Arrangements in place as city awaits PM's arrival
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Mumbai's Pigeon Feeding Ban: How A Public Health Move Clashed With Faith
Mumbai: Science and faith have clashed in Mumbai, and pigeons are enjoying a feast. The shutdown of Mumbai's kabootarkhanas to prevent the public health hazard caused by pigeon dropping has triggered widespread protests, as some communities claim such an order interferes with their religious beliefs. The past month has seen civic authorities and the state government shift and soften their positions as protests grow and threaten poll arithmetic. The issue, which first originated in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, has spilled over to the streets and reached the Bombay High Court as authorities play a balancing game to safeguard public health while respecting public sentiments. NDTV looks at how the pigeon-feeding row is playing out in Maximum City A Death, And A Decision On July 4, Shiv Sena's Manisha Kayande and BJP's Chitra Wagh raised in the legislative council the public health hazard caused by pigeon droppings. Ms Wagh told the House that she lost her aunt to respiratory diseases caused by pigeon droppings. Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant, speaking for Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, said Mumbai has 51 'kabootarkhanas' and the civic body will be asked to shut them down and start an awareness campaign to discourage people from feeding pigeons. BMC covered several pigeon feeding spots with tarpaulin sheets The Crackdown Begins Following the government's go-ahead, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation starts covering kabootarkhanas with tarpaulin sheets and removing sacks of pigeon feed. Those defying instructions to feed pigeons are fined. According to the civic body, it took action against 142 people for feeding pigeons at 'kabootarkhanas' across the city and fined them Rs 68,700 between July 13 and August 3. The BMC move to seal kabootarkhanas sparked massive protests Protests Begin As civic officials crack down on pigeon feeding, local residents, many of them from the Jain community, start protesting. They say that feeding pigeons is a part of their religious beliefs and that the administration should not interfere with their faith. Many said they have been feeding pigeons for years and asked why their health had not been affected yet. Others said they were ready to go to face every action, but would still feed pigeons. Court Steps In On August 4, the Bombay High Court ruled that publicly feeding a large number of pigeons presents a health hazard and asked BMC officials to act against those involved in such activities. The bench of Justice GS Kulkarni and Justice Arif Doctor said pigeon droppings posed significant health risks to people of all age groups. "Such acts undoubtedly expose people at large and particularly those who dwell or occupy property in the vicinity to an eminent danger from the spread of infections/diseases dangerous to human life, in addition to causing a large-scale public nuisance," the court said. The matter then went to the Supreme Court, but it refused to intervene. The high court has now asked the BMC to set up a committee to look into the issue. Chief Minister's Balancing Act As the protests grew, leading to public face-offs between pigeon feeders and civic officials, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis softened the government's stance, saying that the "abrupt" closure of kabutarkhanas (pigeon feeding spots) was not advisable. The Chief Minister asked the BMC to ensure a "controlled feeding" of the birds. The tweak in the state government's response came against the backdrop of growing protests by pigeon feeders and the approaching BMC election. Faith vs Science As the row gathers steam, a Jain monk has threatened a fast unto death if the ban on feeding pigeons is not lifted. Nileshchandra Muni has said the Jains are a peaceful and law-abiding community, but won't tolerate an attack on their religious freedom. Multiple studies have pointed to the lung infection risks posed by pigeon droppings, but religious beliefs have blocked public authorities' attempts to ban public feeding of pigeons. According to doctors, particles of pigeon droppings mixed with dust can cause swelling in the lungs when inhaled, leading to serious damage and even death.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Indias Economy Continues On Fast-Growth Track: CEA Nageswaran
New Delhi: The overall momentum of the Indian economy has not slowed, as is evident from high-frequency indicators and although trade-related issues are important, they should not overshadow other critical challenges, the government's Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V. Anantha Nageswaran said on Wednesday. In his address at an event here, Nageswaran said the consumption slowdown last year was largely due to tight credit and liquidity conditions, prompting the government to announce substantial middle-class tax cuts in the Union Budget. The Reserve Bank of India has also cut policy rates by 100 basis points and ensured a liquidity surplus to support growth, he added. Nageswaran said it was too early to assess what impact the US tariffs would have on India's GDP said that India must significantly step up efforts in artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor manufacturing to compete with the United States and China. Nageswaran identified energy transition, energy security, AI's economic impact, and sector-wide collaboration as the main challenges. He called for close coordination between public and private sectors, with resources pooled to meet national objectives. He urged the private sector to look beyond quarterly results and commit to long-term national priorities. The US dominates AI research and chip design through companies like Nvidia, Intel, and AMD, while China has expanded chipmaking under state-backed initiatives. The government has launched programmes such as the Semicon India initiative for the first time to strengthen domestic manufacturing. On Tuesday, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved Rs 4,600 crore for four semiconductor projects under the India Semiconductor Mission across Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh. Nageswaran flagged a shift in India's consumption trends, pointing to a growing diversion of consumer spending towards online gaming and options trading. Shedding light on the data points related to consumer participation in online gaming, he mentioned that in July alone, monthly spending on online gaming stood at about Rs 10,000 crore — implying an annualised run rate of approximately Rs 1.2 lakh crore. While drawing parallels with speculation in options and derivatives, Nageswaran mentioned that 'in these situations, it is the house that builds and not speculates". The CEA observed that much of urban consumption is increasingly moving from listed to unlisted companies, with inadequate data capture for services' consumption.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
After spending Rs 136 crore on residents' proposals last year, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation invites budget suggestions again
On Independence Day, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will launch its 'participatory budget' initiative for 2026-27, wherein it will invite residents to once again decide how 10 per cent of the property tax collections should be invested in their neighbourhood. Last year, several residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad saw their suggestions and ideas turn into reality. 'From funding for new roads in Punawale and upgraded footpaths in Charholi to new infrastructure works in Ravet, Pimpri Chinchwad's residents saw their ideas turn into reality under last year's Participatory Budget,' the civic administration said in a press release issued on Wednesday. In the 2025–26 cycle, the PCMC received 2,279 citizen proposals from its eight zones. After detailed technical scrutiny, 786 were accepted and 499 were funded. The final allocation of Rs 136.98 crore for these proposals exceeded the earmarked Rs 94.86 crore, much beyond the reserve when public priorities were clear, officials said. Building on this success, the PCMC will launch the 2026–27 edition of the initiative on August 15, inviting residents to once again decide how 10 per cent of property tax collections should be invested in their neighbourhoods, officials said. Zone D, covering Punawale, Tathawade, Wakad, and Pimple Saudagar, emerged as the largest beneficiary, with Rs 43.88-crore funding allocated for major road works, stormwater upgrades, and parks. Zone B, including Ravet and Kiwale, saw funding worth Rs 20.60 crore, ranging from new road networks to a new municipal school in Ravet. Projects reflected the top demands across the city: roadworks, footpaths, park improvements, waste management, and stormwater drainage. Distinctive local priorities also emerged, such as CCTV installation for public safety in Zones A and F, urban street design-compliant footpaths in Thergaon, and railway overpass development in Pimpri Gaon. Shekhar Singh, Municipal Commissioner, PCMC, said in the statement, 'The participatory budget shows how governance works best when it is inclusive. Last year's projects are living proof that citizen input leads to results residents value most. This is more than infrastructure—it's about building trust and shared ownership in the city's progress.' Praveen Jain, Chief Accounts and Finance Officer-cum-Director, PCMC, said, 'Every rupee in the participatory budget is a reflection of the community's priorities. The process ensures transparency, accountability, and the satisfaction of knowing public funds are working where they are most needed, as identified by the people themselves.'
