The VB Nagar police have now added additional charges of attempt to murder and rioting in the case of a 21-year-old man who was allegedly beaten and set on fire by his childhood friends during his birthday celebration in the early hours of November 25. The five accused, all aged between 18 and 21, have been booked under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with provisions related to unlawful assembly and rioting, police said. The case relates to an incident in which five youths allegedly dragged their 21-year-old childhood friend, Abdul Khan, out of his residence, assaulted him with stones and wooden sticks, and set his clothes on fire during his birthday celebration in the early hours of November 25. Earlier, at the time of registration of the FIR, police had invoked only Section 110 of the BNS (attempt to commit culpable homicide), which carries a maximum punishment of three years’ imprisonment. Police said the decision to add the more stringent charge of attempt to murder, which attracts imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine, was taken after the victim gave an additional statement, citing the extent of the injuries he continues to suffer. “It was the victim’s insistence, coupled with the medical assessment of his burn injuries, that led to the additional sections in the FIR,” a police official said. The victim’s supplementary statement was submitted through his lawyers, advocate Mahesh Vinod Rajpopat and advocate Akshit Devendra Kothari, who appeared before the court on his behalf as complainants. Five accuses arrested The five accused — Ayaz Malik, Ayan Malik, Salman Chaudhary, Ajjubaila Khan and Sarif Shaikh, aged between 18 and 21 — were earlier arrested immediately after filing the FIR. The accused and the victim, Abdul Khan, were childhood friends who grew up in the same locality. According to the police, the accused reached Khan’s residence around midnight with a cake to celebrate his birthday. Shortly after stepping out of the building following the celebration, a sudden quarrel broke out. During interrogation, the accused claimed the incident occurred while they were “having fun”, describing it as “masti masti mein”. Police, however, said the exact trigger for the assault was initially unclear. Further interrogation of the accused and a detailed statement recorded from the victim later revealed what police described as a deep-seated motive driven by jealousy and resentment. The police official investigating the case said that Khan was considered the most good-looking among the group and often received attention from women, which allegedly irked the accused. Police further asserted that one of the accused was particularly upset after a woman he was interested in rejected him and showed a preference for Khan. “This anger built up over time. The intention was to disfigure him by setting him on fire so that he would become less approachable to women,” a police official said, adding that this established a clear motive and intent behind the brutal assault. The attack allegedly began around 12:10 am, when the group dragged Khan outside his home, assaulted him with stones and wooden sticks, and set his clothes on fire using a lighter. Two of the accused allegedly ignited his clothes, while the others continued beating him, police said. As flames spread across his chest, arms and face, Khan screamed for help and ran towards a nearby water tap. Neighbours rushed him to the hospital, where he is still undergoing treatment for serious burn injuries.
15 December,2025 02:09 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerFormer Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Tejasvee Ghosalkar joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Mumbai on Monday, ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Tejasvee Ghosalkar, who had served as the Sena (UBT) women's wing head in the Dahisar assembly constituency in north Mumbai, is the daughter-in-law of former MLA Vinod Ghosalkar. #WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former BMC Corporater Tejasvee Abhishek Ghosalkar joins BJP. She is the wife of UBT leader Abhishek Ghosalkar who was murdered in his office by one Maurice Bhai. Senior UBT leader and former MLA Vinod Ghosalkar is her… pic.twitter.com/vsQogzmGWQ — ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2025 Her husband, Abhishek Ghosalkar, was shot dead in early 2024 during a Facebook Live, allegedly by local resident Morris Noronha. Abhishek was also a former corporator of the BMC. She joined the BJP on Monday in the presence of its Mumbai chief Ameet Satam and party MLC Pravin Darekar. I will accept any responsibility given to me by BJP: Tejasvee Ghosalkar Later, speaking to reporters, Tejasvee Ghosalkar said she had worked diligently in the Shiv Sena (UBT) and would now work harder in her new party. "I will accept any responsibility given to me by the party. There are many things I wish to say, but I cannot do so at the moment," she said, reported PTI. She also expressed disappointment over the slow pace of the investigation into the murder of her husband. "The CBI probe into my husband's murder is moving at a slow pace. I hope it will be completed at the earliest," she said, reported PTI. In September last year, the Bombay High Court handed over the probe into the murder to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), underlining certain lapses and loose ends in the police probe. Tejasvee Ghosalkar was a corporator of the (then undivided) Shiv Sena from 2017 to 2022. She had quit her posts in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT), citing personal reasons. Differences surfaced between her and her father-in-law during the state assembly elections last year, as both wanted to contest from Dahisar. Vinod Ghosalkar eventually contested the seat on the Sena(UBT) ticket but lost to BJP's Manisha Chaudhary. The latest dispute pertains to the upcoming BMC elections. While Tejasvee Ghosalkar apparently wanted to contest from ward number one in Dahisar, her father-in-law was keen that his second son contest from the seat, sources told PTI. The schedule for polls to various civic bodies, including the cash-rich BMC, has not yet been announced. Elections to the local bodies in Maharashtra are to be completed by January 31, 2026, as per the Supreme Court's order. (With inputs from PTI)
15 December,2025 02:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra of being engrossed in self-celebration and political self-interest even as the state grapples with an alarming rise in cases of missing girls, reported news agency IANS. In a scathing editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray camp alleged that the government machinery is being diverted to protect “traitors” and serve a handful of cronies, while public safety -- particularly that of women and girls -- has been pushed to the margins. Terming the Chief Minister Fadnavis’ recent announcement on the establishment of a grand Global Capability Centre in Powai, Mumbai, a “celebratory move”, Thackeray camp claimed it stands in stark contrast to a deeply alarming crisis gripping the state -- the rising number of missing girls, especially from the very city where the new centre is planned. The issue has prompted concerns about the government's priorities and the effectiveness of welfare schemes like the 'Ladki Bahin' Yojana, reported IANS. The Thackeray camp alleged that the government is not at all serious about the safety of mothers, sisters, daughters, and daughters-in-law. “You get Rs 1500 per month under the Ladki Bahin Yojana, take that and keep quiet. Don't utter a word about kidnapping, atrocities, or security. The government is engrossed in its own revelry, but if the public also sits silent and apathetic, the destruction of Maharashtra will not take long; in fact, the destruction has already begun,” it warned, reported IANS. According to the editorial, the Ladki Bahin Yojana was rolled out ahead of the state Assembly elections to garner votes. The editorial also referred to cash transfers announced before the Bihar elections, alleging a pattern of “vote-buying” through financial incentives. "In Maharashtra, beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme receive Rs 1500 per month, and the Chief Minister says he will soon increase it to Rs 2100 for political gain. However, the government that buys the votes of the 'Beloved Sisters' by giving only Rs 1500 has failed to secure their safety in the state," the editorial alleged, reported IANS. “Exploitation of girls is happening in ashram schools, hostels, but now the rate of girls disappearing from Mumbai, including the rest of Maharashtra, has increased,” it remarked. Maharashtra failing to protect girls, alleges Shiv Sena (UBT) The editorial has highlighted a severe failing in maintaining law and order, particularly regarding the safety of women and girls. “Once considered the safest city for women in India, life for girls and women in Mumbai has become difficult since the Shinde-Fadnavis government took power, with rising cases of atrocities and abductions. Mumbai Police records show 1187 cases of kidnapping of minor girls registered in the last ten months. An average of five to six girls are missing from Mumbai every day. About 136 cases of girls' kidnapping were recorded in just the last 30 days. The situation is reportedly no different in Pune and Nashik,” said the editorial, reported IANS. Further, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena claimed the problem is especially acute in North Maharashtra, with Nandurbar district registering the highest rate of missing girls. It has cited two main causes, including enticement and abduction and economic distress for the girls going missing, with many being traced to the neighbouring states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. "Girls are either lured away or directly kidnapped. Driven by extreme poverty and hardship, girls are leaving the state on their own in search of employment. This is a shameful situation for the government," it said, reported IANS. (With inputs from IANS)
15 December,2025 12:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs many as 11,827 pending e-challan cases have been settled by the Lok Adalat in Thane and fines of Rs 1.32 crore deposited in court, officials said on Monday, reported news agency PTI. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, traffic violators are issued e-challans, which are sent directly to their mobile phones, and cases are filed against those who ignore payments, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pankaj Shirsat said, reported PTI. Following an appeal by the Thane city transport department, vehicle owners were offered an opportunity to clear the outstanding fines. The Lok Adalat was held on Saturday, and 11,827 cases were settled and fines of Rs 1.32 crore were collected, the official said, reported PTI. The drive aimed at resolving long-pending cases against motorists who had failed to pay fines imposed for traffic rule violations. "The Lok Adalat is not only a penal measure but also an awareness initiative to encourage citizens to follow traffic rules, reduce accidents and avoid the burden of fines," Shirsat added. Maharashtra departments default on utilisation certificates, rushed spending in March: CAG Meanwhile, several departments of the Maharashtra government have failed to submit utilisation certificates (UCs) for grants-in-aid of thousands of crores, even as they rushed to incur a bulk of their expenditure in the closing month of 2024-25, says CAG, reported PTI. The Housing Department figured prominently on both counts. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled on the last day of the state legislature's winter session on Sunday stated that non-submission of UCs under the Bombay Financial Rules, 1959, carries the risk that amounts reflected in the Finance Accounts may not have reached the intended beneficiaries, reported PTI. As on March 31, 2025, UCs of Rs 1,77,319.84 crore related to 52,876 cases were outstanding. During 2024-25, the government cleared UCs amounting to Rs 1,37,222.25 crore in about 40,047 cases, the report said, reported PTI. Among the major defaulters, the Urban Development Department led with pending UCs of Rs 11,040 crore, followed by the Planning Department (Rs 5,805 crore), Water Resources Department (Rs 3,602 crore), Housing Development Department (Rs 2,839 crore) and Social Justice and Special Assistance Department (Rs 2,640 crore). The audit also flagged a rush of expenditure in March 2025, in contravention of the Bombay Financial Rules, which advise against bunching of spending at the end of the financial year. It said 18 departments incurred expenditure exceeding Rs 100 crore in March alone, accounting for more than 25 per cent of their total annual spending. The Housing Department recorded the sharpest year-end surge, with 90 per cent of its total expenditure incurred in March, followed by the Environment and Climate Change Department (77 per cent), Planning Department (65 per cent), Minorities Development Department (53 per cent) and Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department (50 per cent), the CAG said, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
15 December,2025 11:49 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA 50 per cent water cut has been imposed across Thane city until December 19, 2025, following damage to a major water pipeline during the Mahanagar Gas works at Kalyan Phata. According to officials, a 1,000-mm-diameter water pipeline that carries water from the Pise Bandhara to the Temghar Water Treatment Plant—one of the key sources supplying water to Thane city—was damaged at four to five locations on December 11, 2025. Repair work on the affected pipeline is currently underway on a war footing. The Thane Municipal Corporation's (TMC) Water Supply Department said that while efforts are being made to complete the repairs at the earliest, the pipeline is old and made of pre-stressed concrete, which has made the restoration process more time-consuming. The repair work is expected to take approximately four more days to complete. In view of the reduced water availability, the civic administration has implemented a 50 per cent cut in water supply across Thane city. To ensure equitable distribution, water will be supplied to different areas for 12 hours a day through a zonal distribution system until December 19. As a result, residents may receive water in limited quantities and at irregular intervals. The civic body has appealed to citizens to use water judiciously and extend cooperation to the municipal corporation during the repair period. Thane civic body begins drive to recover Rs 250 crore in pending water bills Earlier, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) had launched a major drive to recover unpaid water bills amounting to around Rs 250 crore, officials said. Of the total dues, Rs 92.28 crore are pending arrears, while Rs 157.8 crore pertain to the current financial year. Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao has instructed the water supply department to ensure 100 per cent recovery within this fiscal. Since April, the civic body has already recovered Rs 43 crore, about 18 per cent of the total amount, under the ongoing campaign. As part of the recovery efforts, the TMC has begun disconnecting water connections, seizing motor pumps, and sealing meter rooms across all wards. Officials warned that users who reconnect their supply without clearing dues will face legal action.
15 December,2025 11:33 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentEvery day without fail from 4.30 pm to 8 pm, Bharat Panchal, 85, mans his ‘post’ at Thakur Complex signal on the Western Express Highway in Kandivli East, managing traffic, preventing vehicles from entering the wrong lane, and urging motorists to wear helmets and seatbelts. Panchal, who claims he isn’t on any medication despite his advanced age, attributes his fitness to his volunteerism and says his only aim is to ensure that people follow traffic rules. The octogenarian resides with his wife in the Highway Park building at Thakur Complex in Kandivli East. Traffic police personnel, tea sellers, coconut vendors, and residents support Panchal daily by offering him tea and coconuts. The traffic police have also felicitated Panchal with gifts in appreciation of his remarkable work. Panchal said, “I have been doing this work for several years only to ensure everyone follows traffic rules. Nobody should break signals, as it increases the chances of accidents. I always carry a whistle and a torch. The traffic police have offered me a green reflector jacket, but I refused.” “I want to stay healthy forever, and that is why I chose this way of life. Managing traffic allows me to communicate with people, meet new faces daily, educate citizens about traffic rules, and prevent vehicles from entering the wrong lane,” Panchal explained. Panchal further said, “Because of this work, I am fit and fine. I have dedicated my life to helping the police manage traffic, and I will continue to do so. Many years ago, I noticed that the Thakur Complex junction on the Western Express Highway was always congested due to traffic violations. That is when I decided to take responsibility. I do not take money from any department for this work. It is my passion, hobby, and dream. In return, I receive love and respect from citizens. The traffic police also support me.” Cop Speak Senior Inspector Jagdish Bhopale of the Kandivli Traffic Division said, “Bharat Panchal is doing excellent work by managing traffic at this signal entirely on his own. We have informed him that it can be risky because vehicles travel at high speed on the highway, but he insists he is doing this so everyone follows traffic rules. The traffic division also presented him with a gift this Diwali. Very few people in Mumbai do such selfless work. Despite his age, Panchal’s energy is like that of a young man. We fully support him. We also offered him the role of a traffic warden, but he refused as he does not want any monetary benefit. We are fortunate to have Panchal at this junction, where he continues to do commendable work every day.” Traffic volunteer Bharat Panchal in action at the Thakur Complex signal on the Western Express Highway in Kandivli East. Pics/Shirish Vaktania Constable Sandip Jadhav of the Kandivli Traffic Division said, “I see this gentleman at his spot every day. He helps us regularly. I usually give him water and biscuits. I feel good seeing the fantastic work he does assisting the traffic police. We have told him several times that managing traffic is a tough and risky job, but he insists that he wants to do it for the greater good.” Constable Sunil Dabhade said, “I salute Panchal. He told me that he had received training at the Tardeo RTO office. We do not have official records confirming whether he worked with the RTO earlier, but his work is excellent. He works with the energy of a young man. Citizens also listen to him, and traffic violations at this junction have reduced because of his presence.” 3.5 hrsLength of Bharat Panchal’s daily ‘shift’
15 December,2025 11:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Sunday carried out the groundbreaking ceremony of a state-of-the-art, international-standard ‘Exotic Bird Park’ at Mulund (West), marking a significant step toward strengthening tourism and enhancing the quality of life in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs. The event was held at Nahur, behind Raj Industrial Estate on D.P. Road, Salpadevi Pada, in the presence of senior political leaders and civic officials. It is a matter of joy that this project is being developed to bring people closer to nature: Devendra Fadnavis Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, addressing the ceremony via video conferencing, said the proposed bird park should emerge as a major attraction for tourists visiting Mumbai. Describing the project as eco-friendly and aligned with nature, he said such initiatives would not only improve citizens’ quality of life but also add to Mumbai’s overall grandeur. “It is a matter of joy that this project is being developed to bring people closer to nature,” the Chief Minister said, extending his best wishes for its timely completion. On the same day, the newly constructed building of the BMC-run Mansadevi Tulsiram Agarwal General Hospital at Mulund (West) was also inaugurated, further strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the area. Development projects in Mulund undertaken in planned manner to improve residents’ standard of living: Eknath Shinde Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who also addressed the gathering online, said development projects in Mulund were being undertaken in a planned manner to improve residents’ standard of living. He noted that projects such as the new hospital building, the proposed Exotic Bird Park and a new court building would significantly enhance civic amenities. Shinde also said the feasibility of developing a golf park on the dumping ground would be examined. Information Technology and Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said the Exotic Bird Park would complement the nearby Sanjay Gandhi National Park, creating a unique ecological and tourism corridor in Mulund. He said the park would house birds from different regions of the world, along with diverse habitats and food arrangements, thereby boosting tourism and increasing visitor inflow. Shelar also praised the BMC administration for taking up an international-standard project at what is considered one of Mumbai’s gateways. Local MLA Mihir Kotecha highlighted ongoing and proposed civic initiatives in Mulund, including cement concrete roads, a petrol pump, the Exotic Bird Park and the development of three new gardens. He said the area was also being equipped with future-ready transport facilities through metro connectivity, along with recreational and tourism-focused infrastructure. Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr Avinash Dhakane, former MP Manoj Kotak, senior civic officials and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony. A video presentation showcasing the proposed bird park and the newly completed hospital building was screened at the start of the programme. The introductory address was delivered by Director (Zoo) Dr Sanjay Tripathi.
15 December,2025 10:34 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentHaze is expected during the morning hours on Monday in Mumbai, with mainly clear skies in the afternoon and evening across the city and suburbs. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 33 degrees Celsius and 16 degrees Celsius, respectively, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The minimum temperature recorded in Colaba (CLB) was 21.0 degrees Celsius with no rainfall, while in Santa Cruz (SCZ) it was 16.9 degrees Celsius, also with no rainfall, as per IMD Mumbai. According to the Sameer app, Mumbai's air quality index (AQI) is 131, which falls under the 'moderate' category. This level may cause breathing discomfort for people with lung disorders, asthma, or heart conditions. Delhi air quality update Meanwhile, a dense blanket of smog continued to cover Delhi and its adjoining areas on Monday morning, with air quality remaining in the 'severe' category, according to the reports. Reduced visibility disrupted flight operations, with the AQI in the national capital standing at 456 at 6 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) — making it the season’s second-worst AQI. On Sunday, the AQI was 461, marking the second-worst air quality day on record, as per the news reports. For context, AQI levels are categorised as follows: 0–50: Good 51–100: Satisfactory 101–200: Moderate 201–300: Poor 301–400: Very Poor 401–500: Severe Videos showed a thick layer of toxic air over Akshardham, where the AQI was 493. Other areas with poor visibility included the Barapulla flyover (AQI 433) and Barakhamba Road (AQI 474). #WATCH | A thick layer of smog engulfs the National Capital. Visuals from the Akshardham area. AQI here is 493, categorised as 'severe' as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) pic.twitter.com/b9k9fthFDk — ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2025 Flight operations were disrupted due to low visibility. FlightRadar24 reported 110 departures and 37 arrivals delayed at Delhi Airport. The airport issued an advisory: "Due to dense fog, flight operations may experience disruptions. We are working closely with all stakeholders to minimise inconvenience to passengers. For the latest flight updates, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused." Update issued at 0822 hours.Kind attention to all flyers!#Fog #FogAlert #DelhiAirport pic.twitter.com/dnqMbSByI4 — Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) December 15, 2025 IndiGo also alerted passengers to potential flight delays: "Low visibility and fog over Delhi will impact flight schedules. We are monitoring the weather closely and doing our best to get you where you need to be safely and smoothly. Please stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Our teams are here to assist at every step." Low visibility and fog over #Delhi will impact flight schedules. We're keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly.We request you to stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Be assured, our teams… — IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) December 15, 2025
15 December,2025 10:25 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Airports Authority of India's (AAI) high-frequency radar at Dahisar in Mumbai will be relocated to Gorai, unlocking hundreds of acres of land for affordable housing projects in the area, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu has said, reported news agency PTI. This decision was taken following a meeting between various stakeholders, including the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Maharashtra government and others. Addressing the meeting virtually, Naidu on Sunday said the Civil Aviation Ministry will seek cabinet approval for the relocation so that the construction work on such projects can start at the earliest, reported PTI. Radar installations at Dahisar and Juhu restrict building heights. On Saturday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the legislative assembly that the state government had decided to shift high-frequency radar centres from Dahisar and Juhu to technically suitable alternative sites. Fadnavis said the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Union government, and the AAI had agreed to the shifting of the radar at Dahisar and that the state government has conveyed its willingness to bear the cost of relocation and to provide alternative land, he added. "The issue was impacting the urban development projects in North Mumbai. Due to this, some lakh people were being forced to live in old, dilapidated buildings. Now with this decision, the dream of the people of Dahisar to have a house of their own is going to be fulfilled," Naidu said, reported PTI. He said the matter had been discussed for a long time, adding that Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who represents the North Mumbai constituency, took up the matter seriously with the Civil Aviation Ministry for its "resolution". AAI radar relocation to free 1,000 acres for housing Stating that the radar relocation work would be completed with the cooperation of all stakeholders, including the Union and state governments and the Civil Aviation Ministry, Naidu said, "We are also laying the foundation for affordable housing in Dahisar as some 1,000 acres of land spread over 6 km will be released for housing projects for the people of Dahisar," reported PTI. With this affordable housing project, Dahisar is going to be the hub for ease of living, he stated. "This decision balances housing needs with aviation safety. It will bring relief to thousands of families and accelerate economic development in the region," he said, reported PTI. Goyal, who also addressed the meeting virtually, said that over the next five years, an estimated 50,000 houses will be constructed or redeveloped, paving the way for 'pakka' homes with basic amenities and generating large-scale employment. "This was not an easy issue. After many years of consistent follow-up, this historic decision has become possible through close coordination between the central and state governments. In the coming months, all stalled projects will begin at a rapid pace, and North Mumbai will move forward towards becoming 'Uttam Mumbai'," he said, reported PTI. Goyal further stated that the decision was the result of joint efforts, especially acknowledging CM Fadnavis for readily allotting alternative land. With this, he said, the tag of Dahisar being the "last suburb" will be erased, and it will emerge as a fast-developing growth hub, offering a better quality of life, affordable housing, and a safe, green, and dignified living environment. Fadnavis had stated that the land at Gorai will be transferred free of cost to the Centre, and 40 per cent of the AAI land at Dahisar will be used for public purposes. The government has also suggested an alternative site at Juhu to the AAI for technical evaluation. After the technical study is completed and the site is finalised, the approval process for shifting the Juhu radar will begin. After relocating the radar centres, redevelopment of buildings in Dahisar and Juhu (DN Nagar) areas will become feasible, the chief minister said. (With inputs from PTI)
15 December,2025 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSeveral departments of the Maharashtra government have failed to submit utilisation certificates (UCs) for grants-in-aid of thousands of crores, even as they rushed to incur a bulk of their expenditure in the closing month of 2024-25, says CAG, reported news agency PTI. The Housing Department figured prominently on both counts. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled on the last day of the state legislature's winter session on Sunday stated that non-submission of UCs under the Bombay Financial Rules, 1959, carries the risk that amounts reflected in the Finance Accounts may not have reached the intended beneficiaries, reported PTI. As on March 31, 2025, UCs of Rs 1,77,319.84 crore related to 52,876 cases were outstanding. During 2024-25, the government cleared UCs amounting to Rs 1,37,222.25 crore in about 40,047 cases, the report said. Among the major defaulters, the Urban Development Department led with pending UCs of Rs 11,040 crore, followed by the Planning Department (Rs 5,805 crore), Water Resources Department (Rs 3,602 crore), Housing Development Department (Rs 2,839 crore) and Social Justice and Special Assistance Department (Rs 2,640 crore), reported PTI. The audit also flagged a rush of expenditure in March 2025, in contravention of the Bombay Financial Rules, which advise against bunching of spending at the end of the financial year. It said 18 departments incurred expenditure exceeding Rs 100 crore in March alone, accounting for more than 25 per cent of their total annual spending. The Housing Department recorded the sharpest year-end surge, with 90 per cent of its total expenditure incurred in March, followed by the Environment and Climate Change Department (77 per cent), Planning Department (65 per cent), Minorities Development Department (53 per cent) and Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department (50 per cent), the CAG said, reported PTI. Haffkine procurements leave Rs 2,226 crore Advance Contingent bills unadjusted: CAG Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government routed routine procurement of medicines and medical equipment through the state-run Haffkine institute using Advance Contingent bills, leaving 559 bills worth Rs 2,226.32 crore pending for adjustment at the end of 2024-25, CAG has said, reported PTI. Advance Contingent (AC) bills are a type of government bill used to draw money in advance for urgent or unforeseen expenses, when it is not practical to wait for detailed bills or vouchers. According to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), tabled on the last day of the winter session of the state legislature on Sunday, "pending AC bills accounted for 63.03 per cent of the total AC bills, in violation of Rule 282(2) of the Maharashtra Treasury Rules, which bars withdrawal of funds unless required for immediate disbursement", reported PTI. The report identified the Medical Education and Drugs Department as the biggest defaulter with Rs 2,212 crore of Detailed Contingent (DC) bills pending, followed by the Public Health Department (Rs 770 crore), Home Department (Rs 266 crore) and Planning Department (Rs 120 crore). A Detailed Contingent (DC) bill is a government bill submitted after spending money drawn through an AC bill to account for and regularise that expenditure. The CAG said that the government routed routine procurement of medicines and medical equipment through Mumbai-based Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceuticals Corporation Limited using AC bills, leaving 559 bills worth Rs 2,226.32 crore pending for adjustment at the end of 2024-25, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
15 December,2025 08:47 AM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentThe City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) has started the process to explore a third runway at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) by inviting bids for a consultant to conduct a techno-commercial feasibility study. In a public notice, CIDCO called for online Requests for Proposal (RFPs) from reputed single entities, joint ventures, or consortia through the e-tendering process. The selected consultant will assess the technical, operational, and commercial viability of adding a runway at the upcoming international airport. CIDCO’s notice inviting bids The consultancy assignment will last six months, and selection will follow CIDCO’s Least Cost Selection (LCS) method under its Transport & Communications (T&C) Department. Tender documents and the bidding schedule will be available on Mahatenders from December 16, 2025, with proposals submitted online within the stipulated timeline. CIDCO officials said NMIA is being developed with scalability in mind. The feasibility study will determine whether a third runway is technically feasible, financially viable, and operationally necessary, based on traffic forecasts, land availability, and regulatory requirements. The move comes as NMIA is set to become one of the country’s key aviation hubs, easing congestion at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and preparing for future passenger, aircraft, and cargo growth.
15 December,2025 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Amarjeet SinghADVERTISEMENT
