Water, with no doubt, is one of the most precious gifts to mankind. It is the most essential component of life and vital for their sustenance. However, today, sorrowfully, India is passing through a very tough situation in this regard. About half of India is facing even drinking water crisis with Chennai and Bengaluru and some other cities.
According to the NITI Aayog‘s Composite Water Management Index (CWMI), Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Hyderabad are among the most susceptible cities as they are racing to reach zero groundwater levels by 2020, affecting access for 100 million people. With nearly 50 per cent of India grappling with drought-like conditions, the situation has been particularly grim this year in western and southern states that received below average rainfall.
If the water crisis intensifies in the same way, there would be some serious consequences in India. As the major cities are hurtling headfirst toward the crisis, they can reach Day Zero level when the taps run dry (Day Zero refers to the day when a place is likely to have no drinking water of its own) as the NITI Aayog report released last year predicts Day Zero for 21 Indian cities by next year.
Chennai could well be the first Indian city to go completely dry as a bone. Even if the entire country does not reach Day Zero, it’s crystal clear that the quality of life will likely worsen drastically for millions of people across the country.
There is no doubt that when people don’t find clean drinking water, they will have no option but to rely on unsafe water. As a result, there can be a rapid growth of disease and illness leading to more deaths and higher infant mortality.
The incidents of dropout rates of young girls in schools will rise in mass number as they are traditionally tasked with fetching water so they will need to help their families, and walk much longer distances to rare water access points.
Also, there is a strong possibility of migration in large-extent to the already overpopulated and under-resourced cities.
The wealth divide may also deepen further as more people compete for fewer resources, and food and water prices go up.
One of the most dangerous aspects of the water crisis is that civil rights, human values, democracy, and the rule of law will become extinct and some serious consequences can prevail such as anarchy, chaos, disorder and eventually there can be an emergence of a violent society. As the UN human rights report predicted giving a clear warning, “that human rights might not survive the coming upheaval.”
These are some miserable effects of water crisis that are enough to devastate the nation. So, the states governments, as well as centre, must put some measures in place to prevent this upcoming calamity. It is time to step up not to wait for any disaster to take place in the future in terms of water challenges because we are already reached there.
By Faheem Usmani Qasmi
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
It’s really a heart-wrenching incident that a 24-yr-old named Shams Tabrez was beaten to death mercilessly by a violent mob in Jharkhand. The reason was nothing except that he was a Muslim. I wish the current government take serious action against lynching and mob violence, especially this incident as soon as possible. Otherwise, it may cause eventually a violent society, anarchy, chaos between citizens, and even bloodshed.
Ashfaque qasmi
Strengthen bowling department
The recently concluded India-England match witnessed India’s struggle to outpace the top order batsmen in the initial 20 overs. Despite losing the toss, the favorites did not utilise much of the opportunity available on the steady pitch and thus, the benefit of the doubt was in favour of English batsmen with the run rate exceeding 6 runs per over.
Team India should now focus on getting quicker wickets while bowling first, irrespective of the toss factor. English conditions are a challenge to new age bowlers who haven’t yet set a mark on its soil. Hence, the onus on getting good wickets depends on bowling squad only to reduce the opponent’s mammoth scorecard as witnessed in previous games.
The team has already suffered a major blow with the exit of Shikhar Dhawan owing to injury. As Indian team has already berthed in the semifinals, Indian team now should not be carried away by the mere successive win record in this tournament and should focus highly on strengthening the bowling department, especially when put to field first.
Varun Dambal
Waterlogging! Who is to be blamed for it?
Every year, as the monsoon sets over Mumbai and its suburbs, the same old situation plays out – waterlogging and complete inundation of roads followed by long traffic jams, some which may even result in commuters taking three to four hours to travel a distance of just three kilometres.
This year seemed no different, as the civic officials who said that they were prepared to handle the rains, seemed to have overlooked many areas. The waterlogging as a result of the heavy rain was so severe that the traffic police had to issue advisories on alternate routes to take, recommending that commuters avoid several arterial roads in the city. So, what are the causes of Mumbai’s waterlogging woes and who is to be blamed for it? Only the civic authorities will have an answer to it.
Jubel D’Cruz
Stormwater project has been a flop!
Hundreds of crores of rupees have gone down the drain and the stormwater project has been a big flop in the city. The entire city of Mumbai was dug up for the stormwater exercise which has borne zero results as water failed to pass through the outlets as the entire city was submerged into water. Life came to a standstill and this is very shameful for our civic body which is the richest in the world.
Privatisation of BMC is the need of the hour. Corruption rules roost and taxpayers’ money is siphoned off in the name of development which is missing. Mumbai needs a CEO who should be made responsible and accountable for civic amenities. Disqualification of elected leaders at times of such calamities when the city gets stranded due to poor civic infrastructure would go a long way in improving things in the city!
S.N.Kabra
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
In yet another unfortunate incident, a breach at the Tiware Dam in Ratnagiri district killed 11 people and several others reported missing on Wednesday. This reveals unpreparedness and inaction of the administration and the state government. Heavy rains and rain-related incidents across Maharashtra have claimed 50 lives so far. Anguished people are asking how many more deaths does the government expect?
As per reports, rainfall continued in Maharashtra including the state capital Mumbai. A small dam called Tiware in Ratnagiri district’s Tehsil Chiplun got breached on Wednesday. It caused a flood-like situation in seven villages near the dam. Around 12 houses in the village adjacent to the dam have been washed away. Eleven persons are found dead and 23 people are missing after this incident. A team of 5 BN NDRF has been sent to Tiware dam for the rescue operation. Pune’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team also reached there. Civil administration, police, and volunteers are working at the site. The capacity of the Tiware dam is 0.08 TMC. The dam was built in 2000.
People of the area said that they had informed the district authorities of its leakage two years back but no repairs were carried out. Local public representatives also alleged that the government neglected their pleas for maintenance of the dam. They claimed to have written to the administration about the cracks in the walls of the dam. Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan said that villagers in the vicinity of the Tiware Dam had complained of cracks in the dam.
Maharashtra CMO sources said, “CM Devendra Fadnavis spoke to Ratnagiri Collector, other officials and took stock of the situation after Tiware dam incident. CM expressed grief over the loss of lives and ordered an inquiry. SIT will be constituted in this case. CM Fadnavis asked Minister Girish Mahajan to visit.”
When asked about the Tiware dam incident, Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap told Afternoon Voice, “The contractor of the dam who is close to Shiv Sena MLA from Chiplun Sadanand Chavan and his associate contractor are prima facie guilty and a case under Section 302 of IPC should be filed against them. If the government defends them, it will have to reply. People of the area had been registering a complaint regarding the breach in the dam. The Konkan region receives heavy rainfall; it is not a new thing. So, the government should have taken precaution accordingly. However, the state government is playing with the lives of people. Action must be taken against the guilty persons for this.”
According to police, the Tiware Dam which had started overflowing around 8 p.m. following heavy rain, reportedly breached soon after. As the water gushed out in a flood-like situation, at least seven villages downstream were inundated, a dozen homes washed away and around two dozen people have been reported missing.
BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar asserted, “A high-level inquiry is necessary in this case. The dam was built in 2000. How did it get breached so early? It is a matter of inquiry. We should help first the injured persons in the incident.”
Additional Superintendent of Police, Ratnagiri, Vishal Gaikwad said that a search operation had been launched by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state police personnel. He said, “Police have moved the villagers to safer places. The situation is under control now.” Another police officer said that the rescue operations were hampered initially due to darkness and sudden influx of water.
It is notable that heavy rains lashing Mumbai since Sunday threw rail, air and road traffic out of gear, with several trains and flights cancelled. The main runway of the Mumbai Airport is likely to remain closed for flight operations till Thursday as it will take more time to remove the SpiceJet plane. Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted, “Mumbai Airport has not been shut. One of the runways which used to take 45 flights per hour is now taking 36 flights. So, there has been some dislocation. It will be sorted out very quickly.”
The IMD has predicted more rain in Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra until July 5 with close to 200 mm or more rain expected per day. Private weather agency Skymet warned that Mumbai is at serious risk of flooding between July 3 and 5. It said, “Close to 200 mm or more rain per day is likely during this period, which could disrupt normal life.”
Meanwhile, Mumbai remained paralysed rainfall continued in the city for the sixth consecutive day. 22 people were killed and 78 others injured in a wall collapse incident in the northern suburb of Malad following heavy rains and most parts of the city remained waterlogged.
Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai northwest Gajanan Kirtikar said from New Delhi, “The death toll in the Malad wall collapse tragedy has increased. 22 people have died so far. 63 persons are injured in this incident.”
Two more youths died in their SUV at Malad subway as their vehicle was entrapped in deep water. Fourteen people have been killed in the rest of Maharashtra in rain-related incidents till now. The situation in Mumbai seems to be grim as air, rail and road traffic has been affected. There will be no respite from the heavy downpour as IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in coming days.
Water logs, open potholes, and wall collapse, nothing is new to Mumbai. People elect the same government for a time and again and the politicians succeed in fooling the voters. The saga continues but the question is that, who should be blamed?
Twenty-four people were killed and over 60 injured in a wall collapse in the northern suburb of Malad in Mumbai. Such incidences are not new to Mumbai and maintaining the civic facilities is the job of the BMC, which also happens to be the richest civic body in India. However, the leaders blamed monsoon instead of the civic body.
Shiv Sena leader claimed that the BMC was prepared for monsoon but calamities like wall collapse happen due to heavy rains. Besides blaming the monsoon, they also sought to hold people responsible for the catastrophes. Well, even such statements are not new to the public. Accepting the fault and behaving responsible is not their job. The Sena-BJP government is arrogant, corrupt, and incompetent that has left Mumbai in the lurch in the flood season.
A wall collapsed on hutments in Pimpripada area of Malad East due to heavy rainfall. There were many dead bodies under the debris. A compound wall collapsed, trapping people living in shanties adjacent to the wall.
There are predictions by various agencies, that there can be a further serious risk of flooding” between July 3 and July 5. Close to 200 millimetres or more rain per day is likely during this period, which can hamper normal life. Mumbai is at serious risk, predicts Skymet. IMD has also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai and its suburbs over the next 48 hours, and a similar situation is expected in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions as well. It also advised the tourists to not visit mountain areas since heavy rainfall is expected across the state of Maharashtra. Spells of light to moderate rain and thundershower going to continue over Mumbai, Mumbai suburban, Palghar, Pune, Raigarh, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Satara, Sindhudurg, and Thane districts of Mumbai and Konkan coast during next 2-3 days.
In spite of all such predictions, the ruling party and authorities engaged in blame game but none is planning to address the disaster ahead. The next two days are going to be very critical; so, Mumbaikars need to take care of themselves than looking for any help from anyone. People should remain vigilant over the next two days and closely track weather bulletins. At least 24 people were killed in Mumbai alone and several others were injured after a compound wall collapsed on hutments in Malad East early on Tuesday morning.
Eleven bodies recovered dead and 23 feared missing after a dam breached in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri. After this, there was a flood-like situation in downstream villages. At least 12 houses from a hamlet adjacent to the dam were washed away. Teams from local police, district disaster management cell, fire-brigade along with local villagers started the searching for missing villagers. Fourteen people died in the rest of Maharashtra in rain-related incidents since Monday. In Pune, six labourers were killed and three injured after a wall collapsed in Ambegaon area late Monday night. A wall collapsed in Kalyan also took many lives.
The prevalence of illegal housing in India is due to a lack of housing coupled with high population growth, and illegal buildings are attractive to lower-income people because of the low housing costs. Many people moved to the greater Mumbai area in search of jobs, and without affordable housing, thousands sleep in slums or on the streets.
According to the report of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, there are approximately 19 million families with inadequate housing. To meet the demands, there are many buildings constructed illegally. Further, some builders do not follow proper building practices and laws or execute proper safety measures. Poor construction materials are also to be blamed in these circumstances.
Within the Mumbai region, there are estimated to be hundreds of illegal structures. In 2010, the government of Maharashtra reported that there were about 500,000 illegal buildings within the Thane district and in 2019, they have doubled.
Ahead of the monsoon season, the civic body of Mumbai has released a survey report saying that 499 buildings across Mumbai have been classified under C1 category, deeming them dangerous. In its report, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has claimed that the number of buildings falling in the C1 category has fallen from 619 buildings in the previous year.
BMC classified those buildings in three categories, namely C1, C2, and C3. While C1 is the tag given to dangerous buildings, structures in need of major structural repairs are classified under C2 and ones, which need minor repairs, fall in the C3 category. A large number of the buildings falling in the C1 category are in N-Ward which comprises parts of Ghatkopar followed by K west and T. While 64 of the 499 buildings are in N-Ward, there are 47 such structures in T-Ward and 41 in K-west-Ward.
An official with the civic body said that several dangerous buildings have been demolished over the years owing to their dilapidated condition and some of the buildings were repaired and are not dangerous anymore. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) declared 23 buildings “extremely dangerous” to live in. The authority, as part of its annual pre-monsoon survey, has asked 815 tenants of these buildings to vacate the structures before the rains. But later on, the corruption has muted the concerns. Unless and until people realise the value of their lives, no BMC or no politician is going to really feel the pain.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
Though the sixth wife of UAE’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is now in Britain and has sought political asylum, her official website is still active. According to the British media reports, Princess Haya’s long-time friend Mary Robinson, the former Irish President, has already asked Princess Haya Bint Hussein to speak out about the human rights conditions in Dubai.
Princess Haya took over US$39 million before leaving Dubai.
Princess Haya met with Mary Robinson in an orchestrated photo op with a clearly dazed and listless Latifa, in a PR stunt that was widely criticized and damaged Haya’s standing in the human rights community.
In January, Haya, who worked in stud farms in Ireland in the 1990s, spoke on RTE Radio defending the way her stepdaughter, Latifa, was being treated in Dubai. This followed Latifa’s attempt to escape from the UAE in a yacht, which was foiled by armed forces.
In 2018, one of the Sheikh Maktoum’s children, Princess Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, attempted to flee her father and Dubai for political asylum in America. It was later reported in the media that the Princess was helped by a French spy named Hervé Jaubert and a Finnish national named Tina Jauhiainen in fleeing UAE. Tina has connections with the East-European as well as Russian underworld.
It was later claimed by the UAE authorities that Hervé Jaubert has taken Princess Latifa against her will and had demanded US$100 million as ransom.
After fleeing UAE, she was tracked down to a yacht on the Indian Ocean and forcibly returned to Dubai where friends claim she has been kept in a drugged state and not allowed out.
The United Arab Emirates authorities refused to make any comment about her escape bid or claims of mistreatment.
In December 2018, BBC2 has aired a documentary titled Escape from Dubai detailing the case of Princess Latifa. It also reported on the “earlier abduction” of Latifa’s sister Sheikha Shamsa from the streets of Cambridge, England, in 2000, when she attempted to escape before being kidnapped by UAE authorities and returned home.
It may be mentioned here that, United Arab Emirates is known as one of the most modest and tolerant countries in the Middle East.
Propaganda plot
Princess Haya Bint Hussein fled Dubai with the help of a German diplomat.
Prior to leaving Dubai, she made a series of video documentaries with the help of an Egypt-based production company describing how her life as a Princess in the Arab kingdom was a sham. These videos will be released soon by the fleeing Princess. It is further learnt that Qatar-based Al Jazeera network may first broadcast these videos although according to another source, a diplomat in London has been privately contacting broadcast companies, including Fox News for running these video documentaries.
The sources further said, in at least two of these documentaries, Princess Haya has exposed connections between Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company and the Maktoum family.
After fleeing Dubai and landing in Germany, Princess Haya sought political asylum, which was turned down. Then she flew to London and again sought asylum. It is learnt from several sources in Britain that her asylum petition also is rejected, although there are strong possibilities of certain influence from the British royals in favour of the Princess as she and Queen Elizabeth are the direct descendants of the Prophet of Islam. Moreover, Jordanian royals, as well as their embassy in London, are making frantic bids in saving Princess Haya from not being deported to the United Arab Emirates.
The Jordanian embassy in London did not receive calls despite repeated attempt.
Meanwhile, according to another source, if her asylum petition will be turned down by the British authorities, Princess Maya may fly to Canada.
The case of Princess Latifa
Princess Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum claimed she was not allowed to have a passport and not allowed out on her own and had previously been imprisoned for two years after a failed escape attempt in her teens.
Speaking about Latifa, the Princess said, “It is a private family matter and I do not want to go into it because for the protection of Latifa herself and to ensure that she’s not used by anyone else. She is a vulnerable young woman”.
Princess Haya’s secret romance
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and one of the world’s richest men, has written a furious poem denouncing treachery and betrayal after his wife, Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, the daughter of the late King of Jordan and sister of the present king.
Bin Rashid, 69, is known as a poet in his native land and frequently marks great occasions of state, and family events such as weddings, in verse.
The new poem, which appears to have been written by the Crown Prince in outrage at his wife’s decision to abscond, entitled “You Lived and You Died,” said:
“You betrayer, you betrayed the most precious trust, and your game has been revealed.
“Your days of lying are over and it doesn’t matter what we were and what you are.
“You no longer have any place with me/ Go to who you have been busy with”.
The poem clearly describes Princess Haya’s secret romance with someone. According to our own investigation, the controversial Princess had been secretly romancing with a Londoner and that is why she fled to Britain with the decision of living with her secret lover. It is also revealed that since younghood, Princess Haya was leading a spoilt life and had many male friends before her family finally got her married off to the Dubai royal.
Connections with D-Company
Prince Haya bint Hussein has been projected by various news outlets and organizations as a human-rights defender. She also has reportedly exposed “untold stories” about the Dubai royals. But, according to a credible source, Princess Haya actually was involved in secret dealings with notorious terrorist Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company for many years. Her connections were exposed a few weeks back and anticipating possible legal consequences, she had fled UAE.
Although media reports claimed the Princess fleeing Dubai with 31 million dollars, it is claimed by a source that the size of her wealth is much bigger, as she was having stakes in D-Company’s transnational narco-trafficking and even were using diplomats into such notoriety.
Princess Haya attempted to swindle the UAE Crown Prince
Prince Haya bint Hussein, with the help of African scammers, made notorious bids of swindling millions of dollars from the UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. As the attempt got busted, the Princess had no other option than fleeing Dubai to skip legal consequences as well as save her cohorts in the African nations.
The secret conspiracy
The source further said, the Princess was conspiring against monarchisms in the Middle East and as part of that mission, she may run several documentaries with fabricated propaganda materials with the ulterior motive of tarnishing the image of the UAE rulers.
The source further added that one of the episodes of these documentaries are on the Saudi royals.
Haya planning a press conference
According to a source in Britain, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein is now hiding in a posh area in London under the supervision of her old friend Mary Robinson and Jordanian ambassador in Britain. This is going to be a press conference, which would be attended by selected journalists from several news outlets.
(The author is the editor of Blitz. Follow him on Twitter @Salah_Shoaib)
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday stressed that he is no longer the President of the Congress, adding that the party should decide on a new chief without delay.
“The party should decide on the new president quickly without further delay, I am nowhere in this process. I have already submitted my resignation and I am no longer the party president. CWC should convene a meeting at the earliest and decide,” Gandhi told reporters in the Parliament.
The Wayanad lawmaker, who became the Congress President in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking moral responsibility for the Congress’ abysmal performance in the 17th Lok Sabha Elections.
However, his resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC. So far, several top leaders have met Gandhi and urged him to continue to lead the party.
Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old to rethink his decision, he has remained unfazed.
The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than what the party won in 2014 polls.
Supporters sat on a strike outside party headquarters on Tuesday, urging Gandhi to rescind his resignation.
Actress Zaira Wasim, who earned fame through Hindi film ‘Dangal’, has posted on social media that she would not join the film industry. She has stated that she has gone away from Islam since she became an actress and she wanted to cut short that distance now, by taking such a decision.
It must be the first example in the film industry because no other Muslim actor or actress seems to have done so, till now. ‘Khans’ have a special hold over Bollywood. Watching the film is against Islam. Therefore, the question is why are these ‘Khans’ and Muslim actresses going against their religion by working in films? These people wear special attire when they go to their prayer-houses. It means that they follow their religion meticulously. The other question, therefore, is why are they giving less importance to the point related to the film world? Isn’t it worth learning for the Muslim artistes who have spent several years working in the film world, from an artist from own community, spending just about five years in the film world?
Manasi Joshi
Don’t set up Ganesh idol sale-centres at inappropriate places!
Ganesh Chaturthi is just two months away and centres are coming up for the making of Ganesh idols and for the sale of idols made privately. Sculptors as also traders need to approach the Municipality for permission every year, for erecting such centres. Permission is generally granted to open such centres at places where they would not obstruct traffic. Therefore, in some areas, permission is granted for erecting such centres near public garbage bins or near nullahs.
Ganesh festival is a matter of faith and preparations are made by devotees for the arrival of Shri Ganesh and for welcoming Him and His stay as if He would really visit our house. Any Ganesh devotee would, therefore, feel bad to see his object of faith kept near a garbage bin or nullah. Though divinity in the idol is invoked only after consecration, still keeping Ganesh-idols at such inauspicious places is an insult of Shri Ganesh; therefore, sculptors of Shri Ganesh idols and traders should avoid erecting sale-centres at inappropriate places.
Naresh Gharat
Vile Parle or Ville Parle?
Vile Parle railway station in Mumbai has got two spellings. In some places on the diamonds, it is Ville Parle and at other places on the diamonds, it is Vile Parle.
Who is going to correct this error? The correct name of the station is Vile Parle.
Jubel D’Cruz
Is it fair?
It refers to welcome anger openly expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi without mincing words on the unlawful conduct and adamant attitude even after being released on bail of Akash Vijayvargiya who hit news-headlines on bat-beating of a dutiful officer in Indore.
However, big question why national and state leadership did not take instant action against the culprit by his instant expulsion from the party without waiting for Prime Minister expressing his anger. If only one man has to run both party and governance, then there is no need for decorative leadership in ruling BJP. Action is also necessary against the state BJP-leadership which kept himself in the defensive mode only because the culprit happens to be a son of hi-fi BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya. Even the anger of Prime Minister could not result in instant same-day expulsion of Akash Vijayvargiya from the party.
Madhu Agrawal
Strongest action required
Majority of the Hindu community in Delhi cutting across party-lines is in full anger on regretful silence of non-BJP politicians on the attack by a mob on a Hindu temple in old Delhi area on midnight of June 30, 2019, and July 1, 2019. Such minority-appeasing vote-bank based political silence will instead polarise Hindu votes with BJP for a repeat massive win in forthcoming elections to Delhi state-assembly. Till now, only three miscreants including a minor are taken into custody; they first beat a Hindu family before mobilising a mob to attack the Hindu temple. Nabbed miscreants should be put under stiff-most interrogation to name others in the attacking mob. Pseudo-secular award-return gang and self-acclaimed intellectuals knocking Supreme Court in midnight for stopping the hanging of terrorists are also as usual silent.
Much is being talked-about the alleged exodus of Hindus from Meerut in UP. However, nobody has noted the drastic change in the demography of mixed-population areas of Delhi. An example is Churiwalan where elite rich Hindu families lived as a part of mixed Hindu-Muslim population till some decades back, but, the Hindu families have left many such mixed-population localities of old Delhi now converting these into purely Muslim localities.
Enquiry from all possible angles including funding-source is necessary for major renovation in almost all the mosques in Delhi which also includes unauthorised encroachment of public-land including footpaths and roads with gross violation of building norms. All such encroachments and building in violation of norms without seeking the permission of concerned agencies should be pulled down with cost involved recovered from those violation norms.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
The Leave laws govern whether an employer must allow employees to take time off, either paid or unpaid, under a number of different circumstances. They also address whether an employer must pay accrued leave to employees upon separation from employment. Employers are not required by either federal or state law to provide various types of leave to employees, although there are some exceptions.
Numbers of leaves entitlement in a company depends upon the state you are in. Every state has different leave entitlement and policies which should be seen before one defines leave policy of your company. Leave policy of a company cannot be less than that mentioned by the State’s shop and establishment act. This is a paid leave earned by employees during a year and availed in the subsequent year. If the number of earned leave is over, the day is considered as unpaid leave and the day’s pay is cut from the salary. These leaves can also be en-cashed while leaving the company. The following are a number of earned leaves according to laws:
Factory workers need to work a minimum 240 days in the organization in a year to be eligible for earned leave. Adults get one day for every 20 days. Mine workers below the ground can avail one day for every 15 days work, and those working above the ground can avail one day for every 20 days work. People working in sales and newspaper running company can avail one month earned leave for every 11 months of work. Domestic workers are also eligible for 15 days earned leave in a year.
Usually, when a sick leave exceeds beyond two or three days, depending upon the company policy, employees are requested to submit a medical certificate to sanction the leave. An employee can take leave during the notice period, provided it is for a genuine reason like maternity, health issues, etc. Management is having the discretion to sanction or refuse leaves to an employee. However, leave can be granted at the will and discretion of the superior depending upon the urgency and necessity.
Casual leave is another paid leave that although not earned, is entitled to employees only if prior permission is granted by the organisation. If the employer does not grant permission and the employee nevertheless takes a leave, the day’s pay is cut from the salary. Usually, every organization allows a certain number of casual leaves in a year, which is fixed by the company’s administration. Although, there are laws for certain types of workers: Sales and newspaper employees are entitled 15 days of casual leave in a year. Apprentices are entitled annually 12 days of casual leave.
Female employees, as per law, are entitled to six months or 24 weeks of leave when she is pregnant. During Maternity Leave period, employers will have to pay their female employees normally. Male employees who are soon to become fathers can avail up to 15 days of leave within six months of their wife’s date of delivery. There are some exceptions. Apart from these, there are others paid, unpaid or half-paid leaves like Study Leave, Bereavement Leave and Leave for Voting. These although are left at the organization’s discretion.
Earning leave by an employee during his/her service is his/her legitimate right and no one can stop such leaves while the management holds the right to sanction or refuse at the time of exigencies.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Incessant torrential rain claimed around 20 lives in Mumbai on Tuesday. Nearly 400 mm rain in the past 24 hours caused great havoc in the city. Normal life was disrupted completely. Waterlogging at several places left people facing problems and triggered traffic jam. Many buildings are encircled or sank under rainwater. Rains flooded the airport and paralysed the lifeline of Mumbai local trains. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was seen monitoring the situation from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s control room. The Indian Navy has deployed several teams to assist the civic body to help people stranded in flooded areas.
It is worth mentioning that the BMC had claimed disaster-free monsoon this year. But the very first rain in the city unmasked the preparedness of the BMC. In Bandra East, a society behind Guru Nanak Hospital was sinking in water although two big pumps of the BMC were kept outside the society but were not working. Mumbai’s streets regularly flood during the monsoon. Almost every monsoon, the city struggles to cope with the chaos caused by the rain.
On being asked about the waterlogging in the city suburbs particularly in Bandra, Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar told Afternoon Voice,“If it rains nearly 475 mm in just 3-4 hours, waterlogging is natural anywhere. It is an emergency situation. All employees, officers, Corporators and Mayor of the BMC are working to find the solution. There was waterlogging till afternoon in Bandra but later it was cleared.”
Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan alleged that Bandra’s Kala Nagar, where Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray resides, faced waterlogging and demanded the saffron party, which heads the BMC, apologise to citizens for submerging the city. NCP leader Dhananjay Munde criticised the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP over waterlogging in Mumbai and demanded structural audits of roads, bridges, and buildings in Mumbai following the wall collapse incidents.
As per reports, around 20 people were killed and 78 others injured after a compound wall collapsed on Tuesday due to heavy rains in Malad area. The government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who died in this tragedy. In Thane’s Kalyan, three, including a three-year-old boy, were killed after the wall of a school crashed on two houses. Total 27 people have been killed in separate incidents of a wall collapse in Maharashtra due to heavy rains. CM Devendra Fadnavis visits Shatabdi Hospital to meet persons injured in Malad Wall Collapse incident.
Dr. Bhushan Jadhav, a resident of Mulund who is a political analyst said,“BMC promised that it is monsoon-ready. Before every monsoon, they make the same promises and this year too it seems nothing is been done. Monsoon arrived late this time and the administration had enough time in hand to prepare the city to tackle heavy rains. However, BMC had to take the help of Naval forces in Kurla to evacuate 1,000 people who were stranded. We pay so much of taxes to the BMC but in return get no benefits.”
CM said, “In the light of IMD’s prediction, we had declared a holiday in schools and colleges last night and for offices in the morning. The police department and Disaster Management under the BMC are alert and helping people. Barring a few places, overall traffic has been under control.”
Actress-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar tweeted, “Disheartening to hear the news of lives lost due to Malad Wall collapse. My thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of the deceased.”
On the other hand, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that it was an accident. He said, “The incident is not BMC failure. It happened because of heavy rainfall. There are several illegal constructions in Mumbai and BMC has nothing to do with it. People are happy because of the rainfall.”
Mohan Bansode, a businessman from Charkop said, “Although the city is suffering, the fault is not entirely on BMC; population and new infrastructure burden has led to this situation. Even if BMC work par excellence, such problems are far to have a solution. The drainage system is one of them as the administration failed to improve and modify the city’s drainage system with the rapid population increase. Cleaning only small drains will make no difference to the monsoon woes.”
It is remarkable that Mumbai witnessed extremely heavy rains all through Monday night. According to IMD Santa Cruz observatory, the rain recorded over a 24 hour period ending 8.30 am on Tuesday has been 375.2mm. It is the second highest rains recorded in a 24 hour period in the last 44 years. The highest rainfall in this period was during July 26, 2005, deluge of 944mm. IMD has forecasted that heavy rainfall is likely to continue in the next two days in Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar.
Indian Navy deployed various teams to provide assistance to rain hit and stranded people in Kurla area following a request by BMC. About 1,000 people have been shifted to safety with the help of NDRF, fire brigade, Naval teams as well as local volunteers.
According to Mumbai Police, a total of 52 flights cancelled, 55 diverted at Mumbai airport. As per information from airport manager, flights are landing and departing depending upon weather condition, and are mostly delayed. Several suburban and long-distance trains have been cancelled after railway tracks were flooded. BEST chief spokesperson Hanumant Gophane said, “Amid rains and waterlogging in various parts of the city, many BEST buses faced damages and breakdowns. In all, 58 buses were stuck in the water out of which 42 were removed. A total of 152 buses faced breakdown and 132 have been attended to.”
The future of the Congress Party is bright when it stops targeting the PM and focus on the ample MLAs and MPs that it can target. In a hunting expedition, the animal would fall prey to the hunter if it behaves and follows the trails that the hunter sets to nab it down. The Congress party is behaving like ‘the animal’ in this case. The PM has been in public for more than 2/3rds of his life span and is very sound in predicting human behaviour. The Congress party contradicts him in either ‘wrong’ subjects or falls into his trap. This has happened numerous times.
The future of the Congress Party lies in India’s Development. (And the future of India’s Development is also positively correlated with the Congress party’s survival). Congress was sleeping under the morning sun while BJP made its name synonymous with ‘Good Governance’ and ‘Development’. However, now, it’s high time to wake up and communicate! India is the fastest growing economy in the world today! Moreover, this is not merely because of the NDA’99 or the BJP’14 government, this surely because of economic reforms in 1991-1992. There are many constructive steps like this that they could put up in front of people in a better way.
In the same way, they could counter BJP’s development agenda by putting up a Better Development Agenda instead of mocking the parliament sessions.
If this happens, people will start having confidence in the Congress party, even when BJP remains in power in the Centre and in the majority of the states. Despite the challenges, Indira Gandhi, who was mockingly referred to as “Goongi Gudiya,” emerged as a strong and decisive leader, under whose leadership India won a decisive war against Pakistan in 1971. The war resulted in Congress reclaiming its place as the most dominant player in the Indian political system, so much so that its power became increasingly unchecked. In a democracy, a government with unchecked power is quite problematic.
In 2004, Congress made a comeback again in quite an astonishing fashion by defeating the incumbent BJP in power. Congress would spend the next decade fully in control of India’s central government. This decade, especially the second half, was marred by corruption. Telecom, railways, coal, land, sports, and various other ministries saw their names tarred under charges of corruption. Popular resentment against the regime grew prevalent among the public due to the increasing corruption within the government and the party’s inability to take any affirmative action against it.
Then prime minister Manmohan Singh was largely seen as a weak leader, who couldn’t take tough action against corrupt members within his party and government. As a result, the party lost pathetically in the 2014 general elections, where it won only 44 seats in the Lok Sabha out of the 543 up for grabs — an all-time low.
Since then, the party still hasn’t settled into a new role. It has been losing election after election across many states in India. The most notable loss came in Uttar Pradesh, the most populated state in India, where the party got just seven seats in an assembly of 403 seats.
Most political observers are of the opinion that Congress lacks a genuine mass leader, of which it used to have in dozens in its glory days. The President of the party Rahul Gandhi has been somewhat of a laughing stock due to his lack of leadership skills and his inability to win elections.
To sum up, Congress has lost its sheen and doesn’t look to be in a position to even pose a challenge to the current BJP regime in the 2019 general elections. If they manage to do so, the party would be pulling a rabbit out of a hat!
Worryingly, the demise of Congress means the demise of a balanced political system in India. Congress and the BJP, the two most dominant powers, used to balance off each other in Indian politics. With this balance lost, a newly emergent “BJP System” is replacing the earlier Congress System. At no time in the history of the party, Congress party have won an election either on the issue of development or on positive issues.
Right now, Congress does not have any charismatic leader who can convincingly bring victory to the party. Also, Congress has, over the years right from Indira Gandhi, has demolished all institutions within the party by nominating figureheads. Thereby leadership development was buried once and for all. To revive them is not possible with the present set of leadership. It took a hundred years to develop them but took only 30 years to demolish them.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
Punish lynchers
In yet another unfortunate incident, a breach at the Tiware Dam in 
Though the sixth wife of UAE’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is now in Britain and has sought political asylum, her official website is still active. According to the British media reports, Princess Haya’s long-time friend Mary Robinson, the former Irish President, has already asked Princess Haya Bint Hussein to speak out about the human rights conditions in Dubai.
Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday stressed that he is no longer the President of the Congress, adding that the party should decide on a new chief without delay.
