Do you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for December 12. Aries March 21 – April 20Being obsessed with checking completed work is a loss of so many minutes. Move onto the next project.Cosmic tip: Learn to relax once work is completed, knowing there’s nothing more to be done. Taurus April 21 – May 20Career/business enters a karmic cycle of enhanced motivation. Don’t allow colleagues (or anyone) to magnify a simple issue out of proportion.Cosmic tip: Defuse conflicts at work to the best of your ability. GeminiMay 21 – June 21A short holiday is so enjoyable. Non-verbal communication is as important as spoken words. Cosmic tip: Speak you mind only after ruminating about outcomes and repercussions. Cancer June 22 – July 23Attending a society meeting is quite time consuming, but several issues are dealt with. Deal intuitively with a loved one.Cosmic tip: Don’t get agitated if someone ignores you. You are better off without them. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Make long-term investments, not short term that give quick high returns but may sink all of a sudden.Cosmic tip: Be independent to feel free, but with the sense of responsibility intact. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Time management and efficient prioritising should be uppermost to ensure work being completed quickly.Cosmic tip: Perseverance and being patient should be your goals (mantras). Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Keep thoughts in the present moment which is as good as the nostalgic past, if not better. Don’t phone a friend beyond a point. Cosmic tip: Be grateful for so much new work coming in. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Completing projects is hard work, with very tough targets to meet. An extended family reunion was interesting. Cosmic tip: Appreciate this mutual bond of acceptance with a friend. Neither is judgemental. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Life is a vast canvas that can be dealt with piecemeal or take on the entire thing and feel overwhelmed.Cosmic tip: Think in a positive manner, not finding a problem for every solution. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20A family matter needs attention by focusing on equation with siblings instead of quarrelling or finding fault.Cosmic tip: Go back to networking on a regular basis like before. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Taking a refresher course in your chosen field helps to literally refresh to present day information. Cosmic tip: Participate in enjoyable activities instead of focusing on not having a date for the weekend. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20There’s greater rapport in the new relationship. Enjoy a relaxing meal with a friend after a hard day’s work.Cosmic tip: Do your best not to complicate simple matters of great consequence.
12 December,2024 12:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseThe ruling Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Maharashtra may not give another chance to three leaders in the new state cabinet even as they were ministers in the previous government in view of complaints about their performance and inaccessibility, a party leader said, reported the PTI. The party is likely to induct fresh faces in their place. A close aide of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and party MLA said several legislators raised concern regarding certain ministers. They said the three former ministers - one each from Konkan, western Maharashtra and Marathwada - were inaccessible even to the party MLAs, according to the PTI. "We have raised this issue with the deputy CM (Shinde) and demanded that they should not be inducted in the new cabinet. These ministers did not even meet their own party MLAs," the aide said. This development reflects the churn within the Shiv Sena which has 57 MLAs. In a related development, Shinde's office said he has not gone to Delhi to hold talks on cabinet expansion. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde was not scheduled to go to Delhi, his office added. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis left for the national capital on Wednesday, the CMO said. The chief minister's official further said that it was a courtesy visit, the first after taking over the reins of the state again. He was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, as per the PTI. The aide also said that the cabinet expansion of the new government is likely to take place by December 14, just before the winter session of the state legislature commences. Shiv Sena MLA and spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat said CM Fadnavis has made it clear that the cabinet expansion will take place before the winter session of the state legislature which begins from December 16. On complaints and possible exclusion of some former ministers in the previous government, Sanjay Shirsat said, "Such grievances must have reached EKnath Shinde saheb. He is the chief leader of the party and he will decide on it," as per the PTI. (with PTI inputs)
11 December,2024 10:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) will make breath analyser test mandatory for drivers in the wake of the Kurla bus crash, news agency PTI reported. Officials on Wednesday met private operators who supply buses to government agencies and affirmed to focus on driver training and taking extra safety steps. Two days after an out-of-control BEST undertaking electric bus rammed into pedestrians and vehicles in Kurla (West), killing seven people and injuring 42 others, officials held meetings with private operators who supply buses under the wet lease model. At the meetings, the private operators were asked to provide details of training given to drivers, their appointment criteria, training infrastructure and modules, PTI stated, quoting officials. Top officials of BEST and the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) presided over these meetings. Another meeting was held between senior BEST officials and the Maharashtra transport commissioner, PTI stated. The transport commissioner directed Mumbai's civic transport body to conduct an internal investigation and submit a report, which will be sent to the state government, an official said. Under the wet-lease model, the responsibility of providing drivers and carrying out the maintenance of the buses remains with private contractors. The state-run transport bodies pay them a specific amount for providing the buses. MSRTC chairman Bharat Gogawale conducted the meeting at the state-run transport body's headquarters in Mumbai Central, while BEST general manager Anilkumar Diggikar met private bus operators at the civic-run body's headquarters at Colaba. Diggikar told PTI that representatives of all the five private operators who provide buses to BEST under the wet-lease model were present at the meeting. Members of the committee appointed by BEST to investigate the Kurla bus crash were also present. "We are bringing uniformity in driver training, involving both on-wheel and simulation training, and also making breath analyser test (which measures amount of alcohol in blood) mandatory for every driver," Diggikar said, adidng that at the meeting, they tried to understand what kind of training each operator provides to their drivers and asked them to submit in writing what improvement they are going to bring to their current programme. Their inputs will be analysed and then discussed with in-field experts, and directives will be given for a uniform training programme next week, the BEST General Manager said. Initially, it was suspected that Sanjay More, 54, who was at the wheel of the ill-fated BEST bus, had consumed alcohol. It was also speculated that the brakes of the bus had failed owing to which it rammed into vehicles and pedestrians before crashing into a housing society wall. However, following an inspection, RTO officials said that the brakes of the vehicle were working fine and the accident may have been caused by the lack of proper training to the driver in steering electric buses. In a release issued after the meeting, MSRTC said the corporation will focus on a three-point programme: training drivers, making their mental health strong and inducting technically faultless buses in its fleet. The state-run body said currently it gives a six-month refresher training to its drivers and inducts them in service after taking a test. Electric bus manufacturing companies Olectra and Greencell supply air-conditioned (AC) luxury buses to MSRTC. The corporation ferries around 55 lakh passengers across Maharashtra every day with the help of its fleet of nearly 15,000 buses, including wet-leased electric vehicles of private operators. (With PTI inputs)
11 December,2024 10:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra's Additional Chief Electoral Officer Kiran Kulkarni has said in all 1,440 Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) were verified during the last month's Maharashtra Assembly election 2024 with their results matching perfectly with Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) counts, reported the PTI. A VVPAT is connected with an EVM through a printer port, which records vote data and counters in a paper slip to verify the correct recording of vote by the machine. VVPATs are intended as an independent verification system for voting machines. The official vouched for the credibility of EVMs, saying they are standalone devices with no possibility of hacking, an assertion coming in the backdrop of some opposition parties questioning the credibility of these machines and demanding a return to ballot papers, as per the PTI. In an interview with PTI, Kulkarni informed that 659 cases related to violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) were recorded during the assembly polls and they were under investigation. This was a significant rise from 366 such cases reported in Maharashtra during the Lok Sabha polls, which were held in the state in April-May. The assembly elections were held on November 23. Kulkarni explained investigations into the assembly poll cases were being pursued actively and expressed confidence they will reach a satisfactory conclusion. He noted that complaints regarding hate speeches and violations of the MCC were thoroughly investigated with some resulting in legal action under relevant laws. "Maharashtra recorded 659 cases during the recent assembly elections, a significant increase from 366 cases in the Lok Sabha elections. Our investigating agencies did an excellent work during the Lok Sabha polls. Out of 366 cases, 300 were charge-sheeted. Similarly, for the 659 cases in the assembly elections, all investigations were being followed up, and I am hopeful they will also reach a logical end," maintained the senior bureaucrat, according to the PTI. Asked about opposition parties levelling manipulation allegations regarding EVMs and questioning their credibility and transparency, Kulkarni sought to allay their concerns and asserted these devices are tamper proof. "These machines are standalone devices with no external connectivity, making hacking impossible. The chip in EVMs is one-time programmable, ensuring no changes can be made. Strict security and administrative protocols further prevent any tampering," he insisted, as per the PTI. Asked about the possibility of booth capturing in context of some videos that circulated in central Maharashtra's Beed district during the voting last month, the additional CEO asserted Maharashtra has no history of such incidents. "These videos were either unrelated to the current elections or were not from the state. At 6 polling stations in Beed, disruptions were swiftly addressed, and polling resumed within an hour. Our team responded quickly, apprehending individuals who were attempting to disrupt the election process," he stated, the news agency reported on Wednesday. The official said that the introduction of EVMs has rendered such claims irrelevant as any disruptions at polling stations were swiftly resolved. The new Checking and Verification (C and V) procedure mandated by the Supreme Court allows candidates to request verification of specific EVMs and VVPATs if there are suspicions of malfunction, he noted. "In these assembly elections, we verified 1,440 VVPATs across 288 constituencies -- 5 per cent of VVPATs per constituency. All counts matched perfectly with EVM results, reinforcing the reliability of the system," Kulkarni said, as per the PTI. Asked about some EVMs showing 99 per cent battery charge and linking it with possible tampering, he said, "Regarding the power pack, it is important to know that it is not like a mobile battery. It has a lifespan of five years and a deep capacity." "The Election Commission of India (ECI) has explained these technical details through information provided by companies like Bharat Electronics Ltd (one of the PSUs manufacturing EVMs). You can find answers about the power pack on the ECI website, particularly in the FAQs section," he said. Using the power pack does not rely on voltage and one can verify this information technically, the IAS officer noted. "The ECI also conducts VVPAT verification to build trust with the public and political parties. This process happens during the counting of votes. After counting, all votes from EVMs, a specific number of VVPATs from several polling stations are checked. The ECI has set a procedure for this," Kulkarni explained. (with PTI inputs)
11 December,2024 10:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs many as twelve horses were rescued after they were allegedly used for illegal horse-cart racing in Mumbai and shifted to a sanctuary by PETA, an official statement said on Wednesday. In an official statement PETA India said, a Vikhroli court in Mumbai granted a Maharashtra-based sanctuary interim custody of twelve horses following their use in illegal horse-cart racing on the Eastern Expressway after PETA India’s intervention. The race was reportedly conducted on 3 December between 3 and 4 am. It commenced in Ghatkopar East and proceeded towards Vikhroli, the investigations had later revealed. A video of the race had also gone viral on social media platforms. The video reportedly showed 6-8 horse carts, accompanied by dozens of bikers following and recording the race while supporting the activity. The horse carts were seen speeding on the highway. The statement said that following PETA India’s complaint, the Pant Nagar Police Station registered a first information report (FIR) under Sections 125, 281, and 291 of the Bharatiya Nayaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 11(1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, against the unidentified organisers, horse-cart drivers, and others involved. The CCTV cameras installed on the highway later identified the organisers and horse owners. The statement further said, PETA collaborated with the police and ensured all twelve horses were seized. Subsequently, in compliance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals) Rules, 2017, notified under the PCA Act, 1960, interim custody of the seized horses was granted to a Maharashtra based sanctuary. “We urge the Mumbai Police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take swift action to prevent the keeping of horses in Mumbai in unlicensed stables,” says PETA India Cruelty Response Legal Advisor and Associate Director Meet Ashar. PETA India pointed out in its complaint that under the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001, no animal can be legally used for training, exhibition, or performances without being registered with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). Spectacles such as animal races violate the PCA Act of 1960 and may violate the Transport of Animals Rules, 2001, the statement said.
11 December,2024 09:38 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaBollywood star Shah Rukh Khan is planning to add two new floors to his bungalow, Mannat and has asked for permission from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), official sources said. They said that the application regarding Mannat – the bungalow of Shah Rukh Khan – was discussed in the meeting of the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority that took place on Wednesday. Sources from the government told mid-day that the application was discussed and a decision regarding granting approval might be taken in the next MCZMA meeting. They said that the application mentions the need for approval to construct two additional floors on the six-story annexe located behind the mansion. According to news reports, Gauri Khan – the wife of Shah Rukh Khan – filed an application on November 9 with MCZMA asking for approval to add two additional floors to the annexe. According to the MCZMA meeting agenda, "Proposal for addition and alteration of existing residential building 'Mannat' at CTS No. 859, 860, 861 & 862 of Bandra B H/W Ward, Mumbai by Gauri Shahrukh Khan." The MCZMA committee, under Principal Secretary (Environment Department of Maharashtra) Pravin Darade, discussed the proposal during the meeting that took place on Wednesday afternoon. Sources from MCZMA told mid-day that after discussing the proposal, the committee provided some feedback, and it will be discussed again in the next MCZMA meeting, where the committee will review the information that has been requested from the consultant of the applicant.
11 December,2024 08:56 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday appointed Rameshwar Naik as the head of the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, reported news agency PTI. Naik replaced Mangesh Chivte, considered a close aide of former CM Eknath Shinde, stated PTI. After Shinde took over as the chief minister of Maharashtra in June 2022, he had assigned Chivte as the head of CM’s Relief Fund. Earlier, when Fadnavis held the deputy chief ministerial post, Naik headed its medical aid cell. CM's Relief Fund provides assistance to deserving families and individuals affected by natural calamities or the loss of life of relatives in accidents, or for treatment for major diseases, stated PTI. Fadnavis envisions third Mumbai to drive state's trillion-dollar economy Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has hailed the state as the driving force behind India’s economic growth, expressing confidence that Maharashtra could soon become the first trillion-dollar sub-economy in the country. Speaking at the CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards (IBLA) held in Mumbai on Saturday, Fadnavis emphasised Maharashtra’s position as a business powerhouse and a key player in India’s economic landscape. "We are back and we are back with a bang," he said, addressing the business leaders at the event. Thanking the people of Maharashtra for their overwhelming support in the recent state elections, the Chief Minister described the mandate won by the Mahayuti coalition as "unprecedented" and expressed gratitude for the responsibility entrusted to his government to propel the state to greater economic heights. Reflecting on the election results, Fadnavis admitted the massive victory came as a surprise, attributing it to the success of the government's initiatives and promises fulfilled. "Maharashtra followed the Prime Minister’s message, ‘ek hai toh safe hai,’ which worked like magic during the elections," he added. Fadnavis further emphasised his optimism about Maharashtra's economic future, pointing out that the state had already secured 52 per cent of India’s total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the first half of the fiscal year. He also noted that Maharashtra had been overtaken by Karnataka when the BJP lost its government in the state, but asserted that Maharashtra’s advantages, including Mumbai as the country’s financial hub, set it apart from other states like Gujarat. (With inputs from PTI, ANI)
11 December,2024 06:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator from Shrivardhan, Aditi Tatkare, said that there is no change in the criteria for the Maharashtra government's 'Ladki Bahin' scheme. She also appealed to the beneficiaries to not believe in the social media videos which claim that the criteria for the scheme have been changed. "Misleading information is being circulated on social media through reels and videos about the Chief Minister's 'Ladki Bahin' scheme. The Women and Child Development Department of the state has informed that there has been no change in the criteria of the scheme since its implementation. As a woman representative, I am personally monitoring this. However, we request everyone not to fall prey to rumours being spread on social media," she wrote in a post in Marathi on social media platform X. मुख्यमंत्री माझी लाडकी बहिण योजनेबद्दल रिल्स व व्हिडिओच्या माध्यमातून दिशाभूल करणारी माहिती समाज माध्यमांवर प्रसारित करण्यात येत आहे. मुख्यमंत्री माझी लाडकी बहीण योजना लागू झाल्यापासून आतापर्यंत योजनेच्या निकषांमध्ये कोणताही बदल झालेला नाही अशी माहिती राज्याच्या महिला व बालविकास… pic.twitter.com/mtOnnIAWNo — Aditi S Tatkare (@iAditiTatkare) December 11, 2024 Tatkare, who has served as the Minister for Women and Child Development of Maharashtra in the previous Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government, oversaw the scheme's rollout. The monthly cash-transfer scheme has been one of the biggest factors for the Mahayuti coalition's victory in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections held on November 20. On Monday, she had also dismissed reports about the state's purported plan to re-scrutinise applications of beneficiary women under the flagship scheme. Will identify ineligible beneficiaries: CM Fadnavis Her remarks on the scrutiny of applications come days after newly-anointed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the Maharashtra Government's intention to identify ineligible beneficiaries, news agency PTI reported. "There is no question of re-scrutinising the applications of beneficiaries under this scheme. Around 2.34 crore women are currently receiving benefits, and all applications were thoroughly reviewed before the benefits were disbursed. Any news suggesting otherwise is incorrect," Tatkare told a regional news channel on Monday. Under the scheme, women receive Rs 1,500 per month. The Mahayuti leaders had promised to raise the amount to Rs 2,100 during the poll campaign, PTI reported. During the interview with the news channel, Tatkare also acknowledged complaints regarding some women illegally receiving funds under the scheme. "It will be the prerogative of the WCD (Women and Child Development) department to look into the complaints and decide. The department will handle any complaints that have been received, but I want to make it clear that no decision has been made to review or scrutinise the applications again," the NCP Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) had said. According to PTI, in view of complaints about some beneficiaries of the scheme not complying with the parameters, CM Fadnavis had said that the scrutiny of applications is necessary. "It will not be completely scrapped. The scrutiny will be on the lines of the PM (Pradhan Mantri) Kisan Yojana, where the ineligible beneficiaries had given up their benefit on their own," he had said. Maharashtra has more than 2.43 crore beneficiaries of the 'Ladki Bahin Yojana', costing the state exchequer approximately Rs 3,700 crore per month. (With PTI inputs)
11 December,2024 06:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe body of a five-year-old boy was found in a well in Bhiwandi town in Thane district, police said on Wednesday. The boy was identified as Mohammad Ali Adil Momin, a resident of Bangalpura, a police officer said. The body was found floating in a well in the locality around 3 am on Tuesday, following which fire service personnel fished it out. The police were awaiting the autopsy report, the officer 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
11 December,2024 05:50 PM IST | Thane | PTIThe cabinet expansion of the Maharashtra government, headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is anticipated to be finalised by December 14, a senior BJP leader said on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI. Fadnavis traveled to Delhi on Wednesday for a series of crucial meetings, marking his first visit since taking office as Chief Minister. He is expected to meet with prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. 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). A BJP leader said the Shiv Sena would not get the home department and was also unlikely to be allocated the revenue portfolio, stated PTI. The cabinet expansion has been delayed due to the involvement of three parties (Mahayuti allies BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP). "The cabinet expansion is likely by December 14. The allocation of home department to Shiv Sena is ruled out. The Shiv Sena may get urban development, but is unlikely to get revenue," said the BJP leader, who did not wish to be named. 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. Shiv Sena leader and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde was not travelling to the national capital, as per his office, stated PTI. 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. Fadnavis envisions third Mumbai to drive state's trillion-dollar economy Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has hailed the state as the driving force behind India’s economic growth, expressing confidence that Maharashtra could soon become the first trillion-dollar sub-economy in the country. Speaking at the CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards (IBLA) held in Mumbai on Saturday, Fadnavis emphasised Maharashtra’s position as a business powerhouse and a key player in India’s economic landscape. "We are back and we are back with a bang," he said, addressing the business leaders at the event. Thanking the people of Maharashtra for their overwhelming support in the recent state elections, the Chief Minister described the mandate won by the Mahayuti coalition as "unprecedented" and expressed gratitude for the responsibility entrusted to his government to propel the state to greater economic heights. Reflecting on the election results, Fadnavis admitted the massive victory came as a surprise, attributing it to the success of the government's initiatives and promises fulfilled. "Maharashtra followed the Prime Minister’s message, ‘ek hai toh safe hai,’ which worked like magic during the elections," he added. (With inputs from PTI, ANI)
11 December,2024 05:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai local train services on the Harbour line were hit by a technical snag on Wednesday between Panvel and Khandeswar stations in Navi Mumbai, officials said. Panvel to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Harbor local trains were delayed and were running at slow speed, they said. The rail Traffic coming from CSMT direction has been affected. Harbor Line is affected by wire cutting by JCB. Several passengers were reportedly stranded at various stations between CSMT and Panvel and on local trains. The local train services are running late by around 20-30 minutes on the Harbour line, sources said. The Harbour line connects Navi Mumbai with south Mumbai and western suburbs. Around 10 lakh commuters use the local train services to travel between CSMT and Panvel and Goregaon stations. Further details will be updated.
11 December,2024 05:11 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarADVERTISEMENT
