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Fire at bio-energy firm in Pune district brought under control; no one hurt
A major fire broke out at bio-energy firm Praj Matrix near Urwade in Mulshi tehsil of Pune district on Friday, police said. No casualty was reported in the blaze that started at 8:30pm in the server room on the first floor of the firm's three storey structure, said an official. "It quickly spread to the adjacent office and service floor on the second level. The solar panels on the roof also caught fire. Six fire engines were deployed at the site. It has been brought under control and the cooling process is on," 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.
29 March,2025 12:21 AM IST | Pune | PTI
Under guise of freedom of speech, Kamra exhibiting ill mentality: Minister
Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant on Friday slammed stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for his past comments against women, the Supreme Court, industrialists such as Mukesh Ambani and Anand Mahindra as well as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and dubbed them as signs of an "ill mentality". Kamra has been booked for ridiculing Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, also the head of Samant's party, with the term "traitor" during an act performed in Khar, following which irate Shiv Sainiks ransacked the studio and the hotel in which it is located on the night of March 23. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Pune, Samant said these utterances under the guise of freedom of expression are actually signs of an "ill mentality". Kamra had recited a poem on the Supreme Court, listening to which would make anyone angry, Samant claimed. "Criticising, making sarcastic remarks against anyone in stand up comedy is acceptable, so these people (stand up comedians) should get freedom. But under the garb of freedom of speech, if someone is making low level remarks against women, Supreme Court, industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Anand Mahindra, and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, then it is sign of ill mentality," he said. Those supporting such utterances are of the same mentality, the minister added. The Madras High Court on Friday granted interim anticipatory bail to Kamra on the condition that he execute a bond to the satisfaction of the judicial magistrate at Vanur in Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu. Kamra had submitted he moved to Tamil Nadu from Mumbai in 2021 and has been "ordinarily a resident of this State since then" and that he feared arrest by Mumbai police. Meanwhile, speaking on party issues, Samant said Shiv Sena will be making a base for itself in Pune city and district in the coming months. Neither those who have joined the party recently nor those who have been there since its inception will be subject to injustice, Samant 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.
29 March,2025 12:17 AM IST | Pune | PTI
Nagpur violence: One of the key accused held
A key accused in the March 17 Nagpur violence has been arrested, a police official said on Friday, reported the PTI. Akola resident Faizan Khatib, was held on Thursday, he said. "He had come to Nagpur for Ramzan and had indulged in violence on March 17. He has been remanded in police custody," the official added, according to the PTI. Mobs went on a rampage in central Nagpur areas on March 17 amid rumours that a 'chadar' with holy inscriptions was burnt during protests led by VHP and Bajrang Dal for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. More than 110 persons have been arrested in connection with the violence, including key accused Fahim Khan. Mumbai Crime Branch probes Bangladeshi link to Nagpur violence The Mumbai Crime Branch has launched an investigation to determine whether there is any connection between a Bangladeshi national arrested in Mumbai and the recent violence in Nagpur, PTI reports. According to PTI, a Bangladeshi national identified as Ajijul Rehman was apprehended near Dadar station on Thursday. Authorities received intelligence suggesting that Rehman had travelled to Mumbai from Pune and had previously resided in Nagpur. Investigators are now examining whether he played any role in the violence that took place in the city. The Mumbai Crime Branch, in a statement, confirmed the probe, saying: "We will investigate whether there is a connection between Bangladeshi nationals arrested in Mumbai and the Nagpur violence. One Bangladeshi national, Ajijul Rehman, was arrested near Dadar station yesterday. There were inputs that he was coming to Mumbai via Pune and had lived in Nagpur. The investigation has begun to determine whether he had any involvement in the violence." The unrest in Nagpur, which erupted on March 17, saw incidents of stone-pelting and vehicles being torched following rumours that a holy ‘chadar’ had been set ablaze. As per PTI, law enforcement agencies have taken stringent measures, leading to the detention of over 114 individuals and the registration of thirteen cases related to the violence. Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal told ANI, "Action is continuously being taken against those involved in the incident. Thirteen cases have been filed, and more than 114 people have been accused and detained. In some cases, the accused were from outside Nagpur, while others were local residents." (with PTI and ANI inputs)
28 March,2025 10:33 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondent
Delhi Police nabs 6 illegal Bangladeshi migrants disguised as transgender women
Six suspected illegal Bangladeshi migrants, disguised as transgender women to avoid detection, were arrested from Delhi's Jahangirpuri area, a police official said on Friday. They underwent "minor surgeries" and "hormonal treatments" to change their appearance and blend into the local transgender community, the official said. Police said they were found using a banned application to communicate with their family in Bangladesh. All six migrants were handed over to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in R K Puram for further deportation proceedings. Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood in a statement on Friday said that not a single illegal infiltrator will be allowed to stay in national capital. "In collaboration with the police, a well-planned crackdown will be carried out against all illegal infiltrators, including Bangladeshi infiltrators and those who shelter them. The government is committed to removing illegal infiltrators from Delhi," Sood said, adding that positive results will soon be visible in the national capital. The arrests were made on Thursday during a 10-day surveillance drive targeting illegal Bangladeshi migrants in some areas. "Acting on a tip-off, a police team of Foreigners Cell was formed. We got to know that some illegal Bangladeshi nationals were disguising themselves as transgender individuals and engaging in begging at traffic signals to evade suspicion," said the police officer. Police received credible information about their presence near Jahangirpuri Metro Station on Thursday. All six suspects were apprehended from there, he said. They have been identified as Md Zakria Moina Khan (24), Suhana Khan (21), Akhi Sarkar (22), Md Baoijed Khan (24), Md Rana alias Lobely (26) and Johny Hussain (20). They are natives of Barguna, Gajipur, Madaripur, Sirajganj, Pabna and Naogoan districts in Bangladesh, police said. During interrogation, the migrants revealed they entered India illegally with the assistance of traffickers. They travelled to Delhi via trains and underwent "minor surgeries and hormonal treatments" to alter their appearance. Police recovered six mobile phones from their possession, all of which had banned applications they used to contact their families in Bangladesh. Further investigations are ongoing, they 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
28 March,2025 08:07 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
AI-enabled cameras, drones, security personnel tighten security in Katra
Heavy security arrangements, including AI-enabled CCTV cameras and drones, are being put in place to avert any untoward incident at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine during the Navratri festival. Chaitra (spring) Navratra will commence on March 30 and authorities are anticipating a large crowd of devotees thronging the cave shrine during the nine-day festival. These measures become all the more crucial following a fierce encounter with suspected Pakistani terrorists in the Kathua district, resulting in the killing of three terrorists and four policemen. The operation began early Thursday and was ongoing at the time of the latest reports. Conducting a security audit of Katra, the base camp of the cave shrine, Reasi SSP Paramvir Singh said, "Security has been significantly strengthened¿(we) assure all devotees arriving from various parts of the country that they will be provided with adequate security." "We have conducted security checks at several locations in Katra town and are planning additional deployments at strategic locations," he added. Further, joint teams of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police, along with quick reaction teams, have been deployed and remain vigilant, the SSP informed. Deputy Inspector General of Police Rayees Mohd Bhat said thorough security arrangements have been made, including the deployment of drones, as part of the security measures. Moreover, the track leading to the shrine is being closely watched by the CRPF. Officials said that over 500-600 CCTV cameras equipped with advanced AI capabilities have been installed along the pilgrimage route. The cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is already witnessing increased footfall. "In the past few days, there has been a significant rise in the number of pilgrims. Nearly 40,000 pilgrims visit the Mata Vaishno Devi temple daily, with numbers rising even further on weekends," said Anshul Garg, chief executive officer (CEO), SMVDSB. He further said that the number is expected to only rise in the coming days. On its part, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has built new infrastructure and arranged more facilities for the pilgrims during the festival from March 30 to April 7. An all-weather covered resting area for 1,500 pilgrims at Ardhkuwari has been set up. The area will feature a water ATM, prasad kiosk, refreshment unit and live telecast of 'garbhjoon aarti'. Additionally, the renovated 'Darshani Deodi' with a double-storey queue complex is ready to welcome pilgrims this Chaitra Navratri, the Board said. In view of recent terror incidents and the upcoming Eid and Navratri festivals, security has also been beefed up in Jammu city and along the highways, with increased vehicle checks and frisking of 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.
28 March,2025 07:44 PM IST | Jammu | mid-day online correspondent
Several MPs wear black armbands at Jumma prayers to protest Waqf bill
Several Muslims, including MPs and MLAs, wore black armbands while attending Jumma prayers on the last Friday of Ramzan as a mark of protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) claimed. The AIMPLB had earlier urged Muslims to wear a black armband when they go for Jumma prayers on the last Friday of Ramzan as a mark of their protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. AIMPLB president Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, general secretary Maulana Fazlurraheem Mujaddidi, vice president Syed Sadatullah Hussaini, and secretary Maulana Umrain Mahfooz Rahmani, among others, wore black armbands. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, IUML MP Kani Navas, Congress MP Imran Masood, Karnataka Assembly MLA Rizwan Arshad, were among the lawmakers, who sported the armband while praying Jumma in the mosques they offered prayers at. "Today, on the last Friday of Ramadan, i.e. Juma-tul-Vida, crores of Indian Muslims tied black bands on their hands and registered peaceful protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. Muslims reject this bill!" the AIMPLB claimed in a post on X. "We demand the government to immediately withdraw this unconstitutional Waqf Amendment Bill!" it said. A large number of Muslims in Patna and other cities also wore black armbands during Jumma prayers on the last Friday of Ramzan in protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Several Muslims posted pictures of themselves wearing the armband on social media as directed by the AIMPLB with the hashtag 'India Against Waqf Bill'. The AIMPLB on Sunday announced a nationwide agitation against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, with large sit-ins planned in front of the state assemblies in Patna and Vijayawada on March 26 and 29, respectively, as part of the first phase of the protest. The protests against the Waqf Bill rocked Bihar on Wednesday, from the legislature to the streets, as political parties within the state and outside stood in solidarity with the AIMPLB, which organised a 'maha dharna' in Patna. The AIMPLB demonstrations were held barely a kilometre away from the Vidhan Sabha premises, to demand rollback of the Bill brought by the Narendra Modi government at the Centre and to request "secular" leaders like Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to reconsider "support" to the contentious legislation. The AIMPLB's 31-member Action Committee has resolved to adopt all constitutional, legal and democratic means to oppose the bill, which it has described as "controversial, discriminatory and damaging". Major rallies are scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Malerkotla (Punjab) and Ranchi, the AIMPLB had said in a statement. The AIMPLB's statement comes after Parliament's joint committee submitted its report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Though not listed yet, there is speculation that the proposed legislation could be brought for passage in Parliament during the ongoing Budget Session. The 31-member panel on the Bill, after multiple sittings and hearings, suggested several amendments to the proposed legislation even as the opposition members disagreed with the report and submitted dissent notes. The 655-page report was submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30. The joint committee adopted the report that contained changes suggested by members of the ruling BJP by a 15-11 majority vote. The move prompted the opposition to dub the exercise an attempt to destroy Waqf boards. The Bill was referred to the joint committee on August 8 last year following its introduction in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. 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
28 March,2025 07:33 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
PM Modi to visit RSS founder Hedgewar's memorial in Nagpur on March 30
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh on March 30, a release from the Prime Minister's office said, reported news agency ANI. He will travel to Nagpur, Maharashtra, at around 9 AM, take Darshan at Smruti Mandir, and then visit Deekshabhoomi, reported ANI. He will lay the foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre in Nagpur at around 10 AM and address a public meeting there, reported ANI. At around 12:30 PM, he will inaugurate the Loitering Munition Testing Range and Runway facility for UAVs at Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited in Nagpur. Further, the Prime Minister will travel to Chattisgarh's Bilaspur, where, at around 3:30 PM, he will lay the foundation stone, initiate the commencement of work, and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 33,700 crore. He will also address a public meeting. Coinciding with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) Pratipada program, marking the beginning of the Hindu New Year, the Prime Minister will undertake Darshan at Smruti Mandir and pay homage to the RSS's founding father. He will also visit Deekshabhoomi and pay homage to Dr BR Ambedkar, where he embraced Buddhism along with thousands of his followers in 1956, reported ANI. As per the release, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, a new extension building of Madhav Netralaya Eye Institute & Research Centre. Established in 2014, it is a premier super-specialty ophthalmic care facility located in Nagpur. The institute was founded in memory of Guruji Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar. The upcoming project will feature a 250-bed hospital, 14 outpatient departments (OPDs), and 14 modular operation theatres, with an aim to provide affordable and world-class eye care services to the people. Prime Minister will visit the Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited's ammunition facility in Nagpur. He will inaugurate the newly built 1250m long and 25m wide airstrip for Unarmed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and the live munition and warhead testing facility to test the Loitering Munition and other guided munitions, reported ANI. In line with his commitment to enhance infrastructure development and sustainable livelihood, PM Modi will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects related to power, oil and gas, rail, road, education and housing sectors worth over Rs 33,700 crore in Bilaspur. The Prime Minister is committed to improving the power sector across the country. In line with this, multiple steps will be undertaken to provide affordable and reliable power and make Chhattisgarh self-reliant in power generation, reported ANI. He will lay the foundation stone of NTPC's Sipat Super Thermal Power Project Stage-III (1x800MW), located in the Bilaspur district, worth over Rs 9,790 crore. This pit head project is based on the latest state of the art Ultra-Supercritical Technology with high power generation efficiency. He will initiate the commencement of work on the First Super Critical Thermal Power Project (2X660MW) of Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited (CSPGCL), worth over Rs 15,800 crore. He will also dedicate to the nation three POWERGRID power Transmission projects under the Western Region Expansion Scheme (WRES), worth over Rs 560 crore, reported ANI. In line with India's net-zero emission goals, reducing air pollution and providing cleaner energy solutions, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) in the Korea, Surajpur, Balrampur and Surguja districts. It includes over 200 km of high-pressure pipeline, over 800 km of MDPE (Medium Density Polyethylene) pipeline, and multiple CNG dispensing outlets worth over Rs 1,285 crore, reported ANI. He will also lay the foundation stone of the Visakh-Raipur Pipeline (VRPL) Project of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), which spans 540 km and is worth over Rs 2210 crore. This multiproduct (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene) pipeline will have a capacity of over 3 Million Metric Tonnes per annum. With a focus on improving connectivity in the region, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of seven railway projects with a total length of 108 km and dedicate to the nation three railway projects with a total length of 111 km, worth over Rs 2,690 crore. He will flag off the MEMU train service in the Abhanpur--Raipur section via Mandir Hasaud and dedicate 100% electrification of the Indian Railways rail network in Chhattisgarh. These projects will reduce congestion, improve connectivity, and enhance social and economic growth across the region. To enhance the road infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation the upgraded Jhalmala to Sherpar section of NH-930 (37 Km) and Ambikapur-Pathalgaon section of NH-43 (75 Km) to 2 Lanes with Paved Shoulders. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Kondagaon--Narayanpur section of NH-130D(47.5 Km) to 2 Lanes with Paved Shoulders, reported ANI. These projects, worth over Rs 1,270 crore, will significantly improve accessibility to tribal and industrial regions, leading to their holistic development. In line with his commitment to ensure education for all, Prime Minister will dedicate two flagship educational initiatives, 130 PM SHRI Schools across 29 districts in the state and Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) at Raipur. 130 schools will be upgraded under the PM Schools for Rising India scheme. These schools will help provide high-quality education through well-structured infrastructure, smart boards, modern laboratories, and libraries. VSK in Raipur will enable online monitoring and data analysis of various education-related government schemes. Fulfilling the commitment to ensure access to proper housing for rural households and improving their health, security, and overall quality of life, Griha Pravesh of 3 lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G) will be held and Prime Minister will hand over the keys to some beneficiaries under the scheme. (With inputs from ANI)
28 March,2025 07:28 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra: Mahavitaran snaps power supply parts of govt building in Gondia
State-run power distributor Mahavitaran has disconnected the electricity supply to the common areas of a four-storey building, housing 32 government offices, in Maharashtra's Gondia over Rs 2.65 lakh unpaid dues, an official said on Friday, reported news agency PTI. The affected areas include the lobby, entrance and toilets in the administrative building, which is used by hundreds of employees and citizens daily, the official said. Sub-Divisional Officer Chandrabhan Khandait said the issue arose because many offices weren't regularly contributing to the contingency fund. "However, the offices have now agreed to pay their shares, and we hope to resolve the issue and restore power," he said, reported PTI. Grant of Rs 25.44 cr distributed in accounts of 560 cowsheds by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis A grant of Rs 25 crore and 44 lakh under the Desi Govansh Pariposhan Yojana was deposited in the accounts of 560 cowsheds in the state online by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, as per a release, reported ANI. The grant is for three months --January, February and March. Under the grant scheme of Rs 50 per cow per day for the maintenance of indigenous cows kept in cowsheds, in the first phase, a grant of Rs 25 crore and 45 lakh was distributed to the beneficiary cowsheds through the Maharashtra Cow Service Commission for more than 56 thousand cows in the state, reported ANI. CM Fadnavis congratulated the State Cow Service Commission for this work of the Maharashtra Cow Service Commission. Conservation of indigenous cattle is the need of the hour, and conservation of indigenous cattle will help in accelerating rural development, the CM said. The members, officers and employees of the Maharashtra Goseva Aayog are making efforts to provide the benefits of this scheme to the majority of cowsheds in the state. Animal Husbandry Minister Pankaja Munde congratulated the commission for this work and commended the ongoing work of conservation of indigenous cattle through the Goseva Aayog to promote indigenous cattle conservation. She has said that this will protect and conserve indigenous cattle, reported ANI. The productivity of indigenous cows is low. Therefore, raising them is not commercially profitable. Also, raising unproductive cows is not profitable for livestock farmers. Such fodder is kept in cowsheds. To make such cowsheds financially viable, a cow nutrition scheme of Rs 50 per day has been started for cows in cowsheds registered with the Maharashtra Goseva Aayog, reported ANI. The scheme has been a relief to hundreds of cowsheds in the state, and 560 cowsheds have been directly benefited so far, said Commission Chairman Shekhar Mundada. Commission Chairman Mundada, State Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, members of the Commission and other dignitaries were present on the occasion of online grant distribution, reported ANI. A daily subsidy will be paid for the maintenance of indigenous cows registered on the Bharat Pashudhan System in cowsheds registered with the Maharashtra Cow Service Commission. Amount of subsidy of Rs 50 per day per indigenous cow. Goshalas, Gosadans, Panjarpol and Gorakshan Sansthas registered with the Maharashtra Cow Service Commission are eligible for the subsidy, reported ANI. The institution should have at least three years of experience in cow husbandry. The cowshed must have at least 50 cows. Ear tagging of the bovine livestock in the institution is mandatory. Ear-tagged bovine livestock are eligible for the subsidy. The institution must have an account in a nationalized bank. (With inputs from PTI and ANI)
28 March,2025 07:14 PM IST | Gondia | mid-day online correspondent
PM Modi to visit Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh to unveil key projects on March 30
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh on Sunday, March 30, where he will lay the foundation stone, initiate work, and dedicate several developmental projects to the nation, according to PTI. As per PTI, Modi will commence his visit in Nagpur, Maharashtra, where he is scheduled to offer darshan at Smruti Mandir at around 9 AM. He will then proceed to Deekshabhoomi to pay tribute to Dr B.R. Ambedkar, where the architect of the Indian Constitution embraced Buddhism in 1956 along with thousands of his followers. At approximately 10 AM, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, an extension of the Madhav Netralaya Eye Institute and Research Centre. This upcoming facility, named after Guruji Shri Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar, will include a 250-bed hospital, 14 outpatient departments (OPDs), and 14 modular operation theatres, aiming to provide world-class and affordable eye care services, PTI reports. Later, at around 12:30 PM, Modi will inaugurate the Loitering Munition Testing Range and a dedicated runway facility for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) at Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited in Nagpur, further strengthening India's defence capabilities. In Chhattisgarh, the Prime Minister will arrive in Bilaspur at approximately 3:30 PM, where he will initiate work on multiple developmental projects worth over Rs 33,700 crore, covering sectors such as power, oil and gas, rail, road, education, and housing, as per PTI. Modi will lay the foundation stone for NTPC's Sipat Super Thermal Power Project Stage-III (1x800MW) in Bilaspur, valued at over Rs 9,790 crore. He will also commence work on Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited’s (CSPGCL) first Super Critical Thermal Power Project (2X660MW), worth over Rs 15,800 crore, PTI reports. Additionally, he will dedicate to the nation three power transmission projects of POWERGRID under the Western Region Expansion Scheme (WRES), with an investment of more than Rs 560 crore. In line with India’s net-zero emissions goal, Modi will lay the foundation stone of a City Gas Distribution (CGD) project by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) in Korea, Surajpur, Balrampur, and Surguja districts. This project includes over 200 km of high-pressure pipelines, 800 km of MDPE (Medium Density Polyethylene) pipelines, and multiple CNG dispensing outlets, valued at over Rs 1,285 crore. Furthermore, he will initiate the Visakh-Raipur Pipeline (VRPL) project by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), a 540-km-long multi-product pipeline worth Rs 2,210 crore, PTI reports. To enhance connectivity, Modi will lay the foundation stone for seven railway projects spanning a total length of 108 km and dedicate to the nation three completed railway projects covering 111 km, collectively worth Rs 2,690 crore. He will also flag off a new MEMU train service on the Abhanpur-Raipur section via Mandir Hasaud and announce the complete electrification of Chhattisgarh’s railway network, as per PTI. Further, he will dedicate to the nation key road infrastructure projects, including the upgraded Jhalmala to Sherpar section of NH-930 (37 km) and the Ambikapur-Pathalgaon section of NH-43 (75 km), which have been expanded to two lanes with paved shoulders. Additionally, he will lay the foundation stone for upgrading the Kondagaon-Narayanpur section of NH-130D (47.5 km) to two lanes with paved shoulders. These road projects, with a combined investment exceeding Rs 1,270 crore, are expected to boost regional development, PTI reports. In the education sector, the Prime Minister will dedicate 130 PM SHRI Schools across 29 districts in Chhattisgarh and launch the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) in Raipur. These schools, part of the PM Schools for Rising India scheme, will offer advanced infrastructure, smart boards, modern laboratories, and libraries. The VSK will facilitate real-time online monitoring and data analysis of government education schemes, as per PTI. Additionally, Modi will oversee the 'Griha Pravesh' ceremony for three lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) and personally hand over keys to some beneficiaries, reinforcing the government’s commitment to affordable housing for all. (With inputs from PTI)
28 March,2025 02:30 PM IST | Mumbai
Mid-Day Top News: PM to visit Maharashtra Chhattisgarh on March 30 and more
Welcome to Mid-Day's Top News at this hour! We bring you a curated selection of the most significant and compelling news from around the globe. Stay informed with the latest developments in the nation, Mumbai, entertainment, sports, and more. Let's dive into the headlines shaping our world today. J-K LG, CM pay tributes to policemen killed in Kathua encounter Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday paid rich tributes to the police personnel who lost their lives in an ongoing encounter in Kathua district. PM to visit Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh on March 30 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh on Sunday during which he will lay the foundation stone, initiate commencement of work and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects. Modi will travel to Nagpur and at around 9 am on Sunday, he will undertake darshan at Smruti Mandir and thereafter visit Deekshabhoomi, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. At around 10 am, he will lay the foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre at Nagpur and address a public meeting. At around 12:30 pm, he will inaugurate the Loitering Munition Testing Range and Runway facility for UAVs at Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited in Nagpur. India should increase healthcare and education spending to 3.8 pc and 6.5 pc of GDP to achieve Viksit Bharat goal: EY India must significantly increase its spending on healthcare and education to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat and become a developed nation by 2047, according to a report by EY. The report suggested that the government should raise its expenditure on education to 6.5 per cent of GDP and healthcare to 3.8 per cent of GDP over the next two decades. It said "Education spending by the government may need to rise to 6.5 per cent of GDP by FY2048 from its current 4.6 per cent" Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh picks current best player in T20 format Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has put a tag of the best T20 player on Nicholas Pooran in the present scenario following his impeccable dominance that assisted Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in breaching Sunrisers Hyderabad's (SRH) fortress in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Pooran has ignited the ongoing edition of the cash-rich league with his sheer blitzkrieg with the bat. With his explosive 70(26), he was the backbone of Lucknow's successful 191-run chase as the Super Giants sealed a 5-wicket win in Hyderabad. Hrithik Roshan to make directorial debut with 'Krrish 4', father Rakesh Roshan confirms Hrithik Roshan is set to don the director's hat for the highly anticipated 'Krrish 4', the latest installment in the superhero franchise. Hrithik, who has starred in the previous three blockbuster films of the franchise, will also act in the movie. Rakesh Roshan, Hrithik's father and a filmmaker, took to social media to confirm the news, sharing a heartfelt note. "Duggu 25yrs back I launched you as an actor, and today again after 25 years you are being launched as a director by two filmmakers Aditya Chopra & myself to take forward our most ambitious film #Krrish4. Wish you all the success in this new avatar with good wishes and blessings!" he wrote.
28 March,2025 01:53 PM IST | Mumbai
"Karnataka govt wants to cover up bankruptcy caused by their guarantees": Basava
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Basavaraj Bommai has criticised the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government over the milk price hike, claiming the increase is a tactic to cover up the financial troubles caused by their guarantees. Speaking to ANI, Bommai said, "Karnataka is very well-known now for bankruptcy, corruption, and price rise. Almost all community prices have been increasing on a day-to-day basis." "Today itself, they have increased the price of milk by Rs 4, and this is the third time in one year. There is a huge financial burden on every family, especially the poor. They want to cover up the bankruptcy (caused by their) guarantees. It is the failure of this government," Bommai added. On Thursday, the Karnataka government announced a price hike for Nandini milk and curd by Rs 4 per litre, set to take effect from April 1. This decision was made during a Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting held by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The move aims to encourage dairy farming in the state, considering the cost of milk production and processing. Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) Chairman Bheema Naik on Thursday defended the move of the state government to increase the price of Nandini milk by Rs 4 per litre, stating that the additional cost will go directly to the farmers. "We were selling milk in Karnataka at a price lower than that elsewhere in the country. KMF procures 86 lakh-1 crore (milk) every day. 1 litre of milk is sold at Rs 42 (Karnataka). In Gujarat, it is Rs 53, in Andhra & Telangana, it is Rs 58, in Delhi and Maharashtra, it is Rs 56, in Kerala, it is Rs 54. This decision has been taken in the interest of herders. These 4 Rupees are going to farmers," he told ANI. Karnataka BJP denounced the move in a social media post on X and termed the Congress government "anti-poor." "Milk prices hiked by Rs4/-, and the cost of daily essentials is skyrocketing. Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress leaders are busy with honey-trap scandals. Farmers have been waiting for milk subsidies for years, but the government prioritises Waqf compound renovations instead. Congress isn't just anti-farmer; they're anti-poor!" Karnataka BJP said on X. BJP Karnataka President Vijayendra Yediyurappa accused the Congress government of continuing to impose price hikes on the common people of the state. "These 4 rupees are going to farmers": Karnataka Milk Federation defends milk price hike. In a post on X, Yediyurappa said, "The Congress government, which is struggling to manage the five blessings, has been continuously imposing the misfortune of price hike on the common man ever since it came to power. At a time when people are suffering from the heat of price hikes in drinking water, electricity bills, transportation, essential items, etc., this government seems to have entered the race to increase the price of milk for the second time after coming to power." "The current decision to increase the price of milk by Rs 4 and cut into the pockets of the common man is nothing but daylight robbery," Yediyurappa 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
28 March,2025 11:44 AM IST | Bengaluru | AP