MAM
DAVP to ensure max publicity: MIB seeks ‘Quit India’ commemoration details from ministries
NEW DELHI: The ministry of information and broadcasting has asked all ministries to send details about programmes planned by their respective ministries related to commemoration of 75th anniversary of the Quit India Movement and 70 years of lndia’s freedom to MIB to ensure adequate publicity and visibility of these activities through Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) in a coordinated manner.
MIB secretary N K Sinha, in a letter to colleagues in other ministries, stated that details should be sent about the set of activities like the Pledge, the Quit lndia Quiz, the New India Manthan, and the Causes: one would like to dedicate oneself to.
In this connection, he drew attention to the letter from the Department of Personnel and Training regarding ‘Sankalp se Siddhi – Attainment through Resolve’ being celebrated as a mass movement during the five-year period from 2017 to 2022. These core activities can be complemented by the Ministries / Organisations suitably at their level. He also enclosed the DoPT letter.
He wrote: “I shall be grateful if suitable actions are taken in time to make the Commemoration a grand success” and drew attention to the letter from DoPT for suggestions of programmes.
Sinha added “that there are moments in the journey of nations that fundamentally alter the course of history. One such moment was the Quit lndia Movement, also known as August Kranti’ Andolan that began on 9 August 1942. This Movement was am important milestone in the Indian freedom struggle. Under the leadership of Mahatma Candhi, people across India, in every village, city transcending all barriers came together with a common mission- to uproot imperialism. Five years after the Quit lndia movement, India attained freedom on l5 August 1947.
The five-year period from 2017 to 2022 will be a unique opportunity of ‘Sankalp to ‘Siddhi’ towards a New India.
lt all begins with a pledge – a pledge to create a New India that is strong prosperous and inclusive, an India that will make our freedom fighters proud. This is the best time to make every Indian a Builder of a New India. It could be complemented at individual / organisational / local levels.
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Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
