Page 20 - Ashok Gehlot

PM Modi's comments at Vande Bharat launch aimed at coming polls: Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot termed "unfortunate" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that railways had become an arena of politics under previous governments, saying his comments on Wednesday were made with an eye on the coming assembly and general elections. Gehlot said it was not fair to say the development of the national transporter happened only after 2014. "Today, your speech was given completely keeping in view the 2023-24 assembly and Lok Sabha elections and it was in the form of the election agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party. I believe that such comments will not be acceptable to the people of the state and the country," the Rajasthan chief minister said. He said in a statement it was "unfortunate" that the prime minister talked about the decisions taken during the tenure of earlier railway ministers as being influenced by corruption and political considerations. Launching the first Vande Bharat train of Rajasthan earlier Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi said

Vande Bharat train between Ajmer, Delhi Cant big gift for Rajasthan: Gehlot

Describing the launch of the Vande Bharat Express between Ajmer and Delhi Cantonment as a "big gift" for Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said the state will become an economic leader in the country if rail facilities are increased here. Speaking at the Jaipur railway station after the state's first Vande Bharat train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually, Gehlot said there is a great need for development of railways in Rajasthan due to its geographically distinct identity. He said rapid industrial development has taken place in Rajasthan. "For this reason, if rail facilities are increased here, the state will become a leader in the country from the point of view of the economy," he said. "Railways has an important contribution in the social, cultural and economic development of the country. The changes brought about in the railways after independence are the result of the thinking of our great leaders and the hard work of the dedicated railway

PM refers to Raj Cong crisis, thanks CM Gehlot for attending train launch

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot a "friend", thanking him for attending the launch here of a Vande Bharat Express even when he is going through a "political tussle" in the state. Flagging off the state's first Vande Bharat train virtually, the prime minister thanked Gehlot for being present at the event in Jaipur. "I express my special gratitude to Gehlot ji. During these days of political struggle when he is going through several crises, he took out the time for development work and participated in a railway programme. I welcome him," Modi said. On Tuesday, senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot observed a daylong fast in Jaipur, targeting the Gehlot government over "inaction" in alleged cases of corruption when the BJP ran the state. Earlier, during his address at the launch event, Gehlot raised demands related to the railways in Rajasthan, and mentioned that for the first time since independence, the Union railway minister is fr

PM Modi praises Rajasthan CM Gehlot for attending Vande Bharat launch

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday referred to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot as a friend and praised him for attending the launch event of the state's first Vande Bharat Express despite the ongoing political crises in his Congress party. The prime minister was addressing the flagging-off ceremony of the Vande Bharat Express through video conferencing. At the end of his address, Modi pointed to the demands put forward by Chief Minister Gehlot as well as the ongoing political tussle in the Congress. "I express my special gratitude to Gehlot ji as he is going through many political crises these days but despite that, he took out the time for development work and participated in a railway programme. I welcome him," Modi said. The Vande Bharat launch function was organised at the Jaipur junction rail station. It was attended by Railway Minister Ashwinin Vaishnaw, Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and others. Referring to the railway minister and the chairman of the Railway

As Pilot sits on fast, Gehlot releases video of 2030 vision for Rajasthan

As senior Congress Sachin Pilot began his daylong fast against his own party-led government in Rajasthan on Tuesday, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot released a video portraying his vision to take the state to the top by 2030. "I have decided that I have to make Rajasthan the top state by 2030. To realise this dream, the last four budgets and this year's 'Bachat, Rahat and Badhat' budget, I have made schemes no other state has," the chief minister was heard saying in the video. Despite a warning issued to him by the Congress, Pilot, a former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan, began his daylong fast at the Shaheed Smarak here on Tuesday, demanding action in cases of alleged corruption related to the previous BJP government in the state led by Vasundhara Raje. In his video, Gehlot was heard speaking about various schemes of his government, including the Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme, subsidised LPG cylinders and accident insurance of Rs 10 lakh among others. The chief minister said

Explained: Why is Sachin Pilot holding a day-long protest in Rajasthan

Congress has issued a stern warning to Pilot and said that the fast would amount to 'anti-party' activity

Wrong to say Gehlot govt not acting against corruption: Pawan Khera

A day after Congress leader Sachin Pilot launched a fresh attack on the Rajasthan government over corruption, the party on Monday sought to downplay his remarks and said it is "wrong" to say that the Ashok Gehlot dispensation is not acting against graft. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said a probe against senior BJP leader from Rajasthan Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is on in the Sanjeevani scam and the Union minister has also filed a defamation case against Chief Minister Gehlot. "A probe is underway on how the BJP conspired to topple our elected government in Rajasthan and tried to buy our MLAs," he told reporters here when asked about Pilot's remarks that the Congress government in Rajasthan was not against graft cases during the previous BJP government in the state. "It is wrong to say that a probe is not on, as an investigation is being carried out and if anyone has a complaint, he should bring it to the notice of the AICC in-charge," Khera said. The Congress spokesperson also s

After Pilot's 1-day fast announcement, Congress backs Rajasthan CM Gehlot

He said the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan was an outstanding success made possible by the dedication and determination of the party organisation in the state

Pilot demands action over corruption during BJP rule in Rajasthan

Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Sunday opened a new front against the Gehlot government and announced a day-long hunger strike demanding action over alleged corruption during the BJP rule in the state. The development assumes significance in view of the state elections due later this year. At the same time, it also reflects further deterioration of already souring relations between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Pilot. "No action was taken (by the Gehlot government) on corruption by the previous Vasundhara Raje government. While in opposition, we had promised that an inquiry would be conducted in the mines scam of Rs 45,000 crore, Pilot said at a press conference at his residence here. With six-seven months left for the elections, the opponents can spread illusions that there is some collusion. Therefore, action will have to be taken soon so that the Congress workers feel that there is no difference between our wor

Barmer rape case: NCW Chairperson writes to Rajasthan DGP for investigation

National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma has written to the Director General of Police (DGP) Rajasthan regarding a fair and time-bound investigation in Barmer rape case.The matter pertains to April 6, when a Dalit woman was allegedly raped and set on fire in Rajasthan's Barmer district. The victim succumbed to burn injuries at Jaipur's Mahatma Gandhi Hospital on Saturday, police said.The incident occurred on Thursday in an area under Pachpadra police station limits, Barmer district.The main accused has been identified as Shakoor and has been arrested, police said.In her letter to DGP Rajasthan, NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma said to conduct a fair and time-bound investigation in the matter and if the allegations levelled are found to be true, an FIR should be filed under relevant provisions of law.Meanwhile, the state BJP formed a three-member committee pertaining to the case. Pali MP PP Chaudhary, MLA Jogeshwar Garg and Mayor Vanita Seth are included in the ...

Rajasthan govt to conduct camps to highlight public welfare, relief schemes

The Rajasthan government will organise camps in urban wards and villages from April 24 to highlight its public welfare and inflation relief schemes, it said in a statement on Saturday. Along with the 'Prashashan Shehro-Gaon Ke Sang' campaign, inflation relief camps will be organised in villages and cities from April 24 to June 30. At the camps, the general public and the deprived sections will be linked to the schemes based on their eligibility. The camps, which will be organised in 11,283 gram panchayats and 7,500 urban wards, will include special inflation relief camps. Permanent inflation relief camps will also come up at 2,000 locations, including state-run hospitals, gas agencies, bus stands, major markets, shopping malls, government offices and public places. On Saturday, Chief Secretary Usha Sharma held a meeting at the secretariat regarding the camps and gave necessary instructions on their conduct.

Udaipur DC bans hoisting religious flags on public buildings for 2 months

The District Collector of Udaipur prohibited hoisting of flags with religious symbols under Section 144 of the Udaipur Criminal Procedure Code, 1973

No one thought Scindia, Azad would use such language for Rahul: Gehlot

Hitting back at Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad for targeting Rahul Gandhi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said no one had thought that the duo would start speaking such a low level language against the Gandhi scion. He said the BJP leaders are tired because Gandhi has not shied away from raising the voice of people despite so many attacks. That is why, a task has been given to these leaders who left the Congress. The ideology they had sworn to fight throughout their lives, today they have stood with the same fascist ideology at the behest of BJP leaders, Gehlot said. Launching a sharp attack on Gandhi and the Congress, Scindia alleged the party has been left with no ideology, except the one of a "traitor who works against the country". He attacked the Congress for giving Gandhi a "special treatment" following his conviction in a defamation case. He accused the party of pressuring the judiciary and doing everything

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Vasundhara Raje test positive for Covid

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje were tested positive on Tuesday for coronavirus. Gehlot, while informing the public that the number of COVID cases has increased in the past few days, said he too has tested positive for it. "I myself have been infected with mild symptoms of Covid. As per the advice of the doctors, I will continue working from my residence for the next few days. All of you should take care and follow Covid protocols," Gehlot tweeted. Raje in a tweet said she has isolated herself since testing positive. "My report has come positive in the Covid test. I am in complete isolation on the advice of doctors," Raje tweeted. "Those who came in contact with me should get themselves tested and take precautions," she advised. Seventeen new cases of COVID infection were reported in the state on Monday, with 189 people under care.

Ashok Gehlot approves Rs 736 cr for interest-free crop loans to farmers

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved a financial proposal of Rs 736 crore for interest-free crop loans to the farmers of the state. According to a statement, the chief minister has approved a grant of Rs 560 crore for farmers under interest-free crop loan subsidy scheme and Rs 176 crore under compensatory interest subsidy scheme. According to the statement, a five percent interest subsidy will be given to the farmers who repay the longterm agriculture cooperative loan on time. Gehlot has approved the grant proposal. He has also allowed permission to give subsidy on housing loans to the farmers who have built houses on their farms. Under this, the farmers who have repaid their long-term agricultural cooperative loans on time from April 1, 2014 will get a five percent interest subsidy every year from the state government. Along with this, from the financial year 2023-24, a five percent interest subsidy will be given every year to the farmers who have taken housing loans

Rajasthan plans to distribute scooters to 30,000 meritorious girl students

According to the scheme, if all the girl students apply for an e-scooter, the state government will spend around Rs 390 crore on this in FY24

Rajasthan BJP chief attacks Gehlot over handling of Jaipur blasts case

Newly appointed Rajasthan BJP chief C P Joshi on Monday attacked Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, alleging that the failure of his government to put up a strong legal team led to the acquittal of the accused in the 2008 Jaipur serial blasts case. Joshi asked what was the reason and under "whose pressure he did not deploy even a single legal counsel" in the case. On Wednesday, the Rajasthan High Court acquitted four accused who were convicted by a special court in 2019 for the serial blasts on May 13, 2008 in Jaipur that left 71 people dead and 185 injured. Later, Chief Minister Gehlot had said the government would file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in this matter in the Supreme Court. Joshi said the terrorists had at least 18 lawyers defending them "meanwhile, his AAG was not present there? Whose pressure was it". "When he had to save his government", Gehlot deployed top lawyers, said Joshi who was on his maiden visit to Kota, a saffron bastion in Hadouti region, after assuming charg

Rajasthan govt approves proposal to set up 3 new medical colleges in state

During the budget 2023-24, the Government announced to set up three new medical colleges in Pratapgarh, Jalore and Rajsamand

Ideals of non-violence set by Lord Mahavir, Gandhi relevant today: Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Sunday that a family, society and state that walks on the path of non-violence and peace moves forward. Flagging off an 'Ahimsa Run' here from the Shri Mahavir Jain Digambar school, he said the ideals of non-violence, peace and truth propounded by Lord Mahavir and Mahatma Gandhi are relevant even today. We should take a vow of non-violence in life, he said. Gehlot said only that family, society and state moves forward, which walks on the path of non-violence and peace. The Rajasthan government is also working in the direction of public welfare with the same commitment. Rajasthan is the only state in the whole country, where the department of non-violence and peace has been created, he said. He said the war of independence was also won on the basis of truth and non-violence and the message of non-violence and peace has spread across the world from India itself. The run was organised by the Jain International Trade Organization (JITO).

Amritpal dares to demand Khalistan due to BJP, RSS' 'Hindu Rashtra': Gehlot

"Politics is being done in the name of religion in the country. But if you take along the people belonging to every religion and caste for the country's good, this country will remain united," he said