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Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Only 52% of PM-SHRI Schools in Maharashtra have playgrounds according to Lok Sabha Answer
Only 450 out of 860 (52%) of PM-SHRI Schools in Maharashtra have playgrounds according to data shared by Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary in the Lok Sabha. The data was provided on Monday in a written answer to an unstarred question by seven opposition MPs from Maharashtra. PM-SHRI is a Union Government scheme wherein schools are developed to provide the quality education and ensure holistic development of all the students. These schools have Best in class modern facilities. This number excludes PM-SHRI Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samitis. MPs Supriya Sule, Nilesh Lanke, Varsha Gaikwad, Bhaskar Bhagare, Bajrang Sonwane, Sanjay Patil, and Dhairyaheel Mohite Patil asked Minister to provide, among other information, the number of Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and PM-SHRI Schools currently operational in the state of Maharashtra. Details about student enrolment, infrastructure availability, and faculty strength in these schools, and district-wise information was also sought. The reply stated that 3,05,210 students were enrolled in the 860 PM-SHRI Schools in the state, and the total faculty strength was 9,141. 450 of these schools have a playground, which was the only information provided under infrastructure. Nashik district had the highest number of PM-SHRI Schools at 47 followed by Yavatmal at 42, Nanded and Solapur at 39, and Pune at 38. Mumbai Suburban had the lowest number of PM-SHRI Schools (2) while Dhule district had 10 such schools. In a statement shared with The Indian Express, Mumbai North Central MP Professor Varsha Gaikwad said, 'Maharashtra had the concept of Adarsh Shala even before PM-SHRI Schools and we had identified 488 schools under the same with all basic facilities. In the NEP, they copied this concept and renamed it PM-SHRI and cut funding for our Adarsh Shalas. Playgrounds were a mandatory condition under our Adarsh Shalas, but it is really concerning that only 52% of the schools selected under the PM-SHRI Schools have playgrounds. On what basis have these schools been named PM-SHRI Schools?' Gaikwad added that the focus under the PM-SHRI Schools seemed to be more about building contractor friendly infrastructure rather than schools that provide holistic education for children. The Indian Express spoke to Srikant Giri, Principal of PM-SHRI Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) School 53 B English, and Sangeeta Band, Principal of PM-SHRI PMC School 151 B, both of whom confirmed that their schools had a playground. Giri informed that his school was the first corporation school to be certified under PM-SHRI. Smart TVs, educational drawings on walls, sports equipment, and other facilities have been installed at the schools through the scheme funds. It is important to note that the data shared in Lok Sabha does not match with the data on the PM-SHRI website dashboard. According to the Lok Sabha reply, out of the 38 schools in Pune district, only 24 have a playground. However, according to the dashboard, all 38 schools in Pune have a playground. Similarly for the Ratnagiri district, the Lok Sabha reply stated that only 3 out of the 16 PM-SHRI schools have a playground, but according to the dashboard 12 schools have a playground. Such discrepancies were seen in other districts as well. The reply also stated that the state has 60 Kendriya Vidyalayas with 76,790 students enrolled and having a faculty strength of 2,723. Pune district had the highest number of KVs at 16 while districts like Yavatmal, Washim, Solapur, Latur, Dhule, Aurangabad, Bhandara, and Parbhani had only 1 KV. Out of the 60 KVs, 52 have been designated as PM-SHRI schools. The document also says, 'all KVs in the State of Maharashtra have sufficient infrastructure, basic amenities and ICT infrastructure, including smart classrooms, computer labs and internet connectivity, achieving 100% ICT saturation.' PM-SHRI Schools – 860 With Playground – 450 Students Enrolled – 3,05,210 Faculty Strength – 9,141 Kendriya Vidyalayas – 60 PM-SHRI KVs – 52 Students Enrolled – 76,790 Faculty Strength – 2,723 Soham is a Correspondent with the Indian Express in Pune. A journalism graduate, he was a fact-checker before joining the Express. Soham currently covers education and is also interested in civic issues, health, human rights, and politics. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Congress demands probe into alleged ₹1,200-cr BMC staff colony redevelopment scam
Mumbai: In the lead-up to the civic elections, the Congress on Wednesday launched a targeted campaign against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), vowing to expose alleged land scams on a weekly basis. Mumbai, India – July 04, 2024: Congress MP and President of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee Varsha Gaikwad, at MRCC office, in Mumbai, India, on Thursday, July 04, 2024. (Photo by Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo) As a curtain-raiser, Congress leaders in Mumbai have called for an investigation into an alleged ₹ 1,200 crore redevelopment scam involving the MCGM Staff Colony plot in Andheri. The allegations include unauthorised dual approvals granted in 2011 and 2021, illegal demolitions, and misuse of public land. The campaign is being led by Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad, the party's Mumbai chief; former corporators Mohsin Haider and Ashraf Azmi; and party spokesperson Suresh Rajhans. The BMC staff colony is located on a prime plot near Juhu Lane and Barfiwala Road, valued at over ₹ 1,200 crore. According to the Congress's allegations, the 4497.1 square-metre plot, originally reserved for housing Class IV municipal employees, has been simultaneously sanctioned for two separate redevelopment projects—under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and the Ashraya Yojana, a BMC scheme to redevelop and provide housing for its conservancy staff. In a detailed complaint letter addressed to municipal commissioner and administrator Bhushan Gagrani dated May 5, the Congress leaders highlighted the apparent collusion between civic officials and private developers. The letter called for an immediate stay on all construction activity on the site, highlighting procedural violations, land ownership ambiguities, and the unjust eviction of long-standing residents. 'The plot has been sanctioned for redevelopment under both SRA (2011) and Ashraya Yojana (2021), without formally cancelling either,' said Gaikwad. 'BMC has demolished 55 staff quarters, 85 hutments, and a welfare centre, despite no withdrawal of the slum notification or NOC under SRA. No eligibility survey or alternative housing provisions were made for 85 families, violating constitutional rights and housing laws.' Gaikwad added that officials ignored 2011 eligibility guidelines while declaring residents ineligible, even though prior documents listed their occupancy. Haider alleged that the developer was paid ₹ 10 crore between 2021 and 2024, with ₹ 14.36 lakh spent on a welfare centre that was subsequently demolished. While the undivided Shiv Sena ruled over the BMC for over three decades till 2022, India's richest civic body has been under an administrator's rule since then due to ongoing court cases. The Congress leaders have urged Gagrani to initiate disciplinary proceedings against civic officials involved in the allegedly unauthorised demolitions and misuse of authority. They have demanded the restoration of the plot for its original municipal housing purpose and an independent investigation into the alleged ₹ 1,200 crore land misuse scam. They have also asked for all 85 hutment dwellers residing on the site since before 2011 to be either rehabilitated or provided rent compensation. 'We will unearth scams related to BMC every week,' said Haider. 'For 3.5 years, with no elected body, the BMC has arbitrarily passed proposals.' HT reached out to Gagrani for his reaction to the allegations, but he remained unavailable for comment.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Why two approvals for redevpt of prime Andheri plot: Cong
Mumbai: Congress city unit head MP Varsha Gaikwad demanded an inquiry into dual approvals for an SRA scheme as well as an Aashray scheme on a land parcel worth Rs 1,200 crore. Gaikwad sought an immediate halt to the ongoing construction work at CTS No. 207 in Andheri, where two conflicting redevelopment schemes, an SRA and an Aashray scheme, were approved on a prime plot measuring 4,497.10 sqm near Juhu Lane Bafiwala Road. This is in violation of law, civic policy, and public trust. The land housed quarters for BMC sanitation workers built in 1965. In 2008-2011, a redevelopment proposal was submitted under SRA, and CTS 207 merged with private plots. However, the project did not move forward. In 2021, BMC signed an agreement with Transcon Sheth Creators under the Aashray scheme and disbursed Rs 10 crore for the work, without any work being undertaken, Gaikwad alleged. Addressing media persons, Gaikwad said Mumbai Congress would expose a case of corruption in BMC every week. According to Gaikwad, two contradictory redevelopment schemes, SRA and Ashray Yojana, were approved for a prime piece of land measuring 4497.10 sqm. Ex-corporator Mehr Haider sought a probe into these matters, but BMC is yet to respond. Ex-corporator Ashraf Azmi earlier wrote to the commissioner, citing irregular sanction and disbursement of Rs 10 crore to Transcon Construction under Aashray Yojana-Group 6. Azmi questioned why the money was disbursed by BMC when work is yet to start. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Congress leaders also alleged that in 2024, 85 slum-dwellers were rendered homeless without providing alternative arrangement, to benefit the developer. "Why was the SRA's NOC not cancelled, and why was a new developer appointed and approval given for Ashray Yojana?" the leaders questioned.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Land given for Dharavi redevpt, Cong holds protest
Mumbai: On Sunday afternoon, Mumbai Congress organised a protest in Kurla against the state's recent decision to formally approve transfer of 21.25 acres of Kurla dairy land to the Dharavi redevelopment project. Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd (NMDPL), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up by the state govt in a joint venture with the developer, Adani Realty, will implement the redevelopment project. The protest was led by Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad, her sister and Dharavi MLA Jyoti Gaikwad, with several other party workers and citizens. Speaking at the event, Varsha Gaikwad said: "While we were peacefully protesting, the govt has once again sent a large police force to suppress our voices and crush the movement using brute power. What kind of justice is this? Modani & Co. are snatching away people's rights, grabbing land that belongs to Mumbaikars, committing injustice – and instead of stopping them, the govt is shielding these land-grabbers while silencing citizens. But we will not be intimidated by this tyranny. We will continue to fight this Adani govt for Mumbai's rights and the future of Mumbaikars." The MP said: "The land is worth hundreds of crores, but it was transferred to Adani at a nominal rate for his benefit. The BJP govt has become a facilitator of Adani's mega-loot."
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Muslim groups oppose police action of seizing loudspeakers in mosques
Mumbai: Muslim groups are accusing Mumbai police of excessive action against use of loudspeakers for azaan. After several mosque managements complained about notices and the forcible removal of loudspeakers, community leaders have held a series of meetings in the city. Sakinaka-based Masjid Ajmeri and Madrassa Ali Hassan Ahle Sunnat held a meeting attended by Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad and MLAs Amin Patel and Aslam Shaikh. "The cops cite the Bombay High Court order of January this year to crack down on religious places that violate the decibel limit of noise, but the police are acting selectively. They are removing loudspeakers and threatening to remove them even without verifying if the mosques are adhering to the permitted decibel level," said Sakinaka mosque and madrassa trustee Abul Hasan Khan. The permitted decibel limit is 55 during the daytime and 45 at night. On Thursday, a delegation led by Samajwadi Party state chief and MLA Abu Asim Azmi met police commissioner Deven Bharti and complained about the alleged police harassment. They named BJP functionary and former MP Kirit Somaiya as an instigator. "Mosque trustees complain that Kirit Somaiya puts pressure on police to remove loudspeakers. While we are telling mosques to follow the decibel limit for azaan, a jobless BJP politician is trying to spoil the communal harmony in the city," said Samajwadi Party leader Yusuf Abrahni, who was also part of the delegation that met the commissioner. Bharti told TOI: "Police are acting as per provisions of law and will continue to act accordingly in future." While Bombay High Court said in its judgement that the use of loudspeakers was not an essential part of religion, Muslim groups have cited observations of HCs in Gujarat and MP, which said azaan does not create noise pollution. They argue that azaan lasts for a few minutes in a day, while festivals and celebrations of other faiths are noisier and go on for days. Abrahni said he has called for a meeting of trustees of mosques after Bakr Eid to discuss and will tell them to abide by the decibel limit.
