight clearly does not want to solve the nation’s problems—they simply want to politicize Pahalgam, just as they did with Pulwama.
The government must now think only in terms of national interest. Hindus and Muslims in this country are capable of deciding among themselves how to coexist.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra Cyber Department informs citizens about creation of fake Aadhaar, PAN card using AI, appeals to be careful while alerting citizens

Mumbai: Maharashtra Cyber Department has informed citizens about the creation of fake Aadhaar, PAN card and other government documents generated by AI. Maharashtra Cyber Cell creates awareness among the public about the dangers and harms related to cyber security and cyber. Creation of fake documents through AI has also become common now. Artificial intelligence AI tools are also being misused to create fake government identity cards like Aadhaar and PAN card. AI provides opportunities for innovation but at the same time it also carries high risks. This is a serious concern. AI has the ability to create fake IDs and identity cards. These cards can also be used in bank, personal transactions and economic crimes. On the other hand, fake documents and cards can also be used to defraud banks, telecom companies and government companies. It can also be used to obtain loans and transactions with banks and for embezzlement. National Security These are also concerns for Maharashtra Cyber.
Maharashtra Cyber has given some important tips and tricks to identify fake documents and cards. Similar fonts, especially typographical differences between Hindi and English text. Typographical differences in English text. Image discrepancies. Unnatural lighting or color discrepancies. AI-adjusted image can be made into a fake Aadhaar, while the original Aadhaar card has a QR code which can be verified in the system. Fake Aadhaar fails to do so. Fake Aadhaar cards can be easily identified due to incorrect procedures. Maharashtra Cyber has appealed to citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious incidents related to such fake ID cards to the National Cyber Crime Complaint Portal at 1945. This service is available 24 hours a day.
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