Do you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for November 30. Aries March 21 – April 20A change of plans that involve a friend are changed, causing slight inconvenience (be understanding about it) Receiving a letter in legalese is surprising.Cosmic tip: Remember conviction and belief should be laced with restraint. Taurus April 21 – May 20Introducing a new friend to family is an interesting experience in the sense that everyone is quite practical. An important work-call is received.Cosmic tip: Don’t return to a situation you had walked away from. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Having to resort to setting down the law with someone younger is something that has to be done. Singles enter a dasha for marriage.Cosmic tip: Set a goal, working systematically towards it. Cancer June 22 – July 23It’s now time for the universe to reward you for decisions taken in the past, without involving the ego.Cosmic tip: Have faith in God/ the Higher Power, knowing only the best manifests for you. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Step back if feeling pressurized to make a decision about a situation that’s not very clear right now. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Don’t overthink an issue, as sometimes letting go automatically brings answers. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23This is an auspicious time for Virgos in the media and helping professions (counsellors, doctors, etc.). Cosmic tip: Trust your decisions are right. It doesn’t matter if others don’t have the same kind of confidence. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Have confidence in abilities even though there’s some conflict to be worked through with a colleague. Financial news is good.Cosmic tip: Have the fire and conviction to be the best version of yourself. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Having priorities in place makes it easier to talk about them at work. Your opinion matters, but pay attention to words being spoken. Cosmic tip: Remember hard work beats talent, when talent lets you down. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Learning from life and circumstances has been an interesting spiritual journey. Don’t just dream about success, but put in the hard work too. Take care of health.Cosmic tip: Don’t overpromise or overdo generosity. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Some may have to deal with innumerable delays, including delayed communication. Regularly rejuvenate the mind, body and soul with enough sleep every night. Cosmic tip: Don’t make excuses to yourself for not completing some work. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Having cleared up a misunderstanding; it’s now time to work together amicably. Get immediate attention to allergies.Cosmic tip: Remember life doesn’t wait for anyone; you have to pursue goals and ambitions regularly. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Make it a point to throw away unnecessary things from personal spaces, making place for the universe to fill them with better vibes. Cosmic tip: Only accept work you are confident of completing today.
30 November,2024 12:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseShiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat said that the name of the Chief Ministerial face for Maharashtra should be announced by Friday midnight and caretaker CM Eknath Shinde will take a "big decision" in the next 24 hours.According to news agency ANI, the Shiv Sena leader also asserted that Eknath Shinde will not take any position in the Union cabinet as his interest lies in Maharashtra politics."Yesterday, the leaders of Maharashtra met at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah...PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will decide who will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra...The name of the Maharashtra CM should be declared by midnight. I have the information that the oath-taking ceremony will be on December 2," Shirsat told ANI, adding, "Eknath Shinde will not go to Delhi. He is more interested in Maharashtra politics than Delhi politics."Shirsat also clarified on Eknath Shinde going to his hometown in Satara district amid the suspense over the CM face and said whenever he feels that he needs some time to think, he goes to his native village."When he [Eknath Shinde] has to make a big decision, he goes to his native village. By tomorrow evening, he [Eknath Shinde] will take a very big decision," Shirsat added.Eknath Shinde, who is the caretaker CM, along with Devendra Fadnavis — the front runner for CM — and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar and other Mahayuti leaders met Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda in Delhi on Thursday amid the deadlock over the CM face in the state.The Maharashtra Assembly Election results were declared on November 23, with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance storming back to power with a landslide majority. However, the winning alliance is yet to finalise its choice for CM.The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, while its allies Shiv Sena and NCP won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant dismissed speculation that Shinde was upset and hence left for his hometown even as the government formation has been delayed. He also informed reporters that Shinde was unwell when he met Shah in Delhi on Thursday night. (With ANI and PTI inputs)
29 November,2024 10:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe civic-run Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking plans to have 1200 e-double deckers, aims to have more than 50 per cent e-buses in fleet by 2025-26, reported the PTI. In a press release issued during the day, the metropolis' premier road transport undertaking said it has set an ambitious goal to have 100 per cent zero-emission electric bus fleet by 2026-27. An order has been placed for 2,650 single-decker electric buses, it added. On Thursday, BEST general manager Anil Diggikar presented the undertaking's Rs 9439.56 crore budget to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner and administrator Bhushan Gagrani for 2025-26. "In the Rs 1 lakh surplus budget, BEST's estimated deficit is of Rs 2086.33 crore, as its electric supply wing is estimated to get a profit of Rs 46.18 crore, but the transport wing is estimated to face a deficit of Rs 2131.51 crore. Capital expenditure for 2025-26 is expected to be Rs 1849.24 crore, while showing an expected Rs 2812.03 crore grant from its parent BMC during the financial year," the release said, according to the PTI. BEST needs Rs 679.51 crore for filling the gap in its capital expenditure, the release pointed out. "Currently, BEST has a fleet of 3,166 buses, including 2,081 hired vehicles and zero-emission e-buses There are plans to buy 273 big-sized and 237 mid-sized air-conditioned single-decker e-buses as well as scrapping 520 self-owned buses that will complete their codal-life soon," the release said, as per the PTI. In line with its commitment to provide uninterrupted public transport services, BEST has already issued an order for procurement of 2,100 single-decker electric buses, of which 205 have been received, it said. This shift is expected to reduce carbon emissions and improve the city's air quality, the release stated. BEST also reiterated the plan to procure 1,200 double-decker electric buses, of which 50 are already part of the fleet, the release stated on Friday. The release, however, did not disclose by when these double-decker buses will be inducted in the fleet. Sources said the public transport body has already cancelled the work order issued to a bus manufacturer for supplying 700 double decker buses, while the company whose double decker buses are plying on wet lease model has not supplied a single vehicle since the last several months, the news agency reported. BEST has scrapped all fossil fuel-run double-decker buses in its fleet long back as their codal life was over. BEST operates services in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mira-Bhayandar with a fleet of more than 3,000 buses and has a daily ridership of 32 lakh. (with PTI inputs)
29 November,2024 10:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe rupee plunged 13 paise to settle at a fresh all-time low of 84.60 against the United States (US) dollar on Friday, dragged down by unabated foreign fund outflows even as weak domestic macroeconomic data jolted the overall sentiment. Forex traders said that the demand for dollar from importers for meeting month-end payment obligations weighed on the rupee even as the gross domestic product (GDP) data released by the government later in the day adversely impacted the currency market, toppling the local unit to its record low, news agency PTI reported. The Indian rupee declined by 13 paise to close at a record low of 84.60 against the US dollar on Friday, pressured by continuous foreign fund outflows and weak domestic macroeconomic indicators. Forex traders attributed the fall to high dollar demand from importers meeting month-end payment obligations. Additionally, the GDP data released later in the day further dampened market sentiment, driving the rupee to its lowest level on record. Data from the government revealed that India’s economic growth slowed to a near two-year low of 5.4 per cent during the July-September quarter of the current fiscal year, PTI reported. This was largely owing to underperformance in the manufacturing and mining sectors, alongside weak consumption demand. By comparison, the GDP growth stood at 8.1 per cent in the same quarter of 2023-24 and 6.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2024-25. The last instance of such low growth, at 4.3 per cent, was recorded in the October-December quarter of 2022-23, PTI reported. The government also reported that the fiscal deficit for the first seven months of this financial year reached 46.5 per cent of the full-year target, slightly higher than the 45 per cent recorded during the corresponding period last year. In another key economic indicator, the growth in output of eight core infrastructure sectors dropped to 3.1 per cent in October 2024, a sharp decline from the 12.7 per cent growth registered in the same month last year. However, on a monthly basis, output growth improved slightly from the 2.4 per cent recorded in September 2024, reported PTI. BSE Sensex closes at 79,802.79, NSE Nifty advances 216.95 points At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 84.49, briefly strengthened to 84.48 before sliding to 84.60 during intra-day trading, where it eventually closed. This marked a significant fall of 13 paise from its previous close. The rupee’s previous all-time low closing of 84.50 occurred on 21 November. On Thursday, it had declined by 7 paise to close at 84.47 against the US dollar. Anuj Choudhary, Research Analyst at Mirae Asset Sharekhan, commented that the rupee is likely to maintain a negative bias due to the strong dollar and ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine. “Any surge in crude oil prices amid the geopolitical tensions and month-end dollar demand from importers may also weigh on the rupee,” he noted. “However, a positive tone in the domestic markets and any intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may support the rupee at lower levels. USD-INR spot price is expected to trade in a range of 84.35 to 84.70,” he added. Meanwhile, the dollar index, which measures the strength of the US currency against a basket of six currencies, was down 0.15 per cent, trading at 105.88. Brent crude futures also declined by 0.30 per cent to $73.06 per barrel. In the domestic equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex rose sharply by 759.05 points or 0.96 per cent to close at 79,802.79, while the NSE Nifty advanced 216.95 points or 0.91 per cent to end at 24,131.10. Despite the upbeat equity market performance, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers, offloading ₹4,383.55 crore in the capital markets, according to exchange data. India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $1.31 billion to $656.582 billion for the week ending 22 November, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This followed a record drop of $17.761 billion in the preceding week, which brought reserves down to $657.892 billion. (With PTI inputs)
29 November,2024 09:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA day after issuing a government resolution (GR) for the release of Rs 10 crore funds to strengthen the Maharashtra state Waqf Board, the state government on Friday withdrew the order after social media backlash. On Thursday, the Maharashtra government had issued a GR, stating that the finance and planning department has approved a Rs 10 crore grant for strengthening the Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs (MSBW) headquartered in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which won the recent state assembly elections as part of the Mahayuti alliance, opposed the GR saying the decision was taken at the administrative level. State Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik confirmed that the order has been withdrawn. Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde is currently the caretaker chief minister of Maharashtra after the term of the 288-member legislative assembly ended on November 26. When asked whether the GR was withdrawn, Saunik confirmed the development to the PTI. According to the GR issued on Thursday, Rs 20 crore were earmarked for 2024-25 for strengthening of the state Waqf Board. Of that, Rs 2 crore were already disbursed to the board. The Chief Executive Officer of the Waqf Board has been asked to take precautions to keep the expenditure under the prescribed norms, it said. After the issuance of the GR, several social media users criticised the decision to release of Rs 10 crore funds to strengthen the Maharashtra state Waqf Board following which the BJP clarified that the GR was scrapped. In a post on X, the Maharashtra BJP said "fake news" was being spread that the BJP-Mahayuti government gave a grant of Rs 10 crore for the Waqf Board. "The decision was taken by officers at the administrative level. The GR has been scrapped after stiff opposition by the BJP. The BJP is firm on its stand that the waqf board has no place in the Constitution," the Maharashtra unit of the BJP said in the post on X. वक्फ बोर्डाला १० कोटी रुपये देण्याबद्दल प्रशासनाने काढलेला GR रद्द🚩भाजपा-महायुती सरकारने महाराष्ट्र वक्फ बोर्डाला तातडीने १० कोटींचा निधी दिल्याच्या खोट्या बातम्या प्रसिध्द होत आहेत. हा चुकीचा निर्णय प्रशासकीय पातळीवरील अधिकाऱ्यांनी परस्पर घेतला होता. मात्र भाजप नेत्यांच्या… pic.twitter.com/ZlF1XWBQZm — भाजपा महाराष्ट्र (@BJP4Maharashtra) November 29, 2024 A social media user wrote on X, "Shame on you for making decisions and then canceling them. How can the administration take such decisions without informing the minister?" लाज वाटली पाहिजे अशे निर्णय घेण्याची आणि नंतर रद्द करण्याची. प्रशासन असे निर्णय कसे घेऊ शकते मंत्र्यांना कळविल्याशिवाय? एवढे दिवस झोप लागली होती का? — P Raj (@RajP89682710) November 29, 2024 An another user wrote on X, "Canceled due to criticism." टीका झाल्यामुळे रद्द केलंय 😭😭म्हणे खोट्या बातम्या प्रसिद्ध होत आहेत 😆😆 — Black Panther (@Vicky007_07) November 29, 2024 A user asked through a post on X, "Will there be action against the official too?" Te adhikari nilambit hotil ka ?? @Dev_Fadnavis — Aaj Kapoor (@aajkpr) November 29, 2024
29 November,2024 05:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter arriving in Mumbai from New Delhi on Friday morning, outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has travelled to his native village in Satara district, leaving the suspense over the state's next chief minister unresolved a week after the assembly election results were announced. Shinde, who leads the Shiv Sena, had earlier told reporters in New Delhi on Thursday night that a meeting of the Mahayuti alliance, which includes his party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), would be held in Mumbai on Friday to discuss government formation. However, the meeting has now been postponed and is likely to take place on Sunday, sources revealed. The caretaker Chief Minister’s sudden departure to his home village, Dare in Satara, has fuelled speculation regarding the delay in forming the new government. It is expected that the meeting will be rescheduled for Sunday, as the Mahayuti is still deliberating on the issue of leadership. Throughout his Delhi trip, Shinde has repeatedly stated that he would not be an obstacle in government formation, pledging to abide by the decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the selection of the next chief minister. Shinde, who has been at the helm of Maharashtra for over two and a half years, has expressed his willingness to accept any decision made by the BJP. Sources within the Shiv Sena indicate there are differing opinions among party leaders on Shinde's future role in the government. Some suggest he may be offered the position of deputy chief minister by the BJP, while others argue that it would be inappropriate for Shinde to accept the No. 2 position after having served as the state's CM. The discussions are still ongoing within the party. The process of government formation will commence once the BJP announces its legislature party leader. During his visit to Delhi, Shinde met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the future government, accompanied by his deputies from the outgoing state cabinet, Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) and Ajit Pawar (NCP). The trio also met BJP president J P Nadda. Talking to the media, Shinde described the discussions as "good and positive," indicating that talks are progressing, albeit slowly. As per PTI, further updates will follow once the Mahayuti convenes its meeting in Mumbai this weekend. (With inputs from PTI)
29 November,2024 05:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWestern Railway on Friday, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, said that it will operate a night block between Marine Lines and Mahim on the intervening night of November 30 and December 1. In an official statement, the Western Railway said that to carry out maintenance work of tracks, overhead and signalling equipment, a jumbo block of four hours will be taken on down slow line between Marine Lines and Mahim stations from 00.15 hrs to 04.15 hrs during the intervening night of 30th November/01st December, 2024. According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, during the block period, all down slow line trains will be operated on down fast line between Churchgate and Mahim stations. These trains will not halt at Mahalaxmi, Lower Parel, Prabhadevi, Matunga Road and Mahim station due to non-availability of platforms at Mahalaxmi, Prabhadevi, and Matunga Road and inadequate length of platforms at Lower Parel and Mahim station. "There will be no block in the day over the Western Railway Suburban section on Sunday, 01st December, 2024," the Western Railway said. Valsad – Bhagat Ki Kothi and Bandra Terminus – Barmer will be converted to Superfast trains Meanwhile, in an another statement the Western Railway said that to provide better facilities to passengers, Valsad – Bhagat Ki Kothi and Bandra Terminus – Barmer will be converted to Superfast trains. These trains will run with a new number. According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, details of the changes are as under: - Change in Train No. 19009/19010 Bandra Terminus - Barmer Humsafar Express (Weekly) Train No. 19009 Bandra Terminus – Barmer Humsafar Express will run with new number 21901 w.e.f., 03rd January, 2025. Similarly, Train No. 19010 Barmer – Bandra Terminus Humsafar Express will run with new number 21902 w.e.f., 04th January, 2025. - Change in Train No. 19055/19056 Valsad – Bhagat Ki Kothi Express (Weekly) Train No. 19055 Valsad - Bhagat Ki Kothi Express will run with new number 22991 w.e.f., 07th January, 2025. Similarly, Train No. 19056 Bhagat Ki Kothi – Valsad Express will run with new number 22992 w.e.f., 08th January, 2025. For detailed information regarding the timings, halts and composition of the above trains, passengers may please visit the Indian Railways website, the Western Railway said.
29 November,2024 05:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra government on Friday withdrew its order to disburse Rs 10 crore for strengthening the Maharashtra state Waqf Board, state chief secretary Sujata Saunik said, as per the PTI. The development comes a day after a government resolution (GR) was issued, in which the state administration ordered disbursal of Rs 10 crore funds for strengthening the state Waqf Board. When asked whether the GR was withdrawn, Sujata Saunik confirmed the development, the news agency reported. As per the November 28 GR, Rs 20 crore were earmarked for 2024-25 for strengthening of the Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs (MSBW). Of that, Rs 2 crore were disbursed to the MSBW headquartered in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Lok Sabha extends tenure of parliamentary panel on Waqf bill Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha on Thursday adopted a resolution to extend the tenure of the Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill till the last day of the Budget session of Parliament next yea, the PTI reported. Committee Chairman and BJP leader Jagdambika Pal moved the resolution in the Lok Sabha, which approved it with a voice vote. The parliamentary panel's meetings have become a virtual battleground between the opposition and the ruling party members, who have been vociferously debating the changes to the Waqf Bill proposed by the government, according to the PTI. On Wednesday, the opposition members of the committee staged a walkout and slammed Pal for asserting that the panel's draft report was ready. Jagdambika Pal and the BJP members of the committee then reached out to opposition members and indicated their willingness to press for an extension of the committee's deadline of November 29 to submit its report to the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha had constituted the committee on August 8 and asked to submit its report on the last day of the first week of the Winter session, which is on Friday. Following the last meeting of the committee on November 21, Pal had said its draft report is ready. He indicated that the committee's consultation with stakeholders is over and its members will now discuss the report and suggest changes, if any, before it is adopted. The opposition members took strong exception to this stand in Wednesday's meeting and soon stormed out. They claimed that Birla had assured them that its tenure would be extended. Opposition parties have stridently criticised the amendments proposed by the bill in the existing Waqf Act, alleging they violate the religious rights of Muslims. The ruling BJP has asserted that the amendments will bring transparency in the functioning of the waqf boards and make them accountable. (with PTI inputs)
29 November,2024 04:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has become a pioneering force in sustainable aviation, embedding environmental responsibility in every facet of its operations. Recognising the environmental toll of modern air travel, CSMIA has taken significant strides towards a greener future, positioning itself as a leader in India’s aviation sector with its ambitious sustainability goals. Minimising waste and promoting recycling Central to CSMIA’s sustainability efforts is its robust waste management system, which has successfully diverted 99.6% of its waste from landfills. The airport’s operations are supported by a series of innovative initiatives aimed at minimising waste: Waste Segregation and Recycling: CSMIA ensures waste is segregated at the source, with authorised vendors managing the safe disposal and recycling across both commercial and cargo operations. Plastic Waste Reduction: To address plastic pollution, the airport has installed Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) where passengers and the airport community can safely dispose of plastic bottles, promoting recycling. Organic Waste Management: Organic waste from food and beverage outlets is processed on-site into compost, which is then used for landscaping, contributing to the airport’s greenery. E-Waste Management: CSMIA has also implemented a structured e-waste collection system to manage the disposal of electronic waste in an environmentally responsible manner. Tissue-less Toilets: In a bid to reduce paper waste, hand dryers have been installed in washrooms, significantly cutting down the use of tissue paper.These steps collectively help in reducing the airport’s ecological footprint, creating a cleaner, greener experience for both passengers and staff. Engaging passengers in sustainability initiatives CSMIA also understands that fostering a culture of sustainability requires passenger involvement. To facilitate easy recycling, colour-coded waste bins have been placed throughout the terminals, allowing travellers to sort their waste into dry, wet, and plastic categories. Clearly marked recycling stations and informative signage encourage passengers to actively participate in the airport's green initiatives, ensuring that sustainability is a shared responsibility. Energy efficiency and technological innovations Energy consumption and waste reduction present particular challenges for an airport of CSMIA’s scale. However, the airport has made significant investments in energy-efficient technologies to address these issues. Notable upgrades include: LED Lighting Retrofitting: The airport has switched to energy-saving LED lights throughout the terminals and on taxiways. Daylight Harvesting and Double-Glazed Facades: Advanced systems have been installed to reduce heat ingress and optimise energy use. HVAC Optimisation: A Variable Air Volume (VAV) controlled system has been implemented to enhance the efficiency of the airport’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems In addition to these measures, CSMIA has committed to utilising renewable energy, such as solar power, to further reduce its environmental impact. Recent achievements and long-term goals CSMIA has already achieved significant milestones in its environmental efforts. As a carbon-neutral airport, it holds the prestigious ACA Level 4+ accreditation and is committed to using 100% green electricity. The airport is also transitioning to electric vehicles and expanding its on-site solar power generation capacity. Looking ahead, CSMIA has set ambitious long-term sustainability goals, including Zero Waste to Landfill, Water Positivity, and an increased reliance on renewable energy sources. Its focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards has placed the airport at the forefront of India's eco-friendly infrastructure movement. With a vision of achieving ‘Operational Net Zero Carbon Emissions’ by 2029, CSMIA is redefining what it means to be a sustainable airport. The airport is not only setting new benchmarks but also leading the way for the future of eco-conscious air travel. Through its innovative practices and commitment to environmental stewardship, CSMIA is showing the world that aviation can thrive in harmony with nature.
29 November,2024 03:06 PM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariShiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat on Friday said if their party head Eknath Shinde doesn't accept the Maharashtra deputy chief minister's post, then it will be given to someone from their outfit, reported news agency PTI. Talking to reporters, Shirsat said Shinde will certainly not go to the Centre as a Union minister. After the Mahayuti alliance's astounding performance in the Maharashtra polls, where it won 230 of the 288 seats, Shinde, now the caretaker chief minister, has said that he will "fully support" BJP leadership's decision to name the next CM and won't be a hurdle in the process. This had led to debates over the possibility of Shinde being offered the deputy CM position and whether he would accept it. "If Shinde does not accept the Maharashtra deputy CM's post, then some other leader from our party will get it. He (Shinde) will take a call on this by evening," said Shirsat, who retained his Aurangabad assembly West seat, reported PTI. On Thursday, the Shiv Sena leader said Eknath Shinde was unlikely to accept the post of deputy CM in the new government in Maharashtra. Shirsat's party colleague and former minister Shamburaj Desai said their MLA-elects and party workers strongly feel that Shinde should be a part of the new government, reported PTI. Desai was the guardian minister of Thane, Shinde's bastion, from 2022 to 2024. Looking at Shinde's vast administrative experience, Desai said, he should be a part of the next government in Maharashtra. Shinde, ex-CM Devendra Fadnavis and NCP chief Ajit Pawar met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda late Thursday to thrash out a power-sharing pact for the next government in Maharashtra. "We will take a decision (on Maharashtra CM) in a day or two. We have held discussions, and the discussions will continue. You will get to know when we take a final decision," Shinde told reporters in Delhi after the meeting. In the November 20 Maharashtra polls, whose results were announced on November 23, the BJP won 132 seats, followed by its allies Shiv Sena (57) and NCP (41). From the opposition camp, Congress got 16 seats, while its MVA partners Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) bagged only 20 and 10 seats, respectively. (With inputs from PTI)
29 November,2024 02:46 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondentThe Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has granted six months' temporary bail to a pregnant woman arrested in connection with a narcotics case, highlighting the potential harm to both the mother and child if she were to give birth in prison. The court noted that delivering a child in the prison environment could have negative consequences and that even a prisoner is entitled to dignity during such a crucial time. The order, passed on November 27, was issued by a single bench of Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke. The court directed the release of the woman, Surbhi Soni, on bail for six months, recognising the humanitarian grounds for her plea. Soni, who was arrested in April 2024, faces charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The prosecution alleges that a raid conducted by the Gondia Railway Security Force on a train resulted in the seizure of 33 kilograms of ganja, a narcotic substance. Of this, 7 kilograms were reportedly found in Soni's luggage. At the time of her arrest, Soni was two months pregnant. Soni filed a plea seeking temporary bail, citing her pregnancy and requesting permission to deliver her baby outside of prison. Her request was opposed by the prosecution, which argued that the commercial quantity of drugs involved made her case serious, but assured that she would receive appropriate medical care during her confinement. In its ruling, the bench acknowledged the prosecution's arguments but emphasised the adverse effects of giving birth in a prison environment. "Delivering a child in prison may have consequences for both the mother and the baby, which cannot be overlooked," the bench stated. It further noted that while Soni could receive medical care at a government hospital, the conditions in jail would not be conducive to a safe and dignified childbirth. The court also recognised that while there was prima facie evidence against Soni, releasing her on bail would not hinder the ongoing investigation, as the chargesheet had already been filed. The high court thus ruled that humane considerations outweighed the prosecution’s objections in this instance. Soni’s temporary release on bail comes as a compassionate response to her pregnancy, reflecting the court's recognition of her right to dignity even while facing serious charges under the NDPS Act. The ruling underscores the importance of considering the welfare of pregnant women in custody, particularly in situations that could affect both the individual and their unborn child. As per PTI, the court's decision brings attention to the need for humane considerations in cases involving women prisoners, particularly in relation to childbirth in jail conditions. (With inputs from PTI)
29 November,2024 02:33 PM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
