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Maharashtra: Toll-Tax Reforms To Roll Out Soon, PWD Minister Dada Bhuse Confirms In Joint Presser With Raj Thackeray

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Mumbai: The government is committed to transparency and reforms in toll collection, which would be rolled out shortly, affirmed by PWD Minister Dadaji D. Bhuse, along with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray during a joint press conference held on Friday morning.

A delegation of MNS leaders, led by Thackeray, had previously met with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday. In continuation of the discussions from that meeting, PWD Minister Bhuse paid a visit to the residence of the MNS Chief. Following an extensive dialogue, both leaders convened a joint press conference.

Thackeray announced, “Within the next two weeks, closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) will be installed at all toll booths at the five Mumbai Entry Points (MEPs), and a control room will be established at Mantralaya to monitor them. Digital displays will indicate the toll amounts collected by the contractor as per the tender and the remaining balance, ensuring transparency for the public regarding the financials of the respective toll booths.”

Furthermore, the government will guarantee that no vehicle is required to stop for more than four minutes at toll booths, and vehicles located beyond the ‘yellow line’ (indicating traffic congestion) will be permitted to pass without paying the road toll tax. MNS will also construct public facilities near certain toll booths and oversee their operations.

Bhuse clarified a video clip featuring DCM Devendra Fadnavis regarding toll exemptions, stating that four-wheeled vehicles have been exempted at 53 toll booths in the state, with the state government having already compensated the relevant companies.

The MNS had called for the closure of 29 old toll booths under the PWD Department and 15 under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), to which Bhuse indicated that the government will evaluate and make a decision on this matter soon.

In response to Thackeray’s warning of ‘burning the toll booths’ if small/light vehicles were compelled to pay road toll tax, the MNS had organized significant protests at various toll booths in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Nashik, and other locations, causing concern within the government.

The assurances provided by the government include:

Installation of cameras at toll plazas to count the number of vehicles passing through the toll gates for the next 15 days. The MNS will also set up similar cameras.

Ensuring that all contract-specified amenities, such as restrooms, first aid services, ambulances, and emergency lights, are available at all toll plazas.

Establishment of a system at Mantralaya for receiving complaints, with a dedicated mobile number for registering toll plaza grievances.

Conducting structural audits by IIT for all bridges and underpasses mentioned in the contracts.

Decision on reversing toll fee hikes in Thane within a month.

Restoration of the yellow line at all toll gates, allowing vehicles outside the yellow line to pass without toll charges.

No double charging in the case of an inoperative Fastag, with the option to file a complaint in case of a double charge notification on mobile.

Implementation of the rule to cease toll collection on defaced roads under the central government within 15 days, following consultations with central authorities.

Conducting a CAG audit for toll collection at Mumbai Entry Points (MEP), Mumbai-Pune Expressway, and Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link.

Enforcing discipline among heavy vehicles within the next 15 days.

Maharashtra

Digital Rakshak secures money of five complainants who were scammed in the name of Digital Arrest

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Mumbai: Five complainants who were scammed on social media in the name of digital arrest through the Mumbai Police’s Digital Rakshak (Digital Protector) have been protected by the Digital Rakshak. In Mumbai, CBI, ED and police officers send notices on social media and WhatsApp in the name of Digital Arrest, demanding huge money for video calling in the name of investigation and saving them from the case in the name of investigation. Accordingly, Mumbai Police has developed the Digital Rakshak app. The complaint of five victim complainants was processed on this helpline. In Mumbai’s Chembur area, a video call was made to an elderly person on social media calling him Digital Arrest and it was said that he had huge money in his bank account and his documents, Aadhaar card and PAN card were used in illegal activities.

The caller on the call told the elderly person that he was a CBI officer and demanded money without disconnecting the video call. During this, the victim When the daughter entered the house, she found her father scared and then she asked her father why he was scared. On this, the father told her that it was a call from a CBI officer and that he had transferred money in this matter. After that, the victim contacted the Mumbai Police’s Digital Rakshak helpline and then informed the police about this notice. After that, it was confirmed that this notice was prepared by the CBI and ED by creating a fake notice and sending it on WhatsApp. The police have resolved five cases of digital arrest and have appealed to the citizens that no security agency does digital arrest and neither is investigation done on WhatsApp, so be careful of such elements.

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Maharashtra

Indian army’s major action on Pakistan, action should also be taken against those who target Kashmiris after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi expressed happiness over the success of Operation Sindoor and said that by conducting air strikes on Pakistani terrorist bases, the Indian government has given an important message and made it clear that we will take strict action against terrorists. We congratulate the armed forces on the success of Operation Sindoor, but at the same time we also say that terrorists have no religion and the way Kashmiris were tortured after the Pahalgam attack is completely wrong. He said that the hospitality shown by Kashmiris to tourists after the terrorist attack is obvious. Adil sacrificed his life and Nazakat behaved kindly, despite this, the sectarians are targeting Kashmiris under the guise of the Pahalgam attack.

He said that after the Pahalgam attack, a doctor in West Bengal refused to treat a pregnant woman. Sectarians raise the slogan of Pakistan Zindabad and Muslims are trapped in it. This has been proven in Agra. He said that such sectarians Action is also necessary against those who target Muslims. Abu Asim Azmi has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah to take action against such elements who disrupt the peace and order of the country. He said that a burqa-clad woman in Mumbai was forced to chant the slogan of Jai Shri Ram. Action is necessary against such elements who create hatred in the name of Hindus and Muslims in the country.

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National News

JeM terror outfit chief Azhar Masood admits 10 of his family members killed in ‘Operation Sindoor’

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Jammu, May 7: Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit chief, Azhar Masood admitted that ten of his family members were killed in the missile strikes launched by the Indian armed forces during ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the wee hours of Wednesday.

In an Urdu statement released to the media, Masood said, “Ten members of my family including five children, my elder sister and her husband, my Islamic scholar nephew, his wife and my niece in addition to this, my old friend Hazifa, his mother and two other colleagues were killed.”

He alleged that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had targeted innocent children, devout Muslim women and elderly people.

“I am grieved beyond words, but I am neither sorry, nor afraid. I have been praying to Allah that I should have been included in these 14 guests of Allah who become martyrs today.

“The killing of children and innocent people have not dampened our resolve. They (Indians) should not expect any mercy from us now.

“The fallen minaret of Subhanullah mosque will finally fall on the Indian people in such a manner that their future generations won’t be able to forget”, he threatened.

In the same statement, the JeM chief said that the funeral prayers of these 14 killed in Indian strikes would be held at 4 pm.

Around 1.44 am on Wednesday, Indian armed forces targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) with precision and without attacking any military target in Pakistan.

A Ministry of Defence statement said that nine places were hit during ‘Operation Sindoor’ including Muridke, Bhawalpur, Kotli and Muzaffarabad in PoK.

Pakistan Army has used heavy mortar shelling to violate the ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) today.

Seven civilians were killed in Pakistani shelling and 38 others were injured in Poonch district.

Pakistan Army used mortar shells in Uri, Karnah in the Valley and Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu division.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha took review of the situation on the LoC and directed the district administration to shift the population to safer places from vulnerable areas.

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force has taken over the Srinagar airport and announced suspension of civilian flights till May 10.

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