QMumbai: Rains to Ease Up; 250 Fishing Boats Go Missing

State government withdraws availability of sugar at subsidised rates for BPL families, and other stories.

1. Rains to Ease up in Next 24 Hours but IMD Warnings Still in Place

After being lashed by heavy rains all night, Mumbai is likely to receive some respite in the next 24 hours. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, Mumbai will receive intermittent showers for the next 24 hours; however, warnings continue to remain in place for Mumbai and the Konkan region.

(Source: The Quint)

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2. 250 Palghar Fishing Boats Go off the Radar

Fishing boats from Vasai, Palghar, Dahanu, Bhayander and other coastal areas, around 250 in number, have not established any contact with the shore since Tuesday, when the thunderstorm, lightning and rain started lashing the district.

Fishermen’s societies are in touch with the Palghar district collector, Dr Prashant Narnavre and other government authorities for an update, while the collector has sought the help of Coast Guard, Dahanu, to help locate the missing trawlers.

(Source: Mumbai Mirror)

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3. No Objection to 24x7 Metro Construction: Coastal Agency

In a big boost to Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), which is constructing the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro line among others, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has given it a go ahead to carry on construction all day, and even during the night. The proposal had come last week.

Additional chief secretary (environment) Satish Gavai who is also the chairman of the MCZMA, said, “We have no problem if they work 24 x7, but they must now take permission from the High Court.’’

(Source: Mumbai Mirror)

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4. Happy Diwali, Bina Sugarwali!

For the poorest of poor in the state, this Diwali is not going to be such a happy one.

The state government has withdrawn sugar available at subsidised rates at ration shops for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.

Maharashtra has 45 lakh BPL families with household incomes of less than Rs 59,000 a year in urban areas and Rs 44,000 in rural areas. While sugar at subsidised rates will continue to be available to families covered by Antyodaya Scheme – families with household income of less than 15,000 a year – they too will now have to pay Rs 5 more for every kilo. Also, while earlier these families got 500 gm of sugar for each family member per month, the quantity has now been restricted to 1kilo per family per month. The market price of sugar is between Rs 35 to Rs 40 per kilo.

(Source: Mumbai Mirror)

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5. Karan Joseph Suicide Case Transferred to Crime Branch

Mumbai Police Commissioner Dattatray Padsalgikar on Wednesday transferred the suicide case of pianist Karan Joseph from Bandra police station to the Kurla unit of the Mumbai Crime Branch.

Mumbai police sources said the decision was taken after the pianist’s family made allegations against the Bandra police’s investigation into the case. The family had claimed that a retired assistant commissioner of police-level officer was helping the publisher of Rave, Rishi Shah.

(Source: Mumbai Mirror)

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6. Cops Probe If Dawood Ibrahim's Brother Iqbal Kaskar Funded Shraddha Kapoor's Film

After arresting fugitive Underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Kaskar late on Monday for allegedly extorting money from builders, the Thane police are now investigating whether any cash from D-Company has flowed into the upcoming movie Haseena Parkar. Commissioner of Police, Thane, Parambir Singh said, "The gang earlier used to finance movies with the money got through extortion. We will check if any similar investment was made recently."

(Source: Mid-Day)

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7. Revisit Policy on Protection to Private Persons: HC

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra government to “revisit” its policy on providing police protection to private persons.

A bench led by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur directed the state to streamline the process to ensure that only those who “deserve” police protection should be provided it.

The bench also directed the government to file, within three weeks, its reply on the steps it proposes to take to streamline the process.

(Source: Mumbai Mirror)

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