Mumbai: Senior Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi today took a strong stand in the Assembly on the recession of the powerloom industry in Bhiwandi and the increasing dangerous toxic pollution, as well as the major threat to the health of the local people due to the ‘SMS’ waste processing project and cement plant in Mankhurd Shivaji. He took the government to task, pointing out the collusion between the Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the concerned authorities in both the areas. Speaking in the Assembly, MLA Azmi raised the following important issues and demands. The textile industry in Bhiwandi is in crisis. Paperwork is being taken against companies burning plastic and toxic waste instead of coal. Bhiwandi is a major hub of the textile business in the country, but at present this business is very slow. The pollution level in Bhiwandi is getting dangerous day by day. Due to the increase in coal prices, some sizing and dyeing companies here are burning plastic pieces, wires and biochemical waste in the open instead of coal. This is spreading highly toxic smoke in the area and has created a serious health problem for the citizens. With the connivance of the Pollution Control Board officers, no real action is being taken against these companies. It has been reported that action has been taken against 430 companies, closure orders and show cause notices have been issued to 107 companies. But in reality, these companies are still running in a chaotic state. Demand for government subsidy for green fuel (PNG/CNG/LPG) for small industries.

The minister has directed the companies to use expensive fuels like PNG, CNG or LPG to curb pollution. However, power loom industries in Bhiwandi are small and medium sized and cannot afford this expensive fuel. Therefore, Azmi directly asked the government whether the government will provide any special subsidy or financial assistance to these small industries so that these industries can survive and pollution can be stopped. He also demanded strict action against the officers who mislead by giving wrong information. When will the ‘SMS’ company and cement plant in Mankhod Shivaji Nagar be closed? The government should clarify. MLA Azmi drew the attention of the House to the extremely bad situation in Mankhod Shivaji Nagar constituency. All the garbage of Mumbai is dumped in this area due to which insects are reaching the houses of people and even the kitchens. There are 4 cement (RMC) plants and marriage halls in the constituency close to each other. Thousands of people come there and the dust from this cement has made it impossible for people to live. Earlier, the then minister had promised to completely shut down this ‘SMS’ company (biomedical waste plant) by December 2022 and a board was also installed there. However, despite the change of governments, this company has not been closed yet. MLA Azmi, while presenting live pictures of this pollution in the House, asked the government, “When will this SMS company actually close and when will the local people get relief from this problem? The government should give a clear and concrete answer to this.” MLA Abu Asim Azmi has strongly demanded that the health of the people of both the areas has become a matter of life and death and the government should not just make paper promises on this but should take strict action on the ground and immediately impose a ban on the polluting elements.

New Delhi, June 26: The Government of India has announced a revision in passport application fees, with the updated charges scheduled to come into effect from July 1, 2026. The revised fee structure applies to various passport services, including fresh applications, renewals, Tatkal services, and replacement of lost or damaged passports.

Under the new rates, adults applying for a standard 36-page passport through the normal process will pay ₹2,500, while applicants opting for the Tatkal service will be charged ₹5,000. The fee for a 60-page passport has also been increased, with higher charges applicable under both the normal and expedited categories.

The revised schedule also includes updated fees for passport services for minors, replacement of lost or damaged passports, and certain related documents such as Police Clearance Certificates and miscellaneous passport certifications. Officials have indicated that emergency certificate provisions remain unchanged within India.

According to government notifications, the validity period for adult passports continues to remain up to 10 years, while passports issued to minors will generally remain valid for five years or until they attain the age of 18 years, subject to applicable rules. Existing concessions for eligible categories, including young children and senior citizens, are also expected to continue under the revised framework.

The updated fee structure is part of amendments notified under the Passports Rules and will apply to passport applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026. Applicants planning to obtain or renew their passports are advised to verify the latest charges before submitting their applications.

The efforts to resolve the issues pending for years to establish genuine and officially operating hawkers and remove unauthorised hawkers in Mumbai are now succeeding. As part of this, a representative launch of QR code-based identity cards for registered hawkers is being held today, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Awade said. As per the court directions and on the basis of the Municipal Street Vendors Act, the process of distributing QR code-based identity cards to a total of 99,435 registered urban street vendors (hawkers) was formally inaugurated by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Awade. The inauguration ceremony held at the Standing Committee Hall of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters was attended by Leader of the House Ganesh Khankar, Standing Committee Chairman Prabhakar Shinde, Shiv Sena Group Leader Aimee Ghole, Indian National Congress Group Leader Ashraf Azmi and others. Chairperson of the Improvement Committee, Chairperson of the Education Committee, Scindia Doshi, Rajeshree Shravadkar, Corporator Deep Malabadhe, Corporator Preeti Satam, Corporator Sheetal Gambhir, Corporator Dr. Syeda Khan, Corporator Ramakant Rahete, Corporator Tejendra Singh Tiwana, Corporator Shivkumar Jha, Licensing Superintendent Anil Katte etc. were present on the occasion. On this occasion, about 100 registered city street vendors (hawkers) from different areas of Mumbai were provided with QR code based identity cards by Mayor Ritu Tawde and various dignitaries. Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Ritu Tawde said that after taking charge of the Mayor, I got all the information about the hawker policy and the current situation to solve the problem of hawkers in the Municipal Corporation. Continuous efforts were made to solve the problems in this regard.

Although the election of the City Street Vendors i.e. Hawker Committee was held in August 2024, the counting process could not be completed due to legal reasons. The court allowed the process to proceed and the Law Department was directed to make efforts in this regard. After the permission was granted by the court, the counting process was completed and the issue of the City Street Vendor Committees was resolved. As per the directions given by the court and within the stipulated time, QR code-based identity cards are being distributed to a total of 99,435 hawkers on the basis of the City Street Vendors Act. We will continue our efforts to resolve various issues related to hawkers. The Mayor said that we will continue comprehensive efforts so that no one is abused and no deserving person is deprived of benefits.