Alcohol meant for human consumption remains outside the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), giving states complete authority to levy and revise taxes.

MUMBAI: A sharp rise in liquor sales, coupled with higher excise duties and price revisions by manufacturers, has delivered a windfall to state governments, with some states recording an 82% jump in excise collections in the first two months of FY27.While Uttar Pradesh led the country in absolute collections, Maharashtra retained its position among the biggest contributors to state excise revenues, highlighting the growing importance of liquor taxation in funding state finances.Monthly indicators compiled by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) show that Uttar Pradesh collected more than Rs 10,600 crore in excise revenue during April-May FY27, nearly 9% higher than the corresponding period last year. Haryana posted the fastest growth, with collections surging over 82% to more than Rs 2,300 crore. Karnataka ranked second in absolute collections during the period, while Kerala recorded the second-highest growth rate.For Maharashtra, the latest data reinforces the state’s position as one of India’s largest liquor markets. According to the CAG’s State Finances 2024-25 report, Maharashtra collected Rs 25,466 crore in state excise duty in FY25, making it the third-highest excise-earning state after Uttar Pradesh (Rs 52,575 crore) and Karnataka (Rs 35,784 crore). It was followed by Andhra Pradesh (Rs 19,882 crore), West Bengal (Rs 19,521 crore) and Telangana (Rs 18,604 crore).Industry executives attribute the latest surge in revenues to a combination of factors, including an estimated 14% increase in liquor consumption, higher excise rates imposed by several state governments, and increases in manufacturers’ base prices, all of which have boosted tax collections.Alcohol meant for human consumption remains outside the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), giving states complete authority to levy and revise taxes. Apart from state excise duty, governments also impose value-added tax (VAT) and various cesses. These taxes may either be levied as a percentage of the product value or as a fixed amount per litre, allowing states considerable flexibility in designing their tax regimes.Several states have also begun tweaking their taxation structures. Karnataka recently became the first state to introduce an alcohol-in-beverage (AIB)-based excise system, while Kerala has proposed lower sales tax on low-alcohol beverages as part of efforts to reshape consumption patterns.The CAG report highlights the growing dependence of states on liquor revenues. State excise duty accounted for 13.5% of the combined States’ Own Tax Revenue (SOTR) in FY25, making it the second-largest source of tax revenue after state GST in many states.Over the past decade, excise collections across all states have risen by 173%, reflecting both higher consumption and repeated tax revisions. Telangana registered the steepest increase, with collections growing 388% between FY16 and FY25, followed by West Bengal (386%) and Andhra Pradesh (353%).The data also illustrates how policy decisions can dramatically alter state revenues. Bihar’s excise collections collapsed after the introduction of total prohibition in 2016, falling from Rs 3,142 crore in FY16 to just Rs 0.41 crore in FY25. Mizoram too witnessed a sharp decline in collections following the implementation of its prohibition law.For Maharashtra, where liquor excise remains a key contributor to the state’s own tax revenue, sustained growth in collections is expected to support government finances. However, economists note that while higher excise receipts strengthen fiscal resources, states must also balance revenue considerations with public health objectives as alcohol consumption continues to rise.

The BMC’s complaint redressal mechanism has become significantly faster, according to Praja Foundation’s latest assessment of Mumbai’s civic services

Mumbai: Citizens’ complaints to the BMC have surged by nearly 60% over the past decade, with pollution-related grievances registering a major 531% increase, even as the civic body’s complaint redressal mechanism has become significantly faster, according to Praja Foundation’s latest assessment of Mumbai’s civic services.The report, titled ‘Status of Civic Services, Environmental and Climate Issues in Mumbai 2026’, released on Tuesday in collaboration with the BMC, found that civic complaints increased from 81,555 in 2016 to over 1.3 lakh in 2025. Besides pollution, complaints related to solid waste management rose by 281%, while those concerning water supply and storm-water drainage increased by 96% and 88%, respectively.The report attributes the rise partly to growing public awareness and increased use of digital grievance platforms, but states that it also reflects persistent shortcomings in the civic service delivery.Despite the surge in complaints, the BMC has become quicker at resolving them. The average complaint resolution time dropped from 48 days in 2021 to 30 days in 2025, while the complaint closure rate improved from 86% in 2023 to 92% in 2025. In the solid waste management department, the average resolution time fell sharply from 40 days to just eight days during the same period.The report, however, says the city’s environmental performance continues to lag behind. Mumbai still sends around 6,300 metric tonnes of waste to landfills every day, despite its waste reduction goals. Decentralised waste processing remains weak, with only 347 of the city’s 2,749 bulk-waste generator housing societies — just 13% — processing waste at source. The remaining 87% are non-compliant.The report also notes that despite applying for a three-star Garbage-Free City certification under Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, Mumbai failed to secure even a one-star rating. It achieved only 40% of the benchmark for door-to-door waste collection, 31% for source segregation, 62% for wet waste processing, and just 16% for legacy dumpsite remediation.Environmental indicators remain equally worrying. The report found Mithi River’s average Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) at 17 mg/litre, nearly six times the prescribed limit of below 3 mg/litre. Faecal coliform levels stood at 9,200 MPN per 100 ml against the permissible limit of below 100 MPN, indicating severe sewage contamination.Praja Foundation also flagged gaps in Mumbai’s climate governance, citing inadequate monitoring of climate action indicators, poor compliance of several sewage treatment plants with pollution norms, and the absence of annual public reporting on climate targets. It recommended integrating climate indicators into the BMC’s statutory Environment Status Report to improve transparency and accountability. “The next stage of Mumbai’s development requires credible evidence in the hands of citizens, elected representatives, and administrators so that decisions are guided by facts rather than assumptions,” said Nitai Mehta, founder of Praja Foundation.The report assumes significance as Mumbai has an elected municipal corporation again after nearly four years of administrator rule. Praja Foundation said the return of elected corporators presents an opportunity to strengthen accountability and improve citizen-centric governance. “Civic participation should not end with voting. It should continue through reporting local issues, engaging with ward representatives and using public data to hold institutions accountable,” said Milind Mhaske, CEO, Praja Foundation.Key Findings of the Praja Foundation Report* Citizen complaints up 59%: 81,555 in 2016 ➜ 1,30,066 in 2025* Biggest rise in complaints: Pollution: 531%; Solid Waste Management: 281%, Water Supply: 96%, Storm Water Drainage: 88%* BMC’s average complaint resolution time: 48 days in 2021 ➜ 30 days 2025* Complaint closure rate: 86% in 2023 ➜ 92% in 2025* Average resolution time in SWM complaints: 40 days in 2023 ➜ 8 days in 2025* Waste management concerns: 6,300 MT of waste still sent to landfills daily; only 13% of bulk-waste generator housing societies process waste at source, 87% remain non-compliant* Garbage-free City: Despite applying for a 3-Star certification, Mumbai failed to secure even a 1-Star rating* Mithi River remains polluted: BOD: 17 mg/litre (Norm: * Climate governance gaps: Poor monitoring of climate targets; several STPs fail pollution norms; no annual public reporting on climate goals(Source: Praja Foundation – Status of Civic Services, Environmental and Climate Issues in Mumbai 2026)

Mumbai recorded 80,221 property registrations across primary and secondary markets during January-June 2026, up 6% from 76,060 in the corresponding period last year. (File Photo)

MUMBAI: Mumbai’s housing market continued its strong run in the first half of 2026, with property registrations in areas under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) crossing the 80,000-mark for the first time during a January-June period since records began in 2013, according to a report by property consultant Knight Frank India based on data from the state registration department.The city recorded 80,221 property registrations across primary and secondary markets during January-June 2026, up 6% from 76,060 in the corresponding period last year. Stamp duty collections from these transactions rose 4% year-on-year to Rs 6,968 crore, providing another strong revenue boost to the Maharashtra government.The report said both registrations and stamp duty collections marked their strongest first-half performance since 2013, underlining sustained demand in Mumbai’s residential market despite elevated property prices and a high base last year.The momentum remained intact in June. Mumbai is estimated to have recorded around 13,302 property registrations during the month, a 15% increase over June 2025 and the highest June tally in the past 14 years. Stamp duty collections for the month are expected to touch Rs 1,077 crore, up 4% year-on-year.On a month-on-month basis, registrations rose 7% over May, while stamp duty collections increased 2%.While the sharp rise in registrations indicates continued buying activity, the comparatively slower growth in stamp duty collections suggests that transactions were increasingly driven by the mid-income housing segment rather than premium homes. This points to broader participation by end-users, instead of demand being concentrated only in high-value properties.The report noted that June’s performance surpassed the previous peak recorded in 2025, despite a strong base, reflecting sustained buyer confidence in the city’s housing market.Knight Frank India Chairman and Managing Director Shishir Baijal said the June numbers demonstrated the resilience of Mumbai’s residential market and sustained end-user demand. He said growth in registrations despite relatively stable stamp duty collections indicated that housing demand was becoming more broad-based across buyer segments rather than being driven only by expensive homes.The half-year performance also extends Mumbai’s post-pandemic recovery. Property registrations had plunged to 17,921 in the first half of 2020 during the Covid-19 outbreak before rebounding sharply to over 61,000 in H1 2021. Registrations have since continued to rise steadily, reaching successive highs over the past three years.For Maharashtra, the sustained pace of property transactions is significant as stamp duty remains one of the state’s largest sources of own-tax revenue. The nearly Rs 7,000 crore collected from Mumbai alone during the first six months of 2026 underscores the city’s continuing importance as the state’s biggest contributor to registration revenue.

Bhiwandi/Patna: The special investigation team (SIT) set up for the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak case arrested Suman Gupta, wife of the main absconding accused, Bijendra Gupta, from her residence in Samastipur in Bihar late on Monday.Suman was produced before a Bhiwandi court, which remanded her in police custody till July 6.Suman was the fourth person arrested in the case. Besides her husband, another key accused, Kapil Dahiya, remains on the run.The police said Suman was suspected of playing a key financial role in the racket by managing the proceeds generated from the alleged paper leak. The police said they were examining her involvement in handling illegal money transfers and maintaining communication with members of the network after the question paper was allegedly leaked.The police said that financial transactions had taken place between the couple and that she assisted Bijendra in evading arrest.Bijendra was an accused in examination paper leak cases in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha. He was arrested in an Odisha paper leak case and was currently out on bail.Bijendra’s family in Samastipur distanced itself from him. His father, Baleshwar Sah, said his son had left the village years ago to pursue higher studies and later lost contact with the family. He claimed they were unaware of his activities and expressed shock over his alleged involvement in a major examination fraud case.The police suspect the Maharashtra TET paper might have been leaked from Mahim Patran Pvt Ltd, a printing company based in Agra, where the state education department had been getting examination papers printed for several years.The SIT is questioning employees of the printing company to ascertain whether there was any internal involvement in the alleged leak. Police officials said crucial details regarding the conspiracy, including who helped leak the paper and the modus operandi, are likely to emerge only after Bijendra Gupta is arrested.To prevent the two absconding accused from fleeing the country, the police have issued look-out circulars (LOCs) against Bijendra and Dahiya.When Suman Gupta was produced in court, defence counsel Shailesh Gaikwad opposed the custody plea, maintaining that she was innocent. He argued that there were no financial transactions between Suman and Bijendra related to the alleged offence and that merely speaking to her husband over the phone could not constitute a crime. He contended that she had been arrested solely because she was the wife of the absconding accused.

Mumbai: Responding to the outcry over frequent power cuts in South Mumbai, state assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar lashed out at the BEST and said that the power shortage in the country’s financial capital was “regrettable” and that the utility had “utterly failed” to resolve it.Narwekar has called a meeting in his chamber on Wednesday with the BEST general manager, BMC commissioner, energy officials and city MLAs. “If this issue is not resolved, then the BEST general manager will have to appear before the state legislature,” said Narwekar.Narwekar said, “Did the BEST not plan for climate change and the problems caused by high temperatures?”He said that often when the public contacts the call centre, the phone goes unanswered. “There is an engaged tone. We need to know how long it takes the BEST to resolve complaints,” said Narwekar.Meanwhile, minister of state for urban development Madhuri Misal admitted that the unusually high temperatures in May and June (the highest in 57 years) had pushed power demand from 907 MW to 1,010 MW.“As a result of the high demand, the underground electricity cables are getting damaged and we are placing overhead cables. One solution is building an additional sub-station for which three locations have been identified and BEST has made a provision of Rs 20 crores,” said Misal.She said that demand had shot up owing to the higher use of air-conditioners on account of the heat. Also, because of interruptions in LPG supply, there was a rise in the use of induction ovens in May and June.She admitted that around 1,200 complaints relating to underground cable faults in South Mumbai had been pending since 2024.The question was raised in the assembly by Congress MLA Amin Patel and BJP MLA Tamil Selvan.Patel threatened to go on a hunger strike on the steps of the state legislature if the issue is not resolved in a week.“There are frequent power cuts going on for hours in South Mumbai. In one building, the power cut lasted for three days,” said Patel. He said that 1,200 jumper lines had been placed in Mumbai, which would result in massive problems in monsoon.He said that the BEST had not filled vacancies in the electrical supply department since 2015. “There are 5,000 vacancies and the BEST is bankrupt. Phone calls to raise complaints go unanswered,” said Patel.

Mumbai: The state govt on Tuesday introduced a Bill in the Legislative Assembly to amend the Maharashtra Stamp Act, proposing that no refund or concession of stamp duty will be granted if a “development agreement is cancelled, rescinded or terminated under any circumstances”. The amendment Bill was tabled by revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who said the proposed changes are slated to plug loopholes in the existing law that have led to a growing number of stamp duty refund claims and consequent loss of revenue.Officials said the Bill seeks to insert a specific explanation in Section 48 of the Maharashtra Stamp Act. This change aims to prevent misuse of existing provisions while ensuring uniform and transparent implementation of stamp duty rules across the state. Officials said under the current provisions, stamp duty is levied on the execution of a document and not on whether the transaction is eventually implemented. “However, in recent years, several parties executing development agreements have sought refunds after cancelling or terminating the agreements due to commercial disputes, financial reasons or mutual consent. Claims like these have increased substantially. This has resulted in administrative hassles for the revenue department in verifying the genuineness of each case,” officials said.“Stamp duty is charged on the execution of the document itself and is not dependent on its subsequent implementation. Granting refunds in cases of cancellation was causing revenue loss to the state and opening avenues for potential misuse of concessionary provisions. The amendment is expected to bring greater transparency and efficiency in the real estate sector and the stamp duty administration. It will strengthen revenue protection while maintaining clarity in the application of the law,” Bawankule said.Officials said existing provisions, particularly those relating to refunds under sections 47 and 48 of the Act, were intended to provide relief in limited cases, primarily where agreements for sale are cancelled before possession of the property is handed over. “However, since development agreements attract the same stamp duty as agreements for sale, applicants have been invoking these provisions to claim refunds. This is an unintended legal loophole. So, the amendment proposes to insert a clarification after the proviso to Section 48, explicitly stating that the relaxation or refund provisions applicable to agreements for sale will not extend to development agreements or any other instruments that attract an equivalent amount of stamp duty,” officials said.

Navi Mumbai: After two hoax bomb threat emails at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on June 24 and June 25, yet another fake threat message was received on the X handle of chief security officer Nilesh Murudwar of Akasa Airlines. The message threatened 9/11-style hijacking and crashing of multiple aircraft after take off from various airports in India on June 29.The threat message sent by X handle ‘911Truther.org’ claimed that the suicide operation will be carried out by “ISI-backed Pakistani al Qaeda”.Acting on a complaint by the Adani Group’s duty manager, Kiran Kumar Bevara (28), a non-cognizable offence was registered against an unidentified accused under the relevant BNS section for the offence that criminalises the circulation of false information, rumours or reports with the intent to cause fear or alarm to the public, particularly when done via electronic or digital means.The threat message read: ”OPERATION SUICIDE SPIRAL CIA PLOTTING JUNE 29.2026. MADE FOR TV INTER & SERVICES INTELLIGENCE (ISI) BACKED PAKISTANI AL-QAEDA BASED HIJACK 9/11 STYLE CRASH OF MULTIPLE AIR INDIA, AIR INDIA EXPRESSAND/OR AKASA AIRLINERS AFTER DEPARTING AIRPORTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA (ROI).”ACP (Belapur division) Mayur Bhujbal said, ”While the threat message does not specifically mention that the suicide operation will be carried out after departing NMIA, considering the national security, as the suicide operation threat was for any airport across India, an NC was registered at the Navi Mumbai airport police station against an unidentified person who had sent the threat message.”ACP Bhujbal said, ”The cyber police team obtained the details of the X-handle ID ‘911Truther.org’ and it was found that the person operating the said X-handle ID was habitual of sending such hoax threat messages. Accordingly, the IP address of the said X-handle has been sought for tracing the location of the accused.”The first threat email was received on NMIA’s official website on Wednesday, June 25, around 7.20 am. The message was sent by an anonymous person from email address ‘tg vegeni@oidao.com’ and said: “Bomb is already inside, this is no joke! Get people out!”The second hoax bomb threat at NMIA was received on Thursday, June 25, at 7.43 pm on the official government email address of CISF (Central Industrial Security Force). The email sender was ’anbananthan.ariyappamatomicmail.io’.The threat message read: “Chemical vapor bombs to blast in Navi Mumbai Airport Terminal soon, due to np Mr.elangs betrayal. Evacuate all passengers/staffs by covering their nose and mouth.”Both the bomb threats were found to be fake as no explosive device was found on the airport premises after the search operation by BDDS (Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad) and a sniffer dog. In both the incidents, separate non-cognizable offences were registered at Navi Mumbai Airport police station.