Mumbai Musings

Bure Din: Reserved For Muslims?

Although there is ample ambiguity about Maratha reservations, the state government has gone ahead with it and passed the ordinance in the legislative council. However, strangely they dropped the Muslim reservation, which was 5% as opposed to 16% of Maratha reservation. The Hindu quoted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as saying, “We consulted senior legal experts including the Attorney General of India after the Bombay High Court issued an interim stay on the ordinance ( issued by previous Congress-NCP government providing 16 percent reservation to Marathas) . We received partial relief from the Supreme Court but as advised by legal experts we have passed the bill in both the Houses of State Legislature.” The High Court had allowed 5% reservation for Muslims in education. Now, citing that as an ambiguity the government has decided to wait.  Congress leader Manikrao Thakre accused the government of not even taking into consideration their suggestion of including Muslims in the reservation. Opposition leaders said this move was damaging to communal harmony. The populist gesture, initiated by the previous Congress-NCP government before the elections, is now being used by the present government. It may not turn out as popular or easy as they imagine.

Make in Maharashtra

If you thought the previous governments were pro-mindless construction and concretisation of the city/state, the latest piece of news will only make you slightly more wary of this one. Quoting India’s 180th position in the Global Ease of Doing Business Index, the chief minister has announced several reforms that will facilitate “Make in Maharashtra” objective. It includes clearances for construction within seven days if the project selects one of the pre-approved plans, additional FSI for industrial development and issuance of no objection certificate at district level. The National Alliance of People’s Movement, led by Medha Patkar, has already raised questions. “The statements made by new CM arouse serious questions, even if it’s granted that he has not got adequate time and the very first assembly is yet to be over… The builders, we came to know from reports, have already started visiting the CM…"  Then there are concessions for educational institutes. Given how many politicians are involved in setting up of educational institutes, one must watch this move carefully. 

IIM comes to Nagpur

Now Vidarbha can start some celebration. After finally having “their” own at the helm of things in Maharashtra, Nagpur is all set to get the first Indian Institute of Management in the state. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who hails from Nagpur and had earlier declared his support for a separate Vidarbha, must be happy. Minister Vinod Tawde made the announcement that Nagpur will get the state’s first IIM and that 200 acres of land has been allocated in the MIHAN project area. However, it could start functioning from another campus next year while the building gets ready. This has not gone down well Maharashtra’s education hub, Pune, which is known for its academic opportunities for national and international students. However, Tawde has assured that the next IIM or an institute of equal stature will be set up in Pune. Fadnavis’ home calling apart, Nagpur is a lovely city and has not yet exploded with rampant construction and expansion. Round one to Vidarbha?

Training the Trainwallahs

Mumbai’s lifeline, the suburban railway network, which is usually in the news for over-crowding and people falling off the trains because of  it, was once again in the news for somewhat wrong reasons. The Bombay High Court recently told the railways categorically that it was their responsibility to provide safe journey for passengers. The court was hearing a petition about dire necessity to have Emergency Medical Rooms (EMRs) at railways stations, where accident victims could get medical aid before being moved to a hospital, by which time crucial time is lost. The railways had proposed a Golden Hour Cess, to be charged to the passengers for setting up of these EMRs. They claimed that the expenditure would rise manifold if these were to be set up. However, the court said it was their duty to ensure safety and hence such a cess cannot be charged. The court has also asked them to reply by next month and appraise the court of steps taken for setting up EMRs. Monica More, who lost her hands in one such fall, will be happy if such a move goes through.

It's Showtime, Folks

Finally the stage is set for Mumbai's favourite Kala Ghoda Festival (Feb 7-15), which has a lovely mix of programmes on music, poetry, films, cuisines and art. But alas, it is most famous for its stalls selling exquisite handicrafts, and over the years that has led to traffic snarls, crowds, expansion in number of stalls. A litigation challenging the festival because of safety and security concerns (fire hazards etc) was heard and a committee was set up to look into the matter. Now, the organisers have agreed to bring the number of stalls to 50 from 89. Some stalls may be set up on the campus of the nearby Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum (CSMVS) (Prince of Wales Museum).

Furlough Time

Look who is in town to celebrate the holiday season and New Year. Sanjay Dutt, who has been granted a furlough (I have lost count of how many times now), is back from Yerawada, where he is serving his jail sentence, to his cool Bandra home. If he can gloss over the mind numbing traffic in Bandra, he is in time to watch PK, where he plays a blink-but-not-miss role of a Rajasthani Bandwallah. I don’t think PK has set the box office on fire but that is no reason for Dutt not to party. He has apparently lost 18 kilos and has the six pack abs to flaunt. Plus, as usual pubs and bars will be open till 5 am on New Year’s Eve. The temperature in Mumbai is surprisingly pleasant with a slight chill. What’s not to like?

Wishing all the readers a peaceful and a happy new year.