Mumbai: BMC received recommendation letters for the transfer or promotion of as many as 225 officials and employees over the past year. The recommendations were made by Union ministers, state cabinet ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and corporators cutting across party lines, as mentioned against respective names on the list. This information was obtained by activist Anil Galgali from the office of BMC city engineer in reply to a query filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.According to Galgali, a preliminary analysis of the political names mentioned against the 225 officials and employees showed that the names of certain political leaders appear repeatedly.Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde’s name appears 10 times, followed by Union minister of state Ramdas Athawale, whose name appears nine times. The names of state ministers Girish Mahajan and Kalidas Kolambkar appear seven times each.Similarly, the names of Shiv Sena MLA Mangesh Kudalkar, Deputy Speaker in Legislative Assembly Anna Bansode and Shiv Sena MLA Tukaram Kate appear six times each. The names of BJP MLA Murji Patel and Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande appear five times each.The names of NCP minister Narahari Zirwal, BJP MLA Sumit Wankhede, Shiv Sena leader Rahul Shewale, Shiv Sena MLA Prakash Surve, NCP minister of state Indranil Naik, Shiv Sena MLA Santosh Bangar, BJP MLAs Ram Kadam and Kishan Kathore, and MLC Bachchu Kadu appear four times each.Further, the names of BJP minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, NCP minister Hasan Mushrif, Shiv Sena ministers Bharatseth Gogawale and Uday Samant, BJP MLA Parinay Fuke, Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Waikar,BJP MLCs Prasad Lad and Pravin Darekar, and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs Sunil Prabhu and Mahesh Sawant appear three times each.The names of Shiv Sena Union minister of state Prataprao Jadhav, BJP state ministers Pankaja Munde, Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Jaykumar Gore, MP Raosaheb Danve, Shiv Sena Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and NCP MLA Sana Malik appear two times each. The names of BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, BJP state minister Chandrakant Patil and NCP state minister Sanjay Bansode appear once each.Galgali said, “Transfers in the municipal corporation are expected to be carried out on the basis of administrative requirements, seniority and transparent criteria. However, a list containing the names of ministers, MLAs, MPs and public representatives against the names of 225 officers and employees has now come to light. The list includes officers and employees holding the posts of assistant engineer (AE), sub engineer (SE), executive engineer (EE) and junior engineer (JE).”Galgali further stated that disciplinary action is expected to be taken in accordance with the existing rules. “Therefore, a thorough investigation should be conducted immediately. If any unauthorised interference, pressure or irregular process is found in the transfer process, appropriate action should be taken against the concerned officers and employees as per the provisions of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888.”Ganesh Khankar, BJP leader of the House in BMC, said most of these recommendations were made on humanitarian grounds.“I have personally recommended the transfer of an official whose father was ailing and he wanted a posting near his residence. In another instance, one lady official sought a transfer to a post closer to her home, as she was a single mother and had to take care of her young children. In both cases, how could anybody refuse their request? Besides, there is pressure on the local public representatives for recommendations from local citizens and party workers. Most have genuine problems; therefore, they are seeking recommendations for transfer.”According to Shiv Sena BMC Group Leader Amey Ghole, recommendations have been given by representatives of all parties across the spectrum and are not restricted to one party alone.“These officials and employees have various problems. Some have health issues and some cannot travel for long distances, so they seek recommendation for a transfer. These engineers approach their local MLA, sometimes in their native place. Besides, party workers too come with requests.”

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Comedian Samay Raina

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Cyber launched a cyber-awareness short film, Digital Arrest, and the 1930 Maharashtra Cyber Anthem at an event in Mumbai on Wednesday, attended by several celebrities and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.Actors Ashish Vidyarthi, Pankaj Tripathi, Sharad Kelkar, Sonali Bendre, Javed Jaffrey and Mangesh Desai, along with singer Sunidhi Chauhan and comedian Samay Raina, were among those who contributed to the campaign and attended the event. The number 1930 is Maharashtra’s cybercrime helpline.Speaking at the event, Fadnavis stressed the importance of public awareness in tackling cybercrime. He said artists, actors and singers could play an important role in reaching citizens with messages about online fraud.“Cyber criminals dupe citizens by frightening and intimidating them in the name of police, the CBI, or judges. Citizens must not fall prey to any such tactics and should immediately contact the cyber helpline number ‘1930’ in case of cyber fraud,” Fadnavis said.The celebrities were felicitated for their contribution to the Digital Arrest short film and the 1930 Maharashtra Cyber Anthem.Samay Raina, who was also felicitated, spoke about his long association with Maharashtra Cyber.“Thank you so much for the felicitations. Mera aur Maharashtra cell ka rishta bahut purana hai. (My relationship with the Maharashtra Cyber cell is very old. Bahut zyada active hai Maharashtra cyber cell (Maharashtra Cyber is very active), wherever you are, US or India, they will catch you,” he said.Speaking from personal experience, Raina said, “1930 is really a great number. I have actually saved it because I often get calls from there.”He then joked about being woken up in the morning for the event.“This is the first time the Cyber Cell has woken a comedian in the morning to felicitate someone,” Raina said.Speaking to ANI, Vidyarthi said the campaign was important because technology, while making people’s lives easier, was also being used by criminals to target ordinary citizens.“I feel that we all use technology to make our lives easier, and people use it to destroy the lives of ordinary people. I think this campaign is important so that you stop this crime from happening,” he said.“It’s important to spread awareness that there is no such thing as digital arrest. The films that are being made, the apps that are being announced, that is such a wonderful thing. People will finally know about the ongoing big scam,” he added.The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the so-called “digital arrest” scam, in which fraudsters impersonate police officers, government officials or other authorities to frighten victims and extort money from them.Fadnavis urged citizens to remain alert and contact the 1930 cyber helpline immediately if they fall victim to cyber fraud.(With inputs from ANI)

MUMBAI: Thursday’s incident where a disabled commuter was pushed off a moving local train and killed by an able-bodied commuter following an argument over seats should be a “wake-up call” for the Railways, said activists, demanding sustained action against unauthorised travel in Divyangjan (handicapped) coaches.In 2025, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) registered over 23,000 cases of unauthorised travel on Western and Central Railway put together. But disabled commuters continue to grapple with challenges while boarding and alighting from Divyangjan coaches that are packed with able-bodied passengers in peak hours.“Altercations in Divyangjan coaches are a common feature during peak hours. Disabled commuters frequently face abuse, are prevented from entering/exiting coaches and face assault,” pointed out activist Nitin Gaikwad, who wrote to the Railways as recently as July demanding deployment of uniformed RPF personnel on platforms outside Divyangjan coaches.On March 27, a disabled commuter, identified only as Sajjad, was assaulted in a Karjat fast local by a woman and her minor son. Sajjad had questioned why she had entered a reserved coach when she did not have a disability. In May last year, a visually challenged woman was assaulted by a man after a row over seats on a Titwala-bound local.Gaikwad said altercations are more frequent at Thane, Ghatkopar and Dadar stations on CR. “Boarding the Divyangjan coach of a Kalyan, Titwala or Karjat-bound local train from these stations during evening peak hour is a daunting task,” he said. On WR, getting into a Virar local from Andheri and Borivli stations is a challenge.Some of the able-bodied travellers comprise policemen dressed in civvies. Activists had complained to the police department in the past, following which instructions were given to police personnel to stop travelling in reserved coaches. Activist Samir Zaveri, who has a 90% disability, said Railways must treat Thursday’s murder case as a wake-up call, ensure prompt action against violators, and take immediate steps to protect vulnerable passengers.The new Jan Vishwas Act imposes a severe penalty of Rs 2,000 for unauthorised travel in Divyangjan coaches. Under this law, RPF (Western Railway) prosecuted 524 people and penalised them Rs 10.48 lakh so far this year.“The fines collected under the Jan Vishwas Act this year are higher than penalties charged from nearly 4,800 offenders prosecuted under the Indian Railways Act,” said a WR official.

Mumbai auto drivers learning Marathi prioritize refusal phrases over basic communication.

MUMBAI: While people learning new languages start with bare necessities, some city auto drivers seem clear on their priority. After nearly a week of learning basic Marathi at RTO-run classes, they are rustling up a string of excuses in Marathi to refuse rides.One such auto driver in Kurla has scribbled down on paper what he claims are essential phrases in Marathi to get by but what catches the eye is that most are different ways to turn down passengers-from “mala jevayla jayche aahe” (I need to eat), “mala lagvi la jayche aahe” (I need to use the restroom) and “mala ghari jaychay” (I need to go home) to “mala gas bharaychay” (I need to refill CNG) and “mala riksha durust karaychi aahe” (I need to repair the auto).Ride refusals are a major menace, making up 60% of auto passengers’ complaints.The notes aren’t entirely dedicated to strategic refusals, though. They include practical phrases such as “hoy, basa” (yes, please sit), “kuthey jaychay?” (where do you want to go?), “to kuthe aahe?” (where is that place?), “ujvi kade gheu?” (should I take a right?), “davi kade gheu?” (should I turn left?), “flyover varun gheu ka?” (should I take the flyover?), along with the all-important financial vocabulary of Mumbai’s transport ecosystem: “sutte dya” (please give change) and “sutte nahi” (I don’t have change).

Union leader: Illegal language classes fleecing auto drivers

Mumbai Rickshawmen’s Union leader Thampy Kurien said many non-Marathi auto drivers have now acquired a basic working knowledge of Marathi and are likely to use their own sentences while communicating with commuters to sound more natural. He raised concerns over several unauthorised Marathi coaching classes that have allegedly sprung up across the city, with individuals claiming affiliation with regional groups and charging drivers at least Rs 500 for lessons.He demanded a crackdown on such operations and urged the state govt to continue its online Marathi learning platform, enabling drivers to learn functional Marathi from their vehicles or homes.The language drive comes ahead of enforcement of the amended Motor Vehicles Rules requiring drivers of all commercial passenger vehicles to possess a working knowledge of Marathi. Officials said the deadline for completing the training ended on Aug 15 and enforcement will begin on Aug 18 with show-cause notices for violators, which will grant them a month to polish functional Marathi skills.Meanwhile, over 1 lakh certificates have been prepared and will be distributed simultaneously across Maharashtra’s 58 RTOs on Monday. Drivers will also participate in a live-streaming of a felicitation ceremony at Thane’s Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan to be attended by CM Devendra Fadnavis, and deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar.RTO sources said drivers may have to demonstrate functional Marathi during inspections and produce their certificates when asked.For Mumbai’s passengers, however, the real test of Marathi proficiency may be far simpler: whether “hoy, basa” eventually becomes more common than “mala ghari jaychay”.

Students protest at Kalyan APMC exam centre on Sunday. The protest was called off late at night

Kalyan: Candidates appearing for the Bombay high court clerk typing skill test alleged widespread technical glitches at examination centres in Kalyan, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, Washim, Bhandara, and other parts of the state on Sunday, with server failures, keyboard malfunctions and candidates being logged out during the test triggering protests in Kalyan and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke joined the protesting candidates in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and extended his support, demanding a fresh examination.Over 600 candidates from the Kalyan’s APMC Market examination centre staged a protest. They called it off late at night after Kalyan authorities acknowledged in writing that the test could not be conducted due to technical problems, and that the students had reported on time but were unable to appear for it.Late in the evening, the HC registrar issued a statement, saying the clerk recruitment typing test had been conducted smoothly across Maharashtra, but acknowledged that technical issues had been reported at certain examination centres, particularly in Kalyan and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The registrar further said that the technical issues, if any, relating to the process conducted by the agency were being examined. The candidates would be informed through an official communication about the further appropriate course of action, the statement said.There was no immediate clarity on whether the test would be conducted afresh.Around 11,000 candidates were scheduled to take the test at 19 centres across Maharashtra.Candidates from different examination centres across the state took to social media and alleged that the software developed glitches, some keys on keyboards and keypads did not respond, screens failed to display properly and candidates were not logged in simultaneously. Some also claimed that they were automatically logged out within minutes of starting the test. Candidates further alleged that the system also failed to properly compare the total words typed with the words omitted, adding to their concerns about the fairness of the assessment.Joining the protesting candidates in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dipke said: “The keyboard and server were not working and candidates were being logged out within 10 minutes. If an entire shift is affected, how can the examination be considered fair? The examination must be conducted afresh. This is no longer just a Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar issue; it has become an issue concerning candidates across Maharashtra.”Dipke also interacted with candidates at the Kalyan APMC committee centre through a video call after they contacted him following similar disruptions. “Do not back down until the students’ issue is resolved,” he told the candidates in Kalyan.Dipke further said the authorities should issue a notification on the re-test and demanded hard copies of examination-related records for the candidates.“Taking cognisance of the protest, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’s principal district judge met the protesting candidates and said the issue would be placed before the high court’s committee, which would take a call on it,” a high court official said.At the Kalyan APMC centre, the test was scheduled in three shifts — 10.15am-11.15am, 12.15pm-1.15pm and 2.15pm-3.15pm. Candidates appearing for the first shift alleged that several computers and keyboards were not functioning properly. They claimed that technical problems prevented them from taking or completing the one-hour test. According to the students, instead of being allowed to leave after the scheduled examination time, several candidates remained at the centre until around 3.30pm.The first-shift candidates subsequently informed those scheduled in the second and third shifts about the problems. Following this, candidates from the later shifts decided not to appear for the examination, alleging that they could not risk being marked absent or failing because of technical faults at the centre. The affected candidates staged a sit-in on the road outside the examination centre, stopped the vehicle of a district court judge and placed their demands before him. The candidates sought an assurance that those affected by the technical problems would be given another opportunity to appear for the examination under proper arrangements. They called off the protest late at night.(With inputs from Mohammed Akhef in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)

Mumbai: FDA has issued a formal show-cause notice to Shah Rukh Khan, Tiger Shroff, and Ajay Devgn for their role in the advertisement of the Vimal Elaichi brand, alleging that this is masked to promote Vimal Pan Masala, which is banned in the state for causing oral cancer.The notice states that the ad is in circulation via YouTube and allied media platforms. “In the said advertisement, the expression ‘Vimal Elaichi’ is used in a manner which appears to create an association with the Vimal Pan Masala brand prevalent in Maharashtra, and may thereby mislead consumers and indirectly promote the brand identity of the prohibited product,” the notice reads.India carries a massive burden of oral cancer, accounting for roughly 30% of global cases, largely due to the prevalence of smokeless tobacco. National data registries report over 1,43,000 new cases and nearly 80,000 deaths annually.Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, Director of the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research & Education in Cancer, who has long campaigned against tobacco use and called for tighter regulation, said, “We have tried multiple times to approach these Bollywood actors who have made huge profits out of these products and caused mass addiction. These are youth icons, their actions translate into direct sales. Tobacco companies are not paying them out of charity.”The administration added that Vimal Pan Masala is a product prohibited for manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale in the state under a Prohibition Order issued by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. According to the notice, the advertisements violate the sections under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, as well as advertisement regulations, and COTPA Act with fines up to Rs 10,00,000 for the first offense.They said that using the expression ‘Vimal Elaichi’ creates an association with the prohibited Vimal Pan Masala brand, potentially misleading consumers and serving as an indirect or surrogate promotion of a restricted tobacco-related product.Chaturvedi explained that once addiction kicks in, it is very difficult to turn back even if someone knows about the harms. The actors have been instructed to immediately discontinue their participation, remove the advertisements from their social media and digital platforms, and cease further promotional cooperation.Furthermore, they are required to furnish complete details on due diligence, endorsement contracts, distribution channels, and evidence of whether Vimal Elaichi is available for sale independently. They are also asked to submit a written explanation with supporting documents within 15 days of receiving the notice. “If no explanation is received within the stipulated period, or if the explanation furnished is found to be unsatisfactory, further action may be initiated...,” the notice states.