Amid suspense surrounding around who will be the next Maharashtra CM, Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said that he was leaving the decision about the Chief Minister’s post to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. "I worked as a common man. People thought I was their brother, not CM. For me, the identity of Ladka Bhau (beloved brother) is much more valuable than any other post," he told a press conference held at his Thane residence. "I have told them (PM Modi and Amit Shah) over the phone that I am not an obstacle in the announcement of the CM candidate and government formation," he said, adding that he would abide by the decision taken by the BJP high command. Shinde said, "I'm happy that I could work for the betterment of people in two and a half years. We combined development with welfare and it was because this that we were voted to power with such a big majority." The announcement of the CM candidate has not been made four days after the Vidhan Sabha results. The three-way power formula and the time BJP took to convince Shinde reasons is said to be the reason for the delay. BJP's Devendra Fadnavis is the hot favourite from his party for the top job. Shinde said PM Modi's decision would be final for him. He said the three Mahayuti parties will meet Amit Shah on Thursday in New Delhi to decide the next course of action and government formation. Shinde said anyone who takes over would be Mahayuti's CM. "I was Mahayuti's CM and I was supported by the BJP. It is time I supported them," he said. Shinde's statements comes at a time when political speculation has been rife regarding the future leadership of the state. Eknath Shinde said, "My party will support the BJP even if the new CM candidate is from the BJP. PM Modi's decision will be final for us." Watch Eknath Shinde's press briefing below Eknath Shinde paved the way for the BJP to install its CM, saying, "the Bharatiya Janata Party has supported him in the past two and a half years. Our full support will be to the BJP's CM candidate." He said, "The three party leaders will meet on Thursday in New Delhi to decide the next course of action, government formation etc." Shinde rubbished reports that he was disappointed for not getting a second term as CM despite the ruling Mahayuti alliance winning a thumping victory.
27 November,2024 05:09 PM IST | Mumbai | Dharmendra JoreTwo people were injured after a massive fire broke out in a residential high-rise building in Dongri area of south Mumbai, the officials said on Wednesday. Among the two injured, is a woman fire brigade official, who sustained injuries during the operation, said an official. They said that a fire was reported on Wednesday afternoon on the 14th floor of a high-rise building in Dongri, prompting a swift response from the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB). The fire was reported at 1:07 pm at Ansari Heights, located near Ajwa Sweet Shop on Nishan Pada Road, Dongri. The blaze, classified as a Level-3 fire, was confined to the 14th floor of the 15-storey building, the officials said. According to MFB officials, multiple firefighting units were dispatched to the scene, including four fire engines, three jumbo tankers, one aerial water tower tender (AWTT), a high-pressure pump (HP), a hydraulic rescue fire-fighting vehicle (HRFFV), a turntable ladder (TTL), and one breathing apparatus vehicle (BAV). The fire was officially declared Level-3 at 2:04 pm. Gas blast in Dongri tower at Nishanpada cross lane.No injuries were reported.By: Sources#fire #firenews #dongri #dongrifire #mumbaifire #mumbaifirebrigade pic.twitter.com/JdgPwbLHhw — Mid Day (@mid_day) November 27, 2024 As of the latest update at 1:23 pm, fire crews were working to bring the situation under control, said an official, adding that the fire was termed as a Level III fire. Those injured in the incident were identified as Anjali Amol Jamdade, 35, Woman Fire Brigade official posted at the Mandavi Fire Station. She has sustained injury to right shoulder and her condition is said to be stable, said the official. Another person identified as Nasir Muni Ansari, 49, was also injured in the fire and has sustained around 15 per cent burn injuries. He was shifted to a hospital for medical treatment and his condition is said to be stable, he said. Earlier, a fire broke out in a seven-storey residential building in Andheri area of Mumbai on Wednesday morning, officials said. There was no report of any casualty, they said. The blaze erupted at 8.42 am in a flat on the sixth floor of the Chinchan building in Andheri (West), the officials said. Four fire-fighting vehicles were rushed to the spot. The blaze was doused by around 9 am, a fire official said.
27 November,2024 05:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT), in its mouthpiece Saamana, on Wednesday termed the ruling Mahayuti's landslide victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections as a "bumper lucky draw" and raised questions about the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The editorial stated, "EVM hai toh mumkin hai", implying that anything is possible with EVMs. The article comes days after the Mahayuti coalition, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP, secured an overwhelming 230 out of 288 seats in the November 20 state assembly elections. The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), consisting of the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), managed to win only 46 seats. The editorial noted that while Elon Musk, the US-based billionaire, recently praised India's swift vote-counting process compared to the United States presidential elections, ordinary Indians remain "dumbstruck" by the workings of EVMs. It highlighted Musk's earlier statement suggesting EVMs could be hacked and linked it to the Mahayuti's unexpected and unprecedented win. Saamana claimed the "Gujarat-Rajasthan connection" of the EVMs used in Maharashtra, irregularities in the voting and vote-count tally across 95 constituencies, and unexplained issues like the charging of EVM batteries, all strengthen suspicions of an "EVM scam." The editorial further criticised the results, suggesting that people across the country are questioning how the Mahayuti managed to garner such massive support. It called the coalition’s win a "mystery" that requires deeper investigation. The Sena (UBT) compared the results to winning a "lucky draw," with the editorial questioning, “How did the ruling Mahayuti win this bumper lucky draw of 230 out of 288 seats? When seeking answers, the thinking stops at the EVMs.” It reiterated concerns about discrepancies in several constituencies, alleging a mismatch between voter turnout figures and the actual votes counted. The party accused the ruling alliance of benefitting from potential manipulation, claiming these irregularities undermine public trust in the electoral process. The Opposition has frequently expressed doubts about the reliability of EVMs, alleging the possibility of tampering. However, these claims have been consistently dismissed by the Election Commission and the BJP, which maintain that India's voting system is secure, transparent, and tamper-proof. The Mahayuti coalition's stunning victory has amplified these concerns, particularly among Opposition leaders. Saamana’s editorial has rekindled the debate over EVMs, adding that such issues erode the credibility of democratic institutions. The editorial concluded by urging authorities to address the “EVM scam” allegations, arguing that a failure to do so would leave citizens disillusioned about the fairness of the electoral process. The ruling Mahayuti has yet to respond to the allegations raised by Saamana. However, BJP leaders have repeatedly dismissed Opposition claims about EVM manipulation as baseless and reflective of their inability to accept electoral defeat. The Mahayuti's victory marks a decisive political shift in Maharashtra, dealing a major blow to the MVA, which has since struggled to explain its dismal performance. While the BJP and its allies attribute the results to strong public support, the Opposition remains steadfast in raising questions about the process. (With inputs from PTI)
27 November,2024 02:42 PM IST | MumbaiUber on Wednesday unveiled a suite of features aimed at enhancing the safety of its riders in India, with a special focus on female riders and drivers. The company has announced Audio Recording and Women Rider Preferred to offer increased safety on Uber trips. Partnering with Bengaluru-based NGO Durga, Uber is also stepping up efforts to sensitize drivers on appropriate conduct, especially with regards to women riders. With the launch of ‘Safety Preferences’, Uber riders can now customize safety features like RideCheck, Share My Trip, and Audio Recording to activate automatically, on every Uber trip. These features are the latest in Uber’s efforts to make riders and drivers feel safe during every ride. The company continues to utilize a mix of technological expertise and innovations to ensure that riding with Uber is safe, seamless and hassle-free. As per the 2024 India Economic Impact Report, compiled by Public First, 95% of female riders cited safety as their top reason for using Uber. 84% of female riders believed that taking an Uber was the safest way to get home. Sooraj Nair, Head - Safety Operations, Uber India & South Asia, said, “We believe that our work on safety never stops. We’ve continually innovated to lead the industry on safety and enhance the overall experience on every Uber trip. Whether it’s through tech-driven solutions like SOS integration and Women Rider Preference, or through initiatives such as gender sensitization, we remain focussed on building a platform that riders and drivers can trust every time they choose Uber." Key safety features: SOS integration This feature ensures quick emergency assistance by allowing riders and drivers to share live location and trip details directly with police during critical situations. This feature is designed to provide immediate support when every second counts. The feature is live in Telangana. Uber has completed testing in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh and is set to roll out as the State Police greenlights the collaboration. Women Rider Preference | Industry-first Female drivers now have the option to choose to accept only female riders, a feature that is particularly useful during late hours. Introduced based on driver feedback, this optional feature has already enabled over 21,000 trips. It helps female earners prioritise their safety, drive for longer hours, and boost their earnings. Audio recording | Industry-first Riders can now record audio if they feel uncomfortable or concerned about their safety during trips. The encrypted recordings are not accessible to the rider, ensuring privacy. Uber does not access the audio unless the rider chooses to submit it as part of a safety report. This feature, compliant with India’s one-party consent law, is available nationwide for riders and drivers. Gender sensitisation Uber has partnered with Durga, a Bengaluru-based NGO, dedicated to promoting gender equity and safety. This partnership will include virtual sessions for drivers to understand and address the unique safety concerns of women riders, fostering a safer and more respectful experience for all. The company has also bolstered existing features to boost women's safety on the platform. Uber’s tech-enabled RideCheck detects irregularities such as route deviations or long stops, prompting a proactive check-in with riders and drivers. The 24x7 Safety Line offers round-the-clock access to safety experts for urgent but non-emergency issues during and after trips. Additionally, phone and address anonymization ensures privacy by concealing personal contact details and trip locations, protecting both riders and drivers. With Uber’s new feature ‘Safety Preferences’ riders can now automatically activate tech-driven safety features on every trip. The feature allows riders to customize their safety settings for added peace of mind. From automatically sharing trip details with trusted contacts to enabling audio recording and RideCheck alerts, riders can tailor safety features to activate based on time or location—such as late-night trips or rides from specific areas. This one-stop destination within the app ensures a safer and more personalized experience for every trip. These initiatives reinforce Uber’s dedication to enhanced safety through the use of technology and collaboration with experts.
27 November,2024 02:40 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA 26-year-old pregnant woman from Maharashtra's Palghar district tragically lost her life, along with her unborn child, while being transported to a hospital in an ambulance lacking oxygen support and necessary medical facilities, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, has once again brought the spotlight on the lack of adequate healthcare services in tribal and rural regions. The woman, identified as Pinki Dongarkar, a resident of Sarni village, was in critical condition and rushed by her family to Kasa rural hospital. However, due to complications arising from her condition, including Intrauterine Fetal Death (IUFD) – a condition where the foetus dies in the womb – hospital staff referred her to Silvassa city in the neighbouring Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli for further treatment. According to PTI reports, despite desperate attempts by her family to secure a specialised ambulance equipped with oxygen and medical support via the '108' emergency service, their requests went unanswered. Instead, they were provided with a regular ambulance by Kasa rural hospital. Tragically, the woman succumbed to her complications en route to Silvassa, and the foetus did not survive. Palghar Civil Surgeon Dr Ramdas Marad expressed deep regret over the incident, stating that had the woman been brought to the hospital earlier, her life might have been saved. He highlighted the long-standing issue of inadequate ambulance services in the region, which the health department has raised multiple times with authorities. "The lack of specialised ambulances, including those equipped with oxygen and cardiac support, continues to plague healthcare services in Palghar," Dr Marad noted. The Civil Surgeon further explained that upon arriving at the Kasa hospital, the woman was semi-conscious and exhibited signs of severe infection. He reiterated that issues with the privately-operated '108' emergency service, such as high demand, often lead to delays in providing life-saving transportation. Palghar BJP MP Dr Hemant Savara termed the incident "extremely saddening" and demanded immediate corrective action. "The ambulance services must have adequate facilities, including oxygen and cardiac support. A doctor should also accompany the patient to ensure proper medical attention during transit. I will personally follow up on this matter with the government to prevent such tragedies in the future," he told PTI. CPI(M) leader and MLA from Dahanu, Vinod Nikole, also criticised the state government for its lack of action in improving healthcare facilities in tribal areas. Nikole alleged that despite raising the issue during his previous tenure, no measures were taken to address the problem. "The government has displayed apathy towards critical healthcare needs in rural regions while prioritising other schemes such as the Ladki Bahin Yojana," he remarked, according to PTI. This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to improve healthcare services in rural and tribal areas. The lack of timely access to equipped ambulances has not only cost the lives of the woman and her unborn child but also serves as a stark reminder of the pressing gaps in public health infrastructure. Local officials, politicians, and healthcare advocates have called for immediate attention to these issues to ensure no family endures such avoidable tragedies in the future. (With inputs from PTI)
27 November,2024 02:06 PM IST | MumbaiOn Tuesday, the Bombay High Court dismissed an election petition filed against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Dina Patil. According to Bar and Bench, the petition was filed by Shahaji Thorat, an independent candidate, challenging the election of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Dina Patil from Mumbai's North East constituency in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Justice Sandeep V. Marne dismissed the plea after observing that the petitioner, Shahaji Thorat, had failed to implead all the contesting candidates in his petition, despite seeking a declaration of himself as the successful election candidate, the Bar and Bench reported. The Court said that under Section 82 of the Representation of the People Act, it is mandatory to include all contesting candidates when the petitioner is requesting a declaration regarding their own election. The court said that the Election Petition filed by the Petitioner does not comply with the mandatory requirement under Section 82 of the Act and on this ground, the Election Petition is liable to be dismissed, the Bar and Bench reported. According to the report, Thorat, contested the election, claimed that Patil's nomination was invalid because he had omitted his mother's name alongside his father's, which was a required detail. Thorat also sought to be declared the winner in Patil's place. The court observed that while the election results were announced on June 4, 2024, Thorat did not seek to add the other 18 contesting candidates as respondents until September 3, well after the statutory 45-day period had passed. Patil’s lawyer, Advocate Vijay Nair contended that these candidates had the right to file petitions challenging the election, and the failure to include them within the prescribed timeframe constituted a violation of the law. The Court agreed that Thorat's failure to implead all contesting candidates was a fundamental defect, and filing an application for summons could not remedy this. The Court highlighted that election petitions are neither a fundamental nor a common law right and must adhere strictly to statutory requirements. As a result, it dismissed the election petition and rejected the petitioner's request for a summons.
27 November,2024 12:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the past 24 hours, two attempted murder incidents have been reported in different parts of Mumbai. The first incident occurred in Mumbai's Mulund area, where a dispute between two groups over cigarette smoke escalated into violence. Members of one group attacked an individual from the other group with a knife, leaving him seriously injured. Following the attack, the accused fled the scene. The injured man was rushed to Sion Hospital by his companions, where he is currently reported to be in stable condition. Based on the victim's complaint, the Mulund police have arrested two accused, identified as Pratik Ramu Parte (20), also known as Nonia, and Tushar Raju Pawar (20), also known as Bibya. According to the information provided, the victim, 24-year-old Vishal Kamble, was sitting outside Vasant Garden with his two friends, Sahil Gaikwad and Sharad Pawar, smoking cigarettes. A dispute arose when the cigarette smoke reached the accused, who were sitting nearby. The argument escalated, leading the accused to attack the victim with a knife, an officer from the Mulund police station stated. The second incident occurred last evening at Dadar Golfodevi Society in Worli Koliwada, Dadar. It has been alleged that a dispute broke out between two families living in the society. A woman from one family reportedly started hurling abuses at the other family, mentioning them by name. When the victim’s family approached her to inquire about the behavior, the woman’s family members attacked them. The 69-year-old complainant, Chandrakant Patil, and his son, Nitesh Patil, were assaulted during the altercation. Nitesh Patil sustained serious injuries after being attacked with a knife and was admitted to Hinduja Hospital for treatment. He is currently reported to be in stable condition. The Dadar police have registered a case of attempted murder and arrested four accused, identified as Prakash Pingle (63), Suresh Pingle (62), Mandar Pingle (26), and Mayur Pingle (24). However, a 59-year-old woman accused in the case is reportedly absconding, according to a source from the Dadar police station.
27 November,2024 12:19 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanTwo men have been arrested for gangraping a 14-year-old tribal student in Palghar district. The case was initially registered under Zero FIR at Mandvi police station in Virar East and later it was transferred to Manor police station on Monday. One of the accused is the victim’s cousin, a senior officer in the Palghar police stated. He added, “The incident occurred in October when the minor girl, a Class VIII student, and her 21-year-old cousin returned to Manor after attending a wedding ceremony. The cousin slept in the same room where his wife and the victim were sleeping.” “The girl has to say that her cousin woke up in the middle of the night and raped her despite resisting. Later, when she left the room, a 30-year-old man also raped her,” the officer added. The matter came into light on Sunday evening when the rape survivor met with a worker of Shramjeevi Sangathana and she was brought to Virar where a tribal activist Vivek Pandit helped her registering the FIR. “When I came to know about the case, I called Mandvi police where a Zero FIR was registered under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Later the case was transferred to Manor police station,” said Pandit. Meanwhile, another senior officer in the Palghar police department stated, “Both the accused have been arrested. During interrogation, the woman’s cousin confessed to the crime, claiming that in the darkness of the night, he was unable to distinguish between his wife and the minor girl, who is also his cousin.” What Zero FIR is? Zero FIR is a tool that empowers a victim to approach any police station to register an FIR, irrespective of the jurisdiction of offence. Once the Zero FIR is registered, it is transferred to the concerned police station for further investigation. Though it is not a new concept, it has now been established as a law. Previously, it was merely a guideline (Government Resolution) issued by the Union government, under which police would register FIRs for serious cognizable offences and then transfer them to the appropriate jurisdictional police station. However, with the legal recognition of Zero FIR, officers are now legally obligated to register an FIR whenever they receive information about a cognizable offence, regardless of jurisdiction. Any delay or refusal to register an FIR can lead to legal consequences for the concerned officer.
27 November,2024 12:15 PM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaOn Monday, villagers from Tillari Nagar Colony in Chandgad Taluka in Kolhapur district reported spotting a black panther cub (melanistic leopard) in an abandoned house. Promptly responding to the sighting, Maharashtra Forest Department officials arrived at the scene to ensure the cub was not disturbed. Upon inspecting the location in the evening, the officials were unable to find the cub and speculated that the mother may have relocated it to a safer spot. The villagers also reported seeing an adult melanistic leopard in the same area on the same day. In May 2018, a family from Belgium visiting the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) was lucky to spot a partial melanistic leopard or black panther—an animal usually spotted only in the Konkan region, Goa, and Kabini in Karnataka. It was the first time that the animal was captured on camera. In November 2020, a tour operator spotted a black leopard while on a safari at the Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, also known as 'Mowgli Land'. In July 2021, a black leopard was spotted in a camera trap during a census in Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve which is spread over Gondia and Bhandara districts of Maharashtra. Also in 2021, a year-old melanistic leopard had fallen into a well in Sindhudurg. It was rescued from Goveri village close to Kudal town in Sindhudurg and later released back into the wild. What are black panthers? Melanistic leopards are commonly called black panthers or black leopards. They are found in the forests of the Western Ghats and north-east India and are black due to the presence of excess melanin in their bodies. The colour of their fur is a mixture of blue, black, grey, and purple.
27 November,2024 11:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavMumbai witnessed two separate incidents of monkey attacks on Wednesday, resulting in injuries to a railway staffer and a child, prompting wildlife officials to launch rescue operations. The incidents occurred at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and in a residential society in Mahalaxmi. The railway staffer at CSMT and the child in Mahalaxmi were both injured during the attacks, necessitating immediate medical attention. Both victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, a forest department official confirmed. The nature and extent of their injuries were not disclosed. Following reports of these human-wildlife conflict incidents, forest department personnel and members of the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) rescue team visited the affected areas. Efforts are currently underway to locate and safely capture the monkeys involved in the attacks. The captured animals will undergo a medical examination and subsequent rehabilitation, as per the official statement. Authorities believe such conflicts arise due to urban expansion encroaching upon wildlife habitats, leading to an increase in monkey-human interactions in densely populated areas. Advisories have been issued to residents in the affected areas to minimise risks and avoid provoking wildlife. “People have been asked not to feed monkeys, as it can encourage aggressive behaviour,” the forest official stated. They further emphasised that chasing, teasing, or provoking monkeys could escalate conflict. In light of these incidents, families have been urged to ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals such as children and senior citizens by avoiding solitary movement in areas frequented by monkeys. Wildlife experts caution that rapid urbanisation has led to fragmented habitats for animals like monkeys, compelling them to forage for food in human settlements. RAWW, a key organisation involved in urban wildlife rescue, reiterated the importance of public awareness and safe practices to coexist with urban wildlife. Meanwhile, the forest department and RAWW are working together to manage the situation. Their combined efforts include setting up traps to capture the monkeys, educating residents about preventive measures, and ensuring the animals are treated humanely before being relocated to suitable habitats. (With inputs from PTI)
27 November,2024 11:15 AM IST | MumbaiThe Western Railway (WR) will run additional AC local trains on the Mumbai suburban section starting Wednesday (November 27), replacing a few existing non-AC trains, officials said. According to the officials, the WR is introducing 13 new AC services, which will take the total number of AC services from 96 to 109 on weekdays and from 52 to 65 on the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). WR Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Vineet Abhishek said, “There has been a substantial rise in the number of commuters travelling by AC local trains. Hence, for the benefit of passengers and to ease the crowd, 13 more AC services are being converted by replacing existing non-AC services. These services will run as AC services on all days of the week.” He said that there will be no change in the total number of train services that are already running. Currently, 1,406 trains run on the Western line, including 109 AC services. Starting Wednesday, the first of newly introduced AC locals will run from Churchgate at 12.34 pm. Of the additional 13 services being introduced, six will be towards Churchgate and seven towards Virar. Trains going towards Churchgate will be two services each between Virar-Churchgate and Bhayandar-Churchgate and one service each between Virar-Bandra and Bhayandar-Andheri. Similarly, trains going towards Virar will have two Churchgate-Virar services, one each between Churchgate-Bhayandar, Andheri-Virar, Bandra-Bhayandar, Mahalaxmi-Borivli, and Borivli-Bhayandar. New rail corridors The railways had on Monday announced new rail corridors that will feed the city’s nine rail termini, which are being upgraded simultaneously. On Monday, the Union cabinet approved three multi-tracking railway projects in Maharashtra. The three projects are—Jalgaon-Manmad 4th line, Bhusawal-Khandwa 3rd and 4th line, and Manikpur-Iradatganj 3rd line. These projects aim to improve railway infrastructure across the state. The proposed multi-tracking projects will ease operations and reduce congestion, leading to much-needed infrastructure development on some of the busiest sections. Mumbai has eight rail terminal stations, including Mumbai CSMT, Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra, Kurla LTT, Kalyan Vasai, and Panvel, and the ninth at Jogeshwari is under construction.
27 November,2024 11:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarADVERTISEMENT
