Mumbai: The Maharashtra government will set up a media monitoring centre to analyse news content of the print, electronic and digital media, and has allocated a budget of Rs 10 crore for the purpose.

The centre will collect and analyse all factual and misleading news reports in print and broadcast media, and prepare a factual report, according to a government resolution (GR) published on Wednesday.

If there is a piece of misleading news, it will be clarified in real-time. If there is a piece of negative news, clarification will be given expeditiously, it said.

Why The Govt Felt The Need?

The requirement for the centre was felt because of the growth of publications, channels and digital platforms, and there was a need for monitoring under one umbrella how the news related to government schemes, policies is given, the government order said.

The centre, to work from 8 am to 10 pm every day, will be handled by the Directorate of Information and Publicity.

The government has given the administrative and financial approval for setting up the centre, the GR said.

A professional consultant will be hired to collect government-related news in PDF format. The news will be bifurcated into categories like positive, negative news, departments, issues, incidents and individuals.

During monitoring of the electronic media content, the consultant would provide hourly alerts about trends, mood and tone of the news content.

The consultant will be hired through an e-tender process for a period of one year.

The Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR) is authorised to extend the consultant’s term to two years if the work is found to be satisfactory.

The term should not exceed more than three years, the GR said.

Mumbai: Mumbai Police is on alert in view of Ramadan and Holi. Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar has claimed that special security arrangements have been made in Muslim-dominated areas in view of Ramadan. He said that the police have paid special attention to Iftar bazaars, mosques and Muslim-dominated areas in Mumbai and have tightened the security here. Also, there is a hustle and bustle till late night during Ramadan. In such a situation, the police keep a special watch on the markets. He said that markets are decorated in Bhindi Bazaar and JJ Pydhonie areas and Muslims come here for Sehri and Iftar.

There is also a traffic problem during Ramadan, and instructions have been issued to the traffic police. Iftar bazaars come during Asr and Maghrib and in such a situation there is a crowd in the markets. Therefore, deployment of police personnel has been ensured to prevent any untoward incident. He said that in the suburban areas of Kurla, Sakinaka, Jogeshwari, Andheri, Malad and Maloni, there is a crowd in the markets during Ramadan, which also causes traffic problems, but the traffic department has been instructed to take necessary measures so that no one is inconvenienced by the traffic.

Along with the traffic police, the civic police have also been ordered to remain alert. Mumbai Police is also keeping an eye on social media and miscreants. If anyone tries to spoil the atmosphere, strict action will be taken against him. This warning has also been given by Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar. He said that fasting and upvaas are similar to each other and fasting has been mentioned in every religion. Similarly, fasting means remembering and worshiping the Supreme Father, the Supreme Soul and the subject. Similarly, fasting is a means of getting closer to God.

Vivek Phansalkar has said that Holika Dahan will be celebrated on March 13 and Holi will be played on the 14th. During this, special security arrangements have been made at religious places and mosques. Also, the police will keep an eye on miscreants and those who misbehave and harass women. A list of criminals has also been prepared. He said that the festival of Ramzan and Holi will be celebrated peacefully in Mumbai city. If any miscreant tries to disrupt it, action will be taken against him.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar was asked whether false complaints are also lodged regarding loudspeakers, to which the commissioner said that action is taken only after receiving the complaint and its verification. If there is a false complaint, it is investigated whether the complaint is true or not. He said that it is mandatory to implement the guidelines of the Supreme Court and the police is trying to implement them. He said that loudspeakers have been allowed only up to a certain limit, but if anyone violates the noise pollution rules, action will be taken against him.

Mumbai: Former Zonal Director of Central Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Sameer Wankhede has got a big relief from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). CAT has described his transfer and transfer as arbitrary and against the policy of his own department, after which now Sameer Wankhede’s return to Mumbai is certain. Sameer Wankhede had to face departmental inquiry after complaints of irregularities in the Aryan Khan case. Cases were also registered against him in CBI and ED. Along with this, Mumbai Police also registered an FIR in the case of extortion, which was later canceled.

CAT’s comment about Sameer Wankhede found that action was taken against him on the basis of prejudice in the department. Sameer Wankhede was transferred from Directorate General of Analysis and Risk Management, Mumbai to Directorate General of Taxpayer Services, Chennai by an order issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes on May 30, 2022. Wankhede started his first posting in the department in 2010 and was in Mumbai. The tribunal has said that his service period has been in various agencies like NCB, DRI, Central Excise and NIA and he has worked on deputation beyond the tenure. He has worked on deputation for a period of 6 years and 8 months.

In the case of Shahrukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan, Sameer Wankhede was accused of extortion and bribery and an investigation was also conducted in this matter. At the same time, the NCB closed Aryan Khan’s case on the basis of weak evidence. At the same time, an investigation was also started against Sameer Wankhede and his subordinate officers. After the investigation, all of them were given a clean chit.