Kolkata, Aug 2: Following the instructions of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, the Enforcement Branch and Kolkata Police raided various markets across the state, including Kolkata, on Sunday to keep vegetable prices under check after rates skyrocketed in the last few weeks.

Enforcement Branch officials raided Shyambazar, Kole Market, Garia Bazaar, and Jadu Babur Bazar in Kolkata. In addition, local officials visited various markets across the state and spoke to sellers and buyers to understand the market situation.

They asked the vegetable sellers about the prices they were selling. An official said, “A few of our teams have gone out. They are saying that the prices are the same in the different markets. But monitoring is being done to ensure that prices do not vary from one market to another.”

On the other hand, the police also checked the markets in several districts.

The Kolaghat block administration and Panshkura Purba MLA, Subrata Maity, made a surprise visit to vegetable markets and fertiliser shops in Deulia Bazar and Kolaghat areas of East Midnapore district.

The MLA inquired whether potatoes, onions and other vegetables were being sold at the correct price in shops. He also talked to the sellers. After that, the officials went to the local fruit markets and fertiliser shops. They inquired from the farmers whether the fertiliser was being charged at high rates.

The Enforcement Branch also raided the Kachari market in Baruipur of South 24 Parganas district. Officers from the Baruipur Police Station, Baruipur Municipality and Baruipur BDO office were present during the operation.

The operation was also conducted in Shantipur of Nadia district.

Traders and sellers said that the price of vegetables soared due to continuous rain in July and a shortage of supply.

However, there were allegations of price manipulation in the wholesale and retail markets. Papaya and pumpkin were not available below Rs 30. In some places, these are being sold at Rs 40 per kilogram. Brinjal was selling at over Rs 80 to Rs 90 per kilogram. Two days ago, the prices were even higher. Green chillies were being sold at Rs 200 per kilogram, while tomatoes were being sold at Rs 115 to Rs 120 per kilogram. However, many said prices generally increase during the monsoon season, and then come down as the season ends.

Bhopal, Aug 2: The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has intensified its crackdown on illegal commercial activities operating from residential buildings across the city.

As of now, the civic body has issued 1,018 notices to such establishments, with the highest number—429—served in the Arera Colony and Bawadiya Kalan areas, officials said on Saturday.

Officials have made it clear that units failing to comply with regulations despite receiving notices will face sealing.

City Planner Anil Tatwade of the BMC said that the action is being carried out across the entire city.

“This action will take place across the whole of Bhopal. It has just begun from Arera Colony and will also be carried out in Rohit Nagar. Surveys are being conducted everywhere. Data is being collected from all locations wherein there are commercial properties, if they have permission for commercial properties or is it a residential area, whether they have changed the land use… Then action will be taken as per Supreme Court guidelines,” he told media.

To ensure smooth conduct of the operation and prevent any untoward incidents, around 100 police personnel were deployed alongside the Municipal Corporation’s anti-encroachment squad.

The police and municipal teams worked jointly throughout the drive.

Traders’ associations have appealed to hotels, restaurants, showrooms, and other business owners to keep their establishments closed until the next Supreme Court hearing scheduled for August 4.

However, municipal officials reported that some traders reopened their shops after the teams had left the area.

Municipal Corporation Deputy Commissioner Bhuvan Gupta clarified that the entire operation is being conducted strictly in accordance with Supreme Court directives.

He noted that all building owners had already been issued notices as per the rules.

Most traders voluntarily halted their business activities, while sealing action was taken against those who failed to comply.

The BMC has reiterated that the drive will continue city-wide, with surveys and data collection ongoing in various localities to identify unauthorised commercial use of residential properties.

Officials emphasised that strict action, including sealing of non-compliant establishments, will follow wherever violations persist.

The civic body aims to enforce land-use regulations uniformly and restore the residential character of affected neighbourhoods.

Mumbai, July 31: Seven families were cheated of Rs 68.50 lakh on the promise of securing government jobs for their children, with the accused claiming to have influential contacts in the Maharashtra Mantralaya (State Secretariat). The Azad Maidan Police have registered a fraud case and launched a search for the accused.

According to Mumbai Police, a major fraud involving the collection of lakhs of rupees from multiple families under the pretext of providing government employment has come to light in the city. Acting on complaints filed by the victims, the Azad Maidan Police have booked two accused persons for cheating and criminal breach of trust.

Among the victims is a retired Sister-in-Charge from GT Hospital. Police said the accused collectively swindled Rs 68.50 lakh from seven families over several years by promising government jobs.

Investigators revealed that the scam dates back to 2014. The complainant was searching for employment opportunities for her son when Suryakant Nivrutti Magre, a neighbour and colleague residing in the GT Hospital staff quarters, approached her with an offer. Magre allegedly claimed that his relative, Yogesh Jagannath Patankar, worked at the Mantralaya and had considerable influence in securing government appointments.

The accused promised to obtain a Senior Clerk position in a government department for the complainant’s son and demanded Rs 5 lakh in return. Trusting Magre because of their professional and personal association, the complainant paid the amount in instalments between April and December 2014. Police said she even mortgaged her jewellery to arrange the money.

After receiving the payment, the accused allegedly continued delaying the appointment process. On December 10, 2019, the complainant’s son was sent to a Primary Health Centre in Khalapur for what was described as a mandatory medical examination. Upon reaching the centre, the family discovered that several other candidates and their parents had also been called for similar tests.

However, no appointment letters were issued. The accused allegedly continued making excuses, citing administrative delays and later the COVID-19 pandemic. As years passed without any progress, the victims realised they had been cheated.

Further investigation revealed that six other families had fallen victim to the same scheme, resulting in a total loss of Rs 68.50 lakh. The Azad Maidan Police have recorded statements from the victims and intensified efforts to trace and arrest the accused.