Latest News
Kirit Somaiyas motivations for the Pen bank scam are questioned by an activist
In relation to the Rs 758 crore Pen Cooperative Urban Bank (PCUB) issue, activist Janardan Parte has questioned BJP leader Amit Shah’s motivations for declaring that the attached properties of individuals guilty in the fraud should be freed. Somaiya, who was recently in Pen bank scam, stated that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will free the accused’s attached properties while compensating impacted depositors with insurance money. Parte questioned Somaiya’s motives, believing that the accused would get the upper hand if ED released the assets that it had confiscated and that depositors would have less choices for getting their money back. Shirish Dharkar, the primary defendant, is a former BJP politician who bought land close to the Navi Mumbai International Airport and other locations.
After a re-audit revealed the depth of the bank’s losses, the PCUB scandal was made public in October 2010. Police utilised the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act and ED to seize the accused’s property. The trustees and bank chairman are included in the FIR. In proceedings brought by the ED, CBI, and the state’s Economic Offences Wing, more than 50 people were listed as defendants, including bank director J Gurav and businessman Amardeep Singh Vig. The bank had about 1.98 lakh depositors, 18 locations (including three in Mumbai), and 42,000 stockholders. Somaiya has previously said to the media that the ED, state and union cooperation ministries, and the PCUB fraud problem will be discussed.
“Depositors are battling to get their money back while one of the accused, who is Navi Mumbai’s top advertising firm owner, is enjoying international travels with his family and playing golf in an opulent commercial complex,” activist Anarjit Chauhan said. “Auction of connected assets of guilty under MPID as per Bombay HC judgement, can assist depositors get back the money they lost,” Thevidar Sangharsh Samiti’s acting president, Naren Jadhav, said.
Ganesh mandal uses Ganeshotsav to spread awareness against addiction.
The Awareness
The Shivchhaya Mitra Mandal, popularly known as Navi Mumbaicha Raja, is using this year’s Ganeshotsav to promote a drug-free and healthy lifestyle. The mandal’s 56th Ganeshotsav is being organised at the CIDCO ground near ICL School in Sector 21, Turbhe. The celebrations began on September 14.
A major focus of this year’s festival is an anti-addiction campaign carrying the message “Say No to Drugs”. Through posters, banners and cut-outs, the mandal will create awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, gutkha, drugs, gambling and other addictive habits. The campaign promotes the message that a moment of pleasure can lead to lifelong problems, while staying away from addiction can lead to a happier life.
The festival will also include bhajans, spiritual programmes, blood donation and health camps, Annadan, Atharvashirsh recitation, Satyanarayan Mahapuja and felicitation of achievers. The mandal is also supporting tribal students from Wada and Mokhada in pursuing higher education after Classes 10 and 12.
Around 8 to 10 lakh devotees are expected to visit the pandal during the 12-day festival. A Satyanarayan Katha and Bhandara will be organised on September 24, with food arrangements for around 10,000 devotees.
Civic body prepares 192 immersion sites to support a smooth and eco-friendly Ganeshotsav.
The Ponds
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has made arrangements for the smooth and eco-friendly celebration of Ganeshotsav 2026, which will be held from September 14 to 25. To reduce crowding and help prevent water pollution, the civic body has set up 170 artificial immersion ponds across the city, along with 22 natural immersion sites.
More than 140 Ganesh mandals have applied online for permission to install pandals. The NMMC has introduced a single-window system to make the approval process easier by bringing permissions from different departments together. Across all 192 immersion sites, arrangements have been made for volunteers, CCTV surveillance, electricity and generators. Medical teams will be deployed at 22 major immersion sites, while lifeguards and fire brigade personnel will also be available.
The civic body has arranged rafts at natural immersion sites and separate facilities for wet and dry nirmalya. Dedicated vehicles will collect floral waste and transport it to the processing facility in Turbhe. Road repairs and tree pruning along idol arrival and immersion routes have also been completed.
The NMMC has appealed to citizens to use artificial immersion ponds and celebrate Ganeshotsav in an eco-friendly manner, helping protect the city’s water bodies.
Initiative encourages residents, institutions and businesses to take responsibility for spaces around their premises.
The Launch
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has launched the Angan Adoption Scheme 2026 under the Sugandhi City Campaign, encouraging citizens to take responsibility for the cleanliness and upkeep of public spaces near their homes, shops and institutions.
The initiative was inaugurated by Maharashtra Forest Minister and Palghar Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik. During the programme, appreciation certificates were presented to individuals who had already come forward to adopt public spaces. A web portal for the campaign was also launched, along with a booklet explaining its objectives.
Mayor Sujata Patil, Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat, former MP Sanjeev Naik, former MLA Sandeep Naik, House Leader Sagar Naik and other elected representatives and citizens attended the event. Addressing the gathering, Ganesh Naik said the initiative could help Navi Mumbai move towards becoming the cleanest city in the country. He stressed that cleanliness should not be limited to appearances, but should involve genuine public participation.
Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat explained that the scheme focuses on three key elements—places, spaces and people. Residents, schools, colleges, hospitals, factories, shops and other institutions can adopt even small areas outside their premises, keep them clean and prevent garbage from being dumped there. The campaign promotes the message, “My courtyard, my responsibility,” and aims to turn cleanliness into a shared responsibility among Navi Mumbai’s citizens.
Navi Mumbaicha Raja Promotes Drug-Free Living
NMMC Sets Up 170 Artificial Immersion Ponds Across Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai Launches Angan Adoption Scheme to Keep Public Spaces Clean
Nidhi Razdan, fake Harvard professorship, and here is the explanation through her blog.
As the arrangement with Prashant Kishor falls through Rahul Gandhi has gone overseas again and is uncontactable
BSNL reveals all new 4G plans starting at ₹16
-
Fact Check6 years agoNidhi Razdan, fake Harvard professorship, and here is the explanation through her blog.
-
India4 years agoAs the arrangement with Prashant Kishor falls through Rahul Gandhi has gone overseas again and is uncontactable
-
Technology5 years agoBSNL reveals all new 4G plans starting at ₹16
-
Latest News5 years agoGovernment has spent ₹9,725 crores on Covid-19 vaccination drive so far
-
Latest News5 years agoTata wins Air India with ₹18,000 crore bid
-
Latest News5 years agoJharkhand government cuts Petrol price by massive ₹25 a litre but with a catch
-
Latest News5 years agoRaj Kundra Gave ₹25 Lakh Bribe to Mumbai Crime Branch to Avoid Arrest
-
Navi Mumbai5 years agoNavi Mumbai civic body raids and tests morning walkers, many found COVID positive