The state government today reserved the posts of mayor at Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), effective till August 1, 2000. The reservations were decided in a draw held at the Urban Development Department. Other cities where posts have been reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates are Nanded-Vaghala, Aurangabad and Kolhapur. The posts at Pune and Ulhasnagar, Solapur, Amravati and Thane have been reserved exclusively for women candidates.

Sangli-Miraj-Koopwad, Nashik, Kalyan-Dombivli, Nagpur and Navi Mumbai will not have any reservations.

Action against Kurla hawkers

Amid protests, the civic authorities removed unauthorised hawkers, stalls and vehicles on Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg at Kurla this morning, as part of its roads beautification drive. The project, which was launched recently, has targeted 50 roads and has already taken off on LBS Marg and near the CST Road, Kurla. The L-Ward OfficerSuresh Kothari, was gheraoed by 150 persons protesting against the drive. Police from Kurla station, including 89 officers and constables from the State Reserve Police Force were deputed to keep the peace. Eighty-two civic workers and 18 officers headed by Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone-V), S R Dange were also present.

Six men burgle shop at Mahim

Six unidentified men stole electronic items valued at around Rs 2.12 lakh from a shop at Mahim this morning. Police said that the incident took place at around 10.25 am on L J Road at Mahim (West) when the men threatened employees with revolvers and choppers. The thieves grabbed the electronic items like cameras, tape recorders and compact discs before escaping. No arrests have been made so far.

Sena chief to meet dam-affected

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has granted the Punarvas Sangharsh Samiti, representing the Sardar Sarovar Dam-affected persons who had accepted rehabilitation, an audience at 12 pm at Matoshree on Wednesday.