Gurugram Police has arrested a cab driver for robbing a woman passenger at gunpoint, officials said on Monday. According to the complaint filed by the woman, she booked a cab from Airia Mall to Microtek Greenburg, a housing society in Sector 86, on November 29, police said. However, as soon as the cab reached Sector 83, the driver pointed a gun at her, forced her to transfer Rs 55,000 from her mobile phone, and fled from the spot after snatching her bag, the complaint said, as per the police. Police arrested the accused -- Sonu Singh, a native of Uttar Pradesh living as a tenant at Badha village in Gurugram district -- on Sunday after registering an FIR at the Kherki Daula police station under the relevant sections of law, officials said. "A city court on Monday remanded the accused to one-day police custody. The recovery (of money) will be made after interrogating the accused," a spokesperson for Gurugram Police 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
02 December,2024 11:05 PM IST | Gurugram | PTITamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday said Cyclone Fengal had caused "unprecedented" devastation in the state and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to facilitate the release of Rs 2,000 crore interim relief from the NDRF at once. The sum would help the administration take up temporary restoration of damaged infrastructure and the livelihood, he said. Cyclone Fengal emerged as a Low-Pressure Area on November 23 and caused unprecedented devastation across 14 districts of Tamil Nadu. Initially, it brought heavy rainfall to the districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai, the Chief Minister said in a letter to the Prime Minister. Subsequently, districts such as Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, and Villupuram experienced extremely heavy rainfall. Upon its landfall on December 1, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, and Tiruvannamalai, suffered extensive damage to roads, and electricity lines as wind speeds touched a very high velocity of 90 km/h. It also caused heavy inundation and damages in the interior districts of Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Ranipet, Vellore and Tirupathur. "The deluge has caused extensive disruptions, inundating vast areas, displacing population and severely impacting infrastructure and livelihood," Stalin said. Totally 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore individuals were adversely affected by this calamity. Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi districts, in particular, received rainfall equivalent to an entire season's average (more than 50 cm) on a single day, resulting in widespread flooding and severe damage to infrastructure and crops, he pointed out. Responding to it, the state government mobilised all available resources to provide relief and rehabilitation to the affected population, the CM said. Senior Ministers and officers have been deputed to oversee operations in the districts, while 9 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 9 teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed. A dedicated workforce comprising 38,000 government officials and 1,12,000 trained first responders were actively engaged in rescue and relief operations. Relief shelters were established to accommodate displaced families, common kitchens have been made operational and food packets were distributed to those in need. Furthermore, 12,648 motor pumps have been deployed to drain water from inundated areas. "I have personally visited some of the most affected districts today. The catastrophic event has resulted in a loss of 12 human lives, 2,416 huts, 721 houses, and 963 cattle, besides inundation of 2,11,139 hectares of agricultural and horticultural land," Stalin said. In addition, damage was caused to 9,576 km of roads, 1,847 culverts and 417 tanks, 1,649 km of electric conductors, 23,664 electric poles and 997 transformers, severe impairment of 1,650 Panchayat buildings, 4,269 Anganwadi Centers, 205 Primary Health Centers, 5,936 school buildings, 381 community halls, and 623 water supply schemes. An initial assessment of these damages by the state government revealed that an estimated Rs 2,475 crore was required for temporary restoration efforts. "Despite our best efforts, the scale of this disaster has overwhelmed the state's resources and the state needs urgent financial assistance to manage the fallout of this natural disaster," he said in the letter. He further said, "Given the magnitude of destruction and the urgent need for restoration, I humbly request immediate release of an interim relief amounting to Rs 2,000 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)." Additionally, a central team could be deputed to make a comprehensive assessment of the damages, so as to enable the state government to seek further financial assistance to address the unprecedented adverse impact on infrastructure, agriculture and livelihoods in the affected districts, 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
02 December,2024 10:57 PM IST | Chennai | PTITwo persons were arrested in connection with alleged sexual abuse of two girls at a shelter in Jharkhand's Palamu district, police said on Sunday. The girls were allegedly sexually abused in the shelter, and the incident came to light after a human rights activist Sandhya Kumari visited the home on November 29. The girls shared the ordeal with Kumari, claiming that they were sexually abused multiple times, a senior officer said. Palamu Superintendent of Police (SP) Reeshma Ramesan told PTI that an FIR was lodged with a town police station and two persons were arrested in connection with the case. "Further investigation is underway," she said. Jharkhand BJP on Sunday demanded a high-level probe into the incident. The party termed it as a "failure of the state machinery and administration". Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Ajay Shah accused the state government of neglecting the safety of children. "We demand a high-level investigation into the case so that girls could get justice," he added. 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
02 December,2024 10:45 PM IST | Medininagar/ Ranchi | PTIAt least three persons were killed and as many others injured when two cars collided on Monday in Amravati district of Maharashtra, police said, reported the PTI. The accident occurred in Golegaon village on the Daryapur-Akola road in the afternoon, an official said. "Three out of four occupants of one of the cars died while another one was injured. Two persons travelling in another car also suffered injuries and were hospitalised," he said, the news agency reported. Karnataka: 3 dead, over 20 injured after bus hits road divider in Tumkur In an another incident in Karnataka, as many as three passengers died and more than 20 others were injured after a private bus hit a road divider in the Sira area of Tumkur district in Karnataka, police said on Monday, the ANI reported. According to police, "The incident took place at 4.30 am on Monday. The bus had been returning from Goa. The injured passengers have been shifted to a local hospital for treatment." Upon receiving information about the mishap at the Kallambella police station, Superintendent of Police (SP) Tumakuru, KV Ashok visited the spot along with other officials. An investigation into the matter is underway. In another similar incident, six people were killed after a bus they were travelling in met with an accident in West Bengal's Kalimpong district on November 30, police said. According to officials, the accident occured near Andheri on Saturday afternoon. The bus was enroute from Siliguri and to Gangtok. A few others injured in the accident were admitted to a hospital. Meanwhile, an IPS officer died in an accident while he was on his way to take up his first posting in Hassan district, police said on Monday, the news agency reported. Harsh Bardhan, (26), was a 2023-batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre and hailed from Madhya Pradesh, they said. The accident took place on Sunday evening, when the tyre of the police vehicle he was travelling in allegedly burst near Kittane in Hassan taluk, following which the driver lost control and the vehicle hit a house and a tree on the roadside, police said. According to police, Bardhan was on his way to Hassan to report on duty as a probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police in Holenarasipur, police said. Bardhan sustained severe head injuries and died in the hospital during the course of treatment, while the driver, Manjegowda, suffered minor injuries, a senior police officer said. The IPS officer had recently completed his four-week training at the Karnataka Police Academy in Mysuru, police said, adding his father is a sub-divisional magistrate. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah offered condolences to the officer's family. "Saddened to hear about the death of probationary IPS officer Harsh Bardhan in a horrific accident near Kittane border of Hassan-Mysuru Highway. It is very sad that such an accident happened while he was on his way to take charge as an IPS office. This should not have happened when years of hard work were paying off," he said in a post on 'X'. "I pray to God that Harsh Bardhan's soul rests in peace. My condolences to the family of the deceased," he added. (with PTI and ANI)
02 December,2024 08:00 PM IST | Amravati | mid-day online correspondentLeader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, skipped the hearing in a Pune court on Monday in connection with a defamation complaint filed against him by the grandnephew of freedom fighter VD Savarkar. According to news agency PTI, Rahul Gandhi's lawyer Milind Pawar said his client sought exemption from appearance due to the ongoing Winter Session of the Parliament, adding the Congress leader would be present in the court on January 10. Savarkar's grandnephew Satyaki had filed a complaint in a Pune court claiming Rahul Gandhi, in his speech in London in March 2023, stated that the Hindutva ideologue had written in a book that he and five to six of his friends once beat up a Muslim man and felt happy about it. As per the plea, Savarkar has not written this anywhere, PTI reported. After Satyaki filed the case, the court asked the police to investigate the allegations and file a report. The Vishrambaug Police in Pune, following an inquiry, submitted that there is prima facie truth in Satyaki's complaint. On November 18, a special court for Members of Parliament (MP)/Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Joint Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Amol Shinde issued an order directing Gandhi to appear before the court on Monday, PTI reported. Advocate Sangram Kolhatkar, who is representing Satyaki, urged the court to issue a non-bailable warrant against Rahul Gandhi as he had failed to appear on three occasions. He argued that it was contempt of court as the Congress lawmaker failed to appear despite receiving summons. Accordingly, action is sought against Rahul Gandhi under section 174 (non-attendance in obedience to an order from a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code, he said. Later, Kolhatkar told reporters that if the Leader of Opposition failed to appear in court on January 10, a non bailable warrant will be issued against him. Kolhatkar also presented a couple of news cuttings pertaining to a speech made by Rahul Gandhi on November 26 in which the latter had made similar comments against Savarkar. He asked the court to refrain the lawmaker from making any comments against Savarkar, following which Judge Shinde directed advocate Pawar to ask his client to not make such remarks. On October 4, the court had asked Gandhi to be present in person 19 days later. He, however, failed to do so and his lawyer told the court that he had not received the summons. On November 18, Pawar told the court that his client needs time as he was busy in campaigning for Maharashtra and Jharkhand polls. The court then asked Rahul Gandhi to appear on December 2. On Monday, Judge Shinde kept the matter for hearing on January 10, when Gandhi is expected to be present in the court. (With PTI inputs)
02 December,2024 07:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentUnion Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and said that "they are busy selling liquor" instead of prioritising the health of the people in Delhi.According to news agency ANI, while addressing a press conference, Mandaviya emphasised on the importance of the Central Government's Ayushman Bharat and Ayushman Vaya Vandana schemes and said they "should benefit the people of Delhi.""The Government of India has written and we request the Delhi Government to think about the health of the people of the national capital. But they are busy selling liquor. Central Government's schemes, such as Ayushman Bharat and Ayushman Vay Vandana, should benefit the people of Delhi," Mandaviya said.The minister's remark came after the Delhi High Court issued a notice to the AAP government over its failure to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme, ANI reported. On November 28, Delhi's Chief Minister, Atishi, expressed that the AAP government is ready to implement the scheme. However, there are contradictions between the facilities offered by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and those under Ayushman Bharat."The Delhi Government has always been committed to providing robust health facilities. We are ready to implement the core principles of Ayushman Bharat. However, there are significant contradictions between the facilities provided by Delhi Government hospitals and those under the Ayushman Yojana," she said, adding, "In Delhi Government hospitals, everything is free. On the other hand, Ayushman Bharat imposes restrictions, such as denying benefits to those who own a refrigerator, vehicle, or a concrete house. It also caps the financial assistance at Rs 5 lakh per family. If two family members are ill simultaneously, one may not receive benefits. We do not want to compromise free medical care. Therefore, we have instructed the health department to explore ways to implement the Ayushman Yojana without disadvantaging anyone."Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Bansuri Swaraj criticised AAP for "sacrificing the interest of people" by not implementing the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, ANI reported."I would like to thank the judges of the Delhi High Court. At a time when the AAP Government is sacrificing the interests of the people of Delhi, the high court has to play the role of protecting the interests of the people. The high court issued a notice [to the Delhi Government] when all the seven MPs of Delhi knocked at the doors of the court to implement PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana), a Rs 5-lakh health cover to the people, the biggest such scheme in the world. But the AAP Government is keeping people away from this benefit owing to their political interests," Swaraj said.On Thursday, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to AAP Government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by all the seven BJP MPs from Delhi.The petition sought directions for the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. (With ANI inputs)
02 December,2024 06:21 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentCivil services coaching expert and motivational speaker Avadh Ojha joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday in a ceremony attended by party chief Arvind Kejriwal and senior leader Manish Sisodia. Ojha’s association with the party is being seen as a strategic move to further AAP’s focus on education reforms ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections next year. Ojha, who has carved a niche as a guiding force for UPSC aspirants, expressed his admiration for AAP’s educational initiatives and its commitment to shaping the future of children. Speaking at the event, he said, “I am deeply aligned with the party’s ideology that prioritises the development of education. My ambition has always been to contribute to educational reforms, and I am grateful to Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia for giving me this opportunity to work towards this vision in the political domain.” Kejriwal welcomed Ojha into the party, highlighting his potential to strengthen AAP’s ongoing efforts in education. "Our focus has always been on transforming education in India. Ojha's joining will significantly contribute to this mission and help us build a stronger nation,” he stated. Manish Sisodia, a key figure behind Delhi’s education model, termed Ojha’s induction a “special day” for the party. “Avadh Ojha has been an influential force in the field of education, and his contribution aligns perfectly with the work we have been dedicated to for years,” Sisodia remarked. Ojha’s entry into politics comes at a time when AAP is gearing up for the Delhi Assembly elections slated for February next year. The party, which secured a decisive win with 62 out of 70 seats in 2020, is eyeing a third consecutive term by banking on its flagship schemes in education and healthcare. The induction of Ojha is expected to boost AAP’s appeal, particularly among young voters and aspirants preparing for competitive exams. Analysts believe his motivational outreach and experience in guiding UPSC candidates could help the party connect with a wider demographic. (With inputs from PTI)
02 December,2024 03:40 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentCyclone Fengal's effects were severe after it made landfall, causing extremely heavy rainfall in coastal regions of north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, ANI reported. The union territory saw severe flooding, especially in surrounding areas of the Sankaraparani River, with more than 200 residences in NR Nagar flooded. The people residing in the area remain stranded as the Indian Army along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are working together in rescue operations. Rescue workers are working to save the lives of those stranded in their homes due to flooding. The army has dispatched boats to navigate Puducherry's flooded streets and evacuate inhabitants. Local authorities, including the District Collector and the Public Works Department Minister, are also on the ground, reviewing the situation and speeding up relief efforts. The Indian Army conducted several rescue operations on Sunday across various areas in the city. The rescue operations were taken up in flood-hit areas in the Union Territory, including Krishna Nagar, Kuber Nagar, and Jiva Nagar, ANI reported. The operations successfully evacuated hundreds of residents from these flooded areas, saving over 200 lives in Krishna Nagar and Kuber Nagar alone. On Sunday afternoon, rescue attempts were underway in Jiva Nagar, with 30 soldiers dispatched to assist the stranded people. In addition, evacuation operations in other vulnerable localities are also underway, ANI cited. Indian Army troops from the Chennai Garrison Battalion, operating under the Dakshin Bharat Area, were mobilized in the wee hours if Sunday to help the rescue operations in flood-hit areas of Puducherry. The Puducherry District Collector around 1 am, requested that a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) column comprising of one officer, six Junior commissioned officers, and 62 lower ranks be sent immediately. The crew departed Chennai at 2 am and covered 160 km overnight, arriving in Puducherry about 5:30 am, ANI reported. The team led by Major Ajay Sangwan was briefed about the critical situation in the Upon reaching Puducherry, the team led by Major Ajay Sangwan was briefed about the critical situation. The water level in some areas of Krishna Nagar rose to nearly five feet, resulting in around 500 residents being stranded in their houses. The Indian Army's rescue operations began at 6:15 am, and over 100 people were rescued within the first two hours, ANI reported. Earlier, Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy stated on Sunday that the city received 50 cm of rain overnight, resulting in flooding. Rescue crews are working to evacuate stranded individuals, he added. (With inputs from ANI)
02 December,2024 02:29 PM IST | Puducherry | mid-day online correspondentWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said UNESCO has declared the state as a top destination for heritage tourism, asserting that the sector generated employment for lakhs of youths. Banerjee, speaking in the assembly, said the state has taken "giant strides" in religious, heritage and tea tourism. "UNESCO has declared Bengal as a top destination for heritage tourism. We have taken great initiatives in developing heritage spots. We are also giving emphasis on religious tourism by developing some of the iconic places of worship like the Dakshineshwar temple and the Kalighat temple," she said. The chief minister also said the under-construction Jagannath temple at Digha will soon be open for devotees. "The tourism sector has generated jobs for lakhs of youths," she said. Banerjee added that a tender has been floated for construction of a bridge over the Muriganga river in the Ganga Sagar Island, and the annual Gangasagar Mela held there will be among the top pilgrim destinations in the country. 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.
02 December,2024 01:52 PM IST | Kolkata | PTIIn an impassioned address on Monday, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed grave concerns over the repeated disruptions in the Upper House, which he argued were undermining the very functioning of the Parliament. Citing Murphy's Law--"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong"--Dhankhar suggested that a deliberate "algorithm" seemed to be in place, intentionally impeding the proper conduct of business. "Hon'ble Members, you are all undoubtedly cognizant of Murphy's Law," Dhankhar said, highlighting the repeated failure to carry out legislative work. "It appears there exists a deliberate algorithm to actualize Murphy's Law in this August House, consequently impeding the proper functioning of Parliament." The Chairman's comments came as a response to the ongoing disruptions, which have prevented the House from transacting crucial business. "We find ourselves achieving precisely the antithesis of what our Constitution ordains," he added, emphasizing the constitutional duty of Parliament to function efficiently. Calling for a return to order and decorum, Dhankhar appealed to the members' sense of responsibility, urging them to respect the sacrifices made by the framers of the Constitution and countless patriots who laid down their lives for the country's democratic institutions. "In reverence to the framers of our Constitution and the innumerable patriots who made the supreme sacrifice, I implore this House to permit me to proceed with the business listed on today's agenda," the Chairman said. Dhankhar also voiced his frustration over the spectacle created by the disruptions, pointing out that "nothing is going on record" as the House remains in turmoil. "Honourable members, what we are doing is a spectacle to people's absolute disdain. Nothing is going on record. Nothing is going on record," he said. He concluded with an appeal, saying, "I appeal to you in the name of the framers of the Constitution and the people of this country--allow the Parliament to function. Don't make it dysfunctional." Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned on Monday till 12 pm amid continuous sloganeering by opposition MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for the fifth straight day. Parliament proceedings have been stalled since the beginning of the Winter Session amid protests by opposition parties over the Adani issue and violence in Manipur and Sambhal. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that there are issues which all the Opposition parties want to discuss. "One of the pending issues is a request for a debate on the 75th year of the Constitution and if the govt runs that then Parliament will function. We have had debates in the past on so many anniversaries. The government should cooperate with the Opposition to make the Parliament function," Tharoor said. Congress MP KC Venugopal said that the Congress is ready to run the house but the government must agree to its demands for discussion on certain issues. "We already met with the Speaker and our only demand is that he has to take action to run the House smoothly. We are ready to run the House provided there should be a discussion on the Constitution which they promised us," he said. TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay said that the responsibility of running the house lay with the ruling party. "The House should function. TMC has many binding issues including issues relating to the state. We have issues of unemployment, price rise, fertilisers. Adani issue should be discussed in the Business Advisory Committee. It is the responsibility of the major ruling party to see that the House runs. This BJP govt is not interested in running the House," he said. On the early adjournment of Parliament in the last few days, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that they have met the Speaker and their only demand is that he takes action to run the House smoothly. "We want the Speaker to run the House," Gogoi said. Opposition members have been continuously pushing to have a discussion on the floor on the Adani issue, Sambhal violence and the Manipur situation, raising slogans in the Parliament. The first session of the winter Parliament commenced on November 25, with both Houses getting adjourned fairly early due to disruptions. The winter session will go on till December 20. 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.
02 December,2024 01:47 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe Congress on Monday accused the treasury benches of "running away" from a discussion in Parliament on issues such as the Adani indictment and Sambhal violence, and said the government simply did not want Parliament to function. Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned on Monday amid continued protests by the opposition, which demanded a discussion on the indictment of industrialist Gautam Adani in a US court on bribery charges and the Sambhal violence, which claimed four lives. Congress general secretary in-charge, communications, Jairam Ramesh said, "Today too both Houses got adjourned. INDIA parties had given notices for an immediate discussion on Adani, Manipur, Sambhal, and Ajmer. These parties never agitated. There was hardly any sloganeering. But the Modi government simply did not want Parliament to function." "The situation is truly extraordinary. The Opposition wants a discussion but the government is running away from it," Ramesh said. He said opposition INDIA bloc parties also wanted a two-day discussion on the Constitution on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of its adoption, which was celebrated on November 26. The Modi government has yet to notify the dates for this discussion, Ramesh 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.
02 December,2024 01:40 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIADVERTISEMENT
