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Maharashtra

Maharashtra winter session: Lokayukta Bill unanimously passed today

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Nagpur: The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed the Lokayukta Bill, 2022 through a voice vote.

The bill will empower Lokayukta to investigate even the state’s Chief Minister and members of the Council of Ministers if two-thirds of the Assembly votes for such an inquiry. The bill was passed in the absence of opposition which had earlier staged a walkout to protest against the state government protecting the minister in the alleged TET scam.

The Deputy Chief Minister Mr Devendra Fadnavis after the passage of the bill said that it has been a revolutionary move adding that Maharashtra will become the first state in tabling such a crucial bill which will become a trendsetter. 

Any present or former Chief Minister of Maharashtra can be investigated by the Lokayukta if a motion for such a probe is passed by the Legislative Assembly by a two-thirds majority.

However, the Lokayukta will not inquire into any charges of corruption against the Chief Minister if the matter relates to internal security or public order in the state. ‘The Lokayukta may investigate complaints against the Chief Minister, ministers, ministers of state, members of the Maharashtra State Legislature, All India Services officers, State Government employees (excluding Group D), members of local authorities, officers and employees of the Board, Corporation, Authority or Society, wholly or partly financed by the State Government or controlled by the Government,’ the Bill said.

The Lokayukta consists of five members with a retired chief justice of a high court or a retired justice of the Supreme Court or the Bombay High Court as chairperson and four other members, two of whom have to be judicial members. The Lokayukta will have two benches.

The bill proposes to allow the Governor to give additional functions to Lokayukta with the aim of attacking corruption.

The Lokayukta bench will be as powerful as a civic court and will be able to direct the Government to file a charge sheet before a special court in corruption matters.

It can also conduct a preliminary inquiry into any corruption case before a government agency and supervise state agencies tackling corruption cases.

Further, the Lokayukta will have powers of superintendence and can issue directions to state agencies to probe cases. It can also recommend a departmental inquiry and make a special report and submit it to the Government for action.

It is also empowered to take penal action. A person insulting or causing interruption to the chairperson or a member of the Lokayukta can be punished with a maximum of six months in jail and/or fine.

In case of false and vexatious complaints, the Lokayukta may impose a penalty of up to Rs2 lakh but only after hearing the person.

Maharashtra

Three lakh pilgrims visit Haji Ali in Mumbai on Eid

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Mumbai: Eid-ul-Fitr passed off peacefully in Mumbai. Muslims celebrated Eid with simplicity and protested against the Waqf Bill by offering namaz with black bands on their arms. After Eid-ul-Fitr, a huge crowd of pilgrims thronged Haji Ali and Mahim dargahs. Three lakh pilgrims visited Haji Ali, for which the police had made tight security arrangements.

More than 300,000 pilgrims visited Haji Ali Dargah on the occasion of Basi Eid 2025. As per the preparations made with the Haji Ali Dargah Trust

200 volunteers

25 swimmers

78 CCTV cameras, CCTV camera operators, public announcement were arranged on the main road as well as in the dargah premises. First aid facilities were available on the main road as well as in the dargah premises. Heavy police force was deployed for search, barricades and ropes were also arranged. Eid and Basi Eid passed off peacefully in Mumbai and no untoward incident took place. On the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Panchalkar, the police had made additional security arrangements at dargahs and mosques.

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Crime

Mumbai Malad Gudi Padwa violence: Three arrested, situation peaceful, police alert, DCP Asmita Hotel

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Mumbai: After the violence on Gudi Padwa in Malad, Mumbai, the situation is now peaceful here, but despite this, politics has also started on this issue and an attempt has been made to spread communal tension by giving it a Hindu-Muslim color. On the occasion of Gudi Padwa, a local youth attacked five minors passing in front of Noorani Mosque. In this case, the police has controlled the situation and so far three people have been arrested. A case of rioting has also been registered against them. The crowd is also being identified. The accused have been identified on the basis of CCTV and three people have been arrested. Along with this, after getting control of the situation, the police has put Malad on high alert and is also keeping an eye on communal elements.

Now communal elements have started trying to spoil the atmosphere in Mumbai, so the police is also keeping an eye on social media. Local DCP Smita Patil said that the situation in Malad Maloni is peaceful and action is being taken against the miscreants. Arrests are also continuing after examining CCTV footage and other footage.

So far three people have been arrested in this case, one of whom is Sharan, who attacked the minor. In this case, Vishwa Hindu Parishad Bajrang Dal has given an ultimatum to the police that if they do not arrest the accused as soon as possible, they will protest. In this case, the DCP has made tight security arrangements at all places and has also appealed not to pay attention to rumors and not to share unverified videos or controversial posts on social media. The police is on alert to maintain law and order in Mumbai and Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Panchalkar has issued strict instructions.

Sanjay Nirupam’s venomous attack on the violence on Gaddi Padwa

After the violence on Gudi Padwa, Sanjay Nirupam has made many serious allegations against the police, he has accused the police of delaying action and protecting the accused. He has questioned the action of Mumbai Police and said that the main accused Sharan and his mother do not allow Hindus to celebrate their festivals and their hooliganism continues here. Sanjay Nirupam has called Muslims Jihadis. Sanjay Nirupam said that the police took action when pressure was put on them.

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Maharashtra

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Achieves Historic Property Tax Collection Nearing ₹800 Crores In Financial Year 2024-25

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Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has reached a historic property tax collection of Rs 795 crore for the first time ever. High-ranking officials from the property tax department mentioned that this amount might increase since the deadline for online payments remains available until midnight.

A campaign was launched to engage delinquent taxpayers, and the collection offices stayed open during holidays. Moreover, the ‘Abhay Yojana’ was introduced on March 10, 2025, providing a 50 percent reduction on late fees for outstanding payments if settled by March 31, 2025.

Municipal Commissioner took advantage of the chance to auction assets owned by individuals with tax debts, after sending notices to proprietors with unpaid taxes for three straight years, including state entities. This initiative led to the largest recovery of property taxes in the municipality’s history, according to report by Lokmat.

Municipal Commissioner Dr. Shinde advised property owners at risk of confiscation to settle their debts right away, cautioning that seized properties would go up for auction beginning in April 2025.

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Achieves Historic Property Tax Collection Of ₹795 Crores. Comparative data shows a steady increase in property tax income over the years: ₹521 crore in 2021-22, ₹562 crore in 2022-23, and ₹666 crore in 2023-24.

During the first nine months of the financial year 2023-24, Rs 465.70 crore has been gathered, rising from Rs 398.65 crore in the equivalent timeframe of the prior year. The NMMC aimed to reach its target of Rs 800 crore for the whole financial year, ultimately arriving at Rs 795 crores.

PMC Achieves Record Property Tax Collection

The Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) has reached a historic Rs 400 crore in property tax revenue this financial year, representing its highest earnings since being founded in 2016.

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