Latest news with #SachinPawar


Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Law students cite evaluation errors in answer sheets; MU says human oversight
Several students at Mumbai University alleged evaluation errors in the answer sheets of semester examinations of three-year and five-year Law courses. Students claimed that they were incorrectly marked as having failed, with some sections of answer sheets marked as 'Not Attempted' (NA), despite the questions being answered. The university said that the error occurred due to human oversight, and action has been initiated against the evaluator concerned. The university had conducted exams for the sixth semester of the three-year law course and the tenth semester of the five-year law course between April 16 and April 30. After the results were announced on June 9, several students were marked as failed in subjects like Tax Law and the Indian Evidence Act. These students then applied for photocopies of their answer sheets, as per the regular process to opt for re-evaluation of the papers. However, the photocopies revealed that evaluation was not done in many cases. Despite students having written answers, many questions were ultimately marked with the remark 'NA'. One of the affected students said, 'I scored 33 out of 60. But the photocopy of the answer-sheet reveals that a 14-mark question was not evaluated at all.' A student activist, Sachin Pawar, who was approached by many of these students, said, 'This is a serious concern. The university's callous approach is dangerous for students' future. The varsity should conduct a re-evaluation of all papers of these subjects and declare a fresh result.' In a written response to the issue, Mumbai University's Director of Board of Examinations and Evaluations, Pooja Raundale, said, 'In the Law faculty, the number of evaluators is significantly low. In connection with the complaint, upon reviewing the answer sheets of the concerned students, it was found that Question No. 01(i) and Question No. 4(c) had not been evaluated. This error occurred due to human oversight, and action has been initiated against the concerned evaluator. The university will implement necessary improvements in the computer system to ensure such errors do not recur.'


Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
IAS probationer's ‘use of board and amber light' lands him in soup, Odisha govt orders probe
The Odisha government has ordered an inquiry into an IAS probationer's use of an amber light and board on a private vehicle. The move came after a photo of the vehicle with the display board and amber light went viral on social media. In a letter to the Kalahandi collector, the general administration department noted the officer's use of a vehicle fitted with a board 'IAS probationer Kalahandi' along with amber (yellow) light. 'It's not known under which circumstances the IAS probationer is using such facilities. You are, therefore, requested to furnish a report in this matter to this department at the earliest,' said the GA department letter. While the state government has not named the officer, Kalahandi collector Sachin Pawar didn't respond to calls for a comment on the issue. The IAS probationers are governed by the Indian Administrative Service (Probation) Rules, 1954, which outline the rules for their training, evaluation, and conduct during the probationary period. These rules emphasize a two-year probationary period, which can be extended by the government, and include rigorous training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and in the relevant state. According to the All-India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, probationers are expected to maintain high standards of discipline, integrity, and conduct. The amber lights on vehicles are used for emergency and specialised situations and not for general use by the All-India Service Officers.


Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
New PCMC initiative to rank housing societies that promote eco-friendly living in Pimpri Chinchwad
Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has rolled out a citywide programme to encourage housing societies to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. The stated aim of the 'Green Society Initiative' is to rate and reward societies based on their performance across multiple areas — waste segregation, in-house composting, solar energy adoption, rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling. Under the programme, societies would receive a 'green star' rating for each criterion they meet. A senior PCMC official said the initiative would not only promote sustainability but also help the corporation compile comprehensive data on environmentally conscious housing societies. "This data would enable us to support these societies in various ways and strengthen decentralised sustainability efforts across the city," he said. Municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh said the initiative is aimed at empowering communities to become green ambassadors. "Every society has the potential to significantly reduce its environmental impact. Through 'green star' ratings, we aim to celebrate those who lead the way and inspire others to follow," he said. "Societies that fulfil all criteria would be honoured by the civic body." The civic body would implement the programme in phases, beginning with awareness sessions, followed by registrations, training, and on-ground assessments. Deputy commissioner Sachin Pawar, who is leading the initiative, said, "This programme provides a framework for societies to turn intent into action. It is expected to create a culture of environmental responsibility, driven not just by policy — but by the people themselves." The parameters include systematic separation of wet and dry waste at the source, managing organic waste within society premises, use of rooftop solar systems for common area electricity needs, capturing and storing rainwater to reduce water scarcity, and recycling grey water for gardening or other uses. However, environmental experts have stressed the importance of setting up a continuous monitoring mechanism, as many societies reportedly initiate green projects to qualify for benefits but later fail to maintain them. "Without regular audits or follow-ups, there's a risk that these practices might become symbolic rather than impactful," one expert said. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .


Indian Express
7 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
PCMC to launch performance evaluation of Navi Disha community toilet initiative
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will soon conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Navi Disha Community Toilet Initiative — a unique women-led program that empowers local women's groups to operate and manage public toilets across the city, officials said. This initiative, jointly implemented by PCMC's Social Development and Health Department, has not only improved sanitation infrastructure but also created meaningful livelihood opportunities for women while fostering a strong sense of community ownership, the civic administration said. Currently, over 60 community toilets in Pimpri-Chinchwad are being managed under the Navi Disha model. The upcoming evaluation will assess their performance across multiple parameters including cleanliness, maintenance, user satisfaction, and the extent of community engagement. The process will also identify innovative practices adopted by the women's groups and pinpoint areas where improvements are needed, officials said. The primary objective of this evaluation is to rank the toilets based on performance, recognise and reward the most effective women's groups, and compile a repository of best practices that can be scaled and replicated across the city. By creating a structured feedback loop, PCMC aims to enhance accountability, incentivise better management, and ensure high standards of hygiene and service delivery, officials said. Speaking about the initiative, Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh said, 'Navi Disha is a testament to how community-led, women-driven models can transform urban services. This evaluation will help us learn from what's working on the ground, support the women who are leading by example, and scale up quality sanitation in a sustainable and inclusive way.' Deputy commissioner Sachin Pawar said, 'Through this evaluation, the insights gathered will guide the next phase of expansion and innovation under the Navi Disha initiative, further strengthening the city's public sanitation.'


New Indian Express
10-06-2025
- New Indian Express
IAS officer Chakma arrested by Vigilance, sent to judicial custody
The IAS officer had visited Bhubaneswar to attend a two-day state-level workshop of revenue officers at Lok Seva Bhawan here on Wednesday and Thursday. After returning, Chakma allegedly asked the businessman to hand him over Rs 10 lakh as the first installment at his government quarters on Sunday evening. Being informed, the Vigilance team carried out a raid at his residence and seized the bribe money from his possession. During searches, the anti-corruption agency's officers seized an additional Rs 47 lakh cash from his quarters. 'A total of Rs 57 lakh cash was seized from him and a thorough investigation is underway to ascertain the source through which he received such huge amount of money,' said Vigilance sources. A native of Tripura's Kanchanpur, Chakma had joined as Dharamgarh sub-collector in January 2024, which was his first posting after clearing IAS. He had earlier cleared allied services as IFS officer, Odisha cadre, and posted as assistant conservator of forests (ACF) at Baripada in Mayurbhanj district in June, 2021. Meanwhile, Kalahandi collector Sachin Pawar said they will look into the allegations against Chakma after receiving a report from the Vigilance.