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Chetna Yerunkar

Chetna Yerunkar is a Senior Correspondent for Hindustan Times, Mumbai. She is currently covering civic and governance issues for the Mumbai bureau.

Articles by Chetna Yerunkar

Mumbai civic polls: 630 polling stations declared ‘sensitive’

While 613 polling booths are likely to be exposed to malpractices, police and SEC vigil will be higher at the 17 hypersensitive polling stations...

Additional security will be deployed at the 17 hypersensitive polling stations on February 21 — the voting day.(Representation pic/Reuters)

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Published on Feb 16, 2017 11:29 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai civic polls: Uddhav or Raj? Who will Dadar, Mahim relate to?

Marathi-speaking population comprises 60% of the population in Dadar and Mahim, which falls under the G-north ward.

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Published on Feb 15, 2017 10:33 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

BMC polls: State EC gets 340 complaints of code violation, yet to act on 242

According to the SEC data till Monday evening, action was taken in 55 cases, whereas 43 cases were closed, and 242 cases were pending

State election commissioner JS Saharia.(HT file photo)

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Published on Feb 14, 2017 12:21 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai civic polls: Delimitation plays spoilsport for parties this BMC election

This BMC election, delimitation has been the biggest game spoiler for all major political parties.

It has not only led to lot of defections across party lines, but with parts of two electoral wards merged to form a new ward, it has directly pitted two sitting corporators — with strong winnability — against each other.(HT)

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Published on Feb 13, 2017 10:42 AM IST

ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai civic polls: Bandra, Khar, Santacruz residents give candidates their wishlist

Considered a hotbed of citizen activism, the H-west ward, has 125 registered advanced locality managements (ALMs) and residents’ associations

In 2015, the residents of Bandra, including celebrities such as Rishi Kapoor, had come together against the civic body’s decision of allowing hawkers in residential areas of Pali Hill.(File)

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Updated on Feb 11, 2017 12:55 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai civic polls: 367 candidates withdraw nominations

Civic officials working with the election department said most of the nominations that were taken back were of independent candidates

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Published on Feb 08, 2017 01:00 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai civic polls: No slowdown in corporators’ earnings

HT’s analysis of poll affidavits found the assets of prominent civic body members increased by up to 1,355% since 2012

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Updated on Feb 07, 2017 10:25 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByTanushree Venkatraman and Chetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Two die after falling in pit in Govandi

Fire department officials said while the area was barricaded, at some places they were not placed properly, allowing the two victims to enter the area

The pit dug by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation at Govandi, in which two men fell and died on Sunday. Pratik Chorge/HT(Pratik Chorge/HT PHOTO)

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Published on Feb 06, 2017 12:39 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar and Pratik Salunke, Mumbai

BMC candidates allowed Rs 8 for tea, Rs 15 for upma, Rs 70 for a meal

A strict vigil on expenditure would make it difficult for candidates to find loopholes to adjust the expenditure declared for the civic polls

The state Election Commission (SEC) recently increased the limit of election expenditure to Rs10 lakh a candidate from Rs5 lakh, the limit ascertained five years ago(Anshuman Poyrekar/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Feb 06, 2017 08:50 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySurendra P Gangan and Chetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

BMC polls 2017: Human chains, street plays and more steps Election Commission plans to take to improve voter turnout

The voters’ turnout during civic elections has not been more than 44% over many years

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Published on Feb 03, 2017 12:49 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai civic polls: Candidates claim filing online nominations is cumbersome

With Friday being the last day for filing nominations for the civic polls, the State Election Commission on Thursday received 462 nominations from candidates from various political parties, taking the total number to 628.

Candidates are having a tough time in filling in online nominations on an electronic platform.(HT)

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Published on Feb 02, 2017 11:22 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai civic polls: Shiv Sena and BJP compete to poach sitting corporators, local leaders

The race to capture the maximum number of seats in the upcoming Mumbai civic polls is getting saucier, with the Shiv Sena and the BJP scurrying to poach on sitting corporators and getting strong local leaders on board.

So far, the Sena has poached on 14 sitting corporators while the BJP has got nine.(HT File)

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Published on Feb 01, 2017 12:21 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

No nominations filed on Day one

The last date to file the nominations is February 3

While major political parties in the city are yet to release their lists of candidates, even the independent candidates did not file their papers on Friday.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Jan 28, 2017 12:38 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

MNS uses Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray’s image on campaign cards

The image features in a report card published by the MNS’ Sudhir Jadhav that showcases his work.

Bal Thackeray’s nephew Raj and his MNS are fighting hard to retain their Marathi vote bank.(HT file photo)

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Updated on Jan 25, 2017 11:52 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

In Sena-BJP war ahead of BMC polls, you are the biggest loser

Ever wondered how much you, the voter, are losing ?

In the years since the scams came to light, the parties have fought, but have not tried to improve roads or to put in place a mechanism to prevent flooding .(HT)

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Updated on Jan 24, 2017 09:05 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByTanushree Venkatraman and Chetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Lack of awareness, time to blame for poor response to draft voters’ list

Now there is little a voter can do even if his or her name is reflected in the wrong electoral ward in the final voters list

A revised final list of the names of voters will be uploaded on the BMC website by Tuesday.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Jan 23, 2017 12:37 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai civic polls: Freebies by political parties will cost you Rs1,000 crore annually

What the political parties, however, are not telling the voters is the burden of their election promises will come on the civic body, which could be struggling for revenue because of certain reasons including the freebies.

With octroi, its main source of income, to be abolished with the introduction of goods and services tax, the civic body will have to give up on Rs900 crore.(HT)

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Published on Jan 21, 2017 01:17 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

5 yrs on, incomplete drain work to remain in parties’ manifestos

Under the Brimstowad project, the BMC was to widen and deepen the city’s 200-km-long drainage network

The BMC was to widen, deepen and clean the Mithi River, which had flooded during the 2005 deluge.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Jan 20, 2017 11:09 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

BJP, Shiv Sena go on a poaching spree

About 13 sitting civic corporators have left their parties to join the Shiv Sena and BJP

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackarey addresses the media during a press confrence at Matoshree on Thursday.(Anshuman Poyrekar/HT)

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Updated on Jan 20, 2017 12:17 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Maharashtra civic elections: Now, you can check candidate details at booths on poll day

This civic election, you can choose your candidate after analysing their affidavit details on the polling day itself as this information will be available at your centres on February 21

State election commissioner JS Saharia said according to the Supreme Court’s judgment, it is the right of every voter to know their candidates’ details.(HT)

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Published on Jan 19, 2017 01:19 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

BMC polls: Will political parties make Mumbai’s roads better?

Political parties are sure to promise to improve the city’s streets, but here’s a reality check.

It’s no secret that the politician-bureaucrat-contractor nexus has kept the city’s roads pothole-ridden.(HT)

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Updated on Jan 17, 2017 01:40 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

BMC’s Rs5.48-crore advt bill puts Mumbai Marathon in jeopardy

The A-ward office of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a notice to the organisers of the Mumbai Marathon on Friday, asking them to pay Rs 5.48 crore in pending advertisement charges. The marathon is scheduled for Sunday.

People prepare for the Mumbai Marathon at Marine Drive.(Kunal Patil/HT)

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Published on Jan 14, 2017 12:30 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar and Akash Sakaria, Mumbai

Voters’ list out, check your name before Jan 17

The new voter registration has taken the total count of voters in the city to 91,80,635

The voters’ list has 2.39 lakh new voters that are reflected in the supplementary list on the civic body’s portal.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Jan 13, 2017 11:51 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Civic body seeks SEC’s advice before presenting budget

The BMC’s annual budget is likely make allocations for the BJP’s and Shiv Sena’s pet projects

The civic body wrote to the commission last week, seeking their guidance as the presentation of the budget will fall under the election code of conduct.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Jan 09, 2017 12:20 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

1,500 changes likely in the draft Development Plan

The changes will be recommended by a six-member planning committee appointed for hearing the suggestions and objections put forth by citizens

Several suggestions have not been entertained, including objections to a central park in Cuffe Parade.

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Updated on Jan 07, 2017 12:19 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

BMC demolishes illegal addition to Arjun Kapoor’s home

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials had recently decided to take action against the modifications made to the apartment’s terrace, to be converted into a 30x16 square feet gym

BMC officials reached actor Arjun Kapoor’s residence on Thursday where his staff was dismantling gym equipment and thereafter, demolished the structure.(HT photo)

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Updated on Jan 03, 2017 12:25 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Uddhav’s reply to CM jibe: BMC among cleanest civic bodies in India

Responding to Fadnavis’ allegations made last week that corruption was rampant in the Mumbai civic body, Thackeray insisted the BMC is “one of the cleanest and most transparent’’ civic bodies in India

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and CM Devendra Fadnavis at the BMC headquarters on Monday.(Anshuman Poyrekar)

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Updated on Jan 03, 2017 01:22 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

After BMC notice, Arjun Kapoor dismantles illegal additions to Juhu house

Kapoor’s staff voluntarily started to dismantle the gym equipment on Thursday

A week ago, the actor was asked to allow civic officials into his premises to dismantle the extensions.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Dec 30, 2016 11:49 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai civic body declares city free of open defecation, says RPF must be responsible for tracks

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared Mumbai free of open defecation but also decided not to take any responsibility for people defecating in the open in land parcels owned by other government agencies such as railways, in Aarey colony or on Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) land and Defense area in south Mumbai.

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta has written to railway authorities to deploy Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel to prevent open defecation on the railway premises.(File photo)

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Updated on Apr 19, 2017 11:36 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Replant mangroves, check pollution: Green nod terms for Mumbai coastal road

After the ambitious Rs 12,000 crore coastal road project was split in two parts, the MCZMA has given a go ahead to the southern stretch of the road, but not without laying 12 conditions.

The estimated cost of the ambitious coastal road project is Rs 12,000 crore.(HT File)

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Updated on Dec 28, 2016 11:43 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

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Chetna Yerunkar

Chetna Yerunkar is a Senior Correspondent for Hindustan Times, Mumbai. She is currently covering civic and governance issues for the Mumbai bureau.

While 613 polling booths are likely to be exposed to malpractices, police and SEC vigil will be higher at the 17 hypersensitive polling stations...

Marathi-speaking population comprises 60% of the population in Dadar and Mahim, which falls under the G-north ward.

According to the SEC data till Monday evening, action was taken in 55 cases, whereas 43 cases were closed, and 242 cases were pending

This BMC election, delimitation has been the biggest game spoiler for all major political parties.

Considered a hotbed of citizen activism, the H-west ward, has 125 registered advanced locality managements (ALMs) and residents’ associations

Civic officials working with the election department said most of the nominations that were taken back were of independent candidates

HT’s analysis of poll affidavits found the assets of prominent civic body members increased by up to 1,355% since 2012

Fire department officials said while the area was barricaded, at some places they were not placed properly, allowing the two victims to enter the area

A strict vigil on expenditure would make it difficult for candidates to find loopholes to adjust the expenditure declared for the civic polls

The voters’ turnout during civic elections has not been more than 44% over many years

With Friday being the last day for filing nominations for the civic polls, the State Election Commission on Thursday received 462 nominations from candidates from various political parties, taking the total number to 628.

The race to capture the maximum number of seats in the upcoming Mumbai civic polls is getting saucier, with the Shiv Sena and the BJP scurrying to poach on sitting corporators and getting strong local leaders on board.

The last date to file the nominations is February 3

The image features in a report card published by the MNS’ Sudhir Jadhav that showcases his work.

Ever wondered how much you, the voter, are losing ?

Now there is little a voter can do even if his or her name is reflected in the wrong electoral ward in the final voters list

What the political parties, however, are not telling the voters is the burden of their election promises will come on the civic body, which could be struggling for revenue because of certain reasons including the freebies.

Under the Brimstowad project, the BMC was to widen and deepen the city’s 200-km-long drainage network

About 13 sitting civic corporators have left their parties to join the Shiv Sena and BJP

This civic election, you can choose your candidate after analysing their affidavit details on the polling day itself as this information will be available at your centres on February 21

Political parties are sure to promise to improve the city’s streets, but here’s a reality check.

The A-ward office of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a notice to the organisers of the Mumbai Marathon on Friday, asking them to pay Rs 5.48 crore in pending advertisement charges. The marathon is scheduled for Sunday.

The new voter registration has taken the total count of voters in the city to 91,80,635

The BMC’s annual budget is likely make allocations for the BJP’s and Shiv Sena’s pet projects

The changes will be recommended by a six-member planning committee appointed for hearing the suggestions and objections put forth by citizens

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials had recently decided to take action against the modifications made to the apartment’s terrace, to be converted into a 30x16 square feet gym

Responding to Fadnavis’ allegations made last week that corruption was rampant in the Mumbai civic body, Thackeray insisted the BMC is “one of the cleanest and most transparent’’ civic bodies in India

Kapoor’s staff voluntarily started to dismantle the gym equipment on Thursday

After the ambitious Rs 12,000 crore coastal road project was split in two parts, the MCZMA has given a go ahead to the southern stretch of the road, but not without laying 12 conditions.

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