PALGHAR: In a shocking act of violence, an autorickshaw driver allegedly attacked a four-year-old boy, lifting him by his legs, slamming him to the ground, and then smashing his head against an iron rod following a dispute with the child’s father in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, police said on Tuesday. The incident occurred on Monday night at a housing society in Vasai and was captured on CCTV. The accused, identified as Sandeep Pawar, has been arrested. According to police, the attack stemmed from a minor argument between Pawar and the child’s father, Atul Kondhare, which escalated dramatically.“The brutal incident took place around 8 pm on Monday. A minor argument between the accused autorickshaw driver Sandeep Pawar and the child’s father Atul Kondhare took a gruesome turn,” senior police inspector Balkrishna Ghadigaonkar told news agency PTI. The boy, identified as Vignesh, was playing inside a parked autorickshaw when Pawar approached, dragged him out by his legs, lifted him, and hurled him onto the ground. He then allegedly carried the child into the building and struck his head against an iron rod before throwing him down again.“But the brutality did not stop there. Pawar then rushed inside the building while holding the child, and smashed his head against an iron rod before throwing him to the ground again. This was done solely to avenge a fight he had earlier with the boy’s father over a minor issue,” Ghadigaonkar added.Sources have confirmed that the child’s grandmother, who tried to intervene, was also attacked. Sources also confirmed that the accused dragged him to his first-floor home.The injured boy was initially taken to nearby hospitals but was later shifted to a Mira Road hospital due to the severity of his condition, he remains admitted in the intensive care unit and is battling for life. Pawar was produced before a local court and remanded to three days of police custody. A case has been registered against him under Section 109(1) (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. Further investigation is underway.

Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions that an individual can take. While the price tag of a property is one of the most important factors that attract buyers’ attention, there are many other hidden costs that can have a significant impact on the investment. Hence, the real estate developers should make informed decisions and ensure a smooth homeownership journey. Ashish Sharma, AVP Operations, Brahma Group, a Gurgaon-based real estate developer, says that buying a property is not just about the property price ut it involves a number of other expenses that are often overlooked in the beginning but are not small enough to be ignored.Stamp Duty and Registration Charges One of the first hidden costs is the legal fees incurred in the transfer of legal ownership. Stamp duty is a tax that the government charges on the purchase of properties. However, the amount of stamp duty that is charged differs in different states and even in different Union Territories. Registration charges are usually expressed as a percentage of the property value and are incurred on the legal transfer of ownership in the records of the government. These charges are usually underestimated and can be as high as 5% to 10% of the property price.Home Loan Processing and Legal FeesMany buyers prefer financing their purchases through home loans. While interest rates are often talked about, other expenses of home loans are often ignored. These costs can be substantial and include home loan processing fees, legal verification costs, and other expenses. In some cases, lenders may also demand mortgage or property insurance, further adding to the costs.Maintenance and Society Charges Once the possession is handed over, the ongoing costs such as maintenance charges and society charges are applicable. Maintenance charges include the cost of amenities such as security and the maintenance of the area. Society charges may also include the contribution towards the resident welfare fund.

Property Tax and Utility DepositsProperty tax is an annual tax that is determined by local municipal authorities. This can be a considerable annual expenditure depending on the location. Another cost, which is sometimes not taken into account, is the connection charges for services such as electricity, water, and gas, which are required for a smooth stay in the property. Interior and Furnishing ExpensesMost people normally ignore the interior and furnishing costs. Some may think that the house is already furnished, but they may be forgetting that some costs may be incurred in the interior decoration, furniture, and the floor, among others. It is, therefore, necessary to plan and budget for the interior and furnishing costs in order to have a comfortable home without financial constraints. Legal and Documentation CostsThe need to seek the services of legal experts to carry out due diligence before purchasing a business is essential in avoiding future disputes as well as fraudulent business deals. The cost of hiring legal experts to carry out due diligence, verify the title of ownership, as well as provide other services may sometimes be ignored, but it is essential in ensuring that the investment process is safe.Miscellaneous ChargesOther hidden costs may be brokerage charges if an agent is involved in the purchase, parking charges, club charges, and society transfer charges. These charges may be low in individual cases, but overall, they may contribute substantially to the overall investment amount. Planning Ahead: Financial Discipline for Smart BuyingThe knowledge of the hidden costs is essential in planning the finances of the buyer. Getting loans pre-approved, having enough cash on hand, and keeping in mind the regular and one-time costs is essential in ensuring financial comfort and avoiding overleveraging.By knowing the hidden costs, the buyer can make an informed buying decision and can avoid any unpleasant experience. By doing this, the buyer can indeed enjoy the journey to homeownership with confidence. A well-thought-out investment today can set the stage for wealth and security tomorrow.

MUMBAI: Ashwini Bhide, who played a key role in the construction of the underground Metro in Mumbai, was Tuesday appointed the city’s municipal commissioner, the first woman to head BMC in the history of the over-160-year-old corporation. The 1995 batch IAS officer retires in 2030, and thus could get a full three-year tenure as chief of the country’s richest civic body. Known as a task master and said to be close to CM Fadnavis, Bhide, who was an additional chief secretary in the CMO, took charge from Bhushan Gagrani Tuesday evening. She forms a triumvirate of women along with mayor Ritu Tawde and Leader of Opposition in the house Kishori Pednekar in BMC. “I thank the Maharashtra govt for entrusting me with this responsibility. I would also like to congratulate Bhushan Gagrani on his successful tenure at BMC. I joined the civil services inspired by him—he is from Kolhapur and I am from Sangli—so taking over from him is particularly meaningful for me,” said Bhide, who will continue to hold additional charge as MD of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation.

Ashwini Bhide will be in charge of overseeing a massive budget of over Rs 80,000 crore for the city. Her primary hurdles involve time-bound execution of critical infrastructure works, premonsoon readiness, and longstanding civic issues. In the run-up to her appointment, a meeting between CM Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Eknath Shinde on Monday night is believed to have focused on transfers of senior IAS officers. Fadnavis is said to have backed Bhide’s candidature. Bhide is recognized for spearheading major infrastructure projects such as the underground metro. As additional municipal commissioner, she played a crucial role in implementing the Mumbai Coastal Road project as well. Speaking to the media after her appointment, Bhide addressed concerns over monsoon preparedness. She said she would soon review desilting work carried out each year before monsoons. “I will review the work and ensure it is completed at the earliest,” she said. When asked if she could assure that the city would not flood in the rains, she expressed confidence in ongoing efforts. “I’ve spent four crucial years in BMC, including during the challenging Covid period, which has been an invaluable experience…I look forward to navigating new challenges with my team and building on the work of my predecessors,” she said. With BJP now governing BMC in alliance with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the opposition led by Shiv Sena (UBT) also represented by a significant number of corporators, Bhide will have to do a fair amount of political management through communication and outreach. She will have to tackle fiscal challenges and manage cash flows, specially since capital expenditure now accounts for around 60% of the total budget. Bhide said she is well-acquainted with the functioning of the civic body and its workforce. “I am familiar with how BMC operates and the people who drive it,” she said. On working with elected representatives, Bhide said collaboration is integral to governance. “Even in govt roles, we work closely with elected representatives. While the city has been under administrative rule for an extended period, I have prior experience working with corporators, including during the 2020-2022 Covid phase when meetings continued despite challenges,” she said. IAS officer Lokesh Chandra who was chairman and MD of MSEDCL replaces Bhide as additional chief secretary in the CMO.