Gujarat Government

Constitution prevents passing law mandating local hiring: Gujarat minister

The Gujarat government cannot enact a law requiring industries to give 85 per cent of their jobs to local residents due to certain constitutional provisions, Minister of Labour and Employment Balvantsinh Rajput told the legislative assembly on Thursday. Responding to a query raised by Congress MLA Tushar Chaudhary, Rajput pointed out that Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution prevent a state government from enacting a law which mandates that 85 per cent jobs in an industrial unit must be given to locals. Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees equality and equal protection of the law, while Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. In March 1995, the then-BJP government in the state, through a government resolution (GR), had ordered all commercial entities, including central PSUs and private factories, to hire 85 per cent of their workforce from Gujarat, said Rajput. Chaudhary wanted to know how many industrial units had violated the GR on local hiring in ...

After Uttarakhand, Gujarat announces implementation of Uniform Civil Code

The BJP's goal is to bring uniformity in legal provisions across India, particularly in areas such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption

Republic Day Parade: Gujarat tableu wins 'Popular choice' category

This achievement marks a remarkable hat-trick, with Gujarat's tableau claiming the top spot in the Popular Choice category for the third consecutive year

Gujarat PMJAY angioplasty deaths: Pvt hospital's absconding chairman nabbed

The police have arrested the chairman of a private hospital in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, who evaded arrest for more than two months in connection with the deaths of two PMJAY beneficiaries after botched angioplasty procedures, an official said on Saturday. Kartik Patel, the chairman of Khyati Multispeciality Hospital, was arrested after he landed at the Ahmedabad airport from Dubai late on Friday night, inspector V B Aal of the Ahmedabad crime branch said. Seven persons underwent angioplasty, a procedure that widens blocked or narrowed coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart, at Khyati Multispeciality Hospital on November 11, last year, following which two of them died, prompting Vastrapur police to register three FIRs the next day. The probe showed the hospital organised free check-up camps in villages to convince Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) cardholders to undergo angioplasty despite no medical necessity. They were shown in the "emergency" category to expedite

SC to hear appeals filed by Gujarat govt in Godhra case on Feb 13

The Supreme Court on Thursday said it will hear on February 13 the appeals filed by the Gujarat government and several other convicts in the 2002 Godhra train burning case. A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and Aravind Kumar made it clear that no adjournment will be given in the matter on the next date of hearing. On February 27, 2002, 59 people were killed when the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express was burnt at Gujarat's Godhra, triggering riots in the state. Several appeals have been filed in the apex court challenging the October 2017 verdict of the Gujarat High Court which had upheld the conviction of several convicts and commuted the death penalties of 11 people to life term. The Gujarat government had in February 2023 told the apex court that it will be seeking death penalty for the 11 convicts whose sentences in the case were commuted to life imprisonment by the high court. When the matter came for hearing on Thursday, a lawyer, appearing for a convict, submitted that no

Gujarat CM approves Rs 188 crore for road safety measures, upgrades

This funding will support 76 projects over a total length of 786.41 kilometres. This decision by CM Patel is expected to significantly reduce road accidents in the state, ensuring safer transportation

Gujarat govt planning guidelines to restrict mobile use among children

The Gujarat government on Thursday said it will introduce guidelines restricting the use of mobile phones and social media for children, underscoring that too much screen time is not good for them. The aim is to keep the kids away from the devices and bring them to playgrounds and study tables, State Minister of Education Prafful Panseriya told reporters. The guidelines will be brought out after consulting experts, he said. We had earlier issued a government resolution banning mobile phones (for children) in primary schools. That resolution will be strictly followed from now on, he said. Teachers, students and parents will be made aware of the guidelines and the state will promote the initiative as a campaign, the minister said. Recently, Australia banned the use of social media for children aged under 16. The central government also plans to incorporate parental controls for data usage instead of a blanket ban on mobile phones for children under 18.

Gujarat CM launches 'SWAR' platform to overcome language barriers

SWAR (Speech and Written Analysis Resource) platform was launched on the occasion of Good Governance Day on December 25

Dearness allowance of Gujarat govt employees, pensioners hiked by 3%

The Gujarat government on Wednesday announced a hike in dearness allowance (DA) for its around nine lakh employees and pensioners by 3 per cent to 53 per cent of the basic pay, a decision which will come into effect retrospectively from July 1, 2024. The finance department issued a resolution raising the DA from the current 50 per cent to 53 per cent of the basic pay under the Gujarat State Services (Pay Revision) Rules, 2016, benefiting over nine lakh employees and pensioners. Arrears for the period July to November will be disbursed along with the December salary and pension in January 2025, it said. All state government and panchayat employees, teaching and non-teaching staff in secondary and higher secondary schools, and staffers in aided non-government schools who are covered under the 7th Pay Commission will benefit from the hike. With appropriate modifications, the benefit will also be available to primary teachers and employees on deputation or transfer in panchayats who ..

New cottage and rural industries policy to create 1.2 mn jobs in Gujarat

The Gujarat government announced on Wednesday its new cottage and rural industries policy, offering higher loans and subsidies to artisans and entrepreneurs to set up units in the state. Minister of Cottage Industries Balwantsinh Rajput, who unveiled the policy in Gandhinagar, said it will facilitate the creation of nearly 12 lakh jobs over five years. The new policy was introduced after the five-year validity of the previous scheme ended, an official release said. The New Cottage Policy 2024, which will remain in force for five years, aims to develop a self-sustaining cottage industry sector and open the doors of local and international markets for artisans, the minister said. Under the policy, the state will work towards the availability of credit and market support to artisans and focus on infrastructure, skill, technology upgrades and innovation, Rajput said. To encourage new industries and businesses, the state government has increased the maximum loan amount under this schem

Jabil signs MoU with Gujarat govt, to invest Rs 1,000 cr at Dholera unit

The Gujarat government on Thursday signed an MoU with a leading EMS company Jabil to set up its electronics manufacturing services (EMS) unit with Rs 1,000 crore investment in Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR). The MoU was signed between Gujarat's Science and Technology Department and Jabil in presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, an official release said. The MoU, signed between the Gujarat Science and Technology Department and Jabil -- a global leader in engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain solutions -- outlines an investment of Rs 1,000 crore in the DSIR. The new unit of Jabil will focus on sectors, including networking, capital goods, automotive, and other allied industries, the release said. Jabil's new unit is expected to commence its operations in Dholera by 2027, and it is likely to create about 5,000 employment opportunities, it said. Jabil Operations Director B N Shukla, and Mission Director of the Gujarat State Electronics Mission (GSEM) Manish Gurv

Gujarat announces formation of 'GRIT', NITI Aayog-like think tank

The Gujarat government on Tuesday announced the formation of Gujarat State Institution for Transformation or 'GRIT', a think tank modelled on the NITI Aayog to help realise the vision of 'Viksit' or developed state by 2047. GRIT has crafted a vision document and roadmap for 'Viksit Gujarat @ 2047', stated an official release here. The Chief Minister will head the governing body of GRIT with the Finance Minister as vice-chairman and the ministers of agriculture, health, education and industry serving as members, it said. "Following the model of NITI Aayog, the 'GRIT' has been established, chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel," the release said. Among other things, it will review the implementation of recommendations from its task force committee for achieving the target of becoming a five-trillion-dollar economy, it said. The ten-member executive committee of GRIT, headed by its CEO, will handle its day-to-day operations. Its governing body will include the chief advisor to

Damage to Ganesh idol triggers clash in Surat, cops injured; 32 held

An idol of Lord Ganesh was damaged after some persons allegedly threw stones at a pandal during the ongoing Ganpati festival in Gujarat's Surat city, police said on Monday. After some minors were detained in connection with the incident which took place in Saiyedpura locality late Sunday night, a mob of around 300 persons gathered at Lalgate police station to protest the action against their community members. Two groups there pelted stones at each other in which some cops were injured and a police vehicle was damaged, Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut told reporters. Police resorted to baton charge and fired teargas shells to disperse the mob, he said. So far, 32 persons have been detained and two separate FIRs registered in connection with these incidents, officials said. Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi and senior police officers visited the incident site and promised strict action against the culprits. "Every single person who has disturbed peace

1,200 Ahmedabad civil hospital doctors go on strike over stipend hike

Around 1,200 resident doctors of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital in Gujarat went on an indefinite strike on Monday seeking a hike in stipend. Services were affected despite authorities making alternate arrangements in view of the strike, with patients and kin complaining of long wait at the Aswara-based facility, which is attached to BJ Medical College and is the largest in the state. As per resident doctors, they will stay away from all duties, including trauma care, emergency and outpatient department (OPD) services as part of the strike until an amicable solution is found. "The state health department had agreed to increasing stipend by 40 per cent every three years. This hike was supposed to come into effect from April 1. It was, however, not implemented till July after which we met state health minister Rushikesh Patel. We had postponed our stir then after getting an assurance about its implementation," said Dr Dhaval Gameti, president of the Junior Doctors' Association of BJ Medical

SC notice to Guj govt on plea against conviction in custodial death case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the Gujarat government's response on former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sanjiv Bhatt's plea against his conviction in a 1990 custodial death case in which he was sentenced to life imprisonment. "Issue notice returnable in four weeks," a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna B Varale said. The court also tagged the appeal with other matters related to the case. Bhatt has moved the top court challenging the Gujarat High Court's January 9, 2024 order dismissing his appeal. The court also upheld the conviction of Bhatt and co-accused Pravinsinh Zala under Sections 302 (murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. The high court had dismissed the state government's appeal seeking to enhance the sentences of five other accused who were acquitted of murder but convicted under Sections 323 and 506. While Bhatt and Zala are behind bars, the court cancelled the bail bonds of the five other .

3 dead after heavy rains flood Gujarat's low-lying areas, hundreds shifted

Incessant heavy showers battered several parts of Gujarat on Monday, inundating low-lying areas, with three persons dying and seven missing in rain-related incidents and hundreds shifted to safer places. The administration is geared up for more showers as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rains with isolated extremely heavy rains in several districts of the state till Thursday morning. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a virtual meeting with district collectors, superintendents of police, and senior civic officials of all major cities to review the current situation. The state education department has declared a holiday for primary schools across the state on Tuesday. Seven persons are missing after a trolley tractor carrying them got swept away while passing through an overflowing causeway in Halvad taluka of Morbi district. According to officials, they remained untraceable despite a nearly 20-hour search operation involving the Nationa

India's first indigenous semiconductor chip will be made in Gujarat: CM

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday said India's first indigenously developed semiconductor chip will be manufactured in the state, which has so far attracted an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore in electronics and chip manufacturing sectors. He was addressing a gathering in Nadiad town of Kheda district in the state after hoisting the national flag on the occasion of Independence Day. "The 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit held earlier this year was instrumental in attracting new investment in emerging sectors like AI and semiconductor," he said. "We have so far attracted an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore in the electronics and semiconductor sector and India's first semiconductor chip will be manufactured in Gujarat," he said. On the occasion, he announced a significant increase in the monthly income limit set earlier by the state government for people wanting free ration under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). At present, a

Gujarat govt helping Adani Ports 'secure monopoly', JPC essential: Congress

The Congress on Wednesday reiterated its demand for a joint parliamentary committee into the Adani issue and alleged that the Gujarat government was helping Adani Ports to "secure a monopoly" on the state's port sector. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the Gujarat government grants private ports a 30-year concession period on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis, after which ownership gets transferred to the government of Gujarat. On the basis of this model, Adani Ports currently has control over Mundra, Hazira, and Dahej ports, he said. Before the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, Adani Ports requested the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) to extend this concession period by another 45 years to 75 years in total, Ramesh claimed. "This was much beyond the maximum permissible period of 50 years, but the GMB hastened to request the Gujarat Government to do so anyways. The GMB was in such a hurry that it did so without approval from its Board, resulting

Gujarat govt extends fishing ban in Arabian sea till Aug 15; Cong opposes

The Gujarat government has decided to extend the ban on fishing activities in the Arabian Sea by a fortnight till August 15, a move the Congress claimed to be "unfair and reckless" which will cause financial losses to fishermen. A senior official from the Gujarat fisheries department on Sunday said the decision was taken in consultation with the central government after considering a representation made by the fishermen's association to allow more time for fish to breed. The government also took into account scientific data and weather conditions to reach the decision, he said, adding the change is also likely to be adopted by other states on the western coast. Since 2021, the annual fishing ban in the state remained in effect from June 1 till July 31. The state fisheries department on July 31 issued a notification, amending the Gujarat Fisheries (Amendment) Rules, 2020, which stated no person shall carry out any type of fishing in the inland and territorial waters from June 1 to .

Gujarat Govt to hold life skills-based child fairs in over 30,000 schools

Gujarat government said it would arrange child and life skills-based fairs in over 30,000 schools for classes 1 to 8 to develop latent talents and creative abilities among kids