There is no shortage of essential anti-TB drugs like Rifampicin and Ethambutol in the central and state warehouses, Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. She was responding to a question on whether there has been any shortage of key anti-tuberculosis drugs in recent months, the reasons for delay in tender finalisation by the Central Tuberculosis Division and the measures being taken to ensure uninterrupted drug supply under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). In a written reply, Patel said the NTEP is being implemented under the aegis of National Health Mission (NHM) across the country. "There are no shortages of any key anti-TB drugs, including for Rifampicin and Ethambutol, in the Central and State warehouses. Rate contract model has been established for all drugs including newer and shorter regimen drugs for 2025-27, while ensuring adequate buffer," she stated. Several steps have been taken to strengthen the supply chain of quality drugs, the response stated. These include timely submission of indents to the procurement agency, real-time tracking of drug availability and utilisation via the drugs and vaccines distribution management system (DVDMS), regular physical stock verification by state, district, and national teams during field visits, and supervision at both state and district levels. Coordination with suppliers through the procurement agency to ensure timely supply of drugs, necessary diagnostics, reagents and kits has also been strengthened, the minister stated. As per the World Health Organization's Global TB Report 2025, India recorded an estimated 21.7 lakh tuberculosis (TB) cases, and around 3 lakh deaths due to the infection in 2024. 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.
09 December,2025 05:19 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | PTIA 13-foot-long whale shark entangled in a shore seine net was successfully freed and released back into the sea. The rescue effort was carried out by local fishermen, the forest department, coastal police, as welll as tourists. This rescue marks Kollam district’s first recorded whale shark rescue and the 50th along the Kerala coast since the launch of the Wildlife Trust of India's (WTI) 'Save the Whale Shark Campaign' in 2017, in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department and supported by Oracle. The campaign aims to raise awareness, promote sustainable fishing practices, and strengthen rescue responses for these endangered marine giants. Following last year’s whale shark death in Kollam, WTI intensified awareness programs along the coast, engaging fishermen, students, and government agencies. The successful rescue reflects growing community commitment to protecting endangered marine species. The whale shark (Rhincodon typus), the largest fish on Earth, can grow up to 18 metres and weigh 21 metric tons. Despite their widespread distribution, they face threats from accidental bycatch, habitat degradation, and illegal fishing. Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, whale sharks are a vital keystone species for marine ecosystems. Sajan John, Coordinator-Marine Projects, WTI, said, “Because whale sharks often approach the shore, entanglement in fishing nets is increasingly common. The joint efforts of fishers, government departments, students, and environmental communities are crucial to ensuring their survival.” Dr P Pugazhendi IFS, Addl Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, said, “The whale shark is the largest fish on the planet, and its survival depends on coastal community support. The rescue by Fishers, the Forest Department, the Police, and tourists is commendable. We urge continued cooperation in conservation efforts.”
09 December,2025 05:14 PM IST | Kerala | Ranjeet JadhavMaharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday informed the state assembly that the Union Government has given its nod for installing a grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj within the premises of Mumbai’s iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Replying to a query in the House, Fadnavis said the statue has been included in the large-scale redevelopment plan of the heritage railway station, news agency PTI reported. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) legislator Bhaskar Jadhav raised the issue, pointing out that although CSMT was renamed after the Maratha warrior king, a suitable statue had still not been constructed. He added that the site carried deep historical and cultural significance and deserved a monument worthy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy. Responding to this, Fadnavis said, “The Union government has already taken the decision. A fresh proposal from the state was not required. The statue has been incorporated in the master plan of the revamped CSMT.” He clarified that a recent reply from the Union Minister of State for Railways pertained to an earlier proposal connected to the station’s older layout and not the current redevelopment blueprint, PTI reported. The development comes ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Elections, where both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi are expected to foreground Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy as a key electoral plank. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament (MP) Arvind Sawant had written to the Centre seeking installation of the statue. Sawant said he had received a reply from the Railways stating that the earlier proposal did not fall under its jurisdiction. Fadnavis chides MLAs for citing Ladki Bahin scheme during unrelated debates Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday admonished legislators — including a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member — for repeatedly invoking the state government’s flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahini scheme while raising unrelated matters during Question Hour in the assembly. Visibly displeased by the frequent references, Fadnavis told the House that members must avoid using the scheme as a casual political point and warned that continued misuse could have serious consequences, PTI reported. “If this continues, you will have to sit at home,” he said sharply, prompting a brief lull in the proceedings. The exchange took an unusual turn when BJP Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Abhimanyu Pawar — formerly Fadnavis’s personal assistant — raised the issue of alleged illegal liquor distribution and made a passing mention of the scheme. The CM immediately cut him short and reiterated his caution, reported PTI. “I have already asked members not to randomly mention the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahini Yojana while raising unrelated concerns,” he said firmly, making it clear that the warning applied equally to ruling and opposition members. Earlier, Congress MLA Jyoti Gaikwad had invoked the scheme during discussion on a separate matter, triggering the first visible sign of the CM’s displeasure. (With PTI inputs)
09 December,2025 05:03 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentAdani Group chairman Gautam Adani on Tuesday said the conglomerate will invest over USD 75 billion in the energy transition space over the next five years, asserting that the country must do what is best for itself, define its own development path and resist external pressures. Speaking at the 100th foundation day of the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Adani said the group is building the world's largest renewable energy park at Khavda in Gujarat, spread over 520 sq km. "At full capacity by 2030, this park will generate 30 gw of green energy. At average household consumption, this is equivalent to powering over 60 million homes a year," he said. "With the first 10 GW already commissioned, we are on track to deliver the world's lowest-cost green electron, setting a global benchmark in energy transition," he added. Adani said India is the world's third-largest electricity consumer, but its per capita consumption remains "less than 1,400 kWh a year, less than half the global average, one-tenth of America, and one-fifth of Europe." Referring to the global sustainability debate, Adani said, "This narrative surfaced at the 2025 COP-30, where a report downgraded India's sustainability ranking, arguing that our nation lacks a coal-exit timeline and continues to auction coal blocks." "Yes, we rank third in total CO2 emitted. But per capita, our people emit under 2 tonnes compared to 14 tonnes in the US, 9 tonnes in China and 6 tonnes in Europe," he said. "In 200 years of industrial activity, our country has contributed just 4 per cent of cumulative global emissions, against 13 per cent from Europe, 19 per cent from the US and 20 per cent from China," he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
09 December,2025 04:52 PM IST | Dhanbad | PTIMaharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on Tuesday said he had suggested forest officials to release goats in large numbers in forest areas to prevent leopards from straying into human settlements in search of prey, news agency PTI reported. The minister was replying to a calling attention motion raised by Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) legislator Jitendra Awhad in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly over the worrying rise in leopard attacks across the state. "If four people are killed in leopard attacks, the state must pay Rs 1 crore (as compensation). So I told officials, instead of paying compensation after deaths, release goats worth Rs 1 crore into the forest so leopards do not venture into human habitats," the minister said, according to PTI. Naik noted that the behaviour and living patterns of leopards have undergone change. "Earlier, they were described as forest animals, but now their habitat has shifted to sugarcane fields," he added. The minister also said that Ahilyanagar, Pune, and Nashik districts were witnessing the highest number of leopard-related incidents, PTI reported. Maharashtra: Two injured after human-leopard conflict at Nagaon near Alibag Two residents of Nagaon Village, located near the popular Nagaon Beach in Maharashtra's Alibag, were injured on Tuesday following a human–leopard conflict incident, which triggered panic in the locality. Soon after learning about the incident, the Maharashtra Forest Department rushed to the spot. Considering that leopards have been roaming freely in residential areas, efforts are underway to locate and safely rescue the wild cats from the densely populated area. In view of the rescue operation, Pune-based wildlife rescue NGO RESQ CT has also departed for Alibag to assist the forest personnel in the mission. The NGO is expected to provide technical expertise and equipment for safely capturing the big cat. Speaking about the situation, Nagaon's Sarpanch said, "Two people have been injured after a human-leopard conflict. The police team along with the forest department are already here and the situation is under control." Leopard cubs reunited with mother after two-day rescue operation in Maharashtra's Sangli District On December 5, villagers from Shirala in Maharashtra's Sangli District alerted animal organisation Sahyadri Rescue Warriors after two leopard cubs were spotted during sugarcane harvesting. The Sahyadri Rescue Warriors team, along with Maharashtra Forest Department officials, immediately reached the site and placed the cubs in a crate to facilitate their reunion with the mother leopard. On December 7, around 5 am, the mother leopard finally returned and successfully retrieved both cubs, concluding a careful and coordinated two-day operation. (With PTI inputs)
09 December,2025 04:31 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentTwo residents of Nagaon Village, located near the popular Nagaon Beach in Maharashtra's Alibag, were injured on Tuesday following a human–leopard conflict incident, which triggered panic in the locality. Soon after learning about the incident, the Maharashtra Forest Department rushed to the spot. View this post on Instagram A post shared by mid-day (@middayindia) Considering that leopards have been roaming freely in residential areas, efforts are underway to locate and safely rescue the wild cats from the densely populated area. In view of the rescue operation, Pune-based wildlife rescue NGO RESQ CT has also departed for Alibag to assist the forest personnel in the mission. The NGO is expected to provide technical expertise and equipment for safely capturing the big cat. Speaking about the situation, Nagaon's Sarpanch said, "Two people have been injured after a human-leopard conflict. The police team along with the forest department are already here and the situation is under control." Maharashtra Forest Dept, Sangli villagers rescue leopard cubs Earlier on Friday, villagers from Shirala in Maharashtra’s Sangli District alerted animal organisation Sahyadri Rescue Warriors after two leopard cubs were spotted during sugarcane harvesting. The Sahyadri Rescue Warriors team, along with Maharashtra Forest Department officials, immediately reached the site and placed the cubs in a crate to facilitate their reunion with the mother leopard. Despite the efforts, however, the mother did not return on the first night. The following morning, the cubs were shifted to the forest department for hand-feeding, veterinary examination, and observation. Later that evening, they were again positioned inside the sugarcane field for another reunion attempt. However, the female leopard did not show up on the second day either. On Sunday, around 5 am, the mother leopard finally returned and successfully retrieved both cubs, concluding a careful and coordinated two-day operation.
09 December,2025 04:24 PM IST | Nagaon | Ranjeet JadhavA major fire erupted at the Ramesh Dyeing building in Pune’s crowded Sadashiv Peth on Monday, triggering panic among residents and shopkeepers. #WATCH | A fire breaks out on the terrace of Ramesh Dyeing in the Sadashiv Peth area of Pune city. Four fire tenders have reached the spot. Firefighting operations are currently underway.More details awaited. https://t.co/AnjDHjEWen pic.twitter.com/gNiOyAfTuE — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2025 According to officials, the blaze began on the terrace and rapidly spread downward, sending thick plumes of smoke across adjoining lanes. People in nearby buildings rushed out as the situation intensified. The Pune Fire Brigade and PMC Fire Department deployed several fire tenders and launched a joint operation to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading to adjacent structures. Dense lanes and tightly packed buildings made access to the core area difficult, officials said. So far, no injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is still unknown, and authorities continue firefighting operations. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.
09 December,2025 04:16 PM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalAn 18-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly raping a minor when she was on her way to school in the Vishrantwadi area of Pune on December 4, news agency PTI reported, quoting police. According to a Vishrantwadi police officer, the accused had befriended the 14-year-old about two months ago. On the day of the crime, he met her on the road, offered to drop her to school on his motorcycle, but instead took her to a secluded spot where he sexually assaulted her and threatened her with dire consequences if she revealed the matter. The survivor disclosed the ordeal to her father on December 7, following which a complaint was filed, PTI reported. The accused has been booked under Section 64(1) (rape) and Section 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as well as relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Ghaziabad POCSO court awards 20-year RI to man for raping minor in 2018 A special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Court in Ghaziabad on Monday sentenced a 30-year-old man, Sahul, to rigorous imprisonment for two decades for repeatedly raping a minor in 2018, news agency PTI reported. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 60,000 on the convict. Delivering the verdict, Special Judge Neeraj Gautam directed that the entire fine amount be given to the survivor as compensation for the mental and physical trauma she endured, Special Public Prosecutor Utkarsh Vats said. The prosecution stated that in September 2018, the girl, who was then aged 15, was dragged into a relative’s room by the man when she was going to her aunt’s house and raped. Sahul also threatened to kill the girl and her family if she told anyone, PTI reported. The crime came to light on January 29, 2019, when the girl’s mother took her to Delhi’s GTB Hospital due to stomach pain, where doctors found she was four months pregnant. A case was subsequently registered under the POCSO Act and the accused was arrested. Sahul, who was out on bail during the trial, was taken into custody immediately after the judgment and his bail bonds were cancelled, the prosecutor added. (With PTI inputs)
09 December,2025 03:47 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde on Sunday inaugurated the 51st Parliamentary Study Camp organised by the state branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Nagpur and urged students to gain practical exposure to legislative functioning. Addressing the youth participating in the camp, Shinde said that every decision taken in the legislature shapes the lives of millions, and therefore, students must understand the real-world working of parliamentary processes. “There is a world of difference between what is written in textbooks and what actually happens on the ground. You will experience this clearly through this study,” he said. Shinde emphasised that today’s students would go on to become the country’s future leaders, administrators, industrialists, and journalists. He added that keeping the Constitution at the centre of one’s work was essential for the nation’s progress. Sharing his personal journey, he said he grew by directly interacting with people and learning from experience. “Positions are responsibilities given by the people. They should be used to bring positive change in the lives of common citizens,” he noted. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde, Deputy Chairperson of the Council Dr Neelam Gorhe, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Anna Bansode, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil, Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, Legislature Secretary Meghna Talekar and students attending the camp were present at the event. Eknath Shinde slams Opposition’s LoP demand, says people have rejected them Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday criticised the Opposition over its demand for the Leader of Opposition (LoP) post in the Legislative Assembly, saying the people had already "rejected" them and they should focus on raising issues concerning Vidarbha during the ongoing winter session, reported news agency ANI. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Shinde said the Opposition should prioritise the concerns of the region instead of making allegations. "They should ensure justice for the people of Vidarbha, by being present in the House... They were there before 2014, so look at the situation before 2014... They just make allegations and criticise," he said, reported ANI. Taking a dig at the Maha Vikas Aghadi, the Deputy CM further stated, "When I was the CM, even then they were telling me this is unconstitutional, and I became the CM by mistake. This government will fall tomorrow... I have worked for 2.5 years. Now I am the Dy CM; for that also, they say it is by mistake. To become the LoP, you have to solve the people's problems. In this session being held in Vidarbha, they should raise the issues of the people of Vidarbha in the House... The people have rejected you... Even in the last Lok Sabha, their numbers were low. They didn't get a LoP...," reported ANI. Targeting the opposition, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, "The people have rejected them, so they should introspect... I am working for the people, serving them. They are making allegations... The public does everything, and the public is the most important..." Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the ruling Mahayuti alliance has no insistence or prejudice regarding the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition in the state legislature, asserting that the decision entirely rests with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the Chairman of the Legislative Council. "The decision on the post of Leader of the Opposition is entirely under the jurisdiction of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the Chairman of the Legislative Council. Therefore, we will accept the decision they take. We do not have any insistence or prejudice in this regard. The current opposition party is directionless. They do not have issues. They do not have the will to push the issues..." he said. (With inputs from ANI)
09 December,2025 03:17 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentIn a major breakthrough, four members of a gang involved in at least 23 cases of burglary and housebreaking have been arrested in Maharashtra's Latur district. Police officers, while asserting about the incident, said, “The local crime branch seized valuables worth Rs 4.37 lakh, including gold, cash, and two stolen motorcycles from the accused." He added, “Based on a tip-off, a police team laid a trap on the Latur-Barshi Road and detained the suspects on Saturday afternoon.” The accused Ajay Shravan Shinde (22), Arjun Dilip Bhosale (27), Keshav Manik Pawar (30), and Vikki Sajaguya Shinde (19) were part of a gang involved in 23 housebreaking offences over the past year. The police officers further added that three other members of the gang are still absconding, reported PTI. Mumbai Police arrest three habitual burglars in Dahisar targeting locked homes On December 1, the Dahisar Police in Mumbai had arrested three habitual burglars who allegedly conduct reconnaissance of locked houses while posing as autorickshaw passengers before breaking in and committing thefts across the area. According to the police, the accused, Mauinuddin Nizamuddin Sheikh (47), Mohammad Gulabnabi Sheikh (52), and Akbar Ali Fattemohammad Rahin (31), targeted multiple homes in Dahisar East on the night of November 26–27. They allegedly broke locks of several houses and, when unable to find valuables, stole clothes and sarees to avoid leaving empty-handed. One complainant, B Ramchandra Maroti, reported that unknown persons broke into his home at Rawalpada, Dahisar East, and stole Rs. 10,000. On the same night, the house of his neighbour Ranjudevi Devendra Singh was also broken into, and three sarees worth Rs 3,000 were stolen. A case was registered at Dahisar Police Station under the relevant IPC Sections. Furthermore, the police added that due to Sheikh’s repeated offences, Mumbai police and nearby police stations frequently visited his house, causing constant trouble for his family. As a result, the family expelled him from the household and informed the local police that they no longer had any connection with him. However, the other individual, Mohammad Gulabnabi Sheikh, also has theft cases registered against him. Police are now trying to determine the number of cases registered against auto driver Rahin. (With inputs from PTI)
09 December,2025 02:17 PM IST | Latur | mid-day online correspondentThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday directed IndiGo to reduce its flight operations by 5 per cent across sectors, citing the airline's failure to operate its winter schedule efficiently and a backlog of cancellations. The airline has been asked to submit a revised schedule by 5 PM on December 10, 2025. In an official notice issued to IndiGo, the DGCA said that the airline had been approved 15,014 departures per week, amounting to 64,346 flights for November 2025 under the Winter Schedule. However, operational data shows that IndiGo managed to operate only 59,438 flights, with 951 cancellations recorded during the month. According to the notice, IndiGo was allowed a 6 pc enhancement in its Winter Schedule compared to the Summer Schedule 2025, with approval to operate using 403 aircraft. "However, it has been observed that the airline could operate only 339 aircraft in October 2025 and 344 aircraft in November 2025," a notice further read. The DGCA said the airline had increased its departures by 9.66 pc compared to Winter 2024 and by 6.05 pc over the Summer 2025 schedule, but had "not demonstrated an ability to operate these schedules efficiently". "Therefore, it is directed to reduce the schedule by 5 pc across sectors, especially on high-demand, high-frequency flights, and to avoid single-flight operations on a sector by Indigo," the DGCA order read. "Furthermore, you are required to submit a revised schedule by 5 PM on 10th December 2025," the order further read. The notice was issued with the approval of the Competent Authority. Meanwhile, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu will address the Lok Sabha at 12 pm today on the ongoing IndiGo crisis, a day after he spoke on the same issue in the Rajya Sabha. The discussion comes amid continued delays and cancellations across IndiGo's network, leaving passengers stranded at airports nationwide. 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.
09 December,2025 12:49 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIADVERTISEMENT
-1765280337314_d.png?tr=w-436,h-271 "Representational image")
-1765276438098_d.png "Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani. File Pic")
