The premium money collected is from the year 2017 till June 2020. The housing authority approved 118 redevelopment projects received from various developers. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) Mumbai Board has collected about Rs 324 crore through premium money by permitting redevelopment projects on its layout, said a senior official.
“MHADA has been given the status of planning authority for the redevelopment of buildings on its layout in 2018 by the state government. This enabled no separate permission from BMC is required for the redevelopment of buildings on MHADA owned layouts. Hence, the premium money which was to be deposited with BMC now remains with the board only. said Vinod Ghosalkar, Chairman of Mumbai Building Repairs and Redevelopment Board.
In 2017, MHADA came up with a policy decision allowing developers to give extra houses or pay premium money in exchange for obtaining No Objection Certificate (NOC) for carrying out the redevelopment project. After which the developers largely opted to pay premium money instead of giving the houses. Interestingly, though MHADA was able to collect crores of rupees in its account, its housing stock reduced. As a consequence, the Mumbai board of MHADA failed to call the lottery for houses in the past. Despite receiving lakhs of applications from interested homebuyers due to less housing stock the MHADA Mumbai board failed to carry out any big lottery for houses to meet the demand.
September 17 was the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many expected some great announcements in favor of people. Several great celebrities wished him and he too wished all of them, some tagged their photos with him, some worshipped and some sent him video messages, but overall the crowd was the same. He retweeted and replied to a few of those confidants who make noise for him and defend him on social media no matter what. His followers and worshippers believe that he is the modern incarnation of the revered Supreme Lord Vishnu. His fans across the country celebrated this day in their own ways. On the other hand, the common public celebrated this day as ‘National Unemployment Day’. Billions of people lost their jobs, youth has gone jobless and women are devastated after this lockdown. She had to work from home and work for home. Commuting is a challenge, survival has become tough for the common man. Our PM knows Madhuri Dixit has a kitchen garden and what all plants growing there but his government is clueless about the deaths of migrants during the lockdown. When actress Madhuri Dixit wished him on his birthday, in reply Modi tweeted her praising her kitchen garden. You read our PM’s tweets, you will get your ribs tickling.
During the on-going parliament proceedings, 10 Lok Sabha MPs posed questions related to the deaths of migrant workers. In question 174 (a and b), details were sought regarding the migrant workers who returned to their states from various parts of the country during the nationwide lockdown period. The government was also asked whether it had details of the migrant workers who lost their lives while returning to their hometowns. In response, the minister of state for labour and employment, Santosh Gangwar said that no such data is maintained. The Narendra Modi government is facing a backlash with opposition parties alleging that the Centre is deliberately trying to hide the information because it is likely to show it in a bad light. During the lockdown, migrant workers were forced to return to their homes on foot, causing a public outcry. It was only later that Shramik trains, buses, and private vehicles were allowed to ferry them home. Nation has gone through uncalled for disaster but the PM and his government are clueless, they don’t know how many lost their lives and livelihood. But he knows celebrities and every small detail of their lifestyle. Isn’t it an irony??
Lockdown, denomination, and GST are the biggest catastrophes since Modi came to power. Only the capitalists and prominent celebrities benefited from this government. Millions of small and micro enterprises were shut down, Homes of lakhs of people were destroyed in riots and calamities. A humble tribute to those financial martyrs, those who died due to denomination ban, GST, lockdown, and those who had to commit suicide. No respite or no mention of these tragedies by the PM. Demonetization caused a lot of chaos in the Indian economy. Middle class people became unemployed and black money holders traded their money after bank hours by turning off CCTV cameras by bribing bank managers. The result of demonetization is declared now. More money came back into the economy as it was in circulation. hundreds lost their lives by standing in a queue. Complete failure to curb the black money and now it is turned into white in a form of gold /property or any other asset. This turned out to be the biggest corruption in Indian history ever. Swachha Bharat Abhiyaan was a campaign like taking a selfie with a broom. Celebrities were promoting more themselves rather than cleanliness. All major tourists’ cities like Agra and Jaipur are super dirty till now. While running a huge country like India it is obvious that things always don’t go as planned so little ups & downs are tolerated, but the PM never accepts failure rather he promotes it as an achievement. He says “Na khaunga na khane dunga”, but corruption is going on as usual in all government institutions, supported by BJP leaders.
When PM Modi came into power in 2014, he was riding onto the anti-incumbency wave against UPA whose image was marred by multiple colossal corruption allegations. People wanted to see the change and brought NDA in power with full majority. That was no mean feat for BJP as it was not able to secure the complete majority in earlier general elections. Modi became a face of hope and optimism with his supposedly clean image and charismatic persona. But for BJP, with great power came great expectations. BJP failed to understand this simple thing. They took pride in attacking students’ unions, institutions, intellectuals, they believed in choking voices, and above all, they believed in “Goli Maro” and hate mongering. PM always remained mute on such crucial issues but he mocked former Pm Manmohan Singh on several occasions, as Maun Mohan (Mute Mohan).
Feeding peacocks was a national event, but feeding the hungry population was not a priority. PM care fetched huge donations but nothing could be more visible than PM Modi’s costliest house and Bihar elections virtual rallies with huge TV screens. The nation is suffering, but the PM is in denial mode. His sold-out news channels successfully divert the attention of people from crucial issues by serving them with all sorts of sensational news broadcasts. At present Sushant Singh Rajput’s death and Kangana’s security was the biggest news topic. The younger generation was charmed by Modi and his digital promotions, they are the ones who successfully created Modi as a Brand are regretting today. Once there was an enormous craze for Modi and now its reality check. The popularity of Modi is shrinking in actuality, but as they say “Money can make mighty fate”, the party is the richest of all. Backed by big business groups. So, managing their victory and remaining in fame won’t be difficult for BJP and their warlords.
(Any suggestions, comments, or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
The Delhi High Court on Friday directed unaided private schools and government schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas and others to provide gadgets and internet package to students of the economically weaker section (EWS) to take online classes. A division bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Sanjeev Narula, while passing the judgement, clarified that the cost of such gadgets and digital equipments as well as internet package are not a part of tuition fee and have to be provided free of cost to the EWS / DG students by private unaided schools and government schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas.
“The RTE (Right to Education) Act lays down the material foundation for creating equal opportunities for everyone in order to reach the ultimate goal of socio-economic justice. Good quality education translates into better employment avenues. By ensuring that EWS students are admitted to private schools we can strive to achieve socio-economic equality,” the order said. The bench said that the obligation cast upon the schools and the state, by law, as provided under the Right to Education Act, has to be appreciated in the right spirit and added that it is the responsibility of the schools and obligation of the state to assist EWS students to overcome all constraints that deprive them of meaningful education.
“We must also acknowledge that because of the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, there could be a tendency amongst the underprivileged children to abandon education for work. This likely fallout needs to be immediately addressed,” the order said. “Otherwise, the gap, between the learning experiences of children from economically weaker sections as against the relatively privileged children, will widen. The fact that EWS students are today offered education through a mode that is based on this divide would further push them back. One of the many steps needed, involves equipping such students with means to have a meaningful education,” it added.
The High Court also directed the constitution of a three-member committee within a week comprising Secretary, Education, Ministry of Education, Central government or his nominee, Secretary Education, Delhi government or his nominee and a representative of school association committee to frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for identification of standard gadgets and supplier and internet package for the EWS/DG students. The order came on a petition, filed by NGO Justice For All through advocates Khagesh B Jha and Shikha Sharma Bagga, seeking directions to provide laptops, smartphones with a high-speed internet connection to EWS students to attend online classes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday stoutly defended farm sector reform bills, asserting that they will act as a “protection shield” for farmers and accused those opposing the measures of standing with middlemen and “deceiving” and “lying” to peasants. With opposition parties dubbing three bills, passed by Lok Sabha and now to be tabled in Rajya Sabha, as “anti-farmers” and the BJP ally Shiromani Akali Dal quitting his government to protest them, Modi refuted their criticism, saying these laws will unshackle farmers by allowing them to sell their produce anywhere by negotiating a better price.
He asserted that the government purchase of farm produce will remain, adding that the mechanism of minimum support price will continue in the same way it always has. At a virtual event to launch several rail projects in Bihar, Modi said his government is committed to providing farmers appropriate price through the MSP, and asserted that no government has done as much for the farming community as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in its six years in power since 2014.
Farmers of the country are aware and can see who are standing with middlemen, who “pocketed” profits meant for them, and opposing new opportunities being provided for them through these measures, he said. The prime minister said the Congress had also promised in its manifesto what his government has now done through these bills, as he attacked the opposition party for fanning protests against these proposed legislations.
Without naming it, he launched a blistering attack on the Congress, saying those who remained in power for decades are trying to “mislead” farmers and “lying” to them on the agriculture bills.
Lok Sabha had passed two bills on Thursday and another bill earlier with the government asserting that they will open new avenues for farmers by unshackling them from existing mechanism and allowing them to enter into agreements with private parties to sell their produce.
Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant announced that three days’ extension for students to submit applications for the last year/semester examinations of Mumbai University. The Minister was speaking to reporters after holding a review meeting on examinations of Mumbai University, which has the highest enrollment of students in the state.
“The varsity has extended the period for submission of exam applications to September 20. 2,47,500 students would appear for the exams,” Samant said.
मुंबई विद्यापीठामध्ये अंतिम वर्षाच्या परीक्षांचा आढावा घेतला…शासन व प्रशासन विद्यापीठांना परीक्षा व्यवस्थितरित्या पार पाडण्यासाठी सर्वतोपरी सहकार्य करेल,असा विश्वास व्यक्त केला.यावेळी कुलगुरू प्रा.सुहास पेडणेकर व मुंबई पोलीस सह आयुक्त विश्वास नांगरे पाटील उपस्थित होते. pic.twitter.com/9WieguFc6k
According to the report, nearly 1,70,000 students are regular ones while the rest are taking the exam to clear the backlog. The result certificates will have no mention of the exam being held during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such a mention had appeared on some passing certificates issued by an agriculture university in the state earlier, which had drawn criticism.
Samant clarified that the certificate will be normal, a regular piece of paper.
Meanwhile, Mumbai University’s practical exams began from September 15, while that for backlog papers will be held from September 25.
On Friday, a fire broke out in an air conditioner duct at old passport office in Worli Annie Besant Road which led to a cylinder blast, informed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
According to the BMC, the incident took place around 9:30in the morning at Manish Commercial Centre. Also, a 30-year-old woman named Suchit Rashmi Kaur sustained injuries on her left leg and head, was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Soon after the incident, a team of fire tenders reached the spot and is assessing the damage as part of the building collapsed due to the blast.
A spokesperson of BMC informed, “Our two fire engines are there with Divisional Fire Officer and Assistant Divisional Fire Officer. No casualty is reported yet but teams are still assessing the situation.”
So far, no casualties have been reported. More details are awaited.
Lockdown has affected the woman by all means; managing family without house help, taking care of job and above all managing financial and children’s study stress is something the woman of the house had to take it on her. Women seem to be more strained than men during the Pandemic. There is a need to introspect the inflexibility around gender responsibilities in the traditional meaning of the term. Women belonging to families, where these responsibilities are not as rigid as it used to be, are not as stressed during this period of lockdown. The coronavirus lockdown in India has, ironically, doubled the burden: work-from-home and work-for-home. The coronavirus pandemic and the unique lockdown that followed have led to the rise in stress levels among people worldwide. Various studies have warned of an impending risk of a major global mental health crisis due to the coronavirus outbreak. Young women seem to be at particular risk of developing mental health problems as a result of the pandemic. The survey conducted by the NGO Population Foundation of India looked at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people between 10 and 24 years in UP, Bihar, and Rajasthan in May. Nine out of 10 respondents revealed that they had to seek some kind of counseling to cope with the mental health fallout of the unprecedented lockdown. The higher stress level in young women was linked to a variety of reasons, including extra workload at home, family pressure, withdrawal of education, and lack of access to their basic needs. Disruptions in daily routine triggering spike in eating disorder cases.
Unfortunately, many women had no idea what was in store for them. In the absence of the support staff consisting of a cook and two maids, the major share of household chores rested on their shoulder. Her day starts early, almost at 6 am because she needed to cook breakfast and clean the house before she started her office work at 9 am. Around noon she would leave her office work unattended to cook lunch and since she didn’t have the time to eat her meals peacefully, she would eat whatever she could between online meetings and presentations. Unable to handle the pressure after four long months, many broke down and sought help from a counselling psychologist. Over the past many days, women have been fighting in vain to secure entry for their domestic help into her residential society.
Above all this is work-from-home, not a holiday. Without the maid, it’s impossible to cook, clean and take care of the kid. As the “woman of the house” the responsibility of running the household, which includes husband, children and other members. All that exclusively falls on the woman of the house. In the absence of the domestic help who otherwise handled most of these chores—cleaning, mopping, washing dishes, babysitting—carries the additional physical and mental burden now. For that is the rule instinctively adhered to in Indian families where male members are not expected to perform household tasks. There is a very clear gender dimension to it (the lockdown) because most Indian households don’t have equal sharing of housework. Even though the husband and wife may be both working from home, the load will be disproportionately borne by the women. And this doesn’t mean full-time homemakers are better off. They will have the added issue of catering to the demands of their husbands, fathers-in-law, or brothers-in-law, who are at home now.
There are many single women in the city and they have their different challenges, one in three women are currently suffering from loneliness owing to pandemic and lockdown. Social distancing and isolation have created a void in these women’s mind and that has led to loneliness, a complex human emotion that can gradually lead to depression and then suicide, if not addressed on time. Recently, researchers at the University of Essex conducted a study and found out that women are more vulnerable to mental health problems during the coronavirus pandemic than men. The study revealed that the number of women suffering from stress and loneliness during the COVID-19 outbreak has risen from 11 per cent to 27 per cent. On the other hand, the number of men suffering from at least one mental condition has reached 18 per cent from 7 per cent. Notably, loneliness is described as a state of solitude and feeling alone. It can leave you feeling unwanted and empty. People suffering from loneliness crave for human attention and communication but feel difficult to form connections. There are an array of reasons why you may feel lonely. Four -five long months, all alone in four walls, with multiple issues to handle, in such situation’s loneliness leads to alcoholism, antisocial behavior, decreased memory, altered brain function, and hopelessness. Anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, and lack of physical activity are some of the biggest challenges that Sheila and her husband face and the couple admits that they have become apprehensive, resentful, anxious and prone to anger. Now commuting to the office in Bus is another challenge, local trains yet to resume. Limited buses running on limited frequencies imagine how much stress this is. Long hours going in a queue, then getting a seat, then traveling distance. Woman traveler spends her maximum time commuting. Her day starts very early and hardly any night time in her kitty. We as society and authorities need to felicitate women with some facilities, where the like can become a little easy for her.
Maharashtra Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray has agreed to take call on women’s special buses demanded by Women and Child Development Minister, Adv Yashomati Thakur. Two days back she wrote a letter demanding starting special bus service for women as well as additional bus service for officers and employees of government, semi-government and private establishments for commuting due to the limited frequency of the suburban local trains where access is only for those classified as essential service providers. As a result, office goers are facing many problems daily in commuting to and from office. CM Uddhav is yet to receive this letter on his table but following the news around and inputs from officials he promptly agreed to take call on this demand, said CMO official to Afternoon Voice.
The Central Government has provided the facility of passes with QR code for traveling by railways. However, QR code passes are not issued to most officers and employees. So alternatively, they have to travel by public transport bus which is running with limited frequency. Due to the limited frequency of the buses, a large number of commuters, especially women, have to wait for hours in long queues. Even if one gets to enter the bus, many times they have to travel standing.
Advocate Thakur has written a letter to the CM in this regard. In the letter she said that the ongoing lockdown in the entire state has been relaxed. Officers and employees of government, private establishments in all essential services, especially women, are required to be present in the office or their place of duty. Even BEST is in dialogue with CMO to see the viability.
Women have to take care of their house as well as their profession also these days due to the beginning of the unlock everyone is seen rushing to reach their offices or work place in time.
Adv. Thakur in her letter to the CM writes, “Women have to wait for 2-3 hours every day to board the bus and even after getting in the bus, another two three hours are wasted due to traffic jams. Sometimes they have to travel standing if there is no vacant seat in the bus. Especially in the city, it is very difficult to reach by bus. There is also a need to increase the number of buses in view of the crowding in the bus. Therefore, it is necessary to provide special bus service for women as well as additional bus service for officers and employees of government and private establishments.”
The queen of Bollywood Kangana Ranaut has been in headlines since the past two months over her several controversial statements. Starting from late actor Sushant Singh Rajput death case to her comments on the presence of an alleged “drug mafia” in Bollywood, her comment on comparing Mumbai to POK and now she yet made another controversial statement by calling actress Urmila Matondkar ‘soft porn star’.
Talking in an interview with a leading news channel on Wednesday, Kangana called the Rangeela actress a ‘soft porn star’. Kangana said, “I saw one very derogatory interview given by Urmila Matondkar. The way she was talking about me, pulling faces, making a mockery about my struggles, attacking me on the fact that I am trying to appease BJP for a ticket. One doesn’t have to be a genius to figure for me it is not very difficult to get a ticket. Urmila is a soft porn star. She is not known for her acting for sure, what is she known for? For doing soft porns right. If she could get a ticket, why wouldn’t I get a ticket?”
Kangana hits out at @UrmilaMatondkar over her remark on ‘BJP ticket’.
It seems both Kangana and Urmila have been engaged in a war of words. Reacting to Kangana’s earlier comments about the existence of a “drug mafia” in Bollywood, Urmila said, “The entire country is facing the menace of drugs. Does she (Kangana) know Himachal is the origin of drugs? She should start from her own state.”
Urmila also slammed Kangana for disrespecting senior actress Jaya Bachchan who had objected to the entire film industry being ‘tarnished’, in her speech in Parliament on Tuesday. “When Kangana was not even born, Jaya ji was in the film industry. We’re talking about a lady here (Jaya Bachchan) who has herself been an icon. Which part of Indian culture tells you to lash out at people like this?”, Urmila said.
After Kangana’s soft porn attack, several Bollywood celebrities are coming out in support of Urmila.
Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha took to twitter said, “Just felt like saying this to one of the most beautiful, elegant, evocative, expressive actresses ever. Sending you love @UrmilaMatondkar.”
Just felt like saying this to one of the most beautiful, elegant, evocative, expressive actresses ever. Sending you love @UrmilaMatondkar
Actress Swara Bhasker tweeted, “Dear @UrmilaMatondkar ji, remembering ur outstanding performances in Masoom, Chamatkaar, Rangeela, Judaai, Daud, Satya, Bhoot, Kaun, Jungle, Pyaar Tuney Kya Kiya, Tehzeeb, Pinjar, Ek Hasina Thi.. among others and have marvelled at your acting chops & brilliant dancing! Love u.”
Dear @UrmilaMatondkar ji, remembering ur outstanding performances in Masoom, Chamatkaar, Rangeela, Judaai, Daud, Satya, Bhoot, Kaun, Jungle, Pyaar Tuney Kya Kiya, Tehzeeb, Pinjar, Ek Hasina Thi.. among others and have marvelled at your acting chops & brilliant dancing! Love u ?
Pooja Bhatt tweeted words of appreciation for Urmila, “@UrmilaMatondkar you are a legend. #Rangeela was a treat visually, emotionally and you raised the bar for all of us in so many ways. You left us all, co-actors, and an entire generation of moviegoers awestruck! Sensuality & dignity.. two qualities you combined & embodied. Respect!”
@UrmilaMatondkar you are a legend. #Rangeela was a treat visually,emotionally and you raised the bar for all of us in so many ways. You left us all,co-actors and an entire generation of movie goers awestruck! Sensuality & dignity.. two qualities you combined & embodied. Respect!
With less than two weeks to go for the Mumbai University online examination of 2020, however, students still are unclear on whether or not they would be receiving the question bank of MCQs being prepared by various affiliated colleges of MU.
It’s been reported that several college principals denied any guidelines in this regard being present in the circular issued to them. The Mumbai University has released two circulars in regard to final year exams. The circulars have mentioned the comprehensive bank of multiple-choice questions, (MCQs) to be prepared by the cluster of colleges. However, it does not mention anywhere the need for it to be shared with the students. And this has left both colleges and students confused and worried.
When Afternoon Voice contacted Siddharth Ingle president, Maharashtra Students Union (MASU) on this he said, “Earlier the Mumbai University assured us that question bank for each subject will be compiled and shared with students because MCQ format paper is a new concept. However now Mumbai University is claiming that they are not going to provide any questions banks, instead, they asked colleges to give questions banks for mock tests. But now, colleges aren’t sharing anything, and instead insisting on holding mock tests only.”
He further added, “The Maharashtra Governor has time to meet celebrity and politician but doesn’t have time to meet us. We have sent two emails to the chancellor of all the university Hon’ble Bhagat Singh Koshyari on the same but haven’t got any response from him.”
Talking on the same Sobhana Vasudevan, principal, R A Podar College Matunga said, “as this concept is new for the student the university and the state education department have insisted on a practice test which should help students understand the concept.”
When asked about the question banks she said that Colleges have not been asked to share question banks with students.
As per the Mumbai university schedule, the exams will take place on October 1. While the practical exams for repeater candidates will begin on September 15 and the theory exam will start from September 25. On September 4, the state Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant said that they are also planning to bring the results out by October 31 to save the students’ academic year.
Students express their views
“As per the Board earlier we would be promoted as graduates without giving any exams. And we were mentally prepared for that. Now it is quite hard for us to go through the syllabus again because we haven’t been studying for the past 5 months. Also, Studying in this pandemic is quite difficult without any source of guidance. The MCQ format is good, only if they provide us with the question banks or else it can be difficult for the students to go through every single question”, Mhakvika Shetty, a TYBBI student from St. Gonsalo Garcia College said.
Shubham Tiwari, studying BS-CIT from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar college said, “The university earlier decided that they would just promote us on earlier results but later they changed their decision. In some colleges, students are aware of the online exam and it would be taken in MCQ format with the question bank. We are even been told to set up 2 devices so that through one they could supervise us and in the other one students can give their exams. As students, we are not aware of the correct information which left us confused and anxious.”
“As we are told that our exams are going to be held in the MCQ pattern this year. And somewhere we are not comfortable with the MCQ format as a wrong question will directly give us a zero. MCQs pattern has become a bit difficult for us because neither do we have any idea about the question pattern nor the questions banks are provided”, Sweta Pandey pursuing MS-CIT from Kalina University said.
Another student Sharal Oilver doing TYBBI from GG College said, “Firstly I think this is the right decision because without exams it is hard to compile which will work for all universities across India. Secondly, if we get degrees without exams it will cause a disturbance in the future when we apply for jobs or future education in foreign countries. Talking about the MCQ pattern I don’t disagree with that process, but we’re not clear with the syllabus and question banks and these uncertainties can make students go on the edge.”
The premium money collected is from the year 2017 till June 2020. The housing authority approved 118 redevelopment projects received from various developers. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) Mumbai Board has collected about Rs 324 crore through premium money by permitting redevelopment projects on its layout, said a senior official.
The queen of Bollywood Kangana Ranaut has been in headlines since the past two months over her several controversial statements. Starting from late actor Sushant Singh Rajput death case to her comments on the presence of an alleged “drug mafia” in Bollywood, her comment on comparing Mumbai to POK and now she yet made another controversial statement by calling actress Urmila Matondkar ‘soft porn star’.
With less than two weeks to go for the Mumbai University online examination of 2020, however, students still are unclear on whether or not they would be receiving the question bank of MCQs being prepared by various affiliated colleges of MU.