First India-Jaipur Edition-29th March 2023

‘MODI GOVT NEVER TOOK POPULIST DECISIONS, ENDED POL INSTABILITY’

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday during ASSOCHAM Annual Session 2023 said the Modi government never took populist decisions for vote bank politics but worked for the betterment of people and ensuring political stability in country. P5

PAN-AADHAAR LINKING DEADLINE IS JUNE 30 NOW

New Delhi: The government on Tuesday extended the deadline for linking PAN card with Aadhaar to June 30, 2023 from March 31, 2023. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said that the date for linking the PAN and Aadhaar has been extended to provide some more time to the taxpayers.

BOM LAWYERS BODY MOVES SC OVER DHANKHAR, RIJIJU REMARKS

Mumbai: The Bombay Lawyers Association on Tuesday moved SC against a HC decision dismissing its PIL against Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and VP Jagdeep Dhankhar for their remarks on judiciary and the collegium system for appointment of judges.

BJP leading India into the future: Modi

 BJP to organise special campaign to promote the central govt schemes

 BJP MPs laud PM Modi for leading them to score 3 big wins in NE States

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged the BJP leaders to be ready for a “strong fight” stating that the more the party rises and succeeds, the more will be attacks from the opposition. PM Modi attended the BJP parliamentary party meeting which took place in the Parliament complex. This was the first time

that this meeting has taken place in the ongoing second part of the session. The meeting began with the BJP MPs congratulating PM Modi for leading them to score 3 big wins in the recently concluded the Assembly elections in NE States. PM Modi was felicitated by the party leaders for the party’s win in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland where they have a coalition government.

YOGI GOVERNMENT BULLDOZES GANGSTERS

Beginning of for mafias in UP! THE END

Atiq Ahmed, 2 others get life imprisonment in 2006 Umesh Pal kidnapping case

Moni Sharma

Prayagraj: A court in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Tuesday convicted gangster-turnedpolitician Atiq Ahmed and two other accused in the 2006 kidnapping of Umesh Pal, the prime witness in the BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case. The MP-MLA court sentenced Atiq Ahmed, Dinesh Pasi and Khan Saulat Hanif to life imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh. This is the first conviction for the jailed don. 7 others, including Ahmed’s brother Khalid Azim alias Ashraf, were acquitted in the case.

SC dismissed Atiq’s plea seeking protection during his custody.

7 others, including Atiq’s brother Khalid Azim alias Ashraf acquitted ABOUT THE UMESH KIDNAPPING CASE

After the killing of BSP MLA Raju Pal on January 25, 2005, Umesh Pal, the then zila panchayat member, had told police he was a witness to the murder. Umesh was kidnapped on Feb 28, 2006. Umesh was gunned down outside his Prayagraj home on Feb 24, 2007.

—Prashant

Who is Atiq Ahmed?

Atiq Ahmed is a former Samajwadi Party MP from Phulpur and a five-time MLA.

Govt cancels licences of 18 pharma firms

First India Bureau New Delhi: The govt on Tuesday cancelled the licences of 18 pharmaceutical companies for manufacturing of spurious medicines following an inspection by Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on 76 companies across 20 States. “Huge crackdown under way on pharma firms across India related to manufacturing of spurious medicines,” said sources.

The more, the BJP continues to taste success and rise, the more the attacks from the other side will increase. Have to be ready for a “strong fight”. —Narendra Modi, PM

Will abide by...: RaGa on vacating govt bungalow

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday wrote to Mohit Rajan, deputy secy at LS secretariat, saying, “Thank you for your letter of March 27, 2023 regarding the cancellation of my accommodation at 12, Tughlaq Lane.” This comes a day after disqualified MP was asked by LS Housing Committee to vacate govt-allotted bungalow by April 22. Ra-

RTH BILL: NEW POSTS, MAHABANDH TODAY

Vikas Sharma

hul said he owes “happy memories of my time spent here” to mandate of the people. “Without prejudice to my rights, I will, of course, abide by details contained in your letter,” he added.

CRUCIAL READ

AIADMK on Tuesday announced that former TN CM EK Palaniswami has been elected as gen secy of the party, OPS petition rejected in Madras HC. P6

Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf stand accused of being involved in a conspiracy.

Laxman Raghav

Bikaner: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said that Indira Gandhi was also thrown out of the Parliament, but she came back to the House with full power. “The same is being done with Rahul. The gathering of Congress workers in such a large number is historic. It will be remembered that we had gathered on the cancellation of Rahul Gandhi’s LS membership,” Gehlot said. Gehlot stressed

In the Sanjivani case, apart from Gajendra Shekhawat, family members accused too

Rajeev Gaur

Jaipur: To deal with the medical crisis out of protests over the Right to Health Bill, State govt has approved 1,000 junior resident doctor posts approved for all medical colleges for smooth functioning. SMS Medical College alone will get more than 450 junior residents. These new posts have been approved for the next 6 months. The principal of all medical colleges will conduct walk-in interviews from Wednesday. Mean-

while, preparations are also being made to take action against the residents who are on strike and leaves of govt doctors have been cancelled. Under the Mahabandh, medical services will remain closed in the entire state on Wednesday. More on P3

The Central Board of EPFO has recommended an 8.15 per cent interest rate to be credited on provident funds for the financial year 2022-23.

Partially over turning trial court order, Delhi HC charged Sharjeel Imam, Safoora Zargar, 7 others under sections related to rioting and other sections.

Punjab and Haryana HC asked petitioner, who has alleged illegal detention of Amritpal Singh, to show evidence that Singh is in illegal custody of police.

that dictatorship is going on in the country and to end it, the Congress govt has to be repeated in Rajasthan first. “After this, the first target should be to

defeat BJP in LS polls.

Rahul has been asked to vacate the bungalow, and Rahul Gandhi said with great gentleness that he will vacate the bungalow. More on P8

Jodhpur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday again attacked Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for his alleged involvement in the Sanjivani Society

scam. The CM said that the victims of Sanjivani Society had come to him thrice.

“The victim families have expressed their pain by crying. When Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat got the water dept, I was happy that perhaps Rajasthan would be benefited. But ERCP plan is still stuck in limbo. A defamation case was filed against me as well. P8

Dues of `2 lakh people are going on in Sanjivani. Even if Shekhawat had not committed any mistake, he should have helped the victims. The character and face of the BJP has been completely expose.

—Ashok Gehlot, CM

CM TAKES A JIBE AT JAL SHAKTI MINISTER IN JODHPUR

Gehlot targets Shekhawat again, says victims of Sanjivani Society have “come to me thrice”

Indira was also thrown out of Parl, she came back with full power: CM

PM Narendra Modi and BJP National President JP Nadda greet each other in presence of Union Ministers Amit Shah, Piyush Goyal, Nitin Gadkari, S Jaishankar, Nirmala Sitharaman and others during BJP Parliamentary Party meeting, at Parliament House on Tuesday.

PM Narendra Modi with JP Nadda during inauguration of newly constructed BJP Central Office (Ext.), in New Delhi on Tuesday. P5

Atiq Ahmed, brother Khalid & others being taken at MP-MLA Court amid heavy security in Prayagraj on Tuesday.

CM Ashok Gehlot addressing party workers in Bikaner on Tuesday.

CP Joshi to play crucial role to unite BJP camps ahead of polls!

Names of Arun Chaturvedi, Bohra were also pushed as BJP head

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: With the coronation of CP Joshi as the new BJP Rajasthan president, there are talks that a faction had run the names of Ramcharan Bohra and Arun Chaturvedi for the post but the party high command decided otherwise.

Now how much the CP factor will unite the party factions, this is the biggest challenge

to BJP. The BJP is divided into different factions and CP Joshi has been brought in as a common face. There are more camps in the BJP as compared to the Congress and most of these claim CM face.

BJP has major

JJM: Govt suspends 3 officers of PHED

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: In a case related to the Jal Jeevan Mission Scheme in Dudu, the govt suspended three officers of PHED in a high reservoir construction case without permission.

Yogendra Singh, the then XEN of Dudu, AEN Dipesh Chowdhary and JEN Yudhishthir Meena have been suspended. There was a lot of uproar regarding the construc-

tion of the JJMY tank. The Dayalpura and Urseva OSHR tanks had technical flaws and the negligence of the department’s engineers came to the fore during the investigation.

camps including Raje Camp, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Camp, Satish Poonia Camp, Arjun Ram Meghwal Camp, Bhupendra Yadav Camp, and Diya Kumari Camp.

CP Joshi factor will also be vital in Mewar as he is MP from Chit-

torgarh. There are about 28 seats in Udaipur division.

Joshi factor will also work from a caste angle. There are about 30 to 35 percent upper castes in Rajasthan.

Joshi resumed the charge of his office in Jaipur on Monday.

NEW CORE PANEL TO BE FORMED

S tate BJP’s new core team will be formed soon. There will be an exercise to establish caste political balance. Balancing will also be taken care of at the divisional level. There is a wait for the signal from the high command. Everyone is waiting for CP Joshi’s new team.

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: Senior BJP leader Om Prakash Mathur on Tuesday said the party presidents and other functionaries keep changing but it is the party that all leaders work for.

“Young faces and new faces have been given a chance. Our party is an organization and worker based party. The Prime Minister himself is saying that this is the country of the youth. I was present at the swearing-in ceremony of Satish Poonia also,” said Mathur who attended the ceremony of CP Joshi taking charge as BJP’s Rajasthan president on Monday. Mathur said that CP Joshi gave direction to the workers in his first address.

Speaking about the

JMCG to add more than 100 new hoppers to improve garbage collection in Jaipur

Bharat Dixit

Jaipur: More than 100 new hoppers will be added by Jaipur Municipal Corporation (Greater) for improving garbage collection work in the city. Officials informed that a total of 106 big hoppers will be added in Jhotwara and Sanganer Zone of Heritage Nagar Nigam from April 15. Similarly, hoppers will also be added in Jagatpura and Vidhyadhar

TRIAL RUN OF VANDE BHARAT!

Nagar Zone in the next one-and-half month.

Mayor of Jaipur Municipal Corporation

Young faces and new faces have been given a chance. Our party is an organization and worker based party. The Prime Minister himself is saying that this is the country of the youth. I was present at the swearing-in ceremony of Satish Poonia also.

—Om Mathur, Senior BJP leader

upcoming organizational changes, Mathur said there was an expectation in everyone’s mind that structural changes would also take place. “There will

also be changes in the front, which is a routine process that the worker of the political field expects. All decisions in the party are made through collective lead

Min Chandna taken on DFO in a meeting

Bhawani S Hada

The trial run of the state’s first Vande Bharat train started on Tuesday and will run till March 30. A train was spotted at the Jaipur railway station after it came from Ajmer to Delhi. By the first week of April, the train will have a trial run on various routes. The train will return to Ajmer on March 30.

SIGNIFICANT INCREASE

(Greater), Dr Somya informed that tenders of hoppers have been invited for four zones.

Police mess to include millets in their daily diet

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Along with wheat and rice, millets i.e. coarse grains (jowar, bajra, ragi) will also be included in the plate of policemen. Director General of Police Umesh Mishra said that the United Nations has declared this year as International Millet Year 2023. People are being encouraged to consume nutritious cereals like jowar, bajra and ragi. Mishra said that a meeting will be held in districts and units where jawans will be informed about the merits of millets. Millets will be kept in the shops located at

Raj tops milk, wool production in country

Kashiram Choudhary

Jaipur: A recently released report by the Central Government has put Rajasthan on number one in the country in milk and wool production. Rajasthan has left Uttar Pradesh behind in milk production. Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation has made a special contribution in the increase in milk production.

Union Animal Husbandry Minister Purushottam Rupala released the departmental annual publication

‘Basic Animal Hus-

SHARE IN MILK PRODUCTION

Police Line and Battalion Headquarters. Millets are high in nutrition and rich in protein, fiber, vitamin B and minerals. Additional Director General of Police Bipin Kumar Pandey of the Police Welfare Branch has issued instructions in this regard to all district SPs and heads of police training centres in the state.

SHARE IN WOOL PRODUCTION

 Total wool production in 2021-22 was 33.13 thousand tonnes.

 Rajasthan (45.91 %), Jammu and Kash-

bandry Statistics 2022’. The report mentioned that Rajasthan has 15.5 percent milk production and 45.91 percent wool production. Krishna Kunal, Secretary,

mir (23.19%) in wool production

 Gujarat (6.12 %), Maharashtra (4.78 %) and Himachal Pradesh (4.33 %)

Animal Husbandry Department, said that grants are being given to milk producers in the state under the Chief Minister’s Milk Producer Sambal Yojana.

“The tenders also include bigger hoppers. One big hopper will collect 1200 kg of garbage in one trip. Along with this, a vehicle tracking system will also be installed on all hoppers, while there will be an additional employee in the hooper. The hoppers presently collect about 800 kg of garbage. Ehoppers will soon be operational in the Mansarovar zone as well,” said Mayor Dr Somya.

Bundi: Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Sports and Information and Public Relations

Ashok Chandna on Tuesday reviewed the progress of the development work being carried out in the HindoliNainwan area of Bundi and gave necessary guidelines to the officials to complete the work on time. In the meeting, Chandna became angry over the

obstruction by the Forest Dept in his area. DFO Mohan Raj remained the target of Chandana. He clearly told Mohan Raj, “The day I get a chance, I will return it with interest.”

JDA seals 4-storey illegal building in Murlipura

First India Bureau Jaipur: Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) on Tuesday sealed a four-storey illegal commercial building in Murlipura area. Officials informed the building was constructed after violating the building by-laws and the same was sealed last year in September.

“The JDA action took place at Plot No. 7 in Shankar Nagar Colony situated in Murlipura area. The plot owner had constructed the basement and four floors without the approval of the JDA. The

Make water supply arrangement during closure of canals: ACS

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of PHED Department, Dr Subodh Agarwal, on Tuesday reviewed the works of the department and directed officials to make proper arrangements for drinking water supply in the 10 affected districts where canals will be closed from March 26 to May 24.

During the meeting, he directed to prepare for the storage of drinking water in res-

Dr Subodh Agarwal

ervoirs. Officials informed that Bikaner, Barmer, Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar, Churu, Nagaur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Sikar, and Jhunjhunu districts will be affected by the temporary closure of canals.

illegal building was sealed last year and later the seal was reopened following the directions of JDA tribunal on the condition of

removing the illegal construction. A notice was served on January 31 and the building was again sealed on Tuesday,” officials said.

Satish Poonia greeting CP Joshi as Arun Singh and Arun Chaturvedi look on. Joshi resumed the office in Jaipur on Monday.

‘Young, new faces are given chance in BJP’

Four-storey illegal commercial building sealed in Murlipura by the JDA team in Jaipur on Tuesday.

RIGHT TO HEALTH BILL

MEDICAL SERVICES TO CRIPPLE TODAY AS DOCTORS CALL MAHABANDH IN STATE

Vikas Sharma

Jaipur: The face-off between agitating doctors and the Rajasthan government over the Right to Health (RTH) bill continued on Tuesday with the government adamant on not taking the bill back at any cost.

The doctors have called a Mahabandh on Wednesday, which the medical teachers have also announced to support.

The ongoing agitation by private doctors, demanding a rollback of the bill, entered the 11th day on Tuesday with work at private hospitals coming to a

Jaipur: A PIL has been filed in Raj HC over ongoing docs’ stir over RTH Bill. The PIL, filed by one Pramod Singh, will come up for hearing before the division bench of CJ MM Srivastava & Justice Anil Kumar Upman on Friday. CS, Med Secy, Secy of Medical Edu,IMA & RMA & 15 other doctors have been made a party in PIL. It has been requested that govt be directed to provide proper medical resources in govt hospitals & instructions be issued to govt to cancel the licenses of the doctors who are on strike. —Kamal Kant

PSKS date may extend; rights to local bodies

Abhishek Shrivastava

Jaipur: State govt is going to increase the date for Prashasan Shehron Ke Sang Abhiyan. The land deed drive is likely to be extended till September 30 or October 2. An order will be issued by UDH Dept in this regard very soon. At present, the campaign will be held till March 31. The government has set a target to distribute 10 lakh land deeds.

Along with this, the State government has also decided to give rights to local municipal bodies to give land deeds in areas that fall under development authorities & UIT.

UDH Advisor GS Sandhu has sent a recommendation in this regard to the State government.

Mayor acts against illegal meat shops

Jaipur: The JMC Greater has initiated action against illegal meat shops and slaughterhouses in Jaipur. Mayor Dr Somya inspected the areas and sealed several meat shops on Tuesday. On Tuesday, seven meat shops in the Mansarovar area were sealed.

standstill. Due to this, OPD service will remain closed today in PHC, CHC, sub-district hospital, district hospi-

tal and hospitals attached to the medical colleges in the state. More than 15,000 doctors and teacher faculty

are involved in this entire protest.

Rajasthan Medical College Teachers Association said that only OPD will be boycotted during the bandh. Patients coming in emergency and patients admitted in ICU will be given complete treatment.

The leaves of all the doctors and other staff associated with the Medical Health Department have been cancelled. The principals of medical colleges have been asked to ensure that all essential services, especially OPD, IPD and ICU, emergency services and

Will not take back Right to Health Bill at any cost, says Health Min

First India Bureau Jaipur: Amid massive protest by the doctors across Rajasthan against the Right to Health (RTH) Bill, Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena said that the government would not take back the Bill at any cost.

Reacting to the proposed Mahabandh by

private doctors and supported by medical teachers today, Meena said, “If government doctors stop working, then the government will also act strictly. Agitating doctors should not consider themselves above the law. If there’s any problem with the Bill, then we are ready to hold a discussion but the Bill

won’t be taken back at any cost,” Meena said. The protesting doctors are taking ‘undue advantage,’ Meena said. “If required we will recruit more doctors if protests continue, we will do whatever is required. The way the doctors are pressure, the government is not afraid,” the Health Minister added.

services related to gynecology and obstetrics should continue without any problem.

The agitating medicos, who took a cycle rally on Tuesday to mark their protest, have made it clear that if the Bill is not withdrawn, then their strike will continue.

Dr Vijay Kapoor, Secretary of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Society, said that despite so many talks, our issues have not been resolved yet.

“Now, direct talks will be held with the Chief Minister. Then this issue will be resolved,” Kapoor said.

BJP leaders Satish Poonia and Kali Charan Saraf have written a letter to CM Ashok Gehlot regarding the ongoing protest of doctors over RTH Bill. The leaders said that due to the stir, medical services have been hit badly in state. “Thousands of surgeries have been postponed & patients in govt hospitals have increased by three-fold. Hence, you are requested to leave your stubbornness & meet doctors to resolve the issue at earliest,” the letters mentioned. The government did not try to understand the problem.

Laxman Raghav

Bikaner: PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra on Tuesday said that some people hijacked the doctors’ movement. He said that the approach of the agitators is not right. “We will sit and talk only then the way forward will emerge. The Right to Health was necessary, the matter would be resolved through dialogue. It is not right to adopt obstinacy, this law

Jaipur (ANI): Cabinet Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas on Tuesday apparently contradicted Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena’s statement and said “We do not want confrontation with the doctors and want them to end the strike. If required, the government

is for the common man, this law has not come for Adani,” he said. It is not right that someone dies due to lack of treatment and doctors should understand that this is a good bill for commoners and poor people, he said.

will take four steps back.” He also said, “Right to Health Bill has been brought in the interest of the public as government intention and thinking is to make Rajasthan first state in the country to have Right to Health Bill.” He also offered to mediate between govt & docs.

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The state government has made two amendments in the Police Service Rules and decided to give gallantry promotion to the Chief Minister’s Personal Security Officer (PSO), Ramnivas. After getting approval from the government, the police has sent the proposal of DPC to RPSC to make security officer Ramnivas from inspector to DSP.

Along with Ramnivas, the proposal also names another inspector Rajesh Soni, who was shot in 2014 while nabbing the notorious gangster. In the proposal, the work done by Inspector Ram Niwas during the crisis of the government has been described as special, said an official on Tuesday.

Notably, during the last tenure of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, emergency landing of CM’s chopper was made in Churu due to technical fault. Following the incident, Ramnivas was given gallantry promotion from Sub-Inspector, said an official.

Govt will step back on RTH Bill if necessary: Khachariyawas

Gallantry promotion to CM’s PSO by amending rules

Agitating doctors sitting on a hunger strike at Jaipur Medical Association’s Hall on Tuesday. —PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

‘Docs must comprehend RTH Bill is good for them’

POONIA, SARAF WRITE TO CM OVER PROTEST

INJURY-STRUCK AND BATTERED FORM OF PLAYERS

TEAM INDIA STARES AT WORLD CUP

sies, it is also being discussed that Suryakumar Yadav’s (better known as SKY) power may have been eclipsed in ODIs of late, or is he a misfit at No. 4? There was also talk of shifting him to number 6 where he would play in a crunch situation which he is best suited for. However, that too didn’t work as he was shifted to number 5 at the third ODI at Chennai and he got out in a golden duck.

With the T20I star batter SKY failing to open his account in all the three recent ODI matches, analysts are wondering if the team management has frowned over the current situation in Team India.

IN-DEPTH

AFSPA REMOVED FROM THREE STATES IN THE NORTH-EAST

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act has been a contentious and sensitive issue in some of the northeastern states. Demands for removal of the harsh law have been persistent and long-standing. Nagaland, Assam and Manipur were placed under AFSPA during the height of the insurgency but, because of the Centre’s assessment, it remained in place much after the insurgency had been brought under control.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah had previously stated that the NCA will work with IPL franchises to monitor the shortlisted Indian players participating in IPL 2023, keeping in mind the men’s Future Tours Programme and preparation for the ICC-World Cup 2023

If SKY was the most consistent player for the T20I format, the ODIs were no different, at least in the initial stages. In his first six ODI outings, he had two scores of fifty-plus with a 40 and a couple of unbeaten scores in the thirties. But since then, it has been a downhill for the 32-year-old who had registered scores in this order…9, 8, 4, 34 no, 6, 4, 31, 14, 0 and 0 in his last 10 ODIs!!! With Shreyas unavailable for the series, India decided to give SKY an extension in the ODI format.

Even as SKY is struggling, captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid are known to give a long leash, especially to the struggling players. Remember what they did with KL Rahul?

With the ICC World Cup slated by the end of this year, Team India has a major headache as far as the fitness, availability and good form of players are concerned. The list of bad forms and injuries is quite long. Star batsman and steady wicketkeeper Rishab Pant was injured some time back and is, in all probability, not playing for the World Cup.

While analysing Team India’s prospects especially with the World Cup coming up, one must consider all points and every player. The best available must get to play. We must not ignore the fact that the Team India management had the option to choose Rajat Patidar but he was not considered for the Australia series. Also why did we not consider Sanju Samson, a batsman who in the 10 ODIs had the following scores of 46, 12, 54, 6 No., 43 No., 15, 86 No., 30 No., 2 No., 36, besides an average of 66 in 11 matches

As far as Shreyas Iyer is concerned, KKR issued a statement disclosing Nitish Rana as the new interim captain of KKR in the absence of Shreyas Iyer. The statement read, “While we are hopeful that Shreyas will recover and participate at some stage in the IPL 2023 edition, we feel fortunate that Nitish, with the captaincy experience of having led his stateside in whiteball cricket and the IPL experience he has had with KKR since 2018, will do a great job.” KKR further stated, “We are also confident that under head coach Chandrakant Pandit and the support staff, he will get all the support needed

EPS WINS HC BATTLE, JOLT FOR BJP PLANS

off the field, and the highly experienced leaders in the squad will provide all support that Nitish may need on the field. We wish him the best in his new role and Shreyas a full and speedy recovery.”

Now, with Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Iyer currently undergoing rehabilitation after injury and the T20I great Suryakumar Yadav going through an extremely bad patch in the recently concluded ODI series against the Aussies, BCCI secretary Jay Shah had previously stated that the NCA will work with IPL franchises to monitor the shortlisted Indian players partici-

The legal battle for control of AIADMK has gone against O. Panneerselvam (OPS) after a single-judge Bench of the Madras High Court upheld the elevation of Edappadi K Palanisamy (EPS) to the all-important post of party’s general secretary, held earlier by former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

OPS camp had challenged his expulsion from the party and the appointment of EPS as general secretary. The two strongmen of the AIADMK have been squabbling over Jayalalithaa’s political legacy. The issue may not yet have been resolved as the OPS camp was considering a challenge to the judgment before a two-judge Bench.

pating in IPL 2023, keeping in mind the men’s Future Tours Programme and preparation for the ICC-World Cup 2023. Meanwhile, Team India captain, Rohit Sharma, was asked whether players would take breaks during the IPL, he said it was up to the franchises and the players. If they feel they need a break, they can talk about it and take a break in one or two games.

Speaking of the number 4 slot in India, which is a pivotal position, Suryakumar Yadav’s abysmal form has been the talk among the cricketing circles.

After a double duck in the ODI series against the Aus-

The legal battle for control of AIADMK has gone against O Panneerselvam (OPS) after a single-judge Bench of the Madras HC upheld the elevation of Edappadi K Palanisamy (EPS) to the all-important post of party’s general secretary, held earlier by former CM J Jayalalithaa

The AIADMK’s general council had appointed EPS, the former chief minister, as interim general secretary in July last year. In February this year, the Supreme Court left it to the high court to decide the legality of resolutions passed at last year’s general council but had up-

While analysing Team India’s prospects especially with the World Cup coming up, one must consider all points and every player. The best available must get to play. We must not ignore the fact that the Team India management had the option to choose Rajat Patidar but he was not considered for the Australia series. Also why did we not consider Sanju Samson, a batsman who in the 10 ODIs had the following scores of 46, 12, 54, 6 No., 43 No., 15, 86 No., 30 No., 2 No., 36, besides an average of 66 in 11 matches. A knee injury (against Sri Lanka) had forced him out of the series against the New Zealanders at home, but if the SKY keeping failing so miserably, will the management come clean on the fact why they aren’t considering the Samson as there is no proper logic behind this move of Team India’s management, especially when the tournament is so far being considered to be played on the home turf.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

held the elevation of EPS as interim general-secretary.

After the high court’s judgment on Tuesday, EPS was reappointed as party chief amidst scenes of jubilation.

The decision of the court will make the Bharatiya Janata Party, which was being seen as supportive of OPS, to reconsider its moves in the southern state. The party had brokered truce between the warring AIADMK factions before the recent Erode East Assembly bypoll by supporting the EPS candidate. Earlier, BJP was seen to be backing the OPS camp and EPS’ elevation was seen as a setback for its plans to gain a foothold in state politics. After Tuesday’s verdict, BJP’s attempt to unite the two factions may have come a cropper.

The Centre’s decision to remove AFSPA from more police stations in the three states is a good balm to heal old wounds and win the people’s trust. The decision came two days after Assam and Meghalaya partly resolved their decadesold boundary dispute. Peace agreements with various insurgent groups have facilitated gradual withdrawal of AFSPA but regional and ethnic identities would require a fine balancing act. AFSPA was first revoked by the Left Front government in Tripura in 2015. Meghalaya followed later. With the latest order, Northeast is now ‘disputes free’. Last year, the prime minister had promised further revocation of AFSPA.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind. Buddha

TOP TWEETS

For the first time we are creating a system of ‘Professor of Practice’ in higher education. This is the way forward for future-proofing our education & skilling. PM @narendramodi’s resolve for 100% coverage of welfare schemes is a great example of design-thinking in governance.

Bhupender Yadav @byadavbjp

The 233rd meeting of Central Board of Trustees, EPFO, has recommended 8.15 per cent as rate of interest on Employees’ Provident Fund deposits for 2022-23. Happy to share the interest rate of EPFO is higher than other comparable investments avenues available for subscribers.

ROBIN ROY

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

PM Modi fires back at Opposition parties , says ‘Won’ t bow down ’

New Delhi (Agencies):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the newly constructed BJP Central Office (Ext.) in Delhi. Speaking at the inaugural event, he called the BJP the “most futuristic party of India” and recalled the “tireless and continuous journey”. He attacked Congress by raking up the issues of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Emergency, and corruption.

“India can never forget that black chapter of 1984. Congress got a historic mandate in those elections, it was an emotionally charged atmosphere. We were completely destroyed in that wave, but we were not demoralized and didn’t blame others,” Modi said in the event attended by BJP chief JP Nadda and other dignitaries.

On the new office building, PM Modi said it is an “expansion of the aspirations of BJP workers who are the soul of the party and its office.” He added, “The

‘BHRASHTACHARI BACHAO ABHIYAN’ BY OPPN: PM

New Delhi: Taking a jibe at the Opposition, PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that all those who are deeply rooted in corruption have come together and are attacking constitutional institutions of the country. “When agencies take action

BJP is not the party that came from the TV screen or newspapers.

14 States, UTs facing boundary issues: Govt

New Delhi (ANI): The Central government on Tuesday said in Lok Sabha that there are boundary disputes arising out of the demarcation of boundaries and claims and counterclaims over territories between 14 states and Union Territories (UTs). Union MoS (Home) Nityanand Rai said in a written reply, “There are boundary disputes arising out of demarcation of boundaries and claims and counter claims over territories between HaryanaHimachal Pradesh, UT of Ladakh-Himachal Pradesh, MaharashtraKarnataka, AssamArunachal Pradesh, Assam-Nagaland, Assam-Meghalaya, Assam-Mizoram.”

INDIA REPORTED 1,317 H3N2 CASES FROM JAN 1-MARCH 21, RS TOLD

New Delhi: India reported 1,317 cases of H3N2 from January 1 to March 21, according to information provided by states and Union Territories, Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

1,827 FCRA LICENCES CANCELLED IN LAST 5 YEARS: MoS HOME

New Delhi: Union MoS (Home Affairs) Nityanand Rai on Tuesday said in Lok Sabha that a total of 1,827 Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration certificates have been cancelled in the last five years under section 14 of the Act. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Lok Sabha MP Kuwar Danish Ali had posed this query.

against those who are deeply rooted in corruption, they attack the agencies. When courts pronounce order, questions are being raised on the judicial system,” he added. PM also said that the action against corruption has brought all the “corrupt” people

Neither did it come from Twitter handles and YouTube channels.

BJP’s Ram Prasad

Paul is Tripura

Deputy Speaker

Agartala: Ruling BJP

MLA and former Minister Ram Prasad Paul on Tuesday was elected unopposed as the Deputy Speaker of the Tripura Assembly. Paul was among the four ministers of the first BJP-led govt who did not find place in the second saffron party-led govt led by CM Manik Saha. Saha along with eight other legislators on March 8 assumed office as the cabinet ministers.

together. He added, “During Congress rule, our banks were looted and fled the country. All those deep in corruption are coming together on one stage. Some parties have started ‘Bhrashtachari Bachao Abhiyan’. We will not bow down by the false allegation.”

This BJP progressed on the basis of the hard work of its workers.”

AMIT SHAH AT ASSOCHAM SESSION

“Policies, law and order worth investing in J&K”

Recalling the journey of BJP, he said, “Journey began with two Lok Sabha seats is now at 303 seats. The BJP is the only pan-India party from East to West and from North to South. The BJP gives opportunity to the youth to progress… A few days from today, our party will celebrate its 44th foundation day. This journey is a tireless and continuous journey. This journey is the journey of the culmination of hard work. We fought against the Emergency. The BJP is the most futuristic party of India.”

Attacking Congress, he said BJP never blamed others for losses.

Attacking Opposition for questioning credibility of central agencies and courts, the Prime Minister said, “Credibility of our institutions are being questioned. People who are indulging in corruptions, when they are being investigated by agencies then agencies are being targeted.”

Fight not for RaGa but to save democracy: Maken

Jammu (PTI): The Congress’ campaign following Rahul Gandhi’s “hasty disqualification” from the Lok Sabha is meant to safeguard democracy and highlight corruption in the country, senior leader Ajay Maken said here on Tuesday. The former Union minister also reiterated the party’s demand for setting up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe into the allegations against the

Adani Group.

“Look at the sequence of events, which culminated in the hasty disqualification of Gandhi — who raised serious questions on the links between (PM Narendra) Modi and Adani in Parliament,” Maken said.

New Delhi (ANI): Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday while speaking at the industry body ASSOCHAM’s annual session stressed the fact that both policy interventions and law and order in Jammu and Kashmir are worth investing in, and asked industrialists to take note of it. Both policy and law and order are worth investing in Jammu and Kashmir, you must pay attention to this, the country’s Home Minister Amit Shah said in response to a question to industrialists at the Assocham event. Shah said that both policy and law and order in Jammu and Kashmir are worth investing in and industrialists must pay attention to this.

“Industrialists should choose the region for investment according to their market strategy and keeping their business interest in mind.

Bhagwat to attend Sindhi community event in MP on 31

Dimple Sharma

Jaipur : RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will be in Bhopal on March 31 and address a convention of the Sindhi community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be present there on April

CENTRE SET UP ROBUST SYSTEM TO CHECK CYBER CRIMES: SHAH

New Delhi: The Modi government has created a robust system to handle cyber crimes where people can lodge online complaints that lead to registration of FIRs and prompt action, Union Home Minister

I have no issue wherever you invest as long as it benefits the country. But I must say that both policy and law and order are worth investing in Jammu and Kashmir, and you must consider this,” said Shah, in response to a query by

Amit Shah said on Tuesday. He said more than 20 lakh cyber crime complaints have been registered on the national cyber crime reporting portal so far on the basis of which 40,000 FIRs have been registered.

an industrialist. Shah also assured that India would become a USD five trillion economy by 2025, and he also expressed confidence that by December 2023, the 5G rollout will be fully completed across the country.

IN THE COURTYARD

SC NOTICE TO CENTRE ON PLEA BY CONG LEADER CHALLENGING PMLA’S SECTION 50

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice on a plea by Congress leader seeking to declare Section 50 and Section 63 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act as ultra vires the Constitution. Section 50 gives ED power to summon an accused and record a statement, which is admissible evidence in court of law. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing petitioner Govind Singh, a Congress MLA in Madhya Pradesh, said that plea challenges Sections 50 and 63 of PMLA, and the matter is regarding an ECIR in which the person would not know in what capacity he is being called.

Bengaluru (ANI): Former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said that the BJP-ruled state of Karnataka’s “intention” behind scrapping 4 per cent OBC reservation for Muslims was to spark communal strife between Vokkaligas and Lingayats and the Muslim community.

“All these things are childish issues. With-

ROLLBACK OF MUSLIM QUOTA LIKELY TO TURN INTO CRISIS IN K’TAKA

out properly applying the mind, this government wanted to get votes from a certain community. But nothing will happen,” the JD-S leader said.

CONG CHIEF IN COMMAND

Bengaluru: Withdrawal of 4 per cent reservation for Muslim community by the ruling BJP government is likely to snowball into a crisis-situation in the poll-bound Karnataka. As the major political parties engage in a war of words over the issue, members of the Muslim community came out in the open on Tuesday to protest against the BJP government’s decision.

1. Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda also visited Madhya Pradesh. Bhagwat and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will be in Bhopal on March 31. Representatives of Sindhi society from all over the world will participate in this event. Singh will be there for the two-day Tri Service Military Exercise organized here. The Chiefs of the three Services and the Prime Minister will also participate in the conference.Bhagwat’s visit to Bhopal is also considered important.

Three types of exhibitions will also be organized in this programme. The first will be of Sindh province in Pakistan.

Kharge gives a shocker with new appointments!

Mahesh Sharma

New Delhi: Congress chief Mallikarjun

Kharge is building his team and that new team will be a surprise, if not a shock, for everyone.

Because before the formation of the new team, the restlessness of the old leaders has started appearing inside the party. It is being told that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are not interfering in anything. The result of this is that the

old leaders of the party and especially the leaders loyal to the family have to do their own positioning. On the other hand, buoyed by Kharge becoming the president, a new team of leaders are eager to take over.

So, the internal conflict has started and it is visible from the Parliament as well as outside. However, it is not that Kharge is not working and taking care of the family. He is taking complete care of the senti-

ments of the family but the message has been created that he is working independently and Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are not interfering.

That’s why a controversy has arisen regarding

Pramod Tiwari. Kharge made him the deputy leader of the party in the Rajya Sabha. The post was lying vacant after Anand Sharma’s tenure ended last year.

It is being told that two powerful general secretaries of the Congress had opposed the appointment of Pramod Tiwari as the deputy leader. But Kharge did not listen to anyone and made him the deputy leader under him. Similarly, in the cur-

rent session of Parliament, Kharge went on a day-long tour of his home state Karnataka, where elections are due soon. He had given Pramod Tiwari the responsibility of coordinating with the opposition and holding a joint press conference. But a general secretary of the party wanted former Union Minister P Chidambaram to hold a press conference. He tried a lot for this but Tiwari was not ready as he was

GYANVAPI MOSQUE: ALL PENDING SUITS MAY BE CLUBBED

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to list for hearing on April 21 a plea of the Hindu side seeking consolidation of all suits pending in Varanasi court pertaining to Gyanvapi Mosque-Kashi Vishwanath dispute. A bench said it will list the matter for hearing on April 21 when the other matter will come up for hearing. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain mentioned the matter before the bench saying the Varanasi court was not passing an order on the issue.

KANJHAWALA CASE: DELHI COPS TOLD TO FILE CHARGE SHEET

New Delhi: Delhi’s Rohini Court on Tuesday asked the Delhi police to file the charge sheet on the next date of hearing on April 1 in the Kanjhawala hit and drag case. Delhi police informed the court that the charge sheet is under scrutiny. This incident pertains to January 1, 2023. Metropolitan Magistrate Sanya Dalal extended the judicial custody of the five accused till April 1. The period of 90 days is going to expire on April 1.

SC TO HEAR PIL SEEKING TO BAN CONVICTS FROM FORMING, RUNNING POLITICAL PARTIES

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would hear in the first week of May a PIL seeking to restrain convicted persons from forming political parties and becoming their office-bearers for the period they are disqualified under election laws. A bench of justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna deferred the matter after lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay mentioned it saying it be heard on April 5 or 6 as it was unlikely to be heard during the day. “What is the urgency? This can wait. This can come in the first week of May,” the bench said.

WHAT FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT IS VIOLATED?

SC ASKS NCP LEADER

adamant on complying with Kharge’s order. Seeing his attitude, the General Secretary had to step back. Later, both remained absent from the joint press conference of Opposition.

Also, two new secretaries have been appointed in the Congress, about whom no one had any idea. After the appointment everyone in the All India Congress Committee office was asking about them but no one knew about them.

PROBE ON AGAINST COP WHO PLUCKED PRISONERS’ TEETH

New Delhi: “What is the fundamental right that is violated?” the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked NCP leader Mohd Faizal who has filed a plea against the Lok Sabha Secretariat for not withdrawing a notification disqualifying him as an MP despite his conviction in an attempt-to-murder case being stayed by the Kerala High Court. A bench posed the question to the lawyer appearing for the NCP leader after he mentioned the matter saying it be heard on Wednesday.

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission (TNSHRC) on Tuesday said that it has taken up a suo moto case against IPS officer Balveer Singh accused of torturing those in custody. There were allegations that the IPS officer who was working as ASP, Ambasamudram, in Thirunelveli district, had tortured those taken into custody for various cases including gang wars and other crimes, and plucked out their teeth with pliers.

“Karnataka govt’s intention is to provoke communal strife”

PM Narendra Modi with BJP National President JP Nadda interacts with workers during inauguration of the newly constructed BJP Central Office (Ext.), in New Delhi on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

BUDGET SESSION OF PARLIAMENT

Amit Shah at ASSOCHAM session in New Delhi on Tuesday.

INDIA-AFRICA DEFENCE TIE-UP

India will continue to work with the African nations to promote regional security, stability & enhance defence capabilities, says Defence Minister Rajnath during 1st India-Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave in Pune

Pune (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that India will continue to work with African nations to promote regional security, foster stability and enhance defence capabilities together.

Rajnath Singh was addressing the first edition of the India-Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave organised on the sidelines of the second Africa-India Joint Exercise ‘AFINDEX’ in Pune, Maharashtra on March 28, 2023. The conclave was attended by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and Chiefs and representatives of 31 African nations, along with other civil and defence dignitaries.

Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s commitment to providing support to African partner countries in all defencerelated matters, includ-

“Assam’s Vidhan Sabha & LS seats will remain same”

INDIA, AFRICAN NATIONS HAVE STRENGTHENED TIES: GEN PANDE

ing capability enhancement of their Armed Forces, to ensure their economic growth and social development. He emphasised that the full potential of a nation’s progress can be realised only when its security is ensured.

“We believe that preservation of individual human rights such as the right to life and personal liberty, right to employment, right to

CRUCIAL READ

GOLD WORTH `65 LAKH SEIZED FROM TWO PASSENGERS AT HYDERABAD AIRPORT

Hyderabad: Customs officials seized gold worth Rs 65 lakh from two passengers who had come from Dubai at Hyderabad International Airport on Tuesday, said an official.On suspicion, Customs Air Intelligence officers intercepted one male passenger who reached airport by a flight from Dubai. During search three capsules of gold in paste form weighing 840 gm (approximately Rs 51.24 lakh value) was found concealed in rectum, a release from Customs said.

livelihood, etc. are dependent on a strong and effective state apparatus which can ensure the Rule of Law as well as promote economic growth and social development. Development can only take place in a safe and secure environment. Though many of us have come a long way since our independence, there are many African countries where the capacity building of state

systems is still a work in progress,” he said while emphasising the need to build robust state structures which can cater to the needs and aspirations of the people.

India has been at the forefront of providing training to the Armed Forces of African nations and equipping them with the necessary skills to face the security challenges of the 21st century.

HC rejects plea of OPS against EPS

Pune (ANI): Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Tuesday said, India and African nations have strengthened their ties based on a mutually beneficial relationship encompassing a number of spheres.“India and African nations have strengthened their ties based on a mutually beneficial relationship encompassing a number of spheres. One of the most important areas of cooperation has been in the field of defence and security where the two regions have been working together to promote peace and stability,” said Gen Pande at India-Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave. Dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation, the Army Chief further

said that India values Africa’s role in inspiring the freedom struggle. He said, “Over the centuries, India and Africa had shared a deep and abiding connection between each other. Dating back to the Indus Valley civilisation 2500 years ago when African merchants traded Pearl millet and sorghum for Indian oil and spices. India values Africa’s role in inspiring our freedom struggle.”

Guwahati (ANI):

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday said that the 126 assembly seats and 14 parliamentary seats in Assam would remain the same after the completion of the process of redrawing of boundaries of the constituencies in the State.

Addressing media in connection with the ongoing delimitation of constituencies, the CEC said, “We held discussions with nine recognised and State political

Second Mahatma Gandhi statue vandalized in Canada this month

parties and other organisations in the last two days. We also met around 60 civil groups and organisations. We will try to accommodate all suggestions of the political parties and organisations in the delimitation exercise”. He said those who participated in the exercise included TMC, BJP, CPI, CPI(M), NCP, Asom Gana Parishad, AIDUF, Bodoland People’s Front, United People’s Party Liberal, and three more registered parties.

Punjab CM hits out at Akal Takht Jathedar

BUS FALLS

INTO PIT IN KERALA DISTRICT, SEVERAL INJURED

Pathanamthitta: A bus carrying around 60 Sabarimala pilgrims, including children from Tamil Nadu fell into a deep pit in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district on Tuesday.Several people feared injured in the accident that took place near Nilakkal, according to the sources. The injured have been shifted to Pathanamthitta District hospital for treatment. Further details are awaited on the incident.

DOCTOR MOLESTS 4-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN DELHI’S LOCALITY

New Delhi: Police has arrested a 56-year-old doctor for allegedly molesting a four-yearold girl at a clinic in northwest Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area, an official said on Tuesday. According to police, the incident took place on Sunday when the girl’s mother took her daughter to the clinic in the locality after she complained of stomach pain.

MAN SHOOTS DEBTOR DEAD, INJURES

ANOTHER IN ANDHRA PRADESH DISTRICT

Amaravati: One person was killed and another injured when a man opened fire in Andhra Pradesh’s YSR Kadapa district on Tuesday, police said.The incident occurred in Pulivendula, the Assembly constituency of Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Bharat Kumar Yadav, a sheep trader, opened fire from his firearm, killing Dilip and injuring Mahabub Basha.The incident is said to be linked to a dispute over some financial transaction between Yadav and Dilip.

SIKKIM REPORTS 6 NEW COVID-19 CASES, NO DEATH

Gangtok: Six more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Sikkim on Tuesday, the highest number of infections in a single day this year, taking the total number of Coronavirus cases to 44,344, a health bulletin said. Of the six new cases, three were reported from Pakyong district, two in East and one in the South district, it said.The state now has 12 active COVID-19 cases.

GURUGRAM WOMAN DUPED OF `1 LAKH BY A FRAUDSTER

Gangtok: A woman was allegedly duped of about Rs 1 lakh by a fraudster posing as her father’s friend, police said on Tuesday. In her complaint, victim Jyoti Gupta said the man claimed to know her father and managed to dupe her of Rs 99,945. She said the accused claimed that her father had asked her to transfer Rs 15,000 to him. In all, she transferred Rs 99,945 in multiple transactions.

SOUTH CENTRAL RAILWAY APPEALS PUBLIC NOT TO INVOLVE IN STONE PELTING ON TRAINS

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway (SCR) on Tuesday appealed the public not to indulge in anti-social activities such as stone pelting on trains as instances of the same on trains including Vande Bharat Express took place across different locations. Some of the vulnerable sections (of stone pelting) have been Kazipet –Khammam, Kazipet – Bhongir and Eluru –Rajahmundry, a press release from SCR said adding in recent times, Vande Bharat trains were targeted by miscreants.

Chennai: The AIADMK on Tuesday announced that former Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has been elected as general secretary of the party. The announcement was made by AIADMK election officials Pollachi V Jayaraman and former minister Natham R Viswanathan at the party headquarters in Royapettah, minutes after the Madras high court dismissed the petitions challenging the resolutions passed at the general council on July 11. An official release from the party headquarters said Palaniswami was unanimously elected by the party cadre as per party

bylaw – Rule 20A (2) -that mandated the election to the post of general secretary by the primary cadres of the party. Also, as per the Rule 20A (1a, b and c) that mandated the aspirant to the post of general secretary to remain a member of the party for ten years, minimum five years as headquarters functionary, and proposed and seconded by ten district secretaries each.

Toronto (PTI): Statue of Mahatma Gandhi was vandalised at a university campus in Canada’s British Columbia province, days after another statue of the global peace icon was targeted in this country by Khalistan supporters.

In latest incident, the statue placed at Peace Square on Burnaby campus at Simon Fraser University was vandalised, the Consulate General of India said on Tuesday. “We strongly condemn the heinous crime of vandalising the statue of the harbinger of peace Mahatma Gandhiji, @SFU Burnaby campus,” the Consulate said in a tweet. The incident comes after Khalistani supporters defaced and

“CLOSE TO CATCHING AMRITPAL”

Chandigarh: The Punjab govt told the high court on Tuesday that they were coordinating with several agencies and close to catching Amritpal Singh. The radical preacher, declared a fugitive by the govt, has been on the run since a police crackdown on him and his outfit — Waris Punjab De — began on March 18. Images and videos that emerged on social media have showed him changing his vehicles and appearance multiple times in a bid to dodge police.

spray-painted a Mahatma Gandhi statue near the City Hall in the town of Hamilton in Canada’s Ontario prov-

TILJALA MINOR MURDER CASE

ince on March 23.

In last July too, a Mahatma Gandhi statue in Richmond Hill, Canada was vandalised.

NCPRC notice to WB DGP; report sought in 48 hrs

New Delhi (ANI): Taking cognisance of the incident where a minor girl was found dead in a jute bag in West Bengal’s Tiljala, the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Tuesday said that they have sent a notice to the Director general of police (DGP) of the state.

As per the notice, the commission has asked for a factual report

within 48 hours over the death of a 7-year-old girl in Tiljala area.

As per police, the girl was missing since Sunday morning and her body was found inside a suitcase at a neighbour’s flat in the evening.

Police have arrested the accused, identified as Alok Kumar, a Bihar native.

“On Sunday we received a complaint about a 7-year-old girl

gone missing near PS Tiljala. During the search, the body of the girl was found inside a gunny bag in a house in an apartment complex.

Accused Alok Kumar was arrested immediately after. He has been remanded to police custody,” Subhankar Bhattacharya, DC, South East Division said.

Chandigarh (PTI): Punjab CM Bhagwant

Mann Tuesday hit out at Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh for “provoking” people through an ultimatum to the AAP govt to release all Sikh youths in a police action against radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his aides.

He accused the Jathedar of favouring the Badals and said that the Badals had “used” several Jathedars for their “vested interests”.

The CM told the Jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, that it would have been better had he issued the ultimatum in the sacrilege and missing ‘saroops’ of Guru Granth Sahib. Mann’s reaction came a day after the Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpeet Singh had given a 24-hour ultimatum to the AAP government to release all Sikh youths who were held during the police crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his aides.

The Jathedar also condemned the state government for invoking the National Security Act against a few people during the police crackdown.

India on cusp of new revolution: Scindia

Bengaluru: Union aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said that India is on the “cusp of a new revolution” with air taxis set to become a reality in the next 4-5 years.

Scindia, who for the last two years is working to bring the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) ecosystem said the strong aviation network of India will be the foundation for the new urban air mobility revolution here.

The first step towards this was taken on Tuesday when US eVTOL major AIRO Groupthat is headed by Indian-American businessman Chirinjeev Kathuria - entered into a partnership with chopper operator FlyBlade India to launch eVTOL operations in India by 2027.

“Having an advanced air mobility conference in Bengaluru shows we are in the cusp of a revolution called technology in India. This will

be unlike any other revolution seen so far.

The concept of flying cars is now a reality,” Scindia, who has invit-

ed global eVTOL players to make in India for India and world said.

The AIRO-FlyBlade India partnership an-

nounced in Bengaluru on Tuesday includes Blade India’s “intended acquisition of 150 Jaunt (part of AIRO) Journey aircraft, with an option to order another 100 aircraft to meet the projected demand over the next decade,” AIRO said in a statement.

“Jaunt Air Mobility, the electric air mobility division of AIRO, and its partnership with FlyBlade, demonstrates our company’s ability to capture both short-term and

long-term objectives creating a sustainable future for the people of India,” said Chirinjeev Kathuria, chairman and co-founder of AIRO Group Holdings, Inc.

The companies will collaborate in critical areas to support future short-haul mobility operations including exploring development of key infrastructure capabilities in aircraft charging and energy distribution technologies.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande, and others released commemorative booklet on India Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave during the event, in Pune on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

CEC Rajiv Kumar addresses media regarding the delimitation exercise in Assam, in Guwahati on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Violent protests were held in Kolkata after death of a minor girl.

Action against illegal mining: 330 held, 397 FIRs registered

Following the instructions of CM Ashok Gehlot, action taken by Raj Police to prevent illegal mining

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: Following the instructions of CM Ashok Gehlot, intensive action has been taken by the Rajasthan Police to prevent illegal mining by conducting a special campaign against illegal mining, illegal transportation, and illegal storage across the state.

A total of 813 cases of illegal mining were registered and 330 persons were arrested by registering 397 FIRs. Also, illegal storage of 7472 tonnes of minerals along with 633 tractor trolleys, 273 dumper wagons and trucks, 15

48 accused held under operation ‘Vajraghat’

Mukesh Mathrani

HEMM machines, and 33 other machines have been seized.

A total of 164 cases including 13 cases of illegal mining and 151 cases of illegal transportation were registered under the action taken to prevent illegal mining in Jaipur range. along with 119 FIRs were registered and 109 persons were arrested. Director General of Police Umesh Mishra said that in the Jodhpur range, a total of 15 cases including 10 cases of illegal mining and 5 cases of illegal transportation were registered.

Cong wants JPC in Adani case but Raj govt has given him max facility: Rathore

Shiv Prakash Purohit

Jodhpur: Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Rajendra Rathore during his stay at the Circuit House in Jodhpur on Tuesday, attacked the state government on various issues while talking to the media.

On Adani case, Rathore said that on one hand, Congress has demanded to set up a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the case while on the other hand, the Rajasthan government has given Adani many facilities.

Rathore claimed that Rajasthan is the only state that has given maximum facilities to Adani. He demanded the postponement of the Right to Health Bill, saying that the government

Man gets lifer for killing wife and 3 kids in Bundi

First India Bureau

Bundi: In the case of debt-ridden Mukesh

Bairwa strangling his wife to death and killing his 3 children by giving them poison, the court awarded life imprisonment to the accused Mukesh and punished him with a fine of Rs 40,000.

On March 26, 2018, Mukesh Bairwa, troubled by debt, strangled his own wife Manju to death and poisoned two daughters Shivani and Garima, and his son Prateek to death, and attempted suicide by drinking poison. How-

ever, Mukesh survived after the treatment.

Under the section of IPC, the Additional Session Judge Order No. 2, sentenced Mukesh, accused of killing his family, to life imprisonment and punished him with a financial penalty of Rs 40,000 on Tuesday.

Only a few announcements were made in the budget. Most of them have not been implemented. Gehlot is misleading the people. He will have to face the biggest defeat in Jodhpur in upcoming polls.

—Rajendra Rathore, Leader of Opposition, Raj Legislative Assembly

should have first taken the stakeholders into confidence and it should be first implemented in government hospitals or medical colleges where the government has given land at conces-

sional rates. “The way the government intervened in the matter of the Advocates Protection Act, in the same way they will have to do something regarding the RTH bill.

7,472 TONNES OF MINERALS SEIZED

Jaipur: Director General of Police Umesh Mishra said that all range Inspector Generals and Commissioners of Police had been directed to take action against this. He also said that this action was taken with an adequate police force after making necessary preparations. Illegal storage of 7472 tonnes of minerals, 633 tractor trolleys, 273 dumper wagons and trucks, 15 HEMM machines and 33 other machines have been seized.

Barmer: Under operation ‘Vajraghat’, Barmer police on Tuesday claimed to nab 48 accused. Police also seized 12 vehicles and recovered 1200 litres of illegal diesel. Under operation ‘Vajraghat’, 63 teams of 304 police personnel were formed which raided 135 locations. Digant Anand, superintendent of police in Barmer confirmed the report. A day earlier, SP had taken a meeting in which operation ‘Vajraghat’ was discussed and necessary instructions were given to the officials. It is claimed that under this operation, police teams had planned to arrest

history sheeters, mafia and habitual criminals. However, police have identified hundreds of miscreants, but could arrest 48 accused. Police also seized 12 vehicles and 1200 litres of illegal diesel. Out of the arrested 48 accused, 4 are fugitives, 5 are permanent wanted, 3 wanted accused, 11 accused in

‘Role of natural gas to be decided in proposed Energy Policy 2050’

Nirmal Tiwari

Jaipur: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Mines and Petroleum Department, Dr Subodh Agarwal, on Tuesday said that the role of natural gas and petroleum sector will also be decided in the proposed Energy Policy — 2050. This sector has a major role in achieving the net zero target in the power sector. Dr Subodh Agarwal, who was speaking during the presentation of Energy Policy - 2050 proposed by CEEDW, said that to give suggestions on the role and impact of the natural

DSP, constable suspended for conniving with drugs smugglers

Mukesh Mathrani

Barmer: The Deputy Superintendent of police (DSP) of Rajasthan and one constable were suspended over alleged collusion with the drug smugglers. Additional director general (vigilance) Biju George Joseph issued the order of suspension of DSP and constable.

Digant Anand, superintendent of police in Barmer confirmed the suspension. However, he maintained that as the decision has been taken by higher-level authorities, he could not comment more. Ac-

cording to the informa tion, deputy superintendent of police Jaggu Ram, who was posted at Baytu circle in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, was suspended on Monday after his alleged involvement in a drug smuggling racket came to light. Along with Jaggu Ram, one

has also been suspended with similar charges. It was also revealed that DSP played a suspicious role in another case. Sources said that when Baytu police seized some vehicles of drug smugglers, DSP tried to pressurize the police to release them.

CM sanctions `2,000 crore for construction

Naresh Sharma

Jaipur: CM Ashok Gehlot announced financial assistance of Rs 2000 crore for the construction of the ‘Pipalkhunt High-Level Canal’ in Pratapgarh district. The proposal has been approved and the

scheme will provide ir rigation facilities in a 5000-hectare area of of Pipalkhunt, Rajhadi Chowki, Tamatia, Nal chowki, Nalda, Kelame la, Bori, Mahudikheda, Morwania, Thechala, Sobaniya, Jethalia, etc. will be benefitted from the scheme.

Basic facilities in the veterinary hospitals are being expanded across the state. Equipment worth Rs 50, 000 and furniture worth Rs 50,000 will be provided to each sub-center to increase facilities in the newly created 600 veterinary

sub-centers of the state. CM Ashok Gehlot has given financial approval of Rs 6 crore. With this, sick animals will get modern treatment facilities in nearby veterinary hospitals. Notably, an announcement in this regard was made by the CM in the budget for 2023-24.

gas and petroleum sector, a sub-group will be formed under the leadership of the Director (Petroleum) Sandesh Nayak which will also have representatives like MD of RSGL, ONGC, Oil India, Cairn, Food Department,

BPCL, IOCL among others. “Rajasthan is the leading state in the exploration and exploitation of natural gas and crude oil. This sector will also play a role in achieving the goal of zero net energy,” said Dr Subodh Agarwal.

CS directs collectors to ensure hassle-free events on March 30

First India Bureau

Jaipur: Chief Secretary Usha Sharma on Tuesday directed the district collectors to ensure necessary arrangements for the successful organization of programs to be held at the district and block level on March 30. While addressing the collectors through video-conferencing in the secretariat, she also directed to appoint RAS officials as in-charge at the block level to ensure the smooth organisation of the programs. She

on Tuesday.

said that along with the general public, the participation of the local public representatives should also be ensured in these programs. She asked for strict compliance of the orders.

separate cases and 9 accused were arrested on warrant. Police also seized 12 suspicious vehicles and also seized 1200 litres of diesel that was illegally collected. The food supply department was also informed for further action. Meanwhile a total of 16 people were arrested under section 151.

BRIEF

MLA BALJIT YADAV HOLDS PROTEST RUN AGAINST GOVT

Baran: Independent MLA Baljit Yadav demonstrated against the government on Tuesday by running from Pratap Chowk to Government College in Baran. Yadav held the Gehlot government guilty over the issue of unemployment and paper leaks in the state and urged the government to meet the demands of unemployed youth. During this, his supporters were also with him. The MLA ran for about two kilometres wearing black clothes. Yadav said that this run is to get the demands of youth, education, health, employment and farmers fulfilled. “Relief should be provided by solving their problems”, Yadav said adding that only the youth of the state should be given government jobs in the state.

EVENTS ON RAJ DAY CANCELLED DUE TO PROTEST

Jaipur: The Grand function on Rajasthan Day has been canceled due to the protests over the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Parliament. Various cultural programs were scheduled to be held at Albert Hall from March 27 to 29. Preparations were made to organise a cultural night at Albert Hall on March 30. Now a short program will be held at Albert Hall on March 30. Tenders worth about Rs 2.5 crore were finalised by the tourism department. Due to the protests started by Congress across the country, the authority had to cancel the program on Rajasthan Day celebration.

Jeweller receives `2 cr ransom call in name of gangster Godara

First India Bureau

Churu: An FIR has been filed in Sujangarh Police Station of Churu district on Tuesday for allegedly demanding a ransom of Rs 2 crore from a jeweller in the name of notorious gangster Rohit Godara.

Police informed the victim, Pawan Soni, received a WhatsApp call at 8:30pm on March 26.

“The victim runs a jewellery shop in the main market of Sujangarh town. The ac -

cused posed as Rohit Godara and demanded a ransom of Rs. 2 crores.

The accused also threatened the victim

and his family with dire consequences. A team has been constituted and the accused will very soon be caught,” police said.

Police in action against illegal mining, illegal transportation, and illegal storage across the state on Tuesday.

Accused in the Barmer police custody on Tuesday.

Rajendra Rathore speaks to the media in Jodhpur on Tuesday.

Pawan Soni Rohit Godara

ACS Dr Subodh Agarwal speaks during the presentation of Energy Policy-2050 proposed by CEEDW on Tuesday.

DSP Jaggu Ram Constable Nenu Ram

Usha Sharma, Gaurav Goyal & others in a meeting

`6 CRORE TO EXPAND BASIC FACILITIES IN VET HOSPITALS

On all the upturns and the downturns of life, one should remember to keep faith in God for the required balance.

Vision of ‘Vishwaguru’ couldn’t have been possible without Rajiv’s contribution: CM

Laxman Raghav and Rajeev Gaur

Bikaner/Jodhpur:

On Tuesday, CM Ashok Gehlot inaugurated the Student Union office at Dungar College in Bikaner. While addressing the event, Gehlot stressed that by merely doing BA or MA they won’t be able to fix nation’s current issues.

“Today we have opened hundreds of new colleges & English medium schools. Today if Modi ji talks about becoming a world guru, he wouldn’t have been able to talk about this dream at all, if Rajiv Gandhi wasn’t there,” Gehlot said and appealed to the youth, “You have to create history. But only he who reads history, understands the country, can create history.”

The CM added, “What is the condition of Pakistan today? Pt Nehru had a vision and thus India’s roots remained strong. State govt is focusing on social security.” “Today there is a difference between knowledge and education. Along with educa-

Randhawa:

Sharma & others during Cong’s divisional level conference in Bikaner on Tuesday.

CM Ashok Gehlot inaugurates the Student Union Office at Govt Dungar College in Bikaner on Tuesday. Also seen here are GS Dotasra, Dr BD Kalla, Lokesh Sharma and others.

CM TO LAY FOUNDATION STONE OF NEW RAJ HOUSE IN DELHI ON APR 14

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will lay the foundation stone of Rajasthan House on April 14. It is to be built on Prithviraj Road, New Delhi. The 35-year-old Rajasthan House will be demolished and a new one will be constructed. Gehlot will be in Ajmer on March 31 to attend the divisional level conference of Congress. Besides, PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra and State in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa will also be present. Ajmer Collector Anshdeep and SP Chunaram Jat visited the Patel Maidan to take stock of the arrangements as the conference is likely to be held there.

tion, knowledge is very important. Government is taking big decisions in the interest of youth. All people should get employment in coming time, that is govt’s priority” he said.

Sukhjinder Randhawa said, “There are eleven and a half thousand students in Dung-

ar College. Congratulations for this. The state where education is good, that state can’t lag behind.” PCC Chief GS Dotasra stressed that today the rights of the youth are being taken away.

CM Gehlot, Randhawa & Dotasra addressed the workers’ confer-

ence at Gandhi Maidan in Jodhpur, in which leaders and workers from 6 districts of Jodhpur division participated. “Such was the atmosphere when Indira Gandhi was tortured. Now same thing is being done with Rahul Gandhi. At that time I was DCC Prez and Con-

Benefits from date of joining for people with minister status

PANORAMAS OF PANNADHAY, AMRAJI BHAGAT, BARHATH TO BE BUILT

gress leaders Parasram Maderna, RS Vishnoi, KS Rathod, Ranjit Singh, NR Barwad, Kaluram Arya went to jail. After that Indira Gandhi was victorious & later became them PM,” Gehlot said.

Dotasara attacked Centre saying, “Why no one can ask questions to Modi govt? When Rahul Gandhi raised the question about the relationship between Adani and Narendra Modi. No one was ever punished for 2 yrs in such a case. Suddenly, they disqualified the MP in 24 hours in a hasty decision.”

Jaipur: Panorama of freedom fighters Kesari Singh Barhath, Pannadhay and folk deity Amra Ji Bhagat will be constructed in the State. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has given financial approval of Rs 12 crore for the construction of the panoramas. Pannadhay Panorama will be built at Pandoli, the ancestral place of Pannadhay in Chittorgarh district, at a cost of Rs 4 crore. Pannadhay’s work and personality will be shown through various mediums. Panorama of Amra Ji Bhagat (Angarh Bavji) in Chittorgarh district will also be built at a cost of Rs 4 crore and the panorama of freedom fighter Kesari Singh Barhath will be constructed at Shahpura in Bhilwara at a cost Rs 4 crore. All these three panoramas will have the main building, auditorium, hall, library, statue, canopy, inscriptions, sculptures, audio-video system. The construction work will be done from the Tourism Development Fund.

Dr Rituraj Sharma

Jaipur: The Gehlot government has given a big gift to the people having status of Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers and Deputy Ministers. Now, ministers belonging to these categories, will get all facilities and benefits

from the date of joining instead of July 18, 2022, the date of issue of the order. For this, the Cabinet Secretariat has issued a revised order. Members of Boards, Corporations, Commissions and Committees will get benefits as per order dated November 30, 2012.

ALLOWNACES & FACILITIES

l For Cabinet Minister status- Rs 65,000 salary and Rs 55,000 hospitality allowance

l Minister of State statusRs 62,000 salary and Rs 55,000 hospitality allowance

l Deputy Minister- Rs 60,000 salary and Rs 40,000 hospitality allowance

l Those not residents of Jaipur will get a monthly housing allowance of Rs 30,000

l Residents of Jaipur will get monthly housing allowance of Rs 10,000

l They will however not get facility of accommodation in Vishram Bhawan in Jaipur

l Daily allowance in the State Rs 2,000 per day for the limit of 180 days per year

l Daily allowance outside the State Rs 2,500 per day for the limit of 100 days per year

l For telephone, broadband, internet, ministerial level officials will get Rs 10,000 per month, Rs 8,500 per month to MoS status, Rs 3,750 for Deputy Minister level officials

Raj holds 3rd position in SKOCH State of Governance Ranking

First India Bureau

Jaipur: PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra has reprimanded the party leaders and expressed displeasure for not coming out openly in support of Rahul Gandhi. Dotasara has warned the leaders who are not actively taking part in the demonstration and threatened that those who will not obey the orders of the party’s high command will be discharged from their posts.

Notably, in many districts including Jaipur, Ministers and MLAs did not participate in protests, following which, Govind Singh Dotasra warned the partymen of facing

dire consequences in the future.

Govind Singh Dotasra further added that the party gave us everything including recognition and position, but even after disqualifying our leader Rahul Gandhi from Parliament, leaders are taking part in the protest and it is a matter of shame for the political leaders of the state.

Rajendra Chhabra

Jaipur: Since there are still nine months left for Assembly polls in Rajasthan, the date from which ‘Model Code of Conduct’ comes into effect is also far. However, one more date, related to it, is near & it is believed that this date may fall in first week of April & as a result, there is immense ‘commotion’ in the higher bureaucracy regarding the date.

This is the date after which all decisions taken by present government, could be reviewed by the next govt, which is a traditional move.

The current Ashok Gehlot government had also reviewed the decisions taken in the last six months of the for-

mer BJP government. Thus, the million dollar question is: From when will the last six months be counted?

The general perception is that this should be the date six months before the date of election, but the current Gehlot government took a landmark decision in this regard, as soon as it came to power. The date for assembly elections in 2018 was July 7, but Gehlot gov-

ALL’S

ernment considered the ‘six months time’ to start from the date of announcement of election. The election was announced on October 6, 2018 and the government also considered the past six month date from this day. The then Chief Secretary DB Gupta had even taken out a date in this regard and finalised the ‘6 month time’ to start from April 6, 2018.

Thus, this time

around, the date can fall in the first week of April 2023. Obviously, it can not be known as to which party will come to power after next polls, but if the review of this government’s works in the last six months befalls, then merely a few days is left to that date in April.

The next two weeks are extremely crucial and important decisions should be taken quickly. The top bureaucracy is faced with the challenge of bringing to life CM’s budget announcements and they will have to be extremely cautious because a minor hiccup could, potentially, prove costly, if another govt comes to power and tries to make it an issue!

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The sensitive, transparent and accountable good governance being provided to the people of the State by the State government under the leadership of CM Ashok Gehlot is the result that there has been a tremendous improvement in the ranking of the state in the SKOCH State of Governance Report-2022. Rajasthan has moved up from 15th position to 3rd position at national level. As per this report, Raj has won a total of 20 awards, out of which 8 are in Gold and 12 in Silver categories.

A total of 78 projects in State have been considered eligible for Or-

der of Merit by SKOCH, out of which 8 projects are in highly impressive & 12 in impressive category. The report states that Raj ranks top in country in health, social justice and social security and housing categories. Maximum improvement has taken place in the field of e-governance and water.

‘Activity U ntold’ Bank’s secretive act flags concern as promoters divulge stake!

lll Bank’s Chief Risk Officer Deepak Jain sold 8.1% stake totalling ` 150 million at ` 626 per share and promoter Shakuntala

Aggarwal sold 21% of her stake worth ` 3.1 billion at ` 628.73 per share, less than ` 629 per share at that time

First India Bureau Jaipur: For the last one year, it seems, something ‘weird’ is going on in AU Small Finance Bank, which, in all sensibility, is neither good for the bank nor the investors. The issue is that the promoters of AU Bank themselves are selling their shares at low value! AU Bank’s shares are continuously falling for a few days and on Friday, the share value reached the lowest in 52 weeks at Rs 578 per share.

Thus, individuals and groups that are interested in the ‘health’ of the shares are wondering if some ‘game’ is going on in AU Bank? And if not, then why are the promoters selling their shares? What is the reason for selling shares at less than market value?

In the last one year, some promoters of AU Small Finance Bank are selling their shares which has raised many questions about the future of the bank. Bank’s Chief Risk Officer Deepak Jain and the compa-

ny’s insider/promoter Shakuntala Aggarwal sold 8.1% and 21% of their stake respectively.

According to sources, crores of shares were sold below market value at Rs 626 and Rs 628.73 per share. Moreover, insiders or promoters haven’t bought AU Bank shares in a year and the promoters of the company have reduced their stake instead of increasing it.

In the last one year, the Bank’s Chief Risk Officer Deepak Jain sold his share of AU Bank totalling Rs 150

million at Rs 626 per share. Not only this, Shankuntala Aggarwal, an insider/promoter of the company, has sold shares worth Rs 3.1 billion at Rs 628.73 per share, less than Rs 629 per share at that time.

Therefore, it is natural to question as to why did Deepak Jain and Shakuntala Aggarwal sell their shares at a low rate? Where were crores

of rupees invested from selling shares of AU Bank? Which people and institutions bought shares worth crores? Which domestic and foreign companies are increasing their share in the bank? Did the bank management already know about the decline in the bank? Promoters of any company have a substantial stake and if a promoter of a company is willing to sell his/ her shares, there can be many reasons behind it, such as to increase its capital, to put its in-

vestment elsewhere, or for personal financial matters. But if several promoters of a company together or one after the other, start selling the shares in due time, then it is a matter of concern for the investors of the company.

The way some promoters of AU Bank have sold their shares, it may be that the promoters of the company are apprehensive about the future of the company or perhaps there is a mutual difference between the promoters of the company.

However, this sale of shares is only 8.1% and 21% of the total shares of the bank’s Chief Risk Officer Deepak Jain and the company’s insider/promoter Shankuntala Aggarwal, respectively.

However, whatever may be the reason, the promoters selling their stake in this way, is raising many questions on the future of the AU Bank, the result of which is that now the company’s shares are at the lowest price in 52 weeks at Rs 578 per share.

CM Ashok Gehlot, Sukhjinder Randhawa, GS Dotasra, Dr BD Kalla, GR Meghwal, BS Bhati, Lokesh

BJP hasn’t done a single work in nation till date. Cong will rule the whole country. Masses will see result for themselves in polls next year

Leaders who gave a miss to ‘Satyagraha’ to face dire consequences:

CM Ashok Gehlot

SHWET Amalgamation of Purity & beauty

City First highlights some glimpses of the designer collection Fuchsia by Gaurav Gaur and Akanksha Bhalla, which was showcased at the Jaipur Couture Show, held at The Palace on March 13!

The three-day Jaipur Couture Show, presented by First In dia and Bharat24-Vision of New India organised at The Palace on Ajmer Highway on March 13.

Jagdeesh Chandra graced the occasion as the chief guest and appreciated Akanksha Bhalla for her magical collection. The brand ‘Fuchsia’ belongs to Gaurav Gaur and outfits are cu rated by Akanksha Bhalla. While describing her gorgeous collection, the talented supermodel turned designer said, “As we talk about the collection of Fuchsia, the name itself says cheerful and uplifting, dealing in bright and vibrant colours. As Fuchsia has completed its 10 years, we thought of bringing something new into the town and redesigned the old aesthetic of Chikankari. With this thought, we have made our collection by the name - 2023 for the first time, which consists of white bridal outfits to bridesmaids thing and along with it we have added Indo western touch to chi kankari which is an absolutely rare thought. Our unique hand crafted chikankari couture is now considered a must-have in a bridal trousseau, courtesy of In dian designers who revived the craft. ”

JAIPUR COUTURE SHOW 2023

“Chitrangada was our show stopper and loved the white colour theme and all the designs. She looked stunning and nailed the outfit. Our photography partner is Laxman Singh Sisodia from the Contour India group.” She added.

Various who’s who of the city in cluding Supermodels, Elite Miss Ra jasthan Winners, Models and Influ encers were present during the elec trifying fashion show.

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

Akanksha Bhalla

Clockwise: Sheena, Rutvi, Astha, Nupur and Shrishti

Gaurav Guar with Chitrangada Singh

TAME YOUR SALT INTAKE WISELY TO LIVE A DISEASE-FREE LIFE

for insulin resistance and combine to reduce your blood pressure,”

Dr Arun Gupta, senior paediatrician and Convener of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi) -- a national think-tank on nutrition, told IANS.

IS SODIUM IN DIET

Eating too much salt can affect your overall health, warn experts. The World Health Organization (WHO) called on countries to make ‘massive efforts to reduce people’s salt intake that can prevent the risk of heart problems, stroke and cancers.

In a first-of-its-kind global report on sodium intake reduction, the global health body noted that the world is off-track to achieve its global target of reducing sodium intake by 30 per cent by 2025.

The report shows that only 5 per cent of countries are protected by mandatory and comprehensive sodium reduction policies, while 73 per cent, including India, lack the full range of implementation of such policies.

REDUCE SALT FOR BETTER HEALTH

Implementing highly cost-effective sodium reduction policies could save an estimated seven million lives globally by 2030, the WHO said.

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 20

You care about you lover but somehow hesitate in expressing that care. Don’t make friends for money and status rather make friends who will stick with you forever. On social front, you may have to spend some extra money in buying gifts for someone for some specific occasion.

TAURUS

APR 21 - MAY 20

You love to live close to your family. Best day to buy gold and silver or any precious metal for investment sake. You are a child at heart and never let this child die. You have a big heart and you always help someone if you can. Video gathering is possible as you miss your social circle like anything.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

LIBRA

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

Scrumptious food is what you are craving for today. You always maintain cordial relationship with everyone. You workout daily to keep yourself fit. You may start a side business to earn extra money. You are not a jealous kind and you feel happy for others. You are a very grounded person.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

You will feel amorous towards your wife. This is the best time try something new with life give yourself a new purpose. Work on your limitations, there can be no better time than this. You have more opposite sex friends than the same and you may be judged sometimes but don’t care.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 22

than 5 grams of salt per day (one teaspoon).

BAD FOR HEALTH?

Sodium is an essential nutrient, but eating too much salt makes it the top risk factor for diet and nutrition-related deaths. The main source of sodium is table salt (sodium chloride), but it is also contained in other condiments such as sodium glutamate.

The global average salt intake is estimated to be 10.8 grams per day, more than double the WHO recommendation of fewer

Several studies have revealed that increased intake of salt in food items can raise the risk of premature death. Emerging evidence also links high sodium intake and increased risk of other health conditions such as gastric cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, and kidney disease.

IMPORTANCE OF LABELING THE SALT CONTENT IN FOODS

Dr Gupta and NAPi have been advocating that all pre-packaged food products should have front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) to indicate salt, sugar and saturated fat content to warn the public.

A FOPNL is regarded as the most effective policy solution which can inform consumers in an easy-to-understand manner about high levels of sugar, sodium and saturated fat that may be present and discourage the purchase of unhealthy packaged food.

You are a pro in your field and none can beat you. You give tough competition to people. Many people get inspired by you. You will get special treatment from your dear ones. Take stand where you need to, don’t run in the same direction where everybody else is going.

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

Visit a doctor if you have any doubts about your health. Don’t attack stress even if you don’t have any. Let go of things that are not in your control.

You want to have your own house and you will work hard to make your dream come true.

LEO

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

You make sure to make things work your way. Never demotivate someone even if someone is not capable of doing something. You are most wanted by your friends. You can have romantic affair in office and a serious one. You will invest money in clothes and accessories today. You are a God fearing person.

VIRGO

AUG 24 - SEP 23

Spend time talking with likeminded people as it will make you feel good for now. Boisterous behaviour is what everyone needs right now, do whatever you can do to cheer everyone up. You will feel financially comfortable in position to invest money in new venture.

CAPRICORN

DEC 23 - JAN 20

You are very generous by nature and also you are the backbone of your family. You may postpone your study plans. You are very fortunate to have a great friend circle. Be careful of the words that come out of your mouth. Your lover may finally say yes to get married to you.

AQUARIUS

JAN 21 - FEB 19

You need a break from day to tensions and the way to cope up with stress is to meditate. You must create an environment of understanding at home. You will succeed in any sort of examination if you put your heart and soul to it. Promotion can be expected even if other are not.

PISCES

FEB20 - MARCH 20

“Unhealthy diets are a leading cause of death and disease globally and excessive sodium intake is one of the main culprits,” WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a statement. Meanwhile, the WHO report also called on manufacturers to implement the WHO benchmarks for sodium content in food. Mandatory sodium reduction policies are more effective, it said, as they achieve broader coverage and safeguard against commercial interests while providing a level playing field for food manufacturers.

Your spouse is someone who can do anything for your happiness. You are opportunist and this will make you successful one day. There may be delays in property possession. You are happy spending whole day at home. Help your mothers at home today and give them a reason to smile.

Your spouse may make you spend more than you expected. Fantastic day for investing money in stock market as you can make fortune. You need help on academic front and you should not shy away from asking. You miss your parents a lot and somewhere fear to loose them.

Dr Tedros said in a statement.

Source: https:// www.medindia.net/ news/tame-yoursalt-intake-wiselyto-live-a-diseasefree-life-210894-1. htm

ADELINE DORCAS cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

of BEAUTY EPITOME

Popular diva Rubina Dilaik has been the talk of the town owing to her acting prowess

to entertain the audience. Along with this, her spectacular fashion sense is also admired by her fans. She never skips a chance

Rubina has left no stone unturned to impress the fashion police. In her new photos, the Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa season 10 fame exudes charm as she poses in a stylish pink bodycon dress. The actress tied her hair into a messy bun and teamed up her outfit with a fancy watch. Fans and friends have showered their love on her photos.

Kareena looks radiant Alia returns to Mumbai

Kareena Kapoor Khan is a true fashionista and she always brings her A-game when it comes to fashion.

From glamorous looks on the red carpet to casual airport looks- Kareena rocks every outfit effortlessly and with great panache. Recently, she was spotted with a casual look as she stepped out into the city. She wore a black t-shirt, layered it with a matching blazer and paired it with baggy blue denim jeans. On Monday, Kareena went for a more

Deepika walks past Jason Derulo

Deepika Padukone has been serving some stunning airport looks in the last few weeks. The actress makes heads turn every time she is spotted by the paparazzi and never fails to make a statement with her fashion choices. She was clicked by the paparazzi early morning on Tuesday as she arrived at the Mumbai airport. She looked stunning in a bright orange and camouflage trench coat paired with a khaki green sweatshirt and track pants.

Video of Deepika making her way to the entrance gate of the airport surfaced on Instagram, and fans were quick to notice that she

walked past Jason Derulo in the video that has now gone viral.

The paparazzi kept clicking pictures of Deepika as she

Tuesday afternoon. The actress was spotted at the Mumbai airport.

The new mommy in town was seen flashing her million-dollar smile while posing for the paparazzi. In the pictures, she is seen sporting a white zipper and black trousers. Alia completed her look with gold hoop earrings and a clean ponytail. She surely looked all things chic in her casual attire too. Meanwhile, on Monday, Alia took to Instagram and offered glimpses of her London vacay. She shared adorable pictures with Ranbir and Shaheen.

‘I’M NOT A NEPO BABY’

Priyanka Chopra has some exciting projects in the pipeline, including the Russo Brothers’ Citadel, which also stars Richard Madden.

The actress has made a name for herself not just in Bollywood, but in

Hollywood as well!

However, there was a time many years ago, when the actress’ Bollywood films didn’t perform well. She recently recalled that time and said that she was terrified that her films tanked at the box office and that her mom Madhu

Chopra suggested she should think about another revenue stream to sustain herself. Priyanka said that she isn’t a ‘nepo baby’ and that she was terrified post the failure of her films as she didn’t have the support that actors hailing from film families had.

Tamannaah's french toast recipe

amannaah Bhatia is a total foodie. She loves indulging in yummy dishes, be it South Indian, Punjabi or desserts. However, she makes sure to keep her food healthy. And if you are somebody like Tamannaah who loves food but is scared of calories and weight gain, here's the perfect and delicious recipe for gluten-free french toast you should definite-

For Tamannaah Bhatia's gluten-free french toast, all the ingredients you need are 3-5 glutenfree bread slices, dried cranberries, mixed nuts like pistachio, almonds, and walnuts, 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon powder, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of oil and pepper, salt as per

This recipe of Tamannaah Bhatia is a musttry as it's quick and easy to make and super delicious too.

Rubina Dilaik

Rubina donning a bodycon dress

Kareena in a stunning orange gown

Kareena Kapoor Khan

Priyanka Chopra

Deepika Padukone

Deepika at Mumbai International airport

Tamannaah Bhatia

Alia Bhatt at Mumbai International airport

MAGIC OF TRADITIONAL KHADI!

The press conference for the Khadi fashion show and Khadi products, which will be displayed by the Rajasthan Khadi and Village Industries Board on March 29 at JKK Jaipur, with the aim of popularizing the traditional Khadi of Rajasthan among the common people, especially the youth took place at the Board Office on Tuesday. The press conference was attended by Shakuntala Rawat, Industries Minister; Brijkishore Sharma, Chairman of the Board; Pankaj Mehta, Vice Chairman; Rajiv Arora, Chairman Raj Small Industries Corporation; Veenu Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Brajesh Kumar Chandolia, Secretary, Khadi Board; and Himmat Singh Panwar, Consultant and Facilitator, Rajasthan Khadi and Village Industries Board. The Khadi fashion

show is to be led by eminent fashion designer Himmat Singh Panwar, Consultant and Facilitator, Rajasthan Khadi and Village Industries Board, innovations made to promote Khadi in Rajasthan will be displayed.

During the conference, Industries Minister Shakuntala Rawat said that on the eve of Rajasthan Day, the state government is going to present the traditional dress here in international form through Khadi Fashion Show. Along with this, the specialities of Khadi apparel from different regions of the country will also

‘Jawahar Children’s Literature Festival’

CITY FIRST

The ‘Jawahar Children’s Literature Festival’, organised by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Children’s Literature Academy, Jaipur, started on Tuesday at JKK. On the first day of the festival, the play ‘Akbar Birbal Ke Kisse’ was staged under the direction of Ayushi Dixit in the Rangayan Auditorium. This drama has been prepared in the context of Akbar Birbal. The play tried to show the friendly relationship between Akbar and Birbal in a fun way as per today’s relevance. Along with this, the Holi of flowers of Radha-Krishna was also organized in the festi-

MEET & GREET!

chan, Kapil Sharma, and Mika Singh with Khadi. He is engaged in continuous efforts to encourage Khadi through various programs including Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, Vidhansabha Peethasin, Invest Rajasthan, and National Jamboree held in Pali.

Chairman of Rajasthan Small Industries Corporation Rajiv Arora said that the fashion show and display of Khadi products on March 29 at the intermediate open-air stage of JKK. Industries and Commerce Minister Shakuntala Rawat, Chairman of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation

GREETINGS!

val. The presentation of various devotional songs made the atmosphere black. The culture of Braj was reflected in the peacock dance. President of Jawaharlal Nehru Bal Sahitya Akademi, Ikram Rajasthani, Dr Naresh Dadhich, Tikam Chandra Bohra, Dr Rajneesh Harsh, and Bulaki Sharma were present in the programme.

It is worth mentioning that on Wednesday, on the second day of the three-day festival, Bal Sahitya Manishi Puraskar, 11 Bal Sahitya Rachna Puraskar will be distributed by the Academy to the litterateurs who have made a significant contribution in the writing of children’s literature.

be seen in this fashion show.

Consultant and Facilitator of Rajasthan Khadi and Village Industries Board, worldrenowned fashion designer Himmat Singh

Panwar said that his aim is to popularize Khadi from the common man to the international market. For this, he has associated Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bach-

POWER OF SAVING LIVES!

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR

On Tuesday, a simple heartfelt ceremony was organised at the residence of Bhavna Jagwani, convener of MFJCF, to pay a token of respect to the Indian Players, who will represent India at the World Transplant Games, to be held in Perth, Australia in April 2023.

Every two years, the World Transplant Games offer people who have received or-

gan transplants, a unique opportunity to gather and compete, intending to promote the amateur sport amongst organ transplant recipients, living donors and donor families. To celebrate the undying sportsmanship of young athletes and to provide awareness about the importance of organ donation, MOHAN Foundation Jaipur Citizen Forum, an NGO which works for the cause of organ donation in Rajasthan

DURING THE DAY!

General Secretary of Shri Aggarwal Seva Samiti, Vidyadhar Nagar at Adarsh Vidya Mandir on Tuesday. Manish Kumar Jalan, on his birthday organised a blood donation camp in association with Shri Shyam Mahotsav Seva Samiti, in which 97 units of blood were collected, which will help donate the lives of the needy recently. On this occasion, Regional MLA Narpat Singhi Rajvi, Sitaram Agarwal, Director of Ricoh, Councilor Mahesh Sanghi, Priyanka Aggarwal, and Malakar were present.

The national bird of India and the royal splendour of Rajasthan ‘The Peacock’ will now be the main attraction in welcoming tourists. On Tuesday, the talent of ‘Peacock’ prepared from electronic waste was installed by FICCI Flow at Jaipur International Airport. During this, FLOW Jaipur Chapter Chairperson Mudrika Dhoka, Former National President and Founder President FICCI FLOW Jaipur Chapter Neeta Buchra, Cabinet Secretariat Secretary General Administration, Estate, State Motor Garage and Civil Aviation Department IAS Jitendra Upadhyay and Jaipur International Airport Chief Officer Vishnu Jha were present. This campaign was established with the aim of recycling and reducing e-waste. For this, Neeta Buchra prepared this 7 feet statue of marble with fine handwork in about 10 days.

Dharmendra Rathore, Chairman of Social Welfare Board Rajasthan Dr Archana Sharma, Chairman of Rajasthan Agriculture Industry Development Board Rameshwar Dudi, Chief Secretary Usha Sharma, Government of Rajasthan along with Many officers and dignitaries will be present.

Jagdeesh Chandra was greeted by Ashish Aman of the First India Family as he reached the former’s residence to seek blessings on Monday, March 27 as his birthday was on Sunday, March 26.

Vijay Samyani (Founder & Chairman, Concept Brands Group) was awarded the Most Iconic Sindhi of the World at the annual Cheti Chand 2023 on Wednesday, March 22. In addition, he was also named in the book which was also released the same day and outlined and highlighted the Sindhi community in the UAE for their contribution to society as well as their contribution to India.

said “I am grateful that we got this golden opportunity to represent our country at a global level and I would like to express my gratitude to MOHAN Foundation Jaipur Citizen Forum for supporting us in our mission.”

supported Indian players by providing funds.

During the ceremony the player Amit Kumar Sharma informed that this year five players from India have been selected for World Transplant Games and

MFJCF honoured the players for their participation and contribution to the noble cause. In the end, Mrs Bhavna Jagwani said that she was happy to provide a small help to the players, who will represent all of us at the World Transplant Games, and through this, we want to spread the power of donation and saving lives, she said. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

On Saturday, the last day of the ongoing two-day National Annual Inter College Media Fest Vividha 2023 at IIS University, Mansarovar, students of various colleges of the city showcased their talents in many interesting competitions. Trophies and certificates were also awarded to the winners of competitions like Film Festival, Photography, Budding Journalist and RJ Hunt. On this occasion, University Chancellor Dr Ashok Gupta and Registrar Dr. Rakhi Gupta appreciated the students.

The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Government of Delhi, awarded the first Children’s Champion Award 2023 to Dr Kriti Bharti, Managing Trustee of Jodhpur’s Sarathi Trust and Rehabilitation Psychologist, for her unique campaign to abolish child marriage, in New Delhi. Dr Kriti Bharti, the only activist from the state, was honoured at the grand event. Along with Dr Kriti, former Justice of Supreme Court and former Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh and Gauhati High Court Madan B Lokur and distinguished personalities were also given the award. She was also selected from the list of World Top Ten Activists and BBC Hindi’s 100 Inspirational Women.

Under the joint aegis of Mother’s LS Karma Foundation, Manda College and Manda Institute of Technology, Bikaner, the first phase of the National Conference on Women Empowerment in India was completed on 24 March 2023. The chief guest of the conference was Bikaner Superintendent of Police Tejaswini Gautam while Vijay C. Gupta, Principal MS College and Dr Divya Joshi cum Acharya Dungar Mahavidyalaya Bikaner were present as Guests of Honor and Dr Sharda Choudhary, Retired Professor Gynaecologist, PBM Bikaner as the special guest.

CM Ashok Gehlot was greeted by Dr Mahadeo Sharma, CMD FB Tech as he reached the Gangashahar Bikaner on Tuesday, March 28.

(L-R) Rajiv Arora, Brij Kishore Sharma, Minister Shakuntala Rawat, Veenu Gupta, Brijesh Chandoliya and LR Gugarwal

(L-R) Deepika, Swati, Parina, Bela, Nidhi, Mudrika, Upadhaya, Jitendra, Vishnu, Neeta, Alka, Bindu, Asian. (Inset) Swati, Mudrika, Jitendra & Vishnu

Desinger Himmat Singh

Jagdeesh Chandra with Ashish Aman

(L-R) Taru Saxena, Govind Gurbani, Parjesh Taneja, Hitesh Sharma, Harsh Vardhan, Amit Kumar Sharma, Bhavna Jagwani, Dr Sanjana and Suresh Kishnani

Hitesh Sharma, Harsh Vardhan and Amit Sharma

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO