Mumbai: To address the growing concerns of gig, part-time and platform workers regarding fair wages, social security, and protection from exploitative practices, Samajwadi Party MLA from Bhiwandi East, Raees Sheikh, introduced a private member’s bill in the Legislative Assembly on Friday, July 3. Introducing the bill, MLA Raees Sheikh said that the “Maharashtra Gig and Platform (Online) Workers Rights and Protection Bill, 2026” imposes strict compliance obligations on platform companies. The bill proposes the establishment of a regulatory board to ensure social security for workers and monitor their welfare. In the state, part-time and platform workers, including delivery partners and drivers, have staged several strikes and protests demanding fair wages, social security, and protection against exploitative practices. Through these protests, they have highlighted issues like unsafe working conditions, lack of social security, algorithmic exploitation, and arbitrary punishments.

MLA Raees Sheikh added that while the existing labour laws including the Social Security Code (2020) provide a national legal framework for workers, the central code lacks provisions on state-level implementation, wage protection, algorithmic transparency, and grievance redressal. Therefore, a comprehensive state-level framework is necessary to protect gig and platform workers in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra leads the country in the number of registered platform workers (134,705), followed by Uttar Pradesh (130,505) and Bihar (109,207). A 2022 NITI Aayog report estimated India’s workforce at 7.7 million, which is expected to increase to 20 million by 2029-30. Consequently, speaking to the media outside the House, MLA Raees Sheikh urged the government to convert the Private Member’s Bill policy into a government bill and ensure protection for temporary employees.

Mumbai: In the backdrop of continuous heavy rains in Mumbai, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde today (July 3, 2026) conducted a self-inspection of various areas of Ward No. 132 (Ghatkopar East). The Mayor, along with the administrative officials, inspected various places and gave necessary instructions so that the citizens do not face any kind of trouble due to heavy rains and appropriate measures should be taken immediately for this.

Local MLA Prag Shah, Corporator Dharmesh Giri and concerned officers and engineers of the N Division Office of the Municipal Corporation were present during the inspection.

Mayor Ritu Tawde paid special attention to the rapid drainage of rainwater in the low-lying and very low-lying areas of Ghatkopar East. During today’s visit, she gave the following important instructions and directions.

Orders were given to construct new drains for water drainage outside all the buildings and to install concrete covers on the manholes as part of the redevelopment in the entire constituency. He said that the construction of a new drain outside the Ruparel building near Sankalp Sewa should be started immediately. New pipes will be made to drain the water accumulated outside the buildings. Mayor Ritu Tawde also directed to install a dhapa cover on the footpath of Vidya Bhavan Road, Bhajan Samaj Marg (opposite Gurudwara Palace). The Mayor said that a new rainwater drain should be installed near Dr. Hedgewar Udayan, so that the rainwater flowing from the road is stopped and flows directly into the storm drain. He directed to install nets and covers on the pipes along the footpath at various places on Pushpa Vihar Marg.

A new manhole should be constructed at the entrance of Pragati Chili and a safe cover should be installed. Besides, safety railings should be installed on both sides of the drain behind Pragati Chili. Apart from this, Mayor Ritu Tawde directed to make a safe path for citizens to cross the drain and go to the toilet and to install safety railings on it.

Meanwhile, to avoid congestion due to parking on both sides of Nath Pai Road, he directed the Traffic Police Department to enforce ‘no parking’ here and provide safe ‘crossing’ for pedestrians under the Metro Flyover. The Mayor directed the Parks Department to plan to develop a beautiful garden on private land at the Garodia Nagar Federation site through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. He also directed to keep the roots of trees clean so that the trees are not damaged due to road works. Along with this, the Mayor directed the concerned department to start the dog vaccination and disinfection campaign as soon as possible to control the problem of dogs.

During the monsoon season, the safety and convenience of citizens is the top priority of the Municipal Corporation. The ward I represent has many low-lying areas. Mayor Ritu Tawde said that the local administration is working with full capacity to ensure quick drainage of rainwater and the infrastructure works are of good quality. Mayor Ritu Tawde, MLA Prag Shah, Corporator Dharmesh Giri and other public representatives, as well as officers and employees, were inspecting the roads in heavy rain. The local citizens welcomed the inspection. The citizens expressed hope that all the directed works will be completed soon.

Mumbai: During the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, there was a heated debate on the proposed Manori desalination project (a project to make seawater drinkable) to address Mumbai’s water shortage. Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi raised several important public questions in the House. Regarding the project, which is being built at an estimated cost of ₹ 4,077 crore, Abu Asim Azmi asked the government when the actual work on the project would begin and whether it would be completed within the stipulated time (48 months). He also sought clarification on the operation and maintenance costs of the project and its impact on the water bills of Mumbai residents. Industries Minister Uday Samant, while answering these important questions in the House, provided information about the current status of the project.