Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday reaffirmed the state government’s firm stance on the issue of OBC reservation, assuring that “no one’s rightful share will be taken away and given to someone else.”

Responding to questions about differing opinions among three major leaders on the matter, Bawankule clarified that the Government Resolution (GR) issued on September 2 is currently sub judice.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further as the matter is before the court. However, it is important to note that the Hyderabad Gazette applies only to the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, not to Western Maharashtra. Therefore, the Maratha-Kunbi community from that region cannot benefit from it,” he explained.

Appealing to OBC leaders not to misunderstand the government’s intentions, Bawankule said, “Everyone can be assured that no one’s share will be diverted to another. The government remains committed to protecting the rights of all communities.”

He reiterated that the Mahayuti government is focused on maintaining social balance and ensuring that the interests of OBCs remain safeguarded while addressing concerns of other communities.

Switching focus to regional development, Bawankule shared details of an important meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss growth plans for Nagpur rural areas, NMRDA (Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority), and Nagpur city.

“A significant meeting was held under the Chief Minister’s chairmanship to discuss development in Nagpur’s rural and urban areas. Several major decisions were taken to accelerate overall growth,” he said.

Bawankule added that the meeting focused on ensuring that the benefits of various government schemes reach citizens efficiently, with a strong push for infrastructure and public welfare initiatives.

“The decisions taken today will give a strong boost to development works across the Nagpur region,” he stated.

Mumbai: Mumbai woke up to a warm and sunny morning on Tuesday as the city continues to experience dry and humid conditions amid Diwali celebrations. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), clear skies will persist throughout the day, but Mumbaikars are expected to face rising temperatures and discomfort due to humidity.

The daytime temperatures are likely to range between 26°C and 35°C, with the heat made worse by the absence of coastal winds that usually bring relief. IMD officials explained that the onset of the northeast monsoon over southern and northeastern India has caused easterly winds to dominate along the west coast, pushing temperatures upward in cities like Mumbai.

Adding to the weather woes, post-monsoon construction activity and dry conditions have led to an increase in dust particles across the city. The situation has further deteriorated after Diwali firecracker emissions, which have caused a sharp spike in air pollution levels.

According to real-time data from IQAir.com, Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 164 on Tuesday morning, falling in the “unhealthy” category. This marks a continued decline in the city’s air quality over the past week.

Among the city’s monitoring stations, Byculla recorded the highest pollution level with an AQI of 213, indicating severe air quality. It was followed by Siddharth Nagar–Worli (204), Bandra Hill Road (191), Chembur (187) and Deonar (187). These regions reported thick smog and reduced visibility early in the day.

In contrast, a few areas continued to enjoy relatively cleaner air. Sewri topped the list with an AQI of 71, placing it in the “moderate” category. Other comparatively better-performing areas included Vile Parle West (112), Kherwadi in Bandra East (116), Kandivali West (120) and Kurla (134).

As per IQAir’s classification, AQI between 0–50 is considered good, 51–100 moderate, 101–150 poor, 151–200 unhealthy, 201–250 severe, 251–300 very severe and above 300 hazardous.

Mumbai: A severe shortage of medicines at Mumbai’s Cooper Medical College and Hospital has left patients struggling for basic treatment. One of the city’s key municipal hospitals, Cooper is facing mounting complaints as essential drugs remain out of stock, routine tests are delayed, and even anti-rabies vaccines are unavailable—forcing patients to seek care in private facilities.

Essential medicines such as antibiotics, calcium tablets, painkillers, and psychiatric drugs have vanished from hospital pharmacies, forcing patients to buy them from outside.

Geeta Sharma, a DN Nagar resident, said she was turned away when she went to get an anti-rabies injection for her son. “The doctors said the vaccine wasn’t available and referred us to VN Desai Hospital,” she said. Patients also report being asked to bring gloves, syringes, and needles from private stores due to shortages inside the wards.

Psychiatric patients have been particularly affected, as medicines have been unavailable for more than a month. “I’ve been visiting the hospital repeatedly for my brother’s psychiatric medication, but they keep saying it’s out of stock,” said Baber Sheikh, a resident of Juhu Galli.

Located in Juhu–Vile Parle, the hospital serves over 2,000 patients daily from Andheri, Santacruz, Khar, Bandra, Jogeshwari, and Malad. Given its proximity to both domestic and international airports and the Western Express Highway, Cooper Hospital plays a crucial role in handling emergency and accident cases. However, in recent months, its medical services have sharply declined.

When contacted, Dr. Neelam Andrade, Director of Major Hospitals and Acting Dean of Cooper Hospital, denied the allegations of medicine shortages. She stated that it not possible and aked to recheck the claim.

However, the ongoing crisis at Cooper Hospital highlights the deepening cracks in Mumbai’s municipal healthcare system, where even basic medical supplies have become a luxury for patients.