Betrayed and battered by the elements, the survivors of the Irsalwadi landslide near Khalapur in Raigad district now feel let down by the elected representatives. The survivors collectively are yet to make up their mind on voting while some in their individual capacity are keen to vote as doing so would give them an opportunity to question their elected representatives. Forty-two families continue to stay in the makeshift temporary containers, in Chouk, Khalapur, post the landslide that swallowed the entire village and they claim that none of them have voter card. Have voted in the past Madhav Maruti Sutak, 25, had voted in the last election and this time, was keen to cast his vote, but without a voting card, he is unsure if he will be able to cast his vote. “Our entire Irsalwadi got wiped off by the landslide. Nearly 84 people (27 dead bodies recovered and 57 missing) were presumed dead, with many bodies getting trapped under the debris. We lost everything, including our family members, within no time,” he recalled. Maadhav and his family are amongst others who have not received their replacement voting cards after they lost the original beneath the debris after the landslide. Pics/Madhav Maruti Sutak “I had voted during the last election, but this year, all the survivors including the first-time voters staying in the makeshift containers, will miss their chance to vote, as we do not have our voting card,” said Madhav.Similar concern was raised by Kamlu Changu Pardhi, 63, another survivor, who said, “I too do not have my voter card. I had voted in previous elections, but I not certain about this election if I would be allowed to vote without my voter card.” Irsalwadi wiped off Jagdish Pardhi, 32, said, “I am not sure, if Irsalwadi exists anymore, our entire Irsalwadi is under the debris. Even though I do not have my voter card, none of the election officials or candidates or their representatives have visited us, nor have we been assisted in making our new voter card.” ‘We are left in the lurch’ Sutak is keen to vote as he will get an opportunity to seek accountability from their elected representative for abandoning them. When asked to elaborate, he claims, “We have been in lurch for the last couple of months – we are left to fend for ourselves. We have no potable water, the water filter that has been installed is not cleaned for months and now the water we consume stinks. Besides, the elevated water tank has also not been cleaned. Since summer has set in, our taps run dry, most of the time.” Relatives of the victims at Nanavli Gaon in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE “We were assured of monthly ration and provisions, but other than getting 25 kg of rice and 10 kg of wheat on our ration card, we have to arrange for all provisions required for cooking from oil to spices, including getting groceries and vegetables,” said Jagdish. The community dispensary which was to have round-the-clock doctors is non-functional. “We are forced to go to Aapla Dawakhana in Chouk, for any health issues ‘No job’ The state chief Minister himself had assured us of giving jobs to us so that we could make a living, but till date, we have not any sign of the government making a move in this regard, said Sutak. When asked about the source of livelihood, he said, “While some of the survivors, who were employed, continue to work, and those who were looking forward for government assistance in getting a job, are still without a job. We are forced to work as daily labourers for R300 per day, on a temporary basis. Some people visit our area, and handpick a few of us, for doing the labour work, and the remaining days we have no work.” Extreme heat With rise in temperature during day time (Tuesday temperature in Khalapur was around 41°C, as per private weather report) those staying in the makeshift containers, with asbestos sheet as roof are finding it extremely difficult to spend time inside the dwellings, due to extreme heat. When asked about ventilation, Sunil Parde, another survivor said, “It is so humid inside the container and as days progresses it becomes impossible to stay indoors. Even the small fans provided in the container make the situation worse by circulating the humid air. We spend most of the time outside the container, under shades of branches. Also, at night, most people prefer to sleep outside the container, rather than inside. Even the water kept in earthen pots too remains warm, making it tasteless for consumption.” Death certificates awaited Out of 84 presumed dead, only twenty-five plus death certificates have been issued by the district administration, so far. “We have not received death certificates of our next of kin. And even attempts to contact the new district collector did not yield any results. The previous collector (Dr Yogesh Mhase) was fully aware about our conditions and the work was happening, on a war footing basis. But he has been transferred and even district administration officials, who were otherwise visiting us regularly, have stopped their visits,” claims Sutak. ‘Yet to receive full compensation’ Most of the survivors have not received the full compensation, as assured by the government, they claim. While the both central and state governments were to pay Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh respectively as ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of the dead victims in the landslide, many still await the full compensation. “I lost five members of my family in the landslide and I have not received the full compensation,” said Jagdish. Out of 84 people, the rescue team could retrieve only 27 dead bodies from the debris before they called off the search and rescue operation, due to extreme weather conditions. The remaining 57 villagers were declared missing. The survivors, requested the state government to declare all the missing villagers, as ‘presumed dead’ to avail the government compensation, as announced. “I was in touch with a district administration official inquiring about the pending death certificate, and I was told that I will have to wait for a few years before the death certificate could be handed over,” said Sutak. Collective decision on ‘voting’ The survivors are keen to have a discussion on the forthcoming election and whether they want to cast their vote. Some even want to boycott the election as none of their demands have been met and they are left to suffer. “We will be taking a collective decision on voting soon,” said one of the survivors. Other side Ayub Tamboli, tahsildar, Khalapur said, “As per the revenue records Irsalwadi, comes under Assembly Constituency 190, and the polling station for the survivors will be Morbewadi polling station.” When informed that the survivors have not received the voting cards, Tamboli expressed surprise and said, “We had taken special camps for getting their Aadhaar and ration cards made and voting cards might have been issued to some, if not, I will need to check.” Voters slip and one of the 12 documents can be used as a proof for exercising their franchise. Aadhaar card, job card issued under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), passbooks with photographs issued by banks or post offices, health insurance smart card issued under schemes of the Ministry of Labour, drivers’ license, PAN card, smart card issued by the Registrar General of India under the National Population Register, passport, pension document with photograph, service identity cards with photographs for employees of Central and State governments, official identity cards for MPs and MLAs and UDID card for persons with disabilities.
01 May,2024 10:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonPolitical parties have another challenge to overcome as the election nears — campaigning amidst rising temperatures in the city, ranging from 36 to 40 degree Celsius in April. The party representatives have adapted to the sweltering weather, with road shows and rallies likely to take place only in the morning hours and the evening hours with the afternoons reserved for indoor meetings with the public. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Harshal Pradhan said, “There are days we are supposed to be out regardless of the heat but our focus is to not cause any discomfort to our party cadre or to the citizens.” He added that all the big rallies with top leaders which can attract large crowds are scheduled to take place in the evenings. “Nomination rallies have been an exception. Any road shows or rallies by candidates will take place either in the morning or evenings, depending on the temperatures,” he said. He added that there will be drinking water facilities at the big gatherings. “We are not the ones to sit in ACs,” said Sheetal Mhatre, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) spokesperson. “Our cadre has been drinking enough water and they know how to take care of themselves. But we will also have a separate water tanker and provide caps to the workers,” she said. Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said, “We start our rallies in the early morning hours and end it by 11 am. After that we are taking sabhas in the halls in the afternoon and the public meetings in the evening.” Just a few days ago, BJP minister Nitin Gadkari collapsed on stage while addressing an election rally in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal. Party spokesperson Bhalchandra Shirshat said, “We are providing ample water at our rallies and we are minimising programmes during afternoon hours. So even in Mumbai we will be holding rallies in the morning and evening hours.” Yamini Jadhav is Mahayuti candidate in Mumbai South After much delay and deliberations, Mahayuti has fielded Yamini Jadhav belonging to Shiv Sena (Shinde) party from Mumbai South constituency. This decision has laid to rest the speculation of Milind Deora, who quit Congress to join Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), Assembly speaker Rahul Narvekar (BJP) and minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha (BJP) as the candidate. As Deora had been elected from Mumbai South, there was intense speculation of him getting the ticket as a reward for switching over to the Sena. However, Sena (Shinde) spokesperson Sheetal Mhatre said, “Milind Deora is already in Rajya Sabha, why would he be interested in Lok Sabha. He will be campaigning (for Jadhav).”
01 May,2024 06:59 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentAs this Lok Sabha constituency prepares for a three-way fight between sitting BJP MP and Mahayuti candidate Sanjaykaka Patil, Congress rebel and Independent candidate Vishal Patil and Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate Chandrahar Patil, residents feel that the real fight is between the incumbent and the renegade. mid-day learnt that Sanjaykaka Patil and Vishal Patil, the grandson of the late Chief Minister Vasant Dada Patil, are more popular among the voters than the two-time Maharashtra Kesari winner Chandrahar Patil. Locals told this reporter that the people were unhappy with Congress for leaving this seat with the Thackeray faction, ignoring Vishal Patil, who was interested in contesting on a Congress ticket. Vivek Pawar, a local, said, “We are angry with Sena (UBT) for declaring Chandrahar Patil the MVA candidate despite knowing that Vishal Dada is popular among the people. I feel the vote will be split between Chandrahar and Vishal Dada, which might help the BJP candidate.” What electors want All three candidates are making sure they visit as many villages as possible. One of the biggest issues in the constituency is that of water scarcity. In Jath taluka, tankers are supplying water to villages. Increasing unemployment and price rise are affecting not just the people in rural pockets but also those in the city. Sitting BJP MP and Mahayuti candidate Sanjaykaka Patil during his campaign trail. Pic/Facebook Arun Patil, a villager from Tasgaon, said, “We are not interested in the politics that parties play. All we want is someone who will address the issues that affect the common man. Inflation is rising and water scarcity is something that should be seriously looked into. We expect the MP whom we elect to bring irrigation-related schemes to our constituency because the majority of the people are dependent on farming.” Recently during a Congress rally, Dr Vishwajeet Kadam had said that his party would follow alliance Dharma but he and party workers in Sangli were not happy about giving the seat to Shiv Sena (UBT). No wonder, the Congress high command hasn’t taken disciplinary action against Vishal Patil despite a rebel in the neighbouring Kolhapur constituency being suspended from the party for six years earlier this week. Former Congress stronghold The Sangli Lok Sabha constituency has been a stronghold of the Congress, with the party winning the seat from 1962 to 2009. The BJP won for the first time in 2014 and retained the seat in 2019. However, the BJP made inroads with Sanjaykaka Patil’s win against Congress’s Pratik Patil, Vishal’s brother. In 2019, Congress had left the seat for Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, but Sanjaykaka won the seat again, beating Vishal Patil, who was fighting on a Swabhimani Paksha and supported by the Congress-NCP alliance. Sanjaykaka’s winning margin had reduced in 2019. While is section of voters are not happy with the sitting MP, some are satisfied with the work done by him. In the three-way fight that is happening, Chandrahar Patil was praised for his wrestling prowess but people have their doubts about him as a politician. “Chandrahar Patil is an exceptional wrestler, there is no doubt about it. But we would prefer to choose between the other candidates to represent us,” said a villager from Palus. Facts and figures >> Since 1967, Congress has won this seat 11 times while BJP has won twice. In 2019, BJP’s Sanjaykaka Patil secured 5,08,995 votes, winning by a margin of 1,64,352. Vishal Patil was the runner-up, with 3,44,643. Gopichand Padalkar, the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi candidate, stood third, with 3,00,234 votes.>> There are six Assembly segments within the Sangli Lok Sabha constituency: Khanapur, Sangli, Miraj, Palus-Kadegaon, Tasgaon-Kavanthe Mahankal and Jath. Candidates’ strengths and weaknesses Sanjaykaka Patil, BJP candidateAdvantage: He is a two-time MP and PM Narendra Modi’s popularity may benefit him.Disadvantage: The anti-incumbency factor may have a negative impact. Vishal Patil, Independent candidateAdvantage: Sympathy factor exists as despite being the late Vasant Dada Patil’s grandson, he was denied a ticket by Congress.Disadvantage: The splitting of votes between him and the UBT candidate may help the BJP. Chandrahar Patil, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidateAdvantage: With the split in Shiv Sena and NCP, there is a sympathy wave for Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar and the anti-Mahayuti votes can get transferred to him.Disadvantage: The sympathy wave for Vishal Patil and locals’ anger against Shiv Sena (UBT).
01 May,2024 06:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavObserving that lodging of cases on false grounds against husband and his family members amounts to cruelty, the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court has refused to quash the divorce granted to a couple by a family court. The HC dismissed the petition filed by a woman seeking restitution of her conjugal rights and challenging a February 2023 order passed by the family court granting the decree of divorce. The man had sought divorce on the grounds of cruelty and desertion by his wife. In the order dated April 25, a copy of which was made available on Tuesday, Justice Y G Khobragade said initiating proceedings under the Domestic Violence Act and seeking restitution of conjugal rights do not by itself constitute cruelty. “But, lodging of various false, baseless reports with the police authorities against the husband, his father, brother and other family members certainly falls within the ambit of cruelty,” the HC stated. The couple got married in 2004 and lived together till 2012. The man claimed that in 2012, his wife left him for her parents and started living in their house. The woman later filed various proceedings, including false criminal complaints, against her husband and his family members. The man claimed in his plea against his wife in the family court that he and his family members suffered mental cruelty due to these false complaints. He had claimed that his former wife had even gone to the extent of lodging fake and false cases against his father and brother alleging that they had molested her. They were later acquitted in the case but the man said his family members suffered trauma and loss of their reputation in the society. In her petition, the woman claimed she lodged cases due to harassment by her in-laws. The bench agreed with the order passed by the lower court which stated there was cruelty on the part of the woman. The high court dismissed the woman’s petition, noting that there was no perversity or illegality in the lower court order granting the divorce. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
01 May,2024 06:43 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesThe BMC has said that Mumbai Metro One Private Limited, a company providing Metro rail services between Versova to Ghatkopar, hasn’t paid property tax amounting to Rs 461.17 crore till 2022-23, despite repeated follow-ups from the municipal administration. The BMC administration is vigorously trying to collect tax from various property owners in Mumbai. Notices are also being issued to big property owners who are not paying taxes. “Mumbai Metro One owes tax till the financial year 2022-23 on a total of 28 properties in four wards of Mumbai. Of the total amount, Rs 311.77 crore is pending for 18 properties in K West ward, Rs 116.29 crore for six properties in K East ward, Rs 19.04 crore for two properties in L ward and Rs 14. 06 crore for two properties in N ward is pending,” said a BMC official. For the properties in K West and L wards, Mumbai Metro One has been issued a notice on behalf of the civic body and has been asked to pay the property tax within 21 days. The process of issuing notices for the K East and N wards is ongoing. Meanwhile, a tax of Rs 18.29 crore has been levied for the financial year 2023-24 for the 28 properties. The last date for payment of property tax for the financial year 2023-24 is May 25. The spokespersons for Metro One did not respond to messages and calls from mid-day.
01 May,2024 06:39 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentThe Mumbai police Crime Branch has arrested four women including the kingpin in the child trafficking racket. With this action the number of arrests made by the police has gone up to 14, while one person has been detained. Police investigations have revealed a network spread over Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. “Based on the previous arrest we have gathered information that 14 children had been sold so far, we have rescued four of them and handed them to an NGO,” said Ragsudha R, deputy commissioner of police (enforcement). She added that the gang could be big. The four women arrested by the police are Soyakan Vaikatesh, 24; Padma Krishna, 23; Gondma Chikpada, 47 and Anjali Satya Kumar, 46. Chikpada was the kingpin of the racket in Visakhapatnam, said Ragsudha. According to the police, the women arrested in this racket are menial labourers and worked in IVF centres, “These women either used to donate eggs or lure vulnerable childless couples to pay a price to adopt a child,” said an officer on condition of anonymity. “We suspect that the gang operated on WhatsApp and shared photos of the children to their customers and asked them if it fits their specific requirements,” said the officer. According to the police, the other modus operandi of the gang was to find poverty-stricken parents who are finding it difficult to raise their child and then sell their children off, “They used to convince the couple that part with their child on the promise of better future and money to improve their conditions,” said a police officer. The police had previously arrested Rina, Poonam and Swati. “The trio used to sell children to childless couples and we rescued two babies yesterday,” said Ragsudha. The police had also arrested the agents — Vandana Pawar, 27; Shital Ganesh Ware, 41; Sneha Yuvraj Suryavanshi, 24; Nasima Hanif Khan, 28; Lata Nanabhau Survade, 36; Sharad Maruti Devar, 45; and BHMS doctor Sanjay Sopanrao Khandare, 42, who runs Nileshwari Clinic at Diva Junction According to police officials they had acted on a tip-off on April 27, and had arrested Kanta Pendekar, from Kannamwar Nagar at Vikhroli, who sold her five-month-old child for R2 lakh to childless parents in Ratnagiri on December 13, 2022.
01 May,2024 06:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva AgasheThere is no challenge in this election. The BJP has done nothing despite being in power for the past ten years. Do they want our sons to just run tea stalls along the highways?” NCP (Sharad Pawar) Lok Sabha candidate for Beed, Bajrang Sonwane said. Speaking exclusively with mid-day, Sonwane said promises are being made to voters before the election, but no one in the BJP speaks of what has been done in the last decade. Bajarang Sonwane contested the Lok sabha election in 2019. He secured 5.09 lakh votes, while Dr Pritam Munde (BJP candidate) secured 6.78 lakh votes. Sonwane is chairman of the Yesdeshwar Cooperative Sugar Mill and is a part of a cooperative movement in the district. He was also a member of the District Council of Beed. Excerpts from the interview… You are contesting against a heavyweight family. Do you see this as a challenge?No, I don’t feel there is any challenge. They have done nothing for the constituency in the last 10 years. There is no drinking water, no water for agriculture and no industries for employment. They are now making promises about what they will do, but what have they done in the past ten years? BJP has been in power at the Centre for 10 years. The Munde family has been in power for nine years in the state. Why is there still no development? What happened to the railway project? Why are farmers not getting water? They are just cheating voters. Suddenly, the brother and sister have come together. One cannot deny that there has been development on the infra front. Highways have been built, railways are progressing...So what? People need a good rate for farm yield. They need water for agriculture and drinking. They build highways, but does this benefit the villagers? They want farmers to run only tea stalls along the highway. Farmers are not getting a good rate for their crops. The youth want jobs. If they are not getting this, what is the use of the highway for them? Are you facing a challenge with the new election symbol?Not at all. Our symbol has already reached the voters via social media. Our leader Sharad Pawar contested the election on many different symbols. At that time, there was no social media. This time, we have already taken our symbol to every village. Voters are very smart. They will think about inflation, agriculture and employment before voting. The Marathas and Dhangars are upset with BJP. How do you find yourself placed in the fight?They are upset because the BJP used the reservation issue as an election tool. They promised everything but gave nothing. Now, the voters understand this strategy. BJP is just show business. The current leadership of Beed didn’t side with the farmers and never supported reservations. The BJP has always taken decisions against farmers, never giving a good price to the yield. If farmers got a good cost, they took a decision against them. In villages, there are also many other issues like irrigation, yield cost and jobs. But the BJP has done nothing. They will face the people’s anger in the elections. What is your vision for the constituency?I will work on increasing the income of farmers. I will also work on irrigation and on provision of drinking water. Employment is another issue that needs to be urgently addressed. I will work to start industries in Beed. This constituency needs a mega-dam project which will give water for irrigation, drinking and industries, too. To start businesses, we need a rail network, which I will work on. I want to see that the youth of Beed don’t migrate for jobs. If they get a good income from agriculture and get a job here, why will they move?
01 May,2024 06:25 AM IST | Beed | A CorrespondentPortraying herself as the leader of all deprived sectors of society, the BJP candidate from Beed, Pankaja Munde, said she’s the person not only OBCs but also Marathas as well as members of all minorities can look to for help. Taking time out of her busy schedule, Munde caught up with mid-day for a brief interview during the campaign and spoke about issues ranging from reservation to development to the environment. Excerpts: How are you finding the race so far?I have taken these elections very seriously and have not wasted a single minute. I have been working tirelessly and I am sure the result will be in my favour. It must be challenging to maintain the standard set by the late Gopinath Munde. The party was at its peak during his time. Do you feel any pressure?Basically, I do not see it as a challenge. I am very much a part of whatever my father, the late Gopinath Munde, was doing. I was part of his team, then and always. Whenever he won with a good margin, I was part of that team. Even then, I had contributed very, very strongly. We are replicating the same template and even now most of the team that was working under him is now with me. We are working strategically. There are some new issues which we are dealing with. We are meeting the last person in the constituency and seeking blessings, support and votes. People see you as an OBC leader. The state government has started issuing Kunbi certificates to Marathas, which upset OBCs. The Maratha reservation issue poses a challenge for the BJP.I have been studying these issues with a lot of concern. Perception and reality are not going together, hand in hand. Matters are being perceived differently by different communities. There is a correct way to handle this. Everything should be properly explained in a perspective, and people should be able to perceive what is conveyed. It is quite a complicated situation right now. The issue is not dominant in all of Maharashtra but in a few districts. I was born into an OBC community and am very proud of it, but I am not just an OBC leader, but will keep fighting for the rights of all communities, including the Marathas, minorities and the deprived sectors. Leadership is leadership. It should be for all. I look at it that way. One is born in a certain community, but the responsibilities of a leader are different, encompassing all communities. The BJP is seeing more negativity in rural areas than urban regions due to crop prices, reservations and other such factors.As I said, how people look at this government, how we talk and how we perceive are very important. For me, it is very important when I am dealing with people and delivering speeches. It is very important for me that people reciprocate and react to what I say correctly. There will be differences. There will be instances when people like a leader, but not the party and vice versa. People have expectations and my task as a candidate is to understand and convey what the party has done and will be doing. I won’t say there are no problems. We are here to understand the issues and problems of the people. But they can be resolved. That assurance should be given to people. Then they will trust you. Will the Maratha reservation issue have an impact on the election?As I said, rural people are confused, and urban people are with us. People who lack the facts and knowledge will have issues. But people who have knowledge and facts will be with us. In fact, people are always with us. Intellectual people are always with us and farmers convince them. And the reservation will be there, and it will slowly fade away. Unemployment is a major issue. The needs of the constituency have changed. During Gopinath Munde’s time, an industrial hub was a necessity. Today, an IT park is needed for jobs. What is your take on this?Yes. Munde-ji’s time was different. That time there was a need for basic infrastructure. We tried to accomplish this in the last 10 years. We have built national highways and small connections to villages. We implemented the Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana and water conservation for villages. We are working on the water grid also. The railway line reaches Amalner. Now, it will be extended to the next destination. All these things are required to become an industrial hub. We have done all that. The next phase will be getting investment for the district, some nice projects where we will be able to help the unemployed. Cities are developing but solid waste management and other environmental concerns remainWe have to make pollution norms very, very strict. It really hurts me to see trash lying around. I see a lot of plastic floating in the water or in rivers. It is quite painful. We have to really work on this.
01 May,2024 06:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer SurveChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) witnessed a 6 per cent year-on-year growth in overall cargo volumes (domestic and international in the financial year 2023-24). International cargo volumes alone increased by 10 per cent, said the Mumbai airport. The airport also registered a 20 per cent increase in the total number of Cargo Air Traffic Movements (ATMs). CSMIA currently connects with a network of close to 700 cargo destinations. “Automobile products, pharmaceuticals & agriculture products were the top three categories of products transported internationally via CSMIA’s air cargo. In general cargo, engineering goods, and post office (PO) mail were the top three categories of products transported domestically from CSMIA,” said the airport. “On the international scale, the top three categories transported are automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural cargo,” said Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) in a press statement. Meanwhile, domestically, the leading cargo categories include general cargo, engineering goods, and post office (PO) mail, the press statement added. “The surge in e-commerce significantly impacted cargo operations at CSMIA. The festive season of Diwali noticed a notable 87 per cent year-on-year growth in e-commerce shipments. The demand for perishable items also experienced a noteworthy increase,” said a senior official from MIAL, adding that mango exports were particularly prominent from April to July 2023, accompanied by the export of seasonal cut flowers and chocolates during the Valentine’s Day period. “Additionally, the airport handled its inaugural shipment of frozen ready-to-serve food products, such as Idli and Vada, using specialized va-Q-tec containers bound for Amsterdam” the official added. “CSMIA’s international cargo volumes comprised 56 per cent exports and 44 per cent imports. London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Chicago, and Amsterdam were the top global destinations for outgoing cargo, while Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad led domestically. Top international carriers handling cargo volumes from CSMIA included Emirates, Qatar, and Cathay Pacific, along with Indigo, Vistara, and Akasa Air as top domestic carriers.” said another senior official MIAL in a press statement said it is in the process of building PEB (Pre-Engineered Building Structure) to enhance its cargo handling capacity in imports. “In addition to these efforts, CSMIA has pioneered innovations in cargo operations, notably introducing the Air Cargo Community System, Adani MIAL Air Exchange (AMAX), the first of its kind in India,” read the press statement. “This system revolutionises processes through SOPs, integrated systems, and digitization. Mobile apps like AMAX and Turant enable transparent, paperless, and digital operations, eliminating physical documentation for export consignments. Integrated processes like E-Airwaybill, e-carting order, e-CSD, e-delivery orders, and e-gate passes ensure efficiency,” the statement added. “The introduction of Digital Docket Delivery (D-Cube) for import gate pass system further streamlines online processing, reducing paper usage and cargo dwell time,” said a senior official from MIAL. 700No of cargo destinations CSMIA connects
01 May,2024 05:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariA 32-year-old passenger travelling by local train between CBD and Nerul was brutally beaten up by four youngsters in the train. They attacked him with a knife and pushed him down from the running train. The victim, Rajendra Kumar, who was found under the wheel of the train, sustained severe injuries with his hand amputated. He is currently undergoing treatment at Sion hospital. Following the incident, the Panvel Railway Police registered a case against the unknown and started searching for them. “Rajendra Kumar, left his village a week ago to do laundry work at his brother's place in Airoli. He found a job at Kedarnath Laundry in Ulve Sector-10. On April 26, the laundry closed, so he went to Panvel to visit a relative. Failing to find them, he returned to Belapur railway station around 6 pm to catch a train back to Ulve. Unable to find a local to Uran, he attempted to catch one from Nerul station. When trying to board a Panvel CSMT local, four youngsters blocked him. Despite their resistance, he pushed his way onto the train, leading them to attack him. One of them stabbed him in the cheek and back, causing serious injuries,” said Rajendra’s brother Santosh. “Even after Kumar apologised, they assaulted and pushed him down from the running local train to kill him,” Santosh added. “After the victim sustained severe injuries, concerned passengers alerted the railway police. The police arrived at the location, transferring him to Vashi Municipal Hospital. Due to the gravity of his injuries, he was later transferred to Sion Hospital for advanced care. Following the incident, Panvel Railway Police initiated a case against the four assailants and launched a search operation,” said a police official. “He also has a fracture in his leg. One of them even stabbed him in the back causing a deep knife wound. He also has a knife wound on his cheek. At present, his condition is stable," the police officer added. April 26Day Kumar was assaulted, pushed off train
01 May,2024 05:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Faisal TandelThe North East Lok Sabha BJP candidate Mihir Kotecha alleged on Tuesday that his campaign chariot was pelted with stones for the third time in less than a month, claiming that a Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate was attempting to harm him. Following the stone pelting incident, the BJP has lodged an FIR against an unknown person for threatening lives. Kotecha alleged that his political opponent, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Sanjay Patil, was involved in pelting stones at his campaign chariot to cause harm to him. Kotecha stated that the Opposition was resorting to such tactics because they were facing the prospect of a humiliating defeat in the election. The FIR has been registered under sections 336 and 337 of the Indian Penal Code. As per the FIR filed by Deonar police station, Niharika Khondale, BJP in-charge for the Mumbai North East Lok Sabha constituency, lodged a complaint against an unidentified person. Sanjay Dina Patil files his nomination “Kotecha’s campaign rally reached in front of a public toilet, near Gautam Budh Vihar, New Gautam Nagar in Govandi at around 8.10 pm. An unknown person intentionally threw a piece of brick towards the campaign chariot. It hit me on the neck below the right ear, and subsequently, the same piece of brick hit my colleague Kalappa Gunale on the right cheek. This was done intentionally to threaten,” Khondale stated in the complaint. Kotecha stated that this is the third such attack on his campaign in the area, and it indicates that the opponents are losing the election, leading them to resort to such tactics. “We have lodged a complaint with the police. We openly challenge Patil. I will campaign on May 1 (Maharashtra Day) in Mankhurd and dare them to attack me on Wednesday during campaigning in Mankhurd. I issue an open challenge,” Kotecha said. Mihir Kotecha When Sanjay Patil was asked about the stone pelting, he refuted the allegations. “My opponents have now realised that they are standing on a shaky ground and will be facing defeat and hence were playing gimmicks and tricks. The government in power belongs to them and they should go campaigning with good security,” he said. Patil files his candidature Sanjay Dina Patil, the candidate of North East Mumbai Maha Vikas Aghadi, (MVA) on Tuesday filed his candidature in the presence of thousands of workers at the election office in Vikhroli. Yuva Sena chief and MLA Aaditya Thackeray, prominent MVA leaders, officials and thousands of workers accompanied him. While speaking to the journalists, Thackeray said that democracy was under threat in the country. “The chances of MVA are good in the state and we are sure that MVA will get the maximum number of seats,” he said. TuesdayDay Kotecha’s campaign chariot was attacked
01 May,2024 05:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarADVERTISEMENT
