First India-Jaipur Edition-28th September 2022

CM MANN TABLES

TRUST MOTION IN PUNJAB ASSEMBLY

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping reappeared on state

on Tuesday after a several-day

JAISHANKAR IN US: OIL PRICE IS BREAKING OUR BACK

IN THE MEMORY OF ‘DEAR FRIEND ABE SAN’!

Moni Sharma

Tokyo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday joined several world leaders in Tokyo to attend former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe’s state funeral. Japan began the state funeral with his widow Akie carrying his ashes into a Tokyo hall where thousands of mourners gathered. Tributes were paid with flowers, prayers and a 19-gun salute.

Ahead of the ceremony, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida. He noted the contributions of former PM Abe in strengthening the India-Japan partnership as well as in conceptualizing the vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. PM joined global leaders to pay tribute to Abe.

CONGRESS OBSERVERS SUBMIT REPORT TO SONIA ON MLAs

Gehlot gets clean chit, show cause notice issued to Dhariwal, Joshi and Rathore!

Gehlot speaks to Kharge, may write an emotional letter to Sonia pledging his allegiance to Sonia and hand over personally to her on Wednesday at New Delhi

New Delhi: After a surprising and tumultous time spent in Jaipur on Sunday, Congress’ observers flew back to Delhi and submitted their report of the ‘findings’ related to Rajasthan Congress to party president Sonia Gandhi.

In the 12-page report, the observers have given a ‘clean chit’ to Gehlot stressing that technically Gehlot can not be considered guilty of the ‘rebellion’. However, the report does recommend action against some leaders including Shanti Dhariwal, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Mahendra

Chaudhary and Dharmendra Rathore. The report also accused Mahesh Joshi of tricking the MLAs.

The report says, “The meeting was held at Shanti Dhariwal’s residence and ‘Mahesh Joshi and Mahendra Chaudhary had called the MLAs. Dharmendra Rathore played an im-

portant role in the parallel meeting and Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas gave statements to the media. Ignoring the instructions of the high command, the men did not even reach the CLP meeting.”

Notably, it was Mallikarjun Kharge who took the side of CM Gehlot in the report while Ajay Maken was more strict towards the indiscipline. Now, a disciplinary action based on the report of Congress Observers could be taken by the disciplinary committee of which AK Antony is the chairman.

Turn to P8

SC begins livestreaming of 3 Constitution bench hearings

IN A HISTORIC FIRST...

New Delhi: Supreme Court for the first time on Tuesday started live streaming its proceedings of three separate constitutional benches which is now live on NIC’s YouTube channel.

Case 1: Bench of CJI

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Washington: MEA Jaishankar on Tuesday expressed concerns about price of oil, said ‘We are a $2,000 per capita economy. The price of oil is breaking our back.’ In a joint presser with US Secy Antony Blinken, he said Ukraine war is not in anybody’s interest. P6

Operation Octopus 2.0: NIA tightens grip on PFI

‘CM GEHLOT IS A FRONTRUNNER IN PREZ RACE’

New Delhi: Days after the major crackdown on the top functionaries and workers of the radical Islamic outfit PFI, the NIA on Tuesday launched second round of its midnight raids in eight states and UTs.

CM Ashok Gehlot is still the frontrunner in the race for the post of President. On Tuesday, senior Congress leader Ambika Soni was questioned about the latest developments in Rajasthan and Soni bluntly said, “Gehlot Still Not Ruled Out.” Thus once again Gehlot’s name, for party presidency, has come in the discussion.

NIA, along with other probe agencies, is carrying out raids on PFI members for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country and held over 274 among max 80 from Karnataka, 44 Uttar Pradesh, 30 Delhi, 25 Assam, 21 Madhya Pradesh, 10 Maharashtra, 10 Gujarat and many others.

PFI: PREVENTION OF RIGHT TO PROTESTS

“This is nothing but prevention of the right to democratic protests against the Central govt’s witch-hunt targeting PFI is quite natural and expected under this autocratic system,” PFI said.

HIGH-LEVEL MEETING IN HOME MINISTRY

A high level meeting with NIA DG, IB Chief and DG of ED in the Home Ministry was held amid raids on PFI on Tuesday. Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also present in the meeting.

STOP COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES NEAR TAJ MAHAL: SC

THE VERDICT

CASE 1: SC reserved its verdict on pleas challenging validity of the 103rd Constitution amendment providing 10% reservation to EWS persons in admissions and government jobs.

UU Lalit heard the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota case.

The case challenges the 103rd Constitution Amendment.

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Case 2: Bench of Justice Chandrachud heard the petition regarding the rift in Shiv

Sena that saw the Maharashtra’s party break into Eknath Shinde faction and Uddhav Thackeray faction.

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Case 3: Bench of Justice Kaul heard the matter relating to the validity of the All India Bar Examination.

CASE 2: SC dismissed petition filed by Uddhav-led Shiv Sena faction seeking a stay on proceedings before EC on Maha CM Shinde’s claim for recognition as the real Shiv Sena and claim over party’s election symbolthe bow and arrow.

CASE 3: AG for India KK Venugopal argued before a Bench of the SC on Tuesday that conducting AIBE prior to enrolment would the most appropriate course of action.

The apex court of India on Tuesday has directed the Agra Development Authority to immediately stop all commercial activities within a 500-metre radius from the peripheral wall of the iconic Taj Mahal.

COLLEGIUM ADVICE ELEVATION OF BOMBAY HC CJ TO SC

The Supreme Court collegium in its meeting recommended elevation of Bombay high court chief justice Dipankar Datta as a judge of SC. CJ Datta was elevated as the CJ of the Bombay HC on April 28, 2020.

Mayor Dr Somya dismissed, can’t contest poll for 6 yrs

Jaipur: After much suspense, the Rajasthan government on Tuesday finally dismissed BJP’s Dr Somya as the Jaipur Greater Municipal Corporation mayor and councillor after a judicial inquiry found her guilty of assaulting former commissioner Yagya Mitra Singh Deo. The Local self government

department has also debarred Gurjar from reelection for a period of six years, according to the order. Dr Somya is likely to move the High Court challenging the inquiry report and her dismissal. Earlier, on August 22, the membership of two BJP councillors was terminated in the same matter. P3

Teamwork Arts, announced the dates for its 16th edition, setting them between 19 – 23 January 2023 at Hotel Clarks Amer in Jpr. P3

A 16-years-old dalit girl was raped in the govt school’s bathroom in Barmer. Incident happened on Sept 24, due to threats, victim’s kin avoided case. P7

4 KIDS DROWN IN AJMER, PROBE ON INSIDE

Four children aged between 12 to 15 drowned in a water tank at Nayagaon, Pratappura under Pisangan police station area of Ajmer district.

Representatives from over 100 countries attended Abe’s funeral

Shinzo Abe was assassinated on July 8 at a campaign rally

PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with PM Fumio Kishida

MODI,

JAPAN PM SHINZO ABE’S FUNERAL IN TOKYO

First India Bureau

Abhishek Shrivastava

First India Bureau

He took the JapanIndia relationship to a greater level and also expanded it in many areas.

—Narendra Modi, Prime Minister HUMANE FACE OF PRIME MINISTER!

JLF TO BE HELD FROM 19–23 JAN

DALIT MINOR GIRL RAPED IN BARMER

PM Modi on July 8 took to Twitter to share his feeling for former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, he wrote ‘In the passing away of Mr Abe, Japan and the world have lost a great visionary. And, I have lost a dear friend.’ A tribute to my friend Abe San...

PM Modi with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. PM Narendra Modi with Australian PM Anthony Albanese.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays homage at the State Funeral Ceremony of the former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday. PHOTOS BY ANI

Shanti Dhariwal

Sheel DhabhaiDr Somya

Dr Mahesh Joshi Dharmendra Rathore

Over 274 held from 8 states, PFI looks at countrywide ban

Sheel Dhabhai appointed acting Mayor of JMCG for the next 60 days

Chandigarh: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann tabled a confidence motion in the state assembly on Tuesday after House was adjourned thrice with Speaker suspending 15 Congress MLAs for day for objecting to move.

PASSENGERS FROM BIRD-HIT AI LEAVE VIA ANOTHER PLANE

New Delhi: Passengers who were stranded here 2 days ago after a Delhibound Air India plane was forced to land at Kannur International Airport due to a bird hit, finally left for the national capital on Tuesday aboard another aircraft of the airline.

ANKITA MURDER CASE: ‘RESORT WAS A DEN OF PROSTITUTION, DRUGS’

Rishikesh: Amid ongoing probe in sensational Ankita Bhandari murder, former staffers of Pulkit Arya’s Vanantara resort, where the 19-year-old girl worked as a receptionist, told the police that resort was a den of prostitution & drug abuse. Cops said these depositions by ex-staffers will be taken on record. P6

LIQUOR POLICY CASE: SISODIA AIDE VIJAY NAIR HELD BY CBI

New Delhi: The CBI on Tuesday arrested Vijay Nair, an aide of Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and communications chief of the AAP, for an alleged scam in the since-withdrawn liquor policy of Arvind Kejriwal’s government. Nair is one of 15 persons, including Sisodia, named in the FIR.

A view of a court when the Supreme Court started live streaming constitution bench proceedings, in New Delhi on Tuesday.

LOCALS FLOCK CITY HERITAGE SITES

Jaipur: On the occasion of World Tourism Day on Tuesday, various cultural programmes were organised at monuments and palaces of the city.

The tourists were given a special welcome at heritage sites like Amer Mahal, JantarMantar, Albert Hall, and Hawa Mahal, while chocolates were also distributed to children.

As part of cultural programmes, folk dance performances were organised in Jaleb Chowk and Man Singh Mahal of Amer Palace. Similar performances were also held at Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and Albert Hall. A heritage walk was also organised at three places in the city on Tuesday.

Superintendent of Amer Palace Pankaj Dhirendra informed that due to free entry of tourists at heritage sites on Tuesday, a large number of tourists visited monuments and palaces.

“Domestic tourists came in large numbers and were welcomed by the staff of the archaeology department,” Pankaj Dhirendra said.

Students protest outside Maharani College, seek justice for Ankita

Poonia visits Delhi, attends seminar at DU

First India Bureau

CLEAN TOURISM AWARD TO HAWA MAHAL

Jaipur: On the occasion of World Tourism Day, a programme was organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday, where Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy presented the Clean Tourism Place award 2018-19

to Jaipur’s Hawa Mahal. Hawa Mahal’s superintendent Sarojini Chanchlani received this award. Director of Archaeology and Museums Department, Mahendra Singh Khadgawat and Deputy Director Krishnakanta Sharma said that it is an honour that Hawa Mahal has been given this award.

RATHORE FLAGS OFF SIGHTSEEING BUS

PALACE ON WHEELS TRIAL FROM SEPT 29

Jaipur: Protests were held in Jaipur on Tuesday over the murder of 19-year-old receptionist Ankita Bhandari at a resort in Uttarakhand.

A large number of girl students holding placards in their hands outside the Maharani College, demanded action against the culprits.

The students said that there is a BJP government at the Centre and in Uttarakhand. “But BJP leaders are misbehaving with the girls and no one is stopping them,” they said.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: A loot bid at a house located in the Kardhani area was foiled when the miscreant was confronted by an 11-year-old boy, police said on Tuesday.

Police informed that the incident took place nearly four days ago at a house located on Kalwar Road.

“The house owner,

Jaipur/ Jodhpur: On the occasion of World Tourism Day, RTDC Chairman Dharmendra Rathore virtually flagged off the sightseeing bus of RTDC Hotel Ghoomar, Jodhpur, from the auditorium of Tourism Bhawan in Jaipur on Tuesday. On the occasion, Vice-Chairman of the State Fair Authority, Ramesh Borana and MD of Tourism Corporation VP Singh and other officials were present. Rathore also said that the ‘Palace on Wheels’ is ready for operations.

— Nirmal Tiwari / Rajeev Gaur

Minor confronts robbers, foils loot bid

iron rod,” police said.

“Devyansh confronted the miscreant when he tried to take away valuables from home. The victim shouted, following which, the accused fled from the spot. Devyansh was injured in the incident and was rushed to a nearby hospital. CCTV footage is being gathered to nab the accused,” police added.

Jaipur: The trial run of the luxury train ‘Palace on Wheels’ will now be held on September 29. Earlier, it was scheduled to take place on Wednesday. However, it has now been delayed by one day. On September 29, the royal train will depart from Jaipur at 10 am and will reach Sawai Madhopur. Chairman of RTDC Dharmendra Rathore and other officials will also be present during the trial run. An invitation has also been sent to Tourism Minister Vishwendra Singh.

New Delhi: Amidst the hot political developments in the Rajasthan Congress, BJP State President Satish Poonia visited New Delhi on Tuesday.

Poonia attended a seminar on the topic ‘National Education Policy and Appreciation of Youth in India’ at Delhi University at 2 pm and addressed the session.

The seminar was also addressed by Professor Balram Pani, Dean Delhi University, Professor AK Bhagi, President DUTA, Professor MP Poonia, Vice Chairman, AICTE

RCDF MD Arora meets NDDB Chairman in Guj

Kashiram Choudhary

Jaipur: RCDF Administrator and MD Sushma Arora on Tuesday met Chairman of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) Minesh Shah in Anand town of Gujarat and held talks over getting technical assistance for RCDF.

Sources informed that a team of NDDB will visit

Dotasra likely to be replaced as PCC chief with a Jat leader

Laxman Raghav

Jaipur: Highly placed sources in the grand old party have revealed that the Congress high command is serious about Rajasthan, and a new Jat leader can now be made the State president.

Sources also said that a discussion is being held to replace Govind Singh Dotasra from the post after the recent incidents.

On July 29, Govind Singh Dotasra completed two years as the chief of State Congress.

DUDI MEETS SONIA

Former Leader of Opposition Rameshwar Dudi on Monday met Sonia Gandhi at 10 Janpath Delhi amid the uproar caused by the political crisis in the Rajasthan Congress. Dudi, however, refused to comment on his meeting with Sonia Gandhi.

Over 4K accounts created in 10 days in Jaipur rural

Chomu subdivision tops in Jaipur Rural Division, says Jpr Rural Postal head

Mohan S Meena

Chomu (Jaipur): As the Sukanya Samridhi Mahotsav is being celebrated across the country by the Indian Postal Department, more than 4,000 Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana accounts have been opened in

Jaipur rural area in 10 days. Along with this, the Chomu subdivision has topped in Jaipur Rural Division.

Jaipur Rural Postal Superintendent Mohan Singh Meena informed that on the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sukanya Samridhi Mahotsav is being celebrated by the Department of Posts from 16 September to 15 October. Under this, people are being made aware of Sukanya Samridhi Yojana by organising camps in different villages and towns by postal workers through audio messages, con-

nication.

On this occasion, CI Purushottam Garg, IPO Sunil Meena, Post-

master Kailash Chand, Subhash Chandra Sharma, Kaluram Choudhary etc. were present.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is being run by the Central Government in order to secure the future of girl child in the country.

Another aim of the scheme is to prevent child marriage. The Govt has changed the age for girls operating the Sukanya account from 10 years to 18 years.

and Akshit Dahiya, President, Delhi University. In Delhi, Satish Poonia also met Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Piyush Goyal. It is believed that Poonia informed both the leaders about the political developments in Rajasthan, but BJP sources called it a courtesy meeting.

HC stays transfer of Dr Krishna Kumar Soni

Jaipur: A single bench of Justice Inderjeet Singh set aside the transfer order after accepting the writ Petition filed by Dr Krishna Kumar Soni.

Dr Soni was transferred from the post of CM & HO, Ajmer to District Hospital, Kekri, but the Department failed to specify on what post the Soni has to join.

Soni’s advocates, Sunil Kumar Singh, Rekha Dixit, Saurabh Chatterjee, and Keerti Harsh argued that the matter saying that it in violation of Rule 8(i) (ii) of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Transferred Activities) Rules, 2011, and also, such writ petitions have been considered and decided by the Principal Bench, Jodhpur. Hence, the Writ Petition was allowed and Soni was directed to join back at the place from where he has been transferred.

Uber begins ops at Jpr airport

First India Bureau

Jaipur: For the convenience of the passengers, Uber cab services will start their commercial operations at Jaipur Airport from Wednesday. Uber will be the third cab

service that will start from Jaipur Airport. A separate pick-up point has also been established outside arrival gate for Uber cab. On Monday and Tuesday Uber cab services conducted trial run at airport.

Vinod Kumar Sharma

tacting Anganwadi centres, public representatives, Bhamashahs and other modes of commu-

SUKANYA SAMRIDDHI YOJANA

Tourists visit Jantar Mantar in Jaipur. —PHOTOS

BY SANTOSH SHARMA & SUNIL SHARMA

Puppet artists hold show at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday.

Dharmendra Rathore virtually flags off tourist bus on Tuesday.

Administration prepares for trial run of Palace on Wheels train.

Nirmal Tiwari

Superintendent Mohan Singh Meena during the event.

BJP State president Satish Poonia meets Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Satyendra Sharma and his wife were away from home when the incident occurred at 3 pm. Satyendra’s two children, Divya

and Devyansh were at home when a miscreant jumped the boundary wall and entered the house armed with an

11-year-old Devyandh sustained injuries during the incident.

RCDF headquarters soon and provide technical assistance for the timely completion of various projects.

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

OFFERING PRAYER

Governor Kalraj Mishra prays at Vindhyavasini Devi Temple in Mirzapur, UP on Tuesday.

Students protest over Uttarakhand murder case.

Satish Poonia meets Union Minister Piyush Goyal.

Sushma Arora with NDDB Chairman Minesh Shah.

Govind Singh Dotasra

STATE GOVERNMENT FILES CAVEAT

AS DR SOMYA LIKELY TO MOVE HC

Kamal Kant

Jaipur: After the dismissal of Dr Somya as Mayor and councillor of JMC Greater, the state government on Tuesday filed a caveat in the High Court in view of the possibility of challenging the decision of the state govt.

Now, if Dr Somya approaches High Court, the court will also have to hear the side of the state government before giving any kind of in-

terim order. AAG Anil Mehta said in the caveat that the state government’s side should also be heard before the

04June, a scuffle broke out between Dr Somya and the then commissioner Yagyamitra Singh Deo and other councilors after a dispute in JMC meeting. Deo complained in writing to govt, accusing the three councilors.

05June, the govt intervened and handed over the investigation of the complaint against Dr Somya and councillors Paras Jain, Ajay Singh, Shankar Sharma to the Regional Director of the LSG Department.

06June, the State govt suspended all four from their posts and ordered judicial inquiry.

28June, Dr Somya challenged the suspension in HC but Court refused to grant stay on the suspension.

In July, Dr Somya reached Supreme Court seeking stay.

High Court gives any interim order in this matter. The LSG department issued an order on Tuesday dismissing Dr

Somya under the Rajasthan Municipality Act2009. Reacting to her dismissal as JMCG Mayor, Dr Somya said her life is full of struggle and the struggle will continue. “At present no copy of the dismissal order has been received.

Further action will be taken after getting the copy,” she said.

The way to go to the High Court is currently open to her.

01February, SC stayed the suspension, after which Dr Somya resumes chair on 2 Feb.

11August, report of a judicial inquiry against Dr Somya and 3 others came; all found guilty

22August, govt abolishes membership of Paras Jain (ward 72), Ajay Singh (Ward 39) & Shankar Sharma (Ward 103 and sacks them from JMC

23September, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court, where court lifted the stay, allowing govt to dismiss Dr Somya after two days.

27September, the State government dismisses Dr Somya’s from mayor’s post and cancels her membership; puts ban of 6 years to contest election.

JMC G&H commissioners appear in Raj HC over cleanliness issue

First India Bureau

Sri Ganganagar (ANI):

A Pakistani intruder was apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) from the border in Sriganganagar sector on Monday, the BSF informed in a statement.

As per the BSF, the 20year-old intruder has an affiliation with ‘Tehreek-e-Labbaik’, a radical Islamic extremist political party established in Pakistan in 2015. The CAPF has identified the intruder as Mohmmad Waqas He hails from Pakistan’s Bahawalnagar. “On 26th Septr during evening hours, the alert troops of BSF caught him in suspicious circumstances at Indo-Pak border in Sri Ganganagar,” the BSF said.

Jaipur: In a petition related to the cleanliness of the city, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice MM Srivastava and Justice VK Bharwani at the Rajasthan High Court, has asked the amicus curiae to object in writing if he is not satisfied with the affidavit presented by the State govt. During the hearing, the High Court said that if there is civic sense in the pub-

lic, then there will be cleanliness in the city too. For this everyone needs to be aware. The next hearing in the matter will be held in the last week of October.

During the hearing

on self-motivated cognition, in compliance with the order, the Commissioner of JMCG, Mahendra Soni and Additional Commissioner of JMCH, along with other officers appeared in the High Court.

AAG Anil Mehta said that in the past, an affidavit was submitted regarding information on the cleanliness system.

Cleanliness is being done smoothly and garbage is collected doorto-door in Jaipur.

First India Bureau

Jaipur : Deputy mayor Puneet Karnawat voiced strong opposition against the govt’s decision, describing it as an “attack on democracy”.

“The expulsion of the mayor and the three councillors earlier is due to political reasons and political animosity. We will strongly oppose this and fight for the rights of our comrades. The final victory will be ours,” Karnawat said.

After her dismissal, the corporation administration issued orders to withdraw all other facilities along with her car. But BJP councilors expressed their displeasure over the way the corporation administration removed the name of Dr Somya on the pink name plate. Karnawat has expressed displeasure by sending a note sheet to Commissioner Soni.

Sandeep Sethi murder: 3 held after cops scan 900 CCTVs

Nagaur : The Nagaur Police on Tuesday arrested three people for their alleged involvement in the killing of Gangster Sandeep Sethi. Police informed that Haryana-based criminal Sandeep Sethi was shot dead to take revenge for the killing of Dipti gang aide Sandeep Godara. The prime accused has been identified as Sunil (38), a resident of Fatehabad

Guj Police nabs Dungarpur DTO, dept unaware

First India Bureau

Dungarpur : A DTO posted in Dungarpur has been arrested by Gujarat police for his alleged involvement in a suicide case.

The DTO has been even sent to judicial custody, but the transport department is yet to take any action against the concerned official. Sources revealed that the transport department has no information about the arrest of the concerned official.

in Haryana.

“His two aides, Sandeep Lamba (30) and Jitendra Kumar (37) have also been arrested.

Nearly 900 CCTV footage were gathered,

around 1 lakh mobile numbers were analyzed and 10 special teams comprising over 100 policemen were involved,” Nagaur SP Ram Murti Joshi informed.

Chairpersons Gedar & Borana get MoS status

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Amidst political turmoil, an authority vice-chairman and a board president got the status of Minister of State. State level status has been given to Shilp and Mati Kala Board president Dungar Ram Gedar. According to the order issued on July 30, facilities will be available and all the expenses will be borne by the Industries Department as an administrative department.

Ramesh Borana,

Vice-Chairman of the Rajasthan State Fair Authority was also given the Minister of State status.

Borana will also get facilities accordingly and all the expenses will be borne by the administrative department and the Rajasthan tourism department.

After bird-hit, Air Asia flight aborts take-off at Jpr International airport

Kashiram Choudhay

Jaipur: A Mumbaibound Air Asia flight had to abandon take off after suffering a bird-hit while ascending on the runway of the Jaipur International Airport on Tuesday morning. Sources informed the aircraft was scheduled to take-off at around 10:25am when it was hit by a bird.

“The bird got stuck in the wing of the plane, following which, the

PHED bribery case: Chief engineer, 3 others sent to jail

Navin Sharma

Jaipur : A Day after PHED Chief Engineer Manish Beniwal and three others were arrested by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10.40 lakhs, the accused were on Tuesday produced before a court by the ACB. They were later sent to the jail by the court.

The agency also recovered Rs 6 lakhs

a disproportionate assets case against Manish Beniwal in 2006.

Later, in 2016, a case of misuse of power was also registered against him by the ACB.

from the residence of PHED clerk Shafiq. Notably, the ACB had filed

During the search operation, the ACB found documents related to 20 bighas of a farm house in Vatika, a hotel near SKIT in Ramnagariya among others.

ACB TO REGISTER THIRD FIR AGAINST CHIEF ENGINEER MANISH BENIWAL

Jaipur: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) will file a third case against PHED Chief Engineer Manish Beniwal on Wednesday. Sources informed the ACB officials were keeping a close eye on the Chief Engineer and his subordinates for the last six months. The mobile numbers of the accused were kept on surveillance from the last five months. “Thousands of call recordings were gathered and heard to nab the accused. The accused use to talk in code words during telephonic conversation. They used ‘stamp’ as code word for bribe. Two cases are already registered against the concerned chief engineer and now a third case will be registered on Wednesday,” informed sources.

JLF releases first list of 25 speakers for next edition

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The JLF will be back in Jaipur in 2023.

Teamwork Arts, released the first list of 25 speakers on Tuesday. In 2023, the literary extravaganza will showcase a plethora of themes and writers.

Sessions are spread across 5 venues with over 250 speakers.

The first list of 25 speakers released on Tuesday includes win-

ner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature Abdulrazak Gurnah; noted Sahitya Akademi awardee, Hindi poet, translator and writer of Aienasaaz, Anamika; acclaimed author of the recent Nomads: The Wanderers Who Shaped Our World, Anthony Sattin; DSC Prize shortlisted and the prestigious Gratiaen Prize nominated Sri Lankan author Ashok Ferrey; one of India’s highest-

selling English fiction writers Ashwin Sanghi; gifted Nagawriter Avinuo Kirewhose latest novel isWhere the Cobbled Path Leads,; the first mixed-race woman author to winthe Booker Prize for her Girl, Woman, Other - Bernardine Evaristo; the two-time Booker Prize shortlisted Chigozie Obioma; translator of the International Booker winner novel Ret Samadhi/Tomb of Sand,

Daisy Rockwell; celebrated Indian actress, director and writer Deepti Naval.

The list continues with Booker Prize winning British novelist Howard Jacobson;

Mumbai-based poet, novelist, short story writer, translator &well-known journalist Jerry Pinto; author of the National Book Award and the PEN/ Faulkner Award longlisted book Intimacies, Katie Kitamura; distinguished mathematics professor and author of The Big Bang of Numbers: How to Build the Universe Using Only Math, Manil Suri; Prizewinning author of the

bestselling books The Written World and The Language of Thieves, Martin Puchner; Turkish-American author, academic, and literary critic Merve Emre; 2022 Booker Prize shortlisted author of Glory, NoViolet Bulawayo; Indian writer, blogger and translator Rana Safvi; Booker-nominated American-Canadian author, filmmaker and Zen Buddhist priest Ruth Ozeki.

ATC was alerted. Around 150 passengers were immediately deboarded from the plane and a team of engineers reached the spot. Nearly after a delay of five hours, the plane got permission to take-off,” said a source. “A video also surfaced on social media where students are seen sitting on the floor and waiting to board the flight. The plane took off for Mumbai at 3:30pm,” added the source.

Wear seat belts in rear also, dept issues order

Jaipur: Passengers sitting in the back seat of cars will also have to wear a seat belt. After the order of the Ministry of Road and Transport, the Transport Department issued orders on Tuesday. According to the order, as per Rule 125(1)(a) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, in M-1 class vehicles (maximum eight seater passenger vehicles other than the driver) in addition to the front seat, it is mandatory for passengers in rear seat to wear seat belts.

A fine of Rs 1,000 will be imposed, under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), if passenger do not wear seat belts in rear.

Yunus Gesawat

Now even if Dr Somya approaches HC, the court needs to hear govt’s side too

The bird got stuck in the wings of the plane, sources said

Sheel Dhabhai once again becomes acting mayor on ad hoc basis

Dy Mayor calls it ‘attack on democracy’

Shivendra Parmar

Pak intruder from ‘Tehreek-eLabbaik’ held by BSF at Raj border

Group of students seen sitting on the floor, awaiting to board the flight at the Jaipur Int’l Airport on Tuesday.

Dr Somya’s name scratched-off from the nameplate on Tuesday.

Ramesh Borana Dungar R Gedar

Abdulrazak

Gurnah

Deepti Naval

Three accused in the Nagaur police custody on Tuesday.

YOU READ IT IN FIRST INDIA ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2022

POLITICAL BUZZ OVER NITISH-SONIA MEETING

Devi Lal, the former Deputy Prime Minister. The Congress was not invited for the rally.

GROWING IMPORTANCE OF THE KURMIS

With the political visibility in the national arena of Nit ish Kumar growing, ever since he severed ties with the BJP and joined hands with Lalu Prasad, the OBC Kurmi community, to which Nitish Kumar belongs has hogged the limelight. The Kurmi community is a community smaller than the Yadavs.

ITALY TAKES A SHARP RIGHT TURN WITH MELONI SET TO BE FIRST FEMALE PM

Kurmi’s were not included among the communities classified as ST in the 1931 census, and the community members were again excluded from the list of STs in 1950. However, in 2004, the Jharkhand government recommended that the Kurmi community be added to the list of STs rather than OBC. Meanwhile, political analysts will keenly watch Nitish Kumar’s movements in his bid to create an atmosphere to get as many parties under the same umbrella to create an Opposition front

ROBIN ROY The writer is Senior Journalist and former Managing Editor, First India

Realising the importance of Congress’ role and position in spearheading an Opposition movement to take the lead in creating a front against the BJP, in a crucial move, on Sun day, Bihar chief minister Nit ish Kumar met Congress president Sonia Gandhi. This was apparently a move to send out a message to a section of Opposition parties who are already in the process of working in this regard. It was Nitish’s attempt to bring them under one umbrella.

This crucial meeting with Sonia took place days after NCP supremo Sharad Pawar said that TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mama ta Banerjee was ready to bury differences with the Congress in the national interest.

While agreeing that a cred ible anti-BJP front was not pos sible by keeping the Congress out, some Opposition leaders have also said that the “de funct” UPA be revived and leadership positions like that of the convenor be given to re gional leaders in order to make the alliance broad-based.

Nitish suggested that Sonia should take the lead and try to place all parties on one plat form with a common agenda. “Together, we met and held dis cussions with madam and you know that we believe several

MAIMING PFI FOR NATION’S SAFETY

parties of the country should unite and work together for the country and its progress. We discussed all these issues… But now elections for their party’s (the Congress’s) presi dent are underway… She will say something, finally, after all that,” Nitish told reporters af ter the meeting with Sonia.

Nitish, probably has real ised that an Opposition front currently without the pres ence of Congress, would not be the right formula to take on the might of the Saffron party and hence he met Sonia.

“The BJP has to be ousted to save the country. Everyone has to unite, like we came together in Bihar, and send the BJP packing. It has found a re sponse across the country. We are together and we requested Soniaji that you (the Congress) are the largest party… aap isme sab ko bulaiyiye (you call everyone for this). Together we will sit and talk and send off the BJP,” Lalu said.

‘OPPOSITION’ IN OPPOSITION

While the Aam Aadmi Party has always maintained its dis tance from such a front, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and INLD have been in favour of a non-Congress coali tion. The Opposition equation is quite mind-boggling. The Congress is one of the main rivals of the TRS and INLD in Telangana and Haryana, re spectively, while the Left is not willing to share the stage with the Congress in Kerala and with the TMC in Bengal.

However, Pawar’s state ment that Mamata was ready

Realising the importance of Congress’ role and position in spearheading an Opposition movement to take the lead in creating a front against the BJP, in a crucial move, on Sunday, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar met Congress president Sonia Gandhi. This was apparently a move to send out a message to a section of Opposition parties who are already in the process of working in this regard

With Nitish Kumar’s recent political decision, the politi cal aspiration of the Kurmis has gained prominence re cently and Yadavs (with whom the Kurmi never had a bonho mie), for the first time are will ing to accept them as “elder brothers”… and if the NitishLalu bond grows stronger the Yadav-Kurmi equation might worry the BJP and the Saffron party immediately has to do something in regards to social engineering in the states of UP and Bihar.

Kurmis are a landowning farming community whose status varies from state to state.

Unlike the Yadavs, the Kurmis use a variety of surnames like Patel, Verma, Sachan, Gang war, Katiyar, Baiswar, Jaiswar, Mahto, Prasad, Sinha, Singh, Pradhan, Baghel, Chaudhary, Patidar, Kunbi, Kumar, Patil, Mohanti, Kanaujiya, Chakrad har, Niranjan, Patanwar, and Shinde, etc.

Recently, train services of South Eastern Railway (SER) were affected in two of its di visions as Kurmis have been blocking two railway stations in West Bengal for three days.

The Kurmis, demanding Scheduled Tribe status for the community and inclu sion of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, launched the agitation at various rail sta tions in West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand.

Italians have voted for Giorgia Meloni, lead er of the Brothers of Italy party, as their first female prime minister. She joins a growing list of female prime ministers and others in top positions in Europe including Liz Truss (UK), Kaja Kallas (Estonia), Sanna Marin (Finland), Elisabeth Morne (France), Katalin Novak (presi dent of Hungary), Zuzuana Capu tova (president of Slovakia) and Ursula von der Leyen (president of the European Commission).

Meloni will have to wait until Oc tober- end before the President appoints her as prime minister of a coalition government.

The concern in Europe is about Meloni’s admiration for Musso lini, the Italian dictator, whom she once called a good politician and her stand against abortion, LGBT lobbies and immigration.

On fascism, her views have mel lowed. It is still feared that she may join forces with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, also a right wing leader. Given the hostility between several Euro pean nations and Russia, her ap proach towards Moscow will also be keenly watched.

In a meticulously planned and wellcoordinated crack down on the Peo ple’s Front of In dia across seven states the National Investigative Agency arrested over 200 members of the organization. Arrests were still being made in some parts of the country. Believed to be an avatar of the Stu dents’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), the PFI was seen as a potential threat to the country. Investigative agen cies say that PFI hand was vis ible in Delhi riots a few years back and also in the anti-CAA protests. The secrecy around the first round of operation in which 106 members of the out fit were arrested from 15 states on September 22 was such that PFI leaders and members

to work with the Congress makes it clear that consider able groundwork has already been done to iron out differ ences. Asked about parties like AAP, Nitish said: “Vichar ekta ka hi hai (the thinking is of unity)… there is no issue in that. But to say something, ka han, kahan kaun, kaun (where and who), that will take some more days,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nitish and So nia meeting incidentally took place hours after several Op position leaders, including Ni tish and Lalu’s son Tejashwi, shared the stage at an INLD event in Haryana’s Fatehabad to mark the 109th birth anni versary of the late Choudhary

Investigative agencies say that PFI hand was visible in Delhi riots a few years back and also in the anti-CAA protests. The secrecy around the first round of operation in which 106 members of the outfit were arrested from 15 states on September 22 was such that PFI leaders and members were literally caught napping

were literally caught napping. That the government had done proper groundwork be fore the raids is clear from the silence of maulanas and other members of the Mus lim community. The recent outreach to Muslim intellec tuals by RSS chief Mohan

Kurmi’s were not included among the communities clas sified as ST in the 1931 census, and the community members were again excluded from the list of STs in 1950. However, in 2004, the Jharkhand govern ment recommended that the Kurmi community be added to the list of STs rather than Oth er Backward Classes (OBC).

Meanwhile, political ana lysts will keenly watch Nit ish Kumar’s movements in his bid to create an atmos phere to get as many parties under the same umbrella to create an Opposition front.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Bhagwat, who even visited a mosque, and the BJP shifting focus on Pasmanda Muslims are understood to have been undertaken with the inten tion of winning over a major ity of the community. In July, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had also urged Muslims to distance them selves from radical elements.

Formed in 2006 the PFI is accused of terror funding and radicalizing Muslims to join terrorist organizations and causing unrest in the country. Kerala and Karna taka have emerged as major hubs of its activities though it has sizeable presence in other states as well. The ar rests, especially of PFI’s sen ior functionaries and fund raisers, will cripple the or ganization, but why no ban?

TOP TWEETS

Through Snow-capped Mountains & green valleys, from river beds to deep forests. On #WorldTourismDay let us all commit to keep our surrounding clean & visit the places never been before.

l Vol 4 l Issue No. 113 l RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764.

Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Press, D.B. Corp Limited, Shivdaspura, Tonk Road, Jaipur. Published at 304, 3rd Floor, City Mall, Bhagwan Das Road, C-Scheme, Jaipur-302001, Rajasthan. Phone 0141-4920504.

Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh Chandra Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

Jyotiraditya M. Scindia @JM_Scindia

For the first time ever, India produced its own AVGAS 100 LL, a special aviation fuel meant for piston aircraft of our flying training schools. The move will bring cost savings for FTOs & benefits for the economy. Congratulations, @IndianOilcl. #MakeInIndia #AatmanirbharBharat Kiren Rijiju @KirenRijiju

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Perform your obligatory duty, because action is indeed better than inaction. Bhagavad Gita

‘Healthcare improved after PM Modi assumed office in 2014’

Ahmedabad (PTI): Un ion Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday alleged instead of improving health infrastructure, Congress “made money” in the name of improv ing medical education facilities when the party was in power before 2014.

Addressing a gather ing in Kalol town, Shah said the healthcare sce nario improved after PM Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014.

“Under the Ayush man Bharat or PM-JAY scheme, 60 crore poor citizens are now getting free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh. In addition, PM Modi has also allocated Rs 64,000 crore to set up the required health in frastructure to imple ment that scheme. 35,000 new beds were added in hospitals across 600 dis tricts under this scheme,” said Shah.

IN THE COURTYARD

DELHI HIGH COURT QUASHES ED’S LOOKOUT CIRCULAR AGAINST INDIABULLS STAFF

New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court has quashed the ECIR registered by the Enforcement Directorate against Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd. and several of its employees, and directed that no further coercive action be taken against them in a case in which the Bombay High Court has already quashed the FIR. The high court, in an order passed on Monday, also set aside the Look Out Circulars (LOC) issued against those employees and said there shall be no search, seizure or summons arising out of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR).

DELHI VS CENTRE: SC TO HEAR PLEA FROM NOVEMBER 9

New Delhi: The Supreme Court’s Constitution bench will hear from November 9 the plea of the Arvind Kejriwalled Delhi govt on the contentious issue of who should control administrative services in the city over the transfers and postings of officers in the national capital. A five-judge Constitution bench asked the parties to complete the compilation of papers in the case meanwhile and it will start day-to-day hearing from November 9.

NOTE BAN: SC TO HEAR PLEAS ON VALIDITY TODAY

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will on Wednesday hear pleas challenging the constitutional validity of demonetisation six years after PM’s move. A 5-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice Abdul Nazeer will hear the pleas tomorrow. In total, four constitutional benches will preside on Wednesday. The bench is expected to fix the date of a detailed hearing. The matter was referred to the Constitution Bench on December 16, 2016, but the bench was yet to be constituted.

DELHI HC PASSES INTERIM ORDER IN FAVOUR OF LG IN DEFAMATION SUIT AGAINST AAP LEADERS

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday passed an interim injunction order in favour of Vinai Kumar Saxena and against Aam Aadmi Party leaders in connection with a defamation suit filed by the Delhi Lt Governor. The AAP leaders had accused Saxena of corrupt practices during demonetisation following which the Delhi LG had approached the court seeking an injunction that restrained the AAP leaders including Durgesh Pathak, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Atishi Marlena, Sanjay Singh and Jasmine Shah from further levelling allegations against him.

MODI’S PACKED 2-DAY VISIT TO HOME STATE GUJ THIS WEEK

New Delhi (ANI): PM Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to his home state Gujarat starting Thursday, with several events lined up. He will also participate in Navratri celebrations. PM Modi will visit Surat, Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad and Ambaji during the two days. On Thursday morning, he will lay the foundation stone and dedicate projects worth more than Rs 3,400 crore in Surat. These include water supply and drainage projects, DREAM City, Biodiversity Park and other develop ment projects such as public infrastructure, heritage restoration, city bus/BRTS infrastructure, and electric vehicle infra structure as well as joint projects by the central and state government.

BJP national president Nadda meets party’s state in-charges

New Delhi (PTI): BJP president JP Nadda held a meeting with party’s state in-charges on Tuesday and dis cussed ways to strength en the organisation and prepare for 2024 general elections, sources said.

This was Nadda’s first meeting with the party’s newly appoint ed state in-charges.

Besides Nadda, BJP’s general secretary (organ isation) Santhosh was also present in the meet ing that took place at the party headquarters.

New Delhi (ANI): BJP national president JP Nadda will embark on a two-day visit to Odisha starting September 29 to strengthen the outfit in view of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. This will be Nadda’s first visit to the state after tak ing over the party’s topmost post in 2019. Before his visit to the state, BJP in-charge Sunil Bansal took stock of the preparedness in Bhubaneswar. He had held meetings with the party workers and assigned tasks. He also took part in the training camp on September 13 and 15.

Wide-ranging discus sions took place during the meeting on strength ening the party and pre paring for 2024 polls.

Former CMs Vijay Ru

pani (Gujarat), Biplab Deb (Tripura), BJP’s gen eral secretaries Arun Singh, Vinod Tawde, Tarun Chugh and Sunil Bansal were also present.

AICC prez poll: Mistry submits voters’ list to Sonia

New Delhi (Agencies): Congress central elec tion authority (CEA) chairman Madhusudan Mistry on Tuesday sub mitted a list of delegates, who can vote in the par ty president’s election, to Sonia Gandhi Party General Secre tary Jairam Ramesh, said, “@INCIndia is only party with a wellestablished process to elect it’s President, which is free & transpar ent. Today, Chairman of our Central Election Au thority, @MD_Mistry, presented to Smt.Sonia Gandhi the final list of delegates of electoral college & her QR coded voter ID card.”

JeM terrorist killed in encounter in Kulgam

Srinagar (PTI): BA member of proscribed terror outfit Jaish-eMuhammad (JeM) has been killed in an ongo ing encounter with se curity forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district, police said on Tuesday.

The security forces had launched a cordonand-search operation in Kulgam’s Ahwatoo area following information

about the presence of terrorists there, a police official said.

He said the search op eration turned into an encounter after the ul tras opened fire on the security forces, who re taliated.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Kashmir Vijay Kumar said two JeM ul tras were trapped in the cordoned area.

Malappuram: The Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Malappuram district of Kerala on Tuesday with hundreds of party workers and supporters walking alongside Rahul Gandhi. The yatra commenced from Pulamanthole junction in Malap puram district in the morning.

THAROOR, PAWAN BANSAL COLLECT NOMINATION FORMS

New Delhi (ANI): Nomination forms for the post of Congress president poll have been collected by Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor and AICC treasurer Pawan Bansal, but Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has not done so yet, the party’s central election authority chairman Mad husudan Mistry said on Tuesday. Gehlot is likely to file his nominations on Wednes day, while Tharoor on September 30.

New Delhi: Amid Rajasthan crisis, interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday convened Congress’ Central Elec tion Committee meeting to finalise names of candidates for Himachal Pradesh polls. Among those present were Ambika Soni, Anand Sharma, Veerappa Moily and K.C Venugopal. The Congress is in a huddle to find a solution to the issue of Rajasthan.

NOT CONTESTING PARTY PREZ POLL, SAYS BANSAL

New Delhi: Meanwhile former Union Minister and AICC treasurer Pawan Bansal has said that he is not contesting the party’s presidential elections. Congress party’s central election authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry had said that Shashi Tharoor and Pawan Bansal had colected the forms but said that it was unclear if Pawan Bansal “took the form for himself or for someone else”.

New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday approved party tickets to all the 20 sitting MLAs in Himachal Pradesh and is learnt to have finalised the names of another 15 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in the state, sources said. Some of the names approved at the meeting include Vikramaditya Singh from Shimla Rural and Mukesh Agnihotri from Haroli.

COURTESY MEET!

WORLD TOURISM DAY

PM Modi’s tourism initiatives that have enhanced India’s soft power

New Delhi (Agencies):

Prime Minister Naren dra Modi’s targeted em phasis on promoting domestic tourism, espe cially in the post-pan demic era, will not only give a boost to the coun try’s economy, but also provide employment op portunities across India.

The most prominent initiative taken by PM Modi is the Statue of Unity. The Statue of Unity is the world’s tall est statue, with a height of 182 metres (597 feet), located in Gujara. Since its inauguration, as many as 7.94 million

Bhatt also graced the ceremony. Secretary Tour ism Arvind Singh and other senior officers of the Ministry were also present on this occasion.

people have visited the site till May 2022.

Other initiatives of PM Modi include Kutch Rann Utsav. Once a bar ren and marshy desert in Gujarat has now now turned into an interna

tional tourist destina tion. This initiative was taken by Modi when he was the Gujarat chief minister.

After taking over as Prime Minister of India in 2014, Narendra Modi

envisioned the tourism potential of Kashi (his parliamentary constitu ency Varanasi) and vowed to develop the city as India’s Kyoto.

PM Modi’s eye for promotion of other

tourist destinations is impeccable. PM Modi inaugurated the project of three different stretches of the Char Dham all-weather road in 2021 for promoting religious tourism in Ut tarakhand.

PM Narendra Modi introduced Ramayana Circuit for devotees to cover places from the lives of Bhagwan Rama. A special train which covers these places starting from Delhi upto Nepal’s Janakpur is being run by the In dian Railways to cover the circuit.

VICE PRESIDENT JAGDEEP DHANKHAR PRESENTS NATIONAL TOURISM AWARDS TO 81 RECIPIENTS ON WORLD TOURISM DAY

New Delhi: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar presented the National Tourism Awards to 81 awardees at the programme organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, to mark the World Tourism Day. Union Minister of Tourism G Kishan Reddy and MoS Tourism Ajay

BJP President JP Nadda holds a Prabhari meeting, in New Delhi on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

NADDA TO VISIT ODISHA TO FORMULATE STRATEGY FOR 2024 LS SABHA POLLS

CONGRESS’ BHARAT JODO YATRA ENTERS MALAPPURAM DISTRICT IN KERALA

SONIA HOLDS HIMACHAL CEC AMID RAJASTHAN CRISIS

CONGRESS TO FIELD ALL ITS SITTING MLAS IN HIMACHAL

SHAH LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF 750-BED HOSPITAL IN GUJARAT

New Delhi (ANI): Union Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of a modern 750-bed hospital in Gandhina gar on Tuesday. The hospital is under construction by Kutch Radiology and Imaging Centre. Shah also laid the foundation stone of the hospital in Kalol city. The laying of the foundation stone of the hospital is part of various programmes of the Union Home Minis ter in Gandhinagar on Tuesday.

Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah addresses at the foundation laying ceremony of the 750 bedded hospital, in Gandhinagar on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Flower petals being showered on tourists to welcome at the Agra Fort on World Tourism Day, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi being presented her QR-coded voter ID card by Congress central election authority chairman M Mistry, in New Delhi on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called on Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar at the latter’s official residence Uparashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, on Tuesday.

Stability of Indo-Pacific should be secured: EAM Jaishankar

Washington (ANI) :

During his bilateral talks with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Aus tin in the Pentagon on Monday, External Af fairs Minister S Jais hankar said that the stability, security and prosperity of the IndoPacific should be se cured as the global situ ation has become very challenging.

“So for me, our meet ing today and my pres ence here today I do share with you that the global situation has be come a far more chal lenging variety of rea sons. Indo-Pacific in particular, it’s impor tant that the stability, security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific should be secured which is best done amongst others,” Jais hankar said during the opening remarks at Pentagon.

He also emphasised creating stronger de fence industrial collab oration and military exercises between In dia and US during the talks.

Both the leaders ex pressed commitment to

New York (Agencies): Women in India trans forming communities with digital technologies could show ways to ac celerate progress towards the SDGs, said thought leaders in New York, at high-level discussions organised by Reliance Foundation, Observer Research Foundation and United Nations in India to complement the 77th UNGA discussions. The

deepening bilateral de fence cooperation and expanding informa tion-sharing and logis tics cooperation to

events included launch of Aspirations, Access and Agency: Women Transforming Lives with Technology, a publication by Reliance Foundation and Observer Research Foundation that narrates inspirational stories of women using digital tech nologies to bring entitle ments, financial services, healthcare, sanitation and more to India’s remotest corners.

drive deeper operation al coordination be tween the US and Indi an militaries, said Pen tagon Press Secretary

PENTAGON CHIEF CRITICISES CHINA’S “UNPRECEDENTED PROVOCATIONS”

Washington: US De fence Secretary Lloyd Austin sharply criti cised China for “un precedented provoca tions in the Taiwan Strait” during bilat eral talks with Exter nal Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at the Pentagon and said that India and US, the two great de mocracies are work ing together toward a brighter future for the Indo-Pacific as the world faces sus tained challenges to peace, security and prosperity in the re gion and beyond.

“Our bilateral de fence ties are just one way that our two great democracies are working together

Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder in a readout. Austin and Jais hankar also discussed new opportunities for

toward a brighter fu ture for the Indo-Pa cific. The United States In India, along with a dozen other Indo-Pacific part ners, pushing to ex pand our region’s prosperity for the In do-Pacific Economic framework,” Austin said during his open ing remarks.

Responding to it, Jaishankar said, “The ripple impact of our defence coop eration, I think, has a larger beneficiary implication.”

bilateral defence indus trial cooperation in support of India’s con tributions as a regional security provider.

Rajnath reviews preparation for upcoming DefExpo 2022

New Delhi (Agen cies): Defence Minis ter Rajnath Singh on Tuesday lauded the growing role of pri vate manufacturers in defence produc tion, describing it as an indicator in the sector’s growth.

He urged the man ufacturers to make a roadmap for the next 25 years and invest in research and devel opment (R&D) and bring new products as they are awaited all over the world.

Addressing the an nual session of the Society of Indian De fence Manufacturers (SIDM), Singh said that the defence pro duction budget has gone up to Rs 30,000 crore in the last eight years from around Rs 10,000 crore earli er. The Defence Min ister further said that by 2025, the fo cus should be on touching the Rs 1.75 lakh crore target for defence equipment procurement. “Gov ernment is there to lend a helping hand to the industry as both have to under take the journey to gether,” he said.

NASA CRAFT ON PURPOSE CRASHES INTO ASTEROID

Drugs, prostitution were rampant, says ex-staffer

New Delhi, (Agencies):

Swedish defence products company Saab will manu facture its Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons system in India, a top executive said on Tues day. Production in its new facility in India is expected to start in 2024, Gorgen Johannson, Senior Vice President at the company told reporters. “We haven’t done this in any other coun try”, Johansson said.

New Delhi (Agencies): NASA picked Dimorphos as a goal due to its dimen sion. A NASA spacecraft efficiently crashed into an asteroid roughly 6.8 mn miles from Earth in a take a look at to find out if the influence can nudge the house rock barely off target. NASA launched its DART spacecraft in November ‘21 with the specific objective of colliding with an asteroid.

ACTRESS ASHA PAREKH TO BE CONFERRED WITH DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD New Delhi (ANI): Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur on Tuesday announced that the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2020 would be accorded to legendary actress Asha Parekh. A jury comprising of veteran singer Asha Bhosle, award-winning singer Udit Narayan, veteran actress Poonam Dhillon, actor-turned-MP Hema Malini, and Kannada direc tor-producer TS Nagabharana came to this decision. Thakur while making this announcement in Hamirpur said “it is a matter of pride for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to announce this prestigious award for the veteran actress.”

ROAD SAFETY AUDIT RAISES CONCERNS OVER MAINTENANCE

Rishikesh (Agencies): Drug abuse and prosti tution were regular “services” at the Uttara khand resort owned by Pulkit Arya, a since-ex pelled BJP leader’s son who allegedly killed 19-year-old receptionist Ankita Bhandari, for mer employees have al leged. “The resort man agement would provide illicit liquor, ganja and other drugs, and even girls, to the guests,” said Rishita, the receptionist while her husband, Vivek, worked as a housekeeper.

They had quit before Ankita Bhandari joined in August. Just days later, Ankita Bhandari was murdered allegedly by Pulkit Arya and two staff members of the resort — Vanantra, near Rishikesh, in Pau ri district — after she refused to be a part of the prostitution ring, police investigation has found so far.

SIT RECOVERS 2 VEHICLES USED IN CRIME, SAYS DIG Dehradun (ANI): The Uttarakhand Police probing the horrific Ankita Bhandari murder case said that the SIT had recovered two ve hicles allegedly used in the crime from a resort where Ankita worked in Rishikesh.

DIG P Renuka Devi said the SIT will now record the statements of the women employees of the Vantara Resort, owned by the main accused Pulkit Arya. “We are analysing all the evidence. A post-mortem report has been received. We will record the state ments of women who worked at the resort,” the DIG said.

AUTOPSY REPORT SUGGESTS ANKITA DIED OF DROWNING Dehradun, (Agencies): Post-mortem report of Ankita Bhandari, who was allegedly killed by Pulkit Arya, the son of now expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya, has suggested that she died because of suffocation and drowning in water. Ankita (19), who worked as a receptionist at a resort in Uttarakhand’s Pauri district, was reported missing a few days ago. On Saturday morning, her body was recovered. Ankita had reportedly refused to provide ‘special service’ to the guests at the resort owned by Pulkit Arya.

Prez nod to Hry law declaring child marriages void ab initio

New Delhi (PTI): Pres ident Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to a legislation of Hary ana under which every child marriage that has been solemnised will be considered as “void ab initio” (having no legal effect from inception), thus making a marital relationship between a man and a girl aged be tween 15 and 18 years illegal.

The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Hary ana Amendment) Bill, 2020 was enacted follow ing a Supreme Court ruling. The apex court had declared that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, be ing a special law, pre vails over the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and sex with a minor wife aged between 15 and 18 years, in accordance with the prevailing ex ception 2 of section 375 of the IPC, is arbitrary and violative of the Constitution.

PROTECTION FROM POACHERS

DEF MIN AT THE 5TH ANNUAL SESSION OF SIDM

New Delhi (Agencies): Union defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday urged the domestic defence manufacturing industry to identify and make cost effective products and technologies to help realise the prime minister’s vision for ‘New India’. “Seven-eight years ago, our defence exports were not even ₹1,000 cr. They have now crossed ₹13,000 cr,” Singh said.

FEMALE OFFICERS

FLYING FIGHTER JETS NEAR LAC

Tezpur (ANI): Amid the growing number of wom en pilots and ground crew in the Indian Air Force, females of the forces are operating fighter aircraft and choppers extensively in the eastern sector over AP and Assam. During a forward air base visit, team ANI witnessed operations by the female fighter aircraft crew and chopper pilots flying the indigenously.

New Delhi, (PTI): The DRDO on Tuesday success fully flight tested the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. The VSHORADS is an air defence system designed and developed indigenously by Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat of the Defence Research and Development Organisa tion (DRDO). “The DRDO

conducted two successful test flight of the VSHORADS missile from a ground based portable launcher at the integrated test range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha,” the defence ministry said in a state ment. “VSHORADS missile incorporates many novel technologies including miniaturized RCS and inte grated avionics, which have been proven during the tests,” the ministry said.

UP govt transfers 6 PCS & 2 IAS officers

New Delhi (PTI): A safety audit on the highway, which witnessed the acci dental death of Tata Sons’ former chairman Cyrus Mistry, has raised concerns over poor maintenance, inadequate signages to guide drivers and over two dozen median openings along the stretch. The road safety audit of the 70-km stretch between Mandor in Maharashtra and Achhad in Gujarat of NH-48 was car ried out by a team of India chapter of the International Road Federation.

Ahtesham Siddiqui

Lucknow: The process of transfer of officers is going on in the bureau cracy of Uttar Pradesh as, on Tuesday, the state government once again transferred 6 PCS offic ers including two IAS.

Among the IAS - 2019 batch officer Prashant Nagar has been made CDO Mau, while IAS Pranata Aishwarya has been made CDO Eta wah.

Even though the re cruitment department is continuously making IAS officers of 2019 batch as CDOs in the state, but in the grada tion list, senior IAS Su mit Yadav, IAS Pooja Yadav are still posted as

Joint Magistrates. No tably, IAS lakshmi N and IAS Soumya Guru nani are currently on leave...

On the other hand, 6 PCS officers have been given new postings in which PCS Ram Singh Verma - CGM, UPSRTC; PCS Santosh Kumar as Special Secretary Medi cal Education Depart ment, PCS Ayush Chaudhary as ADM Fi nance and Revenue Etah, PCS Devendra Singh as City Magis trate Jaunpur, PCS Ma hendra Pal Singh as ADM Finance and Rev enue Auraiya, PCS Jyo ti Singh as City Magis trate Moradabad have been given appoint ments.

‘Super Sniffer’ dog squad to protect Namibian cheetahs

Panchkula (Haryana) (ANI): A five-monthold German Shepherd ‘Ilu’ is under training at Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force’s (ITBP) National Training Cen tre for Dogs to join the ‘Supper Sniffer’ squad in Madhya Pradesh.

Ilu will soon be de ployed in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno Nation al Park to protect the recently released Na mibian cheetahs from poachers. She is among the six dogs that are be

ing trained to protect the wildlife at various national parks of the country.

After the completion of the basic training for three months and an advance training for four months will help instil qualities like obe dience, sniffing and tracking skills. The ca nines will get deployed on the job from April next year. During the training, the dogs will be trained to detect ti ger and leopard skins,

bones, elephant tusks and other body parts, bear bile, Red Sanders, and several other ille

—PHOTO BY ANI

gal wildlife products.

Super sniffer squads trained at this camp have been deployed in

national parks in Ma harashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. “Dogs develop an unbreaka ble bond with their handlers that makes them excellent in their job,” said Sanjeev Sharma, handler of Ilu, who is currently employed with the for est department at Kuno National Park. Sharma further said that Illu is like a child to him. She was just two months

old when he picked her here for training.

As per the norms, dogs stay with the same handler from day one till their day of retire ment.

“Ilu is not supposed to protect cheetahs be cause they can protect themselves, she will be deployed on the periph ery of the national park along with forest guards to protect chee tahs and other animals from poachers,” said Sanjeev.

New Delhi (ANI): Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla chaired a crucial meeting with senior officials of Telan gana and AP over unsettled matters of the Reorganisa tion of Andhra Pradesh Act 2014. The meeting started in the Home Ministry with Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary Sameer Sharma along with some higher officials of both the states.Officials said that the agenda of the meeting was divided between the discussion on bilateral.

Protest against the murder of Ankita Bhandari, by owner and 2 managers of Vanantra Resort near Rishikesh. —FILE PHOTO

Ilu to be deployed at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

Pranata Aishwarya Pashant Nagar

Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, makes a point during the discussion. —PHOTO BY PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewing the preparation for DefExpo-2022 on Tuesday in New Delhi. —PHOTO BY ANI

Reena Bhardwaj

INDIA’S WOMEN, DIGITAL PROWESS AND GREEN GROWTH POWER SDG DISCUSSIONS

DRDO CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL TESTS OF SHORT RANGE AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM MISSILES

Dalit minor girl raped in govt school’s bathroom in Barmer

Barmer: A 16-year-old dalit girl was raped in the government school’s bathroom in Barmer. Though the in cident took place on September 24, due to threats by the accused, the victim’s family avoided any police com plaint. On Tuesday when the victim’s fa ther, who has been working outside, ar rived a formal police complaint was lodged. Incident has been re ported from Gudama lani police station area in Barmer.

Ramesh Dhaka,SHO at Gudamalani police station confirmed the report. He said that

they have lodged the case and have done the medical examination of the victim. Meanwhile till the last report ac cused was on the run.

According to the in formation, a woman ap proached the Gudama lani police with com plaint of rape with her minor daughter. She al

leged that on Septem ber 24, her daughter went to get the cow dung. In the meantime, the accused, who met her daughter on the way, suggested to her daughter that there is cow dung available out side the bathroom in the school campus.

Complainant alleged

Three, including infant, killed in accident in Nagaur

Nagaur (PTI): Three people, including an in fant, were killed and 36 others injured when the private bus they were travelling in collided head on with a truck in Nagaur district on Monday night, police said.

Surendra Meena, an assistant sub-inspector posted at Kotwali police station, said the de ceased had been identi fied as Mohan Ram (70), Chataram (60) and twomonth-old Shanti. The bodies were handed over to the relatives of the deceased after post

mortem on Tuesday, he said.

The injured have been admitted to PBM Hospital in Bikaner and JLN Hospital in Ajmer, he added. The devotees

that when her daughter went in the school to get the cow dung, accused who already reached there, forcibly pushed her daughter in the bathroom and raped her. Victim claimed that on hearing the noise of some passerby, the ac cused fled from the spot.

Complainant further alleged that soon after the incident she at tempted police action but the accused threat ened her. She claimed that when her husband came back, they ap proached the police. Po lice said that they have lodged the case and have done the medical examination. Mean while till the last report accused was on the run.

Deputation of IPS officer Hemant Kumar extended

First India Bureau

RAJ TOPS IN NO. OF RAPE CASES IN 2021: NCRB

Rajasthan reported the highest num ber of rape cases in the country in 2021 with an increase of more than 19 per cent in comparison to 2020, the NCRB report stated.Of the total 31,677 rape cas es registered across the country last year, 6,337 were reported in Rajasthan. Uttar Pradesh tops the list with a maximum of 56,083 cases, fol lowed by Rajasthan where as many as 40,738 cases were registered.

Despite resignations, Mins doing transfers: Rathore

Shubham Jain

Ajmer: Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore told the media in Ajmer on Tuesday that earlier also the Congress government remained in Quaran tine for 34 days. “This contradiction has now reached its climax. 81 MLAs of the govern ment have resigned. But the transfer indus try continues in the state. The ministers are signing the transfer lists at night. CM Ashok Gehlot called himself Gandhi of Marwar and was loyal to the high command but he actu ally turned out to be a power glutton,” he said.

On BJP being accused of conspiracy, Rathore said before this, senior leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kapil Sibal also left and the BJP has nothing to do with this.

were travelling to Na gaur after offering prayer at a temple in Jhunjhala. A case has been registered against the truck driver, the po lice said on Tuesday.

Jaipur : The tenure of IPS officer Hemant Ku mar Sharma as Police Planning Officer in the Depart ment of Peacekeep ing Opera tions, New York has been extended by the government, mentioned an official order on Tuesday. His tenure has been extend ed till November 28, 2023. IPS Hemant Ku mar Sharma, a 2006 batch officer, is a Ra jasthan cadre officer.

INDIA FOR HUMANITY PROGRAMME IN SYRIA

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has given relaxation in 47 cases of application for compas sionate appointment by a dependent after the death of a government employee. With this sensitive decision of CM, the dependent fam ilies of the deceased will be able to get sup port.

17 cases of relaxation after completiong of time period, 28 cases of delay in application and 2 cases of relaxation in the age limit have been given relaxation by Ge hlot while while consid ering them sympatheti

cally. It is noteworthy that in the last three years, relief has been provided to the appli cants by providing re laxation in 1282 cases of compassionate appoint ment. Compassionate appointments have also

cept these resignations. If he does not accept the resignation, it will be a violation of the rules,” he said.

If Congress MLAs wanted to express their anger, they would have gone to the Congress President but the resignations have led to administra tive chaos.

THREE TYPES OF CRISIS HAVE ARISEN IN RAJASTHAN: GHANSHYAM TIWARI Jaipur: Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari said that at this time all three types of crisis have arisen in Rajasthan, ad ministrative, legal and constitution al. “The con stitutional crisis is that MLAs have submitted their resignations to the Speaker, leaving them with no option but to ac

—Aishwary Pradhan

Norms relaxed for compassionate jobs

NORMS FOR GOVT PROMOTION EASED

Gehlot government, on Tuesday, gave a major ‘gift’ to govern ment employees by giving extension in one year relaxation in expe rience for promotion.

VP to send off 8-member team of Jpr Foot

lll

The MEA in association with the BMVSS will organise special camps abroad to provide artificial limbs and other aide and appliances to the disabled

Jaipur/New Delhi: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will give a send off to an eightmember technical team of the makers of the world famous Jaipur Foot- Bhagwan Mahav ver Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) at a function on Wednesday afternoon at his official residence in Delhi. This team will go to Syria to hold a 40-day rehabilita tion camp in the Syrian

Capital of Damascus that will be inaugurated on October 2, the birth anniversary of the fa

ther of the nation Ma hatma Gandhi.

This team is led by Satish Mehta, the hon

orary director of the BMVSS foreign affairs, who is a former diplo mat and has been In dia’s ambassador to Ku wait. He said that dur ing the Damascus camp 500 disabled persons would be rehabilitated.

According to the founder and chief pa tron of the BMVSS, the special camp in the Syr ian Capital Damascus has been organized in association with the Ministry of External af fairs (MEA) under the

been given to 3702 de ceased dependents dur ing this period.

CM Gehlot also ap proved 235 posts of pharmacist and 44 posts of information assis tant for medical depart ment.

Earlier, the period was till 31 August, which has now been extended till 30 November. The benefit has been given in departments where DPC meetings have been held for 2022-23 without relaxation either before 21 June 2022 or after 31 August 2022. Giving the benefit of one year’s experience, instructions have been given to hold a DPC meeting by November 30.

Kota gets fertilizer with Birla’s efforts

First India Bureau

Kota: Farmers in Kota will get a sign of relief as DAP-NPK fertilizers will soon reach Kota. Around 3600 metric tonnes of DAP-NPK fer tilizers left from IFFCO on Tuesday morning and it will reach Kota on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.

Following the efforts of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, this will be the sixth rake of DAP-NPK fertilizer that will reach Kota. Besides this, Speaker Om Birla will

Om Birla

be on a one-day visit to Pune on Wednesday. Om Birla will inaugu rate Women’s Com merce College at 11:30 am in Pune. The college is built by the Maha rashtra Girls Education Society.

Harassed by lover’s wife, resident doctor dies by suicide in Jodhpur

Jodhpur: A female res ident doctor of Mathu ra Das Mathur Hospital in Jodhpur allegedly died by suicide by ad ministering IV fluids after being harassed by her lover’s wife. Police informed the deceased has been identified as Sonali Nischetna, a stu dent in the third year (medicine) and a resi dent of Jaipur’s Chomu area.

“The victim had a love affair with a third-

came to know about their relationship,” po lice said.

“Sonali was allegedly harassed and abused by Akansha. Ankit’s wife even met family mem bers of Sonali, follow ing which, Sonali went into severe depression.

year student, Ankit Garg. Both of them re cently went to Shimla, following which An kit’s wife Akansha

On Sunday, Sonali al legedly committed sui cide by administering injections,” police add ed. “A case of abate ment of suicide has been filed against the accused and the matter is being investigated,”

Mukesh Mathrani

First India Bureau

Incident took place 3 days back but due to threats by accused, victim’s family avoided filing plaint

First India Bureau

The bus collided with a truck near Athiyansan village in Nagaur.

MAA SHAKTI!

Various pandals have been set up in Jaipur and other cities of the state. Several idols of Durga and other goddesses have been prepared and showcased in these pandals for worship purpose. A large number of people throng these pandals at Ambabari and other areas of Jaipur.

—PHOTOS BY SUNIL SHARMA

Chairman of SHRC Justice Gopal Krishna Vyas taking stock of the arrangements made by district police and Mehrangarh Museum Trust for visitors to Chamunda Mata temple during Navratra in Jodhpur on Tuesday.

Rajendra Rathore addressed the training camp of BJP Minority Morcha in Ajmer on Tuesday.

Sonali Nischetna

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

CM Ashok Gehlot.

—FILE PHOTO

Once

BJP behind conspiracy to topple Cong govt in Raj: PSK

Meet wasn’t called to mount pressure on High-Command; MLAs expressed views so that it reaches High Command: Joshi

MLAs-Ministers make beeline for CMR, Gehlot stresses ‘High Command’s word is final!’

Jaipur: Amid an ongo ing political crisis in Rajasthan, State Minis ter Pratap Singh Khachariyawas alleged on Tuesday that the BJP has again started hatching a conspiracy to topple the Congress government.

“ED, income tax de partment, CBI officials are sitting in Rajasthan. BJP’s game has started. BJP is again engaged in a conspiracy to topple the Rajasthan govern ment,” Khachariyawas told reporters here.

The Congress in Ra jasthan plunged into a crisis on Sunday as sev eral MLAs loyal to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot resigned over a possible move to ap point Pilot as Gehlot’s successor, their rebel lion erupting just ahead of a CLP meeting.

Upset over the open rebellion, Congress president Sonia Gandhi sought a written report on it from party observ ers Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken on

Monday as the chances of Gehlot becoming the party chief receded and other names cropped up for the post.

Khachariyawas said the views of the MLAs should be heard. “We have faith in the party leadership. Every Con gress worker in the country considers So nia Gandhi like his mother. A mother al ways does justice,” he added.

“Still, whatever our

in-charge, leadership, Ashok Gehlotji will de cide, we will accept,” he added.

Khachariyawas has once again said that if the high command de cides to make any of the 102 MLAs who were locked in the hotel in a political crisis, then there is no problem.

“But it is not acceptable if those who were talk ing to Amit Shah and Dharmendra Pradhan to bring down the gov

We are ready to fight the BJP on one call of Sonia Gandhi. Ashok Gehlot didn’t tell an yone to give any statement. It has taken 50 years for one Ashok Gehlot to ‘form.’ Gehlot tried to convince all the MLAs and said that the decision should be left to Sonia Gandhi, but MLAs didn’t lis ten and now Gehlot is stuck in the middle.

—Pratap S Khachariyawas, Food & Civil Supplies Minister

If the MLAs were not loyal to the Congress, the government would have fallen much ear lier. Joshi said if the party is sues notices on the MLAs for indiscipline, they will give their reply to it and prove their loyalty to the Congress.

—Dr Mahesh Joshi, PHED Minister

ernment, are handed over the command.

Ajay Maken was with MLAs during the earli er political crisis and he knows what they want,” he said.

He said there is no question of displeasure with Sachin Pilot, but what 102 decide will happen.

In the meanwhile, Clarifying on meeting of CM Gehlot loyalist MLAs held at Shanti Dhariwal’s residence,

Some MLAs openly pitch in for Pilot as CM

Jaipur: Reacting to meeting at Shanti Dha riwal’s residence fol lowed by submitting of resignations of Con gress MLAs, Minister Rajendra Gudha, Con gress MLA Divya Mad erna termed it indisci pline and cornered the Gehlot faction.

Gudha said that Cabi net Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas is using the language of villains in movies.

Referring to the ear lier allegations of Acharya Pramod Krishnam, Gudha said that Acharya had ac cused Dhariwal and others of corruption of Rs 400 crore, but he was wrong. “This figure is more than Rs 4,000

crore and they looted the public,” Gudha said. He said Dhariwal and others are worried that with the change of CM their shops will close.

Pachpadra MLA Madan Prajpat said, “Sachin Pilot has no match & af ter Gehlot, Pilot is best suitable choice for CM post. MLAs had first re signed & are saying that they have no idea about the letter. By do ing so, they are show casing their weakness.”

Congress party’s Chief Whip & Cabinet Minis ter Mahesh Joshi said that there was a mes sage of KC Venugopal that the Observers will chair the CLP meeting.

“This message wasn’t mine. It was not con veyed that there would be a consultation. Ajay Maken would have or dered that there will also be a consultation. So it is wrong to level this allegation on me,” Dr Mahesh Joshi said.

I am not against Ashok Gehlot but Shanti Dhariwal didn’t do the right thing. Talk to each MLA and things will be clear. In my opin ion, Sachin Pilot should become the CM. Now, it is difficult for Gehlot to become Con gress President.

—Rajendra Gudha, MLA Sachin Pilot is not an outsider but a heavy weight. The people of Rajasthan and the country love him.

—Indraj Gurjar, Congress MLA It is very unfortunate. We are loyal and dis ciplined soldiers of the Congress High Com mand. The meeting with observers was boycotted and it comes under the category of utter indiscipline.

—Divya Maderna, MLA

I do not have any attachment for any post. I made Sonia Gandhi aware of my sentiments in August itself. I did not ask any MLA in Rajasthan to hold a separate meeting, he said CM Ashok Gehlot with Rajendra Yadav, Sukhram Bishnoi, BS Bhati, Shale Mohammad at CMR on Tuesday evening.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Amidst the ongoing political dra ma and tussle over the CM’s chair in Ra jasthan, around 20 MLAs reached CMR, on Tuesday after noon, to meet Chief Minister Ashok Ge hlot. Some ministers were also part of the group that met the CM. Among these were Minister Lal chand Kataria, Uday alal Anjana, Rajendra Yadav, Mahendra Chaudhary, Sukhram Bishnoi, Shale Mo hammad and Ashok

Chandna. These lead ers held a long discus sion with CM Gehlot in CMR.

Interestingly, sourc es reveal that during the meeting no discus sion took place re garding nomination.

Gehlot reportedly told minister and MLAs, “I do not have any at tachment for any post.

I made Sonia Gandhi aware of my senti ments in August it self. I did not ask any MLA in Rajasthan to hold a separate meet ing.”

Meanwhile, Minis ters and MLAs kept

Pilot denies reports of him seeking Gehlot’s ouster before AICC President poll

giving feedback re garding Ajay Maken’s statement and politi cal situation while also discussing the issues of their con stituencies.

Notably, Gehlot once again told the MLAs that ‘the direc tion of the high com mand is everything.’

Interestingly, high ly placed sources have revealed that regard ing to Congress Presi dent Election, the High Command can contact Gehlot and hold a telephonic con versation with him in a day or two.

Jaipur: Congress lead er Sachin Pilot has de nied media reports stat ing that he told the party High Command that CM Ashok Gehlot shouldn’t remain in of fice if he decides to con test the party presiden tial poll.

Refuting the reports, the Congress leader said that says he has spoken neither with the party’s high command nor with Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.

“Am afraid this is false news being report ed”,” he tweeted.

Notably, Pilot is being seen as the successor of Gehlot in Rajasthan which is engulfed by a political crisis trig

Earlier on Tuesday, Congress MLAs sup porting Pilot for CM’s post arrived at his resi dence in Jaipur.

“ Party’s top leader ship is restructuring organisation for 2023 polls. Top leadership will decide (CM face),” said MLA KL Bairwa.

First India Bureau

Udaipur: Reacting to the present political crisis in Raj, CWC member Raghuveer Meena while talking to media, said, “All this happened because of miscommunication.

The MLAs & people of organisation are tied to Congress, so it is our responsibility to follow High Command’s direc tive,” he said. Meena belongs to CM Gehlot faction, so his remarks are being hugely discussed. He added that now there is a need to rectify the misunderstanding in party by taking the High Command into confidence.

I only have the opinion that whatever the High Command says should be followed. Every thing will be fine soon.

—Girija Vyas, Congress leader

WILL RESPOND TO NOTICES, SAY ALL THREE LEADERS

From P1…

It is being said that So nia has really felt ‘heartbroken’ this time by the behaviour of ‘Raj Con gress’ for which she al ways had blind faith.

Reportedly Sonia ex

pressed her displeasure in front of Kharge and Ajay Maken. When Mal likarjun Kharge and Maken gave oral report to Sonia on Monday, an annoyed Sonia said, “I want a written report of each and every minis ter.” It was only after this direction that Mak en submitted a written report on Tuesday and notices were issued to Dhariwal-Mahesh JoshiDharmendra Rathore.

Interestingly, after the report was submitted to Sonia, the Congress High Command took a serious stance on

the episode and issued ‘Show Cause’ notices to Shanti Dhariwal, Ma hesh Joshi and Dhar mendra Rathore. Now these individuals will have ten days to furnish their reply on the notice.

Meanwhile, according to a source, questions have also been raised on Gehlot’s role as CM in the report? It is contest ed that had Gehlot used his moral influence, per haps the rebel MLAs could have been prevent ed from resigning. While the ‘truth’ may not be come public, it can sure ly be said that High

Command is still not get ting an option to Gehlot, to fill the form of Na tional President. Kharge Ambika Soni stressed that Gehlot is still not ruled out. That’s why there is news in the mar ket that Gehlot may fill nomination form on 29th or 30th September.

Tariq Anwar, Secy of MLA Disciplinary Com mittee, has sent notice to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhari wal, saying that instead of going to CLP meeting called by Congress, he (Dhariwal) had engaged in an act of indiscipline

by holding a similar meeting at his residence.

Chief Whip & PHED Minister Dr Mahesh Joshi has been given a notice keeping it in cat egory of indiscipline. RTDC Chairman has also been found guilty of arranging this meeting. With this move of the High Command, ques tions were being asked in Congress circles as to what now will be Ge hlot’s ‘stand’ in these circumstances? Will Ge hlot still stand with these people? Notably, if this really happens, then there will be a direct

confrontation with High Command. On the other hand, there was even murmurs, in Congress circles, of Gehlot filing his form on September 30 at 11 am while the swearing-in of the new C M would be held on Oc tober 2, so was said. In the meanwhile, all three leaders said that they would reply to notices.

According to sources, Sonia wants to solve this issue on priority so that decisions can be taken whether Gehlot becomes Congress President or not. With this, a decision can also be taken about

Raj CM. That’s why as soon as AK Antony reached Delhi, Sonia held a meeting at 10, Jan path but Maken wasn’t present & it is being speculated that perhaps High Command is angry with Maken’s role.

Meanwhile, Gehlot again had a long conver sation with Kharge & he assured Kharge that he is confident of normalis ing everything in Jaipur by Sept 30. But will Ge hlot resign before filing his nomination? The situation will be clear only after his meet with Sonia today. Acc to

sources, Gehlot may write an emotional let ter to Sonia about this, showing allegiance to Sonia & her old favours & he may hand over the letter during a possible meeting with Sonia in Delhi today.

Naresh Sharma

Whatever decision the Cong High Command takes as regards to political developments in State will be acceptable to all: Khachariyawas

Pratap Singh Khachariyawas addresses a press conference in Jaipur on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Jagdeesh Chandra paid a courtesy visit to Sanjay Arora, Commissioner of Police, Delhi at the Police Headquarters, Delhi on Tuesday morning. Chandra conveyed his appreciation for the exemplary work by the Delhi Police under Arora’s leadership. Sanjay Arora, who took charge as Commissioner of Police, Delhi on August 2, 2022 is a 1988 batch, Tamil Nadu cadre IPS officer who hails from Jaipur, Rajasthan and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Malviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur. Arora was also part of the Tamil Nadu Police’s special task force which brought down forest brigand Veerappan and was awarded the Chief Minister’s gallantry medal for bravery during this operation.

First India Bureau

Misunderstanding in party needs to be rectified, says Raghuveer Meena

Ziauddin Khan

Congress leader Sachin Pilot arrives at his residence at 5, Canning Lane in New Delhi on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Rajendra Gudha

‘Festive

that aims to revive the slow and purist workmanship of their indigenous craftsmen and artisans.

Jagdeesh Chandra graced the occasion with his presence and welcomed everyone to Pink City. While addressing the enthralled audience, he congratulated Rishee Miglani, Brand Ambassador and Youth Icon along with Show Director Lokesh Sharma for putting up a great show while calling them the heart and soul of the show.

Rishee Miglani also paid immense gratitude to everyone on the occasion and said, “The show wouldn’t have been a success without our entire team. I also congratulate team Fairmont, especially the GM, Mr Rajiv Kapoor for all the love and support.”

Manish Malhotra walked the ramp with his supermodels and concluded the magnificent showcase of royalty by felicitating the pillars of support behind the successful show. The magical evening witnessed a decorated guest list of lovers of art, craft, fashion and opulence and various who’s who of the Pink City.

Ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra brought his latest ‘Festive Collection’ to the Pink City for a pop-up showcase at The First India Fashion Connect Season 12 that was held at Fairmont, Jaipur on Sunday!

where

narrates

India

MITALI DUSAD mitalidusad01@gmail.com

Jagdeesh Chandra appreciates Rishee Miglani

Stunning supermodels donning Manish Malhotra’s ‘Festive Collection’

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

ANTICLOCKWISE:

Rashi,

and Ben

Manish

Manish Malhotra felicitates Dr Puja Agarwal & Dr Arvind Agarwal Manish Malhotra felicitates Anand Agarwal & Roopal Agarwal

Nishi

and Suvrat

Jui

Amit Sangwan &

Miglani

Jagdeesh Chandra congratulated supermodel Rutvi Tiwari, as she reached the former’s residence to seek blessings on crossing a milestone of 100 thousand followers on Instagram on Monday. Gaurav Gaur, director of Elite Miss Rajasthan and Supermodel and actress Akanksha Bhalla were also present on the occasion.

DURING THE

ESSENCE OF ART

CITY FIRST

Falak Fam Pro duction in as sociation with Color Cosmet ics, Shakir Sa lon and Lakme Academy or ganised the Famtag Makeup Contest Finale at Hotel Grand Uniara, JLN Road in Jaipur on Monday. First India is the media partner of the momentous show.

Jagdeesh Chandra graced the occasion as

the chief guest and moti vated the participants

Progress & Development

with his encouraging words during this finale.

Gaurav Gaur, FounderDirector, Elite Miss Ra jasthan also attended the event as a spe cial guest. Along with this, last sea son’s winners Kajal Bansal and Himanshi Mansinghani were also present as the makeup artist.

This is one of the first and big gest makeup con

EVENTS IN THE CITY!

tests in Rajasthan in which more than 50 models from all over Rajasthan showcased their makeup skills. The contest was or ganised to provide a platform for many budding makeup art ists so that they can showcase their talents. This contest will help the makeup artist in self-employment, selfpromotion, freelancing and contact building.

On the occasion of World Bamboo Day, a program was organised on bamboo cultivation at the Faculty of Design at Manipal University Jaipur on Friday. During the event, Pasha Patel, a member of the Governing Council of the Bureau of Indian Standards expressed his views on bamboo cultivation and said,” By adopting bamboo cultivation, the financial condition of the farmers can improve, and there will be an economic revolution in the agriculture sector. Bamboo can proliferate even in less water and less fertile soil.

Punjab & Sind Bank, Zone Jaipur organised a review meeting of the branch managers under the leadership of Executive Director of Punjab & Sind Bank, Dr Ram Jass Yadav on Monday. He apprised all the present managers

about the new schemes of the bank and gave his suggestions for the progress and develop ment of the bank, In addition to this he also instructed the branch managers to increase their market ing skills and their abil ity towards the pro gress of the bank. He encouraged them to

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

improve the Bank’s cus tomer base by exceed ing their expectations and easy customer ser vice.

Zonal Manager, Sudhish Bajpai gave a vote of thanks and promised to contribute towards the progress develop ment of the bank.

cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

The 7th edition of ‘Kavya-Kalam’ was organised at the Sardar Patel Marg on Sunday with the aim of advancing literature and art. Dr Sunil Prasad Sharma (R.P.S) and Abhishek Yadav (R.T.S) attended this program. All the creators present in the program made this program successful and meaningful with their beautiful creations. Dr Priya Goyal, Avanindra Mann, Ibrahim Ali, Devi Singh Naruka, Bhavesh Lohani, etc presented their poetry in the program.

A bootcamp named Fit and Fabulous was organised on Friday at ITC Rajputana by Coach AJ. The participants enjoyed playing fitness challenges and fun workout games, they also practised some team-building workouts at the Camp. Around 60 people took part in the Camp.

On the first day of the Anuvrat Udbodhan week in Gangashahar, in the presence of Muni Shanti Kumar, Muni Jitendra Kumar and Muni Jitendra Kumar, the program was organised at Terapanth Bhawan by the sisters of the Women’s Cell on Monday. President Rajendra Bothra, Minister Bhanwarlal Sethia and Dr Dhanpatji Rampuria were also present.

Veenu Gupta, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary was greeted by Ajay Data, Chairperson of ASSOCHAM RSDC, CoChairperson Tusshar Sohani and Chairperson for Women and child development Nitisha Sharma during a courtesy visit on Monday. The meeting was organised to discuss the ASSOCHAM activities and future opportunities with Riico limited.

Dil Dhadakne Do, a health talk on heart health was organised by dietician Kirti Jain, in association with Forti, FBS, Sehat Sathi Foundation, We the women and Jaipur Moms at Nutrition Hain Zaruri Clinic, Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur, on Monday. During the occasion, Dr Pankaj, Apollo Hospital, Miss Neelam Mittal, Chairperson of Health Care Committee Raj, Dr Ashish Aggarwal, Dr Avinash Saini and Miss Nisha Singh, Yoga Expert were present in the discussion and shared their experiences to improve heart health.

Jagdeesh Chandra was greeted by Laxman Raghav of the First India family, as he reached the former’s residence to seek blessings on the occasion of his birthday, as his birthday was on Monday, September 26.

Malviya Nagar MLA Kalicharan Saraf inaugurated the asphalt road being constructed by JDA at Takht Shahi Road on Tuesday. The local people gave a rousing welcome to the Saraf by wearing a garland and safa. Councilor Mahesh Saini, Ward President Ravindra Sisodia, Divisional Vice President Bhaskar Purohit, Girraj Lashkari, Arun Kumar Tiwari, Shyam Yadav, Govind Sharma, Ajay Saini, Mohan Saini, and local citizens were present on this occasion.

CITY FIRST

A cultural fest was organised by the Ministry of Tourism on the occasion of World’s Tourism Day at Masala Chowk, Ramniwas Bag, on Monday. The event witnessed magnificent dance performances, energetic desi music and mouth-watering Rajasthani dishes.

The poster of Vedanta Pink City Marathon was released by the runners of the Pink City Marathon at Birla Auditorium (after giving the first invitation to Lord Ganesha at Motidungri Ganesh Temple) on Monday. With the launch of poster, the registration for the Vedanta Pink City Marathon also began. The marathon is being organised by an International organisation and is certified by AIMS. Marathon will be held on December 18 in Jaipur. Along with this, a virtual version of the marathon will also be organised. During the launch, World record-holders Vishnu Tak, Dr Manoj Soni, Dr Namit Sharma, Abhilasha, Kiranjeet, Jaideep, Vikas, Nitika Chaudhary, Rachna and Anil etc were present.

The poster launch of Jyotish Ratnamaya Mahotsav was organised on Thursday. The event will be organised by All India Association of Astrology Association (Delhi), Future Point and Katyayani Jyotish Kendra (Mumbai) and the International School of Astrology and Divine Sciences (Jaipur) at Birla Auditorium on November 20.

An informative discussion on the importance of homoeopathy took place recently in Jaipur. During the discussion, homoeopathic was discussed in detail, and important questions regarding homoeopathy were answered. Homoeopathy Dr Ashok Singh Solanki and others were present on the occasion.

(R-L) Rahil Ameer, Vishnu Sharma, Himani Mathur, Bhavika Saluja, Shakir Khan, Amreen Mansuri, Aayesha Khan, Gaurav Gaur, Deepak Thadani, Nikita Sharma and Tehseen khan

Amreen, Kajal Bansal, Himanshi Mansinghani and Rahil Ameer

Rahil Ameer felicitates Vishnu Sharma

The previous contest’s Runner Up

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Jagdeesh Chandra with (L-R) Akanksha Bhalla, Gaurav Gaur and Rutvi Tiwari

Gaurav Gaur and Rutvi Tiwari

Jagdeesh Chandra with Laxman Raghav

(L-R) Ram Jass Yadav, Swarup Kumar Saha and Kollegal V Raghvendra

—PHOTO

BY SUNIL SHARMA