Page 10 - Gujarat

Police nabs Gujarat firecracker godown's owner where blast-fire killed 21

Police on Tuesday arrested the owner of a godown near Deesa town in Gujarat's Banaskantha district, hours after a powerful blast and fire killed 21 persons there, officials said. Firecrackers were allegedly stored and manufactured illegally at the godown, they said. Deepak Mohnani, who owns the godown, was arrested by a team of Banaskantha police from neighbouring Sabarkantha district on Tuesday night, Inspector General of Border Range Chirag Koradia said. "We have arrested the main accused, Deepak Mohnani from a place in Sabarkantha," the Range IG told PTI. The warehouse - Deepak Traders - was owned by Deepak and his father Khubchand Mohnani, officials earlier said. The explosion, which occurred approximately at 9.45 am, flattened the godown in an industrial area near Deesa town, around 30 km from the Banaskantha district headquarters. "All the deceased persons were originally from Harda and Dewas districts of Madhya Pradesh," district collector Mihir Patel said. At least 21 ..

13 killed in blast at firecracker factory in Gujarat's Banaskantha

Members of the workers also lived on the premises and were trapped under the rubble, Banaskantha Collector Mihir Patel noted

SC rejects Tushar Gandhi's plea against Sabarmati Ashram redevelopment

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea filed by Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson Tushar Gandhi against the Sabarmati Ashram redevelopment project. A bench of justices M M Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal said it was not inclined to interfere in the plea, noting there was a delay of over two years in filing the petition. Gandhi, in his plea against the Gujarat High Court, contended that the proposed project will alter the topography of the ashram. "The project has purportedly identified over 40 congruent buildings which will be preserved while the rest of them, roughly 200, will be destroyed or rebuilt," the plea submitted. The top court said a mere apprehension that the undertaking given by the state government that the main area of the ashram would not be affected cannot be a ground to challenge the order. The Gujarat High Court in 2022 had disposed Gandhi's plea after the government said the main area of the ashram would not be affected. Advocate General Kamal Trivedi, represent

Congress MP Hibi Eden moves adjournment motion over 'L2: Empuraan' row

Hibi Eden said that Empuraan 'is a world-class Malayalam movie' that has seen success at the box office, but the Sangh Parivar is attempting to suppress the movie

'Nothing in Empuraan that Mohanlal doesn't know': Prithviraj's mother

As 'L2: Empuraan' undergoes re-censorship with 17 cuts over 2002 Gujarat riot scenes, director Prithviraj Sukumaran's mother defends him, calling him a 'scapegoat' amid backlash

Waaree Energies launches India's largest solar cell facility in Gujarat

Clean energy player Waaree Energies Ltd on Saturday announced the launch of its solar cell facility having a capacity of 5.4 gigawatt (GW) at Chikhli in Gujarat. Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended the inauguration event along other senior government officials, Waaree Energies said in a statement. "Bharat's largest solar cell manufacturing Gigafactory inaugurated by Waaree Energies in Chikhli, Gujarat," the company said. The facility is spread across 150 acres, with a built-up area of 101 acres. Speaking on the occasion, Joshi said the launch of one of largest solar cell facility embodies the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat and stands as a tribute to India's growing prowess in the global renewable energy landscape. The government's vision is to establish India as a global manufacturing hub for clean energy technologies. "Today, with the launch of our 5.4 GW solar cell gigafactory in Chikhli, Waaree is laying the .

Gujarat CM inaugurates India's 'largest' Chlorotoluene Plant at Dahej

With this initiative by the Gujarat government, the new plant will utilize chlorine to manufacture value-added chlorine-based products

Prashant Kishor demands pay parity for Bihar's migrants in Gujarat

Jan Suraaj Party leader Prashant Kishor on Saturday demanded pay parity for migrant labourers from Bihar working in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Kishor made the demand hours before Shah was scheduled to land in the Bihar capital on a two-day tour of the state. The former poll strategist told reporters in Purnea district, "There is nothing extraordinary about Shah visiting Bihar today. Assembly elections are likely to be announced in six months from now. During the period, we can brace for many tours of Shah and Modi." "For six months, they will try to behave as if Bihar is a top priority. Paeans will be sung to the state's glorious past. Even the launch of projects elsewhere will be scheduled on the soil of this state. But once the polls are over, Bihar will be off their radar till the next elections," Kishor remarked sarcastically. "I challenge Amit Shah to do just one thing. Let him ensure that labourers from Bihar ...

Lubrizol pumps nearly Rs 3,000 crore into India, eyes 2 times growth

Lubrizol, which has had a presence in India for nearly 60 years, is now establishing an innovation centre in Maharashtra

LS passes bill for 'Tribhuvan' Sahkari University, Amit Shah defends name

Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill to set up 'Tribhuvan Sahkari University' in Gujarat's Anand with an aim to create a qualified manpower for co-operative societies. The university has been named after Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel, who was one of the pioneers of cooperative movement in India and instrumental in laying the foundation of Amul, Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah said during a debate on the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University Bill, 2025. Shah took a swipe at some opposition members for their demand that the university should have been named after Verghese Kurien, associated with the growth of milk cooperatives in Gujarat, saying that Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel was a Congress leader who gave job to Kurien. The Amul's journey started in 1946 has transformed into the one of the world's biggest dairy brands with a turnover of over Rs 60,000 crore, he said. The proposed university will also address the long pending issue of capacity building of employees and board members in

Use of Infotech, QRs, anonymous feedback to improve work efficiency: GARC

In a bid to improve work efficiency, the Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission has suggested initiatives like gathering anonymous feedback from state employees on issues in offices and using info-tech idea boxes and QR codes to collect information. The GARC has submitted its report to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel within a month of its formation. "The commission aims to introduce key reforms in the state's administrative framework, enhance operational processes, optimise utilisation of human resources, and improve government efficiency through innovative technology integration," as per an official release. The commission has also issued guidelines to enhance the efficiency of government meetings and make them more result-oriented. CM Patel announced the formation of GARC in Budget 2025-26, chaired by Hasmukh Adhia, the Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister. "The suggestions also cover gathering anonymous feedback from employees and officers regarding existing administrative

Operations at Jhagadia plant disrupted due to strike, says Britannia

The company is in continuous discussions with workers to resolve the strike, which began on Monday, the company said in an exchange filing

Accident at bullet train site near Ahmedabad; several trains cancelled

A segmental launching gantry used for construction at a bullet train project site near Ahmedabad accidentally skid from its position and affected the adjoining railway line, disrupting the movement of several trains, officials said on Monday. No casualty was reported in the incident, which took place around 11 pm on Sunday at Vatva near here, nor did it cause any damage to the erected structure, the National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) said. The incident, however, affected rail traffic, leading to at least 25 trains being cancelled, while 15 others were partially cancelled, five rescheduled and six were diverted, an official from the Ahmedabad railway division said. Efforts were on to clear the railway line so as to facilitate the movement of trains on the affected line, railway officials said. A NHSRCL official said efforts were underway for restoration with the help of heavy duty road cranes. Several trains were either fully or partially terminated, and some rescheduled

BHEL bags Rs 7,500 cr order to set up 800 MW unit at Ukai plant, in Gujarat

State-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) on Friday said it has secured an order worth Rs 7,500 crore for setting up a unit of 800 MW at Ukai Supercritical Thermal Power Plant in Gujarat. The order has been placed on BHEL by Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Ltd (GSECL), a statement said. The unit will start commercial operation within 54 months. According to the statement, BHEL has secured an order under international competitive bidding, for setting up a 1x800 MW Ukai supercritical thermal power plant (Unit-7) on an Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) basis, in Tapi district, Gujarat. Notably, the proposed unit will be set up on the existing ash dyke area. BHEL's scope of work in the project envisages design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, testing, and commissioning for the EPC package, along with all necessary electrical, civil, and structural works. The scope also includes the supply of highly efficient emission control equipment. Notably, the first

Adani Energy Solutions wins $325 million transmission project in Gujarat

The project will create a power transmission system for a green hydrogen/ammonia manufacturing unit in Mundra, Gujarat and will be completed in three years

Gujarat ATS arrests two for illegal precursor chemical exports to Mexico

Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested two persons for illegally exporting precursor chemicals for manufacturing fentanyl and other banned psychotropic substances by air to drug mafias in Mexico, Guatemala, and other countries, it said on Tuesday. An investigation showed that the partners of certain chemical and pharma companies in Surat had illegally procured and exported precursors for the manufacturing of the controlled psychotropic substance fentanyl, prohibited in many countries, the ATS said in a release. The accused individuals used bogus end-user certificates and fake invoices, and misdeclared the shipments to evade detection by the Customs Departments and international narcotics agencies while smuggling the chemicals via air cargo to companies in Mexico and Guatemala, it said. These substances -- 1-Boc-4-piperidone (N-Boc-4-piperidone) and 4-piperidone -- have been placed on the Red List by the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and also listed

In 'dry' Gujarat, govt collects ₹34 cr in tax in two years on liquor sales

The Gujarat government has collected Rs 33.98 crore in taxes in two years from sale of liquor through 28 hotels in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts, the state assembly was informed on Monday. During Question Hour in the ongoing Budget Session, Congress MLA Imran Khedawala raised the query related to number of hotels having permits to sell liquor in these two districts and the tax collected by the government during the last two years. In his written response, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who handles Prohibition and Excise department, said 22 hotels in Ahmedabad and six hotels in Gandhinagar district have been given permits to sell liquor. The state government earned Rs 14.45 crore in 2023 and Rs 19.53 crore in 2024 as tax on the sale of liquor at these hotels, Patel said. Patel added that no permit has been cancelled during the last two years. Notably, Gujarat has been a 'dry' state since its inception and sale of liquor is regulated by the government.

False narrative created over Guj riots, courts found us innocent: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the discourse around the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat was an attempt to create a false narrative and his political opponents in power at the Centre wanted him to be punished but the courts cleared his name. In a podcast with Lex Fridman, Modi said the perception that the 2002 riots were the biggest riots ever in Gujarat was an attempt to push misinformation. "If you review the data from before 2002, you will see that Gujarat faced frequent riots. Curfews were constantly being imposed somewhere. Communal violence would erupt over trivial issues such as kite flying contests or even bicycle collisions," Modi said. The prime minister said the riots in Gujarat in 1969 lasted for more than six months and that was an era when he was nowhere on the political horizon. Modi said the Godhra train burning incident took place barely three days after he was elected as a legislator of the Gujarat Assembly. "It was a tragedy of unimaginable magnitude, pe

Violence erupts during bike rally in Gujarat after India's CT win; 11 held

At least 11 people were detained after a late-night motorcycle rally to celebrate India's ICC Champions Trophy win led to violence in Gujarat's Gandhinagar district, police said on Monday. A group of people took out a motorcycle rally in Dehgam town after India won the Champions Trophy final match against New Zealand on Sunday night, an official said. As per the first information report, the rally was passing by a mosque in a minority-dominated area around 10.30 pm when some bikers raced their two-wheelers, blaring horns. It said around 15 persons sitting in the mosque for the ongoing Ramzan festival objected to this, hurling abuses and trying to attack the bikers with sticks when they fled. Deputy Superintendent of Police P N Vanda said, "Most bikers left after being attacked by persons objecting to the noise of the bike rally. Some five to six persons escaped after leaving their motorcycles behind. The accused persons damaged the two-wheelers that were left behind." "We have ...

Was asked not to talk speak against RSS in Gujarat, says Digvijaya

Congress MP Digvijaya Singh has claimed he was asked not to speak against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) while campaigning in Gujarat, when he was the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, for fear of "angering Hindus". In a post on X on Sunday, Singh also hailed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's tough talk in Gujarat on Saturday about those in the party helping the ruling BJP. Addressing Congress workers in Ahmedabad on Saturday, Gandhi said the party's first job was to separate two groups of Congress workers and leaders ones who carry the party ideology in their hearts and stand with the public and the others who were cut off from the public, "half of whom are with the BJP". The Lok Sabha member had underlined the need to filter out such leaders and workers and warned of strict action, even removals. Singh congratulated Gandhi for his statement and said, "I remember when I went to Gujarat to campaign as the Chief Minister of MP, I was instructed not to speak against the RSS. Hindus