Two-and-a-half-year-old radio-collared tigress STRT5, better known as Tara, was spotted by a tourist at the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve on Tuesday. Sighting reported on Chandoli’s Zholambi safari route On January 20, between 4 pm and 5 pm, a fortunate tourist had an extraordinary sighting of tigress Tara on the Zholambi forest safari route in Chandoli. Tigress stuns officials with daring dam crossing Already, Tara has astounded and delighted forest officials with her daring 1.5-km swim across the chilly, crocodile-infested waters of the Chandoli dam. Tara was relocated from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) in western Maharashtra on December 18 after being fitted with a radio collar, and was initially believed to be settling into her new surroundings. Officials suspect search for territory or mate However, forest department officials and wildlife researchers tracking her movements have learnt that she has swum across the Chandoli dam, possibly in search of a mate or to carve out a territory of her own.
21 January,2026 11:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavA flawed question in the e-KYC process for the Ladki Bahin Yojana has resulted in more than 24 lakh women beneficiaries in Maharashtra being wrongly classified as government employees, leading to the abrupt stoppage of their monthly financial assistance, reported news agency PTI. Anganwadi workers deployed for physical verification The error, acknowledged by the Women and Child Welfare Department (WCD), has now forced the government to deploy nearly one lakh anganwadi workers across the state to physically verify the affected beneficiaries. Confusing Marathi wording led to incorrect responses A senior official from the department on Wednesday said one of the questions in the e-KYC form was wrongly framed, using two negative words instead of a simple query, reported PTI. The question in Marathi read "Tumchya gharatle koni sarkari nokrit nahi na?" (Nobody in your family works for the government, right?), reported PTI. Beneficiaries selected wrong option due to sentence structure Officials said that beneficiaries, who should have answered "no", marked "yes" due to the confusing sentence construction, reported PTI. The question confused the respondents and around 24 lakh replied in the affirmative. This was automatically taken to mean that at least one family member was a government employee, and the system stopped the monthly payment, the WCD official said. Data review exposes scale of discrepancy The scale of the error became clear during data review, the official said, as Maharashtra has 8 to 9 lakh government employees, including those in semi-government bodies and corporations, reported PTI. Complaints poured in over non-receipt of instalments "We also started receiving complaints from different parts of the state regarding non-payment of the monthly instalment (of Rs 1,500 given under the scheme)," he said, reported PTI. Minister orders verification drive to correct records State Women and Child Welfare Minister Aditi Tatkare, in a post on X on Tuesday night, said the physical verification of these beneficiaries would be carried out by anganwadi workers to correct the records. The e-KYC exercise covered around 2.30 crore beneficiaries and was aimed at ensuring eligibility under the scheme. The deadline for completing e-KYC was December 31, 2025. Rs 3,700 crore disbursed monthly under scheme The state releases around Rs 3,700 crore every month for nearly 2.25 crore beneficiaries, with each eligible woman receiving Rs 1,500 per month. The e-KYC exercise was taken up following complaints that men were receiving the assistance or that government employees had been registered as beneficiaries. Previous audit revealed men, govt staff as illegal beneficiaries Last month, in a written reply to the state legislative council, Tatkare said the verification drive had revealed serious misuse of the scheme. As many as 14,298 men were identified as having received financial benefits under the scheme, meant exclusively for women, and more than 1,500 state government employees were found to have illegally claimed the assistance, she informed the House. Recovery proceedings initiated against ineligible claimants The government has initiated recovery proceedings against the men and government employees who wrongly availed of the benefits, the minister had said. (With inputs from PTI)
21 January,2026 11:18 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAn error of judgement, resulting in commuters continuing to suffer even after a month-long block, has left Western Railway (WR) with egg on its face. Owing to this lapse, hundreds of local train operations scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday had to be cancelled. Though WR had recently completed its sixth line, the south-end entry-exit line of the crucial Kandivali car shed had not been opened, drastically impacting dozens of suburban services. “Due to suspension of exit and entry at Kandivali car shed and speed restrictions imposed on the Up and Down fast line between Kandivali and Malad, some suburban services will remain cancelled on January, 21, 2026,” a WR press release read. What went wrong? In the hurry to complete the project, the WR engineers forgot one important thing: giving the ‘line-fit’ certificate to the crucial Churchgate-end entry and exit line of the Kandivali car shed. Railway officials, linemen, and contract workers carry out work amid a jumbo block for the sixth line project near Kandivali railway station on January 18. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE This has led to a major problem as the car shed has been isolated from one side and local trains are being taken out in one direction and a few parked elsewhere disturbing the existing rake links. “It was the most obvious thing that should been have done at the first. Now, two more days have been wasted, inconveniencing of lakhs of commuters,” a source said. Voices Borivali commuter and student Aakash Bhavnani said, “One month of blocks and tall claims and they still forgot the basics? Lakhs are suffering because someone didn’t tick a box. This is not development; this is negligence. The most obvious thing was ignored, and the city, as always, paid the price. WR owes commuters more than silence.” An office-going commuter, Anshika Mehra, said, “How do you ‘forget’ a line-fit certificate after spending years on a project? Are commuters guinea pigs for engineering experiments now? Western Railway treats commuters like collateral damage.” Shailesh Ramane, a student and commuter from Dahisar, said, “Finish the sixth line, then shut down trains the very next day. If this is planning, we don’t want it. Blocks, speed restrictions, cancellations — and now excuses. When will accountability arrive on time, as our trains never do?” “We were told the pain of blocks would end congestion. Instead, we got two more days of chaos. Who answers for this? Hundreds of locals cancelled because engineers were in a hurry to declare completion. Hurry for whom? Certainly not for commuters,” software engineer Rivesh Kumar, a commuter from Khar said. “This is not a technical snag — this is a planning failure. Mumbai locals deserve professionalism, not apologies after the damage. If a private company made such a mistake, heads would roll. Here, commuters just roll with the punches — again,” office-goer Divyesh Pai from Virar said.
21 January,2026 09:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarWith the Borivli 5th and 6th lines complete, the railways have now focused on completing the next piece of the jigsaw puzzle that is the railway expansion project from Borivli to Virar. In this 26-km section, a number of existing stations like Dahisar, Bhayandar, Naigaon and Virar will move the locations of their slow line platforms to accommodate the new lines. While Dahisar platforms will move north, Bhayander will move westward and Virar a bit to the south. The project aims to segregate long-distance trains from suburban local trains, thereby improving the frequency and efficiency of daily commutes for Mumbai residents by creating dedicated corridors for both suburban locals and express trains. The estimated cost for the project is Rs 2184 crore with a targeted completion of 2028. The project is being executed by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) under the MUTP-3A. The two new lines will be constructed on the western side of the existing main lines for the entire stretch from Borivli to Virar. The construction includes three major bridges, 16 minor bridges, one road underpass, and two important bridges, particularly Bridge No. 73 and 75 over the Vasai Creek (Bhayandar Khadi). Work on the foundations for Bridge No. 73 has begun, and an old historic bridge near Bhayandar is being dismantled. The two new lines will be constructed on the western side of the existing main lines for the entire stretch from Borivli to Virar. PICS/SATEJ SHINDE Major remodelling will occur at Bhayandar and Vasai stations, including new platforms and repurposing existing ones. Other stations like Dahisar, Mira Road, Naigaon, and Nalasopara will also see improvements and new platform constructions. Sections like Dahisar to Mira Road have seen significant progress in forest land clearing and earthwork due to early clearances. Sections like Borivli to Dahisar, Mira Road to Bhayandar, and Nalasopara to Virar have existing railway land or stable lines that will be repurposed, reducing the need for new land acquisition and extensive earthwork. New stabling lines will be built between Naigaon and Vasai to compensate for repurposed lines in other sections. Location-wise work Panju Island: Special arrangements, including a dedicated ferry, are being made to transport construction machinery and materials to Panju Island due to a lack of direct road access. Borivli station: No major remodelling. The project starts from Platform No. 3 and 5 at Borivli, and the two new lines stay in the west of the existing corridor. Not much land acquisition between Borivli and Dahisar since most of it is railway land with traction sub-stations, quarters, and stabling (train parking) lines. The new lines will pass under the Sudhir Phadke flyover just ahead of Borivli station towards Dahisar. Dahisar station: The two new lines will pass in the west near the existing Platform No. 1. The two new slow line platforms will be moved a bit north due to lack of space at the existing station and merged. Ahead of Dahisar, from the Metro 2A bridge till Mira Road station, works are at an advanced stage as the forest land required for the purpose has already been acquired, and work started on the ground. This stretch between Dahisar and Mira Road will also have three stabling lines that are being shifted from Borivli. Mira Road: New platforms to come up west of the existing Platform No. 1. Bhayandar: The platform used for terminating and originating trains at Bhayandar will move to the west. The existing Platform No. 1 will remain as it is, and Platform No. 2, currently used for terminating trains, will be the new Churchgate-bound slow platform. Platform No. 3 which is the terminal platform will be the next Virar fast platform. The Churchgate slow Platform No. 4 will be the Churchgate fast platform in the future. Naigaon: New platforms to come up in the west. There will be 20 stabling lines also coming up between Naigaon and Vasai. Vasai: Major remodelling to take place. The existing Platform No. 1 will be shifted westwards by about 8 metres after shifting existing structures. Its purpose as a terminal platform will remain the same. The space of the old platforms will be used to lay two new lines and the platforms will be made at the north-end of the west side of existing Platform No. 2, to be used by the slow corridor. The existing Platform No. 2-3 will be used for fast line corridor. Nallasopara: New home platform to the west of existing Platform No. 1. The existing Platform No. 1 will become an island platform. Virar: Two new platforms will come up at the south-end of the station, further expanding the station Status of the project The ambitious Borivli–Virar 5th and 6th line project has achieved 18 per cent physical progress, even as it clears one bottleneck after another in its path. The hurdles are so prominent that they included even a stay on the construction of one of the bridges, which the MRVC had to get vacated. The project faces a host of hurdles. Of the 1.81 hectares of private land required, MRVC has acquired 1.40 hectares; the rest is entangled in legal procedures. Another major obstacle is the acquisition of 13.62 hectares of saltpan land, a process complicated by ownership disputes and environmental sensitivities. Relocation of railway buildings and quarters at Dahisar, Mira Road, Bhayandar, Naigaon, and Vasai Road is still in progress. Environmentally, while both Stage-I and Stage-II forest clearances have been granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), work in mangrove areas has been permitted only under strict compensatory plantation and monitoring conditions as directed by the Bombay High Court and the Mangrove Cell. “We have cleared major hurdles, but the challenge now is on-ground execution. The next 12 months are critical,” said an MRVC official.
21 January,2026 09:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday has forecasted maximum and minimum temperatures in Mumbai to be around 31 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius, respectively. According to the Sameer app, the city’s air quality index (AQI) on Wednesday stands at 118, which falls under the “moderate” category. This may cause breathing discomfort for people with lung disorders, asthma, or heart conditions. AQI across Mumbai Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) – 134Byculla – 96Andheri East – 125Colaba – 96Deonar – 136Ghatkopar – 120Kandivali East – 119Kandivali West – 110 Delhi records 'very poor' air quality as AQI stands at 341 Meanwhile, Delhi continued to reel under 'very poor' air quality on Wednesday morning, with the AQI recorded at 341 around 7 am, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Although the air quality showed a marginal improvement compared to Tuesday morning, when the AQI stood at 397, the overall situation remained concerning, with pollution levels firmly placed in the 'very poor' category. The sustained deterioration in air quality continues to pose serious health risks, particularly to children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory ailments. Several areas across the national capital reported high AQI levels. Anand Vihar recorded AQI readings of 388, Ashok Vihar at 388, while Wazirpur registered 386. Other pollution hotspots included Punjabi Bagh (374), RK Puram (377), Bawana (383), ITO (369), Chandni Chowk (369) and Dwarka Sector 8 (376). All these locations remained in the 'very poor' category, reflecting widespread pollution across the city. As per AQI classification, a reading between 0 and 50 is 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe'. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported moderate fog at several locations in Delhi, with dense fog observed at isolated places. The temperature in the national capital was recorded at around 9 degrees Celsius at 7 am, adding to the challenging weather conditions. A day earlier, in view of deteriorating air quality in the national capital, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked measures under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the National Capital Region. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said that it has revoked its earlier orders dated January 17, 2026, invoking Stage-IV actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the National Capital Region (NCR). Stage-IV measures are applicable when the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 450, classified as 'Severe'. All implementing agencies across the NCR have been instructed to maintain strict vigilance and intensify measures under these stages to prevent AQI levels from worsening into the 'Severe' category. The CAQM emphasised that air quality monitoring and review will continue across the region, with all agencies ensuring the timely implementation of preventive measures under Stage-I, II, and III.
21 January,2026 09:28 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFor over half a year, Gorai Beach has been in complete darkness as the sun sets daily. This is despite locals complaining since the onset of the monsoon in 2025, after the streetlights stopped working in May. But what can be seen as a New Year’s gift, one of the first things being fixed on the island are the streetlights at Gorai Beach. Expressing relief, Rossi D’Souza, a member of the Gorai Gaothan Panchayat, told mid-day, “We saw workers here and one of them told me it is to restore streetlights at the beach.” Due to heavy wear and tear caused by sea breeze, sand, and water, the streetlights which were on the beach earlier stopped working, with one of the poles breaking off and falling onto the sand on the beach. While residents complained, work couldn’t be done as the monsoon set in. Residents feel that the functioning streetlights would provide safety, and prevent illegal or dangerous activities on the beach. “We had a mini bus stuck during high tide last year. Luckily, since it was in the morning time, we could help get the bus out. If such an incident was to happen in the evening hours, it would be very difficult to get help to those who are stuck,” Royston Godinho, a member of Gorai Gaothan Panchayat had told mid-day earlier. Godinho added, “The lights are not only for those who will be visiting, it is also for those who live along the beach. In the last six months they have suffered due to no proper light. But now that the lights will be functional soon, they will have a safer path home.” Samuel D’Souza, one of the younger residents of the area, said, “Once the lights are functional, we will have more time to hang around and play at the beach, but we hope high-intensity lights are installed, as the ones used previously didn’t help much. mid-day contacted the BMC R Central ward office for a comment on when the lights will be functional, but no response was received till the time of going to press.
21 January,2026 08:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturIn a move aimed at easing the burden on the judiciary and expediting the resolution of stamp duty disputes, the Maharashtra government has amended the Maharashtra Stamp Act to introduce a statutory appellate mechanism against orders passed by the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority (CCRA). The amendment, brought in through the Maharashtra Stamp (Second Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act No. LXIII of 2025), will come into force from January 15, 2026, as per a notification issued from Mantralaya on January 9. Dispute reforms “Stamp duty is the second-highest source of revenue for Maharashtra after GST, with an annual collection target of around Rs 55,000-60,000 crore across the state. At present, when stamp duty matters decided by stamp collectors go in appeal or revision before the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority (CCRA) and parties are still dissatisfied, they approach the Bombay High Court. Around 150 such cases are pending, involving demands running into crores of rupees, many of them five to ten years old,” said a stamp department official from Mumbai. “Once a matter reaches the High Court, recovery proceedings are stayed, demand notices are halted, and cases remain pending for years. This adversely affects both the state and litigants. Penalties continue to accrue at 2 per cent per month, going up to 24 per cent annually, yet the state is deprived of revenue during this period. Even when cases ultimately succeed, the maximum penalty payable is capped at four times the stamp duty. Delays only lead to uncertainty, prolonged litigation and hardship for parties. The new amendment will ensure speedy disposal on merits, reduce unnecessary writ petitions, and protect state revenue while giving litigants a fair and time-bound appellate remedy. It will cover all categories of stamp duty, including property transactions, mergers and other instruments,” explained the official. Under the amendment, a new Section 53B has been inserted in the Act, allowing aggrieved parties to file an appeal against CCRA orders passed under Section 53(1A) before the State Government within 60 days of receiving the order, upon payment of a fee of Rs 1000. Legal vacuum Until now, there was no statutory provision for appealing CCRA orders under the Stamp Act. As a result, affected parties were compelled to approach the Bombay High Court under its writ jurisdiction. Officials said this had contributed to a significant backlog, with nearly 150 writ petitions currently pending before the High Court challenging various CCRA decisions, explained the officer. The absence of an intermediate appellate forum was widely viewed as a legal vacuum, particularly given the substantial financial implications of stamp duty determinations in property and commercial transactions, the officer said. Expected relief Legal experts believe the amendment will play a crucial role in reducing litigation and improving administrative efficiency. By providing an alternative remedy before the State Government, the new mechanism is expected to substantially reduce the number of writ petitions filed before the High Court. Officials also said the administrative appellate forum would ensure faster disposal of disputes, lower litigation costs for citizens, and better accessibility compared to approaching a constitutional court. At the same time, the High Court’s extraordinary jurisdiction under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution will remain unaffected. Other changes Along with introducing Section 53B, the amendment makes several consequential changes to the Act. The provision in Section 53(1A) declaring CCRA orders as “final” has been removed, enabling appeals. Section 32C has been amended to refer to the new appellate provision, while Section 53A(1) has been modified to exclude instruments involved in appeals under Section 53B from certain procedural requirements. Pending matters The amendment is also expected to benefit litigants. Instead of challenging CCRA orders directly in the High Court, they can now first appeal to the Revenue Minister within sixty days. If they remain dissatisfied, they still reserve the right to approach the High Court. Legislative intent The Statement of Objects and Reasons accompanying the amendment underscores the government’s intent to reduce court pendency by strengthening administrative remedies before judicial intervention. The reform aligns with broader efforts to streamline dispute resolution and decongest constitutional courts. The notification enforcing the amendment was issued by State Revenue, Joint Secretary, Satyanarayan Bajaj, exercising powers under Section 1(2) of the Act. Interestingly, only time will decide the fate of the pending writ cases challenging the CCRA orders before the High Court. Authorities speak Ravindra Binwade, Inspector General of Registration and Stamps, State of Maharashtra, said, “The High Court process will continue, but from January 15, 2026 onwards, when the amendment is enforced, we will have a statutory appellate mechanism for cases rejected under Section 53A by me as CCRA. This is about fair adjudication. In case of dispute with the CCRA order, parties can now approach the appellate authority (the government/revenue minister). Aggrieved parties can appeal within the prescribed time, giving them due opportunity for justice, said Ravindra Binwade, Inspector General of Registration and Stamps, State of Maharashtra. Raghunath Gawade, Additional Controller of Stamps, Mumbai, said, “The government has taken a good decision, and we have to implement it. Instead of approaching the High Court by filing a writ petition, parties will now have a statutory remedy, under which they can file an appeal before the Revenue Minister of Maharashtra, challenging a CCRA order. The intention is to ensure that appeals are filed and decided without unnecessary delay.” Rs 55,000-60,000 crThe annual stamp duty collection target across the state
21 January,2026 08:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonTo raise awareness about the higher education avenues that the students can tap into, officials from the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell have begun hosting seminars in various districts across the state. Over the past week, CET Cell officials have spoken to students from Nandurbar and Dhule, while they are set to converse with students from Akola and Nanded this week. “We have selected the districts as per past registration data,” said Dileep B Sardesai, CET Cell commissioner. “Over the years we have noticed that the number of registrations largely comes in from cities like Pune. Through this activity, we hope to reach out to students from other districts to increase their awareness about the entrance test and wthe kind of courses one can enrol in after the exam,” he added. The officials are also raising awareness about the agricultural courses the students can opt for after college. These seminars are also covering the bases in terms of registration processes. As per officials from the cell, another phase of this outreach may come into action after receiving feedback from students. Students from Dhule, where a seminar was conducted this Sunday, spoke to mid-day Vaishnavi Shinde, 17“We were taught about Aadhaar, DigiLocker, APAAR ID, and the documents one needs before registration and admission. With the Std XII board exams ahead of me, I am focused on those at the moment, but I am inclined towards nursing. I have already enrolled in coaching classes and intended to appear for the test even before the seminar. The talk, however, helped me with a bit more clarity.” Mrunmayee Bapat, 17“I only knew about MHCET before the seminar and didn’t know that there were more exams I could take even after graduation. I already knew that this year, students will be able to take two attempts, so I hope to take a PCM (physics, chemistry, mathematics) and a PCB (physics, chemistry, biology) exam. I have been preparing for these tests with the help of a few YouTube videos.” Purushottam Bondare, 18“I am already doing an engineering diploma, but I attended the seminar with my younger sister to make more mindful choices. She is to opt for nursing, but we now understand that we can take more exams out of the PCM/PCB realm.”
21 January,2026 08:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarMaharashtra is poised for a fresh push in industrial growth following a series of international trade discussions held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Wednesday (IST), reported news agency ANI. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said global partnerships and trade agreements are crucial for the state, as they help attract new factories and business opportunities, keeping Maharashtra at the forefront of India’s economic growth. He noted that the state has already emerged as a preferred destination for large-scale energy investments, including a recently announced lithium refinery. Explaining Maharashtra’s strategic advantage, Fadnavis said the arrival of the lithium refinery and other investments underscores the benefits of international cooperation. “Any bilateral agreement is beneficial to a state like Maharashtra, which has always been a growth engine of the Indian economy. Bilateral tie-ups and free trade agreements are always very beneficial for Maharashtra,” he said, reported ANI. The Chief Minister also announced a new initiative to leverage advanced medical technology to make healthcare more affordable and accessible across the state. Speaking at a special session in Switzerland, he said the Maharashtra government held discussions with global medical technology companies on deploying modern equipment and digital health solutions to reduce treatment costs for the common citizen. "Davos is essential for staying relevant in today's geopolitics": Fadnavis on adapting to new technology Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday (Indian Standard Time) said the Davos summit plays a crucial role in helping India keep pace with global shifts in geopolitics, innovation and technology. He noted that participation in such international platforms allows states to understand emerging business trends, attract investment and adopt modern processes back home, reported ANI. Emphasising the value of engagement at Davos, Fadnavis said India’s presence at the forum has been “very effectively registered,” with participation from ten states reflecting the spirit of cooperative and competitive federalism promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “We are all here representing ourselves in that spirit. Davos is essential for staying relevant in today’s geopolitics and connected economy. If you want to remain relevant, you have to come here,” he said. The Chief Minister added that Davos offers a unique opportunity for governments and businesses to interact, learn about innovation, technology and evolving business processes, and understand how the global economy is changing. “When businesses connect, there are clear benefits. Investments also follow. This time, Maharashtra has focused on large-scale strategic collaborations,” he said, reported ANI. The 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum is being held from January 19 to 23, 2026, at Davos-Klosters. The event has drawn nearly 3,000 participants from more than 130 countries, including a record number of world leaders, CEOs, innovators and policymakers, under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.” Leaders from government, business, civil society and academia are expected to deliberate on pressing global challenges and set future priorities, underscoring the call for bold collective action.
21 January,2026 08:13 AM IST | Davos | mid-day online correspondentThe central and state leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is unwilling to share key power positions in Mumbai’s civic body with its ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Despite being part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, the BJP wants complete control of the mayor’s post and the powerful standing committee in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), signalling growing unease within the alliance ahead of the civic battle. On Tuesday, senior BJP leader Ameet Satam and a select group of Sena leaders were in Delhi to resolve seat-sharing differences within the BJP Sena alliance. While the two parties together have the numbers to elect the mayor, negotiations continue over how power will be divided between them. When asked whether the BJP would insist on having its own mayor in Mumbai, Satam said, “The mayor will be of the Mahayuti.” He added that discussions in Delhi were also focused on deciding the group leader and several organisational issues related to the BMC. In the 227-member BMC, the BJP has won 89 seats, while the Shiv Sena has secured 29. Together, the two allies comfortably cross the halfway mark of 114 seats required to elect the mayor. However, the BJP does not have a majority on its own. Without the support of Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, the party cannot fulfil its long-standing ambition of installing a BJP mayor in Mumbai. Aware of his party’s strategic importance despite its smaller seat share, Shinde has emerged as a kingmaker and is bargaining hard for the top post and key positions in the civic body. Sources said the Sena is demanding an equal share in the mayor’s tenure, proposing a split-term arrangement of two and a half years each for the Sena and the BJP. Meanwhile, the state government has initiated the process to elect the next Mumbai mayor. As per civic rules, reservation for the post will be decided through a lottery system on January 22. The BMC was ruled for 25 years by the undivided Shiv Sena, first under Balasaheb Thackeray and later under his son Uddhav. In the recent civic results, Shiv Sena UBT secured 65 seats, while Raj Thackeray’s MNS won six seats. A senior BJP leader dismissed speculation that the Shiv Sena would get the Mayor’s post, particularly in the backdrop of the centenary year of Bal Thackeray. According to sources within the BJP, the party is willing to offer its ally control of departments such as Education, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), and a few other committees, while retaining the mayor’s post, the powerful standing committee, and possibly the improvement committee.
21 January,2026 07:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarIn a major relief to the beneficiaries of the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana', Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare on Tuesday announced an extension for the mandatory e-KYC process, reported news agency IANS. Rural and remote women struggled with OTP failures and portal glitches The state government has decided to push the deadline for completing e-KYC beyond December 31, 2025, providing much-needed relief to thousands of women who were facing technical hurdles. The previous deadline of November 18, 2025, was extended to December 31, 2025. Minister Tatkare acknowledged that many eligible women in remote and rural areas were unable to complete the process due to OTP (One-Time Password) failures, server downtime, and other technical glitches on the official portal. The government has also provided a "last chance" for women who made errors during their initial e-KYC submission to rectify their details. Physical verification ordered to correct e-KYC errors “For the economic empowerment of women in Maharashtra, and to improve their health and nutrition, the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is being implemented. For the effective implementation of this scheme, all beneficiaries were given time until December 31, 2025, to complete e-KYC. However, it has been observed that due to some reasons, the wrong option was selected while doing e-KYC. Therefore, as per the criteria of the scheme, instructions have been given to all District Collectors in the state to conduct physical verification of these beneficiary women at the regional level through Anganwadi workers,” said Minister Tatkare, reported IANS. e-KYC remains mandatory to ensure transparency in fund transfer Despite the extension, the Minister emphasised that e-KYC remains mandatory to ensure transparency and to confirm that the financial assistance of Rs 1,500 reaches only eligible beneficiaries. Minister Tatkare further clarified that specific groups, including widows, divorcees, and women whose husbands or fathers have passed away, must not only complete the online e-KYC but also submit relevant supporting documents to their respective District Women and Child Development Officers to ensure uninterrupted benefits, reported IANS. Speaking to the media, Aditi Tatkare stated, "This scheme is a revolution for women's empowerment. Following instructions from the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers, we have extended the date so that no eligible sister is deprived of the benefits due to natural calamities or technical difficulties," reported IANS. The Minister urged all remaining beneficiaries to visit the official website (ladakibahin.maharashtra.gov.in) and complete their Aadhaar-linked e-KYC as soon as possible to avoid any delays in future instalments of Ladki Bahin Yojana. (With inputs from IANS)
21 January,2026 07:57 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
