![13 workers killed in Ghaziabad factory fire]()
*Ghaziabad*: At least 13 persons were killed and more than a dozen injured in a factory fire in Uttar Pradesh's Sahibabad industrial area here, police said on Friday.
The victims were charred to death inside a leather factory after a fire broke out at 5.00 a.m. due to an apparent short circuit at the manufacturing unit at Shahid Nagar area along the G.T. Road.
The police said the sudden blaze within the closed confines of the facility on a narrow lane of a densely populated area, caught at least 40 workers by surprise who were reportedly inside.
As the workers tried to flee, the narrow passage at the entrance blocked their escape. Though some did succeeded in fleeing the conflagration, about 20 workers could not get out.
Thirteen of them were charred to death while three who reportedly jumped out were rescued and taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
"As we came to know of the incident, about a dozen fire tenders were rushed to the spot," said Chief Fire Officer Ashfaque Hussain.
"The real constrains were the narrow lanes that lead to the factory. We could not reach our fire tenders at an advantageous position to tackle the blaze.
"However, we managed to bring the fire under control after two long hours," Hussain said.
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Convicted sharpshooter sentenced to life in 2002, for the murder of T-Series founder Gulshan Kumar, was nabbed at the Meghalaya border and brought back to Mumbai. According to a report by *Times of India*, Abdul Rauf Dawood Merchant has been absconding while on furlough for more than seven years.
Gulshan Kumar was shot and killed outside a temple in Andheri (West) on August 12, 1997. Cops believed a business rivalry to be the reason behind his murder but a trial court found evidence to convict only Merchant and acquitted 18 of the 19 accused in 2002, which also included Tips founder Ramesh Taurani.
Merchant was arrested by a team of 9 from the Mumbai Crime branch on Wednesday after local security personnel spotted him. He got his transit remand till November 13 from a local court and was produced before vacation judge, Justice PD Naik, at Bombay High Court on Thursday, who directed the police to present him before a sessions court on Friday for "appropriate orders''.
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The handling of a sexual harassment case against Indian Hotels Co. Ltd (IHCL) boss Rakesh Sarna may have been among the reasons that led to the ouster of Cyrus Mistry as Tata Sons.
According to a report in the *Economic Times*, the woman left the Tata group a year back, and Mistry’s office said he had strictly followed protocols, and that an inquiry was ongoing. The suggestions of delay in investigation against Sarna were also dismissed. The lady executive, who earlier worked with members of Mistry's Group Executive Council (GEC) was "requested" by Sarna to move to Taj, the report further said.
*Also Read: Cyrus Mistry may up offensive against Tatas next week*
The woman first opened up about Sarna in 2015, after which she was shifted to another department in the Tata group. Also, before she resigned in November the year, she revealed what circumstances under which she quit.
In a letter to Mistry, a copy of which is with *Economic Times*, the woman wrote, “Although I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and responsibility of the Taj role (at IHCL) and had great working relationship with the rest of the company, Mr Sarna's inappropriate behaviour outweighed the positives of the work. During my seven months employment at Taj I was subjected to repeated unwanted sexual advances from Mr Sarna. When I ignored or tried to rebuff them the environment turned hostile.”
The *Economic Times* report further said that in the letter the woman claimed that she confided in senior Tata Group officials including former GEC members Madhu Kannan, NS Rajan who was also the chief human resources officer of the conglomerate and Ireena Vittal, independent director of IHC. "I came to you in confidence because I felt a large amount of loyalty to the House of Tata. I believed I was a valued member of the Tata family and that discretion would help you to find a solution which is best for me, Taj and the Tata Group."
*Read Story: Cyrus Mistry has no plans to quit as Chairman of Tata group*
The letter further read, "I acknowledge you telling me that in six month's time I will be able to put my career back on track, however I do not see the reason why it should be taken off-track considering my high performances in my last roles and my choice of discretion. Also I do not have any tangible proof this will happen, and considering this transition was not done in the best interest of my career, I no longer feel my career is secure in Tata Group.”
The letter continued, “I must move out of the Tata group and into an organisation which values and respects women's rights. I hope you are able to use my circumstances as a learning opportunity to make the group a better employer of women.”
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Deepak Kumar, the deputy station manager of Grant Road station, apparently pocketed Rs 100 and Rs 50 notes worth Rs 1.65 lakh, out of the Rs 4.59 lakh that was deposited with him in his booking counter and replacing them with Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes. According to a report by *Mumbai Mirror*, this was following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on November 8, that Rs 1000 and Rs 500 would be demonetised.
1,585 notes of Rs 100 denomination and 230 notes of Rs 50 denomination, were entrusted to Kumar. He was also specifically instructed to keep the lower-denomination notes ready for the next day’s transaction by the chief booking supervisor of Grant Road station, Anil Udeshi.
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While news of a decision being taken to trap a leopard spotted on the IIT Powai campus has been doing the rounds, an official with the Thane Forest Department told mid-day that they have not taken any such decision yet. However, they are going to conduct night patrolling in the area and hold sessions to create awareness among the students about the dos and don’ts when they spot a leopard, in order to avoid man-animal conflicts.
*Leopards are shy*
On Thursday, IIT-Powai also sent a letter to Thane FD regarding the sighting.
*Also Read: 3-yr-old leopard dies after being trapped in steel wire noose*
The leopard was spotted in IIT-Powai on November 8 and captured on a CCTV installed outside a laboratory. Confirming the same, Range Forest Officer of Mumbai SS Kank said, “We have received a letter from IIT-Powai informing about the leopard sightings in the area and our team will be doing night patrolling there along with awareness sessions, where we would tell them about the dos and don’ts. Our request to the students and people who move in the campus late at night is that they should not panic at all because leopards are shy animals and, unless provoked, won’t harm.”
*Violation to set up cages*
Certain news reports stated that permission has been received to trap the leopard roaming in IIT-Powai. However, senior officials said that the information was misleading.
*Read Story: Mumbai: 10 leopard traps found in Film City*
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If it’s banned, it’s on the black market. The latest entrants are Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. And the ones making the most of it are city jewellers.*Moksh Jewellers in Kurla*
With those having black cash investing in gold, mid-day found out that jewellery shops in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai have fixed rates according to the notes people are bringing.*Chandresh Jewellers on SG Barve Marg in Kurla east*
If a customer has Rs 100 notes or is ready to pay via credit/debit card or cheque, s/he will get gold at Rs 32,000 per tola (10 gm). But for those paying with Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, the price is Rs 48,000 and above.
*Also Read: Vivek Kaul: Why Mumbaikars bought gold all night long on a week day*
A Thane-based jeweller said, “This is the right time for jewellers to earn. They can manage in banks by showing returns.”
*B(u)y the tola*
One shop owner, however, said that they don’t fix the black market rate, and that it comes on the website that all jewellers refer to for current rates. He refused to share the name and details of this website.
mid-day visited Chandresh Jewellers on SG Barve Marg in Kurla east. “The rates have been fluctuating since the Prime Minister’s announcement,” said owner Raju Jain.
When asked about the present rate of 1 tola gold, he said, “If you are giving me a cheque or paying via card, it is around Rs 32,000. But if you are here to discard your Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 notes, you will have to pay Rs 48,000.”
“The rate of gold coin is Rs 52,000 per tola. On Thursday morning itself, I sold a 1 kg gold coin at Rs 52,000 per tola,” he added, saying that bargaining will bring the black market rate down to Rs 42,000 but nothing further than that.
Another Kurla jewellery shop owner, Bhavesh Bhai of Moksh Jewellers, too had the same rate. “Hardly anyone has turned up since the ban. A majority of those who are coming want to get rid of their Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. We are offering them gold at Rs 47,000 per tola,” he said.
When mid-day visited Jainam Jewellers in Kurla east, owner Ishwar Jain was worriedly watching the news to know the current situation about the market.
*Read Story: 2nd Diwali? Mumbai's jewellers work all night to turn 'black' into gold*
“People investing in gold are mostly those trying to turn their black money into white. Why else would you spend such large amounts on the yellow metal?” he said.
The owner of Kamothe’s Palak Jeweller seconded Jain. On Wednesday when mid-day visited the shop, he said, “The rate is Rs 40,000 a tola. If you come tomorrow, it will rise.”
But then there were those wanting nothing to do with the black market.
They removed the jewellery items kept on display, saying only those interested in getting rid of the banned notes have been coming in, and since they don’t want to get into such transactions, they have removed the ornaments.
*Rs 32k*
Current market rate of per tola gold
*Rs 42k*
Per tola black market rate after bargaining
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*The coin age with Sandeep Goyal*
The government’s de-monetisation move may have us counting our coins. But while we struggle with this lesser change, Sandeep Goyal, the chairman of Mogae Media, is counting just 12 coins — worth ` 12 lakh. This collection of ceramic coins is a replica of the original metallic coins, dating back to the Mughals, Chalukya, Kumaragupta and Khilji empires.*Sandeep Goyal*
These coins are the creations of pottery artist Dipalee Daroz, who picked 12 of the most aesthetically appealing coins after a thorough numismatic research of rulers and dynasties of ancient India. The coins depict gods, local legends, and portraits of emperor Kumaragupta.
The Mughal era coins bear symbols of the zodiac signs, while those from the Sikh dynasty carry floral angular patterns. Goyal, an ardent collector of all things artistic, certainly has himself a unique treasure, and in the coming days he intends to distribute these coins to friends and clients.
*Sun, sand, script*
As if you needed a reason to want to head to Goa, the sunshine state is now all set to host a new multi-disciplinary arts festival. Titled the Serendipity Arts Festival, it will be held from December 16 to 23, and will present a series of interesting workshops to help initiate art lovers into a world of technique and creativity.*Mahesh Dattani*
Theatre personalities Mahesh Dattani and Lillete Dubey will conduct one such initiative called the Script Lab, a residency workshop that will be held during the first four days of the festival with an aim to introduce playwriting, tap
talent, assist with character development, provide constructive feedback, and also to help writers turn a critical eye on their own works.
Dattani, the first playwright in English to be awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award, will share his expertise on all aspects of storytelling during the programme, while Dubey is one of the fourteen curators of the festival.
*And one for the little shutterbug**Pic/Sneha Kharabe*
Former actress and talk show host, Pooja Bedi, at the launch of a magazine’s issue in Prabhadevi yesterday.
*Greek love*
Goa’s favourite Greek taverna, Thalassa, launched in Khar with much fanfare and plate-breaking a couple of nights ago. This diarist dropped by to learn that Mariketty Grana (in pic) refused to host a stuffy sit-down dinner on opening night and, instead, chose to throw a fun party, which we believe is reflective of her cheery personality.
While the eatery is oddly located (i.e. away from the sea, unlike the Goa space), the Greek island-inspired interiors trick you into imagining that you’re no longer in Mumbai. We also heard that Grana zeroed in on this spacious spot after scouring the city for three whole years. Here’s a woman who knows exactly what she wants!
*Art has no barriers*
The Thane jail or even the Jail Talao next to is not on people’s list of places to visit. But the MAKA showroom, adjoining the prison, might soon make the cut. The Maharashtra Karagriha brand has been developed by the state’s prison department for products made by jail inmates from across Maharashtra. And what started as a small outlet is now a full-fledged showroom.*An aircraft model at the showroom. Pic/Ayan Roy*
From hand-stitched shirts, dress material to cakes, chaklis and chiwdas, there is quite a range. The highlight of the shop, however, is handmade wooden products — from key holders to dining sets. The goods are made of teakwood and since it’s the government that procures the wood from forests, “they are genuine products and not fake like outside,” Sanjay Tiwatane, who mans the showroom, says with pride.
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Shockingly, people in urgent need of cash are also willing to bargain. However, when the city has been awaiting a flow of lesser denomination currency notes, the source of similar notes with these vendors is a matter of suspicion.
*Also Read: Getting rid of banned notes? Gold for you is at Rs 52,000 per tola*
*Case 1: The paanwala’s Rs 400 deal*
*(At Bandra West near Nandi Galli)*
*Reporter:* Bhai, ek packet cigarette chahiye (Brother, I want a pack of cigarettes)
*Paanwala:* Ye lo... (Here you go)
*Reporter:* Lekin sirf Rs 500 ka note hai, chutta milega? (But I only have a Rs 500 note, will you give me change for it?)
*Paanwala:* Bhai abhi chutta nahi hai (Brother, at present no I have no change)
*Reporter:* Kuch kardo yaar (please do something)
*Paanwala:* Rs 500 ka Rs 400 milega aur cigarette ka alag se dena padega, chalega kya?
(I will give you Rs 400 in return of the Rs 500 and you will have to pay for the cigarette pack separately, is that ok?)
*Reporter:* Ok
Once the reporter agreed for the deal, the paanwala, checked the cash with him in the counter and returned Rs 400.
*Case 2: The middleman’s bargain*
*(At Terminus Road, Kherwadi)*
A 25-year-old man walked up to the reporters and said he could help them get change.
*Man:* Kitne ka chahiye? Rs 500 ka ya Rs 1,000 ka ? (You need change for Rs 500 or Rs 1,000?)
*Reporter:* Rs 500 ka hai to uska, Rs 1,000 ka hai to wo bhi chalega (If you can give change for Rs 500, it would do and if you have a change for Rs 1,000, that works as well)
*Man:* Subha se 3-4 logo ka madad karaya hai, aapka bhi karata hun lekin 500 ka 300 milega aur mere 20 rupiya chahiye (Since morning, I have helped three to four people. If you want I’ll help you too but for Rs 500 you will get Rs 300 and you will have to give me Rs 20, is that ok?)
*Reporter:* Ok chalega.. (Ok will do)
*Read Story: Mumbai: Note ban a bane for blind beggar, slum dweller*
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As the board-room battle intensifies, ex-chairman of Tata Sons Cyrus Mistry is likely to up the offensive next week once the Tata group companies that he chairs come out of the mandatory silence period before their quarterly earnings.
The board of Tata Motors, which is the second biggest cash-cow in the over 100-companies group from Bombay House entities, will meet next Monday to clear the quarterly numbers as well as may discus whether to repose faith in Mistry or not.
If the sources can be believed, that is precisely what Mistry, who was also removed last night as the chairman of the Tata Group crown jewel TCS, has up his sleeves. Mistry was unceremoniously sacked as Tata Sons chairman on October 24. Tata Sons is one the main group holding companies.
"Mistry has been lying low because he has fiduciary responsibilities to all the companies that he chairs. He will chair the board of Tata Motors, which is the last main group company, on Monday. "With that he is likely to break the long silence. Come November 15, you may hear a lot from him," the source close to mistry camp, told PTI.
The source further said the Mistry camp has "enough ammunitions to counter every baseless claim" by the Tatas. Since his ouster last month, the Tatas or Mistry has not spoken to the media. While Tatas has sent out two formal communications since then, including a 9-pager today, the Mistry camp issued one formal statement last week.
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*New Delhi:* Banks across the country opened up to long, serpentine queues yesterday as millions of people rushed to their local branches to get rid of banned high denomination currency for new notes or deposit them in their accounts even as police maintained tight security.*Several bank officials said most branches were witnessing unprecedented rush*
Anxious customers thronged the branches much before the opening time – some at the crack of dawn – and had to wait for several hours to complete their transactions with senior citizens also not being spared of hardships. Amid frayed tempers, there were complaints galore that the stocks of new hard-to-fake Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes were exhausted within hours though the old notes were being accepted by banks.*Some anxious customers thronged their local bank branches at the crack of dawn. Pics/PTI*
In Delhi, as many as 3,400 personnel of paramilitary and Delhi Police along with quick reaction teams were deployed for maintaining security in banks in view of a huge rush.*New, secure Rs 1k notes soon*
Government will re-introduce Rs 1,000 banknotes in a few months and also issue new series of lower denomination bills with enhanced security features. Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said the RBI will come out with new series of currency notes of lower denomination of Rs 100 and Rs 50 with new design and added security features.
*What a waste!*
A waste picker in Pune yesterday came across a bag full of Rs 1,000 notes totalling upto Rs 52,000. The elderly woman who chanced upon the cash in a plastic bag, immediately alerted her supervisor who informed the police. Cops are now investigating the source and authenticity of the notes.
*Voices*
*Kunal Bhardwaj, Delhi*
‘Those who have black money will anyway find methods to get away. It is the common man who will suffer. Now we have no option other than waiting in queues as there is no money for basic things.’
*A Patel, Ahmedabad*
‘I ran out of cash for my daily needs. If I do not get new notes, I would be in big trouble. So, I came here very early. Many others were already here in a queue when I reached at 6 AM.’
*Ashwin Kadam, Mumbai*
‘I was in queue for four hours to exchange Rs 4,000. But unfortunately I was permitted only Rs 2,000 to be exchanged that too with Rs 100 denomination.’
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*New Delhi:* A slew of petitions against demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes have been filed in various courts including in the Supreme Court where the Centre yesterday filed a caveat that it be heard before any order is passed.
SC indicated that it might hear on November 15 the plea challenging the government decision while the Madras High Court dismissed a PIL in this regard. The Madurai Bench of the HC while dismissing the PIL observed that the government’s decision is fit for the country’s security and development.
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Donald Trump is already making America grope again. Ask Swarali Karulkar, a dance choreographer in New York City — just hours after the election results, the 24-year-old was grabbed by an absolute stranger who threatened that Trump would throw her out of the country unless she married him. After living in NYC for two years, Swarali is now scared to even step out of her house.*Swarali Karulkar says she considered moving some place else, but that would mean all the hard work put in by herself and her parents would go to waste*
Swarali had moved to NYC to study a dance therapy course, and enjoyed her life so much, that she decided to stay on after graduation. Among the things she had loved about the city were its people, who were friendly and welcoming. Now, for the first time, she is witnessing another side to the city.
*Also Read: Prez Report: 5 shocking controversies of Donald Trump*
“After the election results were announced on Wednesday, everyone was in shock. I kept reading articles on social media about how people of colour — particularly immigrants were being targeted all over the country,” said Swarali.
She added, “A Muslim family was asked to leave a restaurant with their 6-year-old kid after being labelled terrorists. Someone threw coffee at them and asked them to bomb their own country. I was severely disgusted, but I thought these things only happen in the Midwest and not in a progressive and collaborative city like New York. I was proven wrong very quickly.”
*Day 1*
It didn’t take long at all. Just hours after Trump was announced as the 45th President-elect of the US, Swarali had her first taste of the new America. “I was walking to work in a crowded area — 12th street and 1st avenue in Manhattan — and this creepy guy tried to grab me. I walked away but he followed me and said ‘Hey sexy, marry me, I will make you American’. He said other gross things as well, but I continued to walk away.”
“When I was about a block away, he shamelessly yelled ‘Marry me you b***h, I will make you American or Trump will send you back to your country, you immigrant.’ As I kept walking, some people walked up to me to help me. A woman told me that the same man had been picking on every woman on the street.”
*‘Never felt so unsafe’*
Before moving to NYC, Swarali was a resident of Dadar, and had contested in several Indian reality shows, and was even a finalist for Dance India Dance (season 4), as well as an onscreen mentor for DID Lil masters (season 3).
“I moved to New York in August 2014 for my Masters in Dance Movement Therapy. Right now I live in Brooklyn, where I found a house in Bedford–Stuyvesant. It may not be the safest area to live in, but it’s all I can afford. But I never felt like I was in danger, because people here are helpful and good-natured. I have also travelled around the country by myself for work, but never felt so unsafe before,” said the choreographer.
But as the Presidential election got closer, Swarali could sense a growing aggression in the atmosphere, particularly towards women and immigrants.
Things started getting ugly as far back as September, when the 24-year-old was attacked for the first time. “In the mornings, I generally walk to Broadway junction, the closest subway stop for me. One day, as I was heading to work at 7 am, I was followed by a woman. She pushed me and demanded that I give her my subway pass. When I refused, she pushed me and yelled at me,” Swarali recalled.
*Read Story: Thousands take to the streets to protest Donald Trump win*
A few days later, there was another incident. This time, Swarali was not under attack but she felt the ripple effect of the growing hate. “I was stuck in the train for over two hours because a woman had attacked someone with a knife. The police halted the train for investigation. You can imagine how scary it all was a college girl living on her own in a foreign country.”
*Scared to step out*
“I didn’t tell my parents about any of it because I didn’t want them to worry. But, over the next few months, I could see that men had become openly hostile in trains or at public places. And why wouldn’t they be, when a sexual abuser runs for election and actually ends up becoming president,” said Swarali, adding, “I woke up this morning, terrified of going to work, wondering if someone was going to attack me again. I wouldn’t say that I haven’t considered moving, but I fear that if I do, I might never be able to return. And then all the sacrifices that my parents made will be wasted.”
Swarali, who now works at a pre-school for children with special needs, said she is worried about the message this will send to the future generation. “This experience has highlighted how much hatred is hidden in people’s hearts that is now erupting because of Trump — all sorts of discrimination against race, women, immigrants, sexual orientations. I’m really scared about where this country is headed.”*Trump's 5-pt plan for illegal aliens*
>> Build a border fence
>> No fee subsidies for illegal alien students
>> Enforce immigration law
>> Shut down ‘cozy’ detention centres
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The Bombay High Court has declined to allow beleaguered NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who is facing charges in a money laundering case, to withdraw his petition challenging provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following opposition by the Enforcement Directorate.
Bhujbal had urged HC to allow him to withdraw his petition as he wanted to file a fresh plea soon.
*HC rejection*
A vacation bench of justice MS Karnik observed during the hearing on Wednesday that a petition can’t be allowed to be withdrawn without the consent of both the sides.
“In this case, ED has opposed the plea of the petitioner to withdraw... So I am not inclined to allow the applicant (Bhujbal) to withdraw his plea,” the judge said.
Bhujbal, through his lawyer Vikram Chaudhary, had challenged sections 19 and 45 of the PMLA — 19 empowers the ED to arrest an accused based on evidence gathered by the agency against the individual, while 45 deals with bail of the accused.
*ED’s argument*
ED’s lawyer Hiten Venegaonkar argued that the agency welcomed the move of the accused to withdraw the petition but was opposed to his plea to file a fresh petition.
The HC also asked Bhujbal’s lawyer to approach a regular bench after the Diwali vacation, and posted the matter for hearing on November 16.
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*External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj*
Sushma Swaraj is back to doing what she does best -- helping out Indians living abroad through social media. She wins our hearts again! This time the External Affairs Minister has extended help to an ailing widowed Indian woman in the USA who gave birth to a baby girl a few weeks ago.
After the sudden demise of the girl's, identified as Deepika Pandey, husband -- Hariom Pandey, a resident of Boston, her friends’ took her to New Jersey for better medical care. Unfortunately, in the US health insurance of one state is not valid in another. Deepika also could not travel back to India due to the pregnancy. It was then that Deepika’s friends and family members posted a letter wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking help for her health insurance issues and also to make the OCI (Overseas Citizenship Of India) Card for her child at the earliest.
The letter went viral and Twitterati started tagging the foreign minister. And like the past, the minister was quick to respond.
Sushma instructed the Indian Embassy to take care of the matter. Deepika is now recovering under proper care.
*Here's the letter Deepika’s family wrote detailing her woes:*
#SOS Please help Mrs Deepika Pandey who is in USA .Details enclosed @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj @CMOfficeUP pic.twitter.com/DzWytjdPMv
— #UttarPradesh ™ (@BJPLucknowBJP) November 8, 2016
*Here's the minister's response:*
Deepika - We are with you in this hour of tragedy. I have asked @IndianEmbassyUS to help you. @BJPLucknowBJP @templetree1
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 9, 2016
The letter was sent before Deepika gave birth to the baby girl.
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The special PMLA court yesterday declared liquor baron Vijay Mallya as a proclaimed offender and allowed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to attach his movable property — shares and debentures worth Rs 1,694.42 crore.
Judge PR Bhavake in his order said, “It is pronounced and declared that the accused Vijay Mallya is a proclaimed offender. The movable properties — frozen and pledged shares — belonging to the accused be attached by way of seizure and by prohibiting the delivery of such property to the accused or to any other person on his behalf until further order.”
The application filed by ED in October 2016 mentioned two charts of Mallya’s property, one of shares worth Rs 1,482.93 crore pledged with various institutions, and the second of unpledged shares worth Rs 2,11.49 crore frozen by the agency.
The application was filed after Mallya did not comply with a proclamation order issued against him.
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Once bitten, twice shy? Not the BMC, certainly. The civic body claims to have fired the tainted contractor for the penguin project, but it turns out the firm will remain in charge of the aquatic birds for another year.
While the contractor — Highway Construction Company (HCC) — pulled wool over the BMC’s eyes with its false claims about tying up with foreign experts from the US, in addition to several other lies, the BMC continues to depend on the company, claiming that it doesn’t know anyone else who can handle the Humboldt penguins at Byculla zoo.
*Lies exposed*
Out of the eight penguins that arrived here in July, a 1.5-year-old female penguin passed away last month, sparking a massive controversy. Several reports exposed how the contractor lied time and again, while the BMC did not even bother to secure all the required paperwork for the project. Instead, the civic body allowed HCC to go ahead merely on a verbal assurance.
*Also Read: Mumbai: BMC starts phase 2 of Byculla zoo works*
The corporation reacted by firing the company and cancelling the R45-crore contract for constructing the quarantine area, final enclosure, administrative building and auditorium. However, the company will stay on for a year and complete the enclosure and monitor the penguins’ health.
*For the penguins’ good*
Deputy Municipal Commissioner (General Administration Department) Sudhir Naik, who is in charge of the Byculla zoo revamp, confirmed the development. “Since we don’t have any other experts, the contractor’s team will be allowed to continue maintenance and care of penguins for one year. We are trying to find some other contractor who is an expert and can take care of the animals.”
He added, “Another problem is that the birds have become habituated to the staff. At feeding time, they immediately recognise the staffers and come forward to eat. Considering this, we have to be very careful while appointing someone new.”
In the meanwhile, we’ll just have to pray that the remaining penguins survive an entire year.
*There are other options*
The zoo authorities may claim that that have no other option, but that’s not necessarily true. For one, they can reach out to the Bombay Veterinary College for help in taking care of the penguins. Or, as so many activists and politicians have already suggested, just send the penguins back to where they came from.
*Read Story: Mumbai: Contractor faked 3 MoUs to bag penguin project*
*Bad planning*
This is a classic example of the short-sighted planning by Byculla zoo authorities. Activists have slammed the authorities for rushing to bring the delicate penguins to Mumbai without first making the necessary arrangements. Activist Pawan Sharma of the NGO RAWW said, “Public opinion, animal rights and public money are taken for granted. Once again, the world’s richest corporation — known for the poorest treatment to animals and unnecessary projects — is heading towards another mega disaster. It’s not just public money at stake here, but also the lives of several animals.”*'Please don’t bring more animals'*
“I have requested the authorities not to grant further permission to BMC and Byculla Zoo to bring any more new species of animals or new Humboldt penguins,” said Congress corporator and opposition leader in the BMC, Pravin Chheda, who has written to the Union Minister of Environment Anil Dave, as well as member secretary of the Central Zoo Authority Dr DN Singh, demanding a probe into the Humboldt penguin project. The Lokayukta is also expected to visit the zoo soon, to take stock of the arrangements made for the penguins.
*Warning signs*
>> HCC’s project director Tanmay Rai was caught in controversy after another of his companies was blacklisted two years ago in a medical equipment scam
>> The contractor faked a joint venture with the US-based Sivat Services Inc, expert in penguin enclosure construction
>> HCC also faked MoUs with three other companies, claiming that they were going to do the civil, mechanical and electrical and landscaping work for the penguin project
>> BMC claimed that the penguin died in the ‘warranty period’ and they would get a replacement penguin, but this was proved false
*Rs 120 cr*
Value of fresh tenders floated by BMC on Tuesday for the zoo revamp
*70%*
Work done on construction of penguin enclosure
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The e-challan system introduced in the city in October has revealed rampant indiscipline among motorists. Since the inception of the system, 50,000 out of the 57,144 challans have been issued to motorists who don’t halt before the stop line at signals. On Thursday, a record number of 4,562 challans were issued to motorists, compared to the previous 3,401.
The e-challan system was introduced from October 5 to bring transparency in collection of fines and reduce the margin of error. Within a fortnight of its introduction, police issued almost a thousand challans per day. The team is now recording the trends in the traffic violations in the city.
*City’s major offence*
Not halting before the zebra crossing, also known as the stop line has emerged as major offence in the city. It constitutes more than 90% of the total traffic violations. “From October 5, we have issued 57,144 e-challans till November 9, out of them 52,000 challans were issued for crossing the halting line followed by riding without helmet and driving without seatbelt, said an officer.
Though not halting before the stop line does not sound like a major offence, but traffic officials say it is one of the root causes of traffic jams on major roads. If every vehicle starts stopping behind the line, clearing traffic will be easy. Instead, every motorist tries to come forward as the signal inches close to turning green and this creates jams in major chowks and becomes a threat to pedestrians.
*Major violations unreported*
Though e-challans issued through CCTV surveillance trying to bring discipline among motorists, major traffic violations go unreported through this system.
“Motorist jumping signals, driving without seatbelts cannot be tracked with CCTV as its not visible through cameras. We have to depend on cops standing at junction for catching violators,” said another officer. Also, after sunset, headlights make it difficult for cops in the monitoring room to read the number plate, so the cops at junctions start working then,” he added.
*Record breaking challans*
On Thursday, traffic cops issued record-breaking challans to motorists. Till 6.45pm 4,562 e-challans were issued.
“It’s a record-breaking number of challans issued on any day, and we are still issuing it,” said an officer from the traffic department, adding, “the previous record of issuing most challans was 3,401, but surpassed it today. We start monitoring major junctions in the city from 8 am and continue it till 8pm. Our staff works in two shifts, with 24 cops at a time.*Traffic offences in city (till 5.40 pm on Nov 10)*
*4,000:* Halting ahead of stop line
*69:* Without helmet
*36:* Without seatbelt
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Ulhasnagar resident Rekha Arao is another victim of the demonetisation and it’s after-effects in medical institutions. Although the government has ordered a 72-hour relaxation for use of old denomination notes in hospitals, Rekha’s hopes to bring her mother home on Wednesday was crushed by to Bombay Hospital authorities who refused to discharge the 70-year-old until Rekha paid for the treatment in Rs 100 denominations or through card.
Rekha said, “My mother was diagnosed with swollen kidney so we admitted her last week. She was supposed to be discharged yesterday, but the hospital refused to accept the bill amount of R50,000 in denominations of R500 and R1000. They said we have to pay in R100 denominations or through card, but we don’t have either!”
*A rush at medical shops near BombayHospital*
*Child suffers the brunt*
In another incident, Osama Sheikh, a man in his late 20s, had to run from pillar to post yesterday to procure medicines for his 8-year-old niece, Shaikh Zoya Aslam. Zoya is undergoing treatment for typhoid at Noor Hospital. Sheikh said, “I have been running from one pharmacy to another because none of them are willing to give me medicines against R1,000 notes.”
*Cutting down on medicines*
Luck favoured Madhya Pradesh resident Nitin Tiwari who managed to buy medicines using the now invalid currency notes.
“I came to Bombay Hospital for treatment and I was billed R1,200. But because the pharmacy was short on R100 notes, they asked me to buy medicines worth R1,000. At least, they accepted my R1,000 note.”
*Actions against pvt hospitals*
The state health minister has announced that if private hospitals refuse to accept the notes, the department will take steps against them. “No private hospital can refuse to accept R500 and R1,000. If we receive any complaints, we will take steps against them,” said Dr Deepak Sawant.Voices*Ravindra,*
CEO ofJupiterHospital
“As per rules, private hospitals are exempted from accepting the old currency. But we are ensuring that patients don’t face any kind of harassment in their treatment. They can pay by cheque, credit or debit cards or even through online transactions.”
*Dr Rajendra Pata,*
CEO ofNanavatiHospital:
“We have stopped accepting the old currency. Only government hospitals are accepting them, but we are exempt from all those regulations. However, we are taking all care of patients and if someone fails to give the money in cash during admission we are asking them to submit it together during discharge.”
*Dr Tarang Gianchandani,*
JaslokHospital, CEO
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After having to call off their initiative three times earlier this year due to lack of permission(s) from civic authorities and the police, residents of Lokhandwala (Andheri West) will be pouring out onto the streets on November 20 to take part in their first-ever ‘Be Happy’ campaign.*Lokhandwala’s Backroad will remain closed to traffic from 7 am to 11 am on November 20*
Inspired by Bogota’s version of conducting an equal street day on a given day of the week, this campaign will enable neighbourhood residents to come forth and enjoy a ‘free street’ experience on the morning of November 20.
*Love thy neighbour*
With permissions from the BMC and joint commissioner of police (law and order) already in place, the event is set to take place on Lokhandwala’s Backroad — which will remain closed to traffic from 7 am to 11 am on November 20. Cycling races, sporting and colouring competitions as well as women’s self-defence workshops and other activities aimed at building a cohesive bond between residents of this suburban neighbourhood, will be taking place at the venue.
“The event will go on from 7 am till 10 am, after which, the road will be opened to all for a common jam session,” said Dhaval Shah, founder, Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association, the driving body behind organising this campaign.
“The venue will have various sections dedicated to an assortment of interests such as skating, football, cricket, cycling, as well as taekwondo and workshops on women’s self-defence and Latin-American dance. There will also be a number of food and art stalls put up by residents themselves, where they can showcase their makings and sell them. All in all, it’s a chance for the locals to come forward and help in building a cohesive neighbour-to-neighbour bond.”
From hereon, every third Sunday of the month will be marked by the ‘Be Happy’ campaign in Lokhandwala.
*Permissions in place*
“All required permissions, ranging from traffic to law and order, have already been obtained; we are all set for Sunday,” said Prashant Rane, MNS president for ward no. 60. “Having a day to reclaim the streets — where we only see traffic everyday — is important for people to feel connected to their surrounding.”
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Even as India debates the pros and cons of demonetisation and Mumbai reels under a cash crunch, graphic artists are doing what they must -- deliberating on the aesthetics of the new Rs 2,000 note that rolls into the market today. While they feel it is not entirely fair to land on a ‘good-bad-ugly’ verdict without having held the note in their hand, they say it violates basic design principles.
Sanket Avlani, curator of Taxi Fabric, says, “Right from the typeface to the cluttered arrangement of elements and lack of borders, the aesthetics has taken a beating.” He asks why India couldn’t have done what Norway did. Norway’s Norges Bank invited inputs from eight teams via a contest. “The winning design is contemporary; it shows how a currency design can be iconic too,” Avlani says.*The winning Metric System design features on the new Kroner*
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An accused arrested in a narcotic drugs case, for whom fellow inmates raised the bail amount of R15,000, is still stuck inside jail because the jail cash counter has refused to accept R500 and R1,000 notes.
Akashkumar Chachad, 30, was arrested by the Pydhonie police station in November 2014, while in possession of 20 grams of mephedrone drug.
Chachad had, in December 2015, filed a bail application before the Special NDPS court and he was granted bail on the cash surety of Rs 15,000. However, being from a poor family Chachad couldn’t arrange for the surety money. But, fellow inmates pitched in over a few months and they finally came up with Rs 15,000.
Chachad’s lawyer Sartaj Shaikh, told *mid-day*, “I reached the cash counter of the Sessions court late Tuesday evening so couldn’t pay the money. That same night, we all got a shock about the devaluing of the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. When I went to pay the cash at the jail counter the next morning, the officials refused to accept it.”
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What do you do when you run out of real money? Use play money, instead. That’s the solution for the current problem at some dance bars in town.
A patron’s card is swiped and fake cash wrapped in plastic is handed to him to use, at the bar.
The orchestra bar industry, which depends heavily on cash flow, whether its giving money to the performers to tipping waiters and doormen, has been badly hit by the sudden withdrawal of R100 and R1,000 notes.
“There are barely any customers coming in for the past two days. Nobody has change. We are accepting R100 and R500 notes because we will be able to exchange them at the bank. But, how do we run our business without change? Customers need these small notes to use inside the bar,” said Rohan Shetty, owner of an Andheri bar.
“We have kept fake note rolls for customers to give performers while we take payment via a debit or credit card. Generally, we have a supplier for change who provides us with bundles of notes of R10, R20, R50, R100 denominations. He has been avoiding our calls for the past two days. He may be out of change. Others are asking for 13 per cent extra just to provide change,” Shetty said. Customers can put these rolls around performers’ necks, in the absence of real notes, say owners.
Complaining that he had lost business over two days, Govind Shetty, owner of a south Mumbai orchestra bar, said, “We cannot run our business without change. Most of the waiters and workers, even performers, have a major chunk of their income coming from cash dealings inside bars.” While a few bars decided to remain shut or close before time, most were open but saw a drop in footfall.
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The Lalbaug flyover was shut around 10.30 pm on Wednesday after a wide crack was spotted over pillar 221. Two beams, soldered with rubber and cement, had detached, revealing broken iron joints. Many vehicles passed over the precarious stretch before a commuter alerted the police.
After inspecting the damage, the Kalachowky and Byculla police closed the 2.45-km flyover. Repairs by the BMC will take a day or two.
After the police control room was alerted, two beat marshals from the Byculla police station were sent to assess the spot. One of these constables said he was asked around 8.45 pm to look into a complaint of an iron sheet falling off the flyover. “We looked below the entire stretch of the flyover for this sheet, but couldn’t find anything. We then called up the commuter who had alerted the police to find the exact spot. After a few more rounds of the flyover, we spotted the gap and the loosened joints. The joints kept popping out more as vehicles passed over them. It was almost 10.15 pm by then.”
The flyover was immediately shut and the BMC sounded out. The bridge was built by the MMRDA, but the BMC handles its maintenance.
The constable said although there was no immediate danger to four-wheelers, bikers could have had a fatal accident at the spot.
The police guarded the flyover at entry/exit points near the Parel workshop as well as near Ranibaug. BMC officials assessed the damage and said repairs will be taken up today.
The traffic police immediately diverted traffic to P D’Mello Road and Peddar Road (for north-bound motorists), Five Gardens and Dadar TT (for those heading south), as well as the Eastern Freeway. They sent out tweets about the diversions and even sent SMS alerts to many motorists.
This morning, the north-bound arm was kept shut, while small cars and bikes were being allowed on the south-bound carriageway.
*With inputs from Vijay Kumar Yadav and Laxman Singh*BMCSpeak*SO Kori*
Chief engineer, bridge department, BMC
The material used in one of the joint expansions of the bridge loosened and left a huge gap. We closed the north-bound traffic and called the contractor for an inspection of the spot. It seems the joint expansion was not filled properly. But, the exact cause will be ascertained later.
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A day after the state issued a circular ordering all hospitals — private and public — to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, many private facilities continued to turn patients away. Many of these claimed that they had not received the circular and thought it was a hoax.
Citizens are bearing the brunt of this confusion, as they run from pillar to post for medical tests, treatment or just to buy medicines. Frustrated patients pointed out that even though the state health department promised to take action against such facilities, there is no helpline or system in place where they can lodge complaints.
*WhatsApp circular*
To save time, the state health department had issued the circular on its WhatsApp group, stating that till November 11 (today), no private hospital can refuse to take Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes. However, not all hospitals were on that group and when they received the circular from other sources, they assumed it was a hoax.
*Also Read: Not(e) fair: Helpless patients forced to beg for medicines*
A meeting was held to clear the confusion and some hospitals like Nanavati, Jupiter and Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani began to accept the higher denomination notes later in the day. On the other hand, this reporter found that certain hospitals like Wockhardt and Breach Candy Hospital were still not following the circular.
*Patients suffer*
Abhijit Choksi has been struggling to get medicines and blood tests for his 64-year-old mother, a cardiac patient and has already sustained three heart attacks. As his mother is a diabetic, she urgently needs to undergo a blood test that will cost Rs 6,000, and will also require medicines worth Rs 12,000. But since he didn’t have Rs 100 notes or a cash card, several hospitals and pharmacists turned them away.
“Despite the circular, many big private hospitals aren’t following the rules. Breach Candy Hospital told me to bring Rs 100 notes or visit another hospital. Banks only opened today and I didn’t have time to stand in queue and exchange the old currency. The government should start a helpline so we can complain directly about this harassment,” said Choksi.*What the hospitals have to say*
mid-day received confirmation from 3 hospitals that they had started to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in payment — Dr Rajendra Pata, CEO of Nanavati Hospital; Dr Ravindra, CEO of Jupiter; and Dr Ram Narain, executive director of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Breach Candy is yet to follow the circular; medical director Dr Geeta Khopikar was unavailable for comment. Wockhardt Hospital’s central chief Dr Parag R said, “We are following the rules given by RBI. We haven’t received the circular sent by the state health department. So, we aren’t accepting old currency.”
*People speak*
*Avantika*
‘My father was being discharged tonight (Thursday), and the hospital told us to pay R50,000 but refused to accept the old currency. At 10 pm, how do you expect us to find new notes? My friend had to pay the bill with his credit card’
*Arpan Trehan*
‘My 10-year-old son was admitted at Breach Candy for dengue. The hospital refused to take my money even after I told them about the government’s circular. They claimed the circular was fake. The government should have started a helpline so we could have informed them’
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Several devotees stranded at the Ajmer Dargah after the Prime Minister’s decision to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes breathed a sigh of relief after the khadims (attendants) there helped them get change. The khadims dug into the degh (the vessel people put cash donations in) for helping the visitors, many of whom had come from Mumbai.
The khadims also offered them langar (free food) after hotels turned those having only Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes away.
*Divine help*
Haji Sayed Ali Hussain Chishti (khadim) of Ajmer Sharif said, “On Thursday afternoon, we saw most of the devotees struggling to arrange money. With banks closed and most of them being from other states, they were helpless. So, we helped them out with change taken from the degh, as it was an emergency.”
“We distributed the change so that devotees would have some cash on them to return home. We even gave change from our own pocket. We will deposit the banned notes in the bank, in the trust’s official account. Langar was kept on Wednesday and Thursday... Most of the devotees have been coming here for decades to seek blessings; it was our duty to help them,” said Sayed Wahid Hussain Chishti, secretary of the Anjuman Moinia Fakhria Khuddam Khwaja Sahaab Trust.
*A relieved bunch*
Dongri businessman Haji Kadar (59), who visits every month on Chatti (the sixth of every month as per the Urdu calendar) said, “I reached Ajmer Sharif on November 6, my return ticket was on November 9.
On Wednesday, when I came to know about the ban, I was in a fix. By grace of the Sufi saint, it worked out... the khadims gave me change for Rs 7,000. The money helped me pay for the hotel, buy sweets and return home.”
Crawford Market resident Mohammed Muktadir (33) had a similar story to share.
“Not just Mumbai, there were so many from other states as well, all of whom were helped with change by the khadims. I came to know about the ban via WhatsApp. On Thursday afternoon, the dargah trust officials announced on the loudspeaker about change being given to devotees near the degh. I rushed there and got change for R1,500. It helped me pay for the hotel and my return journey,” he said.
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Fishermen and others involved in the business have tided over the demonetisation issue by operating on credit or accepting banned notes. While those bringing fish to the shore are accepting cash in any denomination, agents who sell the supply to smaller fishermen are accepting the devalued notes against an assurance of adjusting the change in future dealings. Small fishermen are insisting on R100 notes while selling fish to customers in markets and those supplying to hotels are taking payment in cheque.
midday visited Sassoon Dock at dawn today. While business was on in full swing and there was no time for anyone to refuse Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. Vatsala Mihir, a fish-seller, told us, “We’re taking notes here as we can give it to agents. But, outside, we insist on change. There is no way for us to supply in credit.”
While agents have sorted out their issue of change with boat owners, they are accepting the banned notes from buyers. But, do not have change to return. This means if a fisherman has bought a consignment of Rs 8,700, he will not get Rs 300 back. "They assure us that they will adjust the money in future dealings. We know each other for many years, that’s why we have agreed," said Warsha Loge, a fisherwoman.
Reported by Mid-Day 3 hours ago.
*Ghaziabad*: At least 13 persons were killed and more than a dozen injured in a factory fire in Uttar Pradesh's Sahibabad industrial area here, police said on Friday.
The Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, has experienced hiccups of late.
