1. Tata Power Loses Water Resource to Bhima Basin
Tata Power’s major source of power generation may soon dry up, as the state government has decided to divert water from its hydropower stations in Pune district towards the Bhima basin which falls in the rainshadow area and is therefore water deficient. In this regard, the state has appointed a nine-member committee, including a Tata Power representative, to suggest how this water can be diverted in a phased manner and made potable, besides being used for irrigation. The committee has been directed to submit its report in three months.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
2. ‘Allot Land for Dumping Ground in Two Months’
The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the state government to identify and allot a new garbage dumping plot to the BMC within two months. Taking note of the increased pressure on Deonar and Mulund dumping grounds, the division bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Riyaz Chagla said it was the government’s obligation to ensure that the BMC is able to effectively implement the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management rules.
“We direct the state to identify a vacant land which is free of any legal disputes within a period of two months and allot the same to the civic body,” said the bench.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
3. Muslim Kranti Morcha Formed to Press for 10% Reservation in Maharashtra
In the wake of the ongoing Maratha agitation for reservations, the Muslim community has formed the Muslim Kranti Morcha to demand 10 per cent reservation for the community in jobs and education. The community will also launch agitations, hunger strikes and silent marches to push for the quota.
The Congress-NCP government had given 5 per cent reservation to Muslims in education and jobs in 2014. The Bombay High Court had upheld the reservation in education, but did not allow it in jobs. After the BJP-led government took power in the state, it did not re-promulgate the ordinance that gave Muslims reservations in education, which had lapsed.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
4. Support Cast: The Band of 40
Pushed to a tight corner over issues such as the Maratha reservation protests and the Rafale deal, the Devendra Fadnavis government is now banking on 40 voices to defend itself.
The BJP held a three-day workshop for 40 party functionaries, MLAs and corporators from across the state at the Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini in Uttan last weekend with the objective of training fresh faces to counter the allegations lobbed at the government and promote its welfare schemes.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
5. Man Held for Raping Actress Was Linked to Flesh Trade
A businessman arrested for allegedly defrauding a veteran actress of crores and sexually assaulting her was linked to a prostitution racket in 2012, according to a chargesheet filed by the Mumbai Crime Branch recently.
The over 400-page chargesheet, submitted after an inquiry into the actress’s accusations, also claims that the accused cheated many other people, including an NRI, to fund his expensive lifestyle, which comprised a gambling habit, hotel stays and visits to dance bars.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
6. Doctors Tring in the Change
Doctors in the state have decided to stop consultations over the phone to prevent mistakes that can cost a patient his life and them their careers.
The Maharashtra chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has issued an advisory to doctors to avoid phone consultations. The advisory says that only in grave emergencies, and that too when the doctor is aware of the concerned patient’s medical history, should advice be dispensed over the phone.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
7. Bombay High Court Reunites Hindu Girl With Muslim Foster Family
The Bombay high court recently reunited a 14-year-old Hindu girl with the four-member Muslim family that brought her up ever since her biological mother abandoned her.
Justice Gautam Patel ignored the biological mother’s plea for her custody primarily on the ground that the woman was involved in some immoral activity. The girl was handed over the foster family on July 24.
The Muslim family approached the high court, seeking guardianship of the girl. They contended that she had been living with them and has been taken care of as a family member since her biological mother abandoned her and moved to Kanpur.
Source: Hindustan Times
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