Mumbai: A Mira Road-based housing society lifted an abrupt ban on animal feeding inside the society premises, marking a significant victory for animal rights and local volunteers. The move follows two scathing notices from the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) and the District Animal Husbandry Department, which labelled the society’s actions as illegal and cruel.

A few animal-loving residents of Man Opus society in Mira Road (E) wrote to the MBMC alleging that the society’s managing committee was harassing feeders, blocking access, and erecting illegal signage prohibiting the feeding of animals within the premises.

The boards, which directed residents against littering, smoking, spitting and speeding inside the society compound, also restricted feeding dogs, cats or pigeons and barred animals from soiling the premises.

The first blow to the society’s restrictive stance came from the MBMC’s veterinary officer following the residents’ complaints. Through a letter dated December 12, the corporation clarified that under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, and guidelines from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), stray dogs cannot be relocated and feeding cannot be prohibited. The notice also stated that people violating these instructions would be penalised.

Calling the boards illegal, the civic body directed the society’s managing committee to remove them within seven days and warned of action if it failed to comply. However, residents alleged that the management did not make the required changes, which led a local animal activist, Pallavi Patil, to approach the Department of Animal Husbandry.

Pressure intensified on December 22, when Dr Vallabh Joshi, district deputy commissioner of animal husbandry and member secretary of the SPCA Thane, issued a comprehensive legal warning to the society’s chairman and secretary. The notice described the society’s attempts to block feeders as “taking the law into their own hands”.

The department reminded the management that feeding animals is a fulfilment of a civic duty and that any fines demanded from feeders by the society are completely illegal and unenforceable. It also added that housing societies cannot pass internal bylaws or resolutions to ban animals or feeders, regardless of a majority vote, as such rules contravene national law.

Rather than merely lifting the ban, the animal husbandry department ordered Man Opus society to take proactive steps to facilitate animal welfare. Citing the ABC Rules and Supreme Court directives, it directed the society to form a committee to identify and designate specific feeding spots within the premises, along with the installation of new signage clearly marking these areas to prevent further disputes.

The notice also warned the society’s management that any further harassment of animals or their caretakers could lead to criminal prosecution.

Following the strongly worded notice, Man Opus society has withdrawn the instructions and covered the boards with paint. However, residents said the society has yet to decide on feeding spots.

Ashok Pandey, who claimed that the signages were placed only in general areas such as entry, exit and podiums, which have regular movement of people and vehicles.

While he said he was unaware of any letter from the district animal husbandry department, he added that the society has covered the instructions and has invited the veterinary officer for inspection and guidance.

“We are not anti-animals; even I have a pet at my house, but that does not mean that I feed animals anywhere. Every day we used to find unconsumed pieces of chicken and other food items in the society premises. Ours is a cosmopolitan society and we need to ensure that everyone’s religious sentiments are respected,” Pandey said.

Hemal Patel, animal welfare officer and legal advocate with the Pure Animal Lovers (PAL) Foundation, said, “Feeding of animals is a fundamental right. If any individual or society federation stops or harasses an animal feeder, such action is illegal, and strict action shall be taken against the concerned society or persons. If such harassment does not stop, appropriate and strict legal action will be initiated through proper legal channels.”

New Delhi, Dec 27: India has ramped up electronics production six-fold and is the second largest mobile manufacturing country in the world, Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday.

In multiple posts on social media platform X, Vaishnaw said that the country has increased electronic exports eightfold over the past 11 years, mainly driven by policy support from the Production Linked Incentive Scheme.

The PLI scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing has attracted over Rs 13,475 crore in investment and helped achieve production of about Rs 9.8 lakh crore in the electronics sector, driving manufacturing, jobs, and exports, he said.

Vaishnaw highlighted that “over 1.3 lakh jobs were created in the last five years and that electronics is now India’s third‑largest export category, climbing from seventh place”.

He said the country was initially focusing on finished products, but the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme supported a shift to “building capacity for modules, components, sub-modules, raw materials, and the machines that make them.”

The Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme has 249 applications representing Rs 1.15 lakh crore in investment, Rs 10.34 lakh crore in production, and creating 1.42 lakh jobs, the post said, adding it is the highest-ever investment commitment in India’s electronics sector, indicating industry confidence.

Vaishnaw also noted progress in the semiconductor sector, saying ten units have been approved, with three already in pilot or early production. The minister said that “fabs and ATMPs from India will soon supply chips to phone and electronics manufacturers”.

“Electronics manufacturing created 25 lakh jobs in the last decade. This is the real economic growth at the grassroots level,” the minister said.

“As we scale semiconductors and component manufacturing, job creation will accelerate. From finished products to components, production is growing. Exports are rising. Global players are confident. Indian companies are competitive. Jobs are being created. This is ‘Make in India’ impact story!” he noted.

Chennai, Dec 27: In an effort to ensure maximum inclusion in the electoral process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a series of special voter registration camps across Tamil Nadu to enable eligible citizens to enrol in the electoral rolls or correct their details.

The announcement follows the publication of the draft electoral roll for the state on December 19, after the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

According to the Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Archana Patnaik, more than 97 lakh names were removed from the draft voter list during the revision exercise. Of these, around 66 lakh voters were identified as having shifted their place of residence. The remaining deletions were due to reasons such as duplication, death, or ineligibility.

Voters whose names were removed have been given a one-month window to re-enrol, with January 18 set as the final date for submitting applications.

In response to the large number of omissions and to ensure no eligible voter is left out, the Election Commission has announced a four-day special voter registration drive across the state.

The first phase of the special camp is being held on Saturday and Sunday, followed by another round on January 3 and January 4. These camps will be conducted at all polling stations across Tamil Nadu, covering approximately 75,000 booths.

During these special camps, eligible citizens can apply for inclusion of their names in the electoral roll by submitting Form 6. They can also apply for corrections in personal details or for the transposition of their names if they have shifted their residence within the constituency.

According to officials, 1,68,825 applications have already been received for inclusion of new voters since the publication of the draft roll. The Chief Electoral Officer has urged all eligible citizens, particularly those whose names were excluded from the draft list, to make full use of this opportunity. She emphasised that accurate and updated electoral rolls are crucial for ensuring free, fair, and inclusive elections.

Election officials will be present at all polling stations during the special camp days to assist applicants, verify documents, and facilitate the smooth processing of forms.

Citizens have also been encouraged to verify their details through the online voter portal and take corrective action before the final electoral roll is published.