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By:

Dr. Abhilash Dawre

19 March 2025 at 5:18:41 pm

BJP alleges billing irregularities

Ambernath: Serious allegations of financial irregularities have surfaced in Ambernath's solid waste management system, with BJP corporators accusing Samiksha Waste Management Infra Pvt. Ltd. of artificially inflating garbage collection weights to generate excess payments. The corporators have demanded an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities and sought the immediate blacklisting of the company. They have also alleged that the entire operation has continued with the...

BJP alleges billing irregularities

Ambernath: Serious allegations of financial irregularities have surfaced in Ambernath's solid waste management system, with BJP corporators accusing Samiksha Waste Management Infra Pvt. Ltd. of artificially inflating garbage collection weights to generate excess payments. The corporators have demanded an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities and sought the immediate blacklisting of the company. They have also alleged that the entire operation has continued with the knowledge of municipal officials. According to the BJP corporators, a field inspection of garbage transportation and weighing procedures revealed that garbage vehicles were allegedly loaded with drain sludge, mud and heavy soil, in addition to waste, before being weighed at a private weighbridge. They claimed this practice artificially increased the recorded weight of each vehicle, resulting in inflated monthly bills. The corporators stated that the waste collection contract has remained with Samiksha Waste Management Infra Pvt. Ltd. since 2017, with extensions granted over the years, including a fresh contract in 2023. Despite the company handling the work for nearly eight years, they alleged that nearly 210 garbage bins continue to remain across the city, raising questions over the effectiveness of the waste management system. A major concern raised by the corporators relates to the absence of a municipality-owned weighbridge. They claimed that the tender conditions require the municipal council to have its own weighing facility and that 15 lakh was sanctioned during the 2026 General Body meeting for installing the weighbridge. However, despite the approval, the municipal weighbridge has not been made operational. As a result, garbage is allegedly weighed on a private weighbridge, where approximately half a tonne of additional weight per vehicle is allegedly recorded, leading to inflated billing. Garbage Quantity The corporators further questioned the official claim that 170 metric tonnes of garbage are collected daily in Ambernath. They pointed out that neighbouring Badlapur, which has a larger population and geographical area, reportedly generates only around 100 metric tonnes of waste daily. They argued that the significantly higher figure reported for Ambernath, despite the continued presence of garbage heaps and around 210 garbage bins across the city, raises serious doubts over the accuracy of the reported data. They also alleged violations of tender conditions by claiming that vehicles other than those approved under the contract were being used for waste transportation. In addition, they accused the company of failing to provide contractual sanitation workers with timely salaries, gumboots, hand gloves, raincoats and other essential safety equipment. Questions were also raised regarding the fitness certificates and insurance documents of certain garbage transportation vehicles, with corporators alleging that the concerned authorities failed to take appropriate action. In another serious allegation, BJP corporators claimed that the alleged irregularities were continuing under the protection of Ambarnath Municipal Council Health Department Head Mahesh Tayde. They alleged that municipal officials were aware of the financial irregularities, violations in the weighing process and breaches of tender conditions but deliberately ignored them. They demanded strict administrative and legal action against those found responsible. Increased Weight ‘The Perfect Voice’ visited the private weighbridge where garbage vehicles are weighed. According to the report, an employee identified as Shivam Singh allegedly stated, "Officials from the Ambarnath Municipal Council ask us to show increased weight. Accordingly, we increase the weight and issue the receipt." The ground report also highlighted allegations that sanitation workers were not being provided with mandatory safety kits and were not receiving salaries on time. Concerns were also raised regarding the absence of valid fitness certificates for some garbage transport vehicles. While speaking to, ‘The Perfect Voice’, BJP Group leader Abhijeet Karanjule-Patil alleged that large-scale financial irregularities were taking place through the waste collection contract executed by Samiksha Waste Management Infra Pvt. Ltd. He demanded the immediate blacklisting of the company and an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities. He alleged that although a municipal weighbridge is mandatory under the tender conditions, it has not been made operational, forcing garbage to be weighed at a private weighbridge where vehicle weights are allegedly inflated by loading drain sludge, mud and soil. He also questioned the official claim of collecting 170 metric tonnes of waste daily, stating that despite these figures, nearly 210 garbage bins and garbage heaps continue to exist across the city. Karanjule-Patil further alleged collusion between municipal officials and the contractor, while also raising concerns over delayed wages, lack of safety equipment for sanitation workers, and compliance issues relating to garbage transport vehicles.

Yoga for Healthy Ageing: More Than Just Exercise

Yoga is no longer merely India's cultural heritage; it has become a global movement for health and well-being.

In today's fast-paced world, when stress, depression, anxiety and lifestyle-related diseases are increasing day by day, yoga has emerged not only as a physical practice but also as a path to mental and spiritual well-being.


This year, the 12th International Day of Yoga was observed with the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'. The theme conveys a message that yoga offers a holistic approach to health, balance and self-realisation. Yoga is no longer merely a part of India's cultural heritage. It has gained global acceptance as a comprehensive system for physical and mental well-being. The observance of Yoga Day on June 21 in more than 170 countries demonstrates how yoga has transcended national, cultural and religious boundaries.


The regular practice of yoga disciplines not only the body but also the mind, intellect and spirit. It is a simple yet profound way of maintaining physical health, controlling stress and preserving inner balance.


This ancient Indian knowledge system has established itself as a reliable wellness practice even in the modern scientific era. When the proposal for International Yoga Day was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014 with the support of 177 countries, it became evident that yoga had evolved into a global movement promoting health and well-being.


Today, yoga represents far more than exercise. It is increasingly viewed as a pathway to a healthy lifestyle, mental stability and spiritual growth.


The practices of yoga postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama) are among the most natural and accessible methods for maintaining physical and mental health. Yoga is not limited to physical postures alone. It is a science of balanced living developed by ancient sages. Modern research increasingly supports its role in stress reduction, blood pressure management, improved respiratory function, stronger immunity and better mental health.


Some commonly practised yoga postures offer a range of physical and mental health benefits. Bhujangasana helps improve lung capacity, strengthen the spine and reduce stress, while Ustrasana supports digestion, heart health and relief from back pain. Sarvangasana promotes better blood circulation and supports thyroid function, whereas Halasana aids digestion, weight management and relaxation. Trikonasana improves balance, immunity and muscle strength, while Tadasana supports posture, digestion and respiratory health. Dhanurasana strengthens the back and abdomen and helps reduce stress, while Padangusthasana promotes relaxation and may contribute to better sleep, blood pressure management and digestive health.


Pranayama, or controlled breathing exercises, is an integral part of yoga and plays an important role in strengthening the respiratory system and promoting mental well-being. Practices such as Anulom-Vilom help maintain mental calm, while Kapalbhati supports blood circulation, nervous system function and respiratory health. Bhastrika strengthens the lungs and heart and helps manage stress, whereas Bhramari promotes relaxation and may help reduce anxiety and insomnia. Ujjayi is known to improve concentration and support cardiovascular health, while Udgeeth helps enhance memory, supports the nervous system and relieves stress. The objective of these practices is to strengthen the body's natural defence mechanisms and improve its ability to resist disease.


During the Covid-19 pandemic, many people turned to yoga for physical and emotional support, highlighting the importance of respiratory health, immunity and mental resilience. For today's younger generation, often caught in a fast-paced lifestyle, yoga offers an opportunity to slow down, reconnect and restore balance.


Yoga gurus often describe yoga not merely as a health practice but as an art of living. It helps establish harmony between the body, mind and spirit while encouraging self-discipline, restraint, tolerance and inner peace.


Modern medical science increasingly acknowledges the benefits of yoga. Countries across America, Europe, Japan and Australia are adopting yoga as a complementary therapeutic practice for conditions such as stress, depression, high blood pressure, asthma, obesity, sleep disorders, thyroid conditions and diabetes. Yoga not only helps prevent disease but also contributes to personal growth and overall well-being.


True peace and balance in society begin with individuals who are calm and balanced within themselves. For this reason, yoga is not merely a personal practice but a positive force for social and global well-being. The need today is to move beyond celebrating yoga on a single day and make it part of everyday life. Regular practice can improve physical health, strengthen mental well-being and help individuals lead more balanced lives.


As the world marks International Yoga Day, the message remains simple: yoga is not just a practice for one day but a lifelong path to health, balance and well-being.


(The writer is an educationist active in the field of teaching for more than 18 years.)

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