First India-Jaipur Edition-14th February 2023

RAJENG/2019/77764

PREMI ‘HER’ DAY!

INDIA’S ‘EYES IN THE SKIES’

Issue No. 249

 The inaugural Women’s Premier League will be held from March 4 to 26 in Mumbai

 409 players up for grabs and out of which 246 are Indian players

 A total of 24 players, including 10 Indian players were listed for the WPL at the maximum base price of `50 lakh

 Total 87 players sold for over `59.5 crore. RCB made some smart buys in the final WPL part  5 franchises in WPL 2023 — Mumbai Indians (MI), Delhi Capitals (DC), Gujarat Giants (GG), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and UP Warriorz (UPW) — picked their best for WPL

2023: ASIA’S LARGEST SHOW TAKES OFF SC backs J&K delimitation move, decks for poll cleared

First India Bureau

‘The runway to a billion opportunities’

Moni Sharma

India of ‘Amritkal’ is moving forward like a fighter pilot, who is not afraid of touching heights. Who is excited to fly high? Today’s India thinks fast, thinks far and takes quick decisions.

—Narendra Modi, PM

Bengaluru: Underlining the potential of India’s defence sector Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the country which was the biggest defence importer for decades now exports defence equipment to 75 countries.

“New India of the 21st century will now neither lose any opportunity nor lag behind in hard work. We’re ready. On the path to reforms, we’re bringing a revolution in every sector. The country which was the biggest defence importer for decades now exports defence equipment to 75 countries,” said PM at 14th edition of Aero India 2023 event.

“Today, India is not just a market for defence companies in the world,” said Modi.

#AtmanirbharDefence

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday upheld central government’s power to hold Jammu and Kashmir delimitation by dismissing a plea challenging the Centre’s decision to constitute the delimitation commission for redrawing the legislative assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies in the Union Territory. The court has also observed that issue of validity of the exercise of power relating to Article 370 is subject matter of petitions pending before the apex court. A bench of Justices S K Kaul and AS Oka delivered the verdict on a plea filed by two Kashmir residents.

Nothing in this judgement shall be construed as giving an imprimatur to the exercise of power under clauses one and three of Article 370 of the Constitution.

—Justice AS Oka, Supreme Court Judge

‘TOP’ COURT NEWS OF THE DAY

 The Supreme Court on Monday told the Centre to make sure that “most of what is expected is done” on issues concerning appointment and transfer of judges as recommended by the apex court collegium.

A bench headed by Justice SK Kaul observed that it is “concerned with some issues” regarding judges’ appointment.

 The Supreme Court on Monday postponed the Municipal Corporation of

Delhi (MCD) mayoral elections, which were previously scheduled for February 16. The decision was made in response to a petition filed by AAP, calling for the prohibition of nominated members from voting in the polls.

 CJI DY Chandrachud on Monday administered oath of office to 2 new judges of the Supreme Court, Justices Rajesh Bindal and Aravind Kumar, taking number of judges in the SC to its full sanctioned strength of 34.

ADANI-HINDENBURG ROW Rajya Sabha, LS adjourned; to meet again on March 13

Form panel on investors’ safety: SC; Centre agrees

First India Bureau

PM’S SHOUT-OUT TO MADE-IN-INDIA TEJAS

PM Modi symbolizes height of integrity and commitment for India. The speed could be seen in decision making and delivery of results.

“Tejas fighter planes, indigenously developed INS Vikrant as well as the Helicopter factory in Tumakuru are examples of Make In India’s strength,” PM Modi said during the exhibition of five-day show in Bengaluru.

Dinesh MN to steer crime branch now

75 IPS officers shifted in Raj

Jaipur (FIB): The State government on Monday transferred 75 IPS officers. After a record performance in ACB, ADG Dinesh MN got another powerful posting as ADG Crime, Ajay Pal Lamba has been shifted as Udaipur IG range.

Among those shifted are 2 DGs, 8 ADGs, 15 IGs, 12 DIGs, 19 district SPs, and 5 ASPs. Sumit Mehrada, on APO, got posting as ADC to Guv. More on P8

In World, India is emerging as a shining star and it is also taking many countries along.

—Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister

2 F-35s DEBUT AT THE AERO INDIA 2023 SHOW GEN PANDE FLIES IN LIGHT COMBAT COPTER

US Air Force’s (USAF) newest 5th-gen fighters — the stealthy, supersonic, multirole F-35A Lightning II and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter — made their debut at Aero India 2023, with a swift flypast before landing.

ACB nabs civic body head, 1 more with `1.25L bribe

Navin Sharma

Jaipur: The ACB on Monday arrested Sambhar municipality chairman Balkrishan Jangid, who was demanding bribe in lieu of issuing land patta, while taking a bribe of ` 1.25

lakh. ADG ACB Dinesh MN said that the complainant reached ACB HQ on Thursday and later filed a complaint against Jangid. ACB got the complaint verified and laid a trap on Monday. Complainant reached Jangid with 1st

Balkrishan Jangid Shailendra, the broker

installment of ` 1.25L but Jangid refused to accept and said that he should give amount to broker Shailendra and money was given to broker at a marriage garden. After the trap, ACB conducted searches at their places.

COAS General Manoj Pande’s sortie in Light Combat Helicopter during the Aero India 2023. He discussed how Indian forces would be ready to fight future wars with Made-in-India weapon systems in next 8-10 years.

 The five-day event will showcase India’s growth in aerospace and defence capabilities

 Nearly 809 companies from across 98 countries are taking part in the Aero India 2023

 The Made-in-India Tejas aircraft and the INS Vikrant as examples of the India’s defence potential

Over 251 MoU worth `75,000 crore likely to be signed between the Indian and foreign defence firms

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The budget session of Parliament resumed at 11 am on Monday, and the opposition again tried to corner govt over the AdaniHindenburg issue. Today was also final day of the 1st part of session, which began on Jan 31; second and final part will begin on March 13, and is scheduled to conclude on April 6. P6

New Delhi: The Centre on Monday agreed to the Supreme Court’s proposal to set up a panel of experts to look into strengthening the regulatory mechanisms for the stock market in the wake of the recent Adani group shares crash triggered by Hindenburg Research’s fraud allegations.

Saying it has no objection to constituting the panel, the Centre, at the same time, stressed that market regulator SEBI and other statutory bodies are “fully equipped”, not only regime wise, but otherwise also to deal with the situation.

GEHLOT DESCRIBES RAJASTHAN BUDGET AS A ‘MODEL’ BUDGET

 Modi said on Sunday that Cong neither has a vision nor does its words carry any weight

 CM Gehlot said on Monday that he had rectified his mistake in just 34 seconds

Naresh Sharma Jaipur: While presenting State budget 2023-34, CM Ashok Gehlot read some excerpts from last year’s budget. Taking a jibe at this in Dausa, PM Modi had said that Cong neither has a vision nor does its words carry any weight. After this, CM Gehlot, on Monday, described the

budget of Rajasthan as a ‘model’ budget.

“Other States should prepare such a budget,” he said. Be aware that this statement of Gehlot has come after PM Modi’s counterattack. CM said that he had rectified his mistake in just 34 seconds. Gehlot claimed that mood of the people of Rajasthan is to repeat Cong govt.

I can send a copy of the budget to PM Modi and he can send the budget of Rajasthan to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. After seeing Rajasthan’s budget, he would realise that our budget is a model budget.

Chief Minister

—Ashok Gehlot,

INDIA RECOUPS 5TH IN WORLD STOCKS AS ADANI

CLAWS BACK

India has reclaimed fifth place among the world’s top equity markets by value after being briefly usurped by France during a selloff of Adani Group shares. India’s market capitalization stood at $3.15 trillion on Friday, inching back above France with the UK retaining seventh place, according to data that shows the combined value of companies with a primary listing in each country.

OTHER TOP STORIES

Death toll from quake in Turkey and Syria rose above 35,000 on Monday, as rescue teams started to wind down search for survivors, thousands of people are homeless.

14 years after the Sri Lankan govt declared LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran dead, veteran former politician in TN Pazha Nedumaran on Monday claimed that he is alive and healthy.

Stepping up his attack on PM Modi over allegations against Adani Group, Rahul on Monday asked why PM Modi did not answer the questions he had asked in Parl. P6

PM Narendra Modi revealed Aero India Stamp in Bengaluru. Rajnath Singh, Thaawarchand Gehlot, Basavaraj Bommai and Jyotiraditya Scindia are also seen.

LS Speaker Om Birla, RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar during House proceedings of the Parl on Monday.

CM Ashok Gehlot addressed media in presence of Akhil Arora and Kuldeep Ranka at the PCC headquarters on February 10.

MoU signed on salary package between Raj Police and SBI

Personal accident insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh for death due to accident included

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: In the presence of Director General of Police Umesh Mishra, an MoU for a police salary package was executed between Rajasthan Police & the State Bank of India on Monday.

Under the MoU, life insurance cover of Rs. 5 lacks for the police personnel in case of normal death, and personal accident insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh in case of death due to accident etc., insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh in case of permanent total disability and permanent partial disability, in case of an accident, an insurance cover of up to Rs 10 lakh will be available. He informed that under

Barmer man kills self, accuses Sahara India Company

Hemant Kumar

Mukesh Mathrani

Barmer: A 35-year-old man had committed suicide by jumping into a water tank late on Sunday night. His body was recovered on Monday.

An incident has been reported from the Baytu police station area in Barmer. The deceased also had left a suicide note in which he blamed ‘Sahara India’s Company’ for the extreme step.

The deceased, identified as Hemant Kumar, was working in Sahara India as an agent.

On getting informed police reached the spot and recovered the body. A case has also been lodged and police booked the man under which Hemant Kumar was working.

In the suicide note, Kumar mentioned that he had been working as Sahara India’s agent for the past five years and had deposited lakhs of rupees but now the company is not returning it back.

Constable hangs self in Dausa, says police

BROTHER SISTER DUO DIES BY DROWNING IN BARMER’S VILLAGE

SBI TO OFFER RUPAY PLATINUM CARD TO ALL POLICEMEN

the MoU, SBI will provide RuPay Platinum Card to all policemen. Under this, an additional personal accident insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh will be available in case of death due to ac-

cident, etc. and an additional insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh will be available in case of permanent total disability.

Insurance cover of up to Rs.5 lakh for the graduation of the girl child

of the deceased policeman and insurance cover of up to Rs.2 lakh for the marriage of the girl child will also be available in case of death of the account holder policemen in an accident.

SBI will provide RuPay Platinum Card to all policemen. Under this, an additional personal accident insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh will be available in case of death due to accident etc. and an additional insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh will be available in case of permanent total disability. Insurance cover of up to Rs.5 lakh for graduation education of the girl child of the deceased policeman and insurance cover of up to Rs.2 lakh for marriage of the girl child will also be available in case of death of account holder policemen in an accident.

Dausa (PTI): A police constable allegedly killed himself by hanging in Dausa district, police said on Monday. Pappi (50), a resident of Bharatpur’s Nadbai, was found hanging in his government quarters on Monday morning, Sadar SHO Sanjay Poonia said. A preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased took the step under depression, the SHO said. Postmortem will be conducted after his family members arrive to rule out any other reason, he said.

Gram Panchayat staff held for taking `3k bribe

First India Bureau

Jhalawar: Anti-Corruption Bureau Jhalawar unit arrested Rajendra Kumar Nagar, Junior Assistant Gram Panchayat, Khanpur in Jhalawar while taking a bribe of Rs 3,000 from the complainant on Monday.

Hemant Priyadarshi, Additional Director General, Anti-Corruption Bureau (Addl. Charge Director Gen-

Son kills father under influence of alcohol

First India Bureau

Todaraisingh: The police have solved the case of the half-burnt dead body of a farmer found in the field in Ganoli village. As per the investigation, the son Banwari turned out to be the culprit and in a state of intoxication, set his father ablaze, which resulted in his death. The investigation revealed that both father and son were alcoholic. Father wanted to sell the land to meet his alcohol expenses which resulted in fight and the furious son killed him. The police have arrested the accused Banwari.

eral) said that ACB Jhalawar unit received a complaint that Nagar demanded Rs 5,000 in lieu of depositing the

third installment amount in the account of the complainant’s mother sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

After being harassed by Nagar, the complainant went to the ACB and after verifying the matter, Nagar was arrested. An inquiry is on and a case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act by the ACB.

BLOCK RESOURCE PERSON HELD FOR TAKING `50K BRIBE IN BANSWARA

Banswara: ACB Banswara unit arrested Suresh Chand Jatia Block Resource Person, Social Audit, Accountability, and Transparency Society, Jaipur while taking a bribe of Rs 50,000 from the complainant on Monday. Hemant Priyadarshi, Additional Director General, ACB said that Jatia demanded Rs 1 lakh from the complainant for preparing an audit report of works done under MNREGA and removing all deficiencies. ACB’s Udaipur Deputy Inspector General of Police Rajendra Prasad Goyal under the supervision of Add’l SP Madho Singh of Banswara ACB unit arrested Jatia.

IN THE COURTYARD

Galta case: Court adjourns hearing till March 2, seeks Peeth’s reply

First India Bureau Jaipur: A hearing was held in the permanent Lok Adalat of the district on Monday in the case related to filth and disorder in the Galta pilgrimage site. The court adjourned the hearing till March 2 and directed the other applicant, Galta Peeth, to file a reply in the case.

Mahesh Sharma appeared in the court in the Livestock Branch of the Municipal Corporation.

Corporation’s advocate

Pushpendra Sharma told the court that corporation has been working on the problems raised in the application. Other evidence, including photographs, will be presented before the court

Man robs bank of Rs 5.23 lakh at gunpoint

Barmer: A four-year-old boy and his six-year-old sister died by drowning in Barmer. The incident was reported from Nagana police station area, police said. On getting informed police reached the spot and recovered the bodies. According to the police, at the time of the incident, both were playing outside the home. In the meantime, the boy fell into the water tank outside the house. In order to save her brother, the sister also jumped into the tank but due to the heavy water in the tank, both died by drowning. After both were missing, police said they started searching for them and later spotted their bodies floating in the water tank. Narpat Dan, station house officer said that deceased bodies have been put in the mortuary and were identified as Bhau (4) and Manisha (6) both kids of Deraj Ram, a resident of Khakhroda Chaurla village.

NEWS DIGEST

MAN KILLS 45-YEAR-OLD IN DAYLIGHT OVER MONEY

ISSUES, HELD

Jaipur/Chomu: A dispute over money dealing between two, resulted in the death of a 45-year-old. Dashrath Singh Shekhawat was murdered in broad daylight in the Renewal area. The victim was severely injured due to a head injury and was taken to the hospital, where he died during the treatment. The accused Ramchandra attacked him with an iron rod. The deceased Dashrath had a dispute with Ramchandra alias Kalu Ram regarding the transaction of money. The accused was detained in the evening.

ALWAR MAN DIES BY JUMPING IN FRONT OF TRAIN

SIKAR: LAKHS OF PILGRIMS GATHER AT KHATU SHYAMJI

HC ADJOURNS HEARING OVER RESIGNATION CASE OF CONG MLAS

Jaipur: A division bench of acting Chief Justice MM Srivastava and Justice Anil Upman in the Rajasthan High Court on Monday adjourned the hearing in the case related to the resignation of Congress party MLAs for two weeks due to paucity of time. The PIL filed by BJP leader Rajendra Rathore was listed today, but the number did not come till the time of the court was over.

FOUR ACCUSED INCLUDING DSP

AANCHALIYA SENT TO JAIL

Jaipur: The four accused including DPS Jitendra Aanchaliya were produced in the court, from where all have been sent to jail. Aanchaliya and the other four were arrested in a bribery case in Udaipur city. Aanchaliya was presented in the court on Monday afternoon with a heavy police force amidst the commotion.

in the upcoming hearing. Advocate Manoj Sharma, a resident of village Kuhada-Viratnagar, had filed a complaint

in the court about clutter including filth, garbage, stray animals, & disorderly parking in Galta Tirth Kshetra.

ABUSE OF POWER IN RAJASTHAN UNIVERSITY?

Ajmer (PTI): A masked man on Monday robbed Rs 5.23 lakh at gunpoint from a bank in Kishangarh town of Ajmer district, police said. The incident happened at Adarsh Cooperative Bank in the afternoon, when a man barged into the bank and forced the cashier to give him the cash he had on him at gunpoint. “The bank officials have lodged a complaint that Rs 5.23 lakh cash was looted by a masked man at gunpoint. There is no camera installed outside the bank. There are some videos captured from the camera installed inside the bank,” official said.

Protest over appointment of new Economics HOD

Bharat Dixit

Jaipur: An order issued by the Vice-Chancellor of Rajasthan University Rajeev Jain has become a topic of hot discussion. Jain has issued the order to appoint Sociology Professor SL Sharma as the Head of the Economics department.

As soon as the order was issued, many professors of the university came out in protest.

The objection is that

According to the rules, the professor of the department of Economics becomes the HoD. HoD is made on the basis of seniority

when there are many capable professors in the department of Economics then why Professor SL Sharma, who comes from the Department of Sociology, was made HoD of the Economics department? At present, SL Shar-

ma is the Principal of Rajasthan College, Dean of the Sociology department, & a member of over 50 committees. Even after so many responsibilities, giving another responsibility by the Vice Chancellor of Ra-

jasthan University is being questioned. This is not the first such issue in Rajasthan University when the Vice Chancellor issued an order while bypassing the rules for his desired and favorite professor.

Earlier, Professor Rameshwar Jat was the HoD of the Economics Department but due to the arbitrariness of the Vice-Chancellor, Sharma was appointed as the HoD.

Jaipur (PTI) A 25-yearold youth allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of a train near Dhankya railway station on Monday.

Amarjeet Singh Koli, a resident of Alwar, was preparing for a competitive examination in Jaipur, police official said. After the postmortem, the body was handed over to the relatives, the official added.

Sikar: After Khatu Shyamji temple opened on Sunday, a large number of devotees gathered here to offer prayers. The temple was shut for 85 days and opened on February 6. Around 2.5 lakh devotees gathered. Saffron flags were also seen. The District Collector reached Sikar to take stock of the arrangements. The Lakkhi fair will be held on Feb 22.

THIEVES STEAL AMOUNT FROM DONATION BOX OF TEMPLE AT SECRETARIAT PREMISES

Jaipur: In a major breach in the security of the Government Secretariat, the thieves took away the donation box of the Chamatkareshwar temple situated on the secretariat premises on late Sunday night. The Secretariat Police is investigation the case and checking all CCTV cameras. The thieves defied the security system and broke the donation box and looted the amount inside it. The people are stunned that how the thieves were able to steal from the temple located in the high-security area of the Secretariat and none came to know.

The MoU was signed by IG Ashok Gupta and Deputy General Manager Kavita Garg on behalf of SBI. Director General of Police Umesh Mishra, ADG Govind Gupta and other officers and SBI’s AGM Dinesh Verma, RP Gupta, and Chief Manager Suresh Meena were also present in the programme.

Villagers gather after a four-year-old boy and his six-yearold sister died by drowning in a water tank.

Rajendra Kumar Nagar, Junior Assistant, Gram Panchayat

RATHORE CORNERS CONGRESS OVER ADANI

74,000 bighas of land is pending with the Revenue Minister: Rathore

Yogesh Sharma, Naresh Sharma, and Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: The debate on the Budget started in the Assembly from Monday.

Deputy LoP Rajendra

Rathore said that Congress people were protesting on Sunday regarding Hindenburg.

“Adani is the one who was given a single tender for coal. The costliest coal was purchased by flouting the Procurement Act. Because of Adani’s coal, every electricity consumer has to pay a surcharge of 7 paise per unit. You also have compulsions as funds have to be sent to AICC funds because of that this is happening,” he said.

Rathore said Adani was given 9000 bigha in Fatehpur in 2019, 25,000 bigha in 2020, 400 bigha in Jaisalmer in 2022.

75,000 bigha of land is lying pending cabinet approval, 74,000 bighas of land is pending with Revenue Minister.

Rathore, Dr Raghu Sharma take jibe at each other over ‘New LoP’

First India Bureau

Jaipur: During the debate, Rajendra Rathore and Congress MLA Raghu Sharma took jibes at each other.

Pointing towards Raghu Sharma, Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore said that the way Raghu stares at him, he starts trembling. “It is the protection of the Chairman, that’s why

It is the protection of the Chairman that I am able to speak in Assembly, otherwise I would not be able to speak in Raghu Sharma’s presence.

—Rajendra Rathore, Dy LoP

I am able to speak, otherwise I would not be able to speak in Raghu Sharma’s presence, as

Sanyam Lodha raises Credit societies issue

First India Bureau

Jaipur: MLA Sanyam

BUDGET SESSION

Lodha on Monday raised the matter of deposits of 21 lakh people in Adarsh Credit Cooperative Society, Sanjeevani Credit Society in the Vidhan Sabha. He said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also the Cooperative Minister. “The people of Rajasthan have won 25 MPs and sent them to the Lok Sabha, why don’t they raise their voice in the biggest house of India about the accumulated

he terrifies me” he said. Raghu Sharma said after completion of Rathore’s speech that as Gulab Chand Kataria is leaving as Governor, as such Rathore is keeping an eye on the vacancy of the Leader of the Opposition. Rathore is speaking against Adani in his speech, speaking against Bhagwat, so how will he fill the vacancy?

Bharat Dixit

Jaipur: The claims of the Greater Municipal Corporation for convening the general body meeting regarding the budget proposal of about Rs one thousand crores will not be fulfilled this time also.

Since there is no approval from MLAs and MPs, the Corporation will send the budget directly to the government. It is being said that proposals of prebudget meeting will be included in the budget.

Preparations were made to convene a special GBM to pass the budget in JMCG and for this, Mayor Dr Somya wrote a letter to the MLAs and MPs of the constituencies falling under the municipal corporation area on Jan 30 seeking their permission to hold the meeting on Feb 9. However, approval was not given.

The mayor has again written a letter to convene the GBM on Feb 15.

Meanwhile, JMCG will hold a cleanliness run on Tuesday in city.

capital in these societies?,” he said.

The Government of India is not taking action against the owners of those societies because they bear the expenses of the RSS pracharaks, he alleged.

He said that BJP is misleading people in the name of religion. There was a BJP government in 2018 and they spent only Rs 305 crore on the grant of Gaushala, instead Ashok Gehlot government gave a grant of Rs 876 crore rupees in 2021-22, Rs 1518 crore in 2022-23, Rs 1787 crore in 2023-24 for the service of mother cow.

Speaker Dr CP Joshi reprimanded minority affairs Minister Shale Mohammad for incomplete answer given in the House on Monday. Joshi suspended the question and directed him to bring full details of the answer next time. The speaker was annoyed by the incomplete answer. He also warned other ministers to come to the House fully prepared.

HEALTH MINISTER REACTS ON AGITATING DOCTORS

With the appointment of Gulab Chand Kataria as the Governor of Assam, the post of LoP in Rajasthan assembly will fall vacant. In such a situation, the BJP has started looking for a new LoP. The budget session is going on and the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will be presenting his reply on the budget on Feb 16. Before the CM’s reply, Satish Poonia will speak on behalf of the opposition. After the presentation of the budget, a reply is given on behalf of the Chief Minister. Many announcements are also made in the reply.

Apolicy has been announced in the budget 2023-24 for drinking water connections in multi-storeyed buildings. PHED Minister Mahesh Joshi informed the house in this regard in response to a question on Monday. He said that under the policy, the application is made on behalf of the builder in a multi-storey building and only one connection is provided.

Parsadi Meena backs Right To Health Bill

Vikas Sharma

Jaipur: Taking a tough stand against the protest over the Right to Health Bill by doctor organisations, Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena on Monday said that the Right to Health should be implemented across the country.

“The Right to Health is in compliance with the guidelines of WHO and the orders of the Supreme Court. Gehlot government’s intention is clear that every patient should get the right to medical treatment. I would urge PM MOdi that Right to Health should be imple-

Satish Poonia reacts on Kirodi’s remark, speculations of new LoP

First India Bureau Jaipur: On the question of becoming the Leader of the Opposition, BJP state president Satish Poonia said that whatever responsibility the party gives, he will fulfill it. On the appointment of the new Leader of Opposition, Poonia said that right now only imaginary things are going on. “The high command will take a decision on this at the appropriate time,” he said.

CS IN ACTION

On MP Dr Kirodi Lal Meena’s remark on Poonia regarding not joining the paper leak protest, Poonia said that this is a personal statement of Kirodi Lal and

he would not comment on it. “The party successfully carried out the programs of mass movement,” he said.

Poonia said that PM Modi has given a statement on ERCP. Congress only does politics on the issue of ERCP. Poonia said that connections have been made to lakhs of homes through the JJM. Cong has been in govt many times. Why didn’t he start any scheme other than the IG Canal Project.

CS directs to implement budget promises

Dr Rituraj Sharma

Jaipur: In view of the very short time to implement its plans in the election year, the Gehlot govt has given instructions for necessary action to implement the budget announcements. According to the guidelines of the CM, CS Usha Sharma has strictly instructed all the departments to take necessary steps to implement the budget announcements by keeping them in 3 categories.

ANNUAL MEETING OF ROSE SOCIETY HELD UNDER CS CHAIRMANSHIP

Under the chairmanship of CS Usha Sharma, the 48th Annual Meeting of The Rose Society of Rajasthan was organized at the Secretariat on Monday. Sharma told that this year rose exhibition will be organized on February 26 at City Park located in Mansarovar. She directed that there should be no shortage of any kind in the rose exhibition to be organized this year. The Rose Society of Rajasthan will celebrate its Golden Jubilee in 2025. Various committees have also been formed.

mented across the country,” Meena said with a strict tone on boycott of govt schemes in private hospitals. “Do what you want to treat, don’t do it if you don’t want to. But the Right to Health cannot be stopped by making pressure like this. Earlier some people had boycotted many

schemes including Chiranjeevi. But what happened, the schemes also came and everyone got benefit,” he said.

He said that the objections of all private doctors were heard on February 11 and members of the Select Committee will meet once again on February 15.

DGP Umesh Mishra suspends Sanganer ACP, Ramnagaria SHO

First India Bureau

Jaipur : Two police officers of Jaipur Police Commissionerate were suspended on Monday in a matter of land related dispute.

DGP Umesh Mishra suspended ACP Sanganer Ramniwas Vishnoi and Ramnagaria SHO Rajesh Sharma. SHO Ramnagariya did not file a case for damaging the boundary wall. Surprisingly, the case was registered on the complaint who were

MLA Harish Chaudhary writes to CM for 27% OBC quota

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Punjab incharge and Congress

MLA Harish Chaudhary has written a letter to CM Ashok Gehlot demanding an increase in reservation quota for OBCs from 21% to 27%. He wrote that the OBC population in the state was more than 50% and the reservation in the services of the state govt was only 21%. And the percentage further decreases due to various anomalies.

accused of damaging the wall.

The complainant met DGP Umesh Mishra and expressed his anguish following which the DGP instructed to suspend the ACP and SHO.

MLA Chaudhary wrote that on the recommendation of the Mandal Commission, the Central Govt gave 27% reservation in govt services to OBC. Accordingly, 27% reservation was to be given to OBCs in the state as well, but in 1992, in the case of Indra Sahni and others vs. Union of India, in the decision, the maximum limit of reservation was up to 50 %.

CAG asks State govt to seek permission in Treasury row

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government is going to remove the treasury and sub-treasury and create its own separate pay and accounting system. The govt has refused to provide accounting information to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). According to sources, the CAG has also written a letter to the Raj govt saying that the it is vio-

lating the constitution.

Quoting Article 150 of the Constitution, it was said that it is mandatory to keep the Union and the States in such form so that the President can take any decision on the advice

of the CAG. Although the Gehlot govt is thinking of giving powers to its different departments through the pay and accounting system.

In a letter written by the federal auditor to the CS of Rajasthan, it was said that the head of the CAG office had taken up the matter. It has been said in the letter that before making changes in the treasury system, it is necessary to take permission of President and the CAG.

Dy LoP Rajendra Rathore while addressing the House on various issues on Monday.

CS Usha Sharma during the review meeting of ‘Rose Exhibition’ on Monday. IC Shrivastav and Mahendra Soni are also seen.

JMCG Mayor Dr Somya while interacting with the media about ‘Swachhata Run’ on Monday. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

JMCG budget to be sent to Govt; Corporation to hold cleanliness run today

PL Meena in House on Monday.

Satish Poonia interacts with media outside the Assembly on Monday.

SPEAKER JOSHI REPRIMANDS MINORITY AFFAIRS MINISTER PHED MIN REPLIES ON WATER ISSUE IN HIGH RISE BUILDING

INDIAN WOMEN WIN HEARTS

AND BIG PAY CHEQUES AT WPL AFTER TROUNCING PAKISTAN IN T20 WORLD CUP

IN-DEPTH GOVERNORSHIP FOR FORMER SC JUDGE: RIJIJU HITS OUT AT CONG

With their on-field exploits being rewarded with big bucks, the morale in the Indian camp is bound to be sky-high. If the momentum from their victory over Pakistan can be maintained, Harmanpreet & Co could well seal ultimate glory in the T20 World Cup. With the victory over Pakistan being followed by a massive pay day at the inaugural WPL auction, Indian women’s cricket is clearly moving to an unprecedented high!!

The Women in Blue got off to a flying start in the Women’s T20 World Cup by scoring a convincing victory over arch rivals Pakistan on Sunday night. Despite a lot of hype surrounding the match, Indian eves held their nerve all through the tense clash. Though Pakistan got to their highest-ever score against India, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side clinched a decisive win with their highest successful chase in Women’s T20 World Cup history. What made the victory more memorable was that it came in the absence of India’s star batter, Smriti Mandhana. Young guns Jemima Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh took India to a famous win and helped the team to register the second highest chase in T20 World Cup history.

It was a typical India-Pakistan encounter that ebbed and flowed with lots of dramatic twists and turns. Pak won the toss and chose to bat but were rocked by initial shocks. After stuttering to 68-4 in 10 overs, Pak were in trouble. Thereafter, a terrific captain’s knock by Bismah Maroof and her partnership with the aggressive teenager, Ayesha Naseem, turned the game. All of 18, Naseem is rated highly for her penchant to hit the long ball. She played a knock that gave India the jitters. She threw Renuka Singh off guard with 18 runs

NOW TO START POLL PROCESS IN J&K

off the 16th over and changed the complexion of the Pakistan innings as they reached their highest ever total of 149 in a T20 international.

With prolific opener and Vice-Captain, Smriti Mandhana missing due to injury, it was a tough task for India.

Shafali Varma’s aggressive knock though took India to a brisk start. With Shafali and then Harmanpreet falling in the space of a few overs of each other ,India need ed 55 in the last 6 overs, which was a tricky task. Then came the matchwinning partnership as wicketkeeper- bat ter, Richa Ghosh, joined forces with Jemima Rodri gues. The duo steadied the In dian ship. Ghosh began firing almost instantly and Jemi ma soon joined

The path for elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been cleared with the Supreme Court rejecting a petition against the proposed delimitation of constitution which, the state parties alleged, was done keeping the BJP’s interests in mind. The petitioners had argued that the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, empowers only the Election Commission of India to conduct the delimitation exercise. Refuting the point, the Centre said that the Act does not preclude the setting up of a Delimitation Commission by the government.

Two main political parties of State — National Conference and the People’s Demo-

The match-winning partnership as wicketkeeper- batter, Richa Ghosh, joined forces with Jemima Rodrigues. The duo steadied the Indian ship. Ghosh began firing almost instantly and Jemima soon joined the fun. Pakistan fielding wilted and there were many misfielding efforts

the fun. Pakistan fielding wilted and there were many misfielding efforts.

In contrast, the Indian girls put up an unbroken 58run stand in a perfect combo of aggression and elegance. Richa Ghosh, the gum-chewing, big-hitting teenager who won the Under-19 World Cup

fours in the 18th over to bring the target down to 14 off 12 balls. At the other end, Rodrigues, who held the batting line-up together, found her range. She pulled, swept and then most fittingly hit the winning runs by carving a boundary through extra cover which also brought up her half-century. The victory has put the Indian campaign to win an elusive ICC tournament on track. India next plays West Indies on February 15, while Pakistan will face Ireland on the same day. Beyond the victory, the auction for Women’s Premier League (WPL) added to the jubilation in the Indian contingent. Though she missed the vital game with Pakistan, Smriti Mandhana created history by being the first player to be picked for WPL. The Indian Vice Captain netted a whopping 3.4 Crores Rupees from RCB – a testimony to her own skill and the big bucks now available for women cricketers.

In contrast, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur was picked up for a modest 1.8 crores Rupees by Mumbai Indians. Significantly, a number of other members of the team netted higher amounts than Captain Kaur. While allrounder Deepti Sharma got an impressive purse of 2.6 Crores Rupees, the U-19 Captain and powerful stroke-maker Shafali Verma was picked up for 2 Crores. The matchwinning duo in the Pakistan game also netted impressive amounts – while Jemimah got 2.2 Crores, Richa Ghosh also netted 1.9 Crores in the highstakes auction. Among players from outside India, England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt and Aussie all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner fetched the highest price with both netting 3.2 crores.

With their on-field exploits being rewarded with big bucks, the morale in the Indian camp is bound to be skyhigh. If the momentum from their victory over Pakistan can be maintained, Harmanpreet & Co could well seal ultimate glory in the T20 World Cup. With the victory over Pakistan being followed by a massive pay day at the inaugural WPL auction, Indian women’s cricket is clearly moving to an unprecedented high!! THE

The path for elections in the UT of J&K has been cleared with the SC rejecting a petition against the proposed delimitation of constitution which, the state parties alleged, was done keeping the BJP’s interests in mind

cratic Party (PDP) — were opposed to the delimitation exercise as assembly constituencies in the Jammu region will increase from the existing 37 to 43 and from 45 to 47 in the Kashmir region. The delimitation panel has recommended four additional

seats for Kashmiri migrants. For the first time nine seats have been reserved for Scheduled Tribes. The redrawn assembly seats in favour of Jammu region are likely to have a significant political impact as it may tilt the balance of power against the Muslim voters.

Kashmir region has a little over 96% of Muslim population and a mere 2.5% of Hindus, whereas Hindus account for 62.6% and Muslims 33.5% in Jammu. Compared to its population Jammu region will have a disproportionate number of assembly constituencies. And that is what State parties were not ready to accept. Following these major changes the BJP can now look forward to being part of UT’s power structure.

In major gubernatorial changes the Central government appointed Justice SA Nazeer, a retired judge of the Supreme Court and two army officers among others as governors. If the appointment of Justice Nazeer, who was part of the five-judge SC bench which delivered the Ayodhya verdict in 2019 and later on demonetisation, has raised the hackles of the opposition, shifting Ramesh Bais from Jharkhand to Maharashtra is no less significant. After the former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi being rewarded with membership of the Rajya Sabha, governorship of Andhra Pradesh for Justice Nazeer has naturally raised questions of judicial independence and the irrelevance of cooling off period for judges before they are given other assignments. Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju hit back at the Congress which quoted late Arun Jaitley’s remark that “pre-retirement judgments are influenced post retirement jobs” to criticise Justice Nazeer’s appointment. “The Whole Ecosystem is once again in full swing on the appointment of a governor,” Rijiju said.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

All suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their own happiness or satisfaction. Buddha

TOP TWEETS

Best wishes to all on the establishment day of

dedicated to the export of agricultural products. Under the leadership of PM @NarendraModi ji, emphasis is being given on exports, due to which the demand for Indian food products is increasing in the world and farmers are getting more profit.

SIDDHAARTH MAHAN

The writer is a specialist on Sports and Cinema who works as an actor in the Hindi film industry

TRIPURA & MEGHALAYA ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS

BJP left no stone unturned to develop Tripura, says PM Modi

Agartala (PTI): PM

Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that there is no family in Tripura that has not received the benefits of BJP’s policies. Modi, addressing a rally here on the last day of electioneering in the state, said that the BJP, as a “faithful servant” (sevak), left no stone unturned to develop the place.

“Agartala has become the gateway for international trade in the Northeast, the state capital will soon become a business hub,” he noted.

The BJP believes in “politics of change (badlao), not of revenge (badla)”, he maintained.

Lashing out at the Left Front and the Congress, he said that the two parties just want to fill their coffers without caring for people’s welfare. “The Leftists and the Congress can do anything to satiate their hunger for power. They wrestle in Kerala and forge friendly relations in Tripura,” he said.

Under the BJP regime, people got free ration, healthcare assistance, houses and other facilities, Modi said.

“I want to assure all those who are yet to get pucca houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana that they will get one after the BJP government takes oath in the state,” he added.

IN THE COURTYARD

ED OPPOSES MINISTER SATYENDAR JAIN’S BAIL PLEA IN MONEY LAUNDERING CASE

New Delhi: The ED on Monday opposed before the Delhi High Court the bail plea of jailed AAP minister Satyendar Jain in a money laundering case being probed by it. Jain, arrested on May 30 last year, is accused of having laundered money through four companies allegedly linked to him. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing ED, argued in the court that Jain’s stand that there are no proceeds of crime can be “demolished” by the material on record which also shows that he was “in the thick of things”.

EXCISE CASE: DELHI COURT EXTENDS REMAND OF CHARIOT MEDIA OWNER

New Delhi: A local court on Monday extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) remand of Rajesh Joshi, owner of Chariot Production Media Pvt Ltd till February 20 in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 money laundering case. Joshi was arrested by the ED last week following questioning and evidence against him showing his involvement in the case. Special Judge MK Nagpal on Monday extended the period of his remand to confront some witnesses and documents.

“BJP WILL GET OVER 36 SEATS”, TRIPURA

CM MANIK SAHA CONFIDENT OF VICTORY

Agartala: Expressing confidence that BJP will improve its performance compared to the last assembly polls, Tripura CM Dr Manik Saha has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has changed the definition of politics and no arithmetic works in front of trust of people. In an exclusive interview with the ANI, the Chief Minister said that BJP has improved law and order situation in the state and there has been been a lot of improvement in railways, airways, national highways and internet connectivity.

Goa Speaker gives 6 weeks’ time to defected

MLAs to file reply

Panaji: Goa Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Monday granted six weeks’ time to eight defected MLAs to file a reply on the disqualification petition filed against them. On November 11, Dominic Noronha had submitted the disqualification petition against eight Congress MLAs, who had joined the BJP.

MP Rahul Gandhi in his Wayanad constituency

Wayanad (PTI): Senior Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday visited the house of a tribal man who was found dead near Kozhikode medical college recently.

MEGHALAYA WOMEN

YEARN FOR CONTROL

Shillong: Children get their mother’s last name, husbands move into their wives homes and youngest daughters inherit family property. But with only four women legislators in a house of 60, the empowerment promised by Meghalaya’s matrilineal society is only half done. The state goes to polls on February 27.

UP: Natural Farming Kisan Jagran Abhiyan to begin next week

Vishwanathan (46) was found hanging near Kozhikode medical college hospital on Saturday, where his wife was admitted for delivery.

Gandhi, who reached the Kozhikode airport on Sunday night, visited the house of Vishwanathan in Wayanad district this morning along with party leaders after the family suspected

Karnataka polls: AAP to kick off campaign with Yatra on Feb 15

DON’T CRUSH J&K PEOPLE’S RIGHTS UNDER BULLDOZER, SAYS PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRA

New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday attacked the Central government over the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), saying that for peace and trust it is necessary to listen to the common people and not “crush their rights under the bulldozer”. Major political parties including the Congress, the National Conference (NC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have voiced their concerns against the drive and demanded an immediate end to it.

foul play behind the tribal man’s death.

Rahul Gandhi, who represents the Wayanad constituency in the Lok Sabha, spent some time with the family at Paravayal Colony, listening to their woes and

complaints and consoled them.

After visiting the family, Gandhi alleged that Vishwanathan was the victim of a mob trial and a comprehensive probe should be carried out into the incident.

Will Aero India 2023 eradicate poverty? Kumaraswamy to BJP

New Delhi (Agencies):

at BJP central Office earlier in the day. Minister Nadda lit the lamp and addressed the morcha members.

SHRADDHA MURDER:

POONAWALA

FILES APPLICATIONS FOR RELEASE OF CERTIFICATES

New Delhi: Mehrauli murder accused Aaftab Amin Poonawala on Monday filed applications for release of his educational certificates to pursue higher studies and for a “proper” digital copy of the chargesheet. He is accused of killing his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar and disposing her body after cutting it into several pieces. Poonawala’s applications alleged that he was “falsely implicated” in the case and that the prosecution “intentionally” provided a digital copy of the chargesheet “which cannot be read”.

Ayodhya verdict was given under Centre’s pressure: Rashid Alvi

New Delhi (ANI): Congress leader Rashid Alvi hit out at the BJP-led Union govt over the appointment of Justice (retd.) S Abdul Nazeer as the Andhra Pradesh governor, alleging that the Supreme Court delivered its verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case under pressure from the Centre. Justice Nazeer was part of the five-judge Constitution bench which delivered the final verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, in 2019. “People are questioning Supreme Court’s decision on the

Rashid Alvi

Ram JanmabhoomiBabri Masjid case. People are saying the verdict was delivered under pressure from the central government. The judiciary should be independent of the executive under Article 50 of our Constitution,” Alvi said.

On Monday Speaker Tawadkar heard the petitioner and respondents in this matter and granted six weeks time to the eight MLAs to file a reply. “Voters vote for a particular party and then they (MLAs) change sides. In view of this I had filed this petition. I hope justice will prevail,” Dominic Noronha told media after the hearing.

BJP National President JP Nadda and Agricultural Minister Narender Singh will launch “Natural Farming Kisan Jagran Abhiyan” -- a mission to reach out to 1 lakh villages and inform the people about organic farming in Uttar Pradesh’s Shukratal village next week.

The initiative is being launched on the instruction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

For the same mission, BJP Kisan morcha organised a workshop

National President of BJP Kissan Morcha Rajkumar Chahar tweeted, “Today, the national training workshop of BJP Kisan Morcha ‘Natural Farming Kisan Jagran Abhiyan’ was inaugurated by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar at BJP Headquarters and along with him addressed all the state office-bearers present in the workshop.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka unit of AAP will kick-start its campaigning for the Assembly election with a yatra called ‘Broom is the solution’, on February 15, party state working president Mohan Dasari said here on Monday. At a press conference here, Dasari said, “The yatra will start in the front of Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna railway station in Bengaluru. “We will reach Freedom Park via Sangolli Rayanna Circle, Anand Rao Circle and hold a meeting there. The Aam Aadmi Party is the only solution to the problems related to basic amenities like cleanliness, education, health, electricity etc. The yatra has been organised in the name of ‘Broom is the solution’ with the aim of making people aware of this,” he said.

Huballi: Janata DalSecular (S) leader and former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy on Monday taking a dig at the Aero India Show 2023, questioned the ruling BJP that ‘will the event eradicate poverty by any means?’

At an election campaign here, he said, “Is the Air Show a programme to remove poverty? Will poverty be ended by participating in the Aero India Show? The attempt is being made to misguide people at the time of elections.”

He said that this is the 14th edition of the Aero India Show. Has it been started by PM Narendra Modi?

Kumaraswamy said, “Which political party has done injustice to the north Karnataka region? I had advised to rectify the legal and

HD Kumaraswamy

WOULD NEVER HAVE BECOME MLA: CT RAVI Bengaluru: BJP National General Secretary and Chikkamagaluru MLA CT Ravi on Monday said had he obeyed the advice of his father, who was the fan of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, he would have ended up chanting slogans praising the JD(S) patriarch and his sons and would never have become an MLA or a Minister.

technical issues regarding Mahadayi River water dispute. But, the BJP just wanted publicity. This is what BJP is continuing to do.”

Orientation programme for Guj MLAs from Wed

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate Orientation Programme for Members of Gujarat Legislative Assembly at Gandhinagar on Wednesday.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel; Speaker of Gujarat Legislative Assembly Shankar Chaudhary and several other dignitaries will grace the event.

The Orientation Programme will focus primarily on promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of the constitutional role and position of the Parlia-

ment as the supreme representative institution, familiarizing the Members more closely with the operational mechanisms, parliamentary traditions, conventions, and etiquette.

As part of the orientation programme, the Members of Gujarat Legislative Assembly will be given training on ‘How to be an Effective Legislator?’; ‘Committee System and Parliamentary Questions’ ; ‘Budgetary Process’; ‘Legislative Process’; ‘India’s Presidency in G-20’; ‘Procedural Devices to Raise Matters of Urgent Public Importance in the House’; ‘Functioning

of a Legislature: Do’s and Don’ts ; ‘Parliamentary Privileges and Ethics’; and ‘Importance of Constitutional Bodies in a Democracy’.

The two-day Orientation programme will conclude on February 16 with Valedictory Address by Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat.

The Orientation Programme for the Members of Gujarat Legislature is being organised by Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), Lok Sabha Secretariat in coordination with Gujarat Legislative Assembly Secretariat.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attends the Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting at the Wayanad Collectorate, at Kalpetta, in Wayanad on Monday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public meeting ahead of the Tripura Assembly elections, in Agartala on Monday. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and other dignitaries also seen. —PHOTO BY ANI

Action will be taken against RaGa: Joshi

Union Minister Prahlad Joshi says this time action would be taken against Congress MP for making an ‘unparliamentary remark’ about PM

BUDGET SESSION

New Delhi (ANI): Union Minister Prahlad

Joshi on Monday said action would be taken this time on the notice sent to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for making an ‘unparliamentary remark’ about PM Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha. Joshi said, “(BJP leader) Nishikant Dubey issued a notice to Gandhi for making baseless allegations (against PM). What they say has to be supported with evidence but they haven’t produced any. We all are answerable to the people of this country. This time action will be taken on this notice.” On February 8, Dubey sent a letter to LS Speaker Om Birla, saying that Rahul’s statements were misleading, derogatory, indecent, unparliamentary, undignified and incriminatory in nature to the dignity of the House and the PM.

PM’S HANDS WERE SHAKING AS I WAS TALKING ABOUT ADANI IN LS: RAHUL

MEETING OF LIKE-MINDED OPPOSITION PARTIES HELD AT KHARGE’S CHAMBER

New Delhi (ANI): Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge chaired a meeting of like-minded Opposition parties to devise a joint strategy for the day’s proceedings. Earlier in day, Kharge said, “Since today is the last day (of first part of Budget session) in Parliament, we will discuss how we can resolve this Adani issue and what will our Chairman be doing. We will also seek the opinion of other parties.” The Upper House witnessed ruckus after parts of Kharge’s speech claiming that the House was acting under pressure from the govt were expunged.

BJP MP DEMANDS SEPARATE STATE OF BUNDELKHAND IN LOK SABHA

New Delhi (Agencies): It is important for everyone in this country to see Parliament proceedings and understand the nexus between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and businessman Gautam Adani, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Monday. Speaking at a public gathering in Kerala’s Wayanad, Gandhi alleged that when he was talking about Adani in Parliament, PM Modi’s hands were shaking.

Demolition drive in Mehrauli continues

New Delhi (PTI): An “anti-encroachment drive” in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park area went on for the fourth consecutive day on Monday, with Delhi Development Authority and police personnel facing protests from many local residents during the exercise. The drive started on Friday and comes a month ahead of a

proposed G20 meeting at the park in South Delhi that, according to the DDA, has about 55 monuments under the protection of the archaeological Survey of India, state archeological department and the authority. The demolition drive continued today and action was taken in the area located near the Bhool Bhulaiyaa monument.

Dhankhar warns MPs, adjourns RS till March 13

New Delhi (ANI): The Rajya Sabha was on Monday adjourned till the beginning of the next part of the Budget Session on March 13 amid pandemonium created by a joint Opposition led by Congress, as the Chair declined the notices of several members on various issues.

THERE IS NOTHING UNPARLIAMENTARY IN WHAT RAHUL SAID IN LS: KHARGE

New Delhi: The demand for the creation of Bundelkhand state by separating its districts from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh is decades old. BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur Lok Sabha constituency, Kunwar Pushpendra Singh Chandel again demanded the formation of a separate Bundelkhand state in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

OPPN PROTESTS IN LS AFTER SEVERAL ADJOURNMENT MOTIONS REJECTED

New Delhi: Opposition members on Monday objected before Speaker Om Birla in Lok Sabha, after their adjournment motions on the appointment of former Supreme Court judge S Abdul Nazeer as Governor and Chinese incursions in Indian territory were rejected. As soon as Question Hour ended, Trinamool Congress member Sougata Ray got up to say that he had given an adjournment motion on Justice Nazeer’s appointment as Governor of Andhra Pradesh.

BSF airlifts three patients and four bodies from J&K’s Tanghdhar

New Delhi: BSF personnel airlifted three patients for treatment from Tangdhar sector in J&K. Along with this, the mortal remains of four people were also airlifted and sent for last rites. This area of Kashmir gets cut off from the main road due to heavy snowfall. A BSF spokesperson said that on the request of Kupwara administration, personnel from Tangdhar sector airlifted three patients in a BSF helicopter for treatment at medical centre on Monday.

New Delhi (ANI): There was nothing unparliamentary in what Rahul Gandhi said in the Parliament, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said on Monday, reacting to the Lok Sabha Secretariat’s notice. Talking to the media, here in the national capital, Kharge said, “Whatever Rahul Gandhi had mentioned in the Parliament was already in the public domain and there is nothing unparliamentary about this.”

The RS saw two adjournments — first till 11.50 am and the second till 11 am on March 13— as the Opposition leaders continued their protest sloganeering in the House demanding Joint Parliamentary Committee on Adani row. Before the first adjournment, RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar named several MPs and warned them for not to indulge in such acts that disrupt the proceedings of the House as many Opposition parties’ MPs trooped into the well of the House sloganeering, the Chairman named a few of them including Raghav Chaddha, Imran Pratapgarhi, Shakti Sinh Gohil, Kumar Ketkar and Sandeep Pathak.

DRI seizes 24.4 kg of gold smuggled from Bangladesh

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Under its ‘Operation Eastern Gateway’, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested eight persons for allegedly smuggling gold from the Bangladesh border and seized 24.4 kg gold worth Rs 14 crore. A syndicate based in Bangladesh, Tripura, Assam and West Bengal was smuggling huge quantities of gold from the neighbouring country to India through the Indo-Bangla border in the state of Tripura, an official release said on Monday. The DRI has launched an operation codenamed ‘Operation Eastern Gateway’, which involved developing the intelligence over a substantial period of time to bust the smuggling modus operandi, the release said.

FARD FOR FARMERS

In the operation, the revenue intelligence agency teams were strategically placed at different locations in the states of West Bengal, Assam and Tripura including at the IndoBangladesh border so that the modus operandi used by the smuggling syndicate could be unearthed, it said.

Based on intelligence inputs, eight persons of the syndicate were apprehended.

Minister’s absence draws ire of Chairman Dhankhar in RS

New Delhi (Agencies):

Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel was absent from the Rajya Sabha proceedings on Monday, which invited the ire of Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Patel is Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Jal Shakti. He was to lay on table important papers. But when his name was called by the chair, he was not in the House. The chair-

man said that the concerned minister has to be present in the House for the proceedings.

Earlier, the chairman rejected the suspension of business notice moved by AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Opposition MPs resorted to sloganeering. The representatives of 14 opposition met at the chamber of Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament on Monday and decided to raise the issue.

HIMACHAL PRADESH: FIRE BREAKS OUT IN KULLU SHED, ONE KILLED

Shimla: A man of Nepali origin was killed after a fire broke out in a shed in Kullu, officials informed on Monday. The incident happened at a shed near the LIC Complex in Sarwari, Kullu in Himachal Pradesh. The deceased has been identified as Jeet Ram (85 years), who got burnt alive in the fire. The fire department reached the spot and brought the fire under control. The officials have taken the deceased’s body into possession, and the cause of the fire is being ascertained.

RAKHI’S HUBBY BOOKED FOR RAPING IRANIAN STUDENT

Mysuru: Actor Rakhi Sawant’s husband Adil Durrani has landed in another problem after an FIR was filed against him in Mysuru on Monday after an Iranian student accused him of rape.

“The team at Siliguri apprehended four persons, while they were travelling in a train from Badarpur Junction in Assam to Sealdah, at Dalkhola Railway Station in West Bengal and recovered 90 gold strips from their possession, collectively weighing 18.66 kg, valued at Rs 10.66 crores. These strips were hidden in specially-tailored waist belts worn by each of them.”

Livelihood schemes for Odisha’s marginal farmers

First India Bureau

Bhubaneswar: The Fisheries & Animal Resource Development (FARD) Department, Odisha will soon roll out major livestock-based livelihood schemes focusing on small ruminants like Goat/Sheep for small and marginal farmers in the state.

The FARD recently invited leading NGOs for an exploratory meeting to share their expertise, experience in livestock-

based value chains, especially small ruminants.

The meeting was chaired by Animal Husbandry Department

Commissioner-cumSecretary Suresh Kumar Vashishth and Director Dr Yeddula Vijayalong.

A team from Heifer India —an international NGO engaged in Agriculture, Food Security, Gender, Social Development sectors- attended this meeting. The team presented Heifer’s inno-

vative community development model supporting small and marginal farmers especially fo-

cusing on women households. In addition, the team sensitized the government officials on

Value Based Holistic Community Development (VBHCD), Cornerstones, goat value chain model and Community Agro Vet Entrepreneurs.

In the meeting, two other agencies (Goat Trust and BAIF) also presented their work on goat/sheep value chains.

Acknowledging Heifer’s work, Animal Husbandry Commissionercum-Secretary Vashishth was keen to learn more about the Heifer POG community en-

gagement approach. He advised the Heifer team to provide consulting support to the Animal Husbandry department on community accepted models on goat value chain in Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts and the same can be replicated in other districts. Meanwhile, Heifer’s Odisha programme director Prabaharan Rajarathinam will be guest speaker in ‘Krushi Odisha-2023’ being held from February 16.

Rakhi Sawant’s husband Adil Durrani has been accused of raping, cheating, threatening, and blackmailing a female student who came to Mysuru from Iran to study.

MP SCHOOL TEACHER HELD FOR RAPING CLASS 4 STUDENT

Rewa: A govt school teacher was held for raping a 10-year-old girl, studying in Class 4 in the same school in Rewa district. The incident occurred under Sohagi police station limits of the district on Saturday. When the minor girl reached her school, the accused teacher took her to a corner of the school and violated her.

LEOPARD RESCUED FROM WELL, RELEASED INTO WILD IN KARNATAKA

Mangaluru: A leopard, which fell into a well at Niddodin near here, was rescued and later released into the wild, forest officials said. The officials initially tried luring the animal inside a cage on Sunday by lowering it down the well and were unsuccessful, a release said. A rescue team led by wild life specialist Dr Yashasvi Naravi with Dr Meghana, Dr Prithvi and Dr Nafisa then decided to immobilise the leopard and bring it up from the well which was too deep and had a small cave inside where the animal was hiding.

YOUTH HACKED TO DEATH NEAR COURT COMPLEX IN TN

Chennai: A 24-year-old youth, Gokul was hacked to death by a four-member gang wearing masks near the Coimbatore court complex. The deceased, according to the police, was part of a gang that had killed a youth V. Sriram alias Kurangu Sriram (22) in December 2021. Sriram was killed by the rival gang for area dominance.

DAUGHTER SPENDS

2 DAYS WITH MOM’S BODY IN KOLKATA

Kolkata: The Kolkata Police on Monday found a 64-year-old widow living with the body of her deceased mother in the bedroom of their house in north Kolkata. The deceased, Namita Ghosal (90), used to stay with her 64-year-old daughter, who became a widow just a couple of years after her marriage.

4 HOUSES GUTTED AS LIVE WIRE FALLS ON THEM IN JHARKHAND’S PALAMU DISTRICT

Ranchi: Four houses were gutted after an 11,000 volt overhead live wire fell on their roofs in Sajwan village of Jharkhand’s Palamu district on Monday. The fire spread after a gas cylinder exploded. It caused loss of property, along with claiming the lives of a few cattle. All the residents of the houses were evacuated safely with the help of villagers. Four families lost their homes in the incident, the officials said.

Security tightens during a demolishing drive of illegal construction in the Mehrauli area, New Delhi on Monday.

(R) The seized gold and the impounded vehicle in which this gold was being carried. —PHOTO BY PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

BSF personnel airlift patients for treatment in Kupwara.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge chairs a meeting of like-minded Opposition parties to devise a joint strategy during the ongoing Budget Session, at his chambers in Parliament House, in New Delhi on Monday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar asks Opposition MPs to calm down as they raise slogans in the House on Monday.

business BRIEFS

AUDI EXPECTS HIGH DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH IN INDIA

THREE-MONTH HIGH IN JANUARY

India’s retail inflation surges to 6.52%

New Delhi (PTI): German luxury carmaker Audi on Monday said it expects to have a significant double digit growth in India in 2023 on the back of new products and full-year availability of its popular models. The company launched its Q3 Sportback model for `51.43 lakh (ex-showroom). “I am looking at a significant high double digit growth for this year as well. We grew 27% last year, but this year also we will continue to grow,” Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon said.

GOLD JUMPS BY `114/10 GM; SILVER DECLINES BY `319

New Delhi (PTI): Retail inflation again breached the Reserve Bank’s upper tolerance limit and touched a three-month high of 6.52% in January, mainly due to higher prices in the food basket, including cereals and protein-rich items.

With the exception of November and December 2022, retail inflation has remained above the RBI’s upper tolerance level of 6% since January 2022.

INFLATION DATA THEN & NOW

z Retail inflation again breached the RBI’s upper tolerance limit and touched a three-month high of 6.52% in January, mainly due to higher prices in the food basket, including cereals and protein-rich items.

z The retail inflation based on the CPI was 5.72% in Dec and 6.01% in January 2022.

The retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 5.7% in December and 6.01% in January 2022. The previous high was 6.77%in October. While the prices of vegetable declined in Janu -

Illegal subsidies hurt Indian trade, biz: Govt

New Delhi (PTI): The government on Monday said illegal subsidies by trade partners and other countries hurt Indian trade and business, and that corrective actions are taken in the form of invoking dispute settlement mechanisms.

Boeing launches global support centre in India

New Delhi (PTI): Boeing on Monday announced the launch of its Global Support Centre (GSC) in India and will also set up a new logistics centre in the country as the aircraft maker seeks to expand its presence in India.

New Delhi (PTI): Gold price jumped `114 to `56,982 per 10 gram in the national capital on Monday, according to HDFC Securities. In the previous trade, the precious metal had settled at `56,868/10 gram. Silver, however, declined `319 to `66,802/kg. Spot gold prices in the Delhi markets traded at `56,982 per 10 gram, up `114 per 10 gram. In the overseas market, gold was trading flat at $1,863.10/ounce and silver quoted lower at $21.97 per ounce.

GOLD ETFs REGISTER `199-CR OUTFLOW

IN JANUARY 2023

The Department of Commerce on February 9, 2023 had stated that illegal subsidies by trade partners and other countries hurt Indian trade and business, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Rao Inderjit Singh told the Lok Sabha.

“At a multilateral forum, the disciplines regulating the provision of subsidies and the use of countervailing measures to offset injury caused by subsidized imports are addressed in

Passenger

New Delhi (PTI): Gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) witnessed a net outflow of `199 crore in January, making it the third monthly withdrawal in a row, with investors preferring equities over other segments on buoyant record SIP flow. This was in comparison to a net outflow of `273 crore registered in the segment in December and `195 crore in November. Prior to that, Gold ETFs attracted `147 crore in October, data with Amfi showed. Despite the outflows, the category saw its net assets under management (AUM) rising to `21,836 crore at the end of Jan.

YAMAHA BIKES TO BE E20-COMPLIANT BY

DECEMBER END

New Delhi (PTI): Japanese two-wheeler major Yamaha on Monday said its entire motorcycle range in India would be compliant with E20 fuel by the end of this year. The company also announced that its 149cc155 cc bike range in the country would now come with Traction Control System (TCS) as a standard feature. Yamaha used to offer only R15M and R15V4 with the TCS and now FZS-Fi V4 Deluxe, FZ-X and MT-15 V2 Deluxe would also come with the technology.

the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures,” he said in a written reply.

According to him, the subsidies whether they are prohibited (illegal) or actionable are determined by three major steps within the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures agreement.

The company has launched its first GSC in India that will provide customised operational efficiency and safety improvement projects for its airline customers, civil aviation regulatory bodies and other industry stakeholders.

Besides, it will set up a new logistics centre which will cater to customers, according to two releases. Investment details were not disclosed.

rise 17% to 2,98,093 units

New Delhi (PTI): Passenger vehicle wholesales rose 17% in January to 2,98,093 units driven by robust offtake of utility vehicles, including the fast-growing sports utility vehicles, industry body SIAM said on Monday.

The overall passenger vehicle dispatch from companies to dealers was 2,54,287 units in January 2022. Utility vehicle sales rose to 1,49,328 units last month from 1,16,962 units in January last year. Simi-

larly, passenger car dispatches grew to 1,36,931 units from 1,16,962 units.

Wholesales of vans also increased to 11,834 units from 10,632 units in the year-ago period.

FINANCIAL TIMES MBA RANKINGS

DOMESTIC CV SALES VOLUME MAY GROW 9-11% IN FY24: REPORT

Mumbai (PTI): Domestic commercial vehicle sales volume is expected to grow 9-11% in FY24 driven by medium and heavy commercial vehicles and an estimated economic growth of around 6%, rating agency CRISIL said on Monday. Besides, an increased allocation to infrastructure spending in the Union Budget for next fiscal year will support demand, it said. This would be the third consecutive year of growth in the domestic CV industry, according to CRISIL.

ary, most of the other items, including ‘fuel and light’ became dearer.

The rate of price rise in the food basket was 5.94% in January, up from 4.19% in the preceding month and 5.43% in the year-ago month, as per data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO).

The inflation in rural areas was higher at 6.85% as compared to 6% in the urban centres.

Last week, the RBI -which has been mandated to ensure inflation remains below 6%-- had

raised the key short-term rate (repo) by 25 basis points to 6.5% with an aim to check price rise.

The Reserve Bank has projected the retail inflation at 6.5% in 2022-23, with January-December quarter at 5.7%.

Headline CPI inflation moderated by 105 basis points during NovemberDecember 2022 from its level of 6.77% in October 2022. This was due to a softening in food inflation on the back of a sharp deflation in vegetable prices.

Sensex extends losses for 2nd day; IT, bank stocks top drags

Mumbai (PTI): Equity benchmark Sensex declined around 251 points on Monday, pressured by heavy selling in IT and bank stocks amid a mixed trend overseas. A weak rupee further weighed on sentiment, traders said.

Sliding for the second straight session, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended 250.86 points or 0.41% lower at 60,431.84. During the session, the index touched a high of 60,740.95 and a low of 60,245.05.

On similar lines, the broader NSE Nifty dropped 85.60 points or 0.48% to finish at 17,770.90.

SBI was the biggest loser in the Sensex pack, tumbling 2.83%, followed

Renault-Nissan to invest `5.3K cr, plans six new vehicles

Chennai (PTI): FrancoJapanese automotive alliance Renault-Nissan on Monday announced an investment of $600 million ( ` 5,300 crore) in India to bring six new products, including two small electric cars, and upgradation of their Chennai plant. The new vehicles will also include four SUVs with conventional engines, the first of which will hit the market by 2025. Of the six vehicles, three each will be for Nissan and Renault.

ISB is once again India’s No. 1 B-School

Hyderabad (PTI): Indian School of Business (ISB) and Indian Institutes of Management at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Indore and Lucknow figure in the Financial Times (FT) Global MBA 2023 ranking.

While ISB slipped to 39th rank from 32nd in 2023, IIMs at Indore and Lucknow secured their place in the chart. IIM Ahmedabad improved its position to 51 from 62 in 2022.

However, ISB retained its No. 1 position when it comes to B-schools in India. The Post Graduate Programme (PGP) from ISB continues to be ranked No. 1 in India in the FT Global MBA Ranking 2023.

` FALLS 15 PAISE TO CLOSE AT 82.73/US DOLLAR

by Infosys, TCS, Bajaj Finance, Tech Mahindra, Wipro and Axis Bank.

In contrast, Titan, L&T, NTPC, Power Grid, Sun Pharma, ITC and HDFC twins were among the prominent winners, rising as much as 1.97%.

In the broader market, the BSE midcap and smallcap indices dropped up to 1.25%.

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee fell by 15 paise to close at 82.73 (provisional) against the US currency on Monday, weighed down by gains in the greenback in the overseas markets and a muted trend in domestic equities. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 82.68 against the greenback, and fell to an intra-day low of 82.77. It finally settled at 82.73 (provisional), down 15 paise over its previous close.

RIL seeks $12.75 for CBM gas, ONGC wants $9.35

New Delhi (PTI): Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd and state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) are separately auctioning natural gas extracted from coal seams at prices linked to Brent crude oil price. Reliance is seeking a minimum $12.75 per million British thermal unit for coal bed methane (CBM) from a block in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh, while ONGC wants $9.35 for the same kind of fuel from North

OTHER STORIES

Karanpura in Jharkhand, according to tender documents. Reliance has sought bids for sale of 0.65 million standard cubic meters per day from CBM block SP(West)-CBM-2001/1 for one year beginning April 1, 2023, the company’s tender document showed.

GST COMPENSATION TO SOME STATES DELAYED

DUE TO LACK OF AG CERTIFICATE: SITHARAMAN

ISB RANK IN INDIA & ABROAD

z Indian School of Business (ISB) and Indian Institutes of Management at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Indore and Lucknow figure in the Financial Times (FT) Global MBA 2023 ranking.

New Delhi (PTI): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said GST compensation to some states is delayed due to non-availability of AG’s authenticated certificate. Replying to a supplementary question, she also said that `86,912 crore has been released for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation payable to all states up to May 31, 2022.

M&A DEALS JUMP

40% TO $163 BILLION

IN 2022: REPORT

In keeping with its consistent performance over the years in these rankings, ISB is the only Indian Bschool in the top 50 worldwide. It has been ranked No. 6 in Asia.

The weighted salary of ISB graduates stood at

$161,331 while it was $186,420 per annum in case of IIM-A, FT said. Columbia Business School in the United States topped the global chart followed by Insead France and IESE Business School in Spain.

z While ISB slipped to 39th rank from 32nd in 2023, IIMs at Indore and Lucknow secured their place in the chart. IIM Ahmedabad improved its position to 51 from 62 in 2022.

z The Post Graduate Programme (PGP) from ISB continues to be ranked No. 1 in India.

Mumbai (PTI): The $57-billion HDFC-HDFC Bank deal helped the overall merger and acquisition activity in the country rise by 40% to reach $163 billion in 2022, a report said on Monday. Strategic deals like the one involving the HDFC twins accounted for a bulk $126 billion of the overall quantum, while transactions involving private equity funds stood at $37 billion, the report by Deloitte, a consultancy firm, said.

ROAD PROJECTS TO HIKE IN INFLATIONLINKED TOLL RATES

Mumbai (PTI): Inflation-linked toll rates of various road projects will see a moderate hike of 2-5% in the next fiscal year due to falling wholesale price index, a report said on Monday. Rating agency Icra has revised down the outlook on the toll road sector to stable from positive for FY24, citing the easing wholesale price inflation which fell to 4.95% in December 2022. The WPI based inflation is expected to fall further.

vehicle dispatches

The fact is that mediocre people only listen and pay attention when it personally matters to them; Reach for excellence by learning from all.

—Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India

Kataria: Will try to discharge my duties within constitutional limits

After Kataria takes the oath of his new office, he will be welcomed in the House as Governor

Jaipur (PTI): Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly Gulab Chand Kataria on Monday said he will discharge his new responsibilities as the governor of Assam while adhering to the constitutional limits.

Kataria was congratulated on his new appointment in the Rajasthan Assembly on Monday. As the proceedings began for the day, Speaker CP Joshi informed the House about Kataria's appointment as the Governor of Assam.

After GC Kataria takes the oath of his new office, he will be welcomed in the House as Governor.

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday appointed new governors for several states.

GC Kataria being extended congratulations on being appointed as the Governor of Assam during a programme in State Assembly on Monday. Also seen are Rajendra Rathore, Kalicharan Saraf,

GC Kataria, LoP in Legislative Assembly, has been nominated as Governor. I convey my best wishes to him on behalf of House, on my behalf & on people’s behalf, & hope that he will discharge his constitutional duties with same traditions as he has been doing as a public representative.

—Dr CP Joshi, Assembly Speaker

WHO WILL LEAD BJP IN SOUTH RAJ?

Yogesh Sharma

Jaipur: The appointment of Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly Gulab Chand Kataria as Assam Governor on Sunday, marks the departure of the BJP veteran from active politics in the State ahead of the Assembly elections later this year.

I am very grateful to all honourable members. I assure all of you, the people of Rajasthan, that as a representative of Rajasthan, I will try to carry out my work while remaining within the constitutional limits and I will try every moment in my life to maintain your respect.

After being appointed as the Governor of Assam, LoP Gulab Chand Kataria was felicitated by the Assembly Speaker Dr CP Joshi and other MLAs in the Speaker's chamber with a Mewar cap and shawl on Monday. After this, when he reached the House, Joshi congratulated Kataria on behalf of everyone and said that he was proud of him. Joshi said that Kataria studied with him in the same college and Kataria was also born in Dilwara village of his constituency. Kataria thanked all the members.

CM’s OSD quizzed by Delhi Police in phone tapping case

New Delhi (PTI): Lokesh Sharma, the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Raj CM, on Monday appeared before Delhi Police for questioning in connection with a phone-tapping case stemming from the July 2020 political crisis in the state, officials said.

Sharma appeared before the city police’s Crime Branch unit on Monday, a senior officer said. “I did not tap any phone. I got the tapes via social media. In the tapes there were conversations to bring down the Govt, I shared it with media and public as responsible citizen. The conversations I sent to media can be verified by agencies,” Sharma said.

The Delhi Police had

Security beefed up ahead of CM's Baran visit today

Kataria, 79, who was an eight-time MLA and a former minister, has influence in the Mewar region. His departure from active politics will lead to a void in the Mewar region as for the last three decades, as he was handling the command of the party there.

This region has sent Kataria to the Assembly for three decades.

Along with Udaipur, Kataria has influence in Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh and Rajsamand districts and his impact is on 28 assembly seats of this region. BJP got 15

asks to prepare proposal to establish

Hub’ in Kota

This is the 6th time I am appearing for investigation. Delhi Police interrogated me for 4-5 hours & I answered them. I am cooperating. The Writ we have proposed was for quashing this FIR which is pending, hearing for it will happen on February 20.

—Lokesh Sharma, OSD to CM

served a notice to Lokesh Sharma asking him to appear for questioning in the phone tapping case.

Probe on for one & a half hours

On Monday, Delhi Crime Branch interrogated Lokesh Sharma for about one & a half hrs during which about two dozen questions were asked about audio that went viral. Reportedly, Lokesh cooperated continuously in inquiry & till now he has been called for questioning 6 times wherein, he personally appeared thrice & had sent written notes in the remaining three times.

It is clear that the Centre is misusing agencies. How is forwarding an audio clip that was found on social media considered as phone tapping?

—GS Dotasra, PCC Chief

First India Bureau

Kota: With LS Speaker Om Birla’s efforts, world’s best Science Centre and Planetarium will be built in Kota. The science and space information and models displayed at the Centre will be similar to any other planetarium in the world. The Science Centre will be managed by Science and Technology Dept of Raj Govt.

For construction of Planetarium, an MoU was signed between National Council of Science Museums & the Science & Technology Dept of Govt of Rajasthan. It will be built at a cost of about Rs 35.25 crore. Along with

this, an ‘Innovation Hub’ will also be constructed in second phase. During the MoU signing, LS Speaker Om Birla asked to prepare a proposal for this also. Rs 22.5 crore will be spent on Science Centre, of which Rs 9.58 cr will be borne by Centre, while Rs 12.67 cr by Raj govt. Rs 13 crore will be spent on setting up Planetarium, where, Rs 5.60 cr will be borne by Centre & Rs 7.40 cr by the State Government.

seats in Udaipur division despite losing power in 2018. Of these, 6 of Udaipur’s 8 seats were won by the BJP.

Kataria is currently MLA from Udaipur city seat. It will fall vacant after Kataria’s resignation as the MLA. Despite this, there will probably not be any assembly by-election on this seat because 9-10 months are left for the Rajasthan Assembly elections. Code of conduct may be imposed in last week of September or first week of October and in such a situation, the Election Commission may not conduct by-elections.

CM will attend Bhagwat Katha at Punali village

Baran: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will be in Baran today to inaugurate the country's first hi-tech Shri Mahavir Free AnimalBird Hospital and Trauma Centre. The district administration has been alerted regarding his visit.

District Collector Narendra Gupta, SP Kalyanmal Meena have completed all the preparations. There will be strict security arrangements at Shri

Bada Balaji Dham. Mines and Petroleum Minister Pramod Jain Bhaya said that CM Gehlot will reach the helipad near Shri Badan Balaji Dham on Mangrol Road at 11 am. After visiting Shri Badanji Balaji, he will have lunch at the temple premises. Gehlot is also scheduled to visit Shrimad Bhagwat Katha Mahotsav. Bhaya said that Govind Singh Dotasra and CP Joshi will accompany the Chief Minister. Three helipads have been made near Balaji. He will leave for Kota from Balaji at 1 pm.

PM Modi’s Dausa visit may be a ‘game changer’ for BJP

Yogesh Sharma

Jaipur: The political and electoral stir in Rajasthan has finally been initiated after PM Modi’s Dausa visit. In fact, unity was seen in all the factions of the party in the Prime Minister’s meeting. Meanwhile, some people gave a suggestion to the high command to make Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the BJP State President. As such, Shekhawat is extremely active in Rajasthan from the Centre for the last three years. Usually, he is seen every week in some programme or the other in Rajasthan. Along with this, in the possible reshuffle of February 22, Dushyant Singh is discussed to be given the important re-

sponsibility of the Minister of State in the Union Cabinet. Although till now, Vasundhara camp has never shown any interest in any such proposal.

Therefore, the question is that if Gajendra Singh Shekhawat really becomes BJP President, then where will Satish Poonia go? Due to his

clean image and ‘Jat factor’, now Poonis has also become indispensable and with this, now who will be the Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly? Similarly, now there is a lot of curiosity among the people about the ‘role’ of Vasundhara Raje herself in the elections!

Major reshuffle: Raj Govt transfers 75 IPS officers

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: In a major reshuffle in police administration, the Rajasthan government transferred 75 IPS officers on Monday night.

Range IGs of Jodhpur and Udaipur, SPs in 19 districts and two Deputy Commissioners of Police in Jaipur Commissionerate have been changed in the transfer list issued by the Department of Personnel.

Dr Raviprakash Meherda, ADG Crime, has been made DG Civil Rights and Cyber Crime while ADG Armed Battalion Janga Sriniavas Rao was made DG Training.

ADGs Prashakha Mathur, Sushmit Biswas, Dinesh MN, Sanjib Kumar, Vishal Bansal have also been transferred.

The SPs of Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Sikar, Baran, Jodhpur Rural, Barmer, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur Rural, Ganganagar, Dungarpur, Bhiwadi, Alwar, Pratapgarh, Dholpur, Rajsamand, Jalore, Banswara, Churu and Tonk, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Jaipur North and Jaipur East were also transferred.

OFFICERS TRANSFERRED

Dr Ravi Prakash Mehrada, DGP, Civil Rights & Cybercrime

Janga Srinivasa Rao, DGP, Training, Rajasthan Dr Prashakha Mathur, ADGP, Reorganization and Rules, PHQ Dinesh MN, ADGP, Crime Branch, Jaipur Sanjib Kumar Narzari, ADGP, Community Policing, Jaipur

Vishal Bansal, ADG, Armed Battalion, Jaipur

Bipin Kumar Pandey, ADG, Police Welfare, Jaipur

Alok Kumar Vashisht, ADGP, State Disaster Relief Force, Jpr

P Ramji, ADG, Security Rajasthan, Jaipur Bhupendra Sahu, IG, Cybercrime, Jaipur Navjyoti Gogoi, IG, Personnel, Police Headquarters, Jaipur Prafulla Kumar, IG, Crime, Police Headquarters, Jaipur

Harendra Kumar MahawarDIG, RPTC Jodhpur Shweta Dhankhar - DIG, RAC Rajasthan, Jaipur

Ajay Singh - DIG, SSB, Udaipur

Yogesh Yadav - DIG, SOG, Jpr Kunwar Rashtradeep - AdCP, (Law and Order), Jaipur Kalyan Meena - DIG, SSB, Kota Anil Kumar II - DIG, SSB, Jodhpur

Pradeep Mohan SharmaDeputy Director, RPA, Jaipur Deshmukh Parish Anil - SP, Sriganganagar Dr Rajeev Pachar - SP, Jaipur Rural Anand Sharma - SP, Alwar

Sharad Chowdhary - SP, Kota City

Rashi Dogra Dudi - DCP, Jaipur City (North)

Abhijeet Singh - SP, Banswara

Shantanu Kumar Singh - SP, ATS Jaipur

Tejaswini Gautam - SP, Bikaner

Sudhir Chaudhary - SP, Hanumangarh

Harshvardhan Agarwala- SP,

Sawai Madhopur

Rajesh Kumar Meena - SP, Churu

Vikas Sangwan - SP, SOG

Rajasthan, Jaipur

Manish Tripathi - SP, Intelligence, Jaipur

Ajaypal Lamba - IG Udaipur Range, Udaipur

Sumit Meharda, ADC to Governor, Raj, Jaipur

Satyendra Singh - IG, SOG, Jaipur

Ashok Kumar Gupta - IG, Police Headquarters, Jaipur

Sawai Singh Godara - IG, ACB

Headquarters, Jaipur

Anil Kumar Tank - DIG, Police

Recruitment & Promotion

Board, Rajasthan

Kailash Chandra Bishnoi - ACP

(1) Police Commissionerate, Jaipur

Preeti Chandra - DIG, Home

Defence, Jaipur

Rajendra Singh- IG, Law & Order, Jaipur

Jai Narayan - IG, Jodhpur Range, Jodhpur

Sandeep Singh Chauhan - IG, Community Policing Param Jyoti - IG, Vigilance

Jaipur

Dr Rameshwar Singh- DIG, (Traffic) Police Commissionerate, Jaipur

Manoj Kumar - SP, Dholpur

Bhuvan Bhushan Yadav - SP,

Cyber Crime, Rajasthan, Jaipur

Dr Kiran Kang Sidhu - SP, Jalore

Abhijeet Singh - SP, Banswara

Shantanu Kumar Singh - SP, ATS Jaipur

Devendra Kumar Vishnoi - SP (Traffic), Police Headquarters, Jaipur

Anil Kumar - SP, Bhiwadi, Alwar

Dharmendra Singh - SP, Jodhpur Rural

Sudhir Chaudhary - SP, Hanumangarh

Digant Anand - SP, Barmer

Rajarshi Raj Verma - SP, Tonk Jyeshtha Maitrei, DCP, Crime, Police Commissionerate, Jaipur

Amit Kumar - SP, Pratapgarh

IPS Kundan Kanwariya - SP, Dungarpur

IPS Manish Tripathi - SP, Intelligence, Jaipur

Ravi Prakash Mehrada Janga Srinivasa Rao Ajaypal Lamba

Sanyam Lodha, Gyanchand Parakh, Rajendra Pareek & others.

—Gulab Chand Kataria, Leader of Opposition

Pramod Jain Bhaya serves food to devotees at Shrimad Bhagwat Gyan Ganga Mahotsav Utsav Week at Shri Bada Balaji Dham at village Bada Baran on Monday. Also seen here is Urmila Jain.

Birla

‘Innovation

Lokesh Sharma

PM Narendra Modi waves at masses during expressway inauguration event in Dausa. Also seen are Nitin Gadkari, Vasundhara Raje, Prabhulal Saini & Madan Dilawar. FILE PHOTO

Dr CP Joshi, MLAs bid farewell to Kataria

COME FALL

LOVE

CITY FIRST BRINGS TO YOU SOME LOVELY STYLING TIPS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR VALENTINE’S EVER SO SPECIAL

a cherry on the cake.

EASY CHIC DRESS LOOK

If You’re a Shy Girl if you want to keep things simple and stylish during Valentine’s week. A shirt or a casual T-shirt dress are easy choices for this day, and you really can’t go wrong with either.

Valentine’s Day is not only the day to express your love for someone, but also to look your stylish best. As special as it is to show your emotions, it’s also important for you to look dapper for your special one.

Whether you are planning a romantic dinner date, coffee date or setting up a lovely movie night at your terrace or garden area, just make sure to dress up well for your partner as it will surely create an everlasting impression and will be

OG DENIM & TEE KINDA OOTD

By adding a striking piece to your regular jeans and tee look, you may turn it into a fashion moment. This Valentine’s Day, you may keep it simple with a pair of denim and a shirt, but don’t forget to accessorise for a casual diva style.

PJ TOP AND BOTTOM FOR LOVE & LEMONS

Let’s continue with the girl who is always the best dressed in the bedroom with these silky smooth For Love

& Lemons pyjamas. These are playful, romantic, and most importantly, comfortable in a flushing pink hue with a rose design.

DECONSTRUCTED

LACE SHORT SKIRT

Whoever says red and pink don’t go together has never seen this Valliant Studios skirt. While the colours are ideal for Valentine’s Day, this skirt would also look great on the beach in summer or with an allblack suit and boots in the winter.

RED CARDIGAN

From the contrast stitching to the ruffle details throughout, this cardigan is a true show-stopper. Add it to any ensemble for an added WOW impact.

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

LOVE PLANTED A ROSE & THE WORLD TURNED SWEET!

CITY FIRST

Valentine’s Day is a day that honours friendship, appreciation, and romantic love. People send messages of love and devotion to their lovers, families, and friends on February 14th to commemorate this special day. To celebrate their love for one another, couples exchange Valentine’s Day cards, flowers, and special times.

Many couples decide to set a romantic dinner date or prepare a special meal to commemorate Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day dinner specials are widely available at restaurants, and cuisine is frequently served with romantic symbols like hearts and flowers. A luxurious hotel stays in a stunning setting is another wellliked Valentine’s Day activity that enables the couple to unwind and spend some quality time together. Valentine’s Day is a common day for marriage proposals, and people frequently select it as the ideal occasion to declare their love and devotion. Some marriage proposals are made in quite original ways but some in a most distinctive way.

If you are in search of a quiet, historical location in Rajasthan for a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend, apart from the bustle of daily life and which also helps make your loved one feel more special and important there is one exquisite and luxurious property that can help you make a move toward your love, The Leela Palace. This luxury property was established as a significant landmark in the city and beyond, drawing inspiration from the regal Rajputana tradition. Its architectural philosophy honours the intricate details of

domes that have been painstakingly constructed with silver foiling. The property is situated on more than 8 acres of beautiful grounds and is situated in a serene setting next to the Amber fort on the Delhi-Jaipur route. It provides the ideal vantage point to discover Delhi in all its splendour, with historical sites of interest, bustling bazaars abounding with fabrics, art, and handicrafts, and the renowned silver and gemstone markets only a short distance away. It is easily accessible by car.

To celebrate the power of love an event is being organised at Sukh Mahal, Jharokha bar, and Preet Mahal in The Leela Palace to shower your significant others with love and tokens of our affection with cocktails you’ll fall in love with.

People can indulge in an evening of melodious, entertainment, exclusive cocktails, romantic dinners, and more. Couples can get the experience of beautiful Valentine’s day special decorations and Live music. So stop thinking and take your signifi-

The Leela Palace, Jaipur

SIDHARTH MALHOTRA-KIARA ADVANI

The cutest couple in Bollywood after being hitched on February 7, 2023, will celebrate their first special day. Siddharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani will now spend Valentine's Day as husband and wife

A NOTE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR

Valentine’s Day, on February 14, is a perfect opportunity to show your loved ones how much you care about them. February is renowned as the month of love & Bollywood stars have never been afraid to publicly declare their love and spend time with their partners. While some celebs took time off from filming, many others turned to social media to send their special someone warm greetings. Some of the most adorable Bollywood couples who got married recently will celebrate their first Valentine’s Day together their fans just can’t keep calm to know how they are celebrating the festival of love with

ALIA BHATT AND RANBIR KAPOOR

The biggest event of the year 2022 was undoubtedly the marriage of Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor. Following a year of dating, they were united in marriage on April 14 and are now the parents of a girl named "Raha." This year's Valentine's day will be the most special for this couple.

SOHAEL KHATURIYA AND HANSIKA MOTWANI

On December 4 in Jaipur, Hansika Motwani and Sohael Khaturiya exchanged vows. In a crimson lehenga with elaborate embroidery, Motwani looked gorgeous. Their pre-wedding events included a Sufi night, a theme party, and haldi. The couple will celebrate their first Valentine’s day this year.

SHIBANI DANDEKAR AND FARHAN AKHTAR

Shibani Dandekar and Farhan Akhtar, one of Bollywood's cutest couples, were married on February 19, 2022, in front of their nearest and dearest. Dandekar's unconventional wedding dress gained media attention. The couple will celebrate

ATHIYA SHETTY-KL RAHUL

Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul got married on, January 23, after dating for close to four years. At Suniel Shetty's Khandala property, the couple tied the knot. Through mutual acquaintances, Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul first connected in 2019. It is believed that they clicked right away and became buddies. Valentine's Day will be memorable for them this time.

ALI FAZAL AND RICHA CHADHA

When Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal exchanged wedding vows on October 4, 2022, their cute pictures were melting everyone’s hearts. The couple's wedding celebrations began on September 30 in New Delhi, continued in Lucknow, and culminated with throwing a star-studded reception in Mumbai. The couple, who have been together for over ten

MRIDULA SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

GRAND POLO STARTS

GREETINGS!

The prestigious 14goal Carysil Jaipur Open for HH Brigadier Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh tournament begins on Monday and will be held till 19 February.

This tournament has been sponsored by Carysil. This is for the third consecutive year that the Carysil is supporting Polo in Jaipur. This trophy was instituted in the year 2012 by the Royal Family of Jaipur in the memory of late Brigadier Sawai Bhawani Singh and since then played regularly in the Jaipur polo season. This was informed by Ambassador FIP, Narendra Singh at a Press Conference at Rajasthan

Polo Club on Monday.

Vice President, Pan India, Sales Carysil Jairaj Nair said that Carysil endeavours to make Jaipur the best destination for polo in the country with the participation of the best national and international players. It will also be a great opportunity for the spectators of the sport.

There will be four teams playing in this Tourna-

AWARENESS ABOUT EPILEPSY

Epilepsy occurs when the flow of electrical waves in the brain increases too much. Epilepsy is of two types.

Former Epilepsy and Partial Epilepsy” said by Dr Manmohan Mehandirata, President of the Epilepsy Association of India during the Health Awareness Programme organised on the occasion of International Epilepsy Day by Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Jaipur on Monday.

During the programme, he said that epilepsy can be cured if medicines are taken as per the rules. The chief guest of the program, Professor Dr ML Swarnakar, Emeritus of the hospital, said that Mahatma Gandhi Hospital

is also providing facilities for surgery for epilepsy with state-of-theart technology. A separate Epilepsy Clinic is also running in the hospital.

Coordinator of the program & HOD of Neurology, Dr RK Sureka said that Epilepsy Registry Clinic is also going

on in the hospital for epilepsy during pregnancy, free consultation is done every Friday in the hospital. On this occasion, a poster competition on epilepsy and an exhibition related to the symptoms and treatment of epilepsy and a TV talk show were also organised. Pro ViceChancellor Dr GN Saxena, Dr BS Sharma, Director, SRCC, Dr Hemant Malhotra, Medical Superintendent and other senior doctors were present in the programme.

ment – Jindal Panther/ Carysil, Chandna Polo, Vimal Arion and Sujan Indian Tigers. The highhandicap polo players participating in the tournament are Manolo Llorente, Matias vial Perez, Chris Mackenzie, Daniel Otamendi, Salvador Jauretche, Simran Shergill, Padmanabh Singh among others. Also present on the occasion was the Secretary, of Ra-

jasthan Polo Club, Digvijay Singh. The final match of the Sirmour Cup was played at Rajasthan Polo Club on Sunday.

In an exciting game, Team Sujan Indian Tigers lifted the cup by defeating Team Vimal Arion by a score of 14-12. Post the match, there was a high tea in which the polo lovers and who’s who of the city were seen having a great time.

Education breeds confidence

MITALI DUSAD

The glittering ceremony of 12th convocation was held at JNU recently in which more than 2000 students received the degree. By the presence of chief guest Former CM of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje and other prominent members in public service including Ram Charan Bohra, Yunus Khan, Rajpal Singh Shekhawat and Ashok Parnami. The convocation ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp by Former CM Vasundhara Raje and . During the occasion, Businessman and spiritual leader Prakash Atolia, father of Dr Vaibhav Atolia, an MBBS student who bagged his degree said, “It is indeed

a moment of pride for me. My heartiest congratulations to each one of the students, parents as well as the faculty members who stood tall

all these years.” Moreover, 2300 plus degree holders including 129 gold medalists and 87 PhD students were awarded degrees.

Jagdeesh Chandra greeted Gajraj Singh Bhati, of the First India family as he reached the former’s residence to seek blessings on the occasion of his birthday on Monday, February 13.

NOBEL DONATION!

Inventive Helping Hands Society organised a hair donation camp at Butterfly Pitbul Salon, Bapu Nagar on Monday. During the camp, Kashwini Gehlot donated her 15 inches of hair to cancer patients. While interacting to the media, Himanshi Gehlot, President of Inventive Helping Hands Society said that "The main aim of this camp is to provide hair wigs to the cancer patients who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy". The salon is owned by Kajal Jaiman.

DURING THE DAY!

The ring ceremony of Dr Sandeep, son of Sharda Sharma and Mahedeo Sharma with Dr Yashi, daughter of Madhu Shama and Dr Anil Vyas was organised at Raaj Aangan Resorts, Haweli Ralawata, Jaipur on Monday Kanoria PG College alumni association meet was organised on Monday. Sadhna Garg a journalist and a social entrepreneur was unanimously elected as President. Prof Aarti Chopra as Vice President and Asst. Prof Head Public Administration, Secretary amongst a new executive. Dr Rashmi Chaturvedi Director and Seema Agarwal Principal Kanoria College asked the alumnae to stay connected and create value for society. Dr Rekha Gupta the outgoing President gave a vote of thanks.

TIMELESS ELEGANCE & CULTURAL FASHION

CITY FIRST

One of the mega fashion and glamour extravaganzas titled 'Indian Culture Week 2023' amazed every fashion lover with its timeless elegance and cultural fashion at Brookwood Garden 34 Silver Oak Farm, Ghitorni Delhi on Sunday. The event brought together a medley of fashion designers showcasing their vivacious and latest collections. Eminent fashion designers Javed Sheikh, Harish K Vashisht, Vipin Agrawal, Mukesh Dubey and Santanu Bose presented their astonishing collections. Parimal Mehhta beauti-

fully choreographed the culture week.

The fashion extravaganza was organised by Kingshuk Baduri, celebrity designer & Founder of Indian culture week and Amit Chauhan, DG collection & Co-Founder of Indian culture week. According to them, the main aim of the fashion week was to showcase the fusion of traditional Indian designs with contemporary fashion trends. While interacting with the media, the organisers said "In this creative journey, fashion has played a pivotal role, with Indian Culture Week 2023 setting the tone and being an inspiration for a continually developing

global Indian. We are excited to offer another juncture year of fusion fashion and look forward to presenting our designers’ viewpoint on both style and sustainability.” With famous designers and brands, Indian Culture Week established itself as the hub for emerging talent, sustainability and the business of fashion.

Various page 3 personalities including Vishal Kotiyan, Bigg Boss, Gaurav Gautam, Holiday Inn Mayur Vihar, Alok Purohit, CMD- MSME and supermodel Kanggana Malik were present during the occasion. The media partner of the show is First India.

—PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Meenakshi Devi, Padmini Devi, Anu Bajwa and Narip Bajwa watching the match

(L-R) Cris Mackenzie, Dhruvpal Godara, Digvijay Singh, Jairaj Nair, Narendra Singh, Siddhant Sharma, Salvador, Kuldeep Singh and Manolo Llorente

Narendra Singh, Gauravi Kumari and Lakshraj Prakash

Kirti Rathore

Namrata, Nisha, Digvijay, Shambhavi and Jaykirti

During the event

Dr Vaibhav Atolia with Priyanshu Atolia and proud parents Archana and Prakash Atolia

During the convocation ceremony

Nyashbhatt Nehul

Amit Chauhan felicitates Pradeep Kerala. Also seen is Gaurav Gautam

Kanika and Ina Vishal Kotian

Gajender Phogat felicitates Kingshuk Bhaduri. Also seen is Gaurav Gautam

Shikha and Viney Kanggana Malik

—PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO