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Plea against Delimitation Commission in Jammu and Kashmir, Supreme Court seeks Centre, Election Commission response

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The Supreme Court on Friday sought reply from the Centre, the Jammu and Kashmir administration, and the Election Commission (EC), on a plea against the constitution of the Delimitation Commission to redraw the Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies in the Union Territory.

Counsel representing the petitioners submitted before a bench headed by Sanjay Kishan Kaul that the delimitation exercise, which was carried out recently, was contrary to the scheme of the Constitution, as the alteration of boundaries could not be done.

The bench, also comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh, then asked counsel why the petitioners did not challenge the constitution of the Commission, which was formed some time ago. As counsel contended it is the Election Commission, as per delimitation order, which is empowered to do any changes, the bench further queried from the petitioners’ counsel as to why his clients did not challenge the formation of the Commission itself?

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the plea contends that delimitation can be conducted only by the EC and not the Delimitation Commission.

While objecting to some submissions, the bench told counsel that Kashmir was always part of India and just a special provision was removed.

Mehta said their case is that after Article 370 is gone, the census will only take place in 2026. He further added that delimitations are of two types: one based on geography done by the Delimitation Commission, and the other, by the Election Commission in connection with reservation of seats.

The petitioner’ counsel further argued that the government will place the delimitation order before Parliament, which would further complicate the matter. To this, the bench asked why the petitioners didn’t take it up two years ago.

After hearing the arguments, the top court issued notice to the Centre, J&K administration, and the poll panel, giving them six weeks to file their response, and scheduled the matter for further hearing on August 30.

The plea moved by Haji Abdul Gani Khan and Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mattoo, both residents of Kashmir, sought directions seeking a declaration that increase of number of seats from 107 to 114 in Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir is ultra vires the constitutional provisions such as Articles 81, 82, 170, 330, and 332 and statutory provisions particularly under section 63 of the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

The plea also urged the top court to issue to direction to declare notification issued on March 6, 2020, constituting the Delimitation Commission to take up delimitation in the UT of J&K and states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland is violative of Article 14 of the Constitution.

“In fact, in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, the census operation was completed in 2001, but the delimitation was done in 1995. Even on this count, the entire process adopted is unconstitutional as there is no population census operation during 2011 at all for Jammu and Kashmir,” said the plea.

The plea argued that if August 5, 2019 was to unite the Jammu and Kashmir state with India, then the delimitation process defeats the “new order” of one nation and one Constitution in the country. It said: “While Article 170 of the Constitution of India provides that the next delimitation in the country will be taken up after 2026, why has the UT of Jammu and Kashmir been singled out?”

Maharashtra

Mumbai Municipal Corporation: Incinerator facility for cremation of small animals and birds will soon be available at the Tata Trust-run Animal Hospital

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Mumbai: A 50 kg per hour cremation system (Aatsh Kada) for the cremation of small animals and birds has been set up at the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Tata Trusts Animal Hospital and is now ready for operation. The facility will enable safe and eco-friendly disposal of animal carcasses, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr (Summit) Ashwini Joshi said on Tuesday. Assistant Commissioner (South) Swapna Kashirsagar, Head of Veterinary Health Department Dr Kalimpasha Pathan, Director of the Hospital Mehrnoosh Kapadia, Head of Hospital Administration and Services Maj Gen Pramod Batra and others were present on the occasion. Various initiatives are being implemented by the Veterinary Health Department of Mumbai Municipal Corporation to enhance animal welfare services. For this purpose, a small animal hospital is being run by Tata Trusts in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation in Mahalaxmi. The four-storey hospital has four well-equipped operating theatres, a separate surgery department with expert veterinary surgeons, a treatment capacity of about 200 animals, general ward, ICU and high dependency unit, state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities like MRI, CT scan, X-ray, ultrasonography, ED labology and ED lab. It also has special treatment facilities like blood bank, dentistry, dermatology, ophthalmology, endoscopy, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy for animals. Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwani Joshi said on the occasion that it is the leading hospital in the country with multi-purpose service facilities, state-of-the-art diagnostic and small animal treatment facilities under one roof. Such state-of-the-art veterinary facilities have given a big boost to the veterinary healthcare system in Mumbai. Standard facilities for the treatment of pets and small animals have been provided. The hospital has also made arrangements for the scientific disposal of animal carcasses and bio-medical waste. An incinerator system with a capacity of 50 kg per hour has been set up for the cremation of small animals and birds and is now ready for operation. This facility will enable safe and environmentally friendly disposal of animal carcasses. He added that it will also have significant public health benefits.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Pay outstanding water bill before March 31, 2026, otherwise water connection will be disconnected: Municipal Corporation

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Mumbai: The Municipal Corporation is providing regular water supply to the citizens and the Municipal Corporation administration is appealing to all water connection holders to pay the pending water bills before March 31, 2026. It has also been warned that if the pending water bill is not paid within the stipulated time, the water connection will be disconnected. The Water Engineering Department of the Municipal Corporation has launched a comprehensive campaign for the recovery of outstanding water bills. Keeping this in mind, facilities have been provided at the civic amenities center at the nearest department office. In addition, water bills can be paid on the Municipal Corporation website https://aquaptax.mcgm.gov.in. By visiting this website, citizens can view their water bill information and make payments by logging in to the water department. Apart from this, the facility of paying water bills through digital channels like NEFT, online payment, mobile app is also available. If the pending water bill is not paid within the stipulated time i.e. before 31st March 2026, then action can be taken to disconnect the concerned water connection under Section 279 (1) (a) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. Water connection holders who have not received their water bills should contact their administrative department office (ward office). The Municipal Corporation is also providing information that citizens can obtain a copy of the water bill from the Municipal Corporation’s Aqua website or from the office of the concerned Assistant Engineer (Water Works).

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Anti-trespass action taken by IMC at 13 unauthorized shops in Goregaon (Maghribi) area.

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Mumbai: Additional constructions of 3 shops on Swami Vivekananda Marg and 10 shops on 5D Road in Goregaon (West) were evicted today (March 10, 2026) by the ‘P’ department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-4) Smt. Bhagya Shri Kapse, and Assistant Commissioner (P South Division) Aniruddha Kulkarni.

It was found that unauthorized constructions on Swami Vivekananda Marg and 5D Road in Goregaon (West) were creating obstacles for pedestrians. In this backdrop, the Conservation, Encroachment Removal and Licensing Department, working under the ‘P South’ administrative division (ward) of the Municipal Corporation, jointly launched a drive. During this operation, 3 unauthorized constructions on Swami Vivekananda Marg were evicted. In addition, unauthorized additional constructions of 10 shops on 5D Road were removed. During this, eviction action was also taken against unauthorized hawkers in the area.

The action team included 5 officers and 25 employees of the Conservation, Encroachment Removal and Licensing Department working under the ‘P-South’ administrative division. 1 JCB, 1 truck, 1 cargo vehicle, gas cutter etc. were used for the operation. Adequate security was deployed by Bangur Nagar Police Station at that time.

Meanwhile, the administration is making it clear that regular action will continue against unauthorized constructions and unauthorized hawkers.

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