To Be Or Not To Be With BJP: Shiv Sena Dilemma
In the wake of the Assembly elections in three states, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost to the Congress, their ally Shiv Sena is now weighing its options. Their biggest concern: Will the vote against the BJP sink its ship too? This, according to political observers, is expected to make the party more aggressive against the BJP in the coming days.
The party’s cautious response to the Congress’ victory in the Hindi belt and a carefully calibrated statement by Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday indicated the party was wary of the revival of the Congress. The party spokesperson described the results as a reflection of the anger of the people against the BJP, and not a victory of the Congress.
Source: Hindustan Times
Forest minister Mungantiwar Files Criminal Defamation Complaint Against Congress Chief Sanjay Nirupam
Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar on Thursday filed a criminal defamation complaint against Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam in a Chandrapur court for the latter’s alleged remark against the minister last month in the wake of the shooting of tigress T1 in Yavatmal.
“Nirupam had held a press conference on November 10, where he made several allegations against the finance minister regarding the shooting of T1 in the Pandarkawda area of Yavatmal district. He stated in the conference that the minister is a part of the illegal international syndicates involved in wildlife trade. He further stated that the minister has a dubious record of saving the forest, and that under his regime, there has been a lot of destruction in the forests of Maharashta,” Mungantiwar’s lawyer Kartik Shukul said.
Source: The Indian Express
Aarey Fire: Can’t Rule Out Suspicious Activity, Says Fire Brigade
The Mumbai Fire Brigade’s probe into the fire that broke out near Aarey Milk Colony on December 3 has not uncovered what specifically caused the blaze, but says suspicious activity cannot be ruled out. The report describes the cause of the fire as “doubtful” and says that it may be reviewed in the future if more evidence surfaces. The incident will now be investigated by the Mumbai Police.
On December 3, a fire broke out at 6.21pm behind New Mhada Colony at Goregaon (East) and took almost 14 hours to be completely doused. There were no casualties. Chief fire officer PS Rahangdale said, “Since the fire did not spread to Aarey land, we have only investigated the private plot where the fire was confined.”
Source: Hindustan Times
Parsis Set To Hit The Streets To Save Their Fire Temples
The city's Parsi community is not ready to give up on their fight to protect the fire temples from the Metro construction work. After facing disappointment in the Supreme Court, which has allowed Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) to continue with the tunneling work under the Anjuman and Wadiaji Atash Behrams, members of Save Our Atash Behrams have decided to hold a peace march next week in support of the cause.
They have reached out to Parsis in other parts of the country and other communities, who have been similarly affected by Metro work.
Source: Midday
Measles-Rubella Immunisation Drive: Control Room Set Up To Track Cases Of Adverse Reactions To Vaccine
The state government started a special control room on Wednesday to monitor cases of adverse reactions reported from districts where the measles-rubella vaccination drive is underway.
According to data available, so far, 1.27 crore children have been immunised. Over 200 cases of adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) have been reported across Maharashtra, said Dr Sanjeev Kamble, director of Directorate of Health Services (DHS). “None are serious so far. A majority of the cases are mild and were managed at the out-patient department level,” he added
Source: The Indian Express
Agencies Told To Mark 50 Metre Buffer Zones For Mumbai’s Mangroves
Three months after the Bombay HC directed the state to take steps to preserve mangroves, the suburban collector’s office issued directions to various departments to begin demarcating 50-metre buffer zone, identified as coastal regulation zone (CRZ) I, along mangrove forests.
The district administration has asked agencies including Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada), revenue officers, Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to plot the 50-metre buffer area on maps and later, physically demarcate them on ground.
Source: Hindustan Times
Biometric Attendance For Corporators Soon
The BMC on Thursday cleared a proposal for biometric attendance for corporators. Currently, corporators sign a register outside the BMC meeting hall when they attend meetings.
"But some corporators just sign the register and leave. This will not be possible when the biometrics system is operational as their 'in time' and 'out time' would be registered," said a civic source.
Source: The Times of India
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