Page 79 - Rajasthan

Paper leak accused, cheating gang may be booked under NSA: Rajasthan Police

Rajasthan Police chief Umesh Mishra on Saturday said that the police is considering booking cheating and paper leak gangs under National Security Act. The Director General of Police said that the records of those who facilitate cheating would be scrutinised and strict legal action would be taken against them. Mishra in a statement also said that an amendment allowing police to seize the property of criminals involved in cheating gangs has been suggested in the Prevention of Anti Social Activities Act-2018 (PASA). According to the PASA, a person can be detained for a period of up to one year without any public disclosure. He said that the state Police is ready to conduct recruitment exams in a clean and fair manner. Mishra's statement came after police arrested 44 people on Saturday, hours before the General Knowledge paper in the Class II Teacher Recruitment exam. The paper was cancelled after it was leaked to the public. Mishra said that police will soon write a letter to the ..

Those responsible for Udaipur paper leak won't be spared: Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said the leak of teacher recruitment exam paper was unfortunate and promised a strict action against the culprits. Gehlot said that Rajasthan is the only state in the country which has taken prompt and strict action in such matters. The new date for the Saturday paper will be released soon, he said. Police on Saturday arrested 44 people just a few hours before the general knowledge paper for the second grade teacher recruitment examination in Rajasthan, followed by announcement to cancel the paper by Gehlot. "The paper leak is very unfortunate. Papers have started leaking in many states, in the army, in the judiciary (Rajasthan). It is a very worrying situation. Rajasthan is the first state in the country which has put such people in jail," Gehlot told reporters here. He further said: "Strict action will be taken against those who indulge in this act. We have recently passed a law in the assembly under which such people will get st

Rajasthan 2nd grade teacher recruitment exam paper leaked; 44 held

At least 44 people, including 37 students and seven experts, were arrested in Rajasthan's Udaipur district in connection with the paper leak a few hours before the 2nd grade teacher recruitment examination was to begin across the state on Saturday, police said. The general knowledge examination for teacher recruitment to be conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) been cancelled now. Among those arrested include the alleged mastermind of the paper leak, Suresh Vishnoi, a resident of Jodhpur, police said. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has announced the cancellation of the examination. The Opposition BJP, while targeting the government over the issue, demanded a strict action against those who leaked the paper. Acting on a tip-off that the paper has been leaked and a private bus carrying the candidates was coming to Udaipur, police teams stopped a vehicle at an intersection in Bekariya police station circle in the morning, Udaipur Superintendent of Police Vikas Shar

Wheat acreage up 3.18% at 31.2 million ha so far; crop prospects bright

Area sown to wheat has increased by 3.18 per cent to 312.26 lakh hectares (ha) so far in the ongoing rabi (winter) season with higher acreage reported from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, according to the agriculture ministry's data released on Friday. Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja on Thursday had said the crop prospects were bright as the current weather conditions are conducive for plant growth and better yields. Sowing of wheat, the main rabi (winter) crop, begins in October while harvesting in April. Mustard seed and gram are other major crops sown in the rabi season of the 2022-23 crop year (July-June). As per the ministry's data, wheat has been sown in 312.26 lakh ha as of December 23 of the ongoing rabi season, as against 302.61 lakh ha in the year-ago period. "Thus 9.65 lakh hectare more area has been covered compared to last year," the ministry said. Higher area is reported from Rajasthan (1.99 lakh ha), followed by Gujarat (1.74 lakh ha), Uttar Pradesh (1.57 la

JK Cement enters paint segment, acquires 60% stake in Acro Paints

JK Cement on Thursday announced its foray into the paints business by acquiring 60 per cent stake in Rajasthan-based Acro Paints in a Rs 153 crore deal. Its wholly-owned subsidiary JK Paints and Coatings Ltd has entered into a share purchase agreement with Acro Paints Ltd and its shareholders to acquire a 60 per cent controlling stake in the company. The "remaining 40 per cent shall be acquired over a period of 12 months as per the definitive agreement entered between the parties", a joint statement said. Acro Paints is a manufacturer of architectural and high-performance paints and coatings. "This acquisition is a step towards fast-tracking JK Cement's entry into the paints business, expanding its product offerings and potentially foray into new markets," it added. Acro Paints has two manufacturing facilities, which are currently going through capacity expansion and are expected to be completed by Q2 FY24. Post-expansion, it will have a capacity of 60,000 KL in decorative and ..

Rajasthan's public welfare schemes now talk of India, says CM Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said the entire country was discussing the public welfare schemes being run by the state government. The Congress leader said the state government was running welfare schemes in every area to provide maximum relief to the public. The Udaan Yojana has been implemented to provide sanitary pads to women for free, while the Chief Minister's Kisan Urja Mitra Yojana has brought down the electricity bill of eight lakh farmers to zero, he said. Rajasthan has emerged as a model state for its welfare schemes in the health sector. The Chief Minister's Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme has provided freedom to the common man from expensive treatments, Gehlot added. The chief minister said the Rajasthan government was working with commitment to provide basic facilities such as water, electricity, health and education to every resident. All the budgets of the state government have been dedicated to public welfare and the upcoming one will be aim

Yoga, zumba, mental wellness in focus as student suicides shake Kota

From Yoga sessions and zumba classes to 24X7 helplines and mental wellness workshops, coaching institutes in Kota say they take multiple steps to help students tackle the anxiety of preparing for competitive exams. The coaching hub is back in focus after three students died last week -- two of them were found hanging at their hostel rooms, and the third one allegedly consumed a poisonous substance. Prominent coaching institute Allen, which currently has over 1.5 lakh students in its various medical (NEET) and engineering (JEE) entrance preparatory courses, runs special programmes such as "Tum Hoge Kamyab" (you will succeed) and "Wings of Wisdom", besides regular yoga sessions and zumba classes, for the mental wellbeing of its students. "We have a dedicated helpline which works round the clock and over 50 concerned calls from students or parents are addressed daily through it," said Dr Harish Sharma, Principal Counsellor and Student-Behaviour Expert at Allen. "For every 10 students

Raj govt preparing plan to distribute food kits to poor: CM Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Wednesday said his government is preparing a plan to distribute food kits to people from the economically weaker section. "In order to provide relief to the people of Rajasthan from the impact of inflation and to reduce the cost of kitchen, the state government is conducting studies on various aspects," Gehlot told reporters in Dausa. Later, in a tweet, Gehlot said, "A plan is being prepared to distribute food kits to the economically weak and deprived. Flour, oil, pulses and spices will be included in this." The chief minister said the state government will also provide gas cylinders to poor families for Rs 500 so that their monthly expenditure can be reduced.

Over 400 retailers to showcase products at Jaipur Jewellery Show

More than 400 jewellery retailers are expected to showcase their products at the annual Jaipur Jewellery Show (JJS) to be held here from December 23-26, organisers said. The annual event will be based on 'Emerald...Timeless Elegance' theme. The show will have around 900 booths this year and it will see participation of eminent jewellers of the country. Over 400 top retailers have already confirmed their participation in the show, JJS Chairperson Vimal Chand Surana said. It is a B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-customer) show which will be held at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) in Sitapura. JJS Secretary Rajiv Jain said that All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) board of directors have been invited for the event. GJC is a national trade federation for the promotion and growth of the trade in gems and jewellery pan-India. Jewellery retailers will also get an opportunity to select items from a large number of booths at the show. "Their

Cong walks factionalism tightrope during Bharat Jodo Yatra's Rajasthan leg

As the Bharat Jodo Yatra's Rajasthan leg ended Wednesday, the Congress would have heaved a sigh of relief as it passed the state without any face-off between the supporters of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his bete noire Sachin Pilot despite sloganeering on the roads. The yatra's about 500 km route in Rajasthan was dotted with several Pilot strongholds and the foot march was boosted by massive numbers, several of them being his young supporters who raised slogans such as "Humara CM Kaisa ho, Sachin Pilot Jaisa ho" and "I Love You, I Love You, Sachin Pilot, I Love You". Pilot himself walked alongside Rahul Gandhi for most of the distance and on some occasions was also seen gesturing to his supporters raising slogans in his support to not do so. Gehlot also was a regular feature especially during the morning session of the yatra in the state. In certain places, supporters of Gehlot also raised slogans in his favour and highlighted his "good governance" in the state. On th

Mandaviya asks Rahul to suspend Yatra if Covid protocols not followed

Citing concerns raised by three BJP MPs over spread of coronavirus, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to consider suspending the Bharat Jodo Yatra if adherence to Covid protocols cannot be followed. In a letter addressed to Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday, Mandaviya said three MPs from Rajasthan -- P P Chaudhary, Nihal Chand and Devji Patel -- have flagged concerns and requested him that Covid protocols, including use of masks and sanitisers, be strictly followed during the march and only those who are vaccinated be allowed to participate. The yatra has entered Haryana on Wednesday from Rajasthan. The MPs have also requested the Union minister to ensure that participants are isolated before and after taking part in the march. The minister urged Gandhi and Gehlot to take prompt action keeping in view the requests made by the three MPs in Rajasthan. Referring to the letter signed by the three MPs, Mandaviya sai

LPG cylinders under Ujjwala scheme at Rs 500 to BPL families: Gehlot

He also termed Ujjawal Yojana 'BJP's drama' saying that "the tanks are lying vacant"

Bharat Jodo Yatra resumes from Dausa; Kharge, Rahul to address Alwar rally

The Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from here on Monday with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and senior leader Sachin Pilot walking alongside the former Congress chief. Gandhi and the Congress leaders and workers began their march from Bandikui in Dausa. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Gandhi will address a rally in Alwar this afternoon. The yatra will not have an evening session on Monday. The yatra, which was launched on September 7 in Kanyakumari has traversed Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and now, Rajasthan. It completed 100 days on Friday last. The yatra will enter Delhi on December 24, and after a break of about eight days, move on to Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and finally, Jammu and Kashmir. It has seen participation from a cross-section of society, including film and TV celebrities such as Pooja Bhatt, Riya Sen, Sushant Singh, Swara Bhasker, Rashami Desai, Akanksha Puri and Amol Palekar. Be

Govt plans to auction 6 mineral blocks in Odisha, Rajasthan next month

The government plans to put on sale next month six mineral blocks in the states of Odisha and Rajasthan. Of these six blocks to be auctioned, three are bauxite mines and three are limestone blocks. The three bauxite blocks -- Ballada, Kutrumali and Sijimali -- and two limestone mines -- Garramura and Uskalabgu -- in Odisha are virgin blocks, according to a latest report by the mines ministry. The remaining mine is Nimana-Duniya limestone block in Kota, Rajasthan. The notice inviting tender for all the six blocks was floated in the month of November. Since the amendment to MMDR Act, 1957 in 2015, a total of 216 mineral blocks have been auctioned till November 30 across 10 states. Three mineral blocks -- two limestone and one iron ore -- in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh were successfully auctioned last month. The government started the process of allocating mineral blocks through auctions in 2015-16. The ministry has expressed hope of auctioning 500 mines by the end of 2024. The Cen

Bharat Jodo Yatra: Rahul interacts with Rajasthan civil society members

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met with Rajasthan's civil society members on Sunday during which a host of issues such as "communalisation" of education, right to health and food security were discussed. The interaction took place in the afternoon break of the yatra that commenced from Kalakho here around 8 am after a day's break. As the yatra began, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and senior leader Sachin Pilot walked alongside the former Congress chief. Large crowds had gathered to greet the yatra participants in Dausa, known as a stronghold of former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Pilot. People had lined up along the entire route of the yatra to cheer the leaders. Amid the ongoing power tussle between Gehlot and Pilot, slogans were raised in support of Pilot at several places as he walked beside Gandhi. At some places slogans in support of Gehlot were also raised. Sachin Pilot and his father Rajesh Pilot have both been elected to Parliament from Dausa in the past. Several

Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra resumes from Rajasthan's Dausa after break

The Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from here on Sunday after a day's break with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and senior leader Sachin Pilot walking alongside the former Congress chief. The yatra resumed from Kalakho here around 8 AM. Several people lined up since early morning to greet the yatra. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Gandhi will address a rally in Alwar on Monday. The yatra, which was launched on September 7 in Kanyakumari has traversed eight states Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and now, Rajasthan. It completed 100 days Friday. The yatra will enter Delhi on December 24, and after a break of about eight days, move on to Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and finally, Jammu and Kashmir. It has seen participation from a cross-section of society, including film and TV celebrities such as Pooja Bhatt, Riya Sen, Sushant Singh, Swara Bhasker, Rashami Desai, Akanksha Puri and Amol Palekar. Besides

Raj cylinder blast toll rises to 32, BJP says govt in 'celebratory mode'

The death toll in the cylinder explosion during a wedding in Rajasthan's Jodhpur district rose to 32 on Friday, with four more people succumbing to injuries at a hospital here. Slamming the Congress government in the state, BJP leader Rajendra Singh Rathore said while Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is yet to visit Bhungra village where the tragedy struck on December 8, his party has organised a celebration. He was apparently referring to a musical concert organised in Jaipur to mark the 100 days of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. The event was also attended by Gehlot and party general secretary K C Venugopal. The cylinder explosion at Bhungra in Shergarh subdivision had triggered a fire and left over 50 people injured. On Friday, four more of the injured succumbed at the MG Hospital, taking the toll to 32, officials said. "Such a ghastly incident has taken place in the state. Thirty-two people have lost their lives. But instead of announcing a special package for

Slogans in support of Sachin Pilot raised during Bharat Jodo Yatra

As the Congress MP Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra marked its 100 days on Friday, people in Dausa raised slogans in support of former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot.The yatra started from Meena High Court (Nangal Rajwatan), reaching Giriraj Dharan temple of Dausa.A music concert has been organised in Jaipur to celebrate 100 days of the foot march. Rahul Gandhi also held a press conference at the Congress office in Jaipur.Rajasthan is the only Congress-ruled state where the yatra will cover around 500 km over 17 days before entering Haryana on December 21. Many people were seen joining the march holding banners and party flags.Rajya Sabha MP and party General Secretary KC Venugopal tweeted: "Today the historic journey of #BharatJodoYatra completes #100Days, uniting the country against hatred, bigotry, division, violence, injustice, unemployment & price rice. The #BJY has covered 8 states & 2,763KMs winning the hearts (in emoji) of millions. Thank you all for the love

SC stays NGT order directing Rajasthan to pay environmental compensation

In a major relief to the Rajasthan government, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed the National Green Tribunal's order directing it to pay Rs 3,000 crore as environmental compensation for alleged improper management of solid and liquid waste in the state. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha took note of the submissions of senior advocate Manish Singhvi, appearing for the Rajasthan government, and stayed the operation of the tribunal's September 15 order. "The order shall not be construed as obviating the duty of the state to comply with all other directions and to report compliance to the tribunal," it said. Singhvi, during the brief hearing, said Rajasthan has taken steps in this regard. "That the present statutory civil appeal is being filed... against the interim order dated September 15, 2022, passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT)... in original application... whereby the learned NGT in the impugned order has stated that total Rs 3,00

Raj gov may enact law to set up education regulator for coaching centres

The Rajasthan government is set to enact a law establishing a regulatory authority to keep tabs on private educational institutes including coaching centres, ensuring that they open counselling cells, end glorification of toppers and deal with the kind of stress that possibly led to three students committing suicide recently. The draft law proposes aptitude tests for students before they join a coaching centre for competitive exams, and a helpline if they find that they cannot face the stress. The Rajasthan Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Bill - 2022, which has been in the making since 2020, is likely to be introduced in the next session of the state assembly. It covers schools, colleges as well as centres, like in coaching hub Kota, that prepare students for competitive exams. Recently, three students studying at a Kota centre committed suicide, allegedly because they could not cope up with the pressure of studies there. The draft bill also seeks to regulate tuition .