First India-Jaipur Edition-11th January 2023

LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW AT RED FORT IN NEW AVATAR

New Delhi: Noting that the next 25 year is crucial for India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that it is a period for collective efforts of 130 crore people to see India at the top. The minister was speaking at the ‘Jai Hind’ Light & Sound event at the Red Fort.

Restarting after a gap of five years, the show, in its current avatar, was opened by HM Amit Shah and culture, tourism and DoNER minister G Kishan Reddy.

“We should have a vision of where our country must be in different sectors in the next 25 years and must work towards fulfilling it. In the next 25 years, India must be the most powerful nation,” Shah said.

READ Crucial

Jai Hind!

India: Shah at Red Fort

WILL 1ST DECIDE ON VALIDITY OF C’SHIP

ACT’S SECT 6A: SC

New Delhi: SC on Tuesday said that it would first decide validity of Section 6A of Citizenship Act, 1955 which grants citizenship to illegal immigrants mostly from neighbouring Bangladesh, who entered Assam before March 1971.

INDIA SUCCESSFULLY

CARRIES OUT TEST LAUNCH OF PRITHVI-II

New Delhi: India on Tuesday successfully carried out a test launch of tactical ballistic missile Prithvi-II from a test range off the Odisha coast. The successful training launch of Prithvi-II was carried from integrated test range.

infant die as

Metro pillar collapses in B’luru

Bengaluru: A 28-yearold woman and her twoand-a-half-year-old son died and two others of the four-member family were injured after reinforcement iron rods for construction of a pillar for Blue Line at HBR Layout crashed onto them on Tuesday morning. According to officials, a reinforcement cage that was being used to build fell on scooter in which family of four was travelling.

SC recommends 9 names for the elevation as High Court judges

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The SC Collegium headed by CJI DY Chandrachud on Tuesday recommended elevation of seven judicial officers and two advocates as judges of HCs. Ramachandra Dattatray Huddar and Venkatesh Naik Thavaryanaik as judges in Karnataka HC, Neela Kedar Gokhale as a judge of Bombay HC, Mridul Kumar Kalita as Gauhati HC judge, P Venkata Jyothirmai and V Gopalakrishna Rao as AP HC judges, Aribam Guneshwar Sharma and GG Kabui as Manipur HC judges.

PEOPLE, TRANSGENDERS HAVE RIGHT TO LIVE: BHAGWAT

DEMOLITION DRIVE TO BEGIN AT JOSHIMATH TODAY

Cracks ‘breaking down’ into tears!

Joshimath: The temple town is sinking gradually with huge cracks developing in houses, on roads and fields. Many houses have tilted and are sinking. People break down as they leave their homes that have been marked unsafe by the district administration. Demolition drive in the ‘sinking’ town of Joshimath to raze the residences and buildings prone to collapse will begin today.

So far, 678 houses in Joshimath have developed cracks, and 81 families have been temporarily shifted to safer locations. The authorities have identified unsafe, dangerous buildings in the region and have marked them with red cross (X) symbols. NCMC said immediate priority is to complete evacuation of residents from affected areas. P6

NOT EVERY ISSUE OF URGENCY MUST BE TAKEN UP

As of now, 678 buildings marked have been marked ‘unsafe’.

Many have vacated their homes and the evacuation process is still underway. 8 teams of SDRF, one of NDRF, one extra company of PAC and police officials are present there. If needed, some areas will be sealed.

KOHLI SCORES HUNDRED, INDIA WIN BY 67 RUNS

ERCP HAS BECOME A BELL IN THE NECK OF GS SHEKHAWAT & CENTRE: GEHLOT

Bauli: In Sawai Madhopur’s Bauli, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot started his address amid slogans of Gehlot Zindabad. Addressing function, he said that ERCP has become a bell in the neck of PM Modi and Gajendra Shekhawat. CM Gehlot also lashed out at the BJP’s Aakrosh Rally and termed it unsuccessful.

CM said that 5 to 10 CMs are being made in BJP.

The Aakrosh rally has been called off on the pretext of Covid-19. Targeting the Modi government, the CM said that

the country’s poor are getting poorer while the rich are getting richer and termed the growing gap between the rich

and the poor as inconsistent.

Taking a jibe at the paper leak episode, Gehlot said that if the cen-

tral government does not provide employment, then such incidents will keep on happening. “And in Rajasthan, those behind the paper leaks have been jailed. The BJP has been spoiling the atmosphere in the state,” he said. Turn to P8

OTHER TOP RAJ STORIES

2-DAY LONG ALL INDIA PRESIDING OFFICERS

CONFERENCE TO BEGIN TODAY IN JAIPUR

PAPER LEAK: JDA NOTICE TO ACCUSED TO REMOVE ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION IN 3 DAYS

P2

CISF CONSTABLE AT IGI’S TERMINAL 3 SHOOTS SELF DEAD

New Delhi: A CISF constable deployed in ‘B’ shift duty at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport died allegedly by shooting himself inside the washroom on Level 2 of the airport, officials said on Tuesday.

LOAN FRAUD: CHANDA KOCHHAR, HUSBAND FREED FROM JAIL

Mumbai: Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak arrested in Videocon loan fraud case walked free on Tuesday after getting bail from Bombay HC. Deepak released from Arthur Road Jail, Chanda from Byculla Women’s Prison.

Naresh Sharma, Sandeep Goyal and Ashish Mittal

CM Ashok Gehlot addressing people at 15th Nirvana Day celebrations of Shivanand Maharaj in Bauli on Tuesday.

Parsadi Lal Meena, Bhajan Lal Jatav, Ramkesh Meena, Indira Meena, Shashikant Sharma & others are also seen.

Joshimath people get emotional as they leave homes

2 hotels, other sinking houses marked red; evacuated

CSIR-NGRI in Joshimath; to submit report in 2 weeks

First India Bureau

Women get emotional as they leave home in Joshimath on Tuesday.

BY SC: CJI CHANDRACHUD

K’TAKA CM MUST RESIGN: CONGRESS

BMRCL ANNOUNCES `20 LAKH EX-GRATIA

New Delhi: Not every issue of urgency must be taken up by the Supreme Court when democratically elected institutions are addressing it, CJI DY Chandrachud said on Tuesday, posting a PIL into land subsidence in Uttarakhand’s Joshimath for a hearing on January 16.

“Karnataka Chief Minister must resign. It’s a clear case of poor work and people have succumbed to it.

Now, people of Bengaluru and Karnataka are fed up,” Congress MLA Sowmya Reddy said.

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai said that govt would conduct an inquiry into the matter.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has announced an ex-gratia of `20L to kin of deceased.

—Ashok Kumar, Uttarakhand DGP

All Indians should make efforts to make India the top most country in the world when it reaches 100th year of its independence.

—Amit Shah, Union Home Minister

The central government ministers are fooling the public and if it continues like this, the public will wipe them out.

—Ashok Gehlot, CM

Mom,

under-const.

First India Bureau

Father and one more family member injured

Metro pillar collapses on Hennur road, in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Jaipur: The All India Presiding Officers Conference (AIPOC) of Legislative Bodies from across the country will be held in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly under the chairmanship of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla from Wednesday, an official statement released here said. The Conference, being hosted by the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, will be inaugurated by Vice President of India and Chairman Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar at 10:15 am on Wednesday.

Jaipur: The luxurious house of Bhupendra Saran, the accused in teachers’ recruitment paper leak case, has now come under the target of the enforcement wing of JDA. The JDA has issued a notice to Saran to remove illegal construction within three days. If this is not done, then the enforcement wing will demolish the house located in Rajni Vihar on Ajmer road on January 13.

Moni Sharma

Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the inauguration of light and sound show at Red Fort, in New Delhi on Tuesday.

SHAH, NADDA AT DHANKHAR’S ‘DWAR’!

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda call on Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, at his residence, in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Images of Prime Ministers of India during the light and sound show inaugurated by HM Amit Shah at the Red Fort.

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired DAC meet on Tuesday and said 3 proposals of Army and Navy worth

NOW, JDA IN ACTION AT HOUSES OF TWO PAPER LEAK ACCUSED

Jaipur: The luxurious house of Bhupendra Saran, the accused in teachers’ recruitment paper leak case, has now come under the target of the enforcement wing of JDA. The JDA has issued a notice to Saran to remove illegal construction within three days. If this is not done, then the enforcement wing will demolish the house located in Rajni Vihar on Ajmer road on Jan 13. The wing on Monday completely demolished the building in which the accused Bhupendra

Saran, Bhupendra Dhaka, Dharmendra Chaudhary were running a coaching center.

After this, it came to light that the accused have properties in Rajni Vihar on Ajmer Road

and Nemisagar Colony in Chitrakoot following which the enforcement wing once again came into action. On Tuesday, different teams of JDA’s enforcement wing reached both the places

and inspected the buildings and found violations of building regulations. The three-storey house in Rajni Vihar is owned by Bhupendra Saran and his brother Gopal but the patta was is-

Shekhawat hits back at Dotasra for making remarks against him

Rajeev Gaur

Jodhpur: Union Jal

Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday took part in the Jan Aakrosh Rally held in the Luni assembly constituency. During his address, he attacked Govind Singh Dotasra and said that he is nobody to decide whether I will be elected next time from Jodhpur or not.

“Whether Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will go to the Lok Sabha next time or not, will be decided by the people of Jodhpur and Luni. The voters have not given this right to Govind Singh Dotasara and who is he to say this,” said Union Minister Gajendra Singh. The minister reacted after PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra made comments against Gajendra Singh Shekhawat while inaugurating Western Rajasthan Udhyog Handicraft Festival in Jodhpur.

Addressing

CONGRESS IS AN ANTI-WOMEN GOVT, ALLEGES ALKA GURJAR IN J’JHUNU

Jhunjhunu: BJP National Secy Alka Gurjar on Tuesday took part in the Jan Aakrosh Rally in Udaipurwati town of Jhunjhunu district. While addressing the gathering in Chanwara Village, Alka Gurjar said that this is an anti-women govt while rapes and atrocities take place against women every day in the state.

“The Congress govt is trying to save its chair rather than focusing on development, safety and jobs. Papers have been leaked 20 times and it is a complete failure of the state government. The BJP has demanded a CBI inquiry in the paper leak case, but the state govt has not taken any steps in this regard,” said Alka Gurjar.

Rajya Sabha MP Rajendra Gehlot too targeted the govt and said that the Cong is fighting with its own leaders.

Former MLA Shubhkaran Chaudhary, District President Pawan Mawandiaand others were also present.

SPORTS ROUND-UP!

sued in name of Babli Pareek. There is no setback in construction of the house which also exceeds the permissible height. The second accused Suresh Dhaka has a flat in Chitrakoot.

JMCG starts preparation for Swachh Survekshan 2023

Dr Rituraj Sharma

Jaipur : The Jaipur Municipal Corporation Greater has started preparations for Swachh Survekshan 2023. Jaipur Municipal Corpotation Greater’s Commissioner Mahendra Soni on Tuesday reviewed the cleanliness arrangements being done in the city before the start of the survey.

The civic body has appointed in-charge sfor all the 150 wards to ensure proper monitoring of cleanliness in the city. The officer

in charge will inspect various places from 8 am to 11 am. Along with this, these incharges will also monitor the night cleaning in the major places and routes of the city. They will be responsible for maintaining the cleaniliness.

The commissioner also instructed depu-

BJP-Cong lock horns over Fasal Bima Yojna payment in Barmer

Mathrani

Barmer: Leaders of BJP and Congress have locked horns over the Fasal Bima Yojna (crop Insurance) in Barmer. BJP MP from Barmer and union MoS for agricultural and farmer welfare Kailash Choudhary on Sunday lashed out at the Congress govt alleging that the state govt had betrayed the farmers and instead of taking responsibilities, they are running away.

While giving a counter, Baytu MLA Harish Chaudhary said that it is unfortunate that instead benefitting the farmers of his own constituency, the union minister is doing pity politics as this is

is entirely subject of the union govt. Notably, Agricultural Insurance Company had released the insurance claim of Kharif 2021, wherein many farmers received mere 2, 3 or 5 paisa but hte comapny have made claims about settling Rs 311 crore for farmers.

Not only had this, instead of giving timely compensation to the farmers, the company had many times ap-

pealed before the state and union government but after all the platforms rejected the company’s plea, it had recently released the compensation, which has triggered the tussle between the political parties. Kailash Chaudhary said that the state government had not done the proper loss assessment which deprived the farmers of fair compensation for their losses.

ty commissioners that sanitation and cleanliness drives should be carried out smoothly and strict monitoring should be done. Apart from this, the in-charge will also make the general public aware of the citizen feedback in the Swachh Survekshan 2023.

Gudha supports Pilot again, preps up for his rally

Pradeep Gadhwal

Jhunjhunu: A video has surfaced of Rajendra Gudha, Minister of State in Govt of Rajasthan, in which he is continuously reciting many ballads in the glory of former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot. According to Gudha, the clip is of a Sachin Pilot’s Kisan Sammelan where Gudha is seen saying for Sachin Pilot, that he is a man of a very big family and such a big man has put faith in us. Further, he said in typical Marwari style, “Once I had gone to Dausa, four to five thousand men came to me and said that he is the man who helps Pilot.”

‘`3,960 cr of record revenue in Petroleum’

Nirmal Tiwari

Jaipur: A new record of revenue generation has been created in the mineral oil and natural gas sector in the state. The dept has achieved this success by earning revenue of Rs 3,960 crore 22 lakh in first 9 months of current financial year. Mines Minister Pramod Jain Bhaya said that the dept is setting new dimensions of revenue generation in the state.

According to the trend, by the end of the financial year, petrole-

um revenue will be at the figure of Rs 6,000.

ACS Mines and Petroleum Dr Subodh Agarwal said that in the first 9 months of the current financial year, the revenue of Rs 3,960 has been earned which is more than 18 percent compared to the revenue of

the corresponding period last year. He said that this is a new record of petroleum revenue till Dec 31. More than Rs 550 crores was received in April, Rs 422 crores in May, Rs 529 crores in June, maximum revenue of Ra 556 crores was earned in July.

34th Federation Cup Handball tournament begins

Naresh Sharma and Bhagwan Sahay

Karauli: The 34th Federation Cup of Handball being organized in Shri Mahavirji’s town was inaugurated by Nadbai MLA and Devnarayan Board President Joginder Singh Awana and Dang Development Board President Lakhan Singh Meena.

Organizing Secretary Yash Pratap Singh said a total of 17 teams are participating in this compe-

tition. National President of Rajasthan Handball Association Anandeshwar Pandey, General Secretary of

Handball Association of India Dr Tejraj Singh, President of Rajasthan Handball Association Harish Dhandev, Secre-

tary of Rajasthan Handball Association Yash Pratap Singh addressed the program. Chief guest of the pro-

gram, Joginder Singh Awana, said that his board will give priority for the development of sports competitions in

the area. Pandey said that every year 5 players will be selected in the Indian Army from the local Handball Academy.

Agarwal

President Security lapse: JEn in soup; SP writes to collector

Pali: On the occasion of the inauguration of the National Jamboree by President Draupadi Murmu on January 4, a major security lapse has come to fore as a junior engineer of water supply department broke the protocol and touched her feet.

On January 4, the President had come to Rohat’s Nimli in an Indian Air Force helicopter to inaugurate the 18th National Jamboree, where junior engi-

neers of the Water Supply Department were also present along with administrative officials.

The video of a junior engineer touching Murmu’s feet has gone viral. The video was posted by the Public Relations Department on its WhatsApp group in Pali.

SP Gagandeep Singla said that the junior engineer was posted at the helipad on President’s duty but was not posted at the reception site, we have written to collector to take departmental action against the JEn.

Abhihshek Shrivastava

Mukesh

First India Bureau

Manoj Tak

JDA teams conduct surveys at residences of Saran & Dhaka

(Clockwise) Bhupendra Saran’s luxurious house on Ajmer Road. JDA officials taking survey of the house. The notice issued.

Union Minister GS Shekhawat during JAY in Jodhpur on Tuesday.

MP Diya Kumari interacts with locals in village Riyan Bari after the Jan Aakrosh Yatra.

—PHOTO

BY RAMKISHOR TIWARI

Joginder Awana, Lakhan Singh, Dr Anandeshwar Pandey, Dr Tejraj Singh, Vinay Singh, & others watching a Handball match in Karauli.

RAJASTHAN HAS BECOME ‘RAPISTAN’, SAYS DIYA KUMARI IN MAKRANA DURING JAY

MEGHWAL HOLDS JAY IN BIKANER, CORNERS GEHLOT GOVT OVER MISGOVERNANCE, MLAs RESIGNATION & CALLS THEM MINI CM

FIVE FROM RAJ MAKE IT TO ASIA SHOOTING BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Commissioner Soni appoints in-charges in all 150 wards to monitor cleanliness

JMCG Commissioner Mahendra Soni took review for the better cleaning system on Tuesday and instructed all Zone Dy Commissioners to keep the cleaning system running regularly.

Kailash Choudhary Harish Chaudhary

Makrana: Rajsamand MP Diya Kumari on Tuesday took part in Jan Aakrosh Mahasabha held at a marble establishment located at Borawar Road in Makrana. While addressing the gathering, MP Diya Kumari said that Rajasthan has become a ‘Rapistan’ and the Cong party has harassed the people of state in the last four years. “Most rapes take place in Rajasthan and state has become rape capital of India. Women are not safe; general public is not safe.” said Diya Kumari. —Harish Sharma

Bikaner: Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Tuesday that the Ashok Gehlot govt will be remembered as a govt that is afraid of its legislators, destroys law and order. He said that the Gehlot govt has appointed all the Cong

MLAs as mini CMs who are involved in misrule, jungle raj and rampant corruption.

Jan Aakrosh sabha, he said that the matter of voluntary resignation by the Cong MLAs in Raj Assembly is constitutionally illegal. —Laxman Raghav

Jaipur: The 41st Senior National Shooting Ball Championship was held from December 25 to 27 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, in which Rajasthan won the silver medal in the men’s category. Rajasthan team captain Gurinder Singh and vice-captain Narendra Bhakar, Jaskirat

Singh as reserve player, and Muskaan Kanthed from the Rajasthan women’s team and Shireen Khan, the vicecaptain of the Rajasthan women’s team, were selected for the Asia Shooting Ball Championship. For the first time, on behalf of the Rajasthan Shooting Ball Sangh Parivar, the Ra-

jasthan Shooting Ball Senior Team expressed happiness on the selection of so many players and congratulated them for a bright future. Rajasthan officials expressed hope that the players would bring laurels to the state with medals. The Championship will be held in Ghaziabad, UP.

ACS PHED REVIEWS JJM PROGRESS, LAUDS GOOD WORK

A CS Public Health Engineering Subodh Agarwal reviewed the progress of Jal Jeevan Mission and various drinking water projects of the dept during a meeting on Tuesday. The number of daily water connections (FHTCs) under Jal Jeevan Mission reached 8,153 on Jan 8 while on Jan 7, it was 6,000.

termed the 6,000 water connections on an average per day as an achievement and directed the field engineers to achieve the set target.

BJP JAN AAKROSH YATRA

Dr Subodh Agarwal and other officials during JJM review on Tuesday.

POST COVID GAP, ROAD SAFETY WEEK BEGINS FROM TODAY

Road Safety Institute to begin functioning; Govt depts to conduct awareness drives

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: The road safety week will be organised in Rajasthan from Wednesday after a gap of two years due to corona pandemic. Transport Minister Brijendra Ola will inaugurate the road safety campaign from HCM RIPA on Wednesday morning. Along with this, the Road Safety Institute will also officially start its working from Wednesday.

During the road safety week, several awareness pro-

grammes will be held by various departments of the Government. Road safety exhibitions will be held at regional and district transport offices across State. Similarly, street plays and cultural programmes will also be jointly organised by the Education Department and Civil Society.

“The programmes will be monitored by the Transport Department. Efforts are being done to reduce road accidents and this campaign will

bring awareness among people and prevent road accidents,” said Transport Commissioner Kanhaiya Lal Swami.

PROGRAMMES BY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

z Schools will organise activities related to road safety with the help of a road safety clubs formed in the colleges.

z Competitions like essay, poster and slogan making on road safety will also be held to educate and aware the students.

Rajasthan bags best State award in 18th National Jamboree event

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Rajasthan was adjudged the best State at the closing ceremony of the 18th National Jamboree. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Tika Ram Jully, the chief guest of the ceremony, at Nimbli (Rohath) in Pali district on Tuesday, said that the intention with which Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had laid the foundation of this event has come true today and this event

TWO YOUTHS KILLED IN ROAD MISHAP IN ALWAR

Ramgarh (Alwar): Two youths were killed in Alwar Ramgarh on Tuesday after they were crushed between a pickup van and Cantera clash. The deceased have been identified as Rajkumar Sharma and Sonu. “Both the victims were heading towards a factory for work on Tuesday morning when their motorcycle was crushed between the two vehicles at Bamnikhera Road in Nadka gram panchayat.

has left its mark in the country and the world.

Rajasthan bagged the Best State Award for its all-round performance. Along with this, Rajasthan won the Na-

ORDER

Jaipur: ADJ Prem Ratan Ojha has upheld the order of November 5. The court rejected the review application of Rajesh Soni. The lower court had given orders for the status quo on October 1, 2022 in the matter related to renovation of Kanak Bihari temple in Galta gate area. Advocate Siddharth Jain Mutha argued on behalf of the applicant Siyaram Das.

KANHAIYA LAL MURDER CASE HEARING DEFERRED, TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 25

Jaipur: The hearing in the tailor Kanhaiya Lal murder case was deferred till January 25. The case came up for hearing in NIA court on Tuesday, but due to the magistrate being on leave, the case will now be heard on January 25. The accused were, however, not present in the court for a hearing on Tuesday. Notably, the incident took place on June 28, 2021, wherein Kanhaiya Lal was brutally stabbed by accused Mohammad Riyaz and Gaus Mohammad. The NIA had made other people also as an accused in the matter.

RAJ B.ED, BSTC

CASE HEARING IN TOP COURT TODAY

Jaipur: Hearing in B.Ed, BSTC case of Rajasthan was held on Tuesday in the Supreme court. The B.Ed side presented its point and the case will be heard once again on Wednesday. Advocate Paramjeet Singh Patwalia, while appearing on behalf of B.Ed candidates, and Naresh Kaushik opposed the Rajasthan High Court decision regarding NCTE notification.

SURAJ KHUDE NEW DY COMMANDANT OF JAIPUR AIRPORT

Jaipur: Suraj Khude has been appointed as the new deputy commandant of Jaipur International Airport. Khude was earlier posted as assistant commandant in Cochin airport. Suraj Khude joined as deputy commandant (Operations) at Jaipur Airport. Now, commandant Narpat Singh and Deputy Commandant Suraj Khude will look after working of airport.

tional Commissioner Shield for Scouting for the best Scout and the National Commissioner Shield for Guide for the best Guide in both the categories.

Nat’l Youth meet in Pali today

First India Bureau

Pali: A two-day National Youth Conference will be organised by the department of Peace and Non-Violence, Youth Affairs and Sports from Wednesday at the Jamboree site in Pali’s Rohat. Nearly 10,000 people will participate in this event for which preparations were completed on Tuesday. The youth conference will start at 11 am in which Kumar Prashant will be the chief guest.

PUBLIC WORK DEPARTMENT INITIATIVES

z Action will be taken to trim trees, plants, illegal parking and obstacles on the roadside.

z Lighting arrangements will be improved on residential roads.

z Provision of speed breakers on minor roads leading to main roads.

Balaji murder case: 2 of inter-state gang arrested

Laxmikant Sharma

Dausa: The Dausa Police has claimed to have solved the murder mystery of a girl by arresting a couple associated with an inter-state gang involved in trafficking of girls and women on Tuesday. Police informed the victim, Akansha, was found murdered at a dharamshala in Mehandipur Balaji on January 4. “The victim had fled from her house in Bareilly. She met the two accused, Pawan Sharma and Kiran Yadav, at Mathura Railway Station. The accused promised to help the girl and brought her to Mehendipur Balaji,” said Dausa SP Sanjiv Nain.

“Pawan then raped

the girl in an intoxicated state and brutally murdered her with the help of Kiran. Based on technical inputs, the girl was identified. Both the accused operate a gang who takes runaway or troubled girls into their confidence and then exploits them.

The accused have been arrested and are being interrogated,” added SP Sanjiv Nain.

On January 4, the dead body of a girl covered with a quilt was found in a half-naked condition in a room of Mulk Raj Dharamshala of Mehandipur Balaji.

Tourists swarm Mount Abu despite chill

Mount Abu (ANI): Despite the severe cold conditions predicted by the India Meteorological Department, tourists continue to flock to the only hill station of Rajasthan.

The cold winds have once again increased the feeling of chill in the atmosphere.

However, the mountain valleys of the hill station have attracted tourists from all over India.

Due to the extreme cold and cold wave con-

Vaibhav visits Handicraft Fest in Jodhpur, interacts with artisans

Rajeev Gaur

Jodhpur: Congress leader and RCA President Vaibhav Gehlot on Tuesday visited Western Rajasthan Industry Handicrafts Festival2023 in Jodhpur. During his visit, Vaibhav Gehlot interacted with people and sought information about various stalls being put up in the handicraft festival.

Nearly 700 stalls have been put in the festival, being organised at Ravan Ka Chabutra in Jodhpur. The RCA President also expressed grief over the death of mother of Lohawat MLA Kishna Ram Vishnoi. Festival convenor Sunil Parihar briefed details of the festival to RCA President, following which, Vaibhav Gehlot also appreciated

18 STATES PARTICIPATING IN FUNCTION

T he event is being organised under the joint aegis of Jodhpur District Administration, District Industries Centre Enterprise Promotion Institute, Jaipur and nodal agency Marudhara Industries Associations, Jodhpur. There are about 750 stalls set up in it. More than 700 handicraftsmen from 18 States of the country are participating in the event.

the efforts of the team.

Office bearers of Marudhara Industries Association, RPCC Secretary Sarvan Patel, Former Student Union Pres-

Jawahar Nagar

First India Bureau

Jaipur (PTI): A 24-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and raping a five-year-old girl here, police said on Tuesday. The incident occurred in Jawahar Nagar when the victim was playing outside her residence on Monday.

The accused, identified as Harish Kumawat, allegedly lured the girl by offering candy and took her to his home, the police said.

ident Sunil Chowdhary, NSUI district president Dilip Chowdhary and other Congress leaders were also present during Vaibhav’s visit.

ditions,

tine of people seems to be chaotic.

Petition over movie ‘Kuttey’ name filed in HC First India Bureau

Jodhpur: A petition demanding changing the title of the film ‘Kuttey’ and a stay on its release has come up before the Jodhpur High Court.

The film stars actor Arjun Kapoor and Tabu. The daughter of a police officer has filed the petition. The hearing will be held on January 12.

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj’s son Aasman Bhardwaj’s film will release on January 13. As the film is based on the police department, the title has been objected to.

The petitioner, daughter of Additional SP Narendra Chowdhary in Jalore, has objected to the movie’s title. Now, Justice Arun Bhansali will hear the petition.

SINGHSTH, THE

degrees in the thermometer. But due to the cold wave going on, the city has started to feel bone-chilling cold. People are almost shivering. The tourists coming here are enjoying the changing weather of Mount Abu. In the morning, tourists are seen enjoying this cold weather.” Tourists were seen draped in blankets to keep themselves warm. While locals were seen huddled around bonfires to beat the cold.

City bizman threatened, asked for `1 cr in name of gangster Godara

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Once again an extortion call demanding Rs 1 crore has been made to a businessman in the city. According to the businessman, the anonymous caller threatened to abduct him if the money was not fetched. The caller introduced himself as Rohit Godara, a gangster from Bikaner. The victim businessman has lodged a report at the Ashok Nagar police station.

According to the police, Jitendra Panwar (34), a resident of CScheme, Ashok Nagar in the city, has lodged an FIR. Jitendra has businesses related to construction and clubs. The victim businessman re-

ceived a WhatsApp call on his mobile at 6:19 pm on Sunday. At first, the anonymous caller greeted him and asked how his business was doing. After this, he informed that this was a ransom call for Rs 1 crore and he is Godara from Bikaner. He threatened the businessman to get the amount by Tuesday evening, failing which he will be abducted. After this, the miscreant disconnected the call.

Tiger T-57 dies of illness at Ranthambore

tiger in its natural habitat after talking to the higher officials and increasing its monitoring.

Nirmal Tiwari

Jaipur: After struggling for 20 days, Ranthambore’s Tiger T-57, also known as Singhsth, passed away on Tuesday.

On December 20, Tiger T-57 was found sick. The officials were informed but they could not decide on tranquilising

the tiger until the evening of December 20. After the news was aired on First India, the forest department treated the tiger by tranquilising it on December 21 and released it in the forest on December 22.

Two days after the treatment, the condition of the tiger wors-

ened and it was seen sitting at a place. On December 29, another tiger T-123 attacked T-57

and injured it. Field director Seduram Yadav and DFO Sangram Singh decided to keep the

After almost 20 days of struggle for life and death, Tiger T-57 said goodbye. In the postmortem, a tumour of 3 kg was found near the tiger’s liver and two tumours of half-a-kg were found near the spleen, which is said to be the cause of the tiger’s death. The tiger was cremated after a post-mortem.

COURT UPHOLDS KANAK BIHARI TEMPLE

Accused Pawan and Kiran in police custody.

Man arrested for raping minor girl in

the daily rou-

A tourist from

Ahmedabad said, “After Monday, on Tuesday, the mercury should have recorded 2

A man removes frozen ice from the seat as the temperature dips below the freezing point in Mount Abu. —FILE PHOTO

Tika Ram Jully, Niranjan Arya and others during Jamboree event.

RCA Chief Vaibhav Gehlot pays tribute to late mother of Lohawat MLA Kishna Ram Vishnoi in Jodhpur on Tuesday.

NEEDS TO BE SEEN HOW AIRLINE TAKES OFF FROM THIS DRENCH PEEGATE ROW

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

After facing turbulent weather for decades as far as economic issues are concerned, it seemed Air India was set for good times in all aspects.

line in probably the most turbulent times ever. Even after its merger with Indian Airlines in 2007-08, the airline, it may be recalled, could not make a profit and on the contrary, it reported a loss of Rs 7,017 crore in the financial year 2021.

Already saddled with Himalayan problems, the airline couldn’t even dream in its nightmare for more!

News agency ANI quoted a senior DGCA official as saying that the governing body has recommended restraining devices in aircraft cabins that will be used to restrain unruly passengers. As per report, a “level 3 violation” involving abusive and physically violent passengers will warrant use of this restraining device that resembles a handcuff. Interestingly, some airlines in India like Air Asia already keep the restraining device in the aircraft cabin for cabin crew to utilise in case passengers become physically violent. DGCA also said that the restraining devices should be applied only when all conciliatory approaches have been exhausted. Also CAR warrants that cabin crew inform the passenger of repercussions and consequences of such unruly behaviour. How these incidents will hurt the reputation of AI, only time will say, but meanwhile, airline needs to see that no further incidents should punch a hole.

Once the ‘national carrier’, Air India, was in deep red thanks to the recession, the pandemic and for several other issues… finally it had the Tatas to their rescue and one look at the economic status just prior to that would give you how dismal the picture was…

Air India had reported a net loss of Rs 5,422.6 crore during the first half of financial year 2021-22 as against a loss of Rs 3,779.26 crore in the yearago period.

The airline’s total revenue, however, grew to Rs 5,524.23 crore during April-September 2021 from Rs 4,578.49 crore during the year-ago period, as per an exchange filing.

Total expenses of the then national carrier stood at Rs 10,946.83 crore during the period under review as compared with Rs 8,357.75 crore during April-September 2020.

On August 31, 2021, the airline’s total debt was pegged at Rs 61,562 crore.

Air India also had about Rs 15,000 crore excess liabilities towards (unpaid) fuel bills and other operational creditors.

Tatas took over the air-

In fact, soon after the Peegate shame that rocked the nation, the Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had slapped another notice on Air India for two incidents onboard its December 6 flight AI142 from Paris to Delhi wherein a passenger had smoked inside the lavatory and another peed over a woman’s blanket!

A show cause notice has been served to the airline for not reporting the incident until January 5, 2023. Response of Air India has been lackadaisical and delayed, said DGCA.

Air India’s handling of an incident in which an inebriated male flier allegedly urinated on a woman co-passenger clearly reveals the urgent need for rules which would be stricter to handle with unruly passengers.

Cases of “inappropriate” conduct on flights by passengers have gone up… and probably many don’t get reported… who knows that is because of several hassles the airline has to go through which can also hurt its commercial prospects.

BUT WHY THIS SILENCE...?

Airlines are often afraid of bad press in reports of unruly behaviour that makes it to the national headlines. The crew and pilots may also fear that there could be counter complaints from passengers, So, despite the fact that the DGCA had released the guidelines to deal with unruly passengers six years ago, only a handful of cases have been reported.

The DGCA framed the rules in 2017 after the then Shiv Sena MP, Ravindra Gaikwad, assaulted an Air India staff member. Under these rules, unruly

In fact, soon after the Peegate shame that rocked the nation, the Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had slapped another notice on Air India for two incidents onboard its December 6 flight AI-142 from Paris to Delhi wherein a passenger had smoked inside the lavatory and another peed over a woman’s blanket!

behaviour by a passenger onboard (a flight) is a punishable offence.

In fact, lodging an FIR in all cases of unruly behaviour by passengers onboard flights should be

CATEGORICALLY, SPEAKING!

The DGCA framed the rules in 2017 after the then Shiv Sena MP, Ravindra Gaikwad, assaulted an Air India staff member.

Under these rules, unruly behaviour by a passenger onboard (a flight) is a punishable offence

made compulsory under CAR, 2017.

The guidelines say that all airlines need to have a manual on how to deal with unruly passengers, clarifying the role of the

THE DGCA GUIDELINES CATEGORISE WHAT MAKES FOR “UNRULY BEHAVIOUR” IN 3 LEVELS

ground staff, crew members, airline airport manager, airline central operation control and so on. The guidelines say, unruly behaviour of passengers could be the result of “unsatisfactory service/ condition or effect of a series of such events that build up”. Crew members need to identify early signs and deal with such passengers rather than allow situations to escalate. What constitutes an offence needs to be clearly displayed to the passenger at prominent locations in the airport terminal building.

AIRLINES MUST

HAVE PROBE PANEL

The Supreme Court is the custodian of the social justice system in the country. It ensures that benefits of reservation reach the marginalised sections like minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. When it comes to its own house, the Supreme Court has been found wanting in giving a fair representation to diverse sections of society. And for that the collegium system of appointing judges to high courts and the apex court is to blame.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law has been informed by the Law Ministry that in the last five years (2018 to 2022) 79 percent of judges appointed to high courts were from upper castes, making it clear that there has been an “inequitable represen-

The Supreme Court is the custodian of the social justice system in the country. It ensures that benefits of reservation reach the marginalised sections like minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

tation of backward and minority communities”. Out of the 537 appointments made between 2018 and 2022, 424 were from the general category, 57 (11 percent) were from Other Backward Classes (OBCs), only 15 (2.8 percent) were from Scheduled Castes. The count of those from Scheduled Tribes was in single digit — 7 (1.3%).

These numbers leave the collegium open to the charge of dis-

This refers to disruptive behaviour by physical gestures, verbal harassment and unruly inebriation, in which case the airline can bar the passenger from flying for up to three months.

This includes cases of physically-abusive behaviour such as pushing, kicking, hitting, inappropriate touching and so on, in which case the concerned passenger can be put on the no-fly list for up to six months.

LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3

This applies for lifethreatening behaviour such as murderous attempts, damage to the aircraft’s operating systems and so on. In case of a Level 3 offence, the airline can bar a passenger from flying for a minimum period of two years or more without limit.

Every airline requires to have an internal panel for probing incidents of allegedly unruly behaviour by passengers. The panel must comprise a retired district and sessions judge, a representative of another airline and a representative from a passengers’ or a consumers’ association to decide which level the offence falls in.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

crimination against castes, especially OBCs who form 35 percent of India’s population and weaken its position in the ongoing tussle with the law ministry. If the collegium does not rectify this caste imbalance in judicial appointments it will lose credibility. Kiren Rijiju,

Sever the ignorant doubt in your heart with the sword of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline, arise. Bhagavad Gita

Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp Indian workforce is hardworking, honest and responsible. India can emerge as the global hub of skilled manpower. With NEP 2020 and a new skilling approach, we are envisioning a flexible model with multiple entry-exit and skilling pathways that focuses on building competencies.

TOP TWEETS

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.

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

Anurag Thakur @ianuragthakur Best wishes on World Hindi Day. On the global horizon, Hindi is not just a language, but an integral conductor that connects the whole of India with intimacy and emotion. Let us all be resolved for the mutual use and promotion of Hindi.

the Union Law Minister, reportedly stated last year that “the Government remains committed to social diversity in the appointment of judges in the Higher Judiciary’’. That, in a way, questions the collegium’s commitment and fairness towards diversity.

BJY ENTERS PUNJAB

Chandigarh/Ambala:

After completing the second phase in Haryana, the Bharat Jodo Yatra under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi entered Punjab from Ambala on Tuesday.

The yatra travelled 255 km, covering seven districts in eight days in Haryana.

Gandhi on Tuesday offered prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, a day ahead of the start of the Punjab leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

He landed at the Amritsar airport after concluding the Haryana leg of the march in Ambala district.

There will be a flag transfer ceremony at

Sirhind in Punjab, after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib on Wednesday morning.

Former Congress president Gandhi had said there were no parallels to Haryana, while addressing a

rally in Faridabad at the end of the first phase. Now, at the end of the second phase, he said in Ambala that “Haryana has shown what it is and what it can do.”

Addressing the media in Ambala, Leader

RAHUL OFFERS PRAYERS AT GOLDEN TEMPLE AHEAD OF BJY’S PUNJAB LEG

Amritsar (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi offered prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Tuesday, a day before the start of the Punjab leg of his party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra. The former Congress president arrived at the Amritsar airport in the afternoon after concluding the Haryana leg of the foot march. Sporting an orange turban, Gandhi paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. “By reaching Sri Harmandir Sahib, the faith in human values becomes even deeper. Sat Shri Akal!” he said in a tweet in Hindi. He was

IN THE COURTYARD

Chennai: DMK leader and former Union Minister A Raja on Tuesday appeared before a CBI court in the case related to allegedly amassing disproportionate assets while serving as minister. Raja, along with four of his associates appeared before judge D Sivakumar, who is the judge for dealing with cases related to MPs and MLAs. The court had issued a summons to Raja, who is currently a Lok Sabha MP, and his accomplices to appear in person before the court. The CBI has registered a case against Raja on August 18, 2015.

Sixteen others including his family members, relatives, and friends were also charge sheeted.

New Delhi: Delhi’s Saket court on Tuesday extended the judicial custody of Aaftab Poonawala, the accused in the Shraddha Walker murder case, for the next 14 days. Saying Poonawala has requested some law books to study, the court has also directed the authorities to provide him with warm clothes. On December 24, allowing the plea of Delhi Police seeking permission to obtain a voice sample of Poonawala, a Delhi court said even though a fair trial is a right of an accused but at the same time, a fair investigation is required in the larger public interest.

of

“Despite the severe cold and fog, a large number of farmers,

workers, youth, women, elderly, children, businessmen, and employees came out of their homes with enthusiasm to support the yatra and end inflation, unemployment and fear and hatred being spread in society.”

‘AZAD MUST DECIDE IF HE IS WITH MODI SARKAR OR SECULAR PARTIES: RAMESH

New Delhi (ANI): All India Congress Committee general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Monday asked rebel leader Ghulam Nabi Azad to decide ‘if he is with Modi Sarkar or secular parties’. Buoyed by the return of members to the party who had earlier Joined Azad’s Party, Jairam Ramesh said, “Members of Ghulam Nabi Azad’s party have returned to Congress, they had just left for a month’s holiday with Azad”. “Ghulam Nabi Azad must decide if he is with Modi Sarkar or

secular parties,” Ramesh added. Ghulam Nabi Azad after severing ties with the grand old party on August 26, 2022, launched his own political outfitDemocratic Azad Party in Jammu last year. “Everyone is welcome in the party. Those who believe in the ideology of Bharat Jodo Yatra, are welcome. We have not put restrictions on anyone. Azad Sahab has to take a decision. He had endorsed the certificate of secularism to the Congress,” Ramesh added.

Bengaluru (ANI): The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, on Tuesday, staged a protest against the proposed launch by BJP workers of a book titled ‘Siddu Nija Kanasugalu’ (The Real Dreams of Siddaramaiah), which is critical of former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah.

The KPCC staged the protest outside the Congress Bhavan here. “When there is no achievement to speak of, the opposition leaders use the weapon of cheap tricks which is nothing but an evil tactic used by BJP,” KPCC tweeted on its Twitter handle.

The book was scheduled to be launched yesterday by the BJP workers in Bengaluru’s Town Hall area. The event was reportedly cancelled after the KPCC members and Siddaramaiah supporters protested against the launch on the site.

“By launching the book defaming the former CM of Karnataka, BJP is merely doing silly politics. We demand the authorities to stop the launch of the book,” Congress demanded.

KPCC working president R Ramalinga Reddy, along with Siddaramaiah and Congress supporters were present in the protest.

TN Governor’s Pongal invite new flashpoint with Stalin government

Chennai (Agencies): In the Tamil Nadu versus Thamizhagam controversy fuelled by Governor RN Ravi’s recent remarks about “a more appropriate name” for the state, an invite from the Governor’s House, which uses “Thamizhagam” has incensed Tamil Nadu MLAs.

The invite for Pongal festival at the Governor’s House Raj Bhavan, which is in Tamil, also misses the state government’s emblem and features only the emblem of the government of India.

But the English version of the invite says “Tamil Nadu” Governor.

At an event last week, Governor Ravi had said: “Whatever applies to the entire country, Tamil Nadu says no. It has become a habit. Truth must prevail. Thamizhagam is a more appropriate word. The rest of the country suf-

Chennai (ANI): Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi here on Tuesday said that one should try to learn many languages and “since the largest number of people speak Hindi” in the country, learning it will be helpful. “We should learn as many languages as we can. In our country, many languages are there. Learning one more language is an advantage. If we learn more languages we can connect to more people,” he said while interacting with civil service aspirants. “Since in this country, the largest number of people speak Hindi, it will be helpful to learn one more Indian language,” the governor said when he was asked about the Hindi language.

fered a lot of devastation at the hands of foreigners for a long time.” Tamil Nadu means “the nation of Tamils” while Thamizhagam means the “abode of the Tamil people” and is the ancient name for the region.

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has said sexual harassment complaints deserve to be treated with seriousness and cannot be quashed if the internal complaints committee does not conclude the proceedings within 90 days.

Justice Vikas Mahajan said such complaints must be taken to their logical conclusion which is in the interest of the complainant as well as the accused. The court’s observations came on a petition by a chartered accountant challenging the initiation of proceedings against him on the basis of a complaint filed under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act.

UPHAAR CASE: COPS TO REPLY TO GOPAL ANSAL’S PLEA

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Tuesday sought the response of Delhi Police to a plea by real estate tycoon Gopal Ansal, convicted and sentenced for tampering with evidence in the case related to the 1997 Uphaar cinema fire which claimed 59 lives, seeking renewal of his passport for 10 years. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani issued notice to the police and the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT) on the application of 74-yearold Gopal Ansal and asked them to file their replies within four weeks. The high court listed the matter for further hearing on March 23.

New Delhi (ANI): BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Modi-led Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee for Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice on Monday discussed several issues including the Election Commission of India’s recent proposal of ‘remote voting for migrants’.

Senior officials of the Election Commission including Deputy Election Commissioners were present at the meeting. The EC said the matter of Remote Voting needs comprehensive analysis, apart from the technological issues. The Election Commission further underscored before the panel that the definition of a domestic migrant for the electoral purpose has to be deliberated on and addressed.

New Delhi (ANI): BJP national president JP Nadda on Tuesday held a meeting with party national general secretaries at the party headquarters in which issues relating to the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections were discussed.

“Deep contemplation and brainstorming regarding the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, discussion on booth empowerment, intense brainstorming on the Lok Sabha Pravas (migration of leaders on the Lok

Sabha seats), and review of the preparations for the National Executive meeting to be held in Delhi on 16-17 were

done,” sources said. They also discussed the impact the G20 meet would have on India.

In the meeting, discus-

K’taka elections, CM Bommai

New Delhi: Assembly elections in Karnataka are to be announced after two months i.e. in March and elections will be held for 224 assembly seats in the state in April.

That is, in total, the government has less than three months because the code of conduct comes into force with the announcement of elections. Despite this, new ministers

have to be made for these three months. It is being told that the party high command has given permission to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to expand the cabinet. It is also being told that the names to be included in the cabinet have also been agreed upon.

According to informed sources in the BJP, such politically strong faces are being included in the expansion, who are still angry

and can harm in the elections.

First up is the name of BY Vijayendra, son of former Chief Minister and BJP Parliamen-

tary Board member BS Yeddyurappa. Ever since Yeddyurappa had stepped down, it was being said that Vijayendra would become a minister. But he neither got a seat in the Legislative Council nor was made a minister. Even though he is not an MLA, there is no problem in making him a minister because now elections are to be held within six months and he is going to contest from his father’s Shikaripura seat.

sions were held on G20, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, all issues including migration of party leaders among others.

Indore (PTI): Underlining the contribution of non-resident Indians, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said remittances sent to the country by overseas Indians were about USD 100 billion for the year 2022, an increase of 12 per cent in one year.

Speaking at a session during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore city, she described NRIs as the “real ambassadors of India” and appealed to them to use made in India products and services as far as possible so that the country’s individual brand can be promoted across the globe.

She also said that after the “China plus one” policy, the world is now talking about the “European Union (EU) plus one” policy.

Pramanik surrenders in 2009 burglary case

Kolkata (Agencies):

the Calcutta High Court with a bail petition.

After hearing the matter, the High Court directed the Union Minister to be physically present at the Alipurduar District Third Court by January 12.

In November 2022, Alipurduar District Court issued an arrest warrant against Pramanik, BJP MP from Cooch Behar, in this connection. Thereafter, Pramanik approached

Obeying the court, Pramanik surrendered at the said district court. From the next hearing in the matter, as per the order, he will not have to be physically present at the court and instead be just represented by his counsel.

Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda said Panipat’s historic Bharat Jodo Rally and Bharat Jodo Yatra have enthused Congress workers.

Mahesh Sharma

Ahead of

cabinet to induct three new ministers!

Rahul Gandhi waves to the supporters while leading the party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, in Ambala on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

(L) Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi & CM MK Stalin. —FILE PHOTO

accompanied by Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa, local MP Gurjit Singh Aujla and other party leaders.

EX-UNION MINISTER A RAJA APPEARS BEFORE CBI COURT “COMPLAINTS ABOUT

SHRADDHA MURDER: JUDICIAL CUSTODY OF AAFTAB EXTENDED

Kolkata: Justice Rajasekhar Mantha of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday initiated contempt proceedings against lawyers who allegedly disrupted functioning of his court a day before. Protests were held by a section of lawyers outside Justice Mantha’s courtroom on Monday over certain orders passed by him. Initiating contempt proceedings against persons who caused disruption of functioning of his court, Justice Mantha directed that all relevant records be sent to Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava for adjudication of the matter.

CONTEMPT AGAINST HC LAWYERS WHO DEMONSTRATED BEFORE JUDGE’S COURT

“WILL BE HELPFUL”: TN GUV’S STATEMENT ON LEARNING HINDI

Union Minister of State for Home Nisith Pramanik on Tuesday surrendered at a court in West Bengal’s Alipurduar district in connection with his alleged involvement in a burglary case in two jewellery shops in Alipurduar in 2009.

Use Indian brands and services, Sitharaman tells diaspora at PBD

Parliamentarians seek more clarity on feasibility of remote voting

K’taka Congress protests against book critical of Siddaramaiah

BJP chief JP Nadda chairs a meeting of party’s General Secretaries, at BJP headquarters in New Delhi, on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with economists and experts across various sectors on Friday, January 13. This is the customary pre–Budget meeting that PM Modi holds with economists and experts to discuss measures needed to be taken up in the Budget. Budget 2023-24 is scheduled to be presented on February 1.

New Delhi (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to hold a roadshow to honour Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on 17 January. This incidentally will be the second day of the party’s national executive meeting at the NDMC convention centre in the national capital. The second day will begin with this roadshow.

New Delhi (Agencies): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 26th National Youth Festival at Hubballi, Karnataka on Wednesday on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda during the Amrit Kaal. This was announced by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur at a media briefing on Tuesday.

New Delhi (ANI): PM Narendra Modi will visit Telangana and inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of development projects worth more than Rs 7,000 crore on January 19. This will be the Prime Minister’s second visit to the southern state within a span of two months. Prime Minister will first flag off the 8th Vande Bharat Express from Secunderabad railway station.

PM MODI TO HOLD PRE-BUDGET MEETING

Basavaraj Bommai

Prez Murmu meets counterparts from Suriname, Guyana

Indore (ANI): On the sidelines of the 17th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, President Droupadi Murmu met the President of the Republic of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi at Indore on Tuesday.

President Murmu said that it is heartening to see his participation in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention as she happily noted that the Indian community in Suriname has maintained its cultural identity

even after 150 years of leaving India, an official statement read. Both leaders also discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations and advance cooperation in trade, energy, technology and culture.“President Droupadi Murmu met President @CSantokhi of Suriname in Indore on the sidelines of 17th PBD Convention. Both leaders discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations and advance cooperation in

JOSHIMATH CRISIS

Centre to set up micro-seismic observation systems: MoS Singh

New Delhi (PTI): The Centre on Tuesday announced that it will install micro seismic observation systems at Joshimath–the gradually sinking Himalayan town in Uttarakhand.

Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh made the announcement at the India-UK Workshop of Geosciences and said the observation systems will be in place by Wednesday. He said there was a critical need for fundamental research on the physical processes that lead to failure of the brittle layers beneath the crust and sub-crust.

37 NEW SEISMOLOGICAL CENTRES

Dr Singh said in the next five years, 100 more such seismological centres will be opened for improving real time data monitoring. Officials said seismic microzonation study for the area would generate risk resilient parameters for safer dwellings and infrastructure.They said Joshimath falls under highest seismic hazard Zone V as it experiences continuous seismogenic stresses.

First batch of Agniveers start training in H’bad

LOCALS IN TEARS AS THEY LEAVE HOMES

Uttarakhand: Joshimath locals broke down on Tuesday as they left their homes that have been marked ‘unsafe’ by the district administration in the wake of the landslide and subsidence.The district administration had asked people to vacate the areas affected by subsidence. As of now, 678 buildings marked have been marked ‘unsafe’.Many have vacated their homes and the evacuation process is still underway.

Bomb Scare: IAF lands MoscowGoa flight

KARNAPRAYAG: FRESH CRACKS ON HOUSES

Uttarakhand: Amid civilian fears in the wake of land subsidence in the Joshimath area, fresh cracks were seen on some houses in Bahuguna Nagar of Karnaprayag Municipality in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.Earlier, on Monday, Sitarganj MLA Saurabh Bahuguna said that other villages near Joshimath were facing a similar situation.“Efforts are underway for rehabilitation of affected people in Joshimath,” the Sitarganj MLA said.

Cooperation between India and Suriname is progressing well. Regular high-level visits are providing impetus to our growing relations.

—Droupadi Murmu, President

and Suriname is progressing well. Regular high-level visits are

providing impetus to our growing relations. She reiterated India’s commitment to extending technical cooperation and contributing to capacity building and skill development in Suriname. The President said that we must work together to expand our trade for mutual benefit, according to the official statement. Suriname is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in June 2023 and wished

the celebrations every success. Moreover, she expressed pride in knowing that despite the large geographical distance, Hindi is widely spoken in Suriname.

She also held wideranging talks with her counterpart from Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali in Indore. The two sides discussed various sectors including oil and gas, healthcare, training, and capacity building during their discussion.

50 detained for questioning in Rajouri terror attack

Jammu (Agencies):

Over 50 persons have been detained for questioning over the killings of seven persons in two terrorist acts in Dhangri village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri earlier this month.

On January 1, terrorists fired at houses in Rajouri’s Dhangri, killing five people. The next morning, within 14 hours of firing, an IED exploded near the house of one of the victims of the previous day’s attack. The IED explosion killed two children, taking the death toll to seven. Following the terrorists’ firing, a search operation was launched by the J&K Police, CRPF, and the Indian Army, which on Tuesday entered its ninth day.

REHEARSALS FOR REPUBLIC DAY

Rifles distributed to

Chennai: National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the October 23 Coimbatore car blast case in which a 29-year-old youth was charred to death, is likely to arrest more people involved in the conspiracy.

The police had arrested six people immediately after the car blast at Coimbatore in which 29-year-old Islamic terrorist, Jameesha Mubin died in the Diwali

eve blast. Those arrested are Mohammed Azharudheen (23), Afsar Khan (27), Mohammed Nawaz Ismail (24), Firoz Ismail (27), Mohammed Riyas (27), and Mohammed Talha (25). Of this Mohammed Talha is the nephew of S.A. Basha, founder leader of Al Umma and a convict in the 1998 Coimbatore blast case.The NIA then arrested two more persons on December 28.

BY ANI

Hyderabad: Six months after the govt announced the policy on the new defence recruitment scheme, the first batch of Agniveers started their training in Hyderabad. Senior Defence personnel said, “The training now is more focussed, based on automation, based on simulators. We giving a very focused training to the Agniveers in the 2-part, 31-week training.”

2,600 AGNIVEERS

JOIN TRAINING AT ARTILLERY CENTRE

Maharashtra: The first batch of 2,600 Agniveers has joined the Artillery Training Centre near here, a senior official said on Tuesday. Their training began from Jan 1, said Lt Colonel S K Panda, Arty Depot Regiment. “All necessary training infrastructure is available under one roof at the Artillery Training Centre,” he said.

Jamnagar: As soon as the agencies received inputs about a possible bomb scare on the Goabound Russian Azur Air aircraft, the IAF activated security protocols at the Jamnagar airport. “After taking the aircraft to an isolated location at the military airport which is mainly responsible for the safety of the industrial hub, the IAF officials instructed the ground staff and Garud Special Forces personnel to help in the safe evacuation of passengers on board,” defence officials said. The IAF had a very short time to make preparations as it had only 50 minutes.

Severe cold persists in most parts of north India

New Delhi (PTI): Large parts of north India reeled under numbing cold on Tuesday with the mercury remaining below the freezing point at most places in Jammu and Kashmir, while dense fog in the early hours of the morning hit road and rail traffic movement.

The mercury rose a few notches in Delhi, bringing its residents some respite from the cold. In Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar recorded a low of 1.8 degrees Celsius on Mon-

day night, up from 0.9 degrees the night before, officials said.

Qazigund, the gateway to the Valley, registered a minimum temperature of minus 0.8 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.6 degrees, they said. The mercury settled at 2.7 degrees Celsius in Kupwara and minus 3.2 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam. It remained below the 10-degree mark across weather stations in the Valley. According to

the meteorological office, moderate snowfall is very likely at many places in the higher reaches.

The plains in the Valley are expected to receive light to moderate snow. Light snowfall, with rains in the plains

FOG ENGULFS DELHI: TRAINS, FLIGHTS DELAYED DUE TO LOW VISIBILITY

New Delhi: Already reeling under a cold wave since the beginning of the new year, the national capital on Tuesday witnessed a cold wave and a thick layer of fog, with Safdarjung recording 7.8 Degrees minimum temperature at around 5:30 am. According to the Metrological

of Jammu, is likely at many places in Jammu and Kashmir, the weather office said. Kashmir is currently under the

ASSAM CM’S MOTHER MEETS WITH ACCIDENT

Guwahati: A vehicle carrying the mother of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met with a minor accident on National Highway 37 in Morigaon district on Tuesday, an official said. However, no injuries were reported in the accident.“Sarma’s mother Mrinalini Devi and brother Diganta Biswa Sarma were travelling from Guwahati to Diphu in Karbi Anglong dist.

COPS NAB ISISLINKED TERROR SUSPECT FROM

MP

Bhopal: A Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal arrested a man associated with a banned SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) organisation from Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district, the police said on Tuesday. The youth has been identified as Abdul Rakib Qureshi (around 40 years), a resident of the Khanshahwali locality in the Khandwa district.

BSF RECOVERS DRUGS NEAR INDIA-PAK BORDER IN PUNJAB’S TARN TARAN

grip of ‘Chillai Kalan’, the 40-day harshest winter period when the chances of snowfall are the maximum.

LORD VISHNU’S SCULPTURE STOLEN IN PATNA

Patna: A 1,200-yearold sculpture of Lord Vishnu, kept in the ASI’s sculpture shed at Datiana in Patna district has been stolen by thieves, an official said. The Patna circle of the ASI has brought the matter to the notice of its Headquarters in New Delhi and an FIR has also been lodged, the official said.“The incident took place on the intervening night of December 2526, 2022.”

6 OF FAMILY KILLED AS CAR OVERTURNS

Hyderabad: Six members of a family were killed as their car hit a culvert, overturned and fell into an under-construction canal at Munigadapa in Telangana’s Siddipet district this afternoon.The family was going from Vemulawada to Bibi Nagar after visiting a temple when the accident happened. The victims died of suffocation even though there was not much water in the canal.

trade, energy, technology and culture,” the Official Twitter ac-

count of Rashtrapati Bhavan, run by the President’s Secretariat

tweeted. She said that cooperation between India

President Droupadi Murmu met Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname on the sidelines of the 17th PBD Convention, in Indore on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Delhi Police personnel warm-up during the rehearsals for the upcoming Republic Day Parade 2023 on a cold winter morning, at Vijay Chowk, in New Delhi on Tuesday.

MERCURY DIPPING

A man rides his bicycle amid dense fog in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh. —FILE PHOTO

department, the visibility in Palam was recorded at 0 meters at 4.30 AM whereas now it records at 50 meters, whereas, the visibility at Safdarjung is now 200 Meters.As forecasted, dense to very dense fog was observed over parts of Punjab, Northwest Rajasthan.

—Image for representaional purpose.

COIMBATORE CAR BLAST CASE: NIA LIKELY TO MAKE MORE ARRESTS

the VDC members after the twin terror attack.

Chandigarh: Border Security Force (BSF) recovered narcotics substances suspected to be heroin near the India-Pakistan border in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. On the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, BSF troops on border patrol duty heard the sound of something thrown over the border fence towards the Indian side of the fencing in the area falling near Wan village in Tarn Taran district.

Yadav sees my ghost at night: Balaknath Baljeet Yadav demands MP Balaknath’s arrest

First India Bureau

Jaipur. Alwar MP Baba Balaknath retaliated on the statement of Independent MLA from Behror Baljit Yadav saying that personal comments do not suit anywhere in politics.

“Yadav sees my ghost at night. He wakes up at night and sees Babaji has come. He is a weak hearted man. I am afraid that sometime I may come in front of him and his heart will fail then I should not be blamed,” he said.

On the tussle with

DSP, he alleged that the DSP is a middleman and extorts money.

“He is a blot on Raj police. The record of such an officer should be examined,” he said. The BJP leader said

New offices to come up in Jaipur Discoms

Vikas Sharma

Jaipur: New offices will be opened in Jaipur Discom in view of increasing number of consumers.

A proposal has been sent for the creation of 739 new posts for these offices.

Five posts of Administrative Officer, 2 of Addl Administrative Officer, 14 of Asst Administrative Officer, 1 of Statistics Officer, 4 of Addl Private Secy, 8 of

Personal Asst/Stenographer, Senior Asst/ Commercial Asst are among other posts which will be created.

Posts of Financial Advisor, Chief Engineer, Addl Chief Engineer, Chief Accounts Officer etc will be created.

Vehicles and livestock are being stolen daily in Alwar city. So many untoward incidents are happening because the government has given protection to the criminals.

—Baba Balaknath, MP, Alwar

that court will decide who is guilty, adding that govt is working to save criminals. He demanded resignation of Cong MLA JL Meena whose son was arrested in a rape case in Dausa.

First India Bureau

Alwar: Two days after BJP MP Mahant Balaknath allegedly threatened a police officer over a firing incident in the Alwar hospital, Behror MLA Baljeet Yadav on Tuesday sought his arrest, claiming that he was pressuring police to protect his supporters.

Yadav, an independent MLA from Alwar’s Behror constituency, also said that the MP would be “slapped if he saw anyone with an evil eye”. “After coming to

Behror, the MP misbehaved with the police officers to save the miscreants involved in the gang. If the MP does the same thing again after coming to Behror, he will be slapped and

Balaknath was fearing that the police will make him an accused in the case and therefore he mounted pressure on them. I demand from the state government to arrest him.

his face will be turned red. We only live within the ambit of the law. I challenge you to play a gimmick again, take the law in your hands and we will teach you a lesson,” said Yadav.

RHB to focus on CM Jan Awas Yojana

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: On the instructions of Rajasthan Housing Board Commissioner Pawan Arora, Chief Engineer (I) KC Meena, on Tuesday, reviewed the ongoing works and projects under construction across the state by the RHB and gave necessary guidelines to the officers.

In this meeting organised at the Board headquarters, pointwise review of various schemes going on across Raj was held.

While instructing officers, the Chief Engineer instructed to complete all works in time. He said that quality work should be done keeping

priority for houses being prepared under the Mukhyamantri Jan Awas Yojana.

During this, Meena inquired about the

works under construction in Sector No. 28, 26, 3, 8 and Sector 17 of Jaipur’s Pratap Nagar. He also reviewed the development works of the coaching hub being built in Sector 16.

The Chief Engineer also reviewed the landscape and horticulture work of Pratap Avenue, Pratap Nagar & Mansarovar Chaupatis. He also reviewed various ongoing works in Kotputli, Niwai, Shahpura, Housing Board Jodhpur, Kota Chowpatty Bhiwadi and Sikar.

CS to attend NZC panel meeting in C’garh on Jan 12

Dr Rituraj Sharma

Jaipur: In the proposed meeting of Standing Committee of Northern Zonal Council in Chandigarh on January 12, steps can be taken to solve inter-state issues related to Rajasthan. In meet, discussions will be held on matters related to water, energy and finance departments. CS Usha Sharma will attend the meeting on behalf of the state.

In the meeting, discussions will be held mainly on inter-state issues of water. The main agenda is to give Rajasthan its share of water from dams of the nearby states.

CS Usha Sharma while chairing a meet on e-filing, reprimanded Director of School Edu, Gaurav Aggarwal who stressed that e-filing was impossible in education & started arguing with CS. Gaurav

CS DIRECTS TO PREPARE PRESENTATION

Jaipur: CS Usha Sharma instructed officers to prepare the presentation in stipulated time regarding proposed Chintan Shivir on January 16 and 17 at HCMRIPA. She said that presentations should be brief, clear and concise. In a reviewing meeting, She said that the presentation should be in maximum 10 slides in which the achievements of the department should also be in a balanced form. “Officers should ensure that the presentation ends within the stipulated time period,” she directed. The CS also discussed the arrangements to be made by various departments &agencies during the Chintan Shivir.

didn’t stop even after being stopped by Secy Hemant Gera and CS reprimanded Gaurav saying strongly, “This is insubordination.”

Baljeet Yadav, Behror MLA

Usha Sharma reviews preparations of the Chintan Shivir to be held in Jaipur at Secretariat on Tuesday. Also seen here are Hemant Gera, Bhawani Singh Detha and Gaurav Goyal.

On RHB Commissioner Pawan Arora’s instructions, KC Meena reviews ongoing works & projects across Raj at RHB HQs.

MYRIAD ISSUES TO BE DELIBERATED UPON DURING CONFERENCE: OM BIRLA

Dr CP Joshi apprises Om Birla, Harivansh about mega event

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, who is in Jaipur to chair the 83rd All India Presiding Officers’ Conference on January 11& 12, 2023, presided over the Standing Committee of AIPOC where detailed discussions were held regarding the agenda for the mega event.

It was decided in the meet that during the Conference, there will be a detailed discussion on India’s leadership of G-20 and the role of legislatures in the same.

Birla informed that discussions will also take

place during various Sessions on making Parliament & Legislatures more effective & accountable. Delegates will also brainstorm on how to strengthen mutual relations while avoiding interference in each other’s tasks &

efforts to bring all legislatures of country on a single digital platform.

During the two-day Conference, the progress made in the direction of the resolutions passed in the Conferences held earlier will also be reviewed.

Jaipur: Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Dr CP Joshi met LS Speaker Om Birla & the Dy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh and greeted them while offering them a ‘traditional scarf.’ Birla & Harivansh reached Jaipur on Tuesday to participate in the 83rd All India Presiding Officers Conference, which will be held in the Assembly from today. Dr. Joshi briefed them in detail about the event.

Vice- President Jagdeep Dhankhar will inaugurate the 83rd All India Presiding Officers’ Conference at 10:30 am in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly and LS Speaker Om Birla will preside over the conference. The welcome address in the conference will be given by Assembly Speaker Dr CP Joshi. Presiding

From P1...

Gehlot said, “Rural Olympics have been organised in the state, due to which the talent of the players has improved. On the other hand, OPS has also been implemented for the employees.” Gehlot thanked the people present in thousands for giving love and faith.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was on tour of Bauli in Sawai Madhopur on Tuesday during which he participated in the Nirvana Mahotsav event of Jai Shivanand Maharaj organised at Bhedoli. In his address Gehlot said, “East Rajasthan has never got such a powerful departments. Par-

sadi, Mamta, Murari, Jully, Vishvendra, Bhajanlal, Shakuntala, Subhash Garg, Zahida and Ramesh are ministers from East Rajasthan. Never would have anyone thought medical, PWD and Panchayati Raj departments would be given to those from Eastern Rajasthan.”

The Chief Minister then said in a jovial mood, “Jatav has become so big that we have to ask for a road from him.”

Actually Gehlot’s special focus is on Eastern Rajasthan which

is dominated by Gurjars and Meenas. In such a situation, Gehlot wants to win more seats from this region.

”I am beloved of all castes. I am the sole MLA from my caste.”

Meanwhile, Gehlot also attacked Union Minister GS Shekhawat regarding ERCP and said, “The Jal Shakti minister from Rajasthan is useless as he couldn’t implement a scheme from Centre. The Union Min is befooling public, but public won’t get befooled, rather will wipe you out. ERCP has become a

bell in Gajendra Shekhawat’s neck.”

“I am currently engaged in budget preparations. Chiranjeevi Yojana is treating people with insurance up to Rs 10 lakh. Public welfare schemes implemented in Raj are being discussed in entire nation. Raj has emerged as a model state in every field from electricity, water to education, health & social security.

I have given what I was asked for. Please stay strong, election year has come & people will come from Delhi now,” he said. Health Min PL Meena, Min BL Jatav, Bamanwas MLA Indira Meena, Gangapur MLA Ramkesh Meena welcomed CM Gehlot.

VADRA SKY LIGHT HOSPITALITY CASE

Jaipur (PTI): The Rajasthan PCC on Tuesday appointed 47 more block presidents.

Earlier, the party had released two lists of 100 and 88 block presidents.

Sharing the third list on Twitter, State Congress President GS Dotasra said, “47 Block Congress Committee presidents of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee have been appointed.” “Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the newly appointed officebearers. I have full faith that all of you will strengthen the organisation further by discharging this responsibility with full dedication and hard work,” he said.

Troubled times for Prithvi Raj as Rajasthan High Court rakes up Bikaner land issue

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Senior IAS officer Prithvi Raj is extremely worried these days. Ten days ago, the Rajasthan High Court pronounced a decision that has become a cause of consternation for him. In its decision, the High Court has refused to quash an FIR filed by Enforcement Directorate in a case related to money laundering. The HC has also ordered a stay on arrest of the in-

fluential people, including Robert Vadra, connected with the case till January 19. A firm by the name of Sky Light Hospitality had filed an appeal in the court.

The matter pertains to the purchase of 275 bigha land in Bikaner.

When this transaction took place in the year 2010-12 , Prithvi Raj was the Collector of Bikaner and according to BJP’s senior leader

Gulab Chand Kataria, there has been collusion of officials in this matter.

In the matter, the said firm purchased the land for Rs 42 lakh and sold it off for Rs 2.81 crore, whereas, the land belonged to the Army.

It has been alleged that with the collusion of junior and senior officials associated with land management, the said land was purchased and sold off. When the

matter came to light, a dozen FIRs were registered in Bikaner alleging that the deal was illegal. Later ED and CBI also jumped into the matter and took over the investigation.

In this connection, Prithvi Raj has been summoned by CBI and the officer has given his statements too. Due to the stay, the investigation has not progressed for the past four years, but now ten days ago, the High Court’s deci-

sion has stoked ‘fear’ in the official that the investigation may now knock at his door. Prithvi Raj is currently serving as the Secretary, Medical and Health.

Sometimes luck and chance play an important role in the career of politicians and bureaucrats and in this case, Prithvi Raj with an image of a hardworking, honest, and a result -oriented bureaucrat, has to face some worried moments.

9 judges to be appointed in Rajasthan HC soon

Of these, three are from advocate quota & 6 from the judicial officer quota

Jaipur: Nine new judges will soon be appointed in the Rajasthan High Court. Of these, three are from the advocate quota and six from the judicial officer quota. The Ministry of Law, Government of India, has given consent on the names and in such a situation, the appointment warrants of all these new nine judges will be issued soon. Additional Advocate General Ganesh Ram Meena and Advocate Anil Upman from Jaipur and Nupur Bhati from Jodhpur are among the names of judges from advocate quota. Advocate Nupur Bhati is the wife of sitting High Court Judge Pushpendra Singh Bhati.

It is worth mentioning that in November 2022, the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended the appointment of Anil Upman from Jaipur and Nupur Bhati from Jodhpur as High Court judges in the advocate quota as the name of Ganesh Ram

Meena had already been recommended from advocate quota. While the Collegium had approved the names of Rajendra Prakash Soni, Ashok Kumar Jain, Yogendra Kumar Purohit, Bhuvan Goyal, Praveer Bhatnagar and Ashutosh Kumar from the judicial officer quota.

Notably, as against the sanctioned strength of 50 posts in Rajasthan High Court, only 26 judges including Chief Justice are working and 24 posts of judges are lying vacant. In such a situation, after the appointment of 9 new judges, the total number of judges including the CJ in the Rajasthan High Court will be 35. Along with this, the Supreme Court Collegium has also recommended transfer of Madras High Court’s Acting Chief Justice T Raja to Rajasthan High Court. After the transfer of Justice T Raja, there will be 36 judges in the High Court.

CM may announce new dists on Jan 26 or in next budget

No new district has been created in Rajasthan in the last 14 years In 2008, the Vasundhara Raje government made Pratapgarh a dist

Yogesh Sharma

Jaipur: As the demand for creating new districts has picked up pace, it is expected that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot may announce the creation of new districts on January 26 or in the next budget. The demand for creation of three divisions and a dozen new districts is under consideration. Proposals have come to the Ram Lubhaya Committee for making districts in 60 places. The committee will soon submit its report to the government.

While Rajasthan is the largest state in the country in terms of area, the boundaries of districts like Barmer are more than many states and the population has also increased. Six places under serious consideration are Balotra, Beawar, Kotputli, Didwana and Neem Ka Thana.

Kotputli MLA & MoS Rajendra Yadav had even made up his mind to leave the post of minister, after meeting CM Gehlot. Congress MLA Madan Prajapat has taken a vow to remain

CRITERIA FOR CREATING A DISTRICT

z For the formation of a district, the distance from the present district HQs should be minimum 50 kms.

z Should have a population of about 10 lakh, including surrounding areas, tehsils, etc.

z Should involve at least 3 to 4 tehsil & sub-divisional HQs.

z Economic resources should be available to meet future administrative needs.

z Arrangements for buildings of district level offices, including Collectorate, SP Office, District Court, Government College and other offices should be there.

z Proper road, water, electricity, medical, education and rail transport in the area.

z There should be no objection from the Army or any agency or Ministry in border areas. There should be no border dispute with the neighbouring states and no dispute at the political level.

PLACES DEMANDED TO BE MADE DISTRICTS

Kotputli, Balotra, Phalodi, Didwana or Kuchaman, Beawar, Bhiwadi are the top ones in consideration. Others include Sambhar Lake, Shahpura, Dudu, Viratnagar, Neem ka Thana, Fatehpur, Shekhawati, Shrimadhopur, Khandela, Udaipurwati, Behror, Khairthal, Bhiwani, Neemrana, Gudamalani of Barmer, Pokaran, Beawar, Kakri, Madanganj Kishangarh, Phalodi, Didwana , Kuchaman City, Makrana, Merta City, Sujangarh, Ratangarh, Sujangarh, Jaswantgarh, Ladnun, Anupgarh, Suratgarh, Gharsana, Srivijaynagar, Nohar, Bhadra, Nokha, Ramganj Mandi, Chhabra, Bhawanimandi, Deeg, Bayana, Kaman, Nagar,

barefoot until Balotra is made a district.

From Sambhar to Jaipur, padyatras continued for demand of district. Neem Ka Thana MLA Suresh Modi took out a padyatra from his constituency to Jaipur. Leaders and people of Beawar also took out a padyatra and travelled to Jaipur.

Delegates have met CM with demand to make about 60 to 65 places as districts. Sikar, Barmer & Banswara can be given divisional status. At present Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Ajmer, Bikaner, Udaipur & Bharatpur have this status due to geographical and administrative factors.

Yogesh Sharma

Vice -President Jagdeep Dhankhar being welcomed by Governor Kalraj Mishra upon his arrival at Sanganer Airport in Jaipur on Tuesday. Also seen here is Sudesh Dhankhar.

Dr CP Joshi welcomes Jagdeep Dhankhar at Jaipur airport.

officers from across the country including RS Deputy Chairman Harivansh, CM Ashok

Gehlot, LoP Gulab Chand Kataria will be present during the conference.

JAIPUR WILL HOST 2-DAY LONG 83RD ALL INDIA PRESIDING OFFICERS’ CONFERENCE AT RAJ ASSEMBLY FROM TODAY

Dr CP Joshi welcomes Harivansh by presenting him with a traditional ‘dupatta’ upon the former’s arrival in Jaipur on Tuesday. Also seen here is Rajiv Dutta.

Dr CP Joshi calls upon Om Birla on Tuesday & informs him about the 83rd AIPOC to be held in Jaipur from today.

Kamal Kant & Om Prakash

CM to masses: Pls stay strong, election year is here & people from Delhi will come

Cong appoints 47 block chiefs in Rajasthan

CM Ashok Gehlot

JACQUELINE RELISHES HER MEAL

PRIYANKA RECALLS HER CARIBBEAN TRIP TRIP

Samantha’s ` 50,000 saree

Following the rave reviews of her first Pan-India film, Yashoda, Samantha Ruth Prabhu was on a celebratory high. Now, the stunner is back with another film titled, Shaakuntalam. The trailer of the film was unveiled yesterday and Sam looks ethereal in this whimsical tale of love that we can’t stop talking about. In fact, even at the trailer launch event, Sam wore a simple yet elegant look that proves ‘less is more’. For the Shaakuntalam event yesterday, Samantha wore an ivory silk organza saree with broad and romantic embroidered work on the border. The feather-light saree by Devnaagri came with detailed cutwork all around. The highlight of the organza piece was the scalloped border.

KIARA LOOKS RAVISHING AS A BRIDE

Mohey brand has launched the idea of reinforcing the new age bridal swag. The brand has appointed Shershaah actress, Kiara Advani as their brand ambassador for their campaign #DulhanWaliFeeeling.

As soon as the actress shared the video on Instagram, netizens poured their love in the comments section along with speculating about Kiara’s wedding. A user commented, “I thought for a second, u r married and happened like a secret Wedding type”, while another wrote, “Seeing a few seconds of the beginning of the video, how many people felt that this is really a video of Kiara and Sidhart’s wedding?”. Many fans also commented on her beauty and look. The advertisement is a true representation of what emotions a bride experiences on her special day and how her old possessions hold a special place in her heart.

www.firstindia.co.in I https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook. com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

ollywood diva Sonakshi Sinha is establishing trends in Finland by rocking a vibrant black puffer B

Jacqueline is back on social media slowly as she maintains a normal stance now through her posts. The actress dropped a video today where she’s relishing a meal with her hands. It

looks like some form of rice with an egg. Jacqueline looked gorgeous in white attire and asked fans to guess what she was eating. She wrote, “Guess the dish, Happy Sunday!!”

On the work front, Jacqueline was

last seen in Rohit Shetty’s ‘Cirkus’ which was released in December 2022. The film failed at the box-office. She will be seen next in ‘Crakk’ alongside Vidyut Jammwal and Arjun Rampal.

“The ultimate Sri Lankan meal in a banana leaf bundle, Lamprais happy eating!”

Sonakshi Sinha

Kiara Advani

Priyanka Chopra

Still from an advertisement

Priyanka with Sophie Turner and Danielle Jonas

Her post...

Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Jacqueline Fernandez

HONOURING THE LIFE SAVERS!

City First brings to you some more glimpses of the Health First Conclave Award ceremony organised by First India Channel at Hotel Clarks Amer on January 6 to honour the hospitals and doctors, who worked for the betterment of the people in the Corona times. Jagdeesh Chandra along with Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena, CM Advisor Dr Rajkumar Sharma, Minister Tikaram Jully, Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Vice Chancellor of RUHS Dr Sudhir Bhandari, JMC Heritage Mayor Munesh Gurjar, FI Channel Editor Jinendra Singh and several doctors attended the event.

FESTIVAL OF GREAT MINDS

CITY FIRST

The 16th edition of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival is all set to take place from January 19 to 23, at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur. The festival will feature some of the greatest literary minds this season, including Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah; International Booker Prize recipient Geetanjali Shree; author and translator Daisy Rockwell; popular author Deepti Kapoor and classical musicians Padma Vibhushan Hariprasad Chaurasia to name a few.

The literary extravaganza will see a spectacular range of language diversity in the programme, displaying 21 Indian and 14

SIGNIFICANCE OF KHADI!

CITY FIRST

Khadi will be presented in beautiful designer surroundings, the occasion will be the grand event of the 83rd All India Presiding Officers Conference 2023.

In this conference, which is going to be held in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from January 11-13, the exclusive Khadi collection of Himmat Singh, a consultant of the Khadi Village Industry and well-known fashion designer, will be displayed. Many dignitaries including Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and CM

Ashok Gehlot will participate in the program.

In this regard, Himmat Singh said that it is a matter of great pride for the Khadigram industry to showcase the Rajasthani version of Khadi among the political dignitaries coming from all over the country.

This exhibition of Khadi, which is going to be held in the Legislative Assembly, will be the centre of the main attraction for all.

Where Sherwanis, Kurta Pajamas, Hunting Blazers, Cigar Coats, Bandhgalas, Italian Suits and Sarees are specially designed keeping in mind the political wear.

cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

international languages. The speaker list includes a large number of Rajasthanbased speakers namely CP Deval, Nand Bhardwaj, Rima Hooja, Malchand Tiwari, Sandeep Purohit, Tripti Pandey, Devraj Singh, AmbikaDutt, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Anshu Harsh, Era Tak, Anukriti Upadhyay, MLA Diya Kumari, and CP Joshi amongst others.

At a press conference, hosted at the Clarks Hotel, Amer addressing the media, Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts the producer of the annual JLF said, “JLF spreads and proliferates discerning debate and knowledge, presenting different perspectives on complex issues of our times. In 2023, the Festival will focus on themes such as the climate crisis, geopolitics, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Indo-China relations, agriculture and energy. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

CELEBRATING THE VISION OF THE FILMMAKERS

CITY FIRST

Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) turned out to be a big success with the participation of 5000 delegates and 800 filmmakers from across the globe. Several films across regional, national, and international genres were screened through five days of one of the most unique festivals. Organised at INOX, GT Central, Jaipur, the film festival also screened a total of 282 films from 63 countries, with 61 full-length films including 12 fulllength films of Indian Panorama.

The second last day of the festival introduced the visitors to a unique theme named ‘MENTAL YOGA from

GRAND INAUGURATION

SHUBHAM DUBEY

The first Special Operation Group (SOG) office of Uttar Pradesh was inaugurated in the Police Line of Agra Commissionerate recently. While inaugurating the office, Commissioner of Police, Agra, Dr Pritinder Singh said that the personal office of the Special Operation Group (SOG) in Uttar Pradesh will have been

opened in the Commissionerate, the place offers a mess for police-

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

men, separate arrangements for interrogation of the accused and fa-

cilities for fellow policemen to stay. In the Sakega program, SOG in-charge Inspector Kuldeep Singh’s new initiative as an environment lover was seen in which saplings were presented to the officers and guests. Sharma, ACP Hariparvat Mayank Tiwari, ACP Lohamandi Girish Kumar and SOG in-charge Inspector Kuldeep Dixit along with his team were present.

cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

FILMS.’ To promote peace and positivity, four films based on the theme were screened at the festival.

Another exciting feature of the festival was ‘The Jaipur Film Market,’ (JFM) host to insightful sessions with highly accomplished actors, filmmakers, and scriptwriters. JFM invited guests such as Sonali Bendre, Babil Khan, Kamlesh Pandey, Pankaj Parashar, Vinay

DURING

After receiving such a great response, JIFF Founder Director Hanu Roj said, “Next year the festival will be held between the 5th to 9th of January, and we aim to make it even bigger and better in its 16th edition. I am thankful to all those who came from across the globe to be a part of the Jaipur International Film Festival.” cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

THE DAY!

Waikul and Ravindra Upadhyay among many others.

The students of St Xavier’s School, 1997 batch celebrated their silver jubilee year recently. A year-long celebration held an event every month and culminated in a prom in the school yard. Passed out in 1997, and after 25 years in 2022, 120 friends from India and abroad came to the school premises with their families on that day in uniform and the school bell rang. The school assembly took place, a small skit was played, the assembly ended with the school song, then a tour of the whole school and classrooms and the school was decorated with flowers and balloons. All the 120 batchmates present were felicitated by the school and the alumni.

The t-shirt and trophy launch ceremony of Doctors Premier League Season 15 (DPL) was organised at Defined World City in Jaipur. This year the season kick starts on January 15 with 16 teams and 300 players at Jaipuria Cricket Academy, Malviya Nagar. Dr Shivraj Singh Rathod Founder, Dr Rimmi Shekhawat Co-Founder, Dr Kishan Singh, Dr NC Poonia, Dr Sandeep Tandon, Dr Bingolia etc were present on the occasion. Sandeep Yadav, Managing Director of Defined Group informed the way our Health Warriors are promoting fitness and health by taking interest in sports, we will contribution to their welfare.

Tuffman is India’s premier endurance sports platform that encourages people towards sports and fitness and brings running, cycling and swimming events from time to time, for the first time at Tuffman India Jaipur on New Year’s Eve January 8.

The event took place in which more than 1500 runners from all over Jaipur participated, Sanjay Mangla, founder of Tuffman India shared that through this event people should be encouraged to make daily running a part of their healthy lifestyle. Tuffman Run was supported by Indian Oil and the run was flagged off by Alok Panda, Executive Director of Indian Oil and Rajasthan State Head. The run started from the Union Football Ground near Albert Hall and reached JLN Marg, organiser Sanjay informed.

CA Gyan Chand Pipara, Ahmedabad spoke on the topic Current Scenario of Members in Practice. In his statement, he told about the various dimensions and challenges for the new chartered accountants and not for the chartered accountants who are members in practice in the present context. CA Bharat Sankhia, Jaipur spoke on the topic The Audit Documentation on the occasion of the ‘one-day Orientation Programme’ for chartered Accountants newly enrolled with COP organised by a Committee for members in practice (CMP), ICAI on Sunday at Hotel Marriott. In his speech, he shared how the new chartered accountants can keep their documents in a proper way.

(L-R) Rambagh Palace GM, Ashok S. Rathore, Sanjoy Roy and MD, Clarks Group of Hotels, Apurv Kumar

Jagdeesh Chandra visited the offices of Bharat, 24 Vision of New India at Noida on Tuesday. It was also a moment of celebration for the entire team due to a landmark achievement on social media. Jagdeesh Chandra congratulated the entire team and awarded Shazia Nisar and Poornima Mishra for the popular debate show- ‘Public Hai Sab Janti Hai’ which is telecast daily at 5 pm as it crossed 1.09 million views on social media (Youtube/Facebook ) in the previous week, the period in which it was anchored by both the Anchors on different days.

Jagdeesh Chandra with the Bharat24 team (L-R) Ayushi, Palak, Sakshi, Shikha, Pooja, Mimansa, Syed Umar, Poornima, Manoj Jagyasi,Jinendra Shekhawat, Arif, Amit Ojha, Anu, Aditi Nagar, Amit Baliyan, Sanjay Pandey and Sachin.

Jagdeesh Chandra awards Shazia Nisar, seen here with Jinendra Singh Shekhawat, Aditi Nagar, Nisha Sinha, Anu Shridhar, Syed Umar, Mimansa Malik and Shashikesh Ranjan

Jagdeesh Chandra awards Poornima Mishra, also seen are Amit Ojha, Syed Umar, Anu Sridhar and Aditi Nagar.

Rambagh Palace GM, Ashok S Rathore addressing the audience Sanjoy Roy addressing the audience

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADAOO AND SUNIL SHARMA

Hanu Roj and Kamlesh Pandey

Alka Kapoor Filmmakers and delegates