The fourth edition of ‘ SAMPARK ’, an ECHS (Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) outreach initiative to provide quality healthcare services to the Naval Veterans, Veer Naris and their families, is being launched from December 16 across Maharashtra. This outreach is an integral part of the Chief of the Naval Staff's (CNS) vision to ensure the well-being of veterans and their families, particularly those residing in remote and inaccessible regions. Sampark 4.0 will focus on establishing direct communication channels between the veterans and ECHS (Navy) , promoting a sense of camaraderie and support within the veteran community. Under ‘Sampark 4.0’, a team comprising an officer and five sailors will embark on a 10-day journey across various regions of Maharashtra, and hold interactive and immersive sessions at each ECHS Polyclinics located in Thane, Nasik (Deolali), Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kolhapur and Pune. ‘Sampark’ also aims to foster a deeper sense of trust among veterans and their families , ensuring that they feel heard, supported, and cared for. This outreach will also enhance awareness amongst the veterans and their families by educating them about various healthcare services, entitlements and procedures within ECHS, empowering them to access these benefits in a better manner. This outreach initiative will serve as a platform for the veterans to provide them with the opportunity to directly interact with ECHS (Navy) officials, who will offer guidance on healthcare services and assist them with any issues they face in accessing the medical facilities through the scheme. Veterans will also be able to register grievances related to healthcare services and ECHS (Navy) will actively work towards resolving these issues. Steel cutting ceremony of second fleet support ship held at in Tamil Nadu The steel cutting ceremony for the second boat of the Indian Navy's Fleet Support Ships (FSS) project was held at the Larsen and Toubro Shipyard in Kattupalli in Tamil Nadu. A total of five ships have to be built under the project to support the Indian Navy operations. Indian Navy's Assistant Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi presided over the event, joined by senior officials from the Indian Navy, Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), and M/s L&T. (With ANI inputs)
12 December,2024 09:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out extensive searches on Thursday at 19 locations across eight states as part of its ongoing probe into an alleged conspiracy by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) to radicalise youths and spread terror activities in India. Several incriminating documents, electronic devices including mobile phones, pen drives, CDs, hard disks etc. were seized during the searches carried out at multiple locations in the states of Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Gujarat. These materials are being scrutinised to establish the extent of the conspiracy and the individuals involved in facilitating the activities of JeM within India. The counter-terrorism agency, which is investigating the case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, targeted the locations in an operation launched in the early hours of the day. In Jammu and Kashmir, the searches were conducted at the premises of close aides of an accused, Sheikh Sultan Salah Uddin Ayubi alias Ayubi, an alleged JeM operative. Ayubi was taken into custody in October for allegedly disseminating propaganda material associated with JeM, and radicalising and recruiting youth into the Jamaat outfit inspired by JeM. As per PTI, the raids are part of a broader effort to dismantle the financial and operational support system of the banned terrorist organisation. The locations at which the searches were conducted today were Goalpara (Assam); Aurangabad, Mumbai, Amravati (Maharashtra); Jhansi, Bareilly, Deoband and Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh); Sitamarhi (Bihar); Hooghly (West Bengal), Baramulla, Reasi, Budgam, and Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir); Dungarpur (Rajasthan), and Mehsana (Gujarat). Meanwhile, the agency on Thursday detained a youth from Maharashtra's Amravati district on suspicion of having links with the Pakistan-based terror group JeM, the police said. A raid was conducted last night at Chhaya Nagar in the district after NIA received information that the youth was in contact with the banned JeM for the past six months, they said. The youth was apprehended and was being questioned by the central agency, the police said without giving more details. (With inputs from PTI)
12 December,2024 08:49 PM IST | Srinagar | mid-day online correspondentIn response to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, provided an update on the efforts to tackle spam calls in India. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has been actively addressing spam communications, including unsolicited commercial calls and messages, through the Telecommunications Commercial Communications Consumers Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018). These regulations, along with subsequent directives, have established measures to curb the growing issue of spam calls in the country, the minister said. Some of the key provisions of the law include: Telecom subscribers can register preferences to block all commercial communications or selectively block messages based on categories. Complaints against senders of Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC) can be lodged via a mobile app, by sending an SMS to the short code 1909 or by calling 1909. Registered entities and telemarketers found violating the regulations face blacklisting, with stringent action taken against unregistered telemarketers (UTMs). This can involve warnings, usage caps, or disconnections for repeat offenders. Financial disincentives have also been introduced for Access Providers who fail to curb UCC effectively. Further strengthening the crackdown on spam calls, TRAI issued additional directives on 13 August 2024, mandating that any entity making promotional voice calls in violation of the regulations would face severe penalties. Following this move, Access Providers have taken significant action, resulting in a notable reduction in complaints related to UCC. According to the minister's statement, by the end of October, 1,150 entities and individuals had been blacklisted, and 18.8 lakh telecom resources had been disconnected for non-compliance. The number of complaints against unregistered telemarketers dropped significantly between August and October, showing a steady decline. Of the 1,89,419 complaints registered in August, 1,63,167 were filed in September, which was a 13% decline. In October, the complaints went down to 1,51,497 (a 20% reduction compared to August), the minister said. "These figures highlight the effectiveness of the measures in addressing spam calls, providing relief to Indian telecom consumers. The continued efforts by TRAI and Access Providers are expected to further reduce spam communications, improving the overall user experience for mobile phone users across the country," the Ministry of Communications stated in a press release.
12 December,2024 08:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the 'One Nation, One Election,' bill in the parliament, a huge step towards the electoral process in India, reported news agency ANI. A thorough bill is likely to follow this decision, which will pave the way for unified election across the nation. Earlier on Wednesday, former President of India Ram Nath Kovind stated that the Central government must build a consensus on the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative, emphasising that the issue transcends political interests and serves the nation as a whole, stated ANI. Kovind, who heads the committee on the issues, said, "The Central government will have to build consensus. This issue is not in the interest of any party but the nation. It (One Nation, One Election) will be a game-changer--it's not my opinion but that of economists, who believe that after its implementation, the country's GDP will rise by 1-1.5 per cent." The Union Cabinet in September this year, approved the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, which aims to hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, along with urban body and panchayat polls, within a span of 100 days, stated ANI. The recommendations were outlined in a report by a high-level panel chaired by former President Kovind, stated ANI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised the decision following the Cabinet's approval, calling it an important step making India’s democracy more participative. The Cabinet has accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections. I compliment our former President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji for spearheading this effort and consulting a wide range of stakeholders. This is an important step towards making our… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 18, 2024 "The Cabinet has accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections. I complement our former President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji, for spearheading this effort and consulting a wide range of stakeholders. This is an important step towards making our democracy even more vibrant and participative," PM Modi posted on X. Meanwhile, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday showed his support for holding simultaneous elections of state and Lok Sabha. He argued that frequent elections result in significant wastage of both time and public funds. Chouhan noted that frequent elections disrupt public welfare programmes and result in substantial expenditures of public money, stated ANI. "I am an agriculture minister, but during the elections, I spent three months campaigning. It wastes the time of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Ministers, MPs, MLAs, officers, and employees. All development work comes to a standstill. Then, new announcements have to be made," Chouhan said. (With inputs from ANI)
12 December,2024 07:54 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis said the names of the probable ministers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in his cabinet have been shortlisted on Thursday and the final decision will be taken by the party's central leadership, reported news agency PTI. Fadnavis held discussions on his cabinet expansion with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda and senior party leader BL Santosh in New Delhi on Wednesday night. The Maharashtra CM was on a two-day visit to Delhi, his first after taking office. State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule was also present during the meeting, stated PTI. "We are yet to decide on a date for the cabinet expansion. The formula has been decided and you will know about it soon," said Fadnavis, who took oath as Maharashtra CM last week. Meanwhile, Nationalist congress Party (NCP) chief and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said that Maharashtra Cabinet expansion could likely take place on Saturday. The BJP-led Mahayuti registered a landslide victory in the recent Maharashtra Assembly polls. The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP coalition won 230 seats while smaller outfits, part of the alliance, emerged victorious on five seats. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance could manage to win just 46 seats in the 288-member Assembly. Besides Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and Pawar were sworn in as deputy CMs in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and prominent personalities from the arenas of politics, industry and entertainment. Meanwhile, Fadnavis also brushed aside reports of differences among the ruling alliance over the power-sharing agreement, according to PTI. "There is no issue with the expansion of the cabinet. I had come here to meet my party leaders and discuss who could be the ministers from BJP. Eknath Shinde will decide on the ministers from his party, Ajit dada will decide on his ministers," he said. He also stated that he and Pawar have come to Delhi for their respective meetings. "Ajit dada has come for his work, I have come to meet my party leaders. I have not even met Ajit dada in Delhi," he clarified. According to some reports, as stated by PTI, Dy CM Eknath Shinde did not come to Delhi as he was sulking on the allocation of portfolios to the Shiv Sena. During his stay in the capital, Fadnavis met President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Modi, Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, stated PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
12 December,2024 06:39 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday restrained all the courts across the country from passing any effective interim or final order, including orders of survey in pending suits against existing religious structures, reported news agency ANI. A bench of Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, and Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan also ordered that no fresh suits can be registered over such claims while the apex court is hearing pleas challenging the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. "As the matter is sub-judice before this court, we deem it fit to direct that while suits may be filed, no suits would be registered and proceedings undertaken till further orders of this court. In the pending suits, courts would not pass any effective interim order or final orders, including orders of survey," the bench ordered, according to ANI. The court was informed that currently, there are 18 pending suits in the country against 10 mosques or shrines. The SC bench also granted four weeks to Centre to file an affidavit in a batch of petitions challenging certain provisions of the Places of Worship Act that prohibit the filing of a lawsuit to reclaim a religious place or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947, ANI reported. The pleas challenged the Places of Worship Act saying that the law takes away the rights of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs to restore their 'places of worship and pilgrimages', destroyed by invaders. 'Pleas against the Act will open floodgates of litigations against countless mosques' The petitioners who have filed the pleas against the Places of Worship Act, 1991, include the Maharaja Kumari Krishna Priya, who is the daughter of the Kashi Royal Family, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy, Former Member of Parliament Chintamani Malviya, retired army officer Anil Kabotra, advocates Chandra Shekhar and Rudra Vikram Singh from Varanasi, religious leader Swami Jeetendranand Saraswati, Mathura resident and religious leader Devkinandan Thakur Ji, and advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, among others. The 1991 provision is an Act to prohibit the conversion of any place of worship and to provide for the maintenance of the religious character of a religious structure as it existed on August 15, 1947, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, India Muslim Personal Law Board, Committee of Management Anjuman Intezamia Masjid — which manages the mosque in the Gyanvapi complex — the Shahi Idgah mosque committee of Mathura, among others, also filed applications in the top court against the petitions challenging the validity of certain provisions of the Places of Worship Act. They challenged the petitions filed by some Hindu petitioners on the grounds that entertaining the pleas against the Places of Worship Act will open floodgates of litigations against countless mosques across India. They requested the court's intervention in the case and they sought the dismissal of pleas challenging the Places of Worship Act. One of the pleas challenging the 1991 Act stated, "The Act excludes the birthplace of Lord Rama but includes the birthplace of Lord Krishna, though both are the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the creator and equally worshipped all over the world." 'Act blatantly offends right of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs' The pleas further stated that the Act "blatantly offends" the right of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs to "restore, manage, maintain and administer the places of worship and pilgrimage guaranteed under Article 26 of the Indian Constitution". The petitions filed have challenged the constitutional validity of Sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991, which it said violates the principles of secularism and the rule of law, which is an integral part of the Preamble and the basic structure of the Constitution. According to the pleas, the Act has taken away the right to approach the Court and thus, the right to judicial remedy has been closed. Section 3 of the Act bars the conversion of places of worship. It states, "No person shall convert any place of worship of any religious denomination or any section thereof into a place of worship of a different section of the same religious denomination or of a different religious denomination or any section thereof." Under the Act, Section 4 bars filing of any suit or initiating any other legal proceeding for a conversion of the religious character of any place of worship, as existing during Independence. "The Places of Worship Act 1991 is void and unconstitutional for many reasons," the plea said, adding that it offends the right of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs to pray, profess, practice and prorogate religion (Article 25), the petitions said, adding, "It also infringes on their right to manage, maintain and administer the places of worship and pilgrimage (Article 26)." The petitions further mention, "The Act deprives these communities from owning/acquiring religious properties belonging to deity (misappropriated by other communities) And also takes away the right to take back their places of worship and pilgrimage and the property which belong to deity." The Act further deprives Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs to take back their places of worship and pilgrimage connected with cultural heritage (Article 29) and it also restricts them to restore the possession of places of worship and pilgrimage but allows Muslims to claim under Section 107, Waqf Act, the petitioners claimed. "It is respectfully submitted that the Central Government by making impugned provision (Places of Worship Act 1991) in the year of 1991 has created arbitrary irrational retrospective cutoff date, declared that character of places of worship and pilgrimage shall be maintained as it was on August 15, 1947, and no suit or proceeding shall lie in the court in respect of the dispute against encroachment done by barbaric fundamentalist invaders and such proceeding shall stand abated," the PILs stated. (With ANI inputs)
12 December,2024 06:16 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentRajya Sabha MP and NCP-SP Chief Sharad Pawar, also known to the masses as Saheb, was born on December 12, 1940, celebrated his 84th birthday on Thursday, ANI reported. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended birthday greetings to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and prayed for his long and healthy life. "Birthday wishes to Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader Sharad Pawar Ji. I pray for his long and healthy life," posted PM Modi on X. Birthday wishes to Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader, Shri Sharad Pawar Ji. I pray for his long and healthy life.@PawarSpeaks — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2024 Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha also wished NCP chief Sharad Pawar on X. "Happy Birthday to Nationalist Congress (@NCPspeaks) Party President, Former Union Minister Sharad Pawar. Wish you good health and long life," Kharge posted. राष्ट्रवादी काँग्रेस (@NCPspeaks) पक्षाचे अध्यक्ष, माजी केंद्रीय मंत्री, श्री @PawarSpeaks जी यांना वाढदिवसाच्या मनःपूर्वक शुभेच्छा.आपणांस उत्तम आरोग्य आणि दीर्घायुष्य लाभो, ही सदिच्छा. — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) December 12, 2024 Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, was present at the Sharad Pawar's birthday celebrations along with his family members in Delhi. "Respected Shri. Happy Birthday Sharad Pawar! Wish you good health and long life," he said. on X आदरणीय श्री. शरद पवार साहेबांना वाढदिवसाच्या मनःपूर्वक शुभेच्छा! आपणांस उत्तम स्वास्थ्य व दीर्घायुष्य लाभो, ही सदिच्छा. pic.twitter.com/6SnkF97upb — Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) December 12, 2024 State President of Ajit Pawar-led NCP Sunil Tatkare also wished Sharad Pawar on his birthday. He said on X, "Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and former Agriculture Minister of the country Hon. Happy birthday to Sharad Chandraji Pawar! May we get good health and long life, this is God's prayer!" महाराष्ट्राचे माजी मुख्यमंत्री व देशाचे माजी कृषीमंत्री मा. शरदचंद्रजी पवार साहेब यांना वाढदिवसाच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा! आपल्याला उत्तम आरोग्य व दीर्घायुष्य लाभो, हीच ईश्वरचरणी प्रार्थना! pic.twitter.com/ciXOsndobZ — Sunil Tatkare (@SunilTatkare) December 12, 2024 Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also wished Pawar a "healthy and prosperous life" in an X post. "Happy Birthday to Sharad Pawar, former Chief Minister, former Union Minister and MP Sharad Pawar, a senior social and political leader of Maharashtra. Wishing you a healthy and prosperous life," he said. महाराष्ट्राच्या समाजकारण आणि राजकारणातील ज्येष्ठ नेते, माजी मुख्यमंत्री, माजी केंद्रीय मंत्री व खासदार शरद पवार यांना वाढदिवसाच्या मनःपूर्वक शुभेच्छा. आपणास सुदृढ व उदंड आयुष्य लाभो हीच सदिच्छा.@PawarSpeaks — Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) December 12, 2024 Meanwhile, banners wishing NCP-SCP chairman Sharad Pawar a happy birthday were up outside his Delhi residence, ANI reported. Pawar grew up in Baramati, Pune, and began his political career at the age of 24, becoming president of the State Youth Congress and a member of the State Cabinet five years later. Pawar served as Maharashtra's Chief Minister for seven years of his 32-year political career, ANI cited During these years, Maharashtra established and maintained its status as the country's premier industrial state, as well as one with a well-managed treasury. (With inputs from ANI)
12 December,2024 04:13 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the Assembly elections, Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, made two significant announcements on Thursday, both aimed at benefiting the Delhi women. Addressing the media, Kejriwal stated, "Today, I have come to make two big announcements for the people of Delhi. Both the announcements are for women. I had promised that I will give Rs 1,000 to every woman. This proposal was passed in the cabinet meeting chaired by CM Atishi this morning. Now this scheme has been implemented in Delhi." आज हमारी सरकार ने दिल्ली की हर महिला को हज़ार रुपए देने की योजना शुरु कर दी है।चुनाव के बाद हम दिल्ली की हमारी सभी माताओं-बहनों को हर महीने 2100 रुपए उनके अकाउंट में देंगे। https://t.co/1KX72pLNDC pic.twitter.com/kOb4mwJngd — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 12, 2024 He went on to clarify that while the scheme is now in place, the actual transfer of money will not happen immediately. "Elections will be announced in 10-15 days, so it is not possible to transfer money to the account right now," Kejriwal explained, referring to the election timeline which may delay the process temporarily, reported ANI. Addressing concerns about the sufficiency of Rs 1,000 in light of rising inflation, Kejriwal acknowledged the feedback from some women. He noted, "Some women said that Rs 1,000 will not be enough due to inflation. Therefore, registration will start from tomorrow for Rs 2,100 per month. This revised amount aims to better meet the financial needs of Delhi women," reported ANI. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said that the honorarium for women is a Kejriwal guarantee and it will be fulfilled. "Arvind Kejriwal had promised to give a monthly honorarium of Rs 1,000 to every woman in Delhi. Today the Delhi government fulfilled this promise. Now Arvind Kejriwal has promised that if his government is formed again, every woman in Delhi will be given an honorarium of Rs 2,100 every month. This is Kejriwal's guarantee. It is sure to be fulfilled," she said. Senior Party leader Manish Sisodia hailed the announcement saying that the AAP had proven that politics is based on the common man's welfare. "A big step towards empowering and respecting the women of Delhi. The Delhi government has made a historic announcement under Kejriwal Mahila Samman Yojna. Rs 1,000 will be given to women of Delhi every month. After the elections, this amount will increase to Rs 2100 per month. The cabinet has approved this proposal. This step will promote the economic independence of women and bring positive changes in their families. This scheme is a symbol of empowering women's self-respect and their rights. Arvind Kejriwal has once again proved that his politics is based on the welfare and empowerment of the common man," Sisodia said, reported ANI. The announcement is part of the Aam Aadmi Party's ongoing efforts to provide financial support to women in Delhi, with the scheme now officially implemented following approval in the cabinet meeting. Elections to Delhi assembly are expected to take place early next year. (With inputs from ANI)
12 December,2024 02:59 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentUnion Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, expressed deep regret on Thursday over the rising number of road accidents in India, admitting that he had failed to meet his ambitious target of reducing accident fatalities by 50 per cent since assuming office. He revealed that, when attending international conferences where road accidents are discussed, he often feels the need to "hide his face" due to the increasing death toll on Indian roads. In a candid admission during a discussion on road safety in the Lok Sabha, Gadkari said, "Forget about reducing the number of accidents, I have no hesitation to admit that it has increased." The minister’s statement followed a supplementary query during the Question Hour, where he underscored the enormity of the challenge India faces in tackling road accidents. Gadkari explained that while improvements were expected under his tenure, the issue had proven far more complex, noting that a change in human behaviour, societal attitudes, and the respect for the rule of law were critical to curbing the growing number of accidents. "For things to improve, human behaviour in India has to change, society has to change, and the rule of law has to be respected," he stressed. The minister also drew from his own personal experience, recalling a severe accident that he and his family were involved in several years ago, which left him needing prolonged medical treatment. "By the grace of God, I and my family were saved. So, I have personal experience with accidents," Gadkari said, adding that this personal ordeal had only heightened his awareness of the road safety issue. As per PTI reports, Gadkari pointed out that a major cause of accidents in India is the improper parking of trucks on roads, as well as the widespread lack of lane discipline among commercial drivers. He also mentioned that he had issued orders for adhering to international standards in the construction of bus bodies in India, proposing safety features such as the installation of hammers near bus windows to facilitate easy escape in the event of an accident. Further highlighting the scale of the problem, Gadkari noted that road accidents claim approximately 1.78 lakh lives annually in India, with 60 per cent of the victims falling within the 18-34 age group. Uttar Pradesh, according to PTI, leads the country in road accident fatalities, with over 23,000 deaths, accounting for 13.7 per cent of the national toll. Tamil Nadu follows with more than 18,000 deaths, representing 10.6 per cent. Maharashtra, too, has a significant share of fatalities, with over 15,000 deaths, or nine per cent of the total national road accident deaths. Madhya Pradesh comes in fourth with more than 13,000 deaths. In terms of cities, Delhi tops the list with over 1,400 deaths due to road accidents, followed by Bengaluru with 915 fatalities. Jaipur records around 850 deaths, making it another hotspot for road accidents in India. The minister's remarks underscore the need for urgent and sustained efforts to address the country's road safety crisis, which continues to claim countless lives every year. Despite his efforts, Gadkari admitted that there is still much work to be done, and the task of reducing road accidents remains a daunting challenge. (With inputs from PTI)
12 December,2024 02:47 PM IST | New DelhiPolice in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur on Wednesday said they were yet to receive any official communication from their counterparts in Bengaluru in connection with the suicide of techie Atul Subhash, reported news agency PTI. The 34-year-old techie, who worked for a private firm in Bengaluru, allegedly committed suicide on Monday alleging harassment by his wife and her family members who are from Jaunpur. Following Subhash's death, a case of abetment of suicide has been registered against his wife and her family members in Bengaluru. His wife Nikita Singhania had first lodged a dowry harassment FIR against Subhash, his brother and parents in 2022, three years after their marriage. "Bengaluru police have not yet contacted us over this matter of Bengaluru techie's suicide," Jaunpur Superintendent of Police Ajaypal Sharma told PTI. According to Janupur police, Subhash's wife Nikita had on April 24, 2022 filed a case against him at Kotwali police station. The case was investigated by the then woman sub-inspector Priyanka and the charge sheet was sent to the court on August 30, 2022, police said, reported PTI. Meanwhile, when the media reached the house of Nikita's parents at Khowa Mandi on Wednesday, her brother Anurag alias Piyush Singhania and mother Nisha Singhania refused to talk to them. The brother asked the media to turn off their cameras and said that "whatever I have to say, I will say in front of my lawyer", reported PTI. "Whatever allegations are made, I will answer them when the time comes. Whatever you want to know, go and find out from the court," Anurag said, reported PTI. When approached, Anurag's relative Surendra Singhania said that Nikita and Subhash got married about five years ago. After marriage, both lived in Bengaluru and used to work there, he said, adding the couple also has a son. For the past two years, Nikita wanted a divorce from Subhash and she had filed three or four cases in the court in her native district of Jaunpur, Surendra said. "Due to the dispute between the two, Nikita wanted maintenance and Subhash was not in favour of it," he said, reported PTI. At present, Nikita lives with her son in Delhi and works there, he added. Advocate Dinesh Mishra, who is handling the case of deceased engineer, while talking to the media, said that Subhash's wife Nikita had filed cases against him several times. "One of these important cases was going on in the family court, in which Nikita had applied to the court for maintenance of herself and her child. The court refused to give maintenance to the wife in this case, but ordered an amount of Rs 40,000 per month for the maintenance of the child," Mishra said, reported PTI. The lawyer further said that "if Subhash felt this amount was too much, then he should have contacted the court or talked to those who could resolve this matter", reported PTI. Mishra also said that he had not met or talked to Subhash since July. Mishra also said that "he never felt that Subhash was depressed or a victim of mental stress", reported PTI. Nikita had lodged a complaint on April 24, 2022 alleging harassment and assault for dowry. She mentioned her husband, his parents and brothers-in-law as accused. The FIR was lodged at Kotwali police station in Janupur under Indian Penal Code sections 498A (cruelty by husband or relatives), 323 (assault), 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), 506 (criminal intimidation) and under provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. Nikita said she got married to Subhash on April 26, 2019. She alleged that after marriage her husband and in-laws were dissatisfied with what her parents gave them during the wedding and demanded Rs 10 lakh more. She alleged they "started torturing me physically and mentally for dowry. When I told my parents about the harassment and dowry, my parents explained to me that everything will be fine, listen and keep living with it. But no improvement of any kind came in my husband and in-laws", reported PTI. "My husband started to beat me up after drinking alcohol and started treating the husband-wife relationship with me like a beast. He used to transfer my entire salary from my account to his account by threatening me," Nikita had claimed, reported PTI. She also claimed that irritated by the words of her in-laws, her father's health suddenly deteriorated and on August 17, 2019 he suffered a stroke due to the demand for dowry and later died during treatment. (With inputs from PTI)
12 December,2024 02:09 PM IST | Jaunpur | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi amid suspense over Maharashtra cabinet expansion. "Extremely thankful to Hon PM Narendra Modi ji for your valuable time, guidance, blessings and standing firm behind Maharashtra. In last 10 years, with your support Maharashtra is Number 1 in almost every sector and now aims to take this journey of VIKAS to the next level under your leadership and guidance. You have always been an inspiration to crores of BJP Karyakarta like us to work even harder," Fadnavis said in a post on X. Extremely thankful to Hon PM Narendra Modi ji for your valuable time, guidance, blessings and standing firm behind Maharashtra.In last 10 years, with your support Maharashtra is Number 1 in almost every sector and now aims to take this journey of VIKAS to the next level under… pic.twitter.com/nr6pmBG5UC — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 12, 2024 Fadnavis travelled to Delhi on Wednesday for a series of crucial meetings, marking his first visit since taking office as Chief Minister. He met prominent leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. These meetings are viewed as a courtesy and are part of the ongoing coalition discussions involving the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The Maharashtra cabinet expansion has been delayed due to the involvement of three parties (Mahayuti allies BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP). The BJP is projected to retain around 21 to 22 ministerial positions, including that of the Chief Minister while leaving four to five positions vacant for future appointments. The Maharashtra cabinet can accommodate a total of 43 ministers, including the Chief Minister. Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, took their oaths on December 5 after their coalition, known as Mahayuti, achieved a significant victory in the state assembly elections, securing 230 out of 288 seats. Soon after taking oath as the chief minister, Fadnavis took his first step in office by approving monetary assistance of Rs 5 lakh for a bone marrow transplant patient. According to the CMO, assistance from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund was sanctioned for Chandrkant Shankar Kurhade, a resident of Pune. The newly sworn-in CM also directed the administration to expedite work processes and operate with increased vigour. He emphasised the need to work faster to meet public expectations. The Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024 witnessed a decisive victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance, securing a landslide win with 235 seats. The results marked a significant milestone for the BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats. The Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party also made notable gains, with 57 and 41 seats, respectively.
12 December,2024 01:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
