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Mumbai: BMC budget release likely on February 3; announcement without corporators for first time in 36 years

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Mumbai: Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal is likely to release the civic budget on February 3. As per BMC rules, the budget has to be presented in the first week of February. However, since the terms of the corporators ended on March 7, 2022, there is no general body or standing committee to which the budget proposals can be presented.

Civic officials said booklets containing the proposals are likely to be released on February 3. Last year, the BMC had a budget of about Rs 45,000 crore.

General body of corporators absent for budget first time since 36 years

There will be no general body of corporators at the time of budget proposal for the first time after a gap of 36 years. A similar situation prevailed in 1984 and 1985. The civic elections were expected to be held in October last year but were not held for a variety of reasons, including the controversy over the delimitation of wards. There is no indication when they will be held. However, the State Government has undertaken a massive beautification programme at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore.

CM Shinde, Deputy CM Fadnavis gave inputs for this year’s budget

This year, Chahal will present the budget in the BMC headquarters and address a press conference to brief the media about the highlights. He has been handling all administrative and financial responsibilities of the civic body since March 7, 2022. All the department heads are sending their proposals to him and he is approving them by using his powers as the administrator.

It is learnt that both Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have given their suggestions for the budget.

Ravi Raja says this exercise is ‘dangerous to democracy’

Leader of the Opposition Ravi Raja of the Congress said, “It is dangerous to democracy. Officials who sit in the office will never know what are the citizens’ needs. We don’t know what the administrator did this year because there is no standing committee. There’s no general body where questions could have been raised by corporators on various aspects of the budget. There is no one to question Chahal. This year he will make the budget and present it to himself according to his convenience.”

BJP leader defends the move, says in accordance with Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act

However, BJP group leader in the BMC, Prabhakar Shinde, said, “As per the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act of 1887, the BMC administrator has power to present the budget if there is no standing committee and general body. But whenever the elections are held, the proposals will be placed before the civic standing committee. Until then, the administrator will run the BMC like he has been doing since last year.”

He said everyone until then has to get information by filing Right to Information queries.

Activist accuses BMC of flouting norms

Meanwhile, civic activist Kamalakar Shenoy has accused the BMC of violating norms while embarking on the beautification project. He has also filed complaints with the police in this regard.

Maharashtra

Local Police Arrest Suspect in Mira Road House Looting Incident

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Mumbai: In an unusual turn of events, Mira Road police have successfully apprehended a suspect believed to be involved in a recent house looting incident that had left local residents unsettled. The arrest, which was made early Friday morning, follows an intensive investigation launched after the break-in was reported to authorities.

According to the police report, the incident occurred earlier this week when the occupant of the residential property returned home to find it ransacked. Valuables, including jewelry and electronic devices, were reported missing. The meticulous efforts by the investigating officers, including gathering CCTV footage and conducting neighborhood inquiries, played a crucial role in identifying and locating the suspect.

The accused, whose identity has been withheld pending further investigation, was apprehended after a brief chase and later confessed to the crime during police interrogation. Authorities recovered a significant portion of the stolen items from the suspect’s possession.

Residents of Mira Road have expressed relief following the arrest, praising the police force for their rapid response and dedication to maintaining community safety. “We feel more secure knowing that the police are actively working to protect us,” said one local resident.

This incident has prompted the police to urge residents to enhance home security measures and report any suspicious activities immediately. The authorities have reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and order in the area.

The suspect is currently in custody and will be presented in court later this week, as the police continue their investigation to determine if he is connected to any other recent burglaries in the vicinity.

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Maharashtra

Former SIMI Office-Bearer & Key Accused In Delhi-Padgha ISIS Terror Module Case, Saquib Abdul Hamid Nachan, Dies Following Brain Stroke

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Mumbai: Saquib Abdul Hamid Nachan (63), a former office-bearer of the banned outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and a key accused in the Delhi-Padgha ISIS terror module case, died after suffering a brain stroke. He was undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital and died about an hour before official sources confirmed the development.

Nachan was under investigation for his alleged involvement in aiding ISIS-linked operatives and was facing serious charges under anti-terror laws.

Nachan who was under judicial custody in Tihar Jail, was admitted to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital on Monday after suffering a stroke.

Due to the severity of his condition, he was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on Wednesday morning for advanced medical care. According to National Investigation Agency (NIA) sources, Nachan was under close observation in the ICU prior to his death.

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Maharashtra

59-Year-Old Laundryman Dies After Drinking Stain Remover Mistaken For Cough Syrup In Lower Parel

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Mumbai: A 59-year-old laundryman from Lower Parel died after accidentally consuming a chemical used for removing stains from clothes, mistaking it for cough syrup. The incident occurred near Deepak Cinema in Jia Masoom Chawl, where the deceased, Sambhajit Rajai Dhobi, ran a small ironing shop. The NM Joshi Marg Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) in the case.

Speaking to the media report, Senior Inspector Arvind Chandanshive of NM Joshi Marg Police Station said the incident occurred on the night of June 25 around 11:00 pm, when Sambhaji mistakenly consumed the stain remover chemical that had been stored in a cough syrup bottle. The next morning, between 7 and 8 am, he began vomiting blood and was rushed to KEM Hospital for treatment. However, despite efforts, he was declared dead by doctors at 3:20 pm on June 26.

Police said Sambhaji, who also worked as a clothes washer, had kept the chemical used for stain removal in a bottle typically used for cough syrup, which led to the fatal confusion.

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