Page 29 - Rajasthan

SC rejects Adani firm's plea for over Rs 1,300 cr as LPS from Raj discom

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea of Adani Power Rajasthan Ltd seeking over Rs 1,300 crore as late payment surcharge from the Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited, a Rajasthan government-owned power distribution firm. Imposing Rs 50,000 as cost on Adani Power Rajasthan Ltd (APRL), a bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and PV Sanjay Kumar ruled that filing of a miscellaneous application was not the proper legal recourse to late payment surcharge (LPS) by the Adani firm. Relief of this nature (claiming LPS) cannot be asked in a miscellaneous application which was described in the course of the hearing as an application for clarification, the bench said. The cost of Rs 50,000 imposed on APRL will be deposited with the Supreme Court Legal Aid Committee, Justice Bose said while reading out the operative portion of the judgement. The detailed judgement is awaited. The top court, on January 24, had reserved its judgement. The Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL), ...

Four coaches of Sabarmati-Agra superfast train derail in Ajmer, no casualty

Four coaches of the Sabarmati-Agra superfast train derailed near the Ajmer station on Monday morning, officials said. No loss of life was reported in the incident that occurred at around 1 am, they said, adding that the express train was on its way to Agra. "The incident took place when the train crossed Ajmer station and it was about to reach Madar station. The reason for the derailment is not known yet," Shashi Kiran, Chief Public Relations Officer, North Western Railway (NWR) Zone, told PTI. "No injury or casualty has been reported. The train movement in the up/down direction towards the Delhi side has already started. We are about to start the services in the Uttar Pradesh direction too," he added. The NWR has set up a helpdesk at the Ajmer station and also released a helpline number -- 0145-2429642 -- for relatives of the passengers travelling on the train, the official said. "Six trains have been cancelled and two trains have been diverted to other routes," Kiran said.

Four coaches of Sabarmati-Agra superfast train derail in Rajasthan's Ajmer

Four coaches of the Sabarmati-Agra superfast train derailed in Ajmer, Rajasthan. No casualties have been reported so far and Ajmer station also issued a helpline number, 0145-2429642

Lok Sabha elections: Key seats to watch in UP, Punjab, Raj, other states

The BJP won all four Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, it is fighting a divided Congress. The seats include these. * Hamirpur: The BJP has fielded Union minister Anurag Thakur from Hamirpur, the Lok Sabha seat he has been winning since a 2008 bypoll. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and his deputy Mukesh Agnihotri also represent assembly segments in Hamirpur. Five of the six Congress MLAs who recently rebelled against the party were also elected from Hamirpur assembly segments. * Mandi: Members of the region's erstwhile families have tried their luck here. Himachal Congress president Pratibha Singh currently represents the constituency which also sent her husband Virbhadra Singh to Parliament in the past.

Former Congress MP from Alwar Karan Singh Yadav quits party, joins BJP

Former Congress MP from Alwar, Karan Singh Yadav, joined the BJP in Jaipur on Saturday. Along with him, several other Congress leaders also joined the saffron party. Yadav resigned from the Congress' primary membership on Friday after holding senior party leader Bhanwar Jitendra Singh responsible for denial of ticket to him for contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Alwar. Yadav joined the BJP at the party's state headquarters in the presence of party state president CP Joshi and other leaders.

Rajasthan reduces VAT on petrol, diesel; hikes DA of employees by 4%

The Rajasthan government on Thursday announced a 2 per cent reduction in VAT on petrol and diesel and a 4 per cent hike in dearness allowance of employees and pensioners ahead of the general elections. The decisions will become effective from Friday morning. The government announced a 4 percentage point hike in dearness allowance of employees and pensioners on the lines of the Centre. The decisions were taken in the state cabinet meeting held here on Thursday evening. Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said, "There were discrepancies regarding the prices of diesel and petrol in Rajasthan. We have removed this anomaly and have reduced the VAT rate by two per cent." He said that due to two per cent reduction in VAT on petroleum products and steps taken by oil marketing companies, the prices of petrol and diesel will come down in the state. The Chief Minister said that the reduced prices on petrol and diesel will be applicable from 6 am on Fri

Centre approves Rs 114.8 crore to develop MSME sector in Rajasthan

The central government has approved a sum of Rs 114.80 crore for Rajasthan under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said on Thursday. The funds will give impetus to MSME enterprises of the state and help enhance their capacity. The funding will also help in meeting the financial needs of micro, small and medium enterprises towards achieving the goals of Developed India-Developed Rajasthan, the chief minister said. The RAMP programme is being run by the Centre for the MSME sector from 2022. Under this, a strategic investment plan was sent by the state to the central government, on which the state has got approval for an amount of Rs 114.80 crore. Industry and Commerce Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that the funds received under the RAMP programme will help in achieving the goals of the schemes and programmes run by the state and central governments for MSMEs. This will also help in creating a positive environment

Pokhran witness to trinity of India's 'aatmanirbharta': PM at Bharat Shakti

As awestruck spectators watched the 'Bharat Shakti' exercise here in Rajasthan on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Pokhran has become witness to the trinity of India's 'aatmanirbharta', belief and self-pride. The integrated tri-service firepower and manoeuvre exercise was held for about 50 minutes at the Pokhran field firing range where India showcased the prowess of its indigenous defence equipment. Roars of LCA Tejas and ALH Mk-IV filled the air while Main Battle Tank Arjun, and K-9 Vajra, Dhanush and Sharang artillery gun systems ruled the firing ranges on ground. Platforms like Pinaka satellite system and a swarm of drones left the audience spellbound. Prime Minister Modi in his address on the occasion said that "the roar of aircraft mid-air, and valour displayed on ground during Bharat Shakti exercise is the call of a 'new India' (naye Bharat ka aavhan hai)". He recalled that it was at Pokhran that the India's nuclear test was conducted in the past. "Pokhran has be

REC to finance power, infra projects worth Rs 1.20 trillion in Rajasthan

Government-owned power sector financier REC Ltd on Monday said it has signed an agreement with the Rajasthan government to provide up to Rs 1.2 lakh crore in six years for power and infrastructure related projects. REC Ltd, under the power ministry, has signed an agreement with the government of Rajasthan on March 10, according to a statement. As per the agreement, REC will finance up to Rs 20,000 crore per annum for a period of six years projects across power and non-power infrastructure sectors. Vivek Kumar Dewangan, CMD, REC Ltd, said in the statement, "We are proud to collaborate with the government of Rajasthan in its mission to enhance infrastructure development across the state. Through this partnership, we aim to support sustainable growth and address the evolving energy needs of the region along with development of other infrastructure sectors." Under this agreement, REC will provide loans of up to Rs 20,000 crore annually for the next six years to various departments, ...

NTPC, NGEL look to develop thermal plants, renewables project in Rajasthan

State-run power giant NTPC and its arm NTPC Green Energy signed two separate initial pacts to explore the possibility of developing supercritical thermal plants and renewables as well as green hydrogen in Rajasthan. The MoU between NTPC and Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam was signed to explore opportunities for adding supercritical units to the existing Chhabra Thermal Power Plant, a company statement said. Additionally, the Parties aim to implement measures to enhance efficiency and reduce the generation cost of the plant's existing units. Furthermore, the MoU also includes the undertaking of 15 to 20-year annuity-based Renovation and Modernization (R&M) of old thermal units of RVUNL by NTPC or its affiliates. The MoU between NGEL ( NTPC Green Energy) and RVUNL was signed for development of Renewable Energy Projects and Green Hydrogen Derivatives up to 25 GW and 1 million Ton capacities respectively in the State of Rajasthan.

SJVN Green signs long-term pact to supply 600 MW solar power to Rajasthan

A subsidiary of state-owned power producer SJVN, SJVN Green Energy, has entered into a long term pact to supply 600 MW solar electricity to Rajasthan. The Power Usage Agreement is for 500 MW Solar Power from Bikaner Solar Power Project and the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is for 100 MW Solar Power from Rajasthan Solar Power Project, both for a period of 25 years, a power ministry statement said. According to the statement SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of SJVN, has signed a Long Term Power Usage Agreement (PUA) for 500 MW Solar Power and a Long Term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 100 MW Solar Power, with Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Limited (RUVITL) in Jaipur on March 10, 2024. Under the Agreement, SGEL would supply 500 MW of power at a tariff of Rs. 2.57 per unit, from the 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project being developed by SGEL under Phase-II (Tranche-3) of the Central Public Sector Units Scheme. This project is the country's largest

Rajasthan govt signs 5 MoUs worth Rs 1.60 trn to boost energy sector

These MOUs and purchasing power agreements (PPA) will increase thermal and renewable energy production in the state, the release stated

Former Cong ministers, ex-MLAs join BJP in Rajasthan ahead of LS polls

Several Congress leaders in Rajasthan, including former ministers Rajendra Yadav and Lal Chand Kataria, joined the BJP here on Sunday ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Former Congress MLAs Richpal Mirdha, Vijaypal Mirdha, Khiladi Bairwa, former independent MLA Alok Beniwal, former state party chief Seva Dal Suresh Chaudhary, Rampal Sharma and Riju Jhunjhunwala among other leaders also joined the ruling party in the state. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, state BJP president C P Joshi and Union minister Bhupendra Yadav welcomed them into the party at its state headquarters here.

Rajasthan fuel station operators to begin two-day strike on March 10

Fuel pump stations in Rajasthan will remain shut for two days starting Sunday as the state petroleum dealers association has called for a strike demanding a reduction in value-added tax (VAT) levied on petrol and diesel. The symbolic strike will begin from 6.00 am on March 10 and will continue till 6.00 am on March 12, according to Rajasthan Petroleum Dealers Association. "The Rajasthan government has not reduced VAT on petrol and diesel despite the guarantee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Oil companies have also not increased dealer commissions for the last seven. To press for the demands, a strike has been called," Association's President Rajendra Singh Bhati said. As part of the strike, petroleum dealers in the state will neither buy nor sell any fuel. They will also hold a demonstration in the city on Monday, the association said.

JEE aspirant from Bihar dies by suicide in Kota; sixth incident in 2024

Kota has been in news for rising cases of students' suicides due to stress and other factors. In 2023, as many as 26 aspirants had died by suicide in the city while preparing for competitive exams

Rs 820 crore Uco bank scam: CBI conducts second round of searches

The CBI has conducted searches at 67 locations in seven cities of Rajasthan and Maharashtra in connection with the Rs 820-crore IMPS scam in UCO bank, officials said Thursday. The case pertains to over 8,53,049 IMPS (Immediate Payment System) transactions that took place between November 10 and November 13 last year in the bank. "IMPS inward transactions initiated from around 14,600 account holders of seven private banks were wrongfully posted in the accounts of over 41,000 UCO Bank account holders. This resulted in Rs. 820 crore being credited to UCO Bank accounts without actual debiting from the originating banks," the CBI Spokesperson said. The searches in Rajasthan and Maharashtra on Wednesday focused on people who received the money and withdrew it rather than returning it to the bank, officials said. This is the second round of searches. "Earlier in December 2023, searches were conducted at 13 locations involving private individuals and UCO Bank officials in Kolkata and ...

Union min Shekhawat ensures inquiry into Rajasthan fake recruitment scam

On Monday, fifteen trainee Rajasthan Police sub-inspectors, including the one who topped the recruitment exam, were detained for allegedly clearing the test in 2021 by using unfair means, police said

Cong leaders discuss LS candidates from Rajasthan, CEC meet on March 7

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh said that the winnable candidates were identified after the meeting

Ex-Raj CM Ashok Gehlot's elder sister Vimla Devi Kachhawa passes away

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's elder sister Vimla Devi Kachhawa died in Jodhpur on Tuesday at the age of 93. In a post on X, the Congress leader said, "The demise of elder sister Vimla Devi Kachhawa has left a void in me which can never be filled." "Baiji was like a mother to me. Her absence will always be felt in my life. In her 93 years of life, she gave immense love and blessings to everyone. I pray that God grants her a place at His feet," Gehlot added. The Congress' Rajasthan unit president Govind Singh Dotasra, party leader Sachin Pilot, former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, and the BJP's state unit president C P Joshi expressed grief over the death. Raje wrote on X, "Received the sad news of the demise of Vimla Devi ji, sister of former chief minister Ashok Gehlot ji. I pray to God to give peace to the soul and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this loss." Dotasra said, "I have received the sad news of the demise of Vimla Devi ji, elder sister of

HPCL to start Rajasthan refinery by end-December using mostly Mideast oil

The state-run company expects the refinery to reach full capacity in about a year's time, Bharatan told Reuters in an interview