Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Ram Shinde on Thursday was elected unopposed as chairperson of the Maharashtra legislative council, reported news agency PTI. The council chairperson's post was lying vacant ever since July 7, 2022, after NCP leader Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar's term ended more than three years ago. Now, the presiding officer's post in both houses of the state legislature is with the BJP, PTI stated. BJP MLA Rahul Narwekar was elected unopposed as Speaker of the 15th Maharashtra legislative assembly last week during the ongoing winter session in Nagpur. Before becoming a member of the Upper House of Maharashtra legislature on July 8, 2022, Shinde was a minister during Devendra Fadnavis’s 2014-19 tenure. In the recent Maharashtra assembly election, which was held on November 20, Shinde had lost the Karjat Jamkhed assembly seat to NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar by a narrow margin. Maharashtra assembly winter session: MVA protests at Vidhan Bhawan steps over Amit Shah's Ambedkar remarks Opposition members staged a protest at the Vidhan Bhawan steps in Nagpur on Thursday over Union minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar and said the country will not tolerate insult of the Constitution's architect, reported news agency PTI. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, wearing blue caps and stoles, took out a morcha from the Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur. They reached steps of the Vidhan Bhawan complex raising the slogan "Babasaheb ka apman nahi sahega hindustan", reported PTI. The protesters included leader of opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, Congress leaders Nana Patole, Nitin Raut, Vijay Wadettiwar, Bhai Jagtap, Shiv Sena (UBT) legislators Aaditya Thackeray, Sachin Ahir, Varun Sardesai, Bhaskar Jadhav and NCP (SP) legislator Rohit Pawar. A massive political row erupted on Wednesday as the Congress and other opposition parties launched an all-out attack on Shah for his remarks on Ambedkar and demanded his sacking, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders rallied to his defence and said he has exposed Congress' "anti-Ambedkar" stand. The opposition members claimed Amit Shah's remarks were an insult to Ambedkar. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh had shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the Upper House of Parliament on Tuesday. The Maharashtra assembly winter session is currently underway in Nagpur. (With inputs from PTI)
19 December,2024 02:12 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentDeputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has called on the Union Government to immediately revoke the 20% export duty on onions, stating that the move would help farmers secure better prices for their produce and prevent financial losses. In a letter to Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Pawar highlighted the need to support Maharashtra's onion farmers, particularly in light of increased import opportunities in neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka. The demand comes after a concerted effort by Maharashtra legislators, including MLAs Nitin Arjun Pawar, Dileeprao Bankar, Hiraman Khoskar, and Saroj Ahire, who approached the Deputy Chief Minister seeking intervention. Taking their concerns into account, Ajit Pawar wrote to the Centre urging swift action to alleviate the challenges faced by the state’s farmers. Opportunity to boost Onion export Ajit Pawar pointed out that Sri Lanka has recently reduced its import duty on onions by 20% and is actively increasing onion imports. This development presents a significant opportunity for farmers in Maharashtra, especially in Nashik, to export their red onions to international markets. However, the central government’s 20% export duty on onions has made it challenging for farmers to capitalise on this demand. Pawar stressed that removing the duty would enable farmers to get fair, cost-based prices and stabilise the market. Maharashtra, particularly Nashik district, is one of the largest onion-producing regions in India. This year, the state’s farmers have battled adverse weather conditions, including unseasonal rains, which have severely affected crops. Despite these challenges, a new harvest of red onions has recently entered the markets. However, with an average market price of ₹2,400 per quintal, many farmers are unable to recover their production costs. Red onions, which are less durable than other varieties, need to be sold immediately, forcing farmers to accept low prices. According to Pawar, this has added to the financial strain faced by onion growers. He emphasised that maximising exports is crucial to stabilising prices and ensuring farmers receive appropriate compensation for their produce. In his letter to the Union Minister, Pawar argued that withdrawing the export duty would create a win-win situation for farmers and traders, allowing them to access international markets at competitive rates. Such a move, he added, would protect the livelihoods of onion farmers and bolster the agricultural economy. "The removal of the 20% export duty will help sustain the prices of red onions and ensure farmers receive cost-based returns, reducing their financial losses," Pawar wrote in the letter. The Deputy Chief Minister expressed hope that the Centre would respond positively to his request and take immediate steps to address the concerns of onion farmers. With red onions flooding local markets and prices dropping steadily, a timely decision by the central government could provide much-needed relief to Maharashtra's struggling farming community.
19 December,2024 01:34 PM IST | MumbaiOpposition members staged a protest at the Vidhan Bhawan steps in Nagpur on Thursday over Union minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar and said the country will not tolerate insult of the Constitution's architect, reported news agency PTI. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, wearing blue caps and stoles, took out a morcha from the Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur. They reached steps of the Vidhan Bhawan complex raising the slogan "Babasaheb ka apman nahi sahega hindustan", reported PTI. The protesters included leader of opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, Congress leaders Nana Patole, Nitin Raut, Vijay Wadettiwar, Bhai Jagtap, Shiv Sena (UBT) legislators Aaditya Thackeray, Sachin Ahir, Varun Sardesai, Bhaskar Jadhav and NCP (SP) legislator Rohit Pawar. A massive political row erupted on Wednesday as the Congress and other opposition parties launched an all-out attack on Shah for his remarks on Ambedkar and demanded his sacking, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders rallied to his defence and said he has exposed Congress' "anti-Ambedkar" stand. The opposition members claimed Shah's remarks were an insult to Ambedkar. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh had shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the Upper House of Parliament on Tuesday. The Maharashtra assembly winter session is currently underway in Nagpur. The opposition members had staged protests at the Vidhan Bhawan steps during the last three days also over various issues, including problems of farmers, violence in Parbhani last week and murder of a sarpanch in Beed district. (With inputs from PTI)
19 December,2024 01:20 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentCompeting marches by members of the opposition INDIA bloc and the BJP-led NDA escalated into a chaotic altercation within the Parliament House premises on Wednesday. Amidst the heated exchanges, BJP MP Pratap Sarangi sustained a forehead injury, with the party alleging that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had pushed him during the melee. Sarangi was reportedly taken to hospital and received stitches to stop the bleeding, Union Minister Shivraj Chouhan told reporters. The incident occurred during simultaneous marches held by both camps over the Ambedkar issue, with the opposition accusing Home Minister Amit Shah of disrespecting B R Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. Speaking to the press, Rahul Gandhi claimed that BJP members blocked his entry to the Parliament premises and even resorted to physical intimidation. "This is the entry to Parliament. It is our right to go inside, and the BJP members were stopping us," he alleged, pointing towards Makar Dwar. When asked whether Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had also been pushed, Rahul Gandhi confirmed, saying, "It has happened, but we are not bothered by this pushing around." On the other hand, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey alleged that Rahul Gandhi's actions led to Sarangi's injury. "Rahul Gandhi pushed an aged parliamentarian, causing him to fall and sustain an injury," Dubey claimed. According to PTI, the confrontation took place as opposition INDIA bloc MPs, dressed in blue—a colour associated with B R Ambedkar—staged protests demanding an apology and resignation from Amit Shah for his remarks on the late leader. The MPs carried placards with slogans such as "Main Bhi Ambedkar," "Jai Bhim," and "Amit Shah Maafi Maango" and held a demonstration at the Ambedkar statue in Parliament premises before marching through the grounds. Simultaneously, NDA parliamentarians also organised a march within the Parliament premises, accusing the opposition Congress of insulting Ambedkar and demanding an apology from the party. As per PTI reports, the two sides came face to face at Makar Dwar, resulting in intense sloganeering from both camps. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha also chaired a meeting of Congress MPs in the main committee room earlier in the day, strategising their response to Shah’s remarks. Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien submitted a privilege motion notice in the Rajya Sabha against Shah, citing his comments that Congress leaders would have “found a place in heaven” had they chanted God's name instead of Ambedkar’s. The uproar spilled beyond Parliament, with protests erupting across the national capital and other states, including Maharashtra, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu. In Delhi, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal led a massive demonstration outside the BJP office, raising slogans such as “Amit Shah Maafi Mango.” Senior opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, DMK leader M K Stalin, Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, strongly criticised Shah’s remarks. Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned due to the furore. As per PTI, the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has staunchly defended Amit Shah, accusing the opposition of attempting to derail Parliamentary proceedings and politicising the Ambedkar issue. (With inputs from PTI)
19 December,2024 12:51 PM IST | New DelhiFour people have been arrested in connection with crude bomb attacks outside two clubs in Sector 29, police said on Wednesday. The accused were produced in a court here after the completion of their remand on Tuesday and sent to judicial custody, they said. On December 10, crude bombs were thrown outside two clubs located in Sector 29 and a person, identified as Sachin, a resident of Meerut, was arrested from the spot. On December 12, gangster Rohit Godara took responsibility for both the blasts in Chandigarh and then Gurugram by posting a post on social media. In the post, he claimed that the blasts were carried out at both the places to warn against non-payment of extortion money, the police said. While police had taken Sachin on a seven-day police remand after being produced in a city court and on December 11. The police also arrested three accused, Vinit Malik, Vikas and Ankit. They were also taken on six days of police remand, they added. ACP Crime Varun Dahiya said all the accused arrested in the case were thoroughly interrogated. After completion of their remand, all were sent into judicial custody while further probe is underway. 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
19 December,2024 10:51 AM IST | Gururgam | PTIDemocracy and Constitution have been murdered again in BJP-ruled Assam and Uttar Pradesh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday after two party workers died in the two states during protests allegedly due to police excesses. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also hit out at the BJP and termed the deaths as "extremely heart-rending". Rahul Gandhi expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and said they have the right to full justice. "Democracy and Constitution have been murdered again in BJP-ruled Assam and Uttar Pradesh," he said in a post on X. Across the country, the Congress party is conducting satyagraha in support of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Constitution, he said. During this, the death of our Congress workers Mridul Islam in Guwahati and Prabhat Pandey in Lucknow "due to police excesses" is very sad and condemnable, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said. "The lions of Congress will continue to fight for truth and the Constitution," Gandhi said. Priyanka Gandhi said the BJP was attacking Baba Saheb in Parliament and crushing his Constitution on the streets. "Police brutality on Congress workers who were going to gherao the Vidhan Sabha against the prevailing misrule in Uttar Pradesh took the life of one of our worker. The death of youth Congress worker Prabhat Pandey ji of Gorakhpur is extremely heart-rending," she said in a post in Hindi on X. Similarly, the BJP government used lathis and tear gas shells on the protesting Congress workers in Assam, in which Mridul Islam died, she said. "The way the BJP governments have taken repressive action against Congress workers is reminiscent of the British Raj. The BJP is attacking Baba Saheb in Parliament and crushing his Constitution on the streets," she said. The Congress party claimed that Islam died and several other Congress workers sustained injuries allegedly due to "tear gas smoke" during a protest in Guwahati on Wednesday against a range of issues, including unrest in Manipur and bribery charges against the Adani Group. A senior police officer, however, said the exact reason for the death would be known after the post-mortem examination report comes, and denied that anyone was injured in the incident. Police and Congress supporters were engaged in a scuffle, in which Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah and former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora fell on the ground, and were detained. They were released later. Congress Legal Cell member Advocate Mridul Islam, 45, felt suffocated when a tear gas cell fell near him, party spokesperson Bedabrat Bora claimed. "He was immediately rushed to a nearby private hospital and then to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). He was declared dead there," he added. Pandey died during the Congress party's protest near the Uttar Pradesh Assembly in Lucknow, with its state unit chief Ajay Rai claiming that the death was caused by "police brutality". Police said 28-year-old Pandey, a native of Gorakhpur, was brought dead to the hospital from the Congress office. "Prabhat Pandey was brought to the Civil Hospital in Hazratganj in an unconscious condition from the Congress office. The doctors declared him 'brought dead'," DCP (Central Lucknow) Raveena Tyagi said. "Prima facie, according to doctors, there was no visible injury mark on his body. Apart from this, a post-mortem would be done by a panel and the process would be videographed. Accordingly further legal proceedings would be carried out," Tyagi added. Uttar Pradesh Congress Chief Ajay Rai, in a post on X, said, "Today, while going to gherao the assembly, our young colleague Prabhat Pandey ji passed away due to police brutality." 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.
19 December,2024 10:49 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIA property dealer was allegedly shot dead by unidentified bike-borne assailants in Bihar's Buxar district on Wednesday evening, police said. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. near Kamaldah Pond on Station Road, causing panic in the area. The deceased, identified as Hriday Narayan Yadav, a resident of Musafir Ganj in the city's police station area, was moving on his way toward the city when the incident occurred. Witnesses reported that criminals allegedly involved in the incident fled on a bike immediately after committing the crime. The family members of the deceased, upon receiving the news, rushed to the site, deeply distressed by the incident. The cries of the family have left the local community shaken. Manoj Kumar Singh, the SHO of the City police station, confirmed that an investigation is underway. "We are conducting raids to arrest the accused. CCTV footage from the area is being reviewed to identify them. They will be apprehended soon," he said. Yadav, a property dealer by profession, was reportedly on his regular commute when the incident occurred. The police are exploring multiple angles to determine the exact circumstances and motives of the attackers leading to the murder. The police said that the attack occurred as soon as Yadav parked his bike near the pond. Eyewitnesses reported that assailants, with their faces covered by mufflers, approached on a bike, carried out the attack, and swiftly fled the scene. Nearby shopkeepers responded quickly, rushing Yadav to Sadar Hospital after hearing the commotion. Local shopkeepers reported that the assailants appeared to have planned the attack in advance, as their faces were already covered when they arrived. The incident unfolded in one of the busiest parts of the city, just hours after SHO Manoj Kumar Singh was instructed by Superintendent of Police (SP) Shubham Arya to maintain law and order. SP Arya himself visited the spot with a team of officers and is personally overseeing the investigation. Senior officers, led by SP Arya, are working round the clock to apprehend those responsible. 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
19 December,2024 10:45 AM IST | Patna | IANSA man has been arrested in Bareilly for allegedly threatening to kill Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other police officials. The accused, identified as Anil, dialled the emergency service number 112 and claimed that he would shoot CM Adityanath on January 26, 2025. He also threatened to kill the station in-charge of Izzatnagar police station and other officers, prompting a swift response from local authorities. According to police sources, the threatening call was received late on Tuesday night. An immediate search operation was launched to trace the whereabouts of the accused, but Anil had switched off his phone, hindering the efforts of the police. However, after extensive searches and investigations throughout the night, Anil was located and arrested on Wednesday morning. Dhananjay Pandey, Station House Officer (SHO) of Izzatnagar Police Station, confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against Anil, and he is currently being interrogated. The police said that Anil would be produced before a court later on Thursday. The threats have caused significant concern in the area, especially regarding the potential for communal unrest. The police have taken prompt action to prevent any escalation and to maintain peace in the region. Investigations are also underway to determine Anil's motive for making such threats and to assess his mental state. Interestingly, Anil had earlier lodged a complaint with a local Police Response Vehicle (PRV) team on Tuesday evening, alleging that his friend had borrowed his motorcycle and failed to return it. However, when questioned, he became aggressive and began hurling abuses at the officers. Around 11 pm, Anil made the phone call to 112, issuing the threats to kill the chief minister and the police officers. The police are continuing to investigate the incident thoroughly, with authorities keen to understand the underlying reasons for Anil’s actions. As per PTI reports, the local authorities are committed to preventing any further escalation and ensuring that law and order are maintained in the area. (With inputs from PTI)
19 December,2024 10:21 AM IST | Uttar PradeshWelcome 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. Bloodbath in Indian stock indices following global markets as US fed reduces the rate cut projection for 2025 Indian stock markets tanked sharply on Thursday following the selling pressure in major markets around the globe after the US Fed showed signs of fewer rate cuts next year. The Nifty 50 index tanked more than 1.33 percent or 321 points to open at 23,877.15 points, while the BSE Sensex was down by 1,153.17 points or 1.44 percent to open at 79,029.03 points. Elephanta ferry capsize: How three CISF heroes rescued 35 in minutes A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) patrol boat, Shera 1, turned into a lifesaver on Wednesday afternoon, intially rescuing 35 passengers from the Neelkamal ferry vessel, which capsized after being hit by an Indian Navy speedboat on Wednesday evening. The ferry vessel, carrying more than 100 passengers en route to the Elephanta Caves from Gateway of India, capsized near Butcher Island. With the help of Shera 1’s crew, about 72 passengers were eventually rescued. Read more. Mumbai: We were misled, say parents of those caught in college admissions scam The admission racket busted at three junior colleges under the Somaiya Trust has exposed irregularities persisting despite the online admission process. Some parents of the affected students, whose admissions now stand cancelled, claim they believed they were securing seats through the management quota and were unaware of any illegality involved. These parents allege paying amounts from Rs 70,000 to Rs 1 lakh to secure admissions for their children. Read more. R Ashwin retires: Demon at home, fighter abroad Just like that, without a second glance, R Ashwin rode away into the sunset, calling time on a glorious international career that saw him go where only one other Indian spinner had before. Read more. Sikandar teaser to see Salman Khan in a mask, will be released on December 27 Salman Khan has a way of making his birthday special for his fans. Come December 27, the superstar will mark his 59th birthday by unveiling the teaser of Sikandar, easily one of the biggest releases of 2025. With less than 10 days to go, we’ve heard that director AR Murugadoss, producer Sajid Nadiadwala and the film’s team are working across two set-ups to shoot the teaser. While Khan shot his portions at the SRPF Grounds in Goregaon, another set has been erected at Filmistan where a part of the first look has yet to be canned. Read more.
19 December,2024 09:55 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe national capital continues to battle severe air pollution, as the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the 'severe' category on Thursday. At 8 a.m., the AQI in Delhi stood at 448, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), with several areas across the city recording similarly hazardous levels of pollution. Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 478, followed closely by Ashok Vihar with 474, Bawana at 460, and DTU at 461. These figures fall within the 'severe' category, which is defined by an AQI range of 401-500. Such levels of air pollution are extremely harmful to health, especially for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi is also grappling with a persistent cold wave, as the minimum temperature for the day was recorded at 7°C. In addition to the cold temperatures, dense fog and smog are expected to worsen due to the predominant surface winds blowing from the north. Residents have been facing immense challenges as the smog has reduced visibility, making travel difficult. A local pedestrian shared concerns about the worsening weather conditions. "This year, the winters have arrived late, and it looks like they will last much longer, making the situation tougher in the coming days," he said. The cold wave is particularly difficult for the homeless population in Delhi, who have no shelter to escape the freezing temperatures. Another pedestrian highlighted the plight of those without adequate accommodation, particularly those seeking shelter outside hospitals like AIIMS. "The situation is getting worse for those who have no roof over their heads. People should take extra precautions to maintain their body temperatures," he added. Amidst these harsh conditions, Air Force personnel were seen rehearsing for the 78th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path. The severe air quality and dropping temperatures have prompted authorities to implement Stage IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) since December 16. This decision was triggered by the AQI exceeding the 400 mark, with the AQI reaching 399 on Monday night before breaching into the severe category by 10 p.m. With the cold wave and smog intensifying, the health of the city's residents continues to be at risk, and experts are urging citizens to take all necessary precautions during this challenging period. (With inputs from ANI)
19 December,2024 08:41 AM IST | New DelhiAn encounter erupted early on Thursday morning between security forces and terrorists in the Kadder area of Kulgam district in Jammu and Kashmir. As per a post by the Kashmir Zone Police on X (formerly Twitter), the authorities confirmed the commencement of the encounter and mentioned that police and security forces were actively engaged at the site. "Encounter has started at Kadder area of Kulgam district. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow," the tweet read. The Indian Army's Chinar Corps reported that the terrorists, upon being challenged, opened "a heavy volume" of fire, prompting a swift response from the security forces. The Chinar Corps issued a statement on X, detailing the operation. "OP KADER, Kulgam. Based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation was launched by the Indian Army and J-K police at Kader, Kulgam. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged, terrorists opened indiscriminate and heavy volumes of fire. Own troops effectively retaliated. Operation is in progress." This encounter follows a series of recent operations in the region. On December 3, a terrorist identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat was killed in an ongoing operation with security forces in Srinagar district. Bhat had been linked to several terror attacks, including the killing of civilians at Gagangir in Ganderbal, and had been actively involved in multiple terrorist activities across Jammu and Kashmir, according to the police. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to chair a high-level security meeting in the national capital later today, according to sources familiar with the matter. The meeting is expected to focus on critical security concerns, with a particular emphasis on the ongoing situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources have confirmed that the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, will also be attending the meeting. The objective of the session will be to review and refine strategies aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region, especially in light of the ongoing security challenges. (With inputs from ANI)
19 December,2024 08:27 AM IST | SrinagarADVERTISEMENT
