The Delhi air pollution crisis worsened on Saturday with many areas coming in the "severe" category, even as authorities intensified their efforts by imposing penalties totalling around Rs 5.85 crore on the first day of anti-pollution measures under the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), news agency PTI reported. The city's 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm, stood at 417, making it the worst in the country. On Friday, the AQI level was 396. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air in the "severe" category poses risks to healthy individuals and severely impacts those with existing health conditions. According to PTI, of the 39 monitoring stations in the national capital, the data shared by CPCB showed that all except for Sri Aurobindo Marg reported air quality in the "severe" category, with AQI levels above 400. After Delhi, Jind in Haryana recorded the second-worst air quality with a reading of 394, while Bahadurgarh, also in Haryana, ranked third with a reading of 388. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', 401 and 450 'severe', and above 450 'severe plus'. Rs 4.85-crore fines collected from motorists in Delhi without PUC certificates As the third stage of GRAP came into force on Friday, authorities intensified action against violators with teams from the traffic police, transport department, and other agencies issuing fines, PTI reported. On Friday alone, the Delhi Traffic Police issued around 550 challans for violations, including a ban on Bharat Stage (BS)-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, imposing a fine of more than Rs 1 crore on the first day of restrictions. A penalty of Rs 20,000 is imposed on those violating this rule. Diesel and petrol inter-state buses, except for BS-VI diesel buses, are also banned from entering the national capital amid the Delhi air pollution crisis. The police also cracked down on vehicles without Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC), issuing fines to 4,855 vehicles, totalling Rs 4.85 crore. A fine of Rs 10,000 is imposed on motorists without a valid PUCC. During an inspection of buses at the Kashmiri Gate inter-state bus terminal on Saturday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled neighbouring states were exacerbating air pollution in the capital by sending BS-IV diesel buses despite the ban. "The BJP governments are deliberately sending diesel buses to Delhi, which is prohibited under the current guidelines, to worsen air pollution," Rai said, pointing to Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. In response, Rai announced that a total of 84 enforcement teams from the Transport Department and 280 teams from the Traffic Police had been mobilised to ensure strict adherence to the ban. 'Stubble burning was the main contributor to the Delhi air pollution crisis' Additionally, a stringent ban on construction and demolition activities has been imposed, along with the suspension of mining-related activities and daily water sprinkling on major roads. Schools for classes up to 5 will shift to online mode after the weekend. The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages based on air quality: Stage 1 for "poor" air quality (AQI ranging from 201 to 300), Stage 2 for "very poor" air quality (AQI from 301 to 400), Stage 3 for "severe" air quality (AQI from 401 to 450), and Stage 4 for "severe plus" air quality (AQI above 450). Meanwhile, old age homes across the city are intensifying measures to protect the elderly, including strict restrictions on outdoor activities during peak pollution hours, mandatory mask use, and keeping oxygen cylinders on standby for emergencies. According to the Centre's Decision Support System for Air Quality Management, stubble burning was the main contributor to the Delhi air pollution crisis on Thursday, accounting for 37% of the total pollution. Vehicular emissions contributed approximately 12% to the overall pollution. The prominent pollutant was PM2.5, according to the CPCB. PM2.5 refers to fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less—about the width of a human hair. These particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, posing significant health risks. (With PTI inputs)
16 November,2024 08:34 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde, while speaking at a campaign rally in the Guhagar constituency ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, on Saturday claimed that industries had left the state under the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government owing to lack of support. However, he said the situation had been reversed under his administration. “Maharashtra has regained its top position in the country and now accounts for 52 per cent of the total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow. Industries left the state because of the Maha Vikas Aghadi as they did not get support [from the government] but we are being blamed for it. You [the MVA] show what you did in two-and-a-half years. I am ready to give an account of industries that came to the state and the ones that are operational. Let people know the truth,” he added. Shinde, who leads the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) government, claimed that in his regime, the state has attracted investments worth Rs 5 lakh crore. He also responded to the opposition's claims of large-scale investment projects being diverted to Gujarat under the Mahayuti government. According to news agency PTI, Shinde, while addressing concerns over the controversial Barsu refinery project in the district, clarified that it was approved during the MVA government’s tenure. However, he assured that the project would not proceed without the consent of the people or be implemented forcefully. CM Shinde also took aim at his predecessor Uddhav Thackeray and accused him of compromising the ideals of the party’s founder, Bal Thackeray, for the chief minister's position. “Eknath Shinde saved the Shiv Sena and its bow-and-arrow symbol. You sat next to those who abused Balasaheb,” he said. Shinde’s rebellion in June 2022, which led to the split of Shiv Sena, resulted in the fall of the Thackeray-led government. In contrast, Shinde now presented his government as one that gives, rather than takes away. “My government is one that gives, not one that takes away. The manifesto of our ruling coalition is just a trailer,” he said, vowing to stand firm against any investigation into his government’s welfare schemes. “I am ready to go to jail for the schemes launched by my government,” he added, responding to Opposition calls for an inquiry into his government’s initiatives. According to PTI, Shinde promised a slew of welfare measures, including the waiver of farm loans, the recruitment of 25,000 women into the police force to combat crimes against women, and a tough stance on perpetrators of such crimes. “Those involved in crimes against women will be hanged,” he declared. Additionally, Shinde assured that 25 lakh jobs would be created over the next five years under his government, PTI reported. (With PTI inputs)
16 November,2024 07:34 PM IST | Ratnagiri | mid-day online correspondentWith the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress accusing each other’s senior leaders of violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) implemented ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 and Jharkhand polls, the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday sought responses from both the chiefs: JP Nadda and Mallikarjun Kharge. According to news agency ANI, the EC has asked both the party presidents to comment on the complaints lodged against their respective star campaigners, attaching the complaints in its communication to them. The BJP had filed a complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while the opposition party had raised concerns about the remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior leader Amit Shah. EC has asked both Nadda and Kharge to provide their formal responses by 1 pm on Monday. The commission also reminded the party leaders of its previous advisory issued during the May 2024 Lok Sabha elections, urging all political parties to ensure that star campaigners and leaders adhere to public decorum and comply with the MCC during election campaigns, ANI reported. In a letter to Congress President Kharge, the EC referred to a complaint from the BJP, dated November 11, which alleged that Congress's star campaigners had violated the MCC during the ongoing election campaigns in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. The letter directed Kharge to send his comments by the specified deadline. A similar letter was sent to BJP President Nadda in response to the complaint filed by Congress. On November 11, the BJP lodged a complaint with EC, accusing Gandhi of making "inflammatory" statements, including his claim that the ruling party aimed to "destroy the Constitution." Union Minister and BJP leader Arjun Ram Meghwal explained that the BJP delegation had met with the Chief Election Commissioner to raise the issue, claiming that Gandhi’s remarks were divisive and aimed at stoking tensions between states, ANI reported. On November 13, Congress filed a complaint with the EC against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of making divisive and false statements during their campaign speeches in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said the party had asked the EC to investigate the BJP for electoral violations. Ramesh also highlighted that in his speeches, Modi made accusations against prominent Congress leaders, including former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi, claiming they were opposed to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Meanwhile, Amit Shah’s remarks allegedly accused the Congress and its allies of being opposed to these communities and promoting terrorism in the country. The first phase of voting in the Jharkhand Assembly elections concluded on November 15, with elections held in 43 of the 81 seats. The remaining 38 seats in Jharkhand and all the 288 seats in Maharashtra will go to the polls on November 20. Votes will be counted on November 23. (With ANI inputs)
16 November,2024 06:37 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentSenior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of making Parliament a "hostage" by blocking discussions, and claimed that it was Rahul Gandhi who forced the Narendra Modi government to engage with the opposition and hear the voices of all parties. According to news agency PTI, Surjewala was responding to comments made earlier in the day by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who had said, "The standard of debates in the Lok Sabha has gone down since Rahul Gandhi's arrival." In his response, Surjewala stated, "The BJP made Parliament hostage, and there were no discussions. However, after Rahul Gandhi became the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, he compelled the government to allow debates and hear the voice of every party. This may be giving Rijiju a stomach ache." Surjewala was addressing a press conference in Nagpur ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, reported PTI. While addressing the media, the Congress leader also took potshots at the state and central governments over the plight of soybean farmers in Maharashtra. He claimed that soybean farmers were facing a loss of Rs 24,000 crore this season, accusing both the Narendra Modi government and the Mahayuti alliance — led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde — of causing this crisis. "Maharashtra is the leading producer of soybean, but the Modi government declared a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 4,892 per quintal, while farmers are only receiving Rs 3,000-3,500 on average," he said, adding that this meant farmers were losing Rs 1,892 per quintal. According to PTI, Surjewala also criticised the Mahayuti government for its handling of the soybean crisis. "The Maharashtra government had written to the Agriculture Cost Price Commission, stating that the cost of production for soybean was Rs 6,039, yet the Modi government set the MSP at Rs 4,892. This shows the government's failure to protect farmers," he said. "The DNA of the BJP, the Modi government, and the Mahayuti is anti-farmer," Surjewala declared. "Farmers will not forgive them for looting them, destroying their livelihoods, and decimating their profession." The Mahayuti coalition consists of the BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) includes Congress, Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP), and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT). The Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 are scheduled for November 20, with the results to be announced three days later. (With PTI inputs)
16 November,2024 05:22 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentA Thailand-based NOK Air flight, scheduled to depart from Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok, declared an emergency early on Saturday morning, as reported by ANI. According to Mukesh, the PRO for GMR, "NOK Air flight DD959 declared an emergency this morning. All passengers were deboarded and taken to the terminal following security checks. Their luggage was also unloaded and thoroughly examined." Earlier, one passenger had been detained by the Raipur police in connection with a similar emergency landing incident, ANI reported. On Thursday, a separate flight travelling from Nagpur to Kolkata was forced to make an emergency landing at Raipur airport due to a bomb threat. The aircraft was inspected comprehensively upon landing, as per ANI's account. Authorities are continuing their investigations into these threats, which have increasingly been suspected to be hoaxes. However, efforts by security agencies to identify the perpetrators behind the bomb threats have yielded little success. A senior official told ANI, "Several teams, including cyber experts, are actively working on the matter. Despite extensive efforts, we have yet to achieve a breakthrough. All leads have so far reached a dead end." According to the official, initial investigations revealed that the threats appeared to originate from European countries. However, further attempts to trace the IP addresses revealed that VPNs had been used, obscuring the true origins of the threats. "We have confirmed that VPN technology was employed to send these threats. Efforts are ongoing in collaboration with social media platforms to gather more details about the accounts responsible for the postings," the official explained to ANI. To enhance airport security, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has implemented intensified protocols, including deploying a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) at major airports, as per ANI. The recent spate of bomb threats has raised serious concerns, prompting heightened vigilance and the mobilisation of resources to ensure passenger safety, ANI added. Passengers and airlines have been urged to cooperate with security measures during this period of heightened caution. (With inputs from ANI)
16 November,2024 01:48 PM IST | New DelhiA fire broke out on the 8th floor of a 22-storey residential building in Ahmedabad's Bopal area late Friday evening, officials said. According to fire department officials, around 100 people were evacuated from the building following the fire break out. The fire was brought under control after a few hours of dousing efforts, they said. The fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot avoiding a major accident and no one was injured, the officials said. Visuals from the spot showed black smoke rising from the blaze. " A fire broke out on the 8th floor of Iscon Platinum. Around 100 people were evacuated. One unconscious woman was sent to hospital," Fire Officer Mithun Mistry said while speaking to ANI. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, 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
16 November,2024 12:14 PM IST | Ahmedabad | ANIAt least 10 children died in a fire that engulfed the children's ward of a medical college in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi district on Friday night, officials said here, adding that the casualties may go up. District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar told reporters that the fire broke out around 10.45 pm in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College possibly due to an electrical short circuit. The children who were in the outer part of the NICU were rescued, along with some of those who were in the interior part. "Prima facie there is information of the death of 10 children," the DM said. The fire brigade was rushed to the spot while senior officers of the district also reached the medical college, Jhansi police said in a brief statement on social media. Purported visuals from the medical college showed panic-struck patients and their caretakers being evacuated, even as several police personnel aided rescue and relief measures. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the incident and directed officials of the district administration to ensure proper treatment to the injured, according to a statement issued in Lucknow. He also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. The chief minister directed the officials of the district administration and the fire brigade vehicles to reach the spot and expedite the relief work. Another official statement said Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, also the state's health minister, and the principal secretary of health have left for Jhansi on the directions of the CM. Adityanath has also directed the divisional commissioner of Jhansi and the deputy inspector general of the police range to submit a report on the matter within 12 hours, the statement 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
16 November,2024 12:14 PM IST | Jhansi (UP) | PTINational Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Friday reiterated his call for the immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, calling it a crucial step to resolve the myriad of issues facing the region. After paying obeisance at the Gurudwara Sahib in Chand Nagar on the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev's 555th birth anniversary, Abdullah hoped for greater political representation of the Sikh community, asserting that one day, Sikhs will not only have roles in the government, but also in the Assembly to effectively raise and address their issues. The veteran NC leader was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Cabinet minister Javaid Rana, "The Central government should restore statehood to J-K at the earliest as it will help resolve most of our problems," Abdullah said. Urging the Sikh community to draw inspiration from Guru Nanak Dev, he said, "On this sacred day, demand with strength that our conditions improve and we become free from bureaucratic dominance." Criticising bureaucratic governance, Abdullah said, "In the past, officials did not listen to the people. Today, however, people look towards the ministers with hope, expecting them to address their concerns and take the right decisions." Reflecting on his previous tenure (as J-K chief minister), Abdullah said, "When I returned as the chief minister in 1996, my first priority was to ensure your representation because you deserved to have your voices heard. "I entrusted a respected Sardar with the mandate to highlight your struggles and alleviate your difficulties. I contributed to the establishment of the Mahant Bachittar Singh College, personally fighting for it to ensure that your children receive quality education." The veteran politician also claimed that while he envisioned the establishment of a medical college, it has sadly not materialised yet. "However, I have worked to create institutions where your children can thrive academically to progress in life," he said. Emphasising the importance of technological advancements, Abdullah said, "Artificial Intelligence is rapidly spreading across the globe. Institutions must be built to provide education and training in this critical field so that we don't lag behind." Highlighting cultural preservation, Abdullah said, "During my tenure, I introduced Punjabi language in Jammu and Kashmir, advocating for its richness and sweetness to be taught. Similarly, I insisted that Dogri must be taught where the language is spoken. Today, Dogri is fading away with outsiders coming here, taking our lands and controlling our industries." Taking a dig at the UT administration, Abdullah claimed that local contracts are being handed over to outsiders, as if the people of the region are unskilled or incapable. "This state belongs to you. You are its rightful owners. So stand up and reclaim your rights. Only then will your issues be resolved," the NC chief said. Underscoring the importance of linguistic preservation, Abdullah said, "Where Dogri is spoken, Dogri must be taught. Where Kashmiri is spoken, Kashmiri must be promoted. Where Punjabi is prevalent, it must flourish. Why should we let our languages disappear?" Sharing an anecdote on the "poor" state of development in Jammu city, Abdullah said, "On Diwali, I went to someone's house for dinner. When I left for that place, there was light everywhere but by 11 pm, the area was shrouded in darkness. "Despite this, our mothers and sisters walk freely, without any fear. This is your honour and dignity, which you have preserved through the years. It reflects Guru Nanak Ji's teachings -- 'First, become human'. The day we achieve humanity, we will find god." Praising the Sikh community for its self-reliance, the NC chief said, "I have seen Hindus and Muslims begging, but I have never never a Sikh beggar. The Sikh community's greatness lies in its self-sufficiency. They buy land for a gurdwara and then build it themselves, seeking help not from the government, but from their own people to complete their mission with dignity." 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
16 November,2024 12:13 PM IST | Jammu | PTICongress leader Digvijay Singh expressed strong confidence in the party's prospects for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, set for November 20. He labelled the current Mahayuti government as a "stolen" administration, asserting that it lacks genuine public support, reported the ANI. Singh emphasised that the coalition of Congress, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was the one legitimately elected by the people in the previous elections. Singh also expressed optimism about reclaiming power in both Jharkhand and Maharashtra, asserting that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition would emerge victorious. "The government is a stolen one. It is not a publicly elected government. The public elected the alliance government of Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP... They also tried to bring down the Jharkhand government. They sent the sitting CM to jail even when they had no reason to do so. Also, the court questioned why he was arrested... I am sure that in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, our alliance government will be formed," he told ANI. In addition to targeting the Mahayuti government, Singh also criticised Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, referring to the controversial "bulldozer culture" associated with his administration and his "batenge to katenge" remark. He said, "PM Modi is saying 'Ek raho, safe raho'. Rahul Gandhi has said correctly that some people want a monopoly over the Indian economy and they are safe if they are united... As far as UP CM Yogi Adityanath is concerned, the way the Supreme Court has given an order on the bulldozer culture, had it been someone else, they must have resigned... CM Yogi takes pride in the bulldozer action. He is welcomed by showering flowers from bulldozers... The bulldozer has been a hallmark of his term. I congratulate the SC judges for their verdict." Digvijay Singh also voiced support for a caste-based census, aligning with Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. "BJP is the one who is dividing. Rahul Gandhi is saying solutions to problems are found based on detailed research. There is a provision in the Constitution that a certain section will get a place in jobs, as per their population and budget would also be provided similarly. But that is not happening. No top or middle-level corporates are from the Scheduled Tribes. Even in the media, how many people from the tribal community are in your profile?" he said. "For social and economic development, a caste-based census must be conducted. Why are they afraid of the census? It is 2024 and the 2021 census is due," Digvijay added. As campaigning intensifies, both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition MVA are vying for support across the 288 assembly seats. Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on November 20, with the vote count happening on November 23. (With inputs from ANI)
16 November,2024 11:36 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentSix students were killed and another was seriously injured when their car collided with a truck in Dehradun in the early hours of Tuesday (November 12). The collision, which reduced the car to a mangled wreck, occurred around 1.30 am at the ONGC Chowk. The car rammed into the truck from behind and the six died on the spot, Circle Officer (City) Neeraj Semwal said. Following the incident, Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar has directed the superintendents of police of all the 13 districts to take effective legal action to control road accidents. 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
16 November,2024 07:45 AM IST | Dehradun | AgenciesAfter giving a rousing speech in the Mahagama Assembly constituency in Jharkhand, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's helicopter was unable to take off on Friday due to not having the clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC). Earlier today, in his speech at Mahagama constituency in Godda district of Jharkhand, he condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attempting to give Mumbai's Dharavi to Adani. Calling PM Modi a "puppet of billionaires," Gandhi said that the PM has taken money away from poor people. 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
16 November,2024 07:41 AM IST | Godda (Jharkhand) | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
