Sessions Court and experts say shoddy builders to be held liable
A sessions court has ruled in favour of a Bhandup housing society on a complaint against the builder for substandard construction. It was alleged that the construction was sub-standard as the material used was of inferior quality. The complaint was filed under sections of the Indian Penal Code sections related to endangering life or personal safety of others and common intention. The maximum sentence under the charge is imprisonment up to three months or a fine. The President of Cooperative Societies Residents & Users Association (CSRUA) said that Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) needs a free legal aid cell established for citizens’ benefit. Currently, experts believe purchasers are at a disadvantage.
Source: Mid-Day, Times of India
Read more: Why Mumbai housing societies can’t self-redevelop anymore,
Low-cost housing crunch in Mumbai: Is the state to blame?
Mumbai’s Cymroza Art Gallery completes half century
Cymroza Art Gallery was established by art historian, collector and nature conservationist Pheroza Godrej in 1971. Among those who showcased their artworks were Narayan Shridhar Bendre, Kattingeri Krishna Hebbar, Pilloo Pochkhanawala, Adi Davierwala and Jehangir Sabavala. Art writer and critic Ranjit Hoskote also underlines how Cymroza was born at a crucial juncture in the cultural history of late 20th-century Bombay. The gallery has strived to encompass more than just visual art. Performers such as Zakir Hussain have played at Cymroza. An important cultural space, the gallery encouraged young artists who lacked an infrastructure of support in a city largely predominated by Hindi cinema.
Source: Mid-Day
Read more: How visual artists in Mumbai are reinventing themselves for a post-COVID world
Mumbai sees 10% water cut
Even though lakes that supply water to the city are at 88% capacity, Mumbai faced a 10% water cut on August 26. The cut was seen in the island city’s western suburbs (excluding the F-North and F-South ward areas that houses Parel and Matunga), and L and N wards in the eastern suburbs, on Thursday. Operational activities reducing inflow to Bhandup Water Complex have resulted in the cut. However, according to civic authorities the city now has water stock sufficient for 320 days. Bhatsa dam in Thane which supplies 55% of the total annual water requirement of the city has 83% water stock which was 85% last year at this time.
Source: Free Press Journal, Hindustan Times
Read more: A leak here, a leak there. No way to quantify water wastage in Mumbai
26 get COVID-19 in Byculla orphanage
Two staff and 22 children of a Byculla-based orphanage have tested positive for COVID-19. Of the 22, four children below 12 years, have been admitted to the paediatric ward of Nair Hospital in Mumbai Central, and the remaining 18 have been shifted to Richardson and Cruddas Covid Care Centre at Byculla. The orphanage is more than 100 years old and is looked after by the St Joseph High School management which is on the same premises. It has 95 residents, including 34 girls. According to Indian Express, this is the first time in the past couple of months that a cluster of especially under-18 positive cases have been found at one location.
Source: Indian Express
Read more: English language pushes youth in Kasaiwada up the economic ladder
Petrol, diesel prices fall in Mumbai
Petrol prices fell for a second time this week, with August 24 recording a retail cost for the fuel at Rs 107.52. Diesel was fell to Rs 96.48 per litre on the same day. Various factors impact the price of fuel. These include rupee to US dollar exchange rate, cost of crude oil, global cues, demand for fuel, and so on. When international crude oil prices gain, prices in India move higher. Price of fuel includes excise duty, value added tax (VAT), and dealer commission. After adding excise duty, dealer commission and VAT, the retail selling price of the petrol gets nearly doubled. India is near 85% dependent on imports to meet its oil needs.
Source: Times of India, Economic Times, MoneyControl
Read more: Here’s where your money goes. An explainer on BMC’s budget