In a significant policy announcement aimed at expediting the redevelopment of old cessed buildings in Mumbai, Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Jaiswal on Monday declared that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for such projects will be issued within six weeks. If delayed, the NOC will be treated as deemed approved under the Right to Service Act. The announcement was made at MHADA’s second redevelopment conference and investors’ summit, held at MIG Club in Bandra (East), in the presence of leading figures from the real estate sector and government. As per the new directive, redevelopment proposals submitted under Section 79A(1a) or 79A(1b) with the consent of at least 51 per cent of tenants will now be fast-tracked. “If all stakeholders stick to their commitments, it is possible to build 8 lakh affordable homes in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) in the next five years,” Mr Jaiswal said. MHADA plans to invest Rs 6,609 crore in these initiatives, with private developers expected to contribute around Rs 1.28 lakh crore. Among the key redevelopment projects prioritised are those in GTB Nagar, Abhyudaya Nagar, Motilal Nagar and the BDD Chawls. Prominent attendees at the event included CREDAI National Chairman Boman R Irani, CREDAI-MCHI President Domnic Romell, former MahaRERA chief Gautam Chatterjee, Hiranandani Group’s Niranjan Hiranandani, NAREDCO Maharashtra President Prashant Sharma, and NAREDCO India President Rajan Bandelkar, among others. The summit also highlighted several reform measures: Provision of FSI 3.00 or a combination of rehabilitation plus 75–100 per cent incentive FSI for both cessed and non-cessed structures. Surplus tenements under 33(9) to be used for transit accommodation without prior offers to the BMC or MMRDA. Premiums on clubbed schemes to be calculated based on the smaller plot area. Financial relaxations including a 13% reduction in interest rates, premium payments in instalments, and GST relief on rehabilitation components. Further, MHADA is set to act as the nodal agency for affordable rental housing. Proposed measures include a Rental Housing Index, a 10-year income tax exemption on rental income, and the use of unused MHADA land for rental housing projects. Provisions for inclusive housing were also addressed, such as fixing tenement costs at 125% of DSR (District Schedule of Rates) and preventing sub-division of plots smaller than 4,000 sq m.
30 April,2025 11:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a major decision, the government on Wednesday decided to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming census exercise in a "transparent" manner. Announcing the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the census comes under the purview of the Centre but some states have done caste enumeration in the name of surveys. He alleged that the states ruled by Opposition parties have conducted the caste surveys for political reasons and added that it is the Narendra Modi government's resolve to transparently include caste enumeration in the forthcoming pan-India census exercise, news agency PTI reported. The census exercise was to commence in April 2020 but got delayed due to the Covid pandemic. Meanwhile, the leaders in Maharashtra, cutting across party lines, have welcomed the Centre’s decision on conducting the caste census. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday hailed the Centre’s decision and called it a historic milestone in the country's journey towards social justice that will help in equitable distribution of resources. Addressing a press conference in Thane, Shinde said, "The caste census will usher in a new era of social justice by enabling accurate policy-making based on the actual demographic data of different castes." He likened the decision to the Modi government's some other key steps such as the abrogation of Article 370. Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "bold and inclusive leadership", he said it was one of the most courageous decisions taken by the government since independence. Ajit Pawar, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, in a post on social media platform X, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, and wrote, “The decision of the Central Government to conduct a caste-wise census is very welcome and will help all sections of society to get their just rights. The government will be able to provide more funds for the development of socially weak, deprived and marginalized sections. This will help in raising the educational and economic level of backward sections of society and the goal of establishing social equality can be achieved more quickly.” देशात सामाजिक समता प्रस्थापित करण्याच्या दिशेनं जातनिहाय जनगणनेचा एक अत्यंत महत्त्वाचा आणि ऐतिहासिक निर्णय घेतल्याबद्दल प्रधानमंत्री मा. श्री. नरेंद्र मोदी जी, केंद्रीय गृहमंत्री मा. श्री. अमित शहा जी आणि संपूर्ण केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडळाचे मनःपूर्वक आभार.! केंद्र सरकारचा जातनिहाय… — Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) April 30, 2025 Meanwhile, Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday described the Central government's decision to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming census as a "golden and historic day" for the country, reported PTI. He alleged that the Congress never considered conducting a caste-based census when it was in power for decades. Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) Spokesperson Pravin Kunte Patil claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had always opposed the caste census, however, the latest U-turn symbolises the victory of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc. "We support the government's decision. NCP (SP) will ensure that this decision does not become an election jumla," he added. NCP (SP) legislator Jayant Patil has also welcomed the decision and said that his party has been demanding a caste-wise census for the past several years. “I am confident that a caste-wise census will further strengthen the idea of equality in our country,” he wrote on X. केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडळाच्या बैठकीत जातनिहाय जनगणनेला मान्यता देण्यात आली असून लवकरच देशात जातनिहाय जनगणना होणार आहे. मी या निर्णयाचे सहर्ष स्वागत करतो. गेल्या अनेक वर्षांपासून जातनिहाय जनगणना व्हावी यासाठी आम्ही मागणी करत होतो. जातनिहाय जनगणनेमुळे आपल्या देशातील समतेचा विचार आणखीन… — Jayant Patil- जयंत पाटील (@Jayant_R_Patil) April 30, 2025 Another NCP (SP) legislator, Jitendra Awhad, has termed the decision the Opposition’s victory. “The government has finally given up. There will be a caste-wise census. This is a victory for the pressure exerted by the opposition. The Central government had to retreat in the face of the struggle waged by many activists like us. The greater the number, the greater the responsibility,” he stated in a post on X. सरकारला अखेर उपरती झाली. जातीनिहाय जनगणना होणार. विरोधकांनी लावलेल्या दबावाचा हा विजय आहे.हा आमच्या सारख्या अनेक कार्यकर्त्यांनी दिलेल्या लढ्या समोर केंद्र सरकार ला माघार घ्यावी लागली.जिसकी जितनी संख्या भारी उतनी उसकी जिम्मेदारी — Dr.Jitendra Awhad (@Awhadspeaks) April 30, 2025 (With PTI inputs)
30 April,2025 11:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will make around 15 crore official documents publicly accessible and the initiative will reduce need for Right To Information (RTI) applications, Sanjeev Jaiswal, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of state housing body said on Monday. The announcement was made by Jaiswal during the launch of several citizen-friendly services at its headquarters in Bandra East area of Mumbai. Jaiswal inaugurated the Citizen Facilitation Centre (CFC), Visitor Management System (VMS), and Office Navigator, aimed at making MHADA more open, efficient, and easier for citizens to navigate, an official statement said. “The initiative will reduce the need for RTI applications and make access to information simple and hassle-free,” Jaiswal said. He said that scanned documents would be uploaded within a week to MHADA’s official website, although sensitive documents will remain protected. MHADA is also stepping up its digital transformation. "Being a public institution, MHADA committed to serving citizens more efficiently. The newly launched services aim to simplify public interactions. We are taking consistent steps to make MHADA more open and accessible,” Jaiswal said. He added, “Our goal is to simplify interactions and make information easily available to all citizens.” MHADA is also pushing forward its digital transformation agenda by promoting grievance redressal through online platforms, thus minimizing the need for physical visits. To assist citizens without digital access, especially from rural areas, MHADA has appointed dedicated staff. Public grievance meetings, or Janata Darbars, have also been organized to address concerns directly. MHADA engaged an external agency to gather feedback across departments, helping the organisation better align its services with public expectations. Citizens can now file grievances online, reducing the need to visit offices. For those without digital access, especially from rural areas, dedicated staff will assist in person. Regular Janata Darbars (public grievance meetings) are being held to directly hear and resolve complaints. To further improve its services, MHADA brought in an external agency to collect public feedback across departments. The steps are part of a 100-day action plan guided by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister and Housing Minister Eknath Shinde. The plan focuses on improving citizens’ ease of living and making MHADA’s website more user-friendly, an official statement said. Jaiswal also provided updates on MHADA’s housing projects. He said that a key distribution ceremony will be held on May 15 for beneficiaries in BDD Chawl. He further said that the eligibility of over 1 lakh mill workers under the Girni Kamgar scheme has been finalised. Looking ahead, MHADA aims to deliver 6.5 lakh homes across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, with a major focus on the EWS (Economically Weaker Section) to MIG (Middle Income Group) categories. Redevelopment projects are progressing in Motilal Nagar, GTB Nagar, Sindhi Society, and PMGP Jogeshwari, supported by 3 FSI regulations, the official statement said. He said that seven cluster redevelopment projects are under development in Prabhadevi, South Mumbai. In the Konkan Board, 3,000 houses will be completed soon, and another 7,000 are already sold. A further 7,000 homes will be ready for sale in the next two years. MHADA is also planning rental housing schemes for senior citizens, women, and students, along with the construction of 42,000 rehabilitation tenements. Under Jaiswal’s leadership, MHADA is taking strong steps to ensure transparent governance, better housing delivery, and improved public service across Maharashtra.
30 April,2025 10:53 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMaharashtra has once again upheld its strong academic performance in the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), with a 99.90 per cent pass percentage in the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (Class 10) and 99.81 per cent in the Indian School Certificate (Class 12) for the 2025 academic year. The CISCE announced the results for both exams on Wednesday. Nationwide, over 2.5 lakh students appeared for Class 10 and nearly one lakh for Class 12 across India and abroad. In Maharashtra, 29,282 students took the ICSE exam, while 3,723 appeared for ISC. Girls continued to outperform boys. In ICSE, girls achieved a 99.92 per cent pass rate, slightly ahead of boys at 99.89 per cent. In ISC, girls recorded 99.95 per cent, while boys were at 99.65 per cent. The state’s ISC results are up from 99.71 per cent in 2024 and 98.69 per cent in 2023. ICSE pass rates, though slightly lower than 99.96 per cent in 2024, remain among the country’s highest. Nationally, ICSE students recorded a 99.09 per cent pass rate, rising from 98.99 per cent in 2024. ISC students saw 99.02 per cent, up from 98.19 per cent last year and 96.93 per cent in 2023. Girls outshone boys again—ICSE: 99.37 per cent vs 98.84 per cent, ISC: 99.45 per cent vs 98.64 per cent. Region-wise, the Western region, including Maharashtra and Goa, led ICSE with 99.83 per cent, while the Southern region topped ISC with 99.76 per cent. Goa achieved a perfect 100 per cent pass rate in both exams. The option for rechecking and re-evaluation of answer scripts remains open till May 10, accessible via the ‘Public Services’ link on the CISCE website. Improvement exams for up to two subjects will also be held in July. While declaring the results on Wednesday, Dr Joseph Emmanuel, chief executive and secretary of CISCE, reiterated the Council’s stance on discontinuing merit lists to discourage unhealthy competition, a policy first introduced in 2024. In Maharashtra, candidates from marginalised communities and special difficulty categories also performed admirably. For instance, scheduled tribe candidates in ISC achieved a 100 per cent pass rate, and students with learning disabilities and visual challenges continued to score above 90 per cent in many cases. BMC’s first batch score 100 percent The BMC-run Woollen Mill ICSE school achieved 100 percent results in the board exam. This is the first batch of the school situated at Grant Road. Notable performances include Yuvasri Saravanan, who scored 93.02 per cent, and Arpit Yadav, who scored 91.08 per cent. The school achieved a 100 per cent pass result in the Class 10 ICSE board exam, said BMC officials. The school started in 2020-21. Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr Amit Saini congratulated the students. A total of 27 students appeared for the Class 10 board exam. Among them, seven students scored 81 per cent or above. Principals’ speak Jamnabai Narsee school The principal of Jamnabai Narsee School, Sonali Gandhi, said, “Our students' outstanding performance in the board exams is a shining testament to their dedication and hard work. At Jamnabai Narsee School, we are committed to fostering a culture of excellence, providing our students with the support and resources they need to succeed. Our vision is to empower them to reach their full potential and achieve greatness in all their endeavours. We are incredibly proud of our students' achievements and look forward to seeing them excel in the future.” Bombay Scottish School Talking about the performance of students in Bombay Scottish School- Mahim, Principal Sunita George said, "The results have been very good. We have topped the country in the science and commerce stream in ISC. The highest is 100 per cent. It is the first time that Grade XII toppers have secured 100 per cent, I think. At ICSE, our highest score is 99.6 per cent. 156 students out of 213 students have secured 90 per cent and above at Bombay Scottish Mahim. This year, the papers were more analytical, yet our students have done extremely well." Jasudben ML School Damayanti Bhattacharya, principal, Jasudben ML School at Santacruz West, said, “This year, an impressive 74 per cent of our students scored above 90 per cent. Given the analytical and application-based orientation of the 2025 CISCE examinations, our students have commendably upheld the proud academic legacy of Jasudben ML School. Podar International School Nerul "A close analysis of the data has revealed that there has been a significant improvement in the performance of the students this year as compared to last year. A total of 189 students appeared in the examination, and 91 students achieved more than 90 per cent. There are no students below 66.6 per cent. Meticulous organisational planning and the unstinted efforts of all the faculty members have been instrumental in the success of the students," said Dr Bhushan Bonde, principal, Podar International School Nerul. Dhirubhai Ambani International School “We are immensely proud of our students — 84 per cent of the cohort scored above 95 per cent, and 97 per cent of the cohort scored above 90 per cent. This year’s analytical exam format was met with confidence thanks to our faculty’s focused preparation and the students’ strong conceptual understanding,” said Anjana Roy, head of middle school & ICSE, Dhirubhai Ambani International School. Results at glance No of candidates appeared: ICSE: 2,52,557 Boys: 1,34,700 - 53.33 per cent Girls: 1,17,857 - 46.67 per cent ISC: 99,551 Boys: 52,339 - 52.58 per cent Girls: 47,212 - 47.42 per cent Overall pass percentage ICSE: 99.09per cent ISC: 99.02per cent Schools in Maharashtra that presented candidates: ICSE: 270 ISC: 77 No of candidates appeared: ICSE: 29,282 Boys: 15,721 - 53.69 per cent Girls: 13,561 - 46.31 per cent ISC: 3723 Boys: 1718 - 46.39 per cent are Girls: 2006 - 53.85 per cent Pass percentage ICSE: 99.90 per cent ISC: 99.81 per cent
30 April,2025 10:08 PM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghAs part of the Maharashtra Day celebrations on May 1, the Mumbai unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced plans to celebrate the day with as many as 106 different events across the city, an official statement said. The BJP said that it will mark the occasion with large-scale programmes. The party has recently restructured its local organisation, creating three new mandals in place of each earlier one, and has appointed new office bearers accordingly the move has brought young energy into the party, with many youth leaders getting important roles, it said. Mumbai BJP President and Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar recently held a meeting with the newly appointed mandal and ward presidents, giving them instructions to plan and execute Maharashtra Day events at their respective locations. The party said that as per the plan, on 1 May, BJP workers will pay tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at 106 locations across Mumbai. The events will feature traditional Dhol-Tasha performances, Poetry, Powada folk songs, and cultural programmes honouring Maharashtra's heritage. Some locations will also host social service activities and community prayers, the party said. Maharashtra Day parade at Shivaji Park in Dadar Meanwhile, the Mumbai traffic police said that Maharashtra Day parade will be organised at Shivaji Park ground at Dadar in Mumbai and in order to carry out smooth functioning of the parade, the traffic regulation will be made on all adjoining roads around Shivaji Park ground from 06.00 hrs. to 12.00 hrs The parade route march beginning from Shivaji Park ground through Gate No. 5 will left turn- Keluskar road (North)- C. Ramchandra Chowk- left turn - South S. Sawarkar road bound- Sangeetkar Vasant Desai Chowk (Keluskar road South junction)- Right turn-will end at Naarli Baug. The traffic police, in a notification, has advised the motorists to avoid above said route between 06.00 hrs. to 12.00 hrs. Signage police Personnel will be present at various places to direct motorist/pedestrians to ensure that the least inconvenience is caused to them. Local and other citizen without Car Pass shall park their vehicles at Kohinoor parking lot of BMC situated at J. K.Sawant road near Plaza Cinema, Dadar (w), Mumbai. Dadar (w), Mumbai, it said.
30 April,2025 10:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mumbai on May 1 to inaugurate India’s first global audio-visual and entertainment summit-- WAVES 2025, the officials said on Wednesday. The event being hosted by the Maharashtra government will be held at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. An official statement from the government said that the among the key dignitaries who will be attending the summit include Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Industries Minister Uday Samant, and Minister of Cultural Affairs and IT Adv. Ashish Shelar. The event is being held under the theme “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries”. "It is a four-day summit and it will position India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation," the officials said. The statement said that the WAVES 2025 aligns with PM Modi’s vision of combining creativity, technology, and talent. The WAVES 2025 will feature segments such as films, OTT platforms, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR, and broadcasting technologies, the statement said. It further said that is seen as a platform to showcase India’s full potential in the media and entertainment sector, with expectations of opening a USD 50 billion market by 2029. It said that for the first time, the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) will also be held in Mumbai during the summit, with participation from ministers of 25 countries and it marks a major milestone in India’s international media engagement. The WAVES 2025 will be a global e-marketplace and was likely to also witness the participation of over 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, and 2,100 projects, creating massive opportunities for business and networking at local and global levels, the statement said. PM Modi will also visit the Cryptosphere pavilion and interact with artists selected under the “Create in India” initiative, the officials said, adding that he will visit the India Pavilion and Maharashtra Pavilion. The event has already seen over one lakh registrations, they said. The summit will include 90+ countries, 10,000 delegates, 1,000 artists, 300+ companies, and 350+ startups. It will feature 42 keynote sessions, 39 special sessions, and 32 masterclasses, covering fields like broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR, film, and digital media, the statement said.
30 April,2025 09:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Western Railway on Wednesday announced the change of terminal of Paschim Express train which will now halt at Bandra Terminus instead of Mumbai Central station. The Western Railway, in an official statement said that the infrastructural upgradation work pertaining to construction of additional pit lines at Bandra Terminus has been completed. Consequently, Western Railway has decided to shift back the terminal for origination/ termination of Train No. 12925/12926 Mumbai Central – Amritsar Paschim Express back to Bandra Terminus from Mumbai Central station. According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, details of the changes are as under: Change in Terminal and Timing of Train No. 12925/12926 Mumbai Central – Amritsar Paschim Express Train No. 12925 Mumbai Central – Amritsar Paschim Express will depart from Bandra Terminus at 11:30 hrs w.e.f.1st July, 2025. Similarly, Train No. 12926 Amritsar – Mumbai Central Paschim Express will terminate at Bandra Terminus at 14:30 hrs w.e.f. 3rd July, 2025. However, there will be no change in timings of halts at the intermediate stations. "For detailed information regarding the timings, halts and composition of the above trains, passengers may please visit the official Indian Railways website," the Western Railway said. Central Railway introduces QR Code system for train timetables at major stations The Central Railway’s Mumbai Division on Wednesday launched a QR code-based information system at four major Mumbai stations including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), and Panvel, an official statement said. The new system will allow the railway passengers to access important travel information by simply scanning a QR code displayed at the four stations in Maharashtra. The initiative aims to enhance the travel experience by enabling seamless access to real-time information through a simple scan, the Central Railway said. It also aims to offer travellers quick, contactless, and real-time access to essential details using their smartphones. Upon scanning the QR code, passengers can view: - PRS Rules (Passenger Reservation System) - Route Map - Official Central Railway Website - RailMadad Portal for grievance redressal and assistance "The information will be available in three languages including English, Hindi, Marathi for convenience of the passengers," the Central Railway said.
30 April,2025 09:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Konkan Housing and Area Development Board – a unit of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) –has initiated the online application process for the sale of 13,395 unsold flats under various housing schemes through a newly developed digital platform – https://bookmyhome.mhada.gov.in. The platform was formally launched on Wednesday by MHADA’s Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Jaiswal. Speaking on the occasion, Revati Gaikar, the Chief Officer of the Konkan Board, stated that under the earlier Integrated Land Management System (IHLMS) 2.0 system, applicants in the ‘First Come, First Serve (FCFS)’ process did not have the option to select a specific flat. However, with the introduction of the ‘Book My Home’ portal, applicants now have the option to view the available flats in real time and select a specific unit, including the floor and flat number, as per their eligibility and preference. This digital platform provides detailed scheme-level and flat-level information to enable applicants to make informed decisions. Flats from MHADA’s housing projects in Bolinj (Virar), Shirdhon (Panvel), and Gotheghar, Khoni, and Bhandarli (Thane district) have been made available on the portal. The process is fully automated and conducted through an online system without any manual intervention. Applicants are required to upload scanned copies of their Aadhaar card, PAN card, and self-declaration at the time of registration. Once the documents are uploaded, the system conducts digital verification without human interference, following which an applicant profile is created. Upon the completion of verification, eligible applicants can view the list of available flats by location, including flat and floor number, and proceed to reserve the flat of their choice. The selection is confirmed on a first come, first serve basis. Apart from the flats covered under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), the eligibility conditions for other flats have been relaxed. No income-related criteria have been prescribed. These flats have been made available for applicants from the General, Scheduled Caste, and Scheduled Tribe categories. 'MHADA to make 15 crore documents public; initiative to reduce need for RTI applications' MHADA will make around 15 crore official documents publicly accessible and the initiative will reduce need for Right To Information (RTI) applications, Sanjeev Jaiswal, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of state housing body said on Monday. The announcement was made by Jaiswal during the launch of several citizen-friendly services at its headquarters in Bandra East area of Mumbai. Jaiswal inaugurated the Citizen Facilitation Centre (CFC), Visitor Management System (VMS), and Office Navigator, aimed at making MHADA more open, efficient, and easier for citizens to navigate, an official statement said. “The initiative will reduce the need for RTI applications and make access to information simple and hassle-free,” Jaiswal said. He said that scanned documents would be uploaded within a week to MHADA’s official website, although sensitive documents will remain protected.
30 April,2025 09:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has introduced an innovative digital system to enhance healthcare services for the citizens of Mumbai. The implementation of the system will commence on May 2, 2025, the officials said on Wednesday. They said that under the initiative, the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS-2) — a modern digital platform — will be launched across all BMC-operated dispensaries to provide health services in a more advanced manner. The system aims to modernise public health services, improve efficiency, and accelerate service delivery. The municipal administration has appealed to the citizens of Mumbai to make the most of this facility, the officials said. Under the guidance of BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, the HMIS-2 system will be effectively implemented, an official said. "All dispensaries have been provided with the necessary computers, internet connectivity, and related equipment, and all concerned officers and staff have been thoroughly trained. Previously, patient records were maintained on paper. For the past six months, HMIS-2 has been implemented on a pilot basis. Starting from 2nd May 2025, this system will be operational in 177 dispensaries," said the official. He added that the system will be implemented in 217 "Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana" clinics by 30th May 2025. The HMIS-2 system is aligned with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Under this system, each patient will be assigned a unique identification number (ID). Using this ID, patients can be referred from dispensaries to hospitals and vice versa, and their treatment records can be tracked. This will enable patients to access all their treatment records in one place on their mobile devices. Through HMIS-2, digital records will be maintained for patient registration, medical officer consultations, and medicine distribution. The system will also be useful for managing medicine inventories, generating patient service reports, conducting statistical analyses, and supporting policy decision-making. In the next phase, HMIS-2 will be extended to maternity homes, suburban hospitals, and medical colleges.
30 April,2025 08:57 PM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarThe Central Railway’s Mumbai Division on Wednesday launched a QR code-based information system at four major Mumbai stations including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), and Panvel, an official statement said. The new system will allow the railway passengers to access important travel information by simply scanning a QR code displayed at the four stations in Maharashtra. The initiative aims to enhance the travel experience by enabling seamless access to real-time information through a simple scan, the Central Railway said. It also aims to offer travellers quick, contactless, and real-time access to essential details using their smartphones. Upon scanning the QR code, passengers can view: - PRS Rules (Passenger Reservation System) - Route Map - Official Central Railway Website - RailMadad Portal for grievance redressal and assistance "The information will be available in three languages including English, Hindi, Marathi for convenience of the passengers," the Central Railway said.
30 April,2025 08:25 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMaharashtra has become the first state in India to form a trust, 'Maha InVit', for major infrastructure development projects in the state, the officials said. They said that in a major step to ensure long-term funding for major infrastructure development projects in the state including bridges and roads, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved a dedicated investment trust platform Maharashtra Infrastructure Investment Trust (‘Maha InVit'). Following the approval at the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday in Mumbai, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis shared the details of the decision on X. He wrote, "Maharashtra has become the first state in India to form 'Maha InVit', a trust for infrastructure projects." CM Fadnavis further wrote that Maha InVit will streamline and accelerate the development of fundamental infrastructure projects by attracting public and private investments through a structured system and a special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be appointed to operationalise the trust structure. मंत्रिमंडळ निर्णय : सार्वजनिक बांधकाम विभाग@Dev_Fadnavis#Maharashtra #DevendraFadnavis #मंत्रिमंडळनिर्णय #CabinetDecision pic.twitter.com/KAUgXQvX4C — CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) April 29, 2025 He stated that it will serve as a return investment model, offering public sector investors a stable channel to invest in infrastructure. Meanwhile, in an another decision, the Maharashtra cabinet approved a new policy of shipbuilding, shipbreaking, and ship repair, which will help boost the economy and generate employment. The Maharashtra government also announced a toll waiver for all electric four-wheeler passenger vehicles and electric buses on some of the state's major expressways. The state on Tuesday decided that the electric vehicles will not have to pay tolls on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link), Samruddhi Mahamarg (Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Expressway), the officials said. They said that a 50 per cent toll discount will be offered to electric vehicles on other state and national highways under the Public Works Department (PWD) of Maharashtra. "The decision is aimed to encourage the use of electric vehicles and reducing pollution by promoting clean and sustainable transport in the state," an official said. The state cabinet also gave its approval to Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy, 2025. Under the policy, aimed to push for green mobility and encourage usage of electric vehicles, the state government besides announcing toll waiver-concession, has decided that all electric vehicles sold and registered in Maharashtra would be exempted from motor vehicle tax and registration certificate or renewal fees and discounts would also be given on purchase of vehicles till 2030. As per the statement issued by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis' office, "10 per cent discount will be given on the original price of electric two-wheelers, three wheelers, four wheelers (non transport), buses of state transport undertaking and private, state/urban transport undertakings."
30 April,2025 07:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
