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Maharashtra

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Shelves Another Populist Scheme Introduced By Eknath Shinde Amid Financial Strain

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stalled yet another populist scheme introduced by the previous Mahayuti government under Eknath Shinde. The Mukhyamantri Yojanadoot scheme, announced in August 2024 with a budget of Rs 300 crore, has been put on hold due to financial constraints.

The scheme aimed to generate employment by recruiting 50,000 young individuals for six months, offering them a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000. Each gram panchayat in rural areas and each ward in urban regions was to have one ‘doot’ (messenger) responsible for promoting various government schemes.

An official from the skill development department, which had envisioned the scheme, revealed that early doubts about its execution arose when application deadlines were repeatedly extended. Initially set for September 17, 2024, the deadline was pushed to October 13 due to pressure from ruling party leaders, reported media. However, with the model code of conduct coming into force on October 15, the scheme’s implementation was halted after the Opposition filed a complaint with the Election Commission, claiming it was a ploy to influence voters.

CM Orders To Put Scheme On Hold

Following the formation of the new government, the department approached CM Fadnavis for approval to proceed with the scheme. However, last month, officials were instructed to put it on hold. The government had already spent Rs 2 crore to develop an application portal, and 2.5 lakh applications were scrutinised.

An official disclosed that while the scheme was designed to benefit unemployed youth, ruling party leaders sought to use it for their own workers. Approximately 40,000 applications were submitted directly to the Chief Minister and the two Deputy Chief Ministers, requesting job allocations for party loyalists. The delay in implementation was partly due to resistance from bureaucrats who refused to bow to political pressure, according to the report.

Of the 2.5 lakh applicants, 427 were shortlisted for villages where only one applicant was available. In cases where multiple candidates applied for a single position, they were required to appear before an interview panel consisting of officers from the collectorate, the assistant skill development commissioner and the district information officer.

Yojanadoot Scheme Among 6 Projects Shut By Mahayuti 2.0 Govt

Reports citing sources in Mantralaya indicate that the scheme is unlikely to be revived, as it was primarily designed with electoral considerations in mind. This is one of at least six schemes or projects approved by the previous government that have now been stalled. The current administration also halted the Anandacha Shidha scheme, which provided food grains to the poor and scrapped the plan to acquire 1,310 new buses for the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).

The government’s decision to roll back these initiatives is largely due to financial strain. Maharashtra is currently burdened with a debt of Rs 7.82 lakh crore, and the fiscal deficit for the ongoing financial year (2024-25) is expected to exceed Rs 2 lakh crore.

Maharashtra

40 rain shelters, 08 unauthorized shops, 30 hawkers, 06 vehicular paths removed, joint action by ‘T’, ‘S’ and ‘N’ departments of Mumbai Municipal Corporation

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The Mumbai Municipal Corporation is implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign in the Mumbai region (Mumbai city and suburbs). Under this, 40 rain shelters, 08 unauthorized shops and 30 hawkers obstructing footpaths were removed today (August 11, 2026) in the Milind area. This action was taken jointly by the ‘T’, ‘S’ and ‘N’ divisions of the Municipal Corporation. As per the directions of the High Court, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide is effectively implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign to immediately remove unauthorized hawkers and encroachments on footpaths and to make the footpaths free from obstructions.

In this regard, a joint campaign was conducted under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner (T Division) under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-6) Santosh Kumar Dhonde. Assistant Commissioner (S Division) Samrin Syed, Assistant Commissioner (N Division) Jaideep More
The operation was carried out in the areas of Ram Ratan Trivedi Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Sivaram Lalwani Marg, Ratanji Hirji Bhograj Marg, Jhaveer Marg and Ganesh Gawde Marg as well as Lokmanya Tilak Marg (West) in the ‘T’ zone of the Municipal Corporation. In this, 40 rain shelters built on the footpaths, 08 unauthorized shops, 30 hawkers and 06 carriageways that were obstructing the footpaths were removed. Apart from this, the material obstructing the footpaths was also seized.

The operation was carried out with the help of 10 vehicles, 05 dumpers, 05 JCBs and other equipment along with 13 secondary engineers, 07 licensing inspectors, 66 workers working in Zone 6. Adequate police security was deployed at that time.

Meanwhile, the municipal administration is committed to providing barrier-free and easy footpaths for pedestrians. However, no one should create obstacles on the footpath or carry out unauthorized constructions. The municipal administration is telling that strict action will be taken if this happens.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Mankhurd ATM card fraud two accused arrested

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Police has claimed to have arrested two accused who committed fraud by changing ATM cards. On August 5, the complainant had gone to the ATM center at Mangal Murthy Junction to withdraw money. While withdrawing money from the ATM, an unknown person standing behind her saw the PIN of the card. After that, she cleverly changed the ATM rod and withdrew Rs 19,000. The police have registered a case of fraud in this matter and started investigating it. The police had seen three suspicious people from the CCTV footage of the scene who were found withdrawing money from the ATM card. After that, the police identified the accused with the help of CCTV footage. Later, they were arrested. The accused have been identified as Qasim Ali Barkat Ali, 30, and Parvez Akbar Ali Sheikh, 38, both residents of Kalyan. The police are investigating further regarding both of them. Along with this, the police are also finding out how many people they have cheated before. This action was taken by DCP Sameer Sheikh on the instructions of Additional Commissioner Dhananjay Kulkarni.

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Maharashtra

7 accused arrested in cyber fraud case of over Rs 1 crore in Mumbai

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Mumbai: The Cyber ​​Police Station has claimed to have solved the mystery of a cyber crime in which the complainant was threatened with digital arrest on WhatsApp from April 2 to April 18, 2026, and was involved in a money laundering case and was defrauded of Rs 16.74 crore online by sending fake electronic documents. During the technical investigation, the police have arrested 7 accused, identified as Sanjay Hiralal, 57, who used to generate OTPs, the 32-year-old female accused used to hide the fraudulent money, Rishi Ramchandra Meena, 38, who used to transfer the fraudulent money to bank accounts, Naushad Ali, 31, who digitally arrested the complainant and the victim and worked in this gang digitally, Muhammad Khalid Hafeezuddin Saif, 27, a digital expert, Jogesh Mehta, 43, and Zubair Hussain, 27, who helped them deposit the fraudulent money in their accounts. 613 mobile phones, 2 laptops, 5 digital sign devices were recovered from the possession of the accused. SIM cards of several companies, 10 cheque books, 2 passbooks and 2 ATM cards have been seized. DCP Bajrang Bansode told the press conference that there is no such thing as digital arrest and in such a situation, do not keep in touch on unknown social media accounts. If someone threatens digital arrest, do not believe them.

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