Latest news with #MangeshJaiswal
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Four removed from VMC cattle teams after bribery video surfaces
Vadodara: Three security personnel and a team leader from a private security agency working with the Vadodara Municipal Corporation's (VMC) cattle encroachment teams have been dismissed after videos and screenshots surfaced showing them taking bribes from cattle keepers. The VMC deploys private security staff, along with municipal and city police officials, to impound stray cattle. Each team has about 14 members, including a driver. Audio clips that went viral on Tuesday captured a team member allegedly accepting money from a cattle keeper to either avoid impounding cattle or release them after capture. A UPI payment screenshot and conversations suggesting the exchange of liquor as well as cash were also circulated. Senior VMC officials verified the authenticity of the recordings and identified the cattle keeper involved. "Three security personnel from the cattle party and their team leader have been removed by the security agency. We have also imposed a Rs 5 lakh fine on the agency," said Mangesh Jaiswal, VMC's director for encroachment removal and security. Jaiswal noted that security personnel, except the team leader, are barred from carrying phones on duty — a rule introduced after allegations they were tipping off cattle keepers. He added that the bribery conversations appeared to have been recorded while personnel were using phones outside duty hours. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Time of India
Garments market near Kunal Crossroads shut down after safety, encroachment concerns
Vadodara: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) on Saturday cleared out a long-standing traditional garments market near Kunal Crossroads in the city's western part. The move marked the end of a popular seasonal bazaar that had gradually turned into a year-round presence on plots owned by VMC and the Vadodara Urban Development Authority (VUDA). The market, once a hotspot for shoppers — especially during Navratri when garba revellers flocked in large numbers — came under scrutiny after residents from a nearby locality raised objections. The tipping point was an alleged incident of harassment involving youths from the market and a local girl. Originally set up as a temporary market during festive seasons, the stalls had become a permanent fixture. While shoppers from the western parts of the city initially relied on areas like Navabazar in the old city, the market near Kunal Crossroads had grown in popularity in recent years. BJP leader Rajesh Ayre took up the matter, citing illegal encroachment. The civic body's fire department also issued a notice, citing lack of fire safety measures despite high footfalls. Additionally, the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) raised objections, as part of the market was situated beneath high-tension power lines. Following a joint survey by VMC and VUDA, vendors were warned to vacate. On Saturday, when civic officials arrived to carry out the eviction, vendors resisted. "We paused the drive for an hour as the vendors wanted to make representations. However, they later demanded a 10-day postponement. Some women even lay in front of our machinery," said Mangesh Jaiswal, VMC's director of encroachment removal and security. Police were called in to assist, and the operation went ahead, resulting in the removal of approximately 100 vendors from the site.
