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Mumbai News: Footpaths For All! BMC Vows To Maintain 1M-Gap Between 2 Bollards

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Even as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) assured the Bombay High Court that it would maintain a gap of one metre between two bollards, which are set up at footpath entries and exits, the court questioned the unmindfulness of its officials who were overseeing the process.

Less Space poses difficulty for differently abled

The fact that less space between the bollards makes footpaths inaccessible for the differently abled and elderly, was brought to the notice of the Bombay High Court through an email by Karan Shah, a man who has been wheelchair bound since birth due to spinal muscular atrophy. In October, a bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor took suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the issue.

During the hearing on Wednesday, the BMC informed the bench that it had formulated a new policy on May 26 this year, to make footpaths more accessible to differently abled persons and elderly persons.

Senior advocate Anil Singh, appearing for the BMC, said that the new policy would permit selective entry to motorbikes and cycles and hence, a distance of one metre (39.37 inches) would be maintained between two bollards. This would allow easy access to wheelchairs too, since a wheelchair span is just over 22 inches, Singh said.

Corporation to conduct survey

The corporation is in the process of conducting surveys in all 24 wards of the city to track down discrepancies and fix them. So far, the survey has been completed in 12 wards, Singh added. Singh said that the process would take some time since a contractor/ s would have to be appointed after the survey, to fix the discrepancies.

Bench questions BMC Officials’ strategty

At this, the bench questioned how the BMC officials who had supervised the work at the time of setting up such bollards, could have been so unmindful. “Not that the corporation has not spent money. But how can your (BMC) officers be so unmindful? Contractors, as well as the officers, should be taken to task,” the CJ said.

Asking the civic body to stick to the policy meticulously, the court noted in its order: “He (Singh) submits that in all the wards of BMC, a survey is underway and reports are being prepared that if any lacunae are found in the design or state furniture, especially used by differently abled, appropriate steps will be taken.” “See to it that if such things are found, then the officer who is supervising should act,” added CJ.

The court has also asked the BMC to file an affidavit, stating the manner in which the footpath policy is being implemented and will hear the matter on February 7.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra Urdu Academy should be formed, funds and staff should be appointed for the promotion of Urdu language Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: Mumbai Maharashtra Legislative Assembly member Abu Asim Azmi has demanded the immediate formation of Urdu Academy to promote Urdu. He said that academies of other languages ​​including Gujarati and Marathi are active, but the condition of Urdu Academy is pathetic. Earlier there were 25 employees in this academy, but now only the superintendent is left. The remaining 24 have retired. The government needs to pay attention to the plight of Urdu.

The formation of this academy will promote Urdu. Azmi demanded that the Urdu Academy is facing difficulties due to the provision of funds. He said that the government allocates Rs 1 crore on paper, but this fund is not provided. Abu Asim Azmi said that Urdu is the language of our country. Whenever the Chief Minister or any other minister speaks in the House, they resort to Urdu poetry. But when it comes to the establishment of Urdu Academy and the development of Urdu language, the government is doing injustice

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Maharashtra

On the third day of Maharashtra Assembly, the opposition protested against the corruption of Rs 3000 crore.

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Mumbai: On the third day of Maharashtra Assembly in Mumbai, the opposition accused the ruling party of corruption and protested on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan, accusing the government of giving contracts to every company of its choice. The state’s construction and development department has given a contract of Rs 3000 crore to Mahagathbandhan government’s Megha Engineering Company. Many shortcomings have been found in the work of this company, but despite this it is dear to the government. Therefore, slogans were raised on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan that giving contract to this company is condemnable. Opposition members were also holding banner posters of contractor Megha Engineering, in which the picture of the owner of Megha Company was also visible. The opposition has intensified its protest against corruption in the Mahagathbandhan government. Shiv Sena opposition leader Ambadas Danve, Congress members and all parties including Congress protested loudly on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan and drew the attention of the government towards this.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai School Teacher Arrested Under POSCO Act For Sexually Assaulting Minor Student Multiple Times Over One Year

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Mumbai: A horrifying case has come forward from a well-known Mumbai school where a 40-year-old English teacher from a renowned Mumbai school was arrested under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old student multiple times over a year.

The attacks began after the teacher developed an attraction to the boy while organising dance groups for the school’s annual function in December 2023. Initial advances made in January 2024 were rebuffed by the student, prompting the teacher to enlist a friend to persuade him, claiming such relationships were common. Following this, the teacher picked the boy up, took him to a secluded location, and assaulted him.

According to a report by media, in the ensuing weeks, the teacher provided the student with anti-anxiety medication and arranged outings to luxury hotels, where they had several sexual encounters, often intoxicating him beforehand. The teacher’s arrest has shocked the school community.

The student’s behavioral changes raised concerns with his family, but they decided against reporting the incidents, hoping it would resolve on its own as he neared graduation. After leaving school earlier this year, the student fell into depression, and the situation escalated when the teacher attempted to contact him through the domestic staff. This prompted the family to file a complaint with the police.

Authorities have charged the teacher with penetrative sexual assault and related offenses under the POCSO Act and other relevant laws. The case underscores serious issues concerning student abuse within educational institutions. The teacher has been remanded in police custody until Wednesday, as investigations continue into this disturbing incident involving a minor.

Similar Incident

In another incident a mathematics teacher in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing 24 girl students in classes VIII to X last week. Complaints to the principal led to the teacher’s suspension and subsequent police custody. The Director of School Education initiated an inquiry due to the seriousness of the situation, tasking the Deputy Director of Elementary Education with gathering information promptly. The teacher now faces charges under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO provisions, reflecting the education department’s urgency in addressing these allegations.

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