Carved stone pieces found during excavation at construction site; archaeology dept orders probe
Thane(PTI): Some broken pieces of stone carvings, apparently parts of some ancient columns, were found during excavation at a construction site in Maharashtra's Thane city, prompting the authorities to order a probe.
These remnants were found on a private plot near Anand Ashram in Tembhi Naka area on Thursday, following which construction work has been stopped, officials said on Saturday.
This discovery was made shortly after the unearthing of a rare Brahma idol during excavation at the ancient Siddheshwar temple in the same area.
After the finding, local heritage enthusiast Kailas Mhapadi informed District Collector Ashok Shingare about it, and urged him to take steps to protect these relics. The collector then instructed the Archaeology Department to conduct an investigation into their nature and origin.
When contacted, Director of Maharashtra Archaeology and Museums Tejas Garge told PTI that he has directed the officials to investigate these remnants.
Historian Sadashiv Tetvilkar said, "This area has a history of yielding significant archaeological pieces. These findings are likely to be temple remnants and deserve immediate examination."
The Tembhi Naka region lies within Thane's ancient cultural belt, which includes landmarks like the Kopineshwar temple, Mahagiri Hill and Dagdi Shala.
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Karnataka launches India’s first digital grievance system for gig workers
Bengaluru: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, the Karnataka government has launched a digital grievance redressal system for gig workers to provide structured support and protection to platform-based workers.
According to The Hindu, the system, developed by the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers’ Board in collaboration with the Department of e-Governance, allows workers to file complaints through the Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System (IPGRS).
Gig workers can raise issues related to pay, working conditions, and platform-specific disputes. Complaints will be routed to the Internal Dispute Resolution Committees (IDRCs) of respective platforms and are expected to be resolved within a defined timeframe. This is expected to bring transparency and legal recourse for a workforce that has so far operated without a formal dispute resolution framework.
Under The Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act and Rules, every aggregator platform must constitute an Internal Dispute Resolution Committee (IDRC). Platforms such as Namma Yatri and Yulu have already integrated their IDRC contact details with the government portal.
Around 12 lakh gig workers have been identified in the state, and a unique identification system is being developed to remove duplicate entries. Officials said welfare schemes are also being designed based on type of work, working hours, and contribution.
Labour Minister Santosh Lad said that Karnataka, technology capital of the country, is leveraging this potential for worker welfare as well. “By launching this system, we are ensuring that the gig economy is no longer an informal space, but a structured one where every worker’s voice is heard,” he said.
“The schemes will vary based on the type of platforms. For example, cab rides are mostly undertaken by men whereas urban domestic activity is undertaken mostly by women. It may also be based on the contribution made, and the quantum of gig work done by a gig worker. Some gig workers work for more than eight hours while some may work on a few gigs. So, work load, nature of work, and time period of work could vary,” TH quoted G. Manjunath, Additional Labour Commissioner and CEO of the Board as saying.
“It has to be scientifically structured based on their effort and labour. We are working with experts, including academicians from Briston University, King’s College, and IISc, and other stake holders, including board members,” he said.
Officials added that aggregator platforms will be required to contribute 1 per cent towards worker welfare, with implementation beginning July 5.
