Goel, a Punjab cadre IAS officer, was appointed as election commissioner. Goel would be in line to be the next CEC after incumbent Rajiv Kumar demits office in February 2025. His total tenure in the Election Commission would be over five years.
The Supreme Court last week had questioned the “haste” and “tearing hurry” in appointing Arun Goel as Election Commissioner. The Centre had vehemently resisted the observations, with the attorney general asking the court to “hold its mouth” for a while and look into the issue in entirety.
At the outset, a fivejudge Constitution bench headed by Justice K M Joseph perused the Centre’s original file pertaining to Goel’s appointment as EC, and said, “What kind of evaluation is this? Although, we are not questioning the merits of Arun Goel’s credentials but the process.”
Top Court last week had questioned the “haste” and “tearing hurry” in appointing Arun Goel as Election Commissioner. Centre had vehemently resisted the observations, with the attorney general asking the court to “hold its mouth” for a while and look into the issue in entirety.
Bench, which also comprised Justices Aniruddha, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar, said none of 4 names in panel were “carefully handpicked” by law min so that they could complete 6-year tenure
As the bench questioned the “lightning speed” with which Goel was appointed as Election Commissioner and also that his file did not even move within departments for 24 hours, the Centre through Attorney General Venkataramani vehemently urged the bench not to make observations without looking into the entire issue pertaining to the appointment process.
During the hearing, lawyer Prashant Bhushan tried to make submissions before the bench while the Attorney General was speaking. “Please hold your mouth for a while,” the top-most law officer had told Bhushan.
The Supreme Court reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas seeking a collegium-like system for the appointment of ECs and the Chief Election Commissioner and asked the parties to file written submission in five days.
Justice Ajay Rastogi, who is also a part of the bench, told Venkataramani, “You have to listen to the court carefully and an-
Supreme court flagged Article 324 of the Constitution, which talks about the appointment of election commissioners, and said it does not provide the procedure for such appointments. Moreover, the article had envisaged the enactment of a law by Parliament in this regard, which has not been done in the last 72 years. The court also noted that since 2004, no Chief Election Commissioner has completed his six-year tenure and during the 10-year rule of the UPA government, there were six Chief Election Commissioners and in the eight years of the NDA government, there have been 8 Chief Election Commissioners.
swer the questions. We are not on individual candidates but on the process.”
The Attorney General said he is bound to answer the questions of the court.
The Supreme Court said the 1985-batch IAS officer got voluntary retirement from service in a single day, his file was cleared by the Law Ministry in a single day, a panel of four names were put up before the Prime Minister and Goel’s name got the nod from the President within 24 hours.
The bench, which also comprised Justices Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar,
A
to the government, you appoint yourself, you run the show then,” Rijiju had said. Justice Kaul said on Monday, “When someone high enough says that..it should not have happened…Mr [attorney general] I have ignored all press reports, but this has come from somebody high enough also. With an interview… I am not saying anything else…” The judge, who is junior only to CJI in seniority, asked AG R Venkataramani to “resolve” the issue, according to Bar and Bench, adding, “Don’t make us take a judicial decision [to ensure that files are cleared].”
Over the past few months, Rijiju has taken repeated swipes at the collegium system.
said none of the four names in the panel were “carefully hand-picked” by the law minister so that they could complete a sixyear tenure.
Venkataramani said that there is a mechanism and criteria for selection and there cannot be a scenario where the government has to look back at every officers’ track record and ensure that he completes a six-year tenure.
Under the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991, an Election Commissioner can have a tenure of six
years or up to the age of 65, whichever is earlier. Speaking on Arun Goel’s appointment, the Attorney General said his profile is important and not the voluntary retirement matter which is being made an issue.
The bench said the 1991 Act says that the Election Commissioner’s tenure is of six years and the government has to ensure that the person who holds the post completes the stipulated period. The Apex Court said it is “struggling” to find the reasons and objects on how the law minister selected a panel of four names who were not going to complete the
stipulated six-year tenure.
On last Wednesday, Arun Goel’s appointment as an Election Commissioner came under the scrutiny by the top court which had sought from the Centre the original records pertaining to his appointment for perusal, saying it wanted to know whether there was any “hanky panky”.
The Apex Court, which had rejected the Centre’s objections to its order for producing the original file, had said it wanted to know whether everything was “hunky dory” in the appointment process as claimed by the government.
On November 19, Arun
s the executive and judiciary heading for a showdown?
Both sides have exchanged harsh words on the process to be adopted for appointment of judges.
The Centre argues that the collegium system is opaque and “alien to the Constitution”, while the Supreme Court’s argument is that the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, which the government wants implemented, was struck down by a majority verdict of a Constitution bench hence was not relevant. The Centre appears in no mood to follow that verdict.
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, who has been critical of the collegium system for appointment of judges, fired the first salvo after the Supreme Court blamed the
Centre for sitting over names recommended by the collegium. “The Centre is frustrating the appointment process of judges in higher judiciary by not clearing names recommended by its collegium”. Warning the Centre to re-
solve the issue and “not force it to take decision on the judicial side”. Rijiju’s response further irked the court. Rijiju said, “Never say that the government is sitting on the files, then don’t send the files to the government, you appoint
yourself, you run the show.”
The exchange did not stop here. Justice SK Kaul of the Supreme Court retorted, “Let them give the power. We have no difficulty…when somebody high enough says let them do it themselves, we will do
LAW MINISTER KIREN RIJIJU, WHO HAS BEEN CRITICAL OF THE COLLEGIUM SYSTEM FOR APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES, FIRED THE FIRST SALVO AFTER THE SUPREME COURT BLAMED THE CENTRE FOR SITTING OVER NAMES RECOMMENDED BY THE COLLEGIUM
it ourselves, no difficulty”.
On Monday Justices Kaul and AS Oka urged the government’s law officers to ensure that the law laid down by the apex court for judges’ appointment is followed. This may not be the end of the story.
He will join Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey on the poll panel. Arun Goel was the secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries till recently and his voluntary retirement came into effect on November 18. He has also served in the Union culture ministry.
The bench said since 1990, voices have been raised from various quarters and once, veteran BJP leader LK Advani had written for a collegiumlike system for constitutional bodies, including election commissioners.
The top court also termed the exploitation of the “silence of the Constitution” and the absence of a law governing the appointments of ECs and CECs a “disturbing trend”.
The court flagged Article 324 of the Constitution, which talks about the appointment of election commissioners, and said it does not provide the procedure for such appointments.
Moreover, the article had envisaged the enactment of a law by Parliament in this regard, which has not been done in the last 72 years. The court also noted that since 2004, no CEC has completed his six-year tenure and during the 10-year rule of the UPA government, there were six CECs and in the eight years of the NDA government, there have been eight CECs.
On November 17, the Centre had vehemently opposed a batch of pleas seeking a collegium-like system for the selection of CECs and ECs, contending that any such attempt will amount to amending the Constitution.
ARE PERSONAL
Even though the Prime Minister @narendramodi’s government is giving money for houses in the housing scheme, West Odisha has been neglected in the allocation of houses. The Modi government has provided toilets in Swachh Bharat Yojana, money to farmers in Pradhan Mantri Kisan Yojana, piped water to every house, and gas in Jwarja Yojana.
Met with Karnataka Chief Minister Shri @BSBommai ji today. We spoke in detail about several issues concerning the sustainable development of the state.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Bible
New Delhi: Tata Sons and SIA on Tuesday announced that they will merge Vistara into Air India, with a target to complete the process by March 2024 subject to regulatory approvals.
Kapadvanj: HM Amit Shah in Gujarat’s Kapadvanj on Tuesday said that Congress pitted one caste against another and one community against another. When Modi ji put an end to communal tension in Gujarat by taking strict action against criminals and anti-social elements. P6
ON DEC 1 Mumbai: The RBI on Tuesday announced that the first pilot for the retail version of the digital Rupee (e -R) would be introduced on December 01, 2022. It may be recalled that the RBI had on October 31 indicated that the pilot in e -R would commence in a month’s time. P8
New Delhi: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi confirmed on Tuesday that the e-hospital data has been restored after seven days. It was feared that the personal data of three to four crore patients were at stake owing to the cyber attack.
State govt changes building bylaws giving nod for construction of buildings that can be extended for years if construction is not done in the stipulated period P5
In the meeting of the Executive Committee held on Tuesday at Jaipur Municipal Corporation Greater, discord was visible between BJP councillors and the chairperson P5
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) police station will be set up in Vidyadhar Nagar area in Jaipur. The office will cover the entire Rajasthan.
Tata Sons will hold 74.9% stake in the AIVistara-AI Express-AirAsia India Pvt Ltd (AAIPL) combined entity and SIA remaining 25.1% stake. Based on SIA’s 25.1% stake postcompletion, its share of any additional capital injection could be up to $615 mn, payable after completion of merger.
Tata Sons is one of the most established and respected names in India. With this merger, we have an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Tata and participate directly in an exciting new growth phase in India’s aviation market and restore AI to its position as a leading airline on the global stage.
—Goh Choon Phong, SIA CEO
We, at Vistara, take immense pride in embarking on this journey.
Vistara is a fine manifestation of its parent brands Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, and we are delighted that we will continue to be guided by their legacies as we merge with Air India.
—Vinod Kannan, Vistara CEO
Moscow: Moscow has sent India a list of over 500 products for potential delivery including parts for cars, aircraft and trains, four sources familiar with matter said, as sanctions squeeze Russia’s ability to keep vital industries
running. India is keen to boost trade in this way, said the source, as it tries to narrow a ballooning trade deficit with Russia.
Firms have expressed concern, however, about potentially falling foul of Western sanctions.
Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, jury chief at 53rd IFFI, calls Bollywood hit The Kashmir Files “propaganda and a very vulgar movie”
Supreme Court lawyer files police complaint against IFFI jury head for remarks on ‘The Kashmir Files’
First India Bureau
Goa: An Israeli filmmaker has triggered controversy in India after he denounced a film on Kashmir dispute as “propaganda” and a “vulgar movie” at a government-sponsored film festival in Goa. Nadav Lapid, who headed the jury at IFFI said he was “disturbed and shocked” by the inclusion of The Kashmir Files in event.
Anupam Kher: Truth of Kashmir Files is stuck like a thorn in
destinations
Do not worry about your future: Vistara CEO assures 4,700 staffers
The merger of Vistara and Air India is an important milestone in our journey to make Air India a truly world-class airline. We are transforming Air India, with the aim of providing great customer experience, every time, for every customer.
—N Chandrasekaran, Tata Sons chairman
Jaipur: On Tuesday, senior Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot, KC Venugopal, Sachin Pilot and Govind Singh Dotasra held a closed door meeting to prepare for the Bharat Jodo Yatra. After the meeting, Gehlot and Pilot were called by KC and taken to a separate room wherein a discussion took place between four leaders for about 30 minutes & KC delivered message from high command. After this KC gave some instructions to Dotasra and came out in front of media directly from a separate room. The instructions of the closed room were clearly visible in front of the media
Jaipur: A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called both Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot assets to the party, the CM on Tuesday suggested that the matter rests there. “When Rahul Gandhi has said that our leaders are assets then we are assets... where is the dispute then,” Gehlot said when asked about the former party president’s observation. Gehlot’s remarks were in sharp contrast to the interview he gave last week to NDTV, calling Pilot, with whom he is caught in a tussle for power, a “traitor”. Asked to comment, Gandhi had told reporters in Indore on Monday that both leaders were assets to the party. “This is the beauty of our party that after our top leader says anything, there is no scope (for further argument),” Gehlot told reporters. Turn to P9
and Gehlot and Pilot clicked a picture of “solidarity”. KC was tasked with ending the differences before Yatra and with his message in war room, a message of staying united went across the party organization in state. Thereafter KC
gave a detailed brief of the entire episode to Rahul and shared a picture of the ‘unity’ with him. Rahul asked KC to convey to both Gehlot-Pilot to campaign together in Sardarshahar bypoll for which First India had given clear hint.
throat of some people. They are neither able to swallow it nor spit it out.
Dir Vivek Agnihotri: I will quit filmmaking if intellectuals prove that events depicted in his film are false.
India in an “open
Twitter, a day after filmmaker Nadav Lapid slammed movie at the closing ceremony of the festival on Monday.
Bengaluru: It seems that trouble is brewing in Kerala Congress and ‘ALL IS NOT WELL’ in the state unit as the KC Venugopal and Shashi Tharoor camps have reportedly come face to face. Former Kerala Congress President Muraleedharan said on Tuesday that those dreaming of becoming Kerala CM are the same people that are engaged in opposing Tharoor.
“Opponents were also behind the cancellation of the Kozhikode Youth Congress program,” he claimed. There was rhetoric regarding Kozhikode, Malabar and Malappuram phase of yatra and now Kerala Congress sources have revealed that KC’s name is in CM race in case of formation of govt.
But on the other hand, Tharoor’s stature has increased after the Congress president election.
“Tharoor had performed well in elections even without any support. A large part of Kerala Youth Congress also supported Tharoor,”sources said. Notably, disturbed by the news of rebellion, Shashi Tharoor made it clear that he has no intention to form any party.
“I will work for Congress, and have no intention to form any other party. But at whose behest the Kozhikode program was cancelled should be probed,” he said. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, KC reached Jaipur to resolve the issue of Rajasthan.
Kashiram Choudhary
Jaipur: Jaipur International Airport will see an increase in flight operations from December. At present, on an average 52 flights operate daily from Jaipur airport and the number is likely to be 54 next month onwards. However, despite airlines planning to increase the number of flights, it would still be less than last year. Last year, in November, an average of 58 flights were operating daily. Maximum 11 flights will operate daily from December to
Mumbai. Apart from this, 10 flights will operate daily for New Delhi.
Bikaner (PTI): An elderly man was burnt alive when a market caught fire in Bikaner district, police said on Tuesday. The fire broke out around 10 pm on Monday and, soon, it engulfed the market, which had nearly 22 temporary shops of woolen clothes. A 55-year-old man, Ramjan, who also had a shop there, got trapped and burnt alive, Kotgate police station inspector Pradeep Singh said. He said Ramjan was sleeping in the shop. Other shopkeepers managed to escape when the fire broke out, but he could not, he said. Fire brigades from the army were also pressed into service to control the fire, he said.
Flights will run for the 18 domestic cities that are currently running
Jaipur: A division bench of Rajasthan HC has instructed all parties to reply before December 6 in the matter of elections in the high court bar and other bar associations.
Single bench had stayed the order of BCI on October 11. BCI had banned the election of bar associations on Oct 3. Advocate AK Jain has filed an appeal on behalf of BCI. Being the supreme body, it is the responsibility to ensure compliance of the orders of the Supreme Court.
next month as well. However, there will be improvement in the air
connectivity of New Delhi, Udaipur and Jaisalmer from Dec.
BCI said in appeal that the HC bar association is not an independent entity. A
Jaipur: Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Tuesday said that Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan will be a very memorable and historic yatra.
He said that people from all walks of life will join this yatra apart from the workers and leaders of the party.
Jodhpur: In the case of ATM uprooting in the Shikargarh’s mini market, police reached the spot and started the investigation at midnight. The people around are being investigated, on the basis of the CCTV footage.
Jodhpur: The body of a missing child was found in a swimming pool. The deceased was missing for 24 hours ago. The villagers and the police were constantly trying to find the body of the innocent in the swimming pool of the hotel. The deceased was identified as Swaroop Bheel. The body was found at the hotel located on the sand dunes, said DSP Noor Mohammad.
“This is going to be a historic yatra in the state,” he told reporters at PCC’s war room.
On the other hand, Pilot reached the residence of his personal assistant Nathu Singh (Nangal Tej Singh, Jamwaramgarh) and paid tribute to his mother Bhuli Devi. He expressed condolences to the bereaved family members.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Policemen working in police stations will start getting weekly offs in the state. The initiative is being taken from Ajmer as a pilot project and it will be implemented across the state from next month. Barring officer class, other policemen will get weekly off.
Gegal police station Ajmer was selected for the pilot project. The pilot project will be reviewed on Monday.
Kota: Two persons died after an uncontrolled car rammed into a Matador late Monday night in Deoli Manjhi police station area of Kota Rural. According to the information, there were 5 people including the driver in the car, out of which 2 people died. While three people including the driver are seriously injured. The collision was so intense that the car was completely shattered.
Jaipur: Veterinarians from across the state gathered in Jaipur and staged a sit-in at the Martyr’s Memorial over the 11-point demand letter on Tuesday. They have demanded the state government to give them pay scale equivalent to that of regular doctors or dentists. They raised slogans and demanded filling of vacant posts and removal of pay scale anomalies. Equal pay as that of regular doctors for senior veterinary officers and higher positions. Demand for dynamic assured career progression acceptance on a par with regular doctors. Non-practicing allowance should be approved for veterinarians. 3 advance increments should be approved for PG degree holder veterinarians.
—Kashiram ChoudharyOn the basis of old crime incidents, efforts are being made by the police to resolve this incident as well.
This is a matter of the Airport police station area, where the police team is engaged in the
Shivendra Singh Parmar
Kota: DGP Umesh Mishra reached Kota on Tuesday to strengthen the security arrangements for Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, which will enter Hadoti in the first week of December. The DGP held a meeting with the four SPs and police officers of the Kota range.
Mishra took feedback regarding the security arrangements made on the route of the Yatra. About 3000 policemen will be deployed during the Yatra.
The DGP expressed satisfaction over the recovery in cases in Kota division. The DGP has instructed the police to stay away from land related disputes. In the
crime meeting, Kota Range IG Prasanna Khamesara, ADG Sanjeev Narjari along with ADG VK Singh, Kota Bundi Baran and Jhalawar SPs, & other officers of all four districts were present.
For better policing, DGP Umesh Mishra gave a new the PPT mantra to the police officers in Kota on Monday.
investigation. Apart from a driver, six gang members have executed the incident of up-
rooting the ATM. The incident happened late at night around 1.40 am. Since Monday
night police officers have been trying hard to find any clue of the miscreants.
Abhishek Shrivastava
Jaipur: The state govt has made major changes in the compensation policy to settle the land compensation cases pending for years across the state.
The state govt issued a detailed order on June 1, 2022, to curb the arbitrariness of the state’s urban bodies in cases of giving land in lieu of land. In this order, a policy has been decided by the govt to bring transparency in the disposal of cases of giving land as compensation and to end the game of pick and choose. A highlevel meeting was held under the chairmanship of Urban Development Minister Shanti Dhariwal. First India News aired this exclusive news on Nov 18.
Jaipur: Judicial employees will boycott work in all the subordinate courts of the state today in a case related to the selfimmolation of an employee from the fraternity. State President of the union Surendra Narayan Joshi on Tuesday announced this in Jaipur. He expressed displeasure over the “stubbornness” of the High Court administration in the Sangarsh Samiti meeting.
Judicial employees in Jaipur are on mass leave from November 18. A common date is being given in all courts due to the lack of employees. President Badrilal Chaudhary said, “The movement will continue until our demands are not accepted.” The demands include FIR regarding the suspicious death of the assistant worker, compensation of Rs 50 lakh, appointment on compassionate grounds, ban on practising at homes and others.
It is for the first time in the past two decades that an IAS from Rajasthan cadre is going to serve directly as Secretary without serving as Addl Secretary
Jaipur: A senior IAS officer, Sudhansh Pant would finally be relieved from Rajasthan today and would head to Delhi as on December 1, he has to take charge of a new responsibility in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. This will also be a new record in the state bureaucracy.
It is for the first time in the past two decades that an IAS from Ra-
jasthan cadre is going to serve directly as Secretary without serving as Additional Secretary. A 1991 batch IAS, Pant had served from September 2014 to February 2019, as Joint Secretary in the Union Government. After this, as a special case, he again went on deputation to the Centre from March 2020 to December 2020. He wanted to continue at the Centre, but the State Government, inspite of giv-
ing him the NOC, gave him the high chair of ACS and called him back, even though the Central Government did not want Pant to re-
turn to the State.
After this, he got empanelled for the post of Additional Secretary at the Centre and he could have immediately headed to the Centre on this post, but the State Government delayed handing him the NOC and his batch mates became Additional Secretary at the Centre.
Pant was picked up last month when the Central Government started appointing 1991 batch IAS as Sec-
retary, But perhaps what is more important is the fact that even though there was no post vacant, yet considering him as a special case, Pant was promoted to Secretary in advance, which speaks volume of his need at the Centre.
The second most notable point is that last month the one and half dozen IAS, who were promoted have all been promoted from Additional Secretary rank,
who were already working in Delhi. Pant is the only IAS, who has been called to Delhi from Jaipur and this has been possible because Pant is an outstanding officer. He has an image of a meritorious, brilliant, hard working and result -oriented officer.
The Union Government realised that potential in Pant and thus, when the situation demanded, he was picked up without delay. In reality, Pant is actually a
‘Delhi material’ bureaucracy, but for some strange reason, he has not been able to get recognition in his home state and his past 23 months in Jaipur have been a difficult service period for him.
There are still 5 years left in Pant’s retirement and he may not return to Rajasthan. But he will definitely raise Rajasthan’s banner higher in the Centre while carrying out major responsibilities.
Jaipur: In the meeting of the Executive Com mittee held on Tuesday at JMCG, discord was visible between BJP councillors & chairper son. Councillors were seen in two different factions in the meeting.
One group supported Deputy Mayor Puneet Karnavat & others May or Dr Somya. Karnavat had a heated discussion with the officials on sev eral issues. In the meet ing, which lasted for about four hours, only nine out of 31 agendas could be passed.
Along with naming
road after former VP Bhairon Singh Shekha wat, proposal to make city free of open gar bage depots and ban the rearing of dangerous breed dogs in the city
was discussed.
Mayor Dr Somya gave a befitting reply to the opponents. She said, “If public representatives have to work in the cor poration, then all offic
ers and employees will have to go along with them.”
“They have so much authority that they are free to take every deci sion,” she said.
We have taken the most im portant deci sion to make the city garbage depot free. We will make this happen in the next few months. Proposal of foreign dogs of dan gerous breed including Pitbull and Husky has been passed.
—Dr Somya, JMCG Mayor
In the meeting, there was a tussle between Deputy Mayor Puneet Karnavat, Chairman Ramesh Saini and Councillor Dinesh Kan wat also argued.
Vikas Sharma
Japiur: Food and Civil Supplies Minister Pratap Singh Khachari yawas after visiting the Indira Rasoi on Khasa Kothi Circle targeted the Centre and said that at a time when the Ashok Gehlot govern ment is providing full meal to the poor for a mere Rs 8, the Narendra Modi government is im posing tax on essential food items like flour and salt.
During his visit, he inspected the food being prepared in the kitchen and encouraged the
Jodhpur: In an impor tant decision, Ra jasthan HC has quashed an FIR registered for rape under POCSO Act. The case was registered against a 22-year-old man who had a relation ship with a sixteenyear-old girl & because of this a child was born.
HC said in its deci sion that the court is neither in favor of sex ual relations with a mi nor nor does it allow anyone to do so, but it is
Jaipur: BJP Rajasthan president Satish Poonai along with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel ad dressed public meeting in Gujarat’s Banaskan tha in support of party candidates Aniket Tha kar and Praveen Mali.
Thakar and Praveen Mali are contesting
from Palanpur and Dee sa constituencies re spectively.
Poonia said that with the hard work of work ers and the blessings of the people, the BJP will retain power in Gujarat in 2022 and in Rajasthan in 2023 with historic margins. He said that the BJP is going to make a strong comeback.
a bitter truth that love does not take into ac count any legal or so cial rules.
Uncontrollable emo tions in relationship went so far that a child was born and one of the
Jaipur: Major changes have been made in the building bylaws in Ra jasthan . The state gov ernment issued orders regarding the changes.
According to chang es, permission for the construction of build ings can be extended for years if construc tion is not done within the stipulated period.
20 percent of the ap proval fee will have to be paid for this. Chief Town Planner level of ficers posted in devel opment corporations will be able to author ised to issue clarifica tion or corrigendum and for technical inter pretation of any provi
sion of bylaws. Another change was made in context of height of buildings. Now tall buildings will not be allowed on small plots. Buildings up to 10 to 15 mtrs height can be built on 750 sqm.
Earlier, ground plus three floors were al lowed on 30-40 feet
wide roads. Height of 15 meter was allowed on plot of 90 sq meter on roads of 60 feet or more but now con struction up to 10 me ter will be allowed. On 40-feet wide roads also, height of construction will be allowed up to 10 feet instead of earlier 12 metres.
partners is a minor. Jus tice Dinesh Mehta said the wcourt cannot re main a mute spectator and if the case is pro ceeded further, the peti tioner may be sentenced to ten years. This will have a di rect impact on the fam ily of both as well as on the child born after the love affair. In view of all these, the FIR lodged against the petitioner is quashed, he said. Minor girl delivered a baby boy in August this year, she said in statement.
BY SANTOSH SHARMAworkers there. The min ister also made rotis.
In a special conversa tion with First India, Khachariyawas said that the intention of the Gehlot government is that no one sleeps hun gry. “Indira Rasoi was started with this aim.
Needy people in every
city are taking advan tage of Indira Rasoi. The Centre should im plement the schemes of Rajasthan so that a good message is spread across the country.”
First India Bureau
Jaipur: A case of rape of a 14-year-old girl by an acquaintance has come to light. The ac quaintance who came with a friend had kid napped the minor from the house. Taking the minor to school prem ises, accused raped her by threatening. His friend stood guard out side school premises.
The victim’s mother has lodged a report against both the accused at Bhankrota police sta tion. The police have
Jaipur: Gold worth Rs 31.43 lakh has been seized from a man at the Jaipur airport, an offi cial said. The gold, weighing 582.2 grams, was concealed in an emergency light by the passenger, who arrived from Dubai on Monday night, a customs official said. Gold valued at Rs 31,43,880 has been recov
started the investigation after getting the victim’s medical done on Tues day afternoon. SHO Shrimohan Meena said that 14-year-old girl was raped by an acquaint ance living in the colony.
In Kota, the court sen tenced the accused to life. The convict Jagdish was sentenced for raping a 3-year-old boy. Jagdish alias Bhuria is a resident of Jhalawar. Special Public Prosecutor Dhirendra Chaudhary of POCSO Court 4 gave information on it.
India
Barmer: Border securi ty force on Tuesday caught three people for having suspicious in volvement in cross bor der activities. Later all 3 were handed over to po lice for further investi gation. Deepak Bhargav, superintendent of po lice in Barmer con firmed the detainment of all 3. However, police did not disclose identity and other details of ac cused saying that inves tigation is still pending.
Jaipur: Energy Min Bhanwar Singh Bhati on Tuesday reviewed progress of various schemes & power cor porations’ works in cluding the power sup ply system, and release of agricultural connec tions.
Bhati instructed the officials to ensure un interrupted power sup ply to farmers and all other consumers in the Rabi season.
Reviewing the status
of the power supply, Bhati directed that in view of increasing number of connections and Rabi season in
coming months, ade quate availability of electricity should be provided.
He said that there
should be a proper cal culation of demand and availability and farmers and other con sumers should get an adequate supply of power.
Principal Government Secretary Energy and Chairman Discoms Bhaskar A Sawant said that special attention should be given to qual ity while releasing ag ricultural connections. All components should be used and they should also be exam ined.
ered from the passenger, who has been detained and under interroga tion, the official added.
Jaipur: A Court in Del hi on Tuesday rejected the plea of Rohit Joshi, son of minister Mahesh Joshi, for leaving Delhi. MM-6 Court dismissed the petition. Actually, Rohit was given condi tional bail in the rape case with restriction on him from leaving the country and Delhi with out the permission of the court.
PSK said Modi govt is imposing tax on essential food items like flour and saltFirst India Bureau
Three detained from bordering area in Barmer
Delhi court rejects plea of Rohit JoshiMukesh Mathrani First Bureau Abhishek Shrivastava First India Bureau DGP Umesh Mishra, Rajeev Jain, RN Sharma, Dr Ram Avtar Sharma, Tamesh Panwar at exhibition of chrysanthemum flowers at nursery in RU. —PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO Satish Poonia addressing public meeting in Banaskantha. —PHOTOS
Rahul Gandhi once advised people against taking Covid-19 vaccine, says Amit Shah
First India Bureau
Kheda: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi used to warn people against taking the Covid-19 vaccine terming it `Modi vac cine’, but later got vac cinated himself secretly.
Addressing a cam paign rally in pollbound Gujarat, he also
New Delhi: The Centre clarified to the Supreme Court that there was no legal compulsion to get a Covid vaccination. In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the Centre submitted that the concept of informed consent is inapplicable to the voluntary use of a drug. “While the GoI strongly encourages all eligible persons to take vax in public interest, there is no legal com pulsion for the same,” the affidavit read.
Paradip: Two persons were sentenced to death by a fast-track court in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur on Tuesday for raping & killing an eight-year-old girl. The incident hap pened in 2014 in Tirtol PS area. The girl was returning home from a shop after buying choc olates when allegedly four people took her to a secluded spot, and raped her. They killed her after that, according to the prosecution.
New Delhi: Displeased over Kiren Rijiju’s recent remarks on the run-ins between the govt and the judiciary over the functioning of the Colle gium, Senior Advocate Harish Salve said the Union Law Minister had crossed the ‘Laksh man Rekha’. Rijiju had criticised the Supreme Court’s observation that the govt was sitting on files relating to appoint ment of judges cleared by Collegium.
said that when he intro duced the bill for abro gating Article 370, op position leaders began to shout like crows in Parliament.
“When Congress
leaders were busy do ing politics during the pandemic, Prime Min ister Narendra Modi worked hard to keep the people of Gujarat safe,” he added. Modi, as
chief minister, estab lished peace in Gujarat, Shah said. “In Gujarat, Congress did nothing except making Hindus and Muslims fight each other. The BJP govern
Rahul gan dhi used to warn people against vaccine say ing do not take `Modi vaccine’ and it could harm you. But thank fully, no one takes him seriously nowadays.
—Amit Shah, Union Home Minister
Ahmedabad: BJP president J P Nadda on Tuesday said the opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party were like quails who destroy standing crops and fly away. The BJP was here to stay, he said at a rally in tribal-dominated Devgadh Baria town of Dahod district where voting will be held on December 5 in the sec ond phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections.
ment eliminated riots in Gujarat. Such riots benefit neither Hindus nor Muslims. Such vio lence only hinders de velopment,” the Union minister said.
New Delhi (ANI): Days after PM Narendra Modi clapped back at a Con gress leader’s “aukat” comment, the party’s new chief Mallikarjun Kharge has delivered a new controversy for the party, just before the Gu jarat election, by target ing PM with a “Ravan” reference.
The BJP has accused Kharge of “insulting Gu jarat’s son” repeatedly. Kharge made the com ments while addressing a rally in Ahmedabad ahead of polls next month. “Modi ji is PM but forgetting his work, he keeps campaigning in corporation elections, MLA elections, MP elec tions, and everywhere & all the time he’s talking about himself” Kharge said. “How many times do we see your face? How many forms do you have? Do you have 100 heads like Ravan?” Kharge said, drawing laughter and ap plause from his audience. “Is Modi going to come and work at municipali ty,” Kharge asked.
Congress president Kharge’s “Ravan” barb at PM Modi on Tuesday triggered a slugfest with the BJP slamming it as an insult of every Gujarati and the Opposi tion party calling the attack on its leader “anti-Dalit tirade”.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra asked voters in Gujarat to do “100 per cent voting for the son of the soil” Modi to take “revenge” in a democratic manner for the “insult”, as he invoked various ob
jectionable remarks made by Congress members over the years against the prime minister. BJP leader Amit Malviya said, “Unable to take the heat of Gujarat election, pushed to the fringe, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge loses control over his words, calls PM Modi “Ravan”. From “Maut ka Saudagar” to “Ravan”, Congress continues to insult Gujarat and it’s son.”
Slamming Malviya, Con gress’ Pawan Khera asked “why can’t you digest the fact that a Dalit who has worked his way up is the elected prez of Cong”.
Indore: Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra headed for Ujjain from Sanwer, In dore on the seventh day of its Madhya Pradesh leg on Tuesday. Gandhi and other Congress leaders includ ing former CM Digvijaya Singh, ex-parliamentarian Prem Chand Guddu were seen walking briskly in the morning after the yatra marched towards Ujjain.
Shah was speaking at Thasra town in Kheda district where voting for the Gujarat Assem bly elections will be held on December 5, in the second phase.
“Parties like AAP and Congress emerge during the polls, and then disappear. The people of Gujarat must not give opportunity to those who seek votes by making misleading claims. They are like quails. As soon as the crop gets ready, quails come, and fly away after eating away the entire crop,” said Nadda. Both Con gress and shed “crocodile tears” for tribals but did nothing for them for 70 years, he alleged.
New Delhi (PTI): Infor mation and Broadcast ing Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday ad vised caution while live reporting terror attacks, saying it should not pro vide clues to attackers and their ill motives.
“Media needs to re port with responsibility in the case of earth quakes, fire and more importantly terrorist attacks. Media must en sure that any live re porting in case of ter rorist attack should not provide clues to the at
tackers and their ill mo tives,” Thakur said while addressing the Asia-Pacific Broadcast ing Union (ABU) Gen eral Assembly here.
While the speed with which information is
New Delhi (ANI): India will be hosting over 200 meetings across the na tion in 50 cities as New Delhi is set to assume the Presidency of the G20 for one year from December 1, 2022, to No vember 30, 2023, accord ing to sources.
India will assume the presidency of the Group of 20 (G-20), the alliance of 19 major economies and the Eu ropean Union on De cember 1st of this year.
New Delhi (PTI): Em phasising that crossborder and ISIS-inspired terrorism continues to pose a threat, NSA Ajit Doval said on Tuesday that Ulemas have a “vi tal role” to play in coun tering radicalisation and extremism by prop agating progressive ideas and thought. In his opening remarks at a dialogue between the
Indonesian and Indian delegation of Ulema and leaders of other faiths, Doval said the coopera tion of the civil society
is essential in counter ing threat from ISIS-in spired individual terror cells and returnees from theatres like Syria and Afghanistan.
“Cooperation of the civil society is essential in countering the threat from ISIS-inspired indi vidual terror cells and returnees from theatres like Syria and Afghani stan,” Doval said.
As per the sources, the meetings will take place in less explored parts of country at very exotic locations of India.
PM Modi’s vision is to connect all districts and blocks with G-20 so that the message will reach to masses through Jan Bhagidari initia tives. India will also light up 100 monuments on Dece 1st with the G-20 logo as the country officially takes the pres idency of the grouping.
transmitted is impor tant, accuracy is even more important and should be primary in the minds of communi cators, Thakur said. The Union minister said maintaining public trust should be the high est guiding principle for responsible media or ganisations. Thakur also credited the media for coming to the aid of those stuck at home dur ing the COVID-19 pan demic, saying it con nected people with the outside world.
Earthquake of 2.5 magnitude jolts Delhi, 3rd in 20 days
New Delhi (PTI): An earthquake of magni tude 2.5 struck 8km west of Delhi on Tuesday night at 9.30pm, Nation al Center for Seismolo gy said. The quake struck at a shallow depth of 5km.
However, there were no reports so far of any injury or damage to property. Tremors were felt across the national Capital. This is at least the third earthquake to hit Delhi in the last days.
north of Amritsar city, they said.
Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi find place in steering committee formed by Kharge, now question is, whether they will attend this?
New Delhi: After Mall ikarjun Kharge was ap pointed as Congress President, an interest ing development hap pened. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi found place in the steering committee formed by the new Congress Presi dent Mallikarjun Kharge, but the ques
tion is whether both will attend the first meeting of this committee or not? After stepping down from the post of president, Sonia Gandhi is completely away from everyday political ac tivities. In a way, she has retired as her health is also not very good. Therefore it is possible that she may not attend the steering committee
meeting. When Rahul Gandhi was the presi dent, it happened maybe once in a while that Ra hul had held a working committee meeting and
Sonia did not attend. But barring a few excep tions in the last 24 years, Sonia has held all the meetings.
Rahul Gandhi defi
nitely used to remain absent from many meet ings. But that is a thing of the past. Now he has become a serious and round the clock politi cian. But right now he is undertaking the Bharat Jodo Yatra and there is no news that he will leave the trip and come to Delhi to attend the steering committee meeting. Although he had come to Delhi for Kharge’s oath taking ceremony. But there is no news about coming to Delhi for the steering
committee meeting. It is possible that he may join this meeting through video confer encing facility. But if both Sonia and Rahul are not in the meeting then it will be a big deal and then the whole stage will be in the hands of Kharge. Priyanka Gan dhi Vadra will definitely participate in the meet ing but she usually re mains silent in such meetings. That’s why there is a need to keep an eye on the December 4 meeting.
Hyderabad: Hyderabad Police on Tuesday eve ning arrested YSR Tel angana Party chief and Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sister YS Sharmila along with her six as sociates in connection with a protest outside Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s residence. Earlier today, the police had towed away a car with YS Sharmila sitting inside and detained her.
New Delhi: NIA has conducted raids at 20 spots across Del hi-NCR, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab in connection to the gang ster-terror nexus case. The raids followed after probing six gangsters, including Lawrence Bishnoi, Neeraj Bawana and Tillu Tajpuria. The six gangsters had named several others during questioning and the NIA hunt is on to find them.
New Delhi: Gold price fell `101 to `52,837 per 10 grams on Tuesday amid weak global trends, according to HDFC Securities. In the previous trade, the yellow metal had settled at `52,938 per 10 grams. Silver also declined `353 to `61,744 per kilogram. “Gold fell to the lowest level in more than a week as the dollar rose from session lows on hawkish comments from members of the US Federal Reserve reiterating their fight against inflation,” an official said on Tuesday. —PTI
New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India will launch the first pilot for CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) or retail digital Rupee (e ` -R) on December 1, it said on Tuesday.
“The pilot would cover select locations in closed user group (CUG) comprising participating customers and merchants. The e ` -R would be in the form of a digital token that represents legal tender. It would be issued in the same denominations that paper currency and coins are currently issued. It would be distributed through intermediaries, i.e., banks,” the RBI said in a statement.
Users will be able to transact with e`-R through a digital wallet offered by the participating banks and stored on mobile phones.
Transactions can be both P2P P2M, the central bank said
The first phase will begin with SBI, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank and IDFC First Bank in four cities. Later, BoB, UBI, HDFC & Kotak Mahindra Bank will join
London (PTI): British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reiterated the UK’s commitment to a free trade agreement (FTA) with India as part of the country’s wider focus on enhancing ties with the strategic IndoPacific region and standing up to competitors with “robust pragmatism”.
The British Indian leader reflected upon his heritage and committed to promoting British values of “freedom and openness” around the world.
Delivering his first major foreign policy speech since taking charge at 10 Downing Street last month at the Lord Mayor of London’s Banquet on Monday night, the British Indian leader reflected upon his heritage and committed to promoting British values of “freedom and openness” around the world
New Delhi (PTI): India will witness “significant economic activity” over the next decade on the back of open network for digital commerce (ONDC), record aggregating system and government measures like GST, FAStag and e-way bills, Infosys Technologies co-founder and chairman Nandan Nilekani said on Tuesday.
Payments to merchants can be made using QR codes displayed at merchant locations
New Delhi: There’s almost a year left for the arrival of iPhone 15 series but the rumours and speculations have been endlessly pouring in. In the latest news, the iPhone 15 series is said to use Sony’s new camera sensor that has photodiodes and transistors placed in separate layers, allowing for more photodiodes resulting in well-lit photos. According to a report, upcoming iPhone 15 series could use Sony’s newest “state of the art” image sensors. — FIB
Users will be able to transact with e -R through a digital wallet offered by the participating banks and stored on mobile phones. Transactions can be both Person to Person (P2P) and Person to Merchant (P2M), the central bank said.
Payments to merchants can be made using QR codes displayed at merchant locations.
RBI has also selected eight banks for phase-wise participation in this pilot.
The first phase will begin with four banks: State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank and IDFC First Bank in four cities. Later, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, HDFC Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank will join this pilot.
The pilot will initially be rolled out in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar. It will be extended to Ahmedabad, Gangtok, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Kochi, Lucknow,
New Delhi: Indian Direct Selling Industry is showing consistent growth. The size of the industry has grown rapidly to over $2 billion last year. Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA) is the association of the direct selling companies in India and is contributing to the growth and the development of this sector. Worldwide, the Direct Selling industry is estimated to be over $180.5 billion. Indian industry has grown at a CAGR of 15.7% over the past four years despite the COVID-19 pandemic and is likely grown even more rapidly. —ANI
Patna and Shimla. The scope of pilot may be expanded gradually to include more banks and locations, the RBI said.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das had earlier this month said that the RBI will follow up on the wholesale e-rupee pilot with a similar trial on the retail side this month itself. The broader wish of the RBI is to execute a full-fledged launch of the CBDC “in the near future”, Das said.
He also pledged to “do things differently” far removed from the so-called “golden era” with China, which he said poses a “systemic challenge” to British values and interests.
“Before I came into politics, I invested in businesses around the world. And the opportunity in the Indo-Pacific is compelling,” Sunak said.
“By 2050, the Indo-Pacific will deliver over half of global growth compared with just a quarter from Europe and North America combined. That’s why
FitchNew Delhi (ANI): Fitch Ratings expects telecom operators to raise tariffs in 2023, given the focus on profitability by the service providers.
we’re joining the TransPacific trade deal, the CPTPP, delivering a new FTA with India and pursuing one with Indonesia,” he said.
India and Britain launched negotiations for the FTA in January with an aim to conclude talks by Diwali but the deadline was missed due to a lack of consensus on issues. The focus of the FTA negotiations is on reducing the barriers to trade, cutting tariffs, and supporting easier imports and exports into each other’s markets.
“...there are three big things coming today, which will over the next decade have more of an impact (on India). I believe in the next 10 years India is going to see significant economic activity which is broad based, inclusive and democratised,” he said.
The first is, ONDC second is account aggregator framework and the transformation happening in the logistics sector due to government initiatives like GST, Fastag and the e-way bill, Nilekani said.
Nilekani said he expects the ONDC — an initiative of the government to promote an open platform for all aspects of the exchange of goods and services through electronic networks — to begin soon.
New Delhi (PTI): Citing a weak manufacturing sector coupled with the steep margin compression, SBI Research has pencilled in the country’s GDP growth for the second quarter at 5.8%, down 30 basis points from average estimates.
New Delhi: A government-appointed gas price review panel, led by Kirit Parikh, is recommending a floor and ceiling price for natural gas produced from legacy fields of state-owned firms for five years to help moderate CNG and piped cooking gas rates. State producers Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) will be paid a minimum or floor price of $4 per million British thermal unit and a cap or ceiling price of $6.5 as against the current rate of $8.57, three sources with knowledge of the matter said. —PTI
New Delhi: Indian airline services Go First on Tuesday received an additional `400 crore under the government’s Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS). The airline is likely to receive 16 new P&W engines in the coming weeks. The no-frills carrier has at least 25 planes on the ground, mainly due to the non-availability of P&W engines that power its A320 fleet. Go First, which can take up to `1,500 crore under the scheme, has so far availed at least a total of `800 cr. —FIB
New Delhi: Automaker Kia India on Tuesday said it has commenced certified pre-owned business in the country with a plan to have 30 sales outlets by the end of the year. The company said its certified pre-owned car business ‘Kia CPO’ intends to provide a new age experience to customers, in line with new car buying experience, that will allow them to sell, buy or exchange pre-owned cars, backed by ownership transfers and customised finance options. —PTI
It said Vodafone Idea needs to increase tariffs as its EBITDA generation is insufficient to meet finance costs and to invest sufficiently in capital expenditure. The last time the telecom operators raised tariffs was in late 2021.
“We have only one market on an improving outlook - India - compared with two (India and Malaysia) in 2022. Only one market - Sri Lanka - is on a deteriorating outlook. Consolidation is likely to continue in most markets as weaker participants face the choice whether to be acquired or decline,” it said in a report.
In a report, SBI Research headed by Soumya Kanti Ghosh said corporate results, operating profit of companies, excluding banking and financial sector, degrew by 14% in
Q2FY23 as against 35% growth in Q2FY22, though the top line continued to grow at a healthier pace. Net sales grew by 28%, while bottom line was down by around 23% from
the year ago period.
Further, corporate margin seems to be under pressure, as reflected in results of around 3,000 listed entities, excluding banking and financial sector, due to higher input costs with declining operating margins, from 17.7% in Q1FY22 to 10.9% in Q2FY23. Given this and the wide divergence in market consensus (6.1%) regarding Q2 GDP, SBI sees the economy printing in at 5.8%.
New Delhi (PTI): The Sensex and Nifty ended at fresh lifetime peaks on Tuesday amid a largely firm trend in other Asian markets and continuous foreign fund inflows.
New Delhi: The increased partnership with the private sector has led to a substantial rise in defence exports. India achieved exports of defence items and technology worth a record `13,000 crores in 2021-22 and this figure is likely to rise to `17,000 crores in 2022-23. Several factors like rising demand, greater innovation, more conducive policies and a maturing ecosystem in defence and aerospace manufacturing space are leading to growth. — FIB
New Delhi: A huge drop in crude oil prices have rekindled hopes in India of a possible reduction in fuel prices.
Benchmark Brent crude fell to its lowest since January on Monday, with prices dropping $2.6/barrel, or more than 3%, to $80.97.
Apprehension over another production cut by the Opec+ grouping of oil exporters, including Russia, has contributed to the sharp fall.
The fall in Brent crude oil prices has brought down
the cost of ‘Indian Basket’ – or the mix of crude bought by Indian refiners – to $82/ barrel from an average of
$112.8 in March. This fall has raised hopes of a fuel price cut in India as the current petrol and
diesel prices reflect oil at about $85/barrel.
Petrol and diesel prices are supposed to be revised
daily but state-owned fuel retailers have not exercised their rights since April 6. Rates have been on freeze since then except on May 22 when prices were reduced following a cut in excise duty.
Prior to the April freeze, petrol and diesel prices had gone up by ` 10 per litre each. Petrol currently costs `96.72 a litre in the national capital and diesel is priced at `89.62.
If the price reduction happens, this will be the first cut since May 22 when the govt cut excise duty on the two fuels.
The 30-share BSE Sensex gained 177.04 points or 0.28% to settle at 62,681.84, its fresh record closing high. The broader NSE Nifty advanced 55.30 points or 0.30% to end at 18,618.05, its fresh record closing high. Among the Sensex pack, Hindustan Unilever, Sun Pharma, Nestle, Dr Reddy’s, Tata Steel, ICICI Bank, Titan were gainers.
New Delhi (PTI): The rupee slipped 3 paise to close at 81.71 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday as rising crude oil prices in the international market weighed on forex market sentiment. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened strong at 81.58 but later slipped into the negative territory. During the session, it touched an intra-day high of 81.57 and a low of 81.74 against the greenback. The local unit finally settled at 81.71.
Telecom operators may raise tariffs in 2023:First India Bureau
Government will spend Rs 476.44 crore on the scheme, says CM Gehlot
Jaipur: Chief Minis ter Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday inaugurated the Chief Minister’s Bal Gopal Yojana and also distributed school uniforms under the Chief Minister’s Free Uniform Distribution Scheme from his resi dence in the presence of Education Minister BD Kalla and other leaders.
He said the state gov ernment was working with commitment to provide quality educa tion and better health to the students, adding that both the schemes were important steps in this direction, ac
cording to an official statement.
Now it is up to the teachers and parents to ensure that the uni forms are stitched soon and the students come to the school wearing their uniforms, he said.
Gehlot added that the education department played an important role in the operation and implementation of the schemes and asked the teachers to ensure that not a single student was deprived of their benefits.
Under the Chief Min ister’s Bal Gopal Yoja na, milk prepared from powdered milk will be made available every Tuesday and Friday to students of Classes 1 to 8 in government prima ry, upper primary schools, madrassas and special training centres benefiting from the
mid-day meal pro gramme.
To ensure quality, the teachers, parents or members of the school management commit tee will taste the milk.
The government will spend Rs 476.44 crore on the scheme.
Jaipur: Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal gave a strict message of discipline in the meeting held on Tuesday for the preparations of Bharat Jodo Yatra in the State.
“Now listen to me…,” said Venugopal to all Ministers, MLAs and other leaders present in the meeting.
“Rhetoric went on even after my instruc tions. Those who are present should also lis ten, what you are today may not be tomorrow if anyone has spoken a word,” he said.
There was silence in the meeting as soon as Venugopal said this.
Venugopal made it clear that indiscipline will not be tolerated.
Venugopal, Gehlot, Dotasra and Pilot held a separate meeting in a room. Discussion took place among the four leaders for about 30 minutes.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Senior Con gress leader KC Venugopal has deliv ered the message of the party high com mand that no one should give state ments during the yatra. Before coming to Jaipur, Venugopal also talked to Harish Chaudhary, Bhan war Jitendra Singh to take feedback.
Now all eyes were on the meeting whether a pleasant picture would emerge today!
Famous song ‘Laila Main Laila’ disturbed Congress leaders during the meeting held for the preparations of Bharat Jodo Yatra at PCC’s war room. The song was being played in high vol ume during a func tion near the war room which dis turbed the meeting.
Now, Housing Board’s houses will be ready-to-shift in
Shivendra ParmarJaipur: The Rajasthan Housing Board (RHB) has made significant changes in its type de sign to provide conveni ent ready-to-shift hous ing and flats to the com mon people as per the changing times and re quirements. Now all the houses and flats built by RHB will not be less than the villas and flats prepared by the big builders in any sense.
After the approval of the RHB Commissioner Pawan Arora, the new type designs have been sent to all the offices of the circle. Now, what
ever new independent houses or multi-sto reyed flats will be built by the Housing Board for different income groups, they will be built on the basis of these new type designs.
Informing about the same, the RHB Com missioner said that these new type designs have been prepared on the basis of suggestions received from Vastu ex perts (architects) and according to the de mands of modern times and people. It is notable that till now the inde pendent houses which were given to the allot tees by the Housing Board which did not have the facility of at tached lat-bath. “There were no boundary walls and stairs due to which
people could not get ready-to-shift houses. After taking posses sion, the allottees had to build boundary walls and stairs at their own expense. Now, after the amendment in the type design, this complaint of the people will be re moved and they will be able to get ready-to-shift houses,” Arora said.
The Commissioner
further informed that priority has also been given to finishing works. “As per the cur rently prevalent finish ing work, specifications of high quality tiles, POP finish plaster, tex ture paint etc. have been included in all classes and categories of hous es and flats. Keeping in view the needs of wom en, kitchen slabs and
sinks will now be made of granite in EWS and LIG category houses and flats. After this, not only will the houses of the board be of high quality, but their finish ing work will also be keeping in tune with modern design aesthet ics,” Arora said.
It is worth mention ing that after a long time, the scheme of in dependent housing and flats is being brought for the general public in Jaipur’s Pratap Nagar. Work is also going on in the scheme of 4 thou sand independent hous es and flats in different cities of the state. All the houses and flats that will be built in these schemes will be built on the basis of new specifications.
Along with education, the state has also been a leading employment provider with 1.35 lakh jobs being sanctioned. Applications for 1.25 lakh jobs are under process and another one lakh has been announced in the Budget.
Jaipur: The meeting of Gurjar Aarakshan Sang
cabinet subcommittees over pend ing demands continued on the second consecu tive day on Tuesday.
Ahead of Rahul Gan dhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, the State Government has initiated dialogue with the Gurjar leaders to resolve their reserva tion-related issues and other pending demands.
After hours long meet ings in two separate ses sions, both the govern ment and Gurjar delega tion reached a consensus to hold another round of talks on Wednesday. Dis cussions with Gurjar representatives were started on Monday at State secretariat.
Last week’s jibe by Gehlot and a sharp response from Pi lot came just days before Gandhi’s Bharat Judo Yatra is scheduled to en ter Rajasthan.
The CM said all leaders together will make the yatra a success in the state.
“Rahul Gandhi also meant that every party worker is an asset,” he added.
The CM told reporters here that the main issue before the party is the 2023 assembly election, and claimed that the mood is in the favour of the Congress.
“We will win the as sembly elections. We
Jaipur: In a show of unity days after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had called his former deputy Sachin Pilot a “traitor”, the two Congress leaders appeared together on Tuesday. “This is the Rajasthan Congress,” KC Venugopal said, as he held the hands of both leaders locked in a power tussle. Recalling Rahul’s comments that both leaders are assets to the party, Venugopal said, “Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot have assured that the Yatra will be the one of the most successful in the country.”
have introduced several unique schemes and pro grammes which are ben efitting people across the state. I get an overwhelm ing response from people when I go on visits. It means that the govern ment is going to be re peated. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the people of the state re garding the yatra. Rahul
Gandhi has come out on issues of public interest and he has been success ful in conveying the mes sage to the people. We want to work on ERCP, but the center is not seri ous,” he said.
Targeting the BJP, Ge hlot said that the party should bother about it self instead of comment ing on the Congress.
Both Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are campaigning in Gujarat and addressing the people in Gujarati.
Will that have any effect on the voters?
Of course. This is their ‘masterstroke’ as the public connects with it.
I hear them addressing the public in Gujarati and I admire them thinking that the election has slipped from the Opposition’s hands.
What ever public meeting they address and some meeting is addressed by those who speak in Gujarati, tell me whom will the voter feel connected to more?
Unless the voter is the staunch supporter of the Congress or AAP or any other party. So this is a ‘masterstroke.’ This move has definitely made an impact.
Will the enormous crowd that is visible in PM’s rallies convert into votes?
Definitely. I have observed a difference in the crowd that Narendra Modi gets in his rallies, and the crowd that other leaders garner. His crowd is a genuine crowd. Others’ is a crowd that the party assembles from various places, but that does not convert into votes. But perhaps he (Modi) is God gifted or may be it is his style, or his hard work or commitment that the crowd that assembled to hear Modi gets converted into votes. That is why you have 50,000 people at places where the maximum capacity is to incorporate 30,000 or so.
Similarly, for Amit Shah, the capacity may be 10,000, but there would be 15,000 people attending the rally. So, this crowd should be considered as genuine.
How despite the stature and terror of Amit Shah, so many rebels have jumped into the electoral foray and will they have any effect on the overall equation for BJP?
They can hamper the equation albeit only to a limited extent. But they will come to know the real result of their decision only after the election. Defying Amit Shah and not acknowledging his orders since he is a senior leader is a technical mistake of these re-
bels. It so happens that a person learns about the mistake at the very time, or after it shows some result. Of course, they will hamper party’s prospects in 32 assemblies. So, the party also assigns the task regarding the ‘damage control’ to 30-35 people. Yes, there will be some damage, but not in the same proportions as they had thought of when they stood for election, because the entire election is focused on Narendra Modi. They won’t be able to hurt much but like everyone else, I am also surprised with the bravery that these candidates have shown.
So will the Congress and AAP rebels also result in a similar story for their respective parties?
They too have rebels, but they are irrelevant. They are not going to form the government. They aren’t in the race. They are dividing the 40% vote amongst themselves. Only one estimate claims that the Congress will get 60 something seats, remaining all others have denied; So giving only 25-30 seats to Congress & the rebels can cast their affect on those seats. But the rebels can affect the BJP more since their number is greater in BJP while the number of rebels in Congress is not too high. AAP may have one or two rebels, but it does not have any relevance. So, as far as damage caused by rebels is concerned, it will be in context of BJP.
In the entire campaigning in Gujarat, the Congress has maintained an unusual silence. Why is it so?
They are afraid. Once long back, Sonia Gandhi had used the term ‘Maut Ke Saudagar’, then some one else said something else. These days Jairam Ramesh says something or Chidambaram says some-
thing else. But now it is said that they have been told to keep off. They don’t know what issues to pick apart from what they have said in their manifesto. So, they are cautious that as soon as they say anything, Modi-Shah will catch them and a new controversy would be created. Thus, they have been asked to remain silent and keep off. And according to me, that it is a ‘wise strategy.’
What are the real issues in this Gujarat election? Also, what are the issues that the BJP has been making? The BJP’s main issue has always been ‘Hindutva,’ whether directly or indirectly. Then the second issue it raises is of the double engine government, and their third issue has always been of development, Remaining all other issues are based on a short time span. Even in their manifesto, they addressed issues of farmers, youth, students etc. But BJP’s basic key issues are the ones which have been aforementioned.
And what does the Congress’ manifesto say?
The Congress’ manifesto is based on promises. They do not want to get into any controversy. So, firstly they promised OPS Scheme which is given by Ashok Gehlot. Based on this, they are hoping to win the election in Himachal too. Here too they have promised the same and made it an issue. Then they have promised employment to 10 lakh people. Thereafter, bringing the ‘Chiranjeevi Scheme’ like Rajasthan
has been promised as well. Then come free electricity and women centric schemes. So major issues they have addressed and promised are is OPS, employment and the ‘Chiranjeevi Scheme.’
Talking about promises, what has AAP promised or made into an issue?
AAP has only one promise. They promise everything to be free. Free electricity, water, education etc. And they also say that they will give everything for free and cite the example of Delhi and Punjab, where they have actually implemented their ‘free’ agenda. It is a separate issue that now a debate has started in the nation regarding freebies.
After Delhi and Punjab, now AAP has promised freebies in Gujarat. What do you think will be its effect?
It won’t have much effect. An effect can happen only in totality and that is when the voters, as a whole, become ‘game- changer.’ Now that we have already made an assessment that these parties will be restricted within 9 seats and other survey claims not more than 15-20 seats. These issues will perhaps bring AAP to a few seats.
So by that measure, do you think BJP will taste victory in the New Delhi’s MCD elections?
BJP is making its best attempt to win the elections. It has got all its Central Ministers and Chief Ministers to campaign there. But my analyses is that it will be difficult to bring
Modi’s crowd is a genuine crowd. Others’ is a crowd that the party assembles from various places, but that does not convert into votes. But perhaps he (Modi) is God gifted or may be it is his style, or his hard work or commitment that the crowd that assembles to hear Modi gets converted into votes. That is why you have 50,000 people at places, where the maximum capacity is to incorporate 30,000 or so
down AAP. They (BJP) may come close to in number of wards, but AAP gets ruled out or is routed, I don’t see that happening. Astrologers claim that though AAP will not have any major victory in Assembly elections, but in local body elections, AAP cannot be ruled out.
Then why is BJP’s entire campaign focused on negative propaganda on AAP? Everything is fair in love and war. Secondly, what BJP has done, like the videos and stings of AAP, they are all genuine. They can’t deny that they haven’t taken money. They cannot deny that a person was massaging their leader,
who has a rape case against him, in jail. They also can’t deny that they sold their tickets. So, it can be termed as BJP’s negative campaign on AAP, but it is based on facts and is logical as well.
How do you analyse the ‘Women Factor’ in these elections considering a lot of women are now taking to active politics?
The factor is reasonable and although it is not in proportion with the number of women in society, still the number of active women in politics is reasonable. BJP has fielded 17 female candidates and Congress has fielded 14, while AAP has fielded
7, so there has been a reasonable representation of Gujarati women in these election.
But if we look closely, it seems that the political parties do not give that relevance to women or to put in another way, they are not given as many tickets as men? There must be a tactical or political reason for it. Considering that all political parties eye women voters and introduce schemes for them. There are talks of 50% reservation, 35% reservation, laws are framed for them and lots of other steps are taken, but when it comes to ground reality, I think, that the parties do not get winning candidates in good numbers and hence women do not get more tickets. Look at Congress, they brought the slogan ‘Ladki Hoon Lad Sakti Hoon’ during Uttar Pradesh polls, but they did not bring that slogan to Gujarat. So, every party has this rule to give tickets according to the representation in their organisation.
But luring the female voters is also important. So what are the promises made by all three parties?
You can’t ignore the female voters as they are almost 48% i.e. almost half of 4.90 crore total voters in the State. Thus, the parties will have to bring populist schemes like free education, free gas cylinder, free electricity, free scooty or free computers. These are some of the things every government and party engages in.
What is this ‘5P’ that is being heard in the Gujarat election?
Narendra Modi brings out a new miracle from his hat every day. This ‘5P’ will be a success and everyone is observing how successful it will be. He gives a slogan and that becomes super hit. He gave the slogan ‘Lets make Gujarat’ and that became hit. Now he has given this ‘5P,’ and that has already become a hit amongst the masses.
Will the Morbi bridge collapse result in any effect on these elections? There was a probability that it could have cast some effect, but BJP handled the entire episode with utmost grit and smartness. It could not become an issue. Secondly. political parties have their own interest. Some tried to make it an issue and I read that 132 people died, but no party is ready to give away its vote. Congress has made an issue over it and has said that 132 people have died and FIR has been registered then at least name the contractor in the FIR or form a Judicial Commission or do something else in the matter. Chidambaram said no one apologised, no case was registered and no one resigned. But still Morbi incident has not had that big an effect, as much as the people were hoping it would have had. Then BJP played a masterstroke in this. The person, who saved the people, Kanubhai, the party gave him a ticket. So, Morbi has a moral influence, but I don’t think it
become a major is-
the show #Modialltheway trended top All-India on Twitter
discrepancy to the ‘everyday smiley catalogue girl’,
Queen and donning the stage with her charm and confidence, Bhakti has proved that she was born to conquer the fashion world.
It is rightly said that one should not mind their makeup every time, but make up their mind once in a while.
The 25-year-old diva showed the world that she just does not have good looks but learned good books. She
ing a student to being a fashion designer was very happening and great, I always dreamt about being an inspiring artist and wanted to get framed in a big bang poster to make my parents and myself proud”.
Bhakti’s inimitable style transformation from freshfaced girl to modelling powerhouse shook everyone, when asked about her struggle the crowned beauty said, “I
strongly believe that if you really desire something from the heart then the whole universe will work towards getting you that. From being rejected because of not so good personality, I made sure to give myself a chance and work on myself and present out there as a talented artist. I am working as a stylist in a production house for 4 years and also realised that there are many girls who have been rejected for their looks. I presented myself the way I am the way, I wanted to show the real me, my work, etc. I always wanted to inspire other dreamers. Rejections are motivation to the one who really wants to achieve dignity and success, and I wanted to be a voice for those who think they can’t do what they dream.”
The elegant queen further said, “I am extremely grateful to Dr Jagdeesh Chandra and First India Queen for making my dream come true, something great like this can only be visualized by JC sir, he has opened open the gates of opportunity for many deserving girls like us.”
City First brings to you some more glimpses from the Super Indians Rajasthan Chapter organised by First India News Rajasthan and Bharat24 News channel on Sunday at Lake City Udaipur. The lamp lighting of the program was done in five-star Hotel Ananta in the presence of Dr Jagdeesh Chandra along with Assembly Speaker Dr CP Joshi, renowned film actor Govinda, Rajasthan Foundation Commissioner Dhiraj Srivastava, Erstwhile Mewar royal family member Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Chief Business Office and Strategic Advisor Manoj Jagyasi, Newly appointed Managing Editor of Bharat-24 Shamsher Singh and First India News Editor Jinendra Singh Shekhawat and other dignitaries. During the event, actor Govinda conducted panel discussions in three different sessions with experts from different fields and shared valuable information.
CITY FIRST
Agrand fair was organised by Seedling Mod ern High School for the welfare of veterans and mili tary families at Adarsh Nagar Dusseh ra Maidan, Jaipur on Monday. The main ob jective of the event was to help in the allaround development of the widows and children of police and armed ser vices by educating them.
Dr Sandeep Bakshi, CEO & Director of the seedling Group of Schools and Chancel lor of JNU graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. He along with Dr Preeti Bakshi, Ex ecutive Director of Seedling Group of Schools felicitated the winners of various ac tivities in the fete.
Around 100 stalls
were set up and al most 1,000 partici pated in the fete.
During the fete, a Hal loween and Christmas Costume Theme Ramp Walk was also organ ised.
During the event, Dr Sandeep Bakshi expressed his grati tude to all for their support in making it a successful and memorable ven ture and reaf firmed the commit ment of the Seedling Group to help in creat ing a more compas sionate society.
Dr Preeti Bakshi, Executive Director of Seedling Group of Schools also ex pressed the belief that ‘Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity can not survive.
CITY FIRST
Supermodel Muskan Kam dar celebrated her birthday at Pint House, Jaipur on Mon day, November 28. Jagdeesh Chandra reached to bless her on
the occasion and wished her huge suc cess. Gaurav Gaur, Di rector Elite Miss Rajasthan along with various mod els, friends and fam ily reached to greet the beauty.
The overwhelmed birthday girl on the oc
casion said, “I can’t be more grateful for the love and blessings showered upon me. I would like to espe cially thank Ash ish Sharma and Gaurav Gaur for mak ing my birthday so spe cial.” cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
CITY FIRST
Rotary Club Jaipur Royal celebrated the Diwali Milan function at Hotel Vesta International, Club members with fam ily participated in the function on Tuesday.
Club President Arun Bagadia shared informa tion about the activities
done in the last 5 months with the members.
On this occasion, a spe cial song was presented by the club about organ donation and various people as sociated with this campaign were also honoured.
The chief guest of the program, District Gov ernor Dr Balwant Singh
Chirana wished all the members a happy Di wali and appreciated the activities of the club. Club’s first lady Poonam Baga dia, senior mem bers Ravi Kamra, CA Rakesh Gupta, San jay Kaushik, Hemendra Sharma, Harish Khatri PC Jain and district sec retary Neeraj Agarwal
along with Deepak Sharma and Kamal Sa modia were also present in the program.
The program was co ordinated by Rotarian Sandesh Jain and Kiran Jain. At the end of the program, club secretary Dr Rohan Gupta thanked everyone for their enthusiastic in volvement.