The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) chief Saurabh Rao has asked officials to implement 100-day 'ease of living' action plan, reported the PTI. The decision was taken to improve quality of life of citizens and to better the delivery of services. It must include streamlining office work, enhancing online services and conducting comprehensive cleanliness drives at all premises of the Thane Municipal Corporation, a release quoted Saurabh Rao as saying, according to the PTI. The meeting was held in Majiwada on Wednesday and saw the participation of additional commissioners, engineering department personnel etc. "The 100-day Ease of Living action plan aims to give efficient and transparent governance. There must be meticulous planning at every level," Rao said. The release said TMC has recovered Rs 576 crore in property tax for the financial year 2024-25 against a total of Rs 857 crore, while the figure is Rs 80 out of Rs 225 crore for water bill arrears. "Rao underscored the urgency of meeting revenue collection targets. Property tax and water bill collections form the foundation of the corporation's financial planning," the release said, as per the PTI. TMC directs health department to remain vigilant, issues list of do's and dont's for citizens Meanwhile, the TMC on Tuesday directed the health department in the district to remain vigilant and urged citizens not to panic amid the HMPV outbreak, an official statement said. It said that there have been reports of an outbreak of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, and some cases have also been detected in India. However, the Thane Municipal Corporation has urged citizens not to panic. HMPV is a common respiratory virus that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract, causing symptoms similar to a cold, such as a runny nose and cough. It is typically a seasonal illness, occurring mostly during the winter and early summer months, just like the flu, the statement said. Thane Municipal Commissioner, Saurabh Rao, has directed the Health Department to remain vigilant. The state’s public health department has analysed the data on respiratory infections, and there has been no significant increase in the number of cases in December 2024 compared to the previous year. Despite this, the public has been advised to follow guidelines to prevent the spread of respiratory infections, it said. (with PTI inputs)
09 January,2025 10:53 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Karnataka government has banned the flying of all sub-conventional aerial platforms from February 10 to 14, while 'Aero India 2025' is in progress. The prohibitory order was issued on Thursday. India's biennial aerospace exhibition Aero India will be held at Yelahanka on the outskirts of Bengaluru from February 10-14 and it will showcase the country as an emerging hub for manufacturing of military aircraft, helicopters, equipment and new-age avionics. The order was issued by B Dayananda, Commissioner of Police and Additional District Magistrate of Bengaluru City exercising the powers conferred under section Los or the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhitam (BNSS). In his order, the commissioner has said the ban is “absolutely necessary” to maintain law and order and to avoid untoward incidents. Sub-conventional aerial platforms include Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Robotic Process Automation, paragliders, microlights, small aircraft, drones, quad-copters and balloons. According to the commissioner, these can carry explosives and be used as weapons or surveillance objects to threaten, damage, injure and kill people and destroy properties. 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
09 January,2025 10:46 PM IST | Bengaluru | PTIA day after six persons died in the Tirupati temple stampede, the Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday announced a judicial inquiry into the incident that seems to have been the result of a policeman's innocuous act of opening the gate with the intention of aiding a sick woman. People were waiting to receive tokens for a holy event at the famous Lord Venkateswara Swamy shrine on Tirumala hills for January 10 when tragedy struck. Following complaints by revenue officials, two FIRs were registered in connection with the stampede which has also left dozens injured. They were registered under Section 194 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) which deals with unnatural deaths, a senior police official said. The government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh each to the kin of victims of a virtually unprecedented incident that prompted deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan to apologise to the nation and the Hindu community. Heads rolled after Chief Mininster N Chandrababu Naidu took serious note of the matter and sought accountability from officials concerned. He visited the accident spot and also met the injured persons and comforted them. Survivors recounted horrific moments of the tragedy, recalling the crowd surge that led to the stampede while some others complained of long waiting hours to get tickets for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, slated for Friday. Naidu announced a judicial inquiry into the stampede, and transferred three senior officials including the district Superintendent of Police. One deputy SP, who was on the spot, has been suspended. Expressing grief over the Wednesday night incident, Naidu also announced Rs 2 lakh to those injured. Addressing a press conference, he also attacked the previous YSRCP for changing practices in the temple. According to him, a new system of issuing tokens was introduced by the previous regime in Tirupati as opposed to the earlier system of giving them in Tirumala hills. "In the past, so many problems have come up. We are correcting everything, starting with prasadam (consecrated food), annadanam (free food to devotees), even cottages, administration and everything. All of a sudden this incident happened." "This incident also happened due to a legacy problem. Never in my lifetime tokens were given in Tirupati for 'darshan' (to see the deity). For the last five years, they (YSRCP) introduced new practices," Naidu said, without directly naming the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led party. He further said he noticed some loopholes in the administration and monitoring mechanisms in Tirupati which should have been 'perfect'. Naidu also said no "adequate precautions" were taken while opening the gates and that triggered the incident. He also urged there should be no politics over the incident. The DSP reportedly opened the gate to help a sick woman come out of the area where the devotees were waiting. However, the crowd apparently thought that the gate had been opened and rushed out, resulting in the stampede. A senior police official said the DSP should have opened the gate with utmost care and as per procedure. "His intentions might have beeen good. But it caused a disaster," he told PTI. A survivor, D Venkata Lakshmi said, "for five minutes we thought all of us were dead. I have been coming to the temple for the past 25 years and it has never happened like this." People rushed forward and up to 10 people fell where she was standing, she said. Naidu's deputy, Pawan Kalyan said some devotees expressed doubts that the stampede must have been staged and that some policemen who should be the first responders, did not act on time. "To the entire nation, to the entire country, to the entire Sanatani believers, to Hindu Samaj, from the state government (side), I profusely (apologise), my wholehearted apologies for what had happened. It is the responsibility of the TTD EO (executive officer) and JEO," he told reporters. Senior YSRCP leader and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman B Karunakar Reddy demanded that CM Naidu should own moral responsibility for the Tirupati stampede and initiate stringent action against the officials responsible. The Congress' state unit held the TTD that governs the Lord Venkatswara temple, responsible for the tragedy and called for immediate probe into the incident Six devotees died and nearly 40 more were injured in the stampede at Bairagi Patteda near MGM School in Tirupati on Wednesday night as hundreds of them jostled for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam. 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
09 January,2025 10:41 PM IST | Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) | PTIAn 80-year-old man tested positive for human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in Ahmedabad city of Gujarat on Thursday, officials said. The patient is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital and he does not have any travel history abroad, a statement issued by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) said. He was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday and his samples tested positive for HMPV on Thursday. The man has been suffering from asthma for some time and his condition is stable at present, it said. Gujarat recorded its first case of HMPV virus on January 6. A two-month-old boy from Rajasthan was found infected and discharged after undergoing treatment at a hospital here. Follow HMPV Outbreak LIVE Updates here On Wednesday, a suspected case was reported in Himmatnagar town of Sabarkantha district. The blood sample of the patient - an eight-year-old boy, who is currently on a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital in Himmatnagar - has been sent to a government hospital for confirmation, the officials said. HMPV was first discovered in 2001 and belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family. It is closely related to the Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, as well as by touching contaminated surfaces or coming into direct contact with infected individuals. 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
09 January,2025 10:33 PM IST | Ahmedabad | PTIA police constable was found dead in a bloodied state in his house in Shyam Nagar Colony Thursday afternoon, police said. Kuldeep Bhati was stationed at the Police Lines. A woman was also found with a gunshot wound in the same room. Locals rushed to the house and broke down the door after they heard gunshots. Inside, they discovered the constable in a pool of blood and a woman, yet to be identified, injured. The two were rushed to the district hospital, where the woman received primary treatment before being referred to Agra. The constable's body was sent for postmortem. Superintendent of Police Chiranjeev Nath Sinha said it was not yet known what transpired before the shots were fired. "Police have initiated a thorough investigation, and forensic teams are conducting necessary procedures to determine the circumstances of the incident," he 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
09 January,2025 10:21 PM IST | Hathras (UP) | PTIA teenager who was allegedly assaulted over affair with a girl in Maharashtra's Latur district reportedly died at a hospital following which six people were held by the police, an official said on Thursday, reported the PTI. The police official said that the 18-year-old was assaulted in October over a love affair died in hospital while undergoing treatment. The victim, identified as Mauli Sote, was hit with sticks and rods on October 27 by six persons in Takali village over a love affair and he died on Monday in a private hospital where he was admitted since the day of the assault, MIDC police station assistant inspector Sachin Dronacharya said, according to the PTI. "We had arrested Govind Dure, Gopal Dure, Kamalakar Dure, Manoj Dure, Kumar Upade and Om Khedkar at the time. Following Sote's death, murder charges have been included in the case. The six are in judicial custody at present. Further probe is underway," the police official added, as per the PTI. Thane man kills brother after fight over Rs 500 Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 32-year-old man allegedly killed his younger brother after an argument over Rs 500 in Maharashtra's Thane district, the police said. The incident took place on Tuesday night in Kalyan area, they said, adding the accused has been arrested, the news agency reported. The accused, Salim Shamim Khan, who was inebriated during the incident and got enraged when his brother Naseem Khan (27) confronted him for taking Rs 500 from his pocket without his permission. This led to an argument between the two, an official from Bazarpeth police station said, as per the PTI. The argument later escalated and the accused allegedly stabbed his younger brother to death with a knife, he said. Their mother later alerted the police and authorities about the incident, the officials said. Based on her statement, the accused was arrested on Wednesday and booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) section 103 (1) (murder). The body was sent to a government hospital for post-mortem and a probe was on into the case, the police added. (with PTI inputs)
09 January,2025 07:26 PM IST | Latur | mid-day online correspondentIn a landmark moment for India's military history, Pune will host the 77th Army Day Parade on January 15, 2025, marking the first time the prestigious event will be held in the city. The parade, to be conducted at the Bombay Engineering Group and Centre (BEG Centre), represents a significant departure from the traditional Delhi-based celebrations. The parade commemorates Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa's historic appointment as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army in 1949, symbolising India's post-independence military leadership and sovereignty. Rehearsals are in full swing, featuring an impressive array of contingents that highlight the Indian Army's technological and operational capabilities. The parade will showcase cutting-edge defence technologies, including robotic Multi-Utility Legged Equipment (MULE), all-terrain vehicles, T-90 Bhishma tanks, Armored Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV), Advanced drone technologies, etc. A notable highlight will be the National Cadet Corps (NCC) women contingent, emphasising the increasing role of women in India's military structure. Preceding the main parade, the "Know Your Army" exhibition allowed citizens to interact directly with soldiers and explore advanced military equipment. This approach aligns with the Indian Army's recent initiative to rotate Army Day Parades across different cities, fostering closer connections between the armed forces and local communities. Pune's selection is particularly meaningful, given its status as the headquarters of the Indian Army's Southern Command and its deep-rooted historical connections to the armed forces. Rehearsals for the 77th Army Day Parade are in full swing at the BEG Centre in Pune, featuring a diverse array of contingents that depict the spirit of a modern and future-ready Indian Army. The Army Day parade rehearsal saw robotics MULEs, which were inducted recently by the Indian Army to enhance capabilities in challenging terrains. Designed to tackle harsh conditions and challenging terrain like that of Ladakh, the Indian Army uses varieties of ATVs, which were also seen at the parade rehearsal. Indian Army's main battle tank T-90 Bhishma is known for its speed, firepower, and protection was present too. An advanced version of the T-series of tanks, T-90 Bhishma comes with increased mobility, firepower, and protection. ALSV is a tactical armored vehicle designed for the Indian Army and Special Forces. A four-wheel light weight that is air transportable will be seen at the parade on January 15. Interested citizens can download the ADP 25 app to register for parade tickets, making the event more accessible to the public. The Army Day Parade represents more than a ceremonial event; it is a powerful demonstration of national pride, technological innovation, and the Indian Army's commitment to protecting the nation.
09 January,2025 07:22 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentBihar Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh defended RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday, after his reported comment that the INDIA alliance was "only for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls" sparked a political storm, PTI reported. Singh said that the remark was made in reference to the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, where the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, both INDIA bloc partners, will compete independently. "Tejashwi Yadav spoke about assembly polls in Delhi where we had contested the Lok Sabha polls together, but are now fighting separately. It is nothing unusual. Even in the Lok Sabha polls, Congress and AAP contested separately in Punjab, which is another state ruled by that party (AAP)," the former Union minister said, PTI cited. The Rajya Sabha MP added "there need not be misgivings about our alliance in Bihar, where the Congress and RJD have been together for long". Yadav recently told PTI reporters in Buxar area that it was not unusual for the Congress and AAP to campaign separately in Delhi, where they had come together "only for the Lok Sabha elections." He also stated that the RJD has not yet decided whether it will contest the Delhi assembly elections in alliance with the Congress, but in Bihar, where elections are scheduled for later this year, the situation is clear because "we have been together for a long time." INDIA alliance partners, including Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, have responded to Yadav's statement, recommending that the coalition be disbanded if allies believe it is no longer needed following the Lok Sabha elections, PTI reported. Singh also revealed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi planned to visit Bihar later this month. He stated, "The tour is proposed for January 18." Tomorrow, a meeting is arranged in Delhi. We will finalise the schedule later." When asked about RJD president Lalu Prasad's recent statement that "doors were still open" for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Singh responded that "doors must always be kept open in politics." Furthermore, the president of the JD(U) comes from a socialist background, thus we have similar ideologies, PTI reported. (With PTI inputs)
09 January,2025 06:26 PM IST | Patna | mid-day online correspondentSenior Congress leader and former Union Minister Sachin Pilot has called for significant reforms to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure, urging the introduction of "GST 2.0" in the upcoming Union Budget to address the grievances of small, medium, and micro traders, as well as middle-class taxpayers. Highlighting the inequities within the current GST system, Pilot accused the BJP-led government of favouring the wealthy with tax exemptions while disproportionately burdening the common man and small businesses. Speaking at a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan, Pilot stated that the BJP government is set to present its Union Budget on 1st February 2025. He emphasised the need to reform GST, which he described as excessively complex and oppressive. Citing data, Pilot remarked that 64% of the total GST collection for the financial year 2021-22 came from the bottom 50% of the population, while only 3% was collected from the top 10%. "This GST structure unfairly burdens the poor and middle class. Essential services like health insurance attract an 18% GST rate, even for children and senior citizens. Astonishingly, even popcorn is subjected to three different GST rates," Pilot remarked. He further criticised the BJP government for its double standards, pointing out that while the party boasts about record GST collections, it offered a ₹2 lakh crore corporate tax cut in 2019. "Prime Minister Modi grants massive tax cuts to billionaires but increases the tax burden on the middle class and small businesses," he added. Pilot noted that the GST system was originally proposed by Congress under Dr. Manmohan Singh’s leadership, but the BJP had fiercely opposed it at the time. He also accused the Modi government of adopting Congress-led initiatives like Aadhaar, DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), and FDI in retail after initially opposing them. He expressed concerns over the lack of transparency in the current government, stating that GDP figures are not disclosed accurately, and unemployment and inflation have risen significantly under BJP rule. Responding to questions about the INDIA alliance, Pilot asserted that the coalition remains strong, adding, "Different states have unique political scenarios, but that doesn’t mean the alliance is weakening." The press conference was attended by prominent Congress leaders, including CWC member Naseem Khan, MLAs Amin Patel and Zeeshan Siddique, and party spokespersons Atul Londhe and Bharat Singh.
09 January,2025 06:14 PM IST | MumbaiMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said that he asked Chief Minister to take action irrespective of party affiliations in Beed sarpanch murder case, reported the PTI. Ajit Pawar said that no one will be spared in the Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case even as he defended his party and cabinet colleague Dhananjay Munde. Massajog sarpanch Deshmukh was abducted, tortured and murdered on December 9 for trying to stop an extortion bid on an energy firm helming a windmill project in the region. A murder case and an extortion case linked to the killing are being probed by a special investigation team of the state CID. "I have told Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to act against the guilty in the sarpanch murder irrespective of the party that person belongs to. CM Devendra Fadnavis has said action will be taken against anyone linked to the brutal killing," Ajit Pawar told reporters in Pune, according to the PTI. Asked about the demand being made from various quarters for the resignation of Munde, Pawar said the latter has told him he was not involved in the brutal murder of Santosh Deshmukh. "The court, SIT, CID are probing the sarpanch murder case thoroughly. No one will be spared in the case," the Nationalist Congress Party chief asserted, as per the PTI. Asked whether Munde should resign from the Fadnavis government on moral grounds, Pawar claimed, "He has said he is not even remotely linked to the case. He also said that any agency can probe the case. People levelling allegations must hand over evidence they have to probe agencies." Munde, MLA from Parli in Beed, is under attack from opposition parties and even some leaders of the ruling Mahayuti as Walmik Karad, the key accused in the extortion case linked to the sarpanch's murder, is his close aide. The Beed sarpanch murder case has triggered statewide protests. Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP MLA Suresh Dhas on Thursday claimed that Walmik Karad, arrested in an extortion case linked to sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh's murder, has assets of more than Rs 100 crore and got a notice from the ED in 2022, the PTI reported. Sabtosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, was abducted, tortured, and murdered on December 9, allegedly in retaliation for his efforts to prevent extortion attempts against an energy firm linked to a windmill project. As part of the investigation in Santosh Deshmukh's murder, police have so far arrested seven persons connected to the case. One of the accused is still absconding. Walmik Karad, an associate of NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, has been arrested in a related extortion case. (with PTI inputs)
09 January,2025 05:29 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentIn response to an urgent request for assistance in Assam mining tragedy, the Indian Navy has mobilised a specialised team to assist in the rescue of miners trapped in Umrangso, a remote industrial town in the Dima Hasao district of Assam, an official statement said on Thursday. It said that the team, comprising one officer and eleven sailors, includes highly trained Clearance Divers skilled in deep depth diving and recovery operations, and is on site. The team is fully equipped for the critical and sensitive mission, carrying specialised equipment such as deep diving gear and underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for search and rescue, it said. The effort is being conducted in close coordination with the Indian Army, NDRF and the local civil administration to ensure an immediate and effective response. With intensive search and rescue operations underway, regular information is being exchanged with all agencies involved to facilitate a smooth and timely rescue operation. Rescue ops on for 4th day, CIL brings heavy-duty pump from Maharashtra Meanwhile, the rescue operations by multiple state and central agencies continued for the fourth day on Thursday to locate trapped miners inside an illegal rat-hole coal mine in Dima Hasao district of Assam, officials said. The search operations resumed early in the morning after the dewatering exercise all night and the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) has gone inside the flooded shaft, a senior official of Assam Police told PTI. "So far, nothing has been detected by the ROV. It is trying very hard to locate the trapped miner despite the extremely hostile and difficult situation. The water inside is totally blackened and it is creating problems in finding anything," he added. Additionally, four deep divers from the Navy also went inside the flooded shaft to find the trapped miners, the official said. The labourers were on Monday trapped inside the 3-Kilo Coal Quarry in Umrangso area, around 250 km from Guwahati, after a sudden gush of water flooded the site. According to employees of the quarry, there were around 15 workers inside the illegal mine when water breached one of the walls and flooded the entire shaft and tunnels. (with PTI inputs)
09 January,2025 05:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
