West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Panskura, Mediniput, districts affected by flood on thursday and voiced concerns over the situation. During her visit, she criticised the release of water by Jharkhand and the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), a central government organisation over the severe water flooding in the area, ANI reported. Banerjee said, "This is Jharkhand that released the water, and this is DVC, a central government agency. The amount of water released has gone beyond 4 lakh cusecs. It hasn't ever happened in the past. We have done a lot to mitigate floods--5 lakh ponds, check dams worth Rs5 lakh crore. The Ghatal Master Plan, which was left to gather dust, we took it forward. DVC's total capacity is only 36 percent. Why don't they want to conduct dredging and desilting? Why should Bengal sink? No dredging in Farakka--Bengal and Bihar sink. DVC doesn't dredge, and Bengal sinks. They release water towards Bengal to keep Jharkhand safe." She further added, "This isn't right. Bengal is like a boat." as cited by ANI. As per ANI, Banerjee clarified that North Bengal floods are caused by surplus water entering Bengal from neighboring regions, such as rainwater from Nepal and Bhutan. Severe flooding has resulted from DVC's water releases in South Bengal. She further said that the current state of affairs has exacerbated Ganga erosion in Malda and other areas. The Chief Minister alleged that DVC is making the current situation worse by releasing even more water. They release more water overnight. These places were not wet before. I was informed by the Superintendent of Police and District Magistrate that this has happened now. Don't mess with water and fire. Stay in safe places, let the water recede, and don't return until it's safe. I've told the administration to provide as much relief as needed. No one should be left out." she said, ANI reported. After inspecting areas in flood-hit areas in Paschim Medinipur and Hooghly, she expressed more concern stating "I'll be visiting Howrah next. I am in fear of what I've seen. I don't know if we will maintain any relationship with DVC. We will abolish our relationship with them if they keep sinking the people of Bengal," Calling the floods a "man-made disaster," she held the Union Government accountable for its "irresponsible" actions. Banerjee emphasized the need for further safety precautions and called for the quick evacuation of flooded regions in West Bengal.
19 September,2024 10:48 PM IST | West Bengal | mid-day online correspondentThe Ministry of Labour & Employment is investigating alleged "unsafe and exploitative work environment" days after the tragic demise of Anna Sebastian Perayil who worked with S R Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global. Perayil was a 26-year-old chartered accountant (CA) who died allegedly due to extreme work pressure at the firm. "Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil. A thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment is underway. We are committed to ensuring justice & LabourMinistry has officially taken up the complaint," Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje Thursday said on X. EY on Wednesday issued a statement stating, "We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastian's tragic and untimely passing in July 2024." Since the death, EY has been in touch with the family, helping them but it is only now that her family has chosen to write to the company, complaining about the "excessive workload", it had said. EY has said it will continue to improve and provide a healthy workplace in its offices throughout the country. Anna Sebastian Perayil, who passed her CA exams in 2023, worked at EY Pune office for four months before she succumbed. Her mother this month wrote to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani flagging the "glorification" of overwork at the multinational consulting firm. "Anna was a part of the Audit team at S R Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global, in Pune for a brief period of four months, joining the firm on 18 March 2024. That her promising career was cut short in this tragic manner is an irreparable loss for all of us," the EY has said in the statement. It has also stated that while no measure can compensate for the loss experienced by the family, the firm has provided all the assistance and will continue to do so. "We are taking the family's correspondence with the utmost seriousness and humility. We place the highest importance on the well-being of all employees and will continue to find ways to improve and provide a healthy workplace for our 100,000 people across EY member firms in India," it has stated. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
19 September,2024 09:30 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) cancelled the registration of Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar hospital on Thursday, an official told PTI. As per PTI, Ghosh, who is currently in the custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Kolkata rape-murder case of a 31-year-old trainee doctor, has been removed from WBMC's list of Registered Medical Practitioners on Thursday, September 19. His licence was cancelled under various provisions of the 1914 Bengal Medical Act, the official told PTI. Ghosh served as the principal of RG Kar Medical College from February 2021 to September 2023. He was transferred from RG Kar last year in October but inexplicably returned to that position within a month. He continued to remain as the principal at the hospital till the Kolkata rape-murder case came to light. CBI arrested Ghosh on September 2 , following an investigation into the alleged corruption at the college and hospital during the Kolkata rape-murder probe. The investigation was ordered by a single bench of the Calcutta High Court (HC), which directed the central agency to probe the matter. Later, according to a report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), during the probe into the Kolkata rape-murder case, he was found to be "deceptive" while answering important questions in the polygraph test and layered voice analysis. The central probe agency added charges of evidence tampering against him on September 15. CBI also alleged that Ghosh got information about the Kolkata rape-murder incident at 9.58 am on August 9 but he did not make the police complaint immediately, and later made a "vague complaint" through the medical superintendent-vice principal, even though the victim was declared dead at 12.44 pm. "He did not try to get an FIR (first information report) lodged immediately. Rather, a new theory of suicide was introduced, which is not possible as per the external injury visible on the body of the victim that was undressed at the lower part," CBI alleged.
19 September,2024 06:02 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra on Friday, where he will attend the first anniversary programme of 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme in Wardha and also lay the foundation stone of a textile park in Amravati. During the 'PM Vishwakarma' programme to be held in Wardha around 11.30 am, PM Modi will release certificates and loans to the beneficiaries of this scheme, an official release said. Symbolising the tangible support extended to artisans under this scheme, he will distribute credit under the PM Vishwakarma scheme to 18 beneficiaries under 18 trades. As a tribute to their legacy and enduring contribution to society, the prime minister will release a commemorative stamp to mark one year of progress under the scheme, it said. In Amravati, the PM will lay the foundation stone of 'PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park'. The 1,000-acre park is being developed by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) as the state implementation agency. The central government had approved setting up of seven PM MITRA Parks for the textile industry. PM MITRA Parks are a major step forward in realising the vision of making India a global hub for textile manufacturing and exports. It will help in creating world-class industrial infrastructure that would attract large scale investment including foreign direct investment (FDI) and encourage innovation and job creation within the sector, the release said. PM Modi will also launch the 'Acharya Chanakya Skill Development Centre' scheme of the Maharashtra government, it said. Skill development training centres will be established in renowned colleges across the state to provide training to persons between the age group of 15 to 45, enabling them to become self-reliant and access various employment opportunities. Around 1,50,000 youths across the state will receive free skill development training each year, it added. The PM will also launch 'Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme', under which early-stage support will be given to women-led startups in Maharashtra. Financial assistance of up to Rs 25 lakh will be provided under the scheme and 25 per cent of the total provisions under this scheme will be reserved for women from backward classes and economically weaker sections as specified by the government. It will help women-led startups become self-reliant and independent. (With PTI inputs)
19 September,2024 05:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentUnion Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday alleged that the Pakistan Defence Minister's statement regarding the Congress and the National Conference supporting Article 370 and 35A has "exposed" the opposition party, PTI reported. Shah also claimed that Congress has always been "hand in glove with the anti-national forces". He said the statement of Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif proved that the neighbouring country and the Congress have the "same intentions and agenda". "Pakistan Defence minister's statement about the Congress and the JKNC's support on Article 370 and 35A has once again exposed the Congress. This statement has once again made it clear that the Congress and Pakistan have the same intentions and agenda. For the last few years, Rahul Gandhi has been standing with every anti-India force, hurting the sentiments of the countrymen," Shah wrote on X in Hindi. पाकिस्तान के रक्षा मंत्री का आर्टिकल 370 और 35A पर कांग्रेस और JKNC के समर्थन की बात ने एक बार फिर कांग्रेस को एक्सपोज कर दिया है। इस बयान ने पुनः यह स्पष्ट कर दिया है कि कांग्रेस और पाकिस्तान के इरादे भी एक हैं और एजेंडा भी। पिछले कुछ वर्षों से राहुल गाँधी देशवासियों की भावनाओं… — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 19, 2024 The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said that the Congress asking for proof of air and surgical strikes against Pakistan or saying "objectionable things" about the Indian Army has being the proof that the two are on the same page. "But, the Congress party and Pakistan forget that there is Modi government at the Centre, hence neither Article 370 nor terrorism is going to come back in Kashmir," he added. The reaction by Shah came in response to a statement by the Pakistan Defence Minister who said that the Congress-National Conference alliance in Jammu and Kashmir were on the same page on the issue of restoration of Article 370 as the Shehbaz Sharif government, reported PTI. "They (the alliance) have made it an election issue. Pakistan and the National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu and Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A," Asif was quoted as saying in an interview. According to PTI, Khawaja's comments came amid the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections that are being held for the first time since the removal of Article 370 and Article 35A on August 2019. Article 370 gave special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir while Article 35A gave special rights and privileges to its "permanent residents". When these two provisions were abrogated by the BJP government in 2019, the state was divided into two Union Territories: Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh.
19 September,2024 03:24 PM IST | Srinagar | mid-day online correspondentPM Modi is scheduled to address a rally at Srinagar today, ahead of his arrival security measures have been tightened in the area, as reported by ANI According to ANI, visuals released from Srinagar have shown an increase in deployment of CRPF personnel and multiple checkpoint installations. Speaking to ANI, one of the citizens said, "PM Modi is coming for his visit, citizens from all over Jammu and Kashmir are welcoming him. Elections are being conducted peacefully and candidates are campaigning. The youth of the territory have hopes from PM Modi that he will bring employment opportunities for them. We also hope that he will take measures regarding lowering the electricity bills and giving loan waivers to farmers. We hope that he will bring something for the public of Jammu and Kashmir, as public believes that PM is responsible for every citizen in the country, so, we hope that he will fulfill the demands of the public with responsibilities." Jammu and Kashmir will head to the second and third phases on September 25 and October 1, respectively, as cited by ANI As per ANI, The first phase of assembly elections concluded with a voter turnout of 61.13pc from the 24 constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir, including 16 seats on Kashmir region and eight seats in the Jammu region. While the Pulwama district recorded the lowest voter turnout at 46.65 per cent, Kishtwar district recorded the highest turnout at 80.14 percent. On Wednesday, the Election Commission, in a statement said, "Building on the successful foundation of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, peaceful and enthusiastic voting marked the beginning of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir." "Voters from all sections of society responded to the 'call of democracy' wholeheartedly, reaffirming the confidence expressed by CEC Rajiv Kumar during the announcement of assembly elections that the people of J-K will give a befitting reply to the nefarious forces attempting to disrupt the electoral process," it added, as quoted by ANI. The visuals of long queues at the polling stations showcased to the world the deep trust and confidence the people of J&K have in the democratic exercise, says the poll panel to ANI. Modi had addressed a rally in Doda at Jammu and Kashmir, Earlier this month
19 September,2024 01:16 PM IST | Srinagar | mid-day online correspondentThe junior doctors' demands for written minutes of the meeting were not fulfilled, therefore the second round of talks between them and West Bengal government representatives concluded without a settlement. Junior doctors have declared they will not stop their strike until the government gives them a copy of the undersigned minutes of the meeting. They are protesting safety concerns in state-run hospitals, reported PTI. Kolkata doctor rape-murder: Stalemate continues Following the meeting on Wednesday, Dr Aniket Mahato, one of the doctors demonstrating, expressed displeasure saying, "While the talks went smoothly, the government refused to hand over signed and written minutes of the issues which were discussed. We are feeling let down and disappointed with the government's attitude." Reportedly, he continued by saying that the doctors would email the government with their demands and wait for a response before determining what to do next. "We will send an email tomorrow detailing our demands based on which the government has assured it will issue directives. We will continue our agitation and take a call on it if and when those directives are issued," he said. Kolkata doctor rape-murder: Second round of talks held at secretariat The demonstration started in response to the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case at RG Kar Hospital, which has provoked public indignation and accusations of student bullying and corruption in state-run hospitals. The government denied the junior doctors' request for an investigation into Health Secretary NS Nigam's actions. They expressed worries about hiring personnel, student representation in decision-making processes, safety, and openness in in-patient referral systems. The most recent meeting lasted more than five hours and was conducted at the state secretariat in Nabanna. "The government agreed that most of our demands were just and needed immediate implementation. But we were disappointed at the end of the talks when the chief secretary refused to give us a signed minutes of the meeting," a doctor said. The doctors have promised to keep up their demonstration outside Swasthya Bhawan, the state health department headquarters, till their demands are fulfilled. Kolkata doctor rape-murder: Abhishek Banerjee urges doctors to end 'cease-work' Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee urged the junior doctors to put an end to their walkout and collaborate with the government to resolve the problems, stressing the importance of working together to put the agreed-upon safety measures into action. "As a gesture of goodwill, the doctors should consider calling off the strike and work collaboratively with the West Bengal government to serve the needs of the people, and expedite the implementation of the task force's initiatives to ensure these changes are promptly executed," Banerjee said in a post on X.
19 September,2024 11:19 AM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentWelcome to Mid-Day's Top News at this hour! We bring you a curated selection of the most significant and compelling news from around the globe. Stay informed with the latest developments in the nation, Mumbai, entertainment, sports, and more. Let's dive into the headlines shaping our world today. Sensex, Nifty scale fresh peaks after Federal Reserve's rate cut decision Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty surged to their fresh record high levels in early trade on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate after more than four years. The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 735.95 points to scale a new all-time high of 83,684.18 in early trade. The NSE Nifty also surged 209.55 points to hit a fresh record peak of 25,587.10. How glass facade of Thane building almost became a death trap Firemen had to fight for more than five hours to douse a midnight blaze that broke out in the 16-storey Dev Corpora building in Khopat, Thane. The incident exposed the dangers of modern architecture, with shared ducts quickly spreading the smoke across several floors, and the glass facade trapping it all in. Read More IMD predicts light showers for Mumbai today The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light spells of rainfall in Mumbai on Thursday, as per the latest Mumbai weather update. The meteorological agency has forecast a "partly cloudy sky with possibility of light rain/thundershower in city & suburbs" for the next 24 hours in its most recent Mumbai weather report. Read more Duleep Trophy: Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson and others return for the final round The likes of Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag and Rinku Singh will get another opportunity to enhance their red-ball credentials when the final round of Duleep Trophy matches begin here on Thursday. Read more Ranveer Brar: ‘With The Buckingham Murders, I learnt healing and how to be a better chef' Kitchen, ingredients, recipes, cooking shows—popular chef Ranveer Brar was so content in the world of cooking that he didn’t want to move to acting. But in 2022, he took a leap of faith with Hansal Mehta’s Modern Love Mumbai. Two years on, he has added another acting project to his résumé with The Buckingham Murders. Read more
19 September,2024 10:00 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Mizoram Police in a major drug haul, have seized huge drugs worth over Rs 6.13 crore and arrested three people including a Myanmar national and a juvenile, officials said on Wednesday. A senior CID official said that the drugs -- 40.034 kg Methamphetamine tablets valued at over Rs 5.20 crore and 3.098 kgs of heroin valued at Rs 92.94 lakh – were seized from two different places in Aizawl district. The official said that the two arrested persons as well as the juvenile in conflict with the law along with the seized drugs were handed over to a special narcotics police station. The highly addictive Methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba tablets or party tablets, contain a mix of methamphetamine and caffeine and are largely misused as high-dosage drugs in Bangladesh and neighbouring countries, besides India. Smuggling of drugs from Myanmar is rampant in Mizoram and the Assam Rifles, Mizoram Police and other law enforcing agencies regularly confiscate various drugs including heroin and methamphetamine tablets, a popular drug among the drug addict people. Officials, citing the drug peddlers, said that the Methamphetamine tablets, heroin and areca nuts were smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar. Mizoram shares 510 km and 318 km of unfenced border with Myanmar and Bangladesh respectively. Out of the state's 11 districts, most of the smuggling of drugs, explosives and other contraband from Myanmar takes place through Champhai district, adjoining Myanmar. After the military takeover in conflict-ridden Myanmar in February 2021, the smuggling of various drugs including Methamphetamine tablets and heroin as well as areca nuts from the neighbouring country increased to a large extent. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 September,2024 08:27 AM IST | Aizawl | IANSDemanding the Delhi government to take cognisance of old structures in bad state to avoid such incidents in the future, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj attacked AAP, saying that the carelessness of the Delhi government is causing such tragedies in the national capital. Bansuri Swaraj was in Karol Bhag when she addressed the media after meeting people at the hospital who were injured due to the collapse of a portion of an old building at Bapa Nagar in Karol Bagh on Wednesday. Four people have died and more than 14 were injured due to the building collapse incident, she said. "Delhi government needs to take cognisance of structures that are in a bad state," Swaraj told the media. "So far, four people have lost their lives and more than 14 are injured. Some are undergoing treatment in the RML Hospital and some in Lady Hardinge Hospital... Till when will the people of Delhi keep facing such tragedies due to the carelessness of the Delhi government?..." she asked. She further said that the Delhi government is only blaming the authorities. According to Atul Garg, Director of Delhi Fire Services, the DFS received information about the building collapse in Karol Bagh's Bapa Nagar at 9.10 am. "As soon as they received the information, the officials from the Delhi Fire Services, with 5 fire tenders, rushed to the site. On Wednesday, Delhi Chief Minister designate and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi announced Rs 10 lakh compensation to the bereaved families affected due to the incident. The Delhi Minister also met the injured persons and the families of the deceased at the RML Hospital evening and assured financial assistance, saying that legal action would be taken against the building owner. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi should provide Rs 1 crore compensation to the people who lost their lives due to the building collapse in the Bapa Nagar in Karol Bagh. He also said that Rs 5 lakh should also be provided to the people who were injured in the incident. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 September,2024 08:26 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIJunior doctors agitating over RG Kar murder early Wednesday said they will continue their sit-in and not join duty, despite the state appointing Manoj Kumar Verma as the new Kolkata Police chief, replacing Vineet Goyal, and removing two senior health department officials, giving in to the medics’ earlier demands. According to a statement issued following the conclusion of their general body meeting, which had started around 6.30 pm and went on till well past midnight, the protestors called the state’s administrative measures “only partial victory” of their movement. ED raids TMC MLA’s home ED has seized several documents during the nearly 20-hour-long search operation at the residences and nursing home of TMC MLA Sudipto Roy in connection with its probe into financial irregularities at the RG Kar hospital, an officer said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 September,2024 08:26 AM IST | Kolkata | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
