New Delhi:A crisp income tax form for salaried individuals will be introduced from April 1, doing away with some columns to simplify the filing of returns. Individuals with salary and interest income will have to fill fewer columns as some of these for claiming income deductions have been clubbed in ITR1 form called Sahaj. In the form for Assessment Year 2017-18, deductions claimed under different sections of Chapter VIA have been removed and only mostly used ones have been included. "Columns that will remain include those for claiming deductions under Section 80C, mediclaim (80D). Those individuals who want to show deductions under other heads can do so by selecting an option," an official told PTI. Currently, the ITR 1/Sahaj has 18 different columns for claiming deductions under Section 80 of the Income Tax Act.Under section 80C, a deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh can be claimed from total income for investments in LIC, PPF and repayment of housing loan. Section 80D provides for tax deduction from the total taxable income for the payment of medical insurance premium. This deduction is over and above the deduction under Section 80C. "The forms would be notified by this month end as we want assessees to start filing returns from April onwards," the official added. The move is aimed at encouraging more number of people to file returns. Currently, only 6 crore out of 29 crore persons holding permanent account number (PAN) file income returns. The current 3-page form is simplified version of an income tax return form after removing mandated disclosure of foreign trips and dormant bank accounts introduced two years back. People with an income of more than Rs 50 lakh per annum and who own luxury items like yacht, aircraft or valuable jewellery will continue to disclose these expensive assets with the I-T department in the ITRs. The e-filing facility for ITR-1 is likely to be enabled from April 1 and ITRs can be filed till the stipulated deadline of July 31. At the time of filing the form, the taxpayer has to fill in his PAN, Aadhaar number, personal information and information on taxes paid, and TDS will be auto-filled in the form. Post July 1, as per amendments to the Finance Bill 2017 as passed by the Lok Sabha, it would become mandatory for an assessee to provide the Aadhaar number or the number showing that he has applied for Aadhaar in the ITR. Also the efiling website would have an online tax calculator to help assessees determine their tax liability. ITR 1-SAHAJ, 2 and 2A can be used by individual or Hindu Undivided Families whose income does not include income from business. ITR 4S - SUGAM can be used by an individual or HUF whose income includes business income assessable on presumptive basis.
ITR form simplified further; e-filing to start from April
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SC bans sale, registration of non-BS-IV compliant vehicles
New Delhi:The Supreme Court today banned the sale and registration of vehicles which are not compliant with BS-IV emission norms from April 1 across the country. The apex court observed that the "health of the people is far far more important than the commercial interest of automobile manufactures". A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta prohibited registration of any vehicles which do not meet the Bharat Stage-IV emission norm standards from April 1. The BS-IV emission norms will come into force from April 1, 2017. The top court had yesterday reserved its verdict on pleas seeking ban on the sale and registration of BS-III compliant vehicles after April 1. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) had earlier submitted data on manufacturing and sale of BS-III vehicles on a monthly basis from January 2016 and told the court that the companies were holding stock of around 8.24 lakh such vehicles including 96,000 commercial vehicles, over six lakh two-wheelers and around 40,000 three-wheelers. The manufacturers had also told the court that they were allowed to sell their stocks with old emission norms when new technology was brought in force on the previous two occasions at the time the industry had switched to BS-II and BS-III in 2005 and 2010. PTI
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Why is the Vigilance Director not removed, asks HC?
Kochi: The High Court on Wednesday asked government why it is not removing the present Vigilance Director from the post. Pointing out that the Vigilance is making unnecessary interference in Kerala, the court asked the government how it can go forward with the present Vigilance Director. "Why is the government keeping mum in this regard?"the court asked. The court made the observation while considering the petition submitted by two officials who are facing Vigilance probe. Severely censuring the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, the High Court last month had asked whether Vigilance Raj is prevailing in the state.
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Indian Navy’s TU142M aircraft bids adieu at INS Rajali
Arakkonam: Indian Navy's eye-in-the-sky for close to three decades – the TU142M aircraft – flew into the sunset of its career today at Naval Air Station INS Rajali. Having logged 30,000-plus hours of accident-free flying and a number of critical missions, the TU142M got a befitting farewell at an event attended by Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff and Vice Admiral H C S Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. Serving and retired officers and men, who have served in the INAS 312 and other senior officials from the Indian Navy were also present. Admiral Sunil Lanba recollected the crucial role played by the Squadron in Operation Cactus in Maldives, where fleeing mercenaries were detected and tracked till they were apprehended by Indian warships. The Admiral also mentioned the maiden participation by TU's as the first Indian Naval Aircraft in the Republic Day flypast at New Delhi in 1999. With the imposing looks and a lethal punch to match, the TU14M aircraft which have been nothing short of a 'Flying Destroyer', were given an impressive farewell as they flew for one last time today along with three Chetak helicopters, two Dorniers, one each IL-38 and the Boeing P-8I. In appreciation of the stellar service of the TU142M aircraft, a TU Static Display was also inaugurated by the Chief of Naval Staff at lNS Rajali. After 29 years of dedicated service, the TU-142M LRMR ASW aircraft was drawn down today with Commander Yogender Mair, the last Commanding officer of the squadron with TU142M aircraft handing over the reins to Commander V Ranganathan, who will be the first Commanding Officer of the Squadron with the Boeing P-8I aircraft.
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3 Mathrubhumi staffers win Nehru Trophy media awards
Thiruvananthapuram: The media awards instituted by the publicity committee of 64th Nehru Trophy boat race in 2016 have been announced. Mathrubhumi staffers won awards in three categories. Mathrubhumi staff reporter K A Babu was adjudged the best reporter in print media for his series titled 'Venam Nehru Trophik Desiaya Padavi' (Needed, national status for Nehru Trophy) published from August 7-13, 2016. Mathrubhumi senior news photographer C Biju won the award for the best news photo for his photo titled 'Thuzhathalam', (Rhythm of the Oar) published in August 13, 2016. Mathrubhumi News cameraman G Rahul Krishna was selected the best cameraman for 'Thuzhayude Kadha' (Story of an Oar) aired on August 12, 2016. The awards were announced by Alappuzha District Collector Veena N Madhavan, who is also the chairman of the award committee. The award comprises a purse of Rs 10,001, trophy and citation.
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Hectic efforts in NCP to secure ministerial berth
Thiruvananthapuram:The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is making all efforts to ensure that the party does not lose the ministerial berth following the resignation of AK Saseendran. Saseendran on Sunday resigned after an audio emerged in which he was heard having a lewd conversation with a woman on the phone. Raising its claim for the ministerial berth, the NCP wants the government to take a decision in this regard soon. Thomas Chandy MLA, whose name has been proposed by the NCP state leadership for the ministerial post, will meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today asking to take a decision on the matter soon. According to reports, NCPnational president Sharad Pawar has communicated with CPM national general secretary Sitaram Yechury. Though NCP state leadership had proposed the name of Thomas Chandy for the ministerial post, the national leadership has not made its stand clear. NCP state president Uzhavoor Vijayan has taken the stand that the state leadership should move ahead with the demand only after getting the approval from the national leadership.
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Bombay HC vexed with scribes wearing jeans, T-shirts to court
Mumbai:The Bombay High Court on Wednesday voiceddispleasure over journalists covering court proceedingsattired in jeans and T-shirts, asking if it was "Bombayculture". The observation was made by Chief Justice Manjula Chellurand Justice G S Kulkarni when they were hearing a petitionchallenging doctors abstaining from work. The bench, on seeing a journalist from a nationalnewspaper wearing jeans and T-shirt, wanted to know if therewas any dress code for them. Noting that journalists should maintain decorum of thecourt, Justice Chellur pointed at him and asked whether it waspart of "Bombay culture". "How journalists come to courtwearing jeans and T-shirt?" she asked. She then turned to the counsel for Mumbai civic body S SPakale and asked him if there was any dress code forjournalists. After Pakale responded in the negative, JusticeChellur wanted to know if wearing such attire to court wasappreciated. The lawyer again responded with a "No". The court, however, did not pass any direction orguidelines on dress journalists should wear while coveringcourt proceedings. This is for the first time that the high court hasobjected to the dress worn by journalists. PTI
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Liquor sale along highways: SC says it didn’t mean liquor ban
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has come with more explanations regarding the order banning sale of liquor within 500 metres of state and national highways across the country from April 1. Reiterating that liquor should not be sold within 500-metre radius of these roads, the Court said it did not mean liquor ban by issuing such an order. It was a measure intended at reducing the number of road accidents. Nobody is discussing the loss of lives in accidents. Majority of those challenging the order are private parties. If the implementation of the order can create a dent in revenue of the states, they would have approached the court with petitions, it noted. However, the states have the authority to pick the roads that are to be classified as state highway, it added. The case is heard by a bench chaired by the Chief Justice. The Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) has also filed petition. Stating that 170 outlets were functioning along the national highways, the Bevco says they could not relocate the shops owing to the opposition of the people. Hence, the verdict should be amended to allow operation of these outlets, it demanded. The hearing will be continued on Thursday.
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LKG student sexually abused in Varkala
Thiruvananthapuram:The relatives of an LKG student here have complained that she was sexually harassed by a neighbour. The police have registered a case against the neighbour. The incident, which took place on March 23, was brought to light by Child Welfare Committee. The 4-year-old student, who went to the neighbour's house, complained of physical discomfort later and was hospitalised. Based on her statement, the Child Welfare Committeehanded over a report to police. However, alleging slacknesson part of police in taking proper action, the student's relatives said any top police officer has not yet turned up to probe the incident. Though the case was registered on Saturday, the accused is yet to be nabbed. All details have been handed over to police,they said.
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Kanakamala case: NIA files charge sheet against 7
Kochi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge sheet at the NIA Court against seven persons allegedly owing allegiance the terror outfit, Islamic State, in the case related to holding clandestine meeting at Kanakamala near Panur in Kannur. As per the charge sheet, they conspired to wage a war against the country and target foreigners and important personalities. The agency filed the charge sheet against Manseed Mehmood, Swalih Mohammed, Rashid Ali, Ramshad N K, Safvan P, Jasim N K, and Shajeer Mangalassery. The NIA hadarrested eight persons in October last year and the fifth accused in the case has been made a witness. All of them are natives of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They were arrested while holding a clandestine meeting of of the ISmodule named 'Ansarul Khilafa Kerala' at Kanakamal in Kannur. The NIA found that apart from foreigners, they also targetted political leaders, senior police officers and judges. The accused persons were alleged to have had tried to radicalise and recruit their friends or associates and also collected funds for the terrorist organization. The NIA also filed another charge sheet against a person Subahani Haja, who had associated with the ISIS in Syria, Upon his return from Syria, he was arrested in October last year. During interrogation, he had admitted that he was directly trained by the IS. Subahani said that he had gone to Iraq on April8 last year to join ISand fight for the outfit.
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Lok Sabha passes all four GST Bills
New Delhi: India moved a step closer to becoming a unified market in line with the federalist vision of the architects of its Constitution with the passage in Parliament on Wednesday of the GST Bill, which extends pan-India except to Jammu and Kashmir for now. Jammu and Kashmir will need to pass all four bills in its state assembly, on account of its special powers on taxation under the Constitution. The Lok Sabha passed the much-awaited Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Bill, Integrated GST Bill, Compensation GST Bill and Union Territory GST Bill 2017, after negating all the amendments put forward by the Opposition. The four GST Bills were passed after an eight-hour marathon debate in the Lower House. The government is targeting the roll-out date of July 1 for the new indirect tax regime. Jaitley said that goods may become "slightly cheaper" once all other taxes are removed after implementation of GST. Replying to the debate on the four bills in the Lok Sabha, he said all other taxes like entry tax in states will be removed once the GST is in place. "Once all other taxes are removed, the cascading effect is removed, goods will become slightly cheaper," he said. Noting that both the central and state governments are pooling their sovereignty to have this tax regime, Jaitley noted that India, despite being one political entity, remained different economic entities with states having different taxes. "Centre and states both pooled sovereignty into one Council. It is Indias first federal decision making authority," he said. The GST will subsume various indirect levies of the Centre and states like service tax, excise duty, octroi and value added tax (VAT). The CGST Bill will enable levy and collection of tax on intra-state supply of goods and services or both by the central government. Actual tax rates would be as per a four-tier rate structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent as approved by the GST Council. Clarifying on the tax rate on petroleum products in the regime, Jaitley said that the Council has decided that the petroleum products though they have been included under GST, will remain zero rated as of now. "The Council decided that we will take up the issue of petroleum products in a year after implementation of GST. Today, constitutionally petroleum products are under GST, but will be zero rated. So once Council decides it can be taxed under GST, we wont need to amend the Constitution," he said. Jaitley said that once implemented GST will have a significant impact on the taxation system as the entire system will be restructured. He said that the nature of economic activity today is changing and the objective of GST is to have "free flow of goods and services pan-India, with one tax and one interface with one assessing officer". The system will be more efficient, is not easy to breach and has higher compliance, he added. Following the Bills passage, Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Hasib Drabu told reporters that the states own constitution, allowed under special dispensation, requires CGST to be ratified by the state legislature. "We will go to our assembly and get it passed before the target date of July 1," he said. "We will start the process (ratification) sometime in May or June and meet the July implementation target," he added. Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in the country with powers to tax services. Speaking in the Lok Sabha debate earlier, Congress leader M. Veerappa Moily pointed out that it was the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government which brought in the GST bill. "This important game-changer enactment was envisioned by the UPA government. It should have been implemented at the time, but some opposition parties then felt that it has to be halted," he added, alluding to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is in power now. Indian industry, which has welcomed the GST Bills passage in Parliament, has however, called for a postponement of the targeted implementation date of July 1, to allow it to prepare adequately for the GST rollout. IANS
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President gives nod to new law that allows paid maternity leave of 26 weeks
Women employees will now be able to get paid maternity leave of 26 weeks, up from 12 weeks, as per a new law. President Pranab Mukherjee has given assent to the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 that has made changes in some of the provisions of over 55-year-old law entitling certain benefits to women employees. The new law makes it mandatory for every establishment with fifty or more employees to have the facility of creche within a prescribed distance. The employer is also bound to allow four visits a day to the creche by a woman. Every establishment will intimate in writing and electronically to every woman at the time of her initial appointment regarding every benefit available under the new law, the statute says. An employer can also permit a woman to work from home after she has availed maternity leave. “In case where the nature of work assigned to a woman is of such nature that she may work from home, the employer may allow her to do so after availing of the maternity benefit for such period and on such conditions as the employer and the woman may mutually agree,” it says. The law also allows maternity leave of 12 weeks for a woman who adopts a child below the age of three months, and for commissioning mother (a biological mother who uses her egg to create an embryo implanted in any other woman). The entitlement of 26 weeks paid leave under the law is only for first two children. A woman with two or more children will be entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave, says the law which will apply to all establishments employing 10 or more people. The statute that will help approximate 1.8 million women workforce in organised sector, has amended Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 that regulates grant of maternity benefit to women employees in certain establishments. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on March 9 and Rajya Sabha on March 20. India is at third position globally in terms of the number of weeks of maternity leave after Canada (50 weeks) and Norway (44 weeks).
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Eight coaches of Mahakaushal Express derail near Mahoba in UP, 52 injured
Fifty-two passengers were injured, 10 of them seriously, as eight bogies of the Jabalpur-Nizamuddin Mahakaushal Express derailed early today in neighbouring Mahoba district. Railways have ordered an inquiry into the derailment which left 400 metres of track damaged. The mishap disrupted rail traffic on the route with services of 14 trains disurpted, railway officials said. In Lucknow, ADG (Law and Order) Daljit Chaudhary said the incident took place around 2.20 AM when eight bogies of the train derailed injuring some 52 people of which two suffered "serious fractures" and have been referred to a Jhansi hospital Some have been discharged after first aid while others have been admitted to local hospitals, the ADG said, adding that ambulances and teams of doctors reached the spot and monitored the relief and rescue operations. Chaudhary said prima facie there was nothing suspicious but all aspects will be investigated as it is a serious issue. Railway officials and teams of ATS and NDRF are at the spot and investigations are on to ascertain the cause of the mishap, the ADG said. SP (Mahoba) Gaurav Singh said the incident took place between Mahoba and Kulpahad railway stations near Supa village. UP Minister for Health Siddharth Nath Singh, who rushed to the spot, announced a monetary assistance of Rs. 50,000 each to the seriously injured and Rs. 25,000 to those who suffered minor injuries, the SP said. Railway Board member (Traffic) Mohd Jamshed told PTI in Delhi that an inquiry into the derailment will be conduted by a senior railway official. Asked whether it was an act of sabotage or any defect in the rolling stock led to the mishap, he said, "Nothing can be ruled out till the report is submitted." On some recent cases involving security around rail tracks in different parts of the state, the ADG said investigations proved there was no terror link but all cases are being thoroughly probed with the help of experts. All coaches that derailed today were conventional ones and manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. Though a few coaches tumbled, they did not climb over each other as it happens in such cases, resulting in minimum damage. The train with 10 coaches left the accident site at 6.48 AM. Railways have pressed 15 buses into service for carrying about 200 passengers, who were travelling in affected coaches, to Jhansi. At least 17 helplines have been made operational at different stations en route to assist relatives of passengers travelling in the train. Besides, railways have made catering arrangement for the passengers on the site. The derailment has affected services of 14 trains, out of which seven were diverted and an equal number of trains cancelled. Jamshed said the line is expected to be restored by midnight as the damaged section of the track has to be replaced. PTI
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People have realised the truth: A K Saseendran
Thiruvananthapuram: Former Transport minister A K Saseendran, who resigned his ministerial post recently, said returning to the post is not important, instead people must be aware of the truth behind. “The people have realised the truth. They are lending support to me. The media has helped me in this. I will become active in my constituency from now onwards. Don't I want to live among my community,” asked Saseendran. When asked if a ministerial post would be given for the NCP, Saseendran said the party would be given the post and that would be Thomas Chandy. Saseendran after quitting as Transport minister travelled to his home constituency to Kozhikode from the state capital in a KSRTC Scania bus. The bus from Thiruvananthapuram had the former minister as one of its passenger along with his wife Anita Teacher.
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Kottiyoor case: Two more Sisters surrender
Peravoor: Two more nuns surrendered before the Peravoor SI in connection with the Kottiyoor sexual assault case. The sixth accused Lizzy Maria from the Christudasi Convent in Wayanad and Sister Anita from Kannur Iritty Kallumutti Christudasi Convent. appeared before the Circle Inspector Sunilkumar in the morning. The sisters have helped bring the newly born baby from the hospital to the orphanage and were also booked for destroying evidences. Sister Lizzy Mary is daughter of the second accused in the case Thangamma, the helper. The first accused father Robin is under remand. Fr Robin alias Mathew Vadakkencheril, the prime accused in the case, was arrested on charges of sexually exploiting andimpregnating the 16-year-old girl. The victim gave birth to a child who was taken to an orphanage in Wayanad district. Eight persons had been booked for their alleged role in the sexual exploitation and subsequent delivery of the baby by the girl. Accused 3 to 5 namely Sister Tessy Jose of Thokkilangadi Christuraj Hospital, Dr Hyderali and Sister Ancy Mathew surrendered before CI Sunilkumar the other day.
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Abandoned pond renews water hopes of a colony
Rajappuram: The 30 odd families living in the Cherupanathadi 4 cent Colony will soon have a better life. They will get better drinking water and their women will not have to lug up washing loads and hire an auto to the Erinjilamkode river, three kilometers away. The public pond in this colony that was built years ago for agricultural uses and subsequently abandoned due to shortage of water is being revived through local efforts. The locals and the MGNREGA workers have joined hands in developing the pond to make it water rich again. The work has been going on for the last three weeks and is estimated to be over in the next one week. When the Panchayat finally pumps this water to the drinking water kiosk and supplies it to the families of the colony, mostly from the scheduled castes or general categories, a long standing water crisis will be resolved. The locals are currently fully dependent on the private water suppliers who charge exorbitant rates or from their neighbours who share their private water sources. Despite repeated representations at several quarters, the water crisis had stayed unresolved. The Panchayats and Block Panchayats will soon pump the water to the houses bringing a permanent resolution for the long standing problem.
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Question paper market worth Rs 10 cr; Principals get commission
Thiruvananthapuram: The question paper market in the higher secondary schooling level (HSS) is worth a staggering Rs 10 crores. The teachers organizations that prepare these question papers also allegedly bribe the school principals to ensure that their question papers find a market. The running rates are known to be Rs 25-50 per question paper per student. With 4.25 lakhs plus one students and 4.75 lakhs plus two students and three exams per year, the revenue from the sale of question papers scale upto Rs. 10-13.5 crores. Except organizations like KPSTA and AKSTU, most teachers organizations prepare question papers. The buck stops at the policy decisions of the state government. Earlier the question papers up to class X were also traded similarly. Thereafter, with the coming of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the government started getting the funds and thus took over the responsibility of developing question papers. The cost of the question papers for classes IX and X are also directly borne by the government. The cost for making the question papers for classes IX and X can be recovered from the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) along the same lines as SSA, but the government sources reveal this has not been tapped into adequately. Meanwhile, the Director M S Jaya has said that the custom of schools purchasing question papers developed by the teachers associations has to be stopped. Directions to develop question papers in the schools itself has been given. The practice of buying question papers will soon be brought to an end, she said.
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Ivanka to be special assistant to Trump
Washington: Ivanka Trump, the elder daughter of US President Donald Trump, is becoming an official government employee. She is joining her husband, Jared Kushner, as an unpaid adviser to her father in the White House, a statement said. The announcement on Wednesday amounts to the formal recognition of the value Trump places on the judgment and loyalty of both his daughter and his son-in-law, New York Times reported. While relying on family members for advice is hardly unusual for a President, giving them a formal role has few precedents, the report added. Ivanka Trump, 35, will be an assistant to the President, while Kushner, 36, has the title of senior adviser. Ivanka Trump said last week that she planned on serving as an informal adviser to her father, and she already has an office in the West Wing - upstairs from her husbands. She was also in the process of receiving government-issued security clearance and communications devices. But that plan had prompted criticism from ethics experts, who had said it would allow her to avoid financial disclosure rules, the New York Times report said. "This arrangement appears designed to allow Ivanka Trump to avoid the ethics, conflict-of-interest and other rules that apply to White House employees," Norman L. Eisen and Richard W. Painter, White House ethics lawyers for Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, respectively, wrote in a letter to Donald F. McGahn II, the White House counsel. They had argued that Ivanka Trumps use of those resources had made her a federal employee in all but name, and they had called on the administration to officially acknowledge her as a staff member. "I have heard the concerns some have with my advising the President in my personal capacity while voluntarily complying with all ethics rules, and I will instead serve as an unpaid employee in the White House Office, subject to all of the same rules as other federal employees," Ivanka Trump said in a statement on Wednesday. "Throughout this process I have been working closely and in good faith with the White House counsel and my personal counsel to address the unprecedented nature of my role," she said.
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Land grabbed in Munnar by forging Panchayat documents
Munnar:Widespread fraud has been detected in the procedures during the land distributed to the landless people in Munnar. On examination of the Panchayat documents, it has come to light that landwas allocated to people from Tamil Nadu after omitting those who did not have any land. The fraud, committed by altering the panchayat records, was detected in the land distributed to the scheduled caste category at MT colony in the year 2000. When a landless man named Ramar, who was eligible to get land as per the documents, approachedthe Panchayat for further action, he was informed that the land which should be allotted to him was allotted to a Tamil Nadu native called Ramaraj. The full details were obtainedin the documents secured through the RTI act. Ramarajsold the land got thorough the connivance of the Panchayat authorities to another person and left for Tamil Nadu. The panchayat authorities have committed the fraud by throwing to the wind the order that transactions should not be conducted on the land allocated through government projects for 20 years. Ramar, whose name was included in the project, is still staying in a rented house. The Kerala Schedule Caste and Scheduled Tribe commission has asked the Vigilance department to register a case on the complaint filed by Ramar.
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Met Dept suspects the unusually high temp at Bhira in Maharashtra
Mumbai: Even as Maharashtra is reeling under intense heat, the Met department suspects that the unusually high temperature of 46.5 degrees Celsius recorded by a temperature mapping centre at Bhira in Raigad district could be wrong. The weather forecaster has decided to conduct an inquiry into the unusual event and will sendan observer from Mumbai tomorrow. Officials said though the temperature mapping equipment is the agencys, those recording the temperature at Bhira are not the employees of the Met department though they were trained by them. "We will visit the location and find out why such a high temperature is being recorded," an official said. The temperature mapping centre at Bhira, near a private dam, recorded the temperature as high as 46.5 degrees Celsius for 24 hours ending at 8 AM on Wednesday. "The IMD has reported temperature as high as 43 degree Celsius on Monday. It was a holiday on Tuesday, hence temperature was not recorded. "When the temperature (at Bhira) was reported to be 46.5 degrees Celsius, we realised that something is wrong as no other place nearby recorded so high a temperature," said SG Kamble, divisional in-charge of Regional Meteorological Department at Colaba in Mumbai. "It clearly means, the recorded figures are to be doubted," he said. For instance, Akola, on Wednesday, recorded temperature at 44 degrees Celsius. Its nearby areas such as Wardha, Nagpur and Chandrapur have recorded 43 degrees Celsius. But in the case of Bhira, no nearby region had reported even 43 degrees Celsius," said the weather department official. "Bhira village is located in the Sahyadri mountains in Raigad. It is a village close to a dam. The mountains are covered with dense forest. The height of the mountains around Bhira would be minimum 2,000 feet. In such a situation, if the mapping centre shows 46.5 degrees, it should be doubted," he said.
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