Flora Fountain to reopen soon as water leakages fixed

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January 31, 2019

The iconic Flora Fountain in South Mumbai, which was shut down soon after it was unveiled last week due to water leakages, will reopen soon as the problem has been fixed, a civic official said Thursday.

The heritage structure was unveiled last Thursday after completion of the restoration work.

The senior official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), who supervised restoration work of the Grade-I heritage structure, said the site was closed after leakages were found in its water troughs.

“Our team immediately undertook the repair work. Now, the leakages have been fixed. The water supply system was very old and the valve was not properly fit into the system. But we have now installed a new plate, so there would be no leakages,” he said.

“The structure can be reopened soon, maybe by today evening or tomorrow morning,” he said.

The Flora Fountain currently receives water through a 200-mm pipeline that is quite old, the official noted.

After its first phase of restoration work was completed, this 150-year-old structure was inaugurated on January 24 by Yuva Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray and Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar.

Civic officials said the second phase of the restoration work will take another few months to complete.

The work to renovate the 153-year-old Gothic Revival architecture was given to the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) by the BMC in September 2016. However, the organisation had stopped the work towards the end of 2017 due to paucity of funds. The restoration work had resumed in March 2018.

Flora Fountain is an ornamentally and exquisitely sculpted architectural heritage monument located in the Fort business district in South Mumbai.

Built in 1864, the decorated structure is a fusion of water, architecture and sculpture depicting the Roman goddess Flora.

Maratha quota: Petitioners free to access annexure copy: HC

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January 31, 2019

The Bombay High Court on Thursday said that it cannot stop petitioners from accessing annexures of the Backward Classes Commission’s report on Maratha quota.

The petitioners were free to go to the state secretariat and inspect the hard copy of the annexures, the court added.

The petitioners informed a division bench of Justices Ranjit More and Bharati Dangre that while they were given a copy of the commission’s report, they were refused copy of the annexures, which were part of the commission’s report.

“The annexures are also an important part of the commission’s report and its findings, as they comprise statistical data collected by the commission on the basis of which it recommended reservation for the Maratha community,” argued advocate Gunaratan Sadavarte, appearing for one of the petitioners.

Senior counsel V A Thorat, appearing for the government, told the court that the annexures were voluminous, running into 35 volumes.

“The government is yet to scan it. The petitioners are free to go to ‘Mantralaya’ (secretariat) and inspect the hard copy of the annexures and take copies of whichever pages they feel are relevant for them,” Thorat said.

The petitioners’ lawyers, however, refused to do so and said they were entitled to get copies of the entire annexures.

Thorat said that the annexures were only survey data.

The court said that it cannot prevent the petitioners from accessing the annexures.

“How can we prevent? Do something and find a way out…someone at the commission must have typed it out…you (government) are a mighty government. The annexures can be scanned and given,” Justice More said.

Thorat then sought time till February 4 to take instructions from the government on whether scanned copies could be given to the petitioners.

The court then posted the matter for further hearing on February 4.

“Till then, the petitioners are free to go to Mantralaya and inspect the hard copy of the annexures,” the court said.

Several petitions were filed in HC challenging the November 30, 2018 decision of Maharashtra government granting 16 per cent reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for the Maratha community.

Some petitions were also filed in support of the reservation decision.

The court is expected to take up the petitions for final hearing on February 6.

Fadnavis rules out simultaneous assembly, LS polls in State

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January 31, 2019

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday ruled out the possibility of simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the state.

However, the Congress claimed that Fadnavis may “reluctantly agree” to keep the BJP’s alliance intact with the Shiv Sena.

To a question by a news agency on whether he has been asked by the BJP high command in Delhi about his views on simultaneous polls, Fadnavis replied in the negative.

“There is no prospect of advancing the state assembly polls (so that they can be held) along with the Lok Sabha elections,” he said.

The Maharashtra Assembly’s term ends in November and elections are likely to be held in October.

The Lok Sabha elections are due in April-May.

Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam claimed that the BJP has “surrendered” before its ally Shiv Sena, which has said that if there is an alliance, it should be for both Lok Sabha and assembly polls.

“The BJP had told the Sena to first have an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls and then consider (it for) the assembly (polls). But the Shiv Sena wants an alliance for both and is not averse to holding simultaneous polls,” the Congress leader said.

“We are aware that Fadnavis will reluctantly agree to the proposal of the BJP’s central leadership to hold simultaneous polls in alliance with the Shiv Sena. We discussed this in our meetings and have begun preparations for the assembly polls as well,” Nirupam said.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spokesperson Nawab Malik said Prime Minister Narendra Modi favoured simultaneous elections and so the state government should call for assembly polls along with the Lok Sabha polls.

“People of Maharashtra will get relief from the incumbent government six months in advance,” he quipped.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande, however, rubbished Nirupam’s claim, saying he did not run the day-to- day affairs of her party.

“We go by our president Uddhav Thackeray’s decisions and not Nirupam’s claims. Nirupam shouldn’t comment on our party. He should worry about his existence and his party,” she said.

“As regards the simultaneous polls, the Shiv Sena is ready for separate Lok Sabha and assembly elections or both together,” she said.

BMC can’t take Priyadarshini Park possession without due law: HC

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January 31, 2019

The Bombay High Court on Thursday said that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) cannot take possession of the 20-acre Priyadarshini Park in south Mumbai without following the due process of law.

Noting that there already existed a previous HC order to this effect, a bench of Justices Ranjit More and Bharati Dangre disposed of a petition filed by a resident association of the Malabar Hill area challenging an eviction notice issued to them by the BMC.

The bench took note of BMC’s submission that the notice, issued in November last year, was “only a quick notice,” and that the petitioners would be given a fair hearing as per municipal rules, before any coercive action was taken by the civic body.

Therefore, the petition had been filed “unnecessarily” and considering that the BMC itself was willing to follow due process before taking any coercive action, the petitioners’ grievance against the notice did not survive, the court said.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by Malabar Hill Citizens’ Forum, which looks after the upkeep of Priyadarshini Park, located at Napean Sea Road.

The BMC had recently terminated the agreement with the forum for maintaining the park on the ground that it had violated terms and conditions of allotment.

In its order, the BMC had directed the petitioners to vacate the park premises by February 1.

The petitioner, however, argued that the notice was bad in law since, without giving them a fair hearing as stipulated under section 105(B) of the Mumbai

Man gets 20-year RI for raping minor girl in Maharashtra’s Palghar

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January 31, 2019

A court here has sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a six- year-old girl, observing it as a “heinous crime” against a child.

Additional Sessions judge R R Bhosale, in his order pronounced on Tuesday, also imposed a fine of Rs 16,000 on 21-year-old Ansar Ahmed Fazlur Rehman.

According to the prosecution, the accused, who worked as a labourer in a factory, and the girl’s parents were neighbours. They lived in a township in Maharashtra’s Palghar district.

In June last year, the accused raped the child on a few occasions after entering her house when she was alone. The girl’s parents once saw her crying in pain and on enquiring, she revealed the incident to them, the prosecution said.

The parents then filed a complaint at the Waliv police station.

The accused was arrested and booked under Indian Penal Code Sections 376 (rape) and 451 (house-trespass in order to commit offence), and relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The judge observed this was a “heinous crime against the child” and the prosecution successfully proved all the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

“Hence, the accused needs to be given maximum punishment,” the judge said in his order.

Naxals set ablaze 6 vehicles in Maharashtra

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January 31, 2019

Naxals allegedly torched six vehicles, including tractors brought for construction work, in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district on Thursday, a police official said.

The incident took place in the morning in Korchi tehsil near Dongargaon police outpost, he said.

A group of around 12 Maoists set on fire four tractors and two JCB machines which were brought for construction work in the area, the official said.

The rebels also blocked the Kurkheda-Kochi-Chichgad road by cutting trees and placing branches on the way, he said.

Police suspect a group of ultra’s divisional committee from North Gadchiroli to be behind the incident as some Maoist banners were found on the spot, he said.

A probe was underway into the incident, he said.

The rebels have been observing the ‘Naxal Week’ from January 25 to 31, the official added.

According to police, Naxals hold meetings and gatherings during this period and engage in propaganda, recruit new members, review operations, besides resorting to damaging roads, public property and carrying out attacks on security forces.

Injured Sharapova pulls out of St Petersburg Open

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January 31, 2019

Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova pulled out of the ongoing St Petersburg Open owing to an injury in the right shoulder.

The 31-year-old was due to play her second-round match against number 3 seed Daria Kesatkina but had to withdraw due to injury. Consequently, Kasatkina won the match by walkover and moved into the quarter-final of the event.

The former world number one said that despite making all the efforts, she could not make herself ready for the match.

“I tried to do everything possible to be able to be ready to compete this week, but my right shoulder continues to be an issue for me. I will meet with my team of doctors over the next few days to evaluate the situation, and I look forward to returning to completion as soon as possible,” WTA quoted Sharapova, as saying.

“It was so special to play in front of my home crowd this week and I wish I could have continued competing in this fantastic tournament,” she added.

Kapi Sibal blames PM Modi’s pakodanomics for rise in Unemployment

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January 31, 2019

Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Thursday voiced scepticism at the central government’s official data, and said that unemployment was rising due to the Narendra Modi government’s ‘pakodanomics’.

“Two members of National Statistical Commission (NSC) resigned. They don’t want to bring the data forward. In other countries we have heard people being encountered, but in our country data is being encountered. The rate of unemployment in the country has increased. This is a result of Modi ji’s pakodanomics,” he added.

Two members of the NSC resigned on January 28, saying that the government had withheld release of a key National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) report.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi too tweeted on unemployment and criticised Prime Minister Modi for not being able to fulfil the promise of creating 2 crore jobs every year.

“NoMo Jobs! The Fuhrer promised us 2 Cr jobs a year. 5 years later, his leaked job creation report card reveals a National Disaster. Unemployment is at its highest in 45 yrs. 6.5 Cr youth are jobless in 2017-18 alone. Time for NoMo2Go,” he wrote on his Twitter handle.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also commented on the issue of unemployment and tweeted, “Unemployment rate is at a 45-year high. This is why the NSSO Report was kept under the wraps. This is why members of NSC resigned. The promise of 2 Cr Jobs turned out to be a cruel joke! India does not want a Govt that has left the future of our youth in jeopardy.

Loss in fourth ODI is a reality check for us: Bhuvneshwar

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January 31, 2019

Outplayed in the fourth cricket one-dayer, Indian pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Thursday said the eight-wicket loss to New Zealand is a “reality check” for the team ahead of the remainder of the series.

India’s much-vaunted batting was dismissed for its seventh lowest ODI total — 92 in 30.5 overs in the fourth ODI as New Zealand tasted success in the five-ODI series for the first time after already conceding the rubber.

“If you look at the cricket we have been playing in the last few months, we have played good cricket and such matches come after some time. So it is a kind of reality check what we can do and improve in the next matches,” Bhuvneshwar said.

“We were confident after winning the series but things didn’t go our way. I don’t want to take credit away from these guys (New Zealand bowlers). They bowled really well and outplayed us.”

After the fifth and final ODI at Wellington on Sunday, India will play three T20 Internationals against New Zealand starting February 6.

Seamers Trent Boult (5/21) and Colin de Grandhomme (3/26) exploited the swinging conditions to perfection to make life difficult for the Indian batsmen.

Asked if New Zealand exposed India’s weakness on Thursday, Bhuvneshwar said: “Not really, we have played in England, South Africa and Australia, and we have done really well.

“I would say they bowled really well, bowled some amazing and unplayable balls and yes overall, they outplayed us.”

Bhuvneshwar admitted India missed Kohli in the game.

“See you always miss him (Kohli) in such kind of wickets but at the same time it was an opportunity for Shubman Gill who came in his place. What he (Kohli) has done is amazing but we always don’t want to depend on him,” he said.

Bhuvneshwar didn’t get a game in the historic four-match Test series against Australia but made a comeback in the playing XI in the ODI series.

“Ya, it (rhythm) is back but more important is that I am getting wickets. It helps your confidence which you can carry in the next few matches. So yes rhythm is back and pace is up there where I wanted,” he signed off.

Srikanth, Sindhu among those approved by SAI for TOPS scheme

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January 31, 2019

Some athletes have been included in the developmental group for Olympic 2024, and a watchlist was also announced from among athletes competing in badminton, para-athletics, para-shooting, para-swimming and para-power lifting.

Athletes who are in the watchlist will be considered for TOPS on the basis of their performance in the coming months.

The Target Olympic Podium Scheme is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to provide assistance to India’s top athletes.

Players selected in the badminton category include Kidambi Srikanth (Men’s Singles), Sameer Verma (Men’s Singles), HS Prannoy (Men’s Singles), PV Sindhu (Women’s Singles), Saina Nehwal (Women’s Singles), Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (Men’s Doubles), Ashwini Ponappa and Siki Reddy (Women’s doubles) (Till World Championships) and Pranav Chopra and Siki Reddy (Mixed doubles) (Till World Championships).

In addition, Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy (Men’s Doubles), Meghana Jakkampudi and Poorvisha Ram (Women’s Doubles) have been kept on the watch list.

In cycling, players that are chosen for the scheme are Esow Alben, Ronaldo Singh, James Singh, and Rojit Singh (all team sprint).

For the four disciplines under Para-Sports that were reviewed, the Committee chose those athletes under the TOPS schemes who are considered the best medal contenders for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

The selection criteria applied for Para-Athletics were the current world rankings of the athletes and their most recent scores that were being attained in comparison to global best standards.

Those selected include Varun Bhati (Men’s High Jump T63 (42,63), Sharad Kumar (Men’s High Jump T63 (42,63), Sandeep Chaudhary (Men’s Javelin Throw F64 (42-44, 61-64), Sumit (Men’s Javelin Throw F64 (42-44, 61-64), Sundar Singh Gurjar (Men’s Javelin F46 (45-46), Rinku (Men’s Javelin F46 (45-46), Amit Saroha (Men’s Club Throw F51), Virender (Men’s Shotput F57 (56-57) and Jayanti Behera (Women’s 400m T47 (45-47).

Those put on watchlist are Mariyappan Thangavelu, Deepa Malik, Devendra Jhajharia, Sandeep Singh Mann, Mithan, Aamit, Rampal Chahar, Dharambir, Ekta Bhyan, Karamjyoti Dalal, Radha and Rakshita.

In Para Shooting, the athletes included for the TOPS scheme are Manish Narwal and Singhraj (Both Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 and Mixed 50m Pistol SH1), Deepender (Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1) and Avani Lekhara (Will be reviewed at World Championships).