First India 02042023.pdf

PM NARENDRA MODI’S
‘APRILFOOL’
TAUNT AT CONGRESS
Dimple Sharma and
Moni Sharma
Bhopal: Prime Minis-
ter Narendra Modi on
Saturday took an 'April
Fool' dig at Congress af-
ter flagging off the new
Bhopal-Delhi Vande
Bharat Express from
the Rani Kamalapati
station in MP's Bhopal.
Addressing an event,
Prime Minister Naren-
dra Modi said, “Previ-
ous govts focused on
only one family as the
country’s first family
and left the poor and
middle-class on their
own. Indian Railways is
an example of this. It
was not upgraded. Was
it right? They could
have made railways
modern but they sacri-
ficed the development
of railways for self-in-
terest," he said.
Prime Minister Nar-
endra Modi also said
that there are many
people inside and out-
side the country who
have made it their mis-
sion to malign him. P5
l PM Modi flags
off Bhopal-New
Delhi Vande Bharat
train from Bhopal
l 11th Vande
Bharat will cover a
distance of 708 km
in 7 hrs 45 minutes
PM Narendra Modi addressing at flagging off ceremony of Vande Bharat Express in Bhopal on Saturday.
MODI CONDOLES
TEMPLE TRAGEDY
At the flagging off
ceremony of the
Bhopal-New Delhi Van-
de Bharat train at Rani
Kamlapati station, PM
Modi condoled the loss
of lives in Indore temple
stepwell collapse. Ear-
lier, a road show was
also planned for PM but
was cancelled due to
the incident.
NAVY CHIEF TESTS COVID POSITIVE
AHEAD OF PM’S ADDRESS IN BHOPAL
Ahead of PM Modi’s address to the combined
commanders’ conferencein Bhopal, Navy Chief
Admiral Hari Kumar
tested Covid positive
on Friday. The Navy
chief left for Delhi late
at night by a special
plane. ”Covid tests
of all those attending
the conference were
conducted in view of the PM’s visit and the Naval
chief’s test report came positive,” sources said.
When I was informed that the flagging-off ceremony has
been scheduled for April 1, I replied, “Bhai, ek tarik ko
kyun rakhe ho? When the news will break that Modi is
going to flag off the Vande Bharat Train on April 1, then our
Congress friends will surely say that "Modi toh April fool karega”.
—NARENDRA MODI, PRIME MINISTER
Swedish flyer
molests IndiGo
crew, arrested
First India Bureau
Mumbai: A Swedish
national was arrested
on Thursday for alleg-
edly molesting a cabin
crew member in an in-
ebriated state, the latest
case of unruly behav-
iour on an aircraft. The
incident took place on
board a four-hour-long
Indigo flight (6E-1052)
from Bangkok to Mum-
bai. He was arrested &
released on payment of
`20,000 bail surety by
the Andheri MM Court.
Dubai-bound plane
suffers birdhit: Dubai-
bound cargo plane suf-
fered a bird hit soon af-
ter take off on Saturday
and returned to the
Delhi airport. A full
emergencywasdeclared
at the airport for land-
ing of aircraft and there
was apparently a crack
in the windshield.
Navjot Sidhu walks
out of jail after 10 mts
Patiala (ANI): Con-
gress leader Navjot Sin-
gh Sidhu walked out of
Patiala Jail on Saturday,
10 months after he was
convicted in a road rage
case. He launched attack
against BJP over dis-
qualification of Rahul
from LS, adding, if you
try to weaken Punjab,
you will become weak.
Navjot Singh Sidhu comes out
of the Patiala Jail on Saturday.
Home Minister Amit Shah being welcomed by Mayor Sita Sahu
& BJP State President Samrat Choudhary in Patna on Saturday.
Shah’s Sasaram tour was cancelled after communal tension. P5,6
‘SHAHI’ BIHAR!
SERIAL OFFENDER
RAJA AGAIN BOOKED
FOR HATE SPEECH
Hyderabad: A case was
booked against suspended
BJP MLA T Raja Singh
by Hyderabad Police for
promoting enmity between
groups, criminal intimidation
through his inflammatory
speech against Muslims.
WHO WANTS COVID-19
BOOSTER SHOTS AGAIN
FOR AT-RISK GROUPS
New Delhi: The WHO’s
Strategic Advisory Group
of Experts on Immunisation
(SAGE) has recommended
an addl booster of Covid
either 6 or 12 months after
the last dose for the high
priority group.
KOL MAN IS WORLD’S
1ST HUMAN INFECTED
BY ‘PLANT FUNGUS’
Kolkata: A man based in
Kolkata became 1st case of
a potentially deadly fungal
infection caused by plants.
This says a crossover of
plant pathogen into humans
when working in close
contact with plant fungi.
READ
Crucial
Crucial
JAIPUR l SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023 l Pages 12 l 3.00 l RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764 l Vol 4 l Issue No. 294
www.firstindia.co.in I https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
JD(S) LEADER,
FOUR-TERM MLA
FROM KARNATAKA
A.T. JOINS BJP
New Delhi: Trade between India and Malaysia can now be settled in
Indian Rupee (INR) in addition to the current modes of settlement in
other currencies. This follows the decision by the Reserve Bank of
India in July 2022 to allow the settlement of international trade in INR.
New Delhi: Saying that he was much impressed
by ruling party and its leadership, four-term
Karnataka Assembly member and JD(S) leader AT
Ramaswamy joined the BJP in presence of Anurag
Thakur and also met JP Nadda on Saturday.
ANOTHER CASE
AGAINST RAHUL
FOR REMARKS ON
‘RSS-KAURAVA’
Haridwar: A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
worker has filed a defamation complaint against
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a Haridwar court
for describing the organisation as “Kauravas of 21st
century” during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in January.
INDIA, MALAYSIA CAN NOW TRADE IN INDIAN RUPEE
Entire Oppn is united on issue of
Rahul’s disqualification: Gehlot
Naresh Sharma
Jaipur: Chief Minister
Ashok Gehlot and other
Congress leaders at-
tacked the BJP led Cen-
tralgovernmentoverthe
disqualification of Ra-
hul Gandhi from Lok
SabhainJaipurDivision
Congress Workers meet-
ing held at Sanganer sta-
dium here on Saturday
.
“The BJP will have to
facetheconsequencesof
Rahul Gandhi’s expul-
sion from Parliament,”
Gehlot said. He said that
the entire Opposition is
united on the issue of
Gandhi’s disqualifica-
tion and this unity is a
good sign. Turn to P7
CM Ashok Gehlot in conversation with Sukhjinder Randhawa at
Jaipur Division Cong Workers meeting at Sanganer on Saturday.
Also seen here are Rajkumar Sharma, Lokesh Sharma and others.
—PHOTO
BY
SANTOSH
SHARMA
CM BLAMES RSS
FOR DOCTORS’ STIR
AGAINST RTH ACT
Kota (Gul Mohammad):
CM Ashok Gehlot said
that RTH Act is in the
interest of the public,
so doctors should leave
their stubbornness and
serve the public. Gehlot
told media at Kota air-
port, “The RSS lobby is
ruining the doctors and
misleading them. Doc-
tors should leave their
ego. The doctors had a
frank discussion with CS
and Finance Secy”. P3
Snuggle-up!
Macaws, among the most intelligent of avian species, can have
a lifespan of more than 50 years in captivity.They are native
to North and South America and a popular pet in India.
Macaw pair seen at Telengabagan, in West
Bengal’s capital city Kolkata on Saturday.

Aishwary Pradhan
Jaipur: After the re-
moval of Satish Poonia
from the post of BJP
state president, the
scene of the party’s pro-
tests has changed.Those
leadershavealsostarted
appearing who were
rarely seen in the last
three years
After Chittorgarh MP
CP Joshi took charge of
the party in the Con-
gress-ruled state, the
first sit-in protest was
held in Jaipur on Satur-
day
. Leaders of former
Chief Minister Vasund-
hara Raje’s faction dom-
inated the demonstra-
tion.The dharna once
againtriedtoconveythe
message that there is no
factionalismintheparty
and the party is united.
Holding the Ashok
GehlotledCongressgov-
ernment i responsible
for the acquittal of four
accused in Jaipur bomb
blast case of 2008, the
party staged a dharna at
Badi chaupad and ac-
cused the government
of doing appeasement
The opposition party
members alleged that
due to weak prosecution
of the state govern-
ment, the four accused
who were awarded capi-
tal punishment by a
lower court in 2019 were
acquitted by the Ra-
jasthan high court.
“Such terrorists were
involved in Batla House
and Surat bomb blasts.
Two were killed in an
encounter. Salman
Khurshid’s statement
was that Sonia’s tears
are not stopping. These
are the same terrorists,
for whom tears were not
stopping from Sonia’s
eyes,” he said.
Ashish Choudhary
Rajsamand: Speaker
of Rajasthan Legisla-
tive Assembly, Dr CP
Joshi, during his four-
day tour of the district,
attended the closing
ceremony of the three-
day Navratri fair of Jal
Devi Mata at Sansera
village of Bamnia Kala
Panchayat. Speaker Dr
CP Joshi gave various
offerings to the Rail-
magara region at the
function. Dr Joshi inau-
gurated the GSS ware-
house in Bamnia Kala
Panchayat and also in-
augurated the newly
constructed building in
the temple. On this oc-
casion, the villagers
welcomed the assembly
speaker on declaring
Jal Devi Mata Temple, a
tourist destination.
In his address, Dr
Joshi said that the state
government has sanc-
tioned about Rs 12 crore
for the development of
Jal Devi Mata Mandir
in the budget, through
which panorama and
other construction
works will be done here.
For the convenience of
the farmers of Rail-
magara, the state gov-
ernment has an-
nounced the opening of
cattle feeders for Rs 40
crore, intending to in-
crease the income of
livestock and livestock
farmers. Along with
this, Dr Joshi said that
the state government
has also announced to
open a Food Park on
about 25 bigha of land
in the area, which will
benefit the farmers ex-
tensively
.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: The state
govt has amended li-
cence rules for bar li-
cense for hotels, res-
taurants, and clubs in
Rajasthan. Now, the
licenses can be taken
for three months. If
such a licence is tak-
en even a few days
before the end of
three months, then
the full licence fee of
three months will
have to be deposited.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: The Rajasthan
government has ex-
tended the period of
Prashasan Shahron ke
Sang campaign till
September 30. UDH
Principal Secretary is-
sued the orders to ex-
tend the period. The
decision was taken in
view of the upcoming
assembly elections.At
the same time, the fi-
nance department is-
sued notifications re-
garding various relax-
ations to be given un-
der the campaign till
September 30.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: The state govt
onSaturdayannounced
to provide relief to the
devotees visiting the fa-
mous Lakhi fairs of the
state.Thedevoteestrav-
elling from the buses of
RSRTC to these fairs
will be given a conces-
sion of 50 percent.
Chief Minister
Ashok Gehlot approved
the proposal of giving
discount to devotees on
bus fares. There will be
concession in fare in
ordinary and express
buses of Rajasthan
Roadways during the
fair period.
Devotees travelling
to Pushkar fair and
Dargah Urs in Ajmer,
Kailadevi fair in Ka-
rauli, Jheel Ka Bada in
Bharatpur, Shriram-
devra fair in Jaisalmer,
Khatushyam ji in Sikar,
Salasar Balaji in Chu-
ru, Gogamedi in Hanu-
mangarh, Beneshwar
Dham in Dungarpur,
Ranthambore Ganesh
ji in Sawaimadhopur
have been included in
the list of discounted
fare list.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Former CM
and National Vice Presi-
dentof BJPVasundhara
Raje on Saturday ac-
cused the Rajasthan
government of not act-
ing properly in the seri-
al blast case of Jaipur
and the high court deci-
sion is the result of that.
Raje said that after
the incident, the terror-
ist organization Indian
Mujahideen took re-
sponsibility for it.
“The government de-
liberately took such a
serious matter lightly,
otherwise the decision
of thelowercourtwould
have been upheld, “ she
said.
“Are their screams
not reaching the ears of
this government? Did
the government do this
because of appease-
ment?” she asked.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Commenting
on the Rajasthan gov-
ernment’s decision to
terminate the services
of the additional advo-
cate general following
the acquittal of four ac-
cused in the Jaipur
bomb blast case by the
high court, union min-
ister Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat asked what
will happen by termi-
nating his service.
He said that the gov-
ernment was sleeping
when justice was to be
delivered and now it
is doing face-saving
by taking the name
of the Supreme
Court.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Radharaman
Sharma was elected as
the president of the
Pink City press club on
Saturday
.
Ramendra Solanki
won the post of general
secretary
. Polling was
done on Friday and the
counting of votes be-
gan on Saturday
.
Vijender Jaiswal has
been declared elected
for the post of Vice
President with 278
votes and Rahul Bhard-
waj with 245 votes.
Rahul Gautam won
the post of Treasurer
by taking 384 votes.
Mangilal Pareek,
who lost the election for
the post of Vice Presi-
dent by one vote, de-
manded a recounting
of votes. However, re-
turning officer Satya
Pareek turned down
his demand. Monika
Sharma, Anita Shar-
ma,DineshSaini,Push-
pendra Rajawat, Sunny
Atre, Namo Awasti, Vi-
kas Arya, Umang Ma-
thur, Omveer, and
Dinesh Adhikari were
declared elected as ex-
ecutive members.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: A state-level
meeting will be organ-
ised at the state BJP
headquarters on Sun-
day morning. The state-
level meeting will be
organised at 10 am while
themeetingof theLegis-
lature Party will be held
at 3 pm. Later, at 5 pm,
the core committee
meeting will take place.
Inthemeeting,thename
of the new leader of the
opposition will be de-
cided as per the direc-
tions of the BJP high
command. After taking
the opinions of the
MLAs, the name of the
new leader of the oppo-
sitionwillbeannounced.
Former Chief Minister
Vasundhara Raje will
alsoattendthemeetings.
She will reach Jaipur
from Dholpur and take
part in the meeting.
State In-Charge Arun
Singh, State President
CP Joshi, State Organi-
sation Secretary Chan-
drashekhar and other
senior BJP leaders will
also be present in the
meeting.
RAJASTHAN
JAIPUR | SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023
02
Nirmal Tiwari
Jaipur: The Depart-
ment of Mines have
found deposits of more
than 335 million tonnes
of limestone in the Na-
gaur district. In the
presence of DMG Sand-
esh Nayak, ACS Dr Sub-
odh Agarwal was given
the study report of 21
blocks of limestone de-
posits in Nagaur dis-
trict by the Chief Exec-
utive Officer of RSMET
NP Singh.
ACS Dr Subodh
Agarwal informed
that as per G2 level ex-
ploration in Nagaur
and Deh of Nagaur
district, limestone de-
posits have been found
at Harima, Khetolav,
Sarasni, Somna and
Pithasia in Nagaur
and Deh tehsils.
“Rough estimates sug-
gest that 335 million
tonnes have been esti-
mated in an area of
more than 1621 hec-
tares of 21 blocks. The
mineral reserves will
help to generate em-
ployment and revenue
for the state,” said Dr
Subodh Agarwal.
Director Sandesh
Nayak said that for
healthy competition
and maximum partici-
pation, 18 blocks of
4.8-hectare area are
being prepared, while
three blocks of
500-hectare area are
being prepared. “The
work of revenue re-
cord digitization, land
classification, demar-
cation, etc. is being
completed soon for e-
auction by the depart-
ment,” said Sandesh
Nayak.
335 million tonnes of limestone found in Nagaur
Toll Rate List
OFFICE OFTHE PROJECT DIRECTOR (PPP), PWD JODHPUR
Collection of User Fee on Bhawi-Pipar-Khinwsar Highway (SH-86C)
For M/s Sai Engineering Works, Jodhpur
सर्वसाधारण को सूचित चकया जाता है की भारी-पीपाड़ शहर-खीरंसर (राजय
राजमार्व-86 सी) चकमी 0.000 से 97.000 चकमी में उपयोर के चिए यांचरिक राहनों
पर प्रयोकता शुलक ग्ाम घाणामररा यथा चकसी 3.000, ग्ाम नाडातोडा यथा 48:000
चकमी ग्ाम मंरेररया यथा 85.700 चकमी पर स्थत टोि पिाजाओं की संशोचधत
प्रयोकता उपयोरकता्व शुलक दरें (~) चदनांक 01.04.2023 से चनम्ानुसार हैं।
Bhawi-Sathin Section of SH-86C TP-1 (Ghanmagra)
Effective from 01.04.2023
S.
No.
Category of
Traffic
Revised rates
for the FY
2023-24
(for single
journey)
Revised
rates for the
FY 2023-24
(for Return
journey)
Revised rates
for the FY
2023-24
(for multiple
journey)
1
Car, Jeep, Van or
LMV or Tractor with
trolley carrying Non
Agriculture produce
40 60 1385
2 LCV, LGV or Mini Bus 65 95 2110
3 Bus or Truck 125 185 4150
4
HCM Or EME or Multi
Axle Vehicle
(3 to 6 axle)
210 310 6920
5
Oversized vehicles
(7 or More axles)
250 375 8300
Sathin-Palri Ranawat Section of SH-86C TP-2 (Nadatoda)
S.
No.
Category of
Traffic
Revised rates
for the FY
2023-24
(for single
journey)
Revised
rates for the
FY 2023-24
(for Return
journey)
Revised rates
for the FY
2023-24
(for multiple
journey)
1
Car, Jeep, Van or
LMV or Tractor with
Agriculture produce
50 70 1595
3 Bus or Truck 145 215 4780
4
HCM Or EME or Multi
Axle Vehicle
(3 to 6 axle)
240 360 7970
5
Oversized vehicles
(7 or More axles)
285 430 9565
Palri Ranawat-Khinwsar Section of SH-86C TP-3 (Mangeria)
S.
No.
Category of
Traffic
Revised rates
for the FY
2023-24
(for single
journey)
Revised
rates for the
FY 2023-24
(for Return
journey)
Revised rates
for the FY
2023-24
(for multiple
journey)
1
Car, Jeep, Van or
LMV or Tractor with
Agriculture produce
35 55 1220
3 Bus or Truck 110 165 3660
4
HCM Or EME or Multi
Axle Vehicle
(3 to 6 axle)
185 275 6100
5
Oversized vehicles
(7 or More axles)
220 330 7315
चकसी टोि पिाजा से बीस चकमी की दूरी के भीतर रहने रािे रैर राचणसजयक
राहनों के ्रामी के चिए 280 रूपये माचसक दर पर इस राजमार्व की एक चनचद्वषट
खणड को उपयोर करने के चिए पास बनाए जा सकेंरे जो इस राजय राज मार्व के दूसरे
टोि पिाजा से पहिे तक मानय होरा।
(Alok Malvia)
Project Director (PPP)
PWD, PIU-Jodhpur
DIPR/C/5036/2023
No. F 36 (93)/Comp/AMC 23-24/2022-23/3091-98 Date: 27.03.2023
NOTICE INVITING BIDS
The Department of Agriculture invites online proposal at (http://eproc.rajasthan.gov.in)
for Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) of Computer Hardware & Networking
Equipment and Rate Contract for Peripherals / Parts. Estimated cost of procurement
is Rs. 12.00 Lakh.
Details may be seen in the bidding document at the website of State Public
Procurement Portal (http://sppp.rajasthan.gov.in, http://dipr.rajasthan.gov.in),
or e-Procurement Portal (http://eproc.rajasthan.gov.in) or department’s website
(http://agriculture.rajasthan.gov.in). The interested bidders may submit their
proposals latest by April 11th
, 2023 upto 12:30 PM.
UBN NO. AGR2223SLRC00376
(Kana Ram)
Commissioner, Agriculture
Rajasthan
DIPR/C/5009/2023
GOVERNMENT OF RAJASTHAN
COMMISSIONERATE OFAGRICULTURE, RAJASTHAN, JAIPUR
JAIPURBOMBBLASTCULPRITSACQUITTED
DUETONEGLIGENCEOFGOVT:CPJOSHI
The dharna tried to
convey the message
that there is no
factionalism in BJP
CP Joshi & other senior leaders staged a dharna at Badi chaupad in Jaipur on Saturday.
CP JOSHI’S TYPING ERROR SPIKES CONTROVERSY
Jaipur: A typing mistake by State BJP President CP Joshi in
his tweet led to a controversy on Friday. The State BJP Presi-
dent wrote Leader of Opposition instead of Deputy Leader of
Opposition on Twitter. Immediately, he rectified his mistake
as Leader of Opposition cannot be appointed without the
meeting of legislative members. It is believed that BJP leader
Rajendra Rathore will be appointed leader of opposition in
the meeting on Sunday as the BJP high-command has also
affirmed its confidence in Rathore.
Govt sanctioned `12
crore for devp of Jal
Devi temple: Dr Joshi
Government
amends rules
for bar licence
Govt extends
PSKS date till
September 30
Raje accuses Congress for not
taking right decision in blast case
Government was sleeping when
justice was delivered: Shekhawat
BJP legislators to
decide Leader of
Opposition today
Dr. C.P. Joshi inaugurated the GSS warehouse in Bamnia Kala
Panchayat and also inaugurated the newly constructed building
in the temple in Rajsamand district on Saturday.
Elected members of the Pink City Press Club pose outside the
press club in Jaipur on Saturday.
Dr Subodh Agarwal with study report of 21 blocks of limestone
deposits. Sandesh Nayak, NP Singh & other offcials were also
seen in Nagaur district on Saturday.
Mahveer temple all lit up ahead of Lakhi fair on Saturday.
Radharaman Sharma elected as
President of Pink City Press Club
Govt to give 50% discount
to devotees of Lakhi fair
MINERAL RESERVE
—PHOTO
BY
SANTOSH
SHARMA
—PHOTO
BY
SANTOSH
SHARMA

RAJASTHAN
03
Kashiram Choudhary
Jaipur: As per the
budget announcement
by Chief Minister
Ashok Gehlot, the VAT
duty on aviation tur-
bine fuel has been re-
duced from April 1.
The VAT duty on tur-
bine fuel has been
brought down from 26
per cent to 2 per cent,
which is likely to in-
crease air connectivity
from Jaipur.
Sources informed
that nearly half-a-dozen
new flights can be start-
ed from Jaipur airport
to other cities. “Flight
services to Bangkok
and Dubai will be in-
creased while a new
flight to Kuala Lumpur
can also be started.
Commercial airlines
will benefit from such a
low VAT and airlines
will be encouraged to
start new flights to dif-
ferent cities from
Jaipur,” said a source.
At present, an aver-
age of 57 flights are op-
erating daily from
Jaipur airport. The
number of flights may
go up to 70 in the next
four months if aviation
turbine fuel rates are
reduced. There is a pos-
sibility that flight ser-
vices will also be in-
creased from Udaipur,
Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bi-
kaner and Kishangarh
airports of the State.
VAT on turbine fuel reduced, new flights soon
BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION
z Reduction in VAT can also increase the
traffic of charter flights
z Currently, on average, there are 3 charter
flights per day
z VAT on charter flights will now be 2% only
z The number of charter flights is expected
to be 6 to 8 daily in the tourist season
z Vasundhara Raje government reduced VAT
nearly 6 years ago
z There was an attempt to make an aviation
hub at Jaipur airport
z Indigo and SpiceJet were getting benefit-
ted by night halting of 3 aircraft
z Star Air will operate a flight
between Jaipur and Belgaum
z Indigo and Air Asia will also
increase flights
z Flights to Bareilly and Pantna-
gar had already been started
z Direct flight to Bhopal will be
started from April 13
z Flights to Nagpur, Ranchi, and
Patna are expected to start
in May
z Mumbai and Bangalore flights
are to also be started
NEW FLIGHTS TO BEGIN CHARTER FLIGHTS TO BE INCREASED
RSS LOBBY INCITING STATE DOCS
AGAINST RTH ACT, SAYS GEHLOT
Gul Mohammad
Kota: Claiming that the
Rashtriya Swayamse-
vak Sangh (RSS) lobby
inciting doctors against
the Right to Health Act
in the State, Chief Min-
ister Ashok Gehlot on
Saturday said the Act is
in the interest of the
public,sodoctorsshould
leavetheirstubbornness
and serve the public.
“The recommenda-
tions given by the doc-
tors to the finance secre-
tary were all agreed
upon but later on some
four to five doctors, who
are associated with the
RSS,raisedobjections.It
is not an allegation but
the truth that they are
from the RSS,” he said.
He also said the “four
to five people, associat-
ed with the RSS, who
misguided the doctors,
are ‘Gaddar’ (traitors)”.
BJP and Sangh
should not do this kind
of politics, he added.
“55 per cent of a fam-
ily’s earning goes in
household expenses and
people’s land and prop-
erty are sold for expen-
sive treatment. That is
whywehavebroughtthe
Act so that even the
poorest of the poor can
be treated,” he said.
First India Bureau
Sikar: Agitating doc-
tors on Saturday took
out a torch procession
against the Right to
Health Act in Sikar. The
procession was taken
out in Laxmangarh and
will stop at many places
including Nawalgarh,
Mandawa.
RC Dhaka, a member
of the Indian Medical
Association, said that
along with the doctors,
the Right to Health Act
will affect the common
people. The Procession
is being taken out to tell
the disadvantages of
this Act.
On Sunday, private
doctors will involve
their children in the
protest in Jaipur. Chil-
dren of the doctors
will come with plac-
ards in their hands. A
foot march will also be
taken out from JMA at
11 am.
On the other hand,
amid massive protest by
the doctors, State
Health Minister Parsa-
di Lal Meena has said
that the government
would not take back the
Act at any cost.
First India Bureau
Churu: In an upsetting
incident, a three-year-
old girl and a seven-
month-old boy died due
to drowning in a pond
in Sardarshahar. The
father has alleged that
the children’s mother
killed both of them by
throwing them in the
pool. The police have
taken the mother into
custody based on the fa-
ther’s report. The wom-
an is being questioned.
As per the police, at
around 9 pm on Friday
night, two children
were reported to have
drowned in a pool in
Kanaram ki Dhani of
Khundia village.
On this, the police
team reached the spot
and with the help of
the villagers, the bod-
ies of the children were
taken out. By then both
the children had died.
The children’s father
Kanaram (45) has ac-
cused his wife Mamta
of killing both the chil-
dren by throwing them
in the pool.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: DG Civil
Rights and Cyber
Crime Ravi Prakash
Meharda has been giv-
en the additional
charge of DG Techni-
cal Services (Telecom-
munication and Tech-
nical and SCRB).
The Department of
Personnel issued the
order on Saturday. Me-
harda is 1990-batch IPS
officer.
First India Bureau
High Court Employees’
Association has submit-
ted a memorandum to
the Registrar General
of Rajasthan High
Court to restrengthen
the cadre of employees
in the court.
Association Presi-
dent Rituraj Sharma
said that the cadre
strength of the Ra-
jasthan High Court
staff was last deter-
mined in 2012, but the
number of cases regis-
tered in the past years
has increased manifold.
“Given the workload,
all the posts from Joint
Registrar to Junior Ju-
dicial Assistant should
be restrengthened,”
said Ritu Raj Sharma.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: A case of
blackmailing a 55-year-
old man with nude
video calls has come to
light in the city. The
girl recorded the
screen with the nude
video on WhatsApp
and demanded money
with threats to make it
viral on social media
channels.
When the aged vic-
tim did not agree to
provide money, the
fraudsters made a vid-
eo call in the uniform
of a police officer. Fake
police officers and You-
Tube employees took
away Rs 6 lakh by bluff-
ing the old man. The
victim has lodged a re-
port at the Cybercrime
police station.
First India Bureau
Ajmer: Suspended Ad-
ditional SP Divya Mit-
tal, who got bail from
Rajasthan High Court
on Friday, was once
again arrested by SOG
on Saturday
.
Divya Mittal was ar-
rested outside Ajmer
jail on charges of shod-
dy investigations in
three cases of the
NDPS Act. ADG (SOG)
Ashok Rathore in-
formed that so far, no
complaint has been
registered against Di-
vya Mittal in SOG.
However, she investi-
gated three cases of the
NDPS Act and the in-
vestigation was found
biased.
“Divya Mittal has
been arrested today
from outside Ajmer
Jail. Divya will be ques-
tioned regarding the
investigation of all
three files. She was re-
leased from Ajmer jail
today itself nearly 100
days after being caught
by ACB,” said ADG
Ashok Rathore.
Mittal was probing a
case of banned medi-
cines, worth over Rs 16
crore,seizedfromAjmer
and Jaipur in 2021.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: The ‘Project
Tiger’ completed its
50th year on Saturday.
The project tiger was
started on April 1,1973
by Former PM Lt Indi-
ra Gandhi to save the
tigers and increase
their population in the
country.
In Rajasthan, activ-
ist Kailash Sankhla
made efforts for the
project tiger cam-
paign. The union gov-
ernment will also is-
sue a coin on tiger pro-
ject. Notably, in 1973,
the total number of ti-
gers in India were 1827,
but today, the number
has crossed 3000. In Ra-
jasthan, the number
has crossed 100.
Naveen Joshi
Bhilwara: Revenue
Minister Ramlal Jat has
once again attacked for-
mer Deputy Chief Min-
ister Sachin Pilot say-
ing that some leaders
are active in such a way
that they show faith in
the high command but
raise questions on their
decisions.
He said that when the
high command made
Ashok Gehlot Chief
Minister of Rajasthan
in 2018, they questioned
this decision which was
indiscipline.
Jat also said, “The
Congress party is bear-
ing the brunt of indis-
cipline. Sharma said
that there is no indisci-
pline in BJP and RSS
because there is uni-
formity in them.”
Appealing to the par-
ty workers, the Minis-
ter said, “Whether the
leader remains disci-
plined or not, there is
an appeal to the work-
ers to remain disci-
plined and repeat the
governmentonceagain.
Everyone will accept
the decision taken by
the high command.”
The Revenue Minis-
ter was interacting with
the media in Bhilwara.
Vikas Sharma
Electricity Regulatory
Commission has issued
orders regarding new
tariffs for electricity
consumers.
As per the tariff of
2023-24, domestic con-
sumers will get electric-
ity on previous rates,
but TOD time for indus-
tries has been reduced
according to load man-
agement. Now instead
of 12 am to 6 am, rebates
will be available from 2
am to 6 am.
A discount of 7.5 per
cent will be given on the
use of electricity dur-
ing this period. While
the surcharge levied
from 6 am to 10 am has
been increased from 5
per cent to 7.5 per cent.
The fuel surcharge will
be included in the elec-
tricity bill.
First India Bureau
Abu Road/Sirohi: The
meeting of the Interna-
tional Executive Com-
mittee of Brahma Ku-
maris will take place on
Sunday
. Senior officials
of the institute from all
over the country will
gather in the meeting.
There will be a dis-
cussion on the pro-
grammes of Amrit Ma-
hotsav of Independ-
ence, wherein the out-
line of Jal Jan Abhi-
yan will also be pre-
pared. The meeting of
the International Ex-
ecutive will be held
from 2 to 8 April. The
event will be organised
under the chairman-
ship of Rajyogini Dadi
Ratanmohini, the
chief administrator of
the Brahmakumaris
Sansthan.
Jaipur: A delegation of agitating private doctors held a
meeting with additional chief secretary (finance) Akhil
Arora in the State Secretariat on Saturday. The delegation
put up their points and held discussions regarding the
Right to Health Act. The round of talks is likely to continue
on Sunday. The private doctors have been agitating
against the RTH Act for the last few days with the single
point demand of its withdrawal. Meanwhile, the health of
Dr Neelam Khandelwal, who is sitting on fast unto death
at JMA, deteriorated. She has been on the fast for the last
four days. Despite advice from fellow doctors. Dr Khan-
delwal has been continuing the fast unto death.
Jaipur: Resident doctors in the SMS Medical College are di-
vided in two factions. Out of 1,800 resident doctors, around
400 residents have returned to work and some of them re-
turned to their hostels after giving attendance. The depart-
ment has given instructions to the HOD to be strict and take
action against the absent residents. More than half a dozen
HODs tried to comply with these instructions and ensured
100 per cent attendance of the residents in the department
whereas in several other departments, the attendance of
the residents remained zero. SMS medical college principal
Dr. Rajeev Bagrahatta has given strict instructions to all the
HoDs to take action against the absent residents.
Jodhpur: A doctor, pro-
testing against the Right
to Health (RTH) Act, was
arrested by police in Jodhpur
for allegedly sharing a post
on social media and threat-
ening Chief Minister Ashok
Gehlot. Police informed that
Dr Surender Kumar Mittal, a
resident of Sector F in Jodh-
pur, was arrested under CrPc
151 by Shastri Nagar Thana
Police. “Dr Surender Kumar
Mittal had shared a post on
social media on Thursday
and threatened CM Ashok
Gehlot. He said that doctors
can also become Godse.
Torch march held against ‘Act’ in Sikar
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot speaks at the division level Congress workers’ conference at Umaid
Singh Stadium in Kota on Saturday.
Deceased children.
Doctors hold a torch in protest against the RTH Act in Sikar.
Minister Ramlal Jat
IPS Ravi Prakash Meharda
Divya was held for shoddy investigations. —FILE PHOTO
DOCTORS’ DELEGATION MEETS AKHIL ARORA
OVER DEMANDS, TALKS TO RESUME TODAY
FACTIONALISM IN SMS RESIDENT DOCTORS,
400 RETURN TO WORK POST ACTION ORDER
JODHPUR DOCTOR HELD
FOR THREATENING CM
2 kids drown in pond
in Churu, cops detain
mother on dad’s plaint
Those misguiding
doctors are ‘gaddar’,
says CM Gehlot
Doctors’ children
to join protest
against Act today
IPS Meharda gets
addl charge of
DG Tech Services
HC Employees’
Association seeks
review of cadre
Senior citizen
honey trapped,
duped of `6L
A day after bail, suspended
AdSP Divya arrested again
The ‘Project Tiger’
completes 50 years
Ramlal again makes
veiled attack on Pilot
RERC issues new
power tariff orders
Brahma Kumaris Int’l
Panel meeting today

PERSPECTIVE
04
l Vol 4 l Issue No. 294
l RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764.
Printed and published by
Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of
First Express Publishers. Printed
at Bhaskar Printing Press, D.B.
Corp Limited, Shivdaspura, Tonk
Road, Jaipur. Published at 304,
3rd Floor, City Mall, Bhagwan Das
Road, C-Scheme, Jaipur-302001,
Rajasthan. Phone 0141-4920504.
Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh Chandra
Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan
responsible for selection of news
under the PRB Act
SPIRITUAL SPEAK
It is better to conquer
yourself than to win a
thousand battles. Then the
victory is yours. It cannot
be taken from you.
—Buddha
IN-DEPTH
Jagat Prakash Nadda
@JPNadda
Heartiest greetings to the wonderful
people of Orissa on Utkala Dibasa !
May the rich culture traditions of
this land continue to flourish and it’s
people always prosper.
Dharmendra Pradhan
@dpradhanbjp
Guided by PM @narendramodi ji’s call
for making India’s ongoing Presidency
a people’s movement, educational and
skill institutions in Odisha soak in the
spirit of ‘Jan-Bhagidari’ ahead of the
3rd meeting of the #G20 Education
Working Group on ‘Future of Work’.
TOP TWEETS
NAVJOT SIDHU
AFFIRMS HIS
LOYALTY FOR
RAHUL GANDHI
avjot Singh Sidhu,
the Congress leader
who was in the Patia-
la jail for the last 10
months in a road
rage case, was released on Satur-
day
. He was sentenced in a road
rage case. Immediately after his
release Sidhu made clear his
support for Rahul Gandhi and
attacked the “trammelled de-
mocracy” in the country. He
hailed Rahul for leading a revo-
lution in the country and alleged
that the Centre wants to impose
President’s rule in the state.
Sidhu’s release comes on the
heels of Amritpal Singh, a pro-
Khalistan radical, escaping from
the police net and when Punjab
is on the tenterhook about his
movements. Sidhu’s allegation
of President’s rule is probably
based on the Amritpal issue.
Punjab Police may have
goofed up in handling the Am-
ritpal case but Sidhu’s fear of
Central rule in the border state
is pure imagination. The Con-
gress leader has just walked out
of jail and he should be careful
about what he imagines.
N
rivate medical
doctors in Ra-
jasthan have been
on strike for the
last several weeks
after the state government
passed a Bill proposing free
medical treatment to the peo-
ple. The Bill is meant to pro-
tect the rights of patients for
availing quality health fa-
cilities without having to
worry about the cost of treat-
ment which can be exorbi-
tantly high in some private
hospitals. Doctors fear that
the Bill strikes at their busi-
ness interests as they will be
required to offer emergency
care to patients for free.
Their complaint is that the
government has not made it
clear if the treatment cost
they incur will be reimbursed
by hospitals or the govern-
ment. Several provisions of
the Bill also lack clarity
, say
doctors. They are also oppos-
ingtheprovisiononsettingup
of agrievanceredressalcellto
dealwithpatients’complaints.
Doctors are refusing to re-
treat even if it means crip-
pling health facilities in the
state. With government hos-
pitals and doctors also join-
ing the strike, medical ser-
vices have remained para-
lysed. Instead of challenging
the Bill in a court of law, doc-
tors are probably aware that
agitation is a more effective
tool to make a government
accede to their demands.
The State Human Rights
Commission and the State
Medical Council have now
sought details of striking
doctors. The SHRC Chair-
man Justice GK Vyas has ap-
pealed to the doctors to call
off the strike. The Rajasthan
High Court has also issued
notices to private doctors as-
sociations, the state govern-
ment and Rajasthan Medical
Council. It is hoped that doc-
tors will see reason and end
the strike before the crisis
precipitates further.
DOCTORS SHOULD
END THE STRIKE
Doctors fear that the Bill
strikes at their business
interests as they will be
required to offer emergency
care to patients for free. Their
complaint is that the
government has not made it
clear if the treatment cost
they incur will be
reimbursed by hospitals
or the government
P
wrote in this column some-
time back, that MJ Akbar
and I were jointly writing a
book on Mahatma Gandhi.
The title we decided upon
was, Gandhi: The Imperish-
able Indian. MJ has sent me
two chapters of his part of
the book. These run into 128
pages. The third chapter he is
working on. The two chap-
ters are scintillating, im-
mensely absorbing. His style
is of a very high order. Cli-
chés have no place in any of
his eight or more books. He is
a delightful phrase maker.
I am, for obvious reasons
not revealing what MJ has
written. However, I await the
next chapter eagerly and
with a load of curiosity. Ak-
bar has made good use of the
monumental, “Collective
Works of Mahatma Gandhi”,
which run into over a hun-
dred volumes. There exists a
mistaken view that Gandhiji
was not a great reader. This
is not true. When he was in
jail in the early 1920’s he read
several hundred books.
Raghvan Iyer in volume
one of his, “The Moral and
Political Writings of Mahat-
ma Gandhi” give a list of the
books he read- including nov-
els. The chapter is headed,
“Books Read”. It runs into 34
pages. Let me quote Gandhi-
ji: “Let the reader however
not imagine that I read these
books by choice. Some of
them were useless and out-
side the jail I would not have
read them. Some of them
were sent by friends known
and unknown and I felt I was
bound for their sakes at least
to go through them. Yeravada
Jail has what may be called
not a bad collection of Eng-
lish books. Some of them
were really good books, such
for instance as Farrar’s Seek-
ers after God. Or Jules
Verne’s, Dropped from the
Clouds, all of them inspiring
in their own way. Farrar’s is
an inspiring book giving the
best side of the lives of Mar-
cus Aurelius’, Seneca and
Epictetus. Lucian’s book is a
fine and instructive satire.
Jules Verne teaches science
in the guise of a story. His
method is inimitable”. Here
we get a fresh view of Gan-
dhiji’s literary side of which
few are aware.
Let me give the titles of a
few of the books Gandhi
read. The Five Nations by
Rudyard Kipling, Dr Jekyll
and Mr. Hyde, by Stevenson,
The Second Jungle Book- Ki-
pling, Satires and Epistles of
Horace. Goethe’s Faust. Lays
of ancient Rome, Primer of
Marathi Language, Natural
History of Birds, Historical
English Grammar, Scott’s Po-
etical Works, Life and Voy-
ages of Columbus. I have
started work on my chapter
of the Gandhi volume. I de-
liberately decided to read
lesser known books on Gan-
dhiji. These includes, Gandhi
by George Woodcock, Gandhi
Against the Tide by Antony
Copley, The Philosophy of
Gandhi by Glyn Richard,
Gandhi, The Traditional
Roots of Charisma by Susan
Rudolph and Lloyd I Ru-
dolph. Except one, none is
more than a hundred pages.
How to comprehend or ex-
plain the unmatched charis-
ma of Mohandas Karam-
chand Gandhi. Where lay its
root. None of his grandpar-
ents, parents or his brother
had it. When did the charis-
ma become visible in a man
so spectacularly she. No defi-
nite date can be fixed. Gan-
dhi’s charisma excelled that
of Marx, Lincoln, Lenin, Sta-
lin, Hitler and Mao Tse Tung-
Gandhi was not endowed
with the good looks of Jawa-
harlal Nehru, yet his charis-
ma was unmistakable.
In the pre- T.V
, Radio, Aero-
planes, Telephones, Gandhi’s
meetings at times attracted
over a million people. Who
invented the word Satyagra-
ha-Gandhi. Non-violent, non-
cooperation-Gandhi. Was it
only charisma that drew the
likes of Motilal Nehru, C.R.
Das, Maulana Azad, Jawaha-
rlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad,
Sardar Patel, Sarojini Naidu
and the early Subhas Chan-
dra Bose. No, it was his devo-
tion to Truth. Of course his
glittering character, his pref-
erences to love in the face of
hate. What a team he had- 300
million to begin with. With
the world see another Gan-
dhi? You will probably find
part of the answer in the
Akbar-Natwar book.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY
THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
MJ IS A DELIGHTFUL
PHRASE MAKER
I,
Was it only charisma that
drew the likes of Motilal
Nehru, CR Das, Maulana
Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru,
Rajendra Prasad, Sardar
Patel, Sarojini Naidu and
the early Subhas Chandra
Bose. No, it was his devotion
to Truth. Of course his
glittering character, his
preferences to love in the face
of hate. What a team he had-
300 million to begin with.
With the world see another
Gandhi? You will probably
find part of the answer in the
Akbar-Natwar book
I, wrote in this column
sometime back, that MJ
Akbar and I were jointly
writing a book on
Mahatma Gandhi. The
title we decided upon
was, Gandhi: The
Imperishable Indian. MJ
has sent me two chapters
of his part of the book.
These run into 128
pages. The third
chapter he is working
on, the two chapters
are scintillating,
immensely absorbing.
His style is of a very
high order
K NATWAR SINGH
The author is Former Minister
of External Affairs of India

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INDIA
05
‘Someinsideandoutsidepeople
given‘supari’todentmyimage‘
First India Bureau
Bhopal: Prime Minis-
ter Narendra Modi on
Saturday said some peo-
ple are hellbent to sully
his image and they have
given a “supari” (con-
tract) for this purpose
colluding with certain
people sitting in India
and also abroad.
Modi’s veiled attack
on Congress comes
amid a slugfest between
Congress and BJP over
Rahul Gandhi’s “democ-
racy under brutal attack
in India” remarks in the
UKandGermanytaking
note of Rahul’s disquali-
fication from Lok Sab-
ha.TheBJP has accused
the Congress of “invit-
ing foreign powers” for
interfering in India’s
internal matters.
He was addressing a
gathering at Rani Ka-
malapati railway sta-
tion after flagging off
the Bhopal-Delhi Vande
Bharat Express train.
“There are some peo-
ple in our country who
have been determined
since 2014, spoken pub-
licly and declared their
resolve that they will
tarnish Modi’s image,”
the PM added.
Sasaram tense,HM Amit
Shah’s meeting cancelled
Patna (Agencies): Un-
ion Home Minister
Amit Shah, who was
scheduled to take part
in a function commem-
orating the birth anni-
versary of Mauryan
Emperor Ashoka in Bi-
har’s Sasaram on Sun-
day, cancelled his trip
following communal
tension in the area after
a clash between two
groups during a Ram
Navami procession.
Prohibitory orders are
still in force in the town.
Amit Shah, however,
will address a public
meeting at Nawada on
Sunday as per his
schedule. This is part of
his region-wise tour of
Bihar after having ad-
dressed public meet-
ings at Purnia and West
Champaran.
“Union minister of
state for home affairs
Nityanand Rai assessed
the Sasaram situation
and even offered de-
ployment of central
forces for Amit Shahji’s
meeting but the state
government did not re-
act to it. As prohibitory
orders have been in
force in Sasaram, we
cannot hold a meeting
there,” BJP state presi-
dent Samrat Choud-
hary said while speak-
ing to media persons.
The new BJP presi-
dent called it a “sabo-
tage” attempt by the
Bihar government.
“CM Nitish Kumar has
perhaps been finding
ways to keep the Union
home minister at bay
from Bihar. But one
thing has become
clear… Nitish Kumar is
not able to control Bi-
har now. He is not even
able to prevent law and
order situations in his
hometown of Biharsha-
rif, Nalanda,” he added.
In Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi says some people are hellbent to sully his reputation
PM MODI ATTENDS COMBINED
COMMANDERS’ CONFERENCE IN MP
Bhopal: PM Narendra Modi on Saturday attended the
Combined Commanders’ Conference at the Kushabhau
Thakre Convention Centre here and held high-level de-
liberations on future strategic defence planning and in-
digenous weapons manufacturing among other issues.
During the conference, the PM interacted with Defence
Minister Rajnath Singh, CDS Lt Gen Anil Chauhan, NSA
Ajit Doval, chiefs of staff of Army and Air force and
defence commanders. Sources said issues like China’s
situation, modernisation of defence forces, review of
Agniveer scheme, Make in India arms manufacturing
and other matters of strategic interest were discussed.
PM Narendra Modi at the flagging off ceremony of Vande Bharat Express in Bhopal on Saturday.
PM Modi flags off Bhopal-Delhi
Vande Bharat Express train
Bhopal (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
Saturday flagged off the Bhopal-Delhi Vande Bharat
Express train. The semi-high speed train was
flagged off from Rani Kamalapati railway station in
Bhopal city in the afternoon in the presence of Rail-
way Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Madhya Pradesh
Governor Mangu Bhai Patel and Chief Minister
Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Modi, while addressing the
gathering after flagging off the premium service,
said the aim of his government was to transform
the railway sector and make travel convenient for
citizens. Onboard the train, the PM interacted with
more than 300 schoolchildren who were selected
through a drawing and essay competition on the
theme ‘Bharatiya Rail’, officials said. Modi also
spoke to staff onboard the train, the officials said.
BJP’s masterstroke to rope in MP’s Sindhi community
Dimple Sharma
Bhopal: Ahead of as-
sembly polls in Madhya
Pradesh due later this
year, the ruling BJP has
played a masterstroke to
bring Sindhi voters to
its fold by organising a
Maha Sindhi Sabha in
Bhopal on Friday. As
many as 13 assembly
seats are dominated by
Sindhi community with
a population of around
25 lakh on these seats.
RSS chief Mohan
Bhagwat and CM
Shivraj Singh Chouhan
gave an impressive ad-
dress in the Maha Sabha
through which the party
is eyeing Sindhi votes in
the assembly elections.
CM Chouhan made
several announcements
for the Sindhi commu-
nity which plays an im-
portant role in the elec-
tions. Sindhi communi-
ty had recently claimed
to be with the Congress
party. To bring to its
fold, the BJP organised
the Maha Sabha to unite
the community in its fa-
vour. Last time, Con-
gress came to power due
to displeasure of Sin-
dhis with the BJP.
Mohan Bhagwat
Sanjay Raut
receives death
threat, 1 detained
Mumbai (ANI): A man
has been detained in
Pune for death threat to
Uddhav Thackeray fac-
tion leader and MP San-
jay Raut, Mumbai po-
lice said on Saturday.
Police said that the de-
tainee used Lawrence
Bishnoi’s name and his
connection with the
gangster will be probed.
“The accused, de-
tained in Pune, related
to a threat message to
Raut used the name of
Lawrence Bishnoi. He
will also be interrogated
relatedtothethreatmes-
sage to actor Salman
Khan. The accused’s
connection with the
Bishnoigangwillalsobe
probed,” police said.
KARNATAKA ELECTIONS
BJP meet to decide candidates,
Congress finalises its 2nd list
Bengaluru: With a
month left for May 10
Assembly polls, all the
parties have expedited
their process of finalis-
ing tickets in Karnata-
ka. Screening commit-
tee of the ruling BJP in
the state are meeting at
a private resort here on
Saturdaytofinalisecan-
didates for the first list.
The party had al-
ready collected opin-
ion from the local lead-
ers and officer-bearers
of every Assembly
constituency regard-
ing the candidates. The
leaders will hold dis-
cussions with core
committee members
of all districts for two
days starting Saturday
.
Three senior party
workers in every dis-
trict will finalise the
list of candidates and
send it to the central
committee after con-
sidering all inputs, ex-
plain insiders.
CM Basavaraj Bom-
mai had stated that it
would take a week’s
time for BJP to an-
nouncecandidates’list.
Meanwhile sources
said, Congress which
had announced first
list of 124 candidates,
has finalised second
list of 70 candidates.
Former JD(S) MLA from Arkalgud, AT Ramaswamy joined BJP in the presence of Union Minister
and BJP leader Anurag Thakur at BJP Headquarter in New Delhi on Saturday. —PHOTO BY ANI
Jagat Prakash Nadda @JPNadda
I welcome A.T. Ramaswamy Ji into the BJP. His
decision to become a member of our party is a
reflection of massive support for our ideology
vision for Karnataka. I’m certain his experience will strengthen
the party help us to serve Karnataka more diligently.
Howrah clashes: TMC smells
rat in separate monitoring cell
Kolkata: Trinamool
Congress on Saturday
questioned the deci-
sion of West Bengal
Governor CV Ananda
Bose to set up special
cell for real time moni-
toring the situation at
Howrah’s Shibpur-
Kazipara area in wake
of clashes over a Ram
Navami procession
that started on Thurs-
day and continued till
Friday afternoon.
On Friday afternoon
after Governor took a
detailed report from
state chief secretary
and state home secre-
tary about the situa-
tion in the tension-
prone area, a strong-
worded statement was
issued by the Raj
Bhavanfromwherethe
decision to set up this
special monitoring cell
was announced.
“Governor ordered
real time monitoring
of the situation and
constituted a special
cell for the same,” the
statement of Raj
Bhavan read.
The statement also
mentioned about “a
confidential discus-
sion to review the situ-
ation” between the
Governor and CM
Mamata Banerjee.
RSS CHIEF LAUDS
RANI DURGAVATI
Bhopal: The Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh chief,
Mohan Bhagwat, on Satur-
day glorified the valour of
tribal queen Rani Durgavati
saying she put the nation
first and fiercely fought the
invaders who had thrust
upon a master-servant
relationship upon India.
BJP state president Samrat Choudhary speaking to media.
VIOLENCE IN SASARAM, NALANDA
PLANNED CONSPIRACIES: NITISH
Patna (Agencies): A day after violence erupted in
Sasaram and Nalanda, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on
Saturday claimed that these are well-planned con-
spiracies to disturb the peace.
“The authorities are looking
into every matter and the
truth will come out soon,” he
stated. “We have never seen
any such incidents in Bihar.
Why is it happening now?
Some people have deliberately conspired wrong
things to disturb peace. I have given directions to
the authorities to probe the incidents from every
angle and find out the culprits. We will not tolerate
any such incident in Bihar,” he said.

INDIA
06
MAN FOUND DEAD
IN DELHI HOTEL,
INVESTIGATION ON
60-YEAR-OLD HELD
FOR RAPING MINOR
IN ASSAM: POLICE
DELHI MAN CUTS
CAKE WITH ILLEGAL
PISTOL, ARRESTED
New Delhi: A 54-year-
old man was found dead
under mysterious circum-
stances in a hotel in South
Delhi’s Safdarjung Enclave
area, a senior police
official said on Saturday,
adding that a murder
case has been lodged in
connection. The deceased
was identified as Deepak
Sethi, a resident of Indira-
puram in Ghaziabad.
Tinsukia (Assam): A
60-year-old man was ar-
rested in Assam’s Tinsukia
district on Saturday for
allegedly raping a minor,
police said. The crime
took place on Wednesday
after the accused lured the
10-year-old girl to a nearby
tea garden, a police official
said. “Medical examina-
tion has confirmed rape of
the girl,” official said.
New Delhi: A 21-year-old
man was arrested from
Delhi’s Neb Sarai area after
he was seen cutting a cake
with an illegal pistol in a
video which is viral on so-
cial media, an official said
on Saturday. A person is
seen blowing out candles
and cutting a cake with
the help of a pistol. The
accused was identified as
Aniket alias Anish.
Coimbatore: A 32-year-old
man was arrested under
Protection of Children
from Sexual Offences
(POCSO) Act on Saturday
for allegedly posing nude
in front of a girl and calling
her inside his house near
here, police said. The sev-
en-year-old girl was sent
by her mother to purchase
some provisions from
nearby shop on Friday.
New Delhi: Delhi Police have registered an FIR against a
man driving a Mercedes for allegedly manhandling and
abusing a head constable who had
stopped him for breaking a red light,
an official said on Saturday. The driv-
er has claimed that his father is a joint
secretary in the Union Ministry of
Home Affairs (MHA). The official said that no arrest has been
made yet and an investigation into the incident is underway.
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Economic Offences Wing (EOW),
probing the Rs 2,438 crore Aarudhra gold trading scam,
has got certain inputs that film
director-turned producer RK Suresh
is linked to the ponzi scheme case.
Actor Russo, who was arrested in
connection with the case, revealed
about the involvement of Suresh.
During investigation, police found the actor, producer
reaching the Arudhra corporate office in Chennai.
MAN DRIVING MERCEDES BOOKED FOR
MANHANDLING ON-DUTY COP IN DELHI
`2,438 CRORE TAMIL NADU PONZI SCAM:
SCANNER ON FILM PRODUCER RK SURESH
CRUCIAL READ
Darjeeling (Agencies):
India is looking to ex-
plore the full potential
of adventure tourism
keepinginmindsustain-
abilityandlivelihoodop-
portunities for local
communities, Tourism
Minister G Kishan Red-
dy said on Saturday
.
Addressing a side
event of the second G20
Tourism Working
Group Meeting on
“tourism as a vehicle
for achieving sustaina-
ble development goals”,
the minister hoped the
discussions held at the
meet will help coun-
tries around the world
overcome the impact of
COVID-19 on the tour-
ism sector.
The minister said
that Adventure tourism
in India is gaining im-
mense popularity
among both domestic
and international tour-
ists. People of different
age groups are actively
participating in various
adventure based tourist
activities. The topogra-
phy is ideal for camping,
paragliding, hot air bal-
looning, river cruising,
sailing, snorkelling and
wild life safari, he add-
ed. “To take full advan-
tage of topography, the
country is determined
to develop sustainable
tourism,” he said.
Delivering the key-
note address, Reddy
said that India offers
many avenues for ad-
venture tourism across
the four elements of
land, water, sky and air.
He highlighted that In-
dia has in its possession
70% of the mighty Him-
alayas, over 7,000 Kilo-
metres of coast-line,
70,000 square miles of
sand desert apart from
white salt desert in
Kutch and cold desert in
Ladakh, 700 sanctuaries
and national parks in-
cluding tiger reserves.
2ND TOURISM WORKING GROUP MEETING UNDER G20
Govt determined to develop sustainable tourism: Reddy
Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy addressing a side event of the
second G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting on Saturday.
India offers many avenues for adventure
tourism across the 4 elements of land,
water, sky and air: Tourism Minister
Mizoram: Amit Shah asks NE
militants to join mainstream
TO BECOME PART OF DEMOCRATIC PROCESS
Aizawl (Mizoram)
(Agencies): Union
Home Minister Amit
Shah, who is on a visit
to Mizoram's Aizawl,
appealed on Saturday to
the armed groups in the
northeast to join the
mainstream, become a
part of the democratic
process.
Our government is
focussing on exploring
every area whether
tourism, agriculture, or
any other sector where
there is the scope of de-
velopment, he added.
The Minister said
that there used to be vio-
lence in the state of Mi-
zoram, but today peace
has been established.
At one time there
was violence and un-
rest here. Bullets were
fired, and bombs ex-
ploded. But today Zo-
ramthanga is the Chief
Minister of Mizoram,
and there is peace here.
This is an example of
the success of democ-
racy in India, he said.
He also appealed to
the armed groups to
leave the path of armed
struggle and join the
democratic process.
Today, I appeal to
whatever armed groups
are left in the northeast,
to come and join the
mainstream, become a
part of the democratic
process and give their
contribution to the de-
velopment of the region
and the country. Mizo-
ram is a great example
of the triumph of de-
mocracy in front of the
whole world, Shah fur-
ther said.
The Union home
minister said that since
2014, incidents of vio-
lence in the Northeast
have dipped by 67 per
cent, while deaths of
security forces have re-
duced by 60 per cent
and civilian deaths
have gone down by 83%.
“Around 8,000 mili-
tants in the region have
surrendered since 2014.
We have signed a peace
agreement with NLFT
in Tripura in 2019, re-
habilitated 37,000 Brus
inTripura,andbrought
peace in Assam by sign-
ing the Bodo Accord in
2020 and a peace agree-
ment in Karbi Anglong
in 2022.
Also, there has been
a 70% reduction of ar-
eas under the jurisdic-
tion of the Armed Forc-
es (Special Powers)
Act, 1958,” he said.
There used to be
violence in the
state of Mizoram,
but today, peace
has been made:
Home Minister
At one time there was violence and
unrest here. Bullets were fired, and
bombs exploded. But today, Zo-
ramthanga is the Chief Minister of Mizoram,
and there is peace here. This is an example of
the success of democracy in India.
—Amit Shah, Union Home Minister
‘Connectivity projects
worth `1.76L cr to be
completed by 2025’
Aizawl (Agencies):
Union Home Minister
Amit Shah on Satur-
day said that connec-
tivity projects com-
prising road, rail and
air worth Rs 1.76 lakh
crore would be com-
pleted by 2025 in the
northeastern region.
Inaugurating and
laying the foundation
stones of 11 projects
worth Rs 2,500 crore
in Mizoram, the
Home Minister said
that the Kaladan Mul-
timodal Transit
Transport Project is
said to be the most
significant project
that India has under-
taken in Myanmar.
The Kaladan Multi
Modal Transit Trans-
port Project was joint-
ly undertaken by In-
dia and Myanmar to
create a multi-modal
mode of transport for
shipment of cargo
from the eastern ports
of India to Myanmar
as well as to the north-
eastern region of In-
diathroughMyanmar.
Shah said that
budgetary allocation
under PM-DevINE
(PM's Development
Initiative for North
East Region) has been
increased by 276%.
Narendra Modi is
the first Prime Minis-
ter in India who vis-
ited 53 times in the
northeastern region
in the past nine years
while the central min-
isters visited 432
times in the region to
take forward the de-
velopment of the re-
gion, the Home Min-
ister said adding that
development of the
region is Modi gov-
ernment's one of the
priority sectors.
Amit Shah
inaugurated
the Assam
Rifles’ new
battalion
headquarters,
which is 15 km
from Aizawl
5 IAS shifted in UP,
Banda gets new DM
Dr Ahtesham Siddiqui
Lucknow: The Uttar
Pradesh government
has transferred over a
dozen PCS officers in-
cluding 5 IAS officers.
IAS officer Durga
Shakti Nagpal, Special
Secretary of Medical
Education, is among the
other officers who have
been transferred. Nag-
pal has been made the
new District Magistrate
of Banda, in place of
Deepa Ranjan, who has
goneonmaternityleave.
Along with this, IAS
officer Divya Prakash
Giri, Special Secretary,
Food and Civil Supplies,
has been made Staff Of-
ficer, Chief Secretary
.
Former Bareilly Com-
missioner, Samyukta
Samaddar, who was in
waiting, has been made
the new Commissioner
of NCR. She has also
been on this post earlier.
Police files 800-page chargesheet
in Kanjhawala hit--drag case
New Delhi (PTI): The
DelhiPoliceonSaturday
filed an 800-page
chargesheet against sev-
en accused in the Kan-
jhawala hit-and-drag
case in which a 20-year-
old woman was killed
after being dragged un-
der a car in January 1.
The police had arrest-
edDeepakKhanna,Amit
Khanna, Krishan, Mith-
un and Manoj Mittal in
the case. Two other ac-
cused Ashutosh Bhard-
waj and Ankush -- were
given bail by the court.
As per police, 7 men
were arrested and upon
completion of the inves-
tigation, a chargesheet
of around 800 pages was
prepared with around
117 witnesses.
A 20-year-old woman was killed after being dragged under a
car for several kilometers on January 1, 2023.
COURT POSTS MATTER FOR APRIL 13
New Delhi (Agencies): Metropolitan Magistrate Sanya
Dalal of the Rohini Court has posted the matter for con-
sideration of the final report on April 13. The police said,
“On the basis of the material and evidence collected
during the investigation, sufficient material has come
on record to prosecute the accused.” Amit Khanna,
Krishan, Mithun, and Manoj Mittal have all been booked
for murder, according to the charge sheet. It said all the
accused were booked for criminal conspiracy, destruc-
tion of evidence, harbouring offender, common intention
and false information, with intent to cause public servant
to use his lawful power to the injury of another person.
New Delhi (Agencies):
In the wake of another
rise in Covid-19 cases in
several countries, the
World Health Organiza-
tion (WHO) has recom-
mended booster vacci-
nation for the elderly
othervulnerablegroups.
The updated recom-
mendation, issued this
week, came after a
meeting of WHO's Stra-
tegic Advisory Group
of Experts on Immuni-
zation (SAGE).
It revised the road-
map for prioritising the
use of Covid vaccines,
to reflect the impact of
Omicron and high pop-
ulation-level immunity
due to infection and
vaccination.
Updated to reflect
that much of the popu-
lation is either vacci-
nated or previously in-
fected with Covid, or
both, the revised road-
map re-emphasises the
importance of vaccinat-
ing those still at-risk of
severe disease, mostly
older adults and those
with underlying condi-
tions, including with
additional boosters,
said SAGE Chair Dr
Hanna Nohynek.
These priority
groups are principally
based on risk of severe
disease and death, and
consider vaccine per-
formance, cost-effec-
tiveness, programmat-
ic factors and commu-
nity acceptance.
WHO calls for
Covid boosters
for vulnerable
groups, elderly
GST collection grows 13% to over `1.60 lakh cr
New Delhi (Agen-
cies): India's goods
and services tax (GST)
mop-up in March rose
13% year-on-year to
`1.60 lakh crore, its
second highest ever,
the government said
on Saturday.
Goods and services
tax (GST) collected in
February was `1.50
lakh crore.
In 2022/23, total GST
collected was `18.10
lakh crore, 22% higher
than last year, the fi-
nance ministry said in
a statement.
The gross GST rev-
enue collected in the
month of March 2023 is
` 1,60,122 crore of
which CGST is ` 29,546
crore, SGST is `37,314
crore, IGST is ` 82,907
crore (including
`42,503 crore collected
on import of goods)
and cess is `10,355
crore (including `960
crore collected on im-
port of goods), it said.
The ministry said it
is for the fourth time in
the current financial
year that the gross GST
collection has crossed
the `1.5 lakh crore
mark, registering
the second highest
collection since the
implementation of the
regime. Moreover, this
month also witnessed
the highest IGST collec-
tion ever.
Meanwhile, the to-
tal gross collection for
2022-23 stands at `
18.10 lakh crore and
the average gross
monthly collection for
the full year is ` 1.51
lakh crore.
Commercial LPG cylinder prices
slashed by `91.50 in Nat’l capital
New Delhi (ANI): Pe-
troleum and oil market-
ing companies reduced
thepriceof Commercial
LPG cylinders by `91.50
perunitwithimmediate
effect from Saturday
.
A 19 kg of Commer-
cial LPG cylinder will
now cost `2,028 in the
national capital. How-
ever, no changes have
been made in the prices
of the domestic LPG
cylinders. The Petrole-
um and oil marketing
companies had on
March 1 this year hiked
the prices of commer-
cial LPG cylinders by `
350.50 per unit and do-
mestic LPG cylinders
by `50 per unit. On Jan-
uary 1, commercial cyl-
inder prices were in-
creased by `25 per unit.
Jammu (Agencies):
Alert Border Security
Force (BSF) troops fired
at a suspected Pakistani
drone in Jammu and
Kashmir’s Samba dis-
trict on Saturday
.
A BSF spokesman
said that a blinking
light of a “suspected”
drone was observed
around 12.15 a.m. on the
international border in
Ramnagar area of Sam-
ba district.
“Alert troops fired to-
wards the blinking light
after which the drone
was forced to return,” a
BSF spokesman said.
The spokesman add-
ed that over two dozen
rounds were fired at the
drone but it managed to
return to the Pakistan
side of the border.
JK: BSF troops fire at
suspected Pak drone
All India Progressive Women's
Association supporters in a
protest demanding a hike in old
age pension, fixing ` 500 for
LPG cooking gas cylinders in
Patna on Friday. —FILE PHOTO
MAN ARRESTED
UNDER POCSO
ACT IN TAMIL NADU

NEWS
07
First India Bureau
Kota: Lok Sabha Speak-
er Om Birla has ex-
pressed deep concern
over the damage caused
to the farmers due to
the damage of the com-
modity at the Bha-
mashah Agricultural
Produce Market due to
unseasonal rains.
Birla said that dis-
trict administration
and Bhamashah Mandi
administration should
take this seriously and
make immediate and
adequate arrangements
to save the produce
from getting wet.
He also has spoken at
a high level in Jaipur in
this regard.
Birla said that due to
unseasonal rains and
hailstorms, the stand-
ing crops in the fields
have been badly dam-
aged, which has badly
affected the farmers.
“Farmers somehow
brought the agricultur-
al produce that was left
from being damaged to
the market to sell but
even there the produce
lying in the open is
getting wet due to
rain. This is causing
double loss to the farm-
ers,” he said.
Birla said that the
district and mandi ad-
ministration should
make elaborate ar-
rangements for the safe-
ty of the crops that have
reached the agricultur-
al produce market.
He said that with im-
proved technology, the
Meteorological depart-
ment is now issuing
rain forecasts and tak-
ing that seriously, ade-
quate arrangements
should be made.
“This is a difficult
time for the farmers. If
the crop is damaged, it
has a deep impact on
their lives as well.
Therefore, such efforts
should be made
with sensitivity so
that the produce
that has reached the
market does not get
damaged due to getting
wet,” he added.
Birla expresses concern over damaged crop
UNSEASONAL RAIN AFFECTS FARMERS
Ending RaGa’s membership is
a big conspiracy, says Gehlot
Constitutional institutions are working under pressure of Central Govt, says CM in Kota
Bhanwar S Charan
Kota: Chief Minister
Ashok Gehlot made a
scathing attack on the
central government on
the issue of ending Ra-
hul Gandhi’s parlia-
mentary membership.
He said that the consti-
tutional institutions
are working under the
pressure of the Central
Government. “In such a
situation, democracy is
in danger. It is a big con-
spiracy to end the mem-
bership of Rahul Gan-
dhi,” he said.
Along with this, talk-
ing about the public
welfare schemes of the
state government, he
called upon the people
to form the Congress
government again in
Rajasthan. Gehlot said,
“I am not worried about
my post, but I am afraid
that if our government
is not repeated, they
will stop all public wel-
fare schemes.” The CM
addressed the division-
al level workers confer-
ence of Congress held
in Kota on Saturday.
Senior Congress lead-
ers from Kota, Bundi,
Baran and Jhalawar
along with UDH Minis-
ter Shanti Dhariwal
and Sports Minister
Ashok Chandna were
present.
“The situation in the
country is worrisome.
Our government kept
democracy alive. Today
no one knows in which
direction the country is
going. Government
puts ED, CBI behind the
opponents. We are wor-
ried about the condition
of the country
. We kept
control on inflation, un-
employment in the
state. In fact Rahul Gan-
dhi’s statements were
all on inflation and un-
employment. Central
government is worried
about Bharat Jodo
Yatra. Rahul Gandhi
was not allowed to
speak at all. Look what
is happening in Punjab
today? Central govern-
ment should pay more
attention to this. All op-
position parties should
unite in the interest of
the country,” he said.
Gehlot stressed that
raids are being conduct-
ed on opposition lead-
ers by misusing agen-
cies. “If there is no op-
position, then what will
be the respect of the
govt? Congress-free In-
dia, is a dangerous
game,” he said.
DHARIWAL IS ARCHITECT OF KOTA: CM
CM Gehlot praised UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal for the de-
velopment of Kota and said that he is the architect of Kota.
“He has made Kota into what it is today. I have been coming
to Kota since I was the president of NSUI. A big
change is being seen in today’s Kota from those
days. He has made Chambal river front more
beautiful than the river front of Gujarat, which
is being discussed not only in Rajasthan but in
the whole country,” he said and remembered the
late former minister Ramkishan Verma. Gehlot
further said, “I have never seen a traffic light free city like Kota.”
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot addressing the gathering in Ummed Stadium in Kota on Saturday, while
Ramnarayan Meena, Harimohan Sharma, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Shanti Dhariwal listen keenly.
Om Birla, Lok Sabha speaker
CM PRAISES STUDENT
YASH FOR PROMOTING
BAL GOPAL YOJANA
CM MEETS BABY
FAN GIRL, FULFILS
HER WISH IN KOTA
CM Gehlot has praised a
kid on his official Twitter
account. CM
Gehlot has
retweeted the
tweet of the
child, Yash
Sharma, who
is studying at
Mahatma Gandhi English Me-
dium School. The student has
informed the public about the
Bal Gopal Yojana in his post.
The tweet has been retweeted
more than one thousand
times and is getting com-
ments and likes from users.
Alittle girl from Kota
became a big fan of
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
The girl had a string desire
to meet “Gehlot uncle” and
she expresses her wish by
issuing a video. The wish
of the girl was fulfilled
during the Chief Minister’s
tour to Kota on Saturday.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot
met this little girl in Kota.
The girl was overwhelming
after meeting Ashok
Gehlot while Chief Minister
also got very happy meeting
his little fan.
Entire Oppn...
Gehlot said that the
Modi government was
scared of Rahul Gan-
dhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra,
Rahul Gandhi was con-
stantly asking ques-
tions about the central
government and Adani
and was not being al-
lowed to speak in the
Parliament.
He said that Gandhi
was sentenced by a
court in Surat and soon
after that, his member-
ship from Lok Sabha
was terminated. “Now
the notice to vacate the
house has been served,
which clearly shows
that BJP and Modi gov-
ernment are afraid of
Rahul Gandhi,” he said.
Gehlot said that Ra-
hul Gandhi’s grand-
mother Indira Gandhi
was also treated in a
similar way, which is
happening now with
Rahul Gandhi. “Indira
Gandhi had returned to
power with a thumping
majority
. The people of
the country are watch-
ing what is happening
with Rahul Gandhi and
in the coming time they
will give an answer to
the Modi government
and the BJP,” he said.
State in-charge
Sukhjinder Singh
Randhawa said that
there is no factionalism
in the Congress, all are
united, but Congress
people sometimes de-
feat the Congress.
“But this time it will
not happen, I will not let
it happen,” he said.
No. of trainees in Jodhpur
Police Centre increased
CM okays cylinder of
`500 for beneficiaries
First India Bureau
Jaipur: With a view to
increase the efficiency
of policemen, the capac-
ity of the Police Train-
ing School at Jodhpur
has been increased.
Now 1000 policemen
will be able to get train-
ing here. CM Gehlot has
approved the proposal
to increase capacity
.
Gehlot has also given
financial approval for
creation of posts, pur-
chase of necessary re-
sources and construc-
tion works in the train-
ing school. The school
currently has the capac-
ity to train 500 trainees.
In another approval,
Gehlot has also okayed
the creation of 470 new
posts in the separate
cadre for hostel superin-
tendents. For the newly
formed cadre, 254 posts
of Hostel Superinten-
dent Women Grade-2
and 216 posts of Hostel
Superintendent Grade-2
have been created in
Grade Pay-2400.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Now families
in the BPL and Ujjwala
scheme of the state will
get gas cylinders for Rs
500. Chief Minister
Shri Ashok Gehlot has
approved the financial
proposal of Rs 750 crore
under the ‘Mukhy-
amantri Gas Cylinder’
scheme in this regard.
More than 73 lakh fami-
lies in the state will ben-
efit from this decision
of Gehlot. The benefi-
ciaries eligible in this
scheme will get one cyl-
inder per month at a
concessionary rate
from April 1, 2023.
The state govt under
this scheme will give a
subsidy of Rs 410 per
gas cylinder to the fam-
ilies having gas connec-
tions in the Ujjwala
scheme. The BPL gas
connection holders will
get a subsidy of Rs 610
per gas cylinder. The
subsidy amount will be
transferred to account
of the beneficiary
.
Hybrid millet seed minikits will be distributed to 8 lakh
small and marginal farmers of the state which will cost
Rs 16 crore. CM Gehlot has approved a financial proposal
of Rs 16 crore for seed kits in the year 2023-24. In this,
Rs 10 crore will be spent from the Farmers Welfare Fund
and Rs 6 crore from the NFSM Nutricereals. Minikits will
be distributed in 15 districts with low productivity under
the Rajasthan Millets Promotion Mission. These include
Ajmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Churu, H’garh, Jaipur, Jaisalmer,
Jalore, Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali, Sikar and Tonk.
CM GEHLOT APPROVES FUNDS TO
DISTRIBUTE MINI KITS OF SEEDS
‘Efforts should be made so that produce that
has reached market does not get damaged’
Mirch Masala
FIRST INDIA SUNDAY SPECIAL
BY TRIDIB RAMAN
The author is a journalist and political
commentator and views expressed are his personal
The coming time can be
difficult for Tejashwi
Yadav. The BJP is trying
his best to ensure that
investigating agencies
make up the cases against
Tejashwi in any way so
that it gets stamped in
the court as well and
he is disqualified from
contesting the elections. It
is said that some officers
of Bihar associated with
the investigating agency
had already warned
Tejashwi that ‘he should
get his papers in order as
soon his family will be at-
tacked’, but Tejashwi took
his words as a joke. After
this, RJD’s Rajya Sabha
MP Manoj Jha organized
a tea party in honor of
Tejashwi at his home in
Delhi, in which, apart from
leaders of various parties,
a former director of IB
also attended. This former
director is also from Bihar.
That former director had
cautioned Tejashwi only
then, saying, “The entire
team of CBI and ED is
going to come to your
house for investigation.”
Tejashwi then made fun of
his words by saying that
‘Pandit ji, keep in mind
that we are not pandits.
If they come, we will beat
with sticks.”
The Congress has to fight with its own
people at home more than its rival BJP.
Rahul Gandhi also came to know about
this when after losing his membership of
the Parliament, he invited some two dozen
such Congress leaders to his house, who
have the ability to mobilize crowds in Delhi
NCR. Rahul told these leaders that 'pro-
tests will start after two days, at least
in Delhi,and a crowd of lakhs will
have to gather.' After giving this
direction, Rahul left from the spot.
After Rahul's departure, these
leaders started marching
around KC Venugopal.
A leader of Delhi
shied away from
mobilizing the
crowd saying
that it has been
ten years since the Congress was out of
power in Delhi, its vote share has also
come down to just 2 per cent in Delhi, so
where will the crowd come from? So it
was agreed upon that western UP, Haryana
and Rajasthan should be turned to for the
crowd. So, the next day when Congress'
'Save Democracy Torch Peace
March' passed from Red Fort to
Town Hall of Chandni Chowk,
the torches were dimmed,
the faces of big leaders were
also sad. When the next day
Rahul held a meeting of his
core group, he said
while being a little
annoyed, The more
energy you give me,
the stronger I will be
able to stand.
The BJP leadership plans to hold the general elections
of 2024 on schedule, but with that election, the
assembly elections of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
and Rajasthan could also be held, so that in these state
assembly elections, on the lines of the Lok Sabha elec-
tions, vote can garnered on Modi's face.
As the noose of CBI and ED is tightening on Tejashwi
Yadav, the restlessness of Nitish Kumar, the head
of the alliance, is increasing. The path he had left be-
hind, his is now secretly following those paths. So, one
day on the occasion of Navratri Puja, he went to the
house of Sanjay Mayukh, a BJP leader and considered
close to the BJP top leadership and held an ‘indepth
conversation’. A few days later, Nitish also reportedly
met a BJP thinktank. If sources are to be believed, ED
had made a complete plan to arrest RJD leader and
Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav, but
coincidentally, Bihar Assembly session
was going on at that time and ED’s
interrogation of Tejashwi’s pregnant
wife became a big issue in Bihar.
Therefore, ED and CBI had to come
on the backfoot then, but sources
related to the investigating agencies
reveal that Tejashwi is most
likely to be arrested in
the next month i.e. May.
Reliable sources claim that the release of AAP
leader Manish Sisodia from jail is possible in the
month of September. But before that CBI and ED can
interrogate AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal.
It is said that the CBI has got a phone
recording in its hands, in which the
conversation is revealed that how
the transaction is being discussed in
exchange for the Rajya Sabha seat from
Punjab. The CBI is engaged in prepara-
tions to collect some more concrete evidence.
About two weeks back, Akali leader Harsimrat Kaur
Badal went and met the BJP top leadership in Parlia-
ment. It is said that in a matter of words, the top leader-
ship said that ‘BJP and Akali Dal should
once again contest elections together in
Punjab.’ With this proposal, Harsimrat
Badal reached Punjab and narrated
the entire conversation to her husband
Sukhbir Badal and gave details. After
this Sukhbir called a meeting of some
prominent Akali leaders from core team and mentioned
this offer from the BJP. The Akali leaders opposed this
proposal, saying that ‘BJP has no name-bearer in Punjab
and if we go with them, we too may meet the same fate.’
So perhaps the matter has not made any ‘ripple’.
IS NITISH LOOKING FOR A NEW PATH?
WILLKEJRIWALALSOBEQUESTIONED?
WHY AKALIS ARE NOT GOING WITH BJP?
WAS TEJASHWI
ON ALERT MODE
IN ADVANCE?
...AND FINALLY
WILL MUTUAL HEAD-TO-HEAD FIGHTING IN CONGRESS STOP?
FROM PG 1
CS AT SALASAR DARBAR
Chief Secretary Usha Sharma visited Salasar Balaji temple on Saturday and offered prayers.
During this, Divisional Commissioner Neeraj K Pawan, District Collector Siddharth Sihag and
other officers were also present.

z What is the mean-
ing of ‘crowning’ of
CP Joshi as BJP state
chief in Rajasthan?
Dr Jagdeesh Chandra:
The first meaning of
thismoveisthatnowRa-
jasthan will directly be
under control of Delhi
and all major decisions
of RajasthanBJPwillbe
done from Delhi. This
wasstartedfromthe day
when the meeting of Ra-
jasthan core committee
happened in Delhi and
not in Jaipur. The sec-
ond message of this
move is that for a long
time, Narendra Modi
and Amit Shah were in
search for a renowned
Brahmin face, a second
generation young face
who can lead the politics
for the next 25-30 years
and stay in active poli-
tics. Now their search
has ended at CP Joshi
and whenever a Brah-
min Chief Minister is to
be made, Joshi will be
the first priority
.
z Did it really take
three months to find a
new face because three
months back Satish
Poonia’s tenure ended
and he was given an
extension of sorts?
The time was spent be-
cause it was a major de-
cision. 2023 is election
year and there is im-
mensegroupism.Allthe
groups have to be taken
in confidence. Then the
BJP was engaged in
North-East and then in
Gujarat and other is-
sues. So it was due to the
general busy schedule
of the party high com-
mand which caused a
minor delay and cou-
pled with the time taken
to create a general con-
sensus and now a per-
son who has consensus
has been positioned.
z What does Satish
Poonia’s farewell
mean for BJP?
See it is not Satish Poo-
nia’s farewell. It is not
removal. He had a three
year tenure, he complet-
ed it and stayed three
months extra as party
president in Rajasthan.
In a way, he lived more
than his allotted life as
BJP chief. So this is not
farewell, rather it is
shifting of responsibili-
ty which happens in
every party
. But still,
there are questions be-
ing raised as to why was
he shifted and why
wasnt he given an exten-
sion. For that I say the
first issue is Vasundha-
ra Raje’s stubborness.
Satish Poonia always
checked Raje from com-
ing to main stream and
a few incidents hap-
pened where she had to
face insult. Due to these
incidents, Madam was
adamant that Poonia
should first be removed.
What were these inci-
dents? Once it so hap-
pened that senior BJP
leader V
. Satish was in
Jaipur and to meet him,
Raje reached BJP office.
Satish Poonia’s car was
parked under the porch
in the office. When a two
time chief minister
comes, there are people
around their vehicle
and a huge crowd reach-
es to welcome them.
While this was happen-
ing, Poonia’s driver van-
ished and even though a
search was made for
him, he could not be
seen anywhere. So mad-
amgotdownandwalked
towards the BJP office.
This could be a coinci-
dence too. But a few
days after this incident,
madam again went to
the party office and this
time the same thing
happened with a minor
twist.Thistimethedriv-
er was there but he
claimed that he has lost
the car keys! This is
funny as well as foolish.
How can it be that the
driver would loose the
key to the car? Madam
again walked to the of-
fice. So the cumulative
effect of such incidents
was that madam, it is
obvious, would have got
hurt. She is a two time
CM and may have been
adamant that Poonia be
removed. Second aspect
is that almost all senior
leaders of the party
were displeased with
Satish Poonia’s style of
functioning. Poonia is a
young and straightfor-
ward person, but every-
one’s style of function-
ing is different, so peo-
ple were not happy
.
Thirdly, nine by-elec-
tions happened in Poo-
nia’s tenure, and the
party lost in seven.
There was no response
of it. So you will have to
take moral responsibil-
ity
. Fourthly, the Jan
Aakrosh yatra was car-
ried out but you could
not pick up any major
issue against Ashok Ge-
hlot government. When
the high command
sought report, you said
seven and a half lakh
people gave their appli-
cations. PM said that if
so many people are
against Gehlot that
means the people are
troubled and that BJP
will win 150 seats. But it
was not so as when the
claims were checked,
Poonia had to face em-
barassment. But per-
haps the biggest issue of
all was that, in a display
of immaturity and ex-
citement, he projected
himself as CM candi-
date. The meetings in
which he would go,
workers would take him
to the stage on their
shoulders and slogans
would be raised prais-
ing Poonia. But they
should understand that
there is only one lion in
BJP
, rather in the coun-
try and that is Narendra
Modi and you are ven-
turing in that domain
unnecessarily
. This was
uncalled for. In fact, it
was more of the imma-
ture workers that dam-
aged him and the cumu-
lative effect of all these
was that his regular and
routine departure got
converted into a remov-
al, in public perception.
z You mentioned the
incidents between
Vasundhara Raje and
Satish Poonia. Do you
think that the devel-
opments of March 4,
wherein Raje conduct-
ed her birthday cele-
brations at Salasar
while Poonia held a
protest in Jaipur
,
played any role in
Poonia’s removal?
That was an act of im-
maturity
, nothing more,
nothing less. Madam
had already sounded
off, a month in advance,
all senior leaders of
BJP including JP Na-
dda, Amit Shah and BL
Santosh that on her
birthday she carried
out the devdarshan
yatra and requested
that it should not be
taken otherwise. So eve-
rything was well, since
all the seniors had been
informed. It is not
known whether Poonia
knew about Raje’s plan
or not, but he an-
nounced a rally against
Gehlot government will
be taken out by BJYM
till state assembly. But
that day the assembly
was adjourned that day
and some people said
that Gehlot has extend-
ed a courtesy to Raje.
They then protested at
CMR, but the same day,
when Raje was carry-
ing out such a major
program, you held the
rally. It is said there
were four or five
thousand peo-
ple in Poonia’s
rally but there
were at least
ten times
more people
in Raje’s
b i r t h d ay
pro g ram.
So without
any reason
you gave a
message in
the party
that there is
a vertical di-
vide between
Vasundhara Raje and
Satish Poonia, which is
unfortunate. The situa-
tion was gauged by
state incharge Arun
Singh who reached
to Ashok Parnami
and even danced
in the Phag Utsav and
doused the stand-
off. But it was
an uncalled for confron-
tation which ultimately
became a loss for Poon-
ia. So yes you are right
that this was the ‘last
nail in the coffin’ in this
adverse relationship.
z Has Satish Poonia,
who has been object-
ing to madam
throughout his ten-
ure, became a scape-
goat or did he got
‘hit-wicket’?
Perhapshemayhavegot
this mandate to bring
down the supremacy of
Raje in Rajasthan. It is
true that the party was
in the hands of one per-
son — Raje.
And it is but
o b v i o u s
that when
the party
gets into the decentrali-
sation mood, it stresses
that the power should
not get concentrated in
thehandsof oneperson.
So it is possible that the
high command may
have said to Poonia to
run the affairs in such a
democraticmannerthat
the power does not re-
main constricted in the
hands of one person.
But the manner in
which he implemented
this mandate was defec-
tive. I wouldnt say he
was a scapegoat or hit
wicket but yes he had to
face the consequences
of his overt actions. As
such he had to go since
the three year tenure
had been completed.
z So now that Poonia
is not there as party
chief, who will head
the Jat leadership in
BJP? Secondly, you
said that this is not his
farewell, so what do
you believe his politi-
cal future will be like?
As far as Jat leadership
isconcerned,itisestab-
lished by the high com-
mand only
, broadly
speaking. However, it
wouldnotbewrongto
saythatasof now,the
tallest leader is Sat-
ish Poonia. Next to
him could be Ra-
hul Kaswa or
Kailash Choud-
hary
. So in stature,
theyarenotnearPoonia.
Then there is PP Choud-
hary
, who has claimed
that his ancestors were
Rajputs, but then again
his claim to the Jat lead-
ership in BJP is not that
sound.AssuchinBJP
,no
one has any leadership
rather the leadership is
inhandsof twoindividu-
als i.e. Narendra Modi
and Amit Shah. But for
self satisfaction one can
say that in Jat quota, the
leadershipwillbeinPoo-
nia’s hands. As far as his
future is concerned, it
will not be wrong to say
that his future is bright.
Hisrehabilitationwillbe
donesoon.Itisbeingsaid
that perhaps he may be
made deputy leader of
opposition under Rajen-
dra Rathore as LoP
. But
there are apprehensions
among senior Sangh
leaders who say that
Poonia has seniority as
party president. How
can he work under
Rathore? He may also be
given charge of some
stateortakeninNadda’s
team and if BJP comes
to power in Rajasthan,
he can be made a minis-
ter with an important
portfolio.
z Why did Rajendra
Gehlot and Arun
Chaturvedi fall be-
hind in the race for
party presidency in
Rajasthan?
Rajendra Gehlot is a fa-
vourite of Sangh and
was close contestant in
the race. But two factors
went against him. First-
ly
, he is a leader from
Jodhpur-Marwar and
there are already two
senior leaders from the
region — Gajendra Sin-
gh Shekhawat and Ash-
wini Vaishnav. Then
thereisOmMathurfrom
Pali and Kailash Choud-
hary from Barmer. So he
does not have a major
role there. Secondly
, he
hails from the Mali com-
munityandthatcommu-
nity has securely stand-
ing with Ashok Gehlot.
Thirdly, when the lead-
ership was mulling on
the name of party presi-
dent, Gehlot must have
thought tat he should
present his side to Amit
Shah and by chance,
Shah was in Rajasthan.
When he was returning
back, Gehlot asked him
if he can accompany
Shah back to Delhi in
the charter flight. Shah
did not say anything but
Gehlot accompanied in
the flight. However, in
the flight, several books
were placed on the set
next to Shah and as soon
as he sat, Shah went into
a meditation. Rajendra
GehlotwaitedforShah’s
meditation to end, but it
ended only after the
plane had landed. So he
did not get the opportu-
nity to speak on the is-
sue. So it is about luck
also. Regarding Arun
Chaturvedi, he too is a
Brahmin but in front of
CP
, he is a weaker candi-
date in the race. Moreo-
ver, he has lost the elec-
tion also. Although he is
close to Dattatreya Hos-
abole of RSS. However,
Chaturvedi has report-
edly told some friend of
his that madam did not
support him at the end
moment. May be that
happened, you never
know.IfeelRajendraGe-
hlot was a stronger can-
didature but he could
not make it.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Learning is a part of life. The wise learn
from the errors of others, while the foolish
endure needless distress by their
stubbornness to learn only from personal experience.
—Dr Jagdeesh Chandra,
CEO Editor-in-Chief, First India
08
2NDFRONT
POSTAL REG NO. JPC/004/2022-24
If Modi-Shah choose to bring a Brahmin CM in
Rajasthan, CP may be the first choice: Dr Chandra
During the show
#JCon2023Poll trended
top All-India
on Twitter
Dr Jagdeesh Chandra in interaction with (L) Poornima Mishra, Aditi Nagar, Surbhi, Astha
Khandelwal, and Megha Kaushik during The New JC Show. —PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO
Dr Jagdeesh
Chandra during The
New JC Show.
Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Bharat24-Vision of New India and First India;
CMD First India News, reflects on the recent appointment of Lok Sabha MP CP Joshi as BJP
Rajasthan President. Chandra stresses that CP Joshi is saffron leadership’s ‘war horse’ and that Poonia’s
change has occurred due to various factors including ‘tussle’ with some senior leaders. However,
although Poonia is out, but his political future is still bright. Excerpts... (Part-1)

he three-day Jaipur Cou-
ture Show, presented by
First India and Bharat24-
Vision of New India was
organised at The Palace
on Ajmer Highway from
March 13 to March 15.
Jagdeesh Chandra graced the
occasion as the chief guest
and appreciated the de-
signers, Hina and
Shubh Mathur for
their ravishing
collection. The
sibling duo
Hina and Shubh Mathur, left the audi-
ence mesmerised with their excep-
tional designs and unique creativity.
The anticipation was palpable as fash-
ion industry insiders and viewers ea-
gerly awaited the latest collection
from Bannadi. As the lights dimmed
and the music began, models strutted
down the runway in a stunning dis-
play of Bannadi’s latest designs.
The showstopper, Mona Gautam
graced the runway as the showstop-
per, wearing a stunning ensemble that
perfectly captured the essence of the
collection. Hina Mathur’s designs,
whichwereinspiredbythevibrantcol-
ours and rich culture of Jaipur,
featured intricate embroidery
and beautiful work. Overall,
the fashion show was a re-
sounding success, showcas-
ing the brand’s dedication
toquality
,innovationand
creativity
. As the fash-
ion industry continues
to evolve, it is clear
thatbrandslike‘Ban-
nadi’ will continue
topushthebounda-
ries of what is pos-
sible, inspiring
and delighting
fashion lovers
around the
world.
www.firstindia.co.in I https://firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur I twitter.com/
thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia 09
JAIPUR | SUNDAY,
APRIL 2, 2023
CLASSYCOLOURS FLAWLESSFLAIR

City First highlights some glimpses of designers Hina and Shubh
Mathur’s collection showcased at the Jaipur Couture Show, held at
The Palace from March 13 to March 15!
SHUBHANSHI PATHAK
cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
T

—PHOTOS
BY
MUKESH
KIRADOO
From right: Riya Suledia, Ritu, Varunavi,
Designer Shubh Mathur, Neelanjana, Mona,
Radhika, Designer Heena Mathur,
Tanu Choudhary and Disha Nareda
Khushi, Yashvini, Mona, Shweta and Ritu

First India 02042023.pdf

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