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Tag: ashok gehlot

  • Electricity to farmers for irrigation in daytime by 2023: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said electricity would be made available to the farmers for irrigation purposes during the daytime in all districts by 2023.

    At present, the electricity is provided to farmers in 15 districts of the state.

    Addressing an online function to mark the inauguration and foundation of several projects in Jodhpur, the Gehlot said the state government was working with commitment towards making the state self-reliant in the sectors of water and energy.

    “It is our endeavor that quality electricity and drinking water should be available to every village and Dhani of the state,” he said Stressing that Rajasthan has become a leading state in energy generation, the CM said that farmers in all the districts will get electricity in daytime for irrigation by the year 2023.

    “At the time of independence, where a total of 13 MW power was available in Rajasthan, today 21,000 MW power is being generated (now).

    The state government is focusing on alternative energy sources and the target is to generate about 30,000 MW of solar power by the year 2024,” he said.

    For this, the CM added, major companies are making investments in the state.

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  • Rajasthan CM Gehlot flays BJP spokesperson for remarks against ex-Union minister, seeks apology

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday criticised BJP’s national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia for his alleged indecent remarks against the late former Union minister Sis Ram Ola and demanded an apology from the party.

    Sis Ram Ola, a prominent Jat leader from Rajasthan, had died in 2013.

    Referring to the Congress leader in a TV debate over the cabinet reshuffle at the Centre and a similar exercise by the UPA government under PM Manmohan Singh, the BJP spokesperson had said, “Jinka hill raha tha purja, unmein Manmohanji dhoond rahe the urja.”

    Commenting on it, Gehlot tweeted, “I condemn the remarks made by BJP’s national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on Ola. This has created a lot of resentment among the people of the state. BJP National President @JPNadda should immediately apologise to the people of Rajasthan.”

    Gehlot said Ola protected interests of farmers in the social and political field for more than 60 years.

    “He was a cabinet minister several times in both the central and state governments. In 1968, he received the Padma Shri for social service,” he said.

  • All Rajasthan districts to have medical colleges: CM Ashok Gehlot

    Ashok Gehlot claimed that Rajasthan is emerging as a pioneer in the field of health services with the continuous efforts of the state government.

  • Run special registration campaign for construction labourers: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot to officials

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday directed officials to run a special registration campaign from July 15 to August 15 for construction labourers so that they can avail benefits of various welfare schemes of the Centre and the state.

    Gehlot was addressing a special meeting organised to discuss the draft labour codes proposed by the Centre through video conference from the chief minister’s residence.

    He directed a Labour Department official to do an on-spot registration of workers by visiting construction sites so that more and more construction workers will be able to take advantage of the schemes run under the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (BOCW).

    The chief minister stressed on early disposal of pending applications related to various schemes with BOCW on behalf of the families of construction workers.

    He said that for the operation of these schemes, the work of cess collection should be speeded up from the builders across the state.

    Gehlot also directed to conduct a special campaign for recovery of one per cent cess of the cost of construction work from big building and other structure builders under the provisions of BOCW, get GIS mapping of construction works and to prepare amnesty plan at the department level.

    He directed the Labour Department to examine the proposal to set up separate boards on the lines of BOCW for workers in the unorganised sector like plumbers, electricians, mechanics, street vendors, horsemen, street vendors, rickshaw pullers.

    Minister of State for Labour, Tikaram Juli, said that it is necessary that the Labour Department should complete the GIS mapping work of building constructions in coordination with the Urban Development Department and Local Self Government Department for collection of cess for BOCW.

    He said that after the formation of the board of workers of the unorganised sector, the state government can also make welfare schemes for these people.

  • Demand for plumbers, electricians in rural areas to go up in near future: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday said the demand for plumbers, electricians and fitters will increase at the village level in the coming years.

    In such a situation, many rural youth should be trained in courses like plumbing, electrical work and fitter roles through the Rajasthan Skill and Livelihood Development Corporation (RSLDC), he said at a review meeting of the state-run body.

    He said coordination should be established with various departments by setting targets to provide employment to more youth through skill development.

    Gehlot also directed for timely implementation of budget announcements and effective monitoring.

    The CM said it should be ensured that the training partner firms selected by the corporation provide placement to the prescribed number of trained youth as per the terms of the MoU.

    RSLDC Chairman Neeraj K Pawan said 100 beggars have been trained in the scheme to link beggars with employment, out of whom 40 have got work in Akshaya Patra, a non-profit organisation.

    Pawan said 39,193 youth have been given 4-month-long training in plumbing, fitting and electrician under Jal Jeevan Mission.

  • Union government did nothing in seven years to control inflation: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday blamed the Centre’s policies for the rising inflation in the country and said the government has taken no concrete step in the last seven years to bring it down.

    It has become difficult for the common man to run his household due to the high inflation, he said.

    According to the labour ministry, the year-on-year retail inflation for industrial workers stood at 5.24 per cent in May as against 5.14 per cent in April and 5.10 per cent in May last year.

    Similarly, food inflation stood at 5.26 per cent in May as against 4.78 per cent in April and 5.88 per cent in May last year, the ministry had said.

    Gehlot said the central government has failed miserably in controlling inflation.

    It neither has the right policy nor a clear intention.

    Everything from petrol, diesel, cooking gas to daily-use items has become expensive.

    Citing the government data on inflation, he said, “It shows how fast the prices of goods have increased in the market.”

    The chief minister said the high inflation clubbed with reduced income due to the coronavirus pandemic is making it difficult for the common man to run his household.

    Increasing the price of mustard oil to Rs 180-190 per litre is like snatching food from the common man, he said.

    Gehlot claimed the Modi government has increased the price of LPG cylinders by Rs 255 in the last 14 months.

    “Gas subsidy has also been completely stopped now,” he claimed.

  • Ashok Gehlot writes to PM Modi, seeks his intervention for adequate supply of vaccines to Rajasthan

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Sunday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal intervention to ensure adequate supply of coronavirus vaccines to the state to prevent a possible third wave.

    In a letter to the prime minister, he said the state has created a capacity to vaccinate over 15 lakh people a day, but the pace of inoculation drive is limited to the extent of supplies received from the Centre.

    “The daily average of vaccine doses received since the start of vaccination drive for 18 years plus has been 3 to 4 lakh only,” Gehlot said.

    He said that following Covid-appropriate behavior and vaccination are the only ways to effectively counter the threat of coronavirus.

    “For ensuring 100 per cent vaccination to prevent the Covid third wave and to ensure that people are able to resume their livelihood related activities, I urge you to intervene personally and direct the concerned to ensure adequate supply of vaccines for the state,” Gehlot said in his letter.

    The chief minister said the current Covid situation in the state is relatively better with cases coming down sharply, but also mentioned the second wave had a far greater impact in the state.

    He said the state has done exemplary Covid management during both first and second wave, and added that it is equally or even more important to take steps to prevent the occurrence of a third wave.

    He also said Rajasthan is among the best performer in the vaccination drive.

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    36 crore people have already been vaccinated in the state and it has achieved negative (less than 0 %) vaccine wastage, he added.

    More than 70 lakh people would be due for their second dose by the end of July, he said, requesting supply of more doses.

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  • Ex-BSP MLAs, Independents supporting Gehlot form ‘G19 Front’ to counter Pilot

    Express News Service
    JAIPUR: In Rajasthan, senior Congress leader and state party-in-charge Ajay Maken’s recent praise for Sachin Pilot has angered many in the Ashok Gehlot camp. 

    To mollify the Pilot camp, Maken had a few days ago described Pilot as a star campaigner who cannot be ignored by anybody. 

    In retaliation, the six ex-BSP MLAs and 13 independents supporting the Gehlot government have formed a special G-19 group as Gehlot supporters.

    The G-19 group is likely to meet on June 23 to lobby with the party High Command and ensure that these 19 loyal MLAs are adequately rewarded in the cabinet expansion and political appointments that are due in the state. 

    Political analysts believe this is a strategy evolved by the Gehlot camp to neutralize the pressure tactics of the Pilot camp to corner power sharing in the proposed cabinet expansion and political appointments.

    After Sachin Pilot returned to Jaipur after a rather fruitless trip to Delhi last week, it was widely believed that he had been snubbed by the Congress High Command and it would be CM Gehlot who would call the shots in the upcoming cabinet expansion and political appointments. 

    But with Ajay Maken calling Pilot a  ‘star and an asset for the party’ who is regularly in touch with Priyanka Gandhi has upset many in the Gehlot camp.

    As a result, the G-19 front of 6 ex-BSP MLAs and 13 independents has been specially formed and they will soon hold a meeting for which the Agenda has been kept wide open. 

    As one MLA revealed on condition of anonymity, “the Agenda for the G-19 meet is open. All that is happening in the Congress will be discussed. Also, the long-pending cabinet expansion and political appointments will also be considered. We will also discuss what is being done for those who were loyal to the Congress and ensured the survival of the party government in the state. We want a discussion on what rewards are to be given to those who were loyal to the party.”

    Many of the leaders linked to this G-19 front have been critical of the Pilot camp in recent weeks. Now, all eyes are focussed on the meeting of this group planned for June 23. 

    Many of these leaders have even met CM Gehlot in the recent past. 

    The six former BSP MLAs who joined the Congress two years ago have openly attacked the Pilot camp in the past week and one of them, MLA Sandeep Yadav had caused quite a storm by calling the Pilot camp MLAs as ‘traitors.”

    Most political observers in Rajasthan believe that the G-19 front of 6 ex-BSP MLAs and 13 independents has been specially formed as a powerful tool for the Gehlot camp. 

    They are likely to intensify pressure on the Congress High Command not to succumb to the excessive demands of the Pilot camp.

    As is well known, Sachin Pilot had led an open revolt along with 18 Congress MLAs against the leadership of CM Gehlot and created a huge political crisis last year. 

    However, in the period since then, Pilot has neither been able to increase the number of MLAs in his camp nor has he been able to strike a deal with the BJP.

    In fact, Pilot’s strength has only weakened as some MLAs who supported him last year, like Bhanwar Lal Sharma and Vishwendra Singh, are now said to be rebuilding their equations with Gehlot. 

    With the G-19 front of six ex-BSP MLAs and 13 independents being formed, Pilot’s problems seem set to increase. As tensions between the Gehlot and Pilot camp intensify, factionalism in the state Congress continues to be a huge headache.

  • Centre’s welfare measures for children-orphaned by Covid ‘defective’, says Rajasthan CM Gehlot

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday termed the Centre’s welfare measures for children who lost their parents to COVID-19 “defective” and demanded that they be revised as they did not provide immediate relief.

    He also claimed the Centre did not announce any scheme to help women whose husbands succumbed to the disease.

    Gehlot was speaking during a video conference on Covid vaccination.

    On May 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a number of welfare measures, including providing financial assistance, for children who lost their parents to COVID-19.

    According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), fixed deposits will be opened in the names of such children, and the PM-CARES fund will contribute through a specially designed scheme to create a corpus of Rs 10 lakh for each of them.

    This corpus will be used to give the beneficiaries a monthly stipend from 18 years of age for the next five years.

    On reaching the age of 23, they will get the corpus amount as one lump-sum for personal and professional use.

    Gehlot said the Centre’s package did not provide immediate relief, which was of utmost importance, to the children who lost their parents to COVID-19.

    “The package of the government of India is defective and there is confusion about it. The government will provide financial help after a child reaches the age of 18. Who knows who will be where after 18 years? Package means instant help,” he said.

    He added that he would speak to PM Modi about the scheme.

    The chief minister also alleged that the Centre did not announce any measures to help women who lost their husbands to COVID-19.

    On the other hand, the Rajasthan government provided immediate relief of Rs 1 lakh to children orphaned and women widowed by the pandemic apart from monthly financial assistance.

    The Rajasthan government’s scheme provides immediate financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to such children and widows.

    In addition to this, children would get Rs 2,500 per month till the age of 18 and Rs 5 lakh once they attain the age of 18 while widows would get a monthly social security pension of Rs 1,500.

    Besides the scheme for children, the Centre had announced a string of measures on May 29 to help the families who lost their earning members to the pandemic.

    These include a pension for dependents of Covid victims and enhanced and liberalised insurance benefits under the Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme.

    During the conference, Gehlot said a section of media published misleading news about the wastage of Covid vaccines in Rajasthan.

    Recently, a media report claimed that 500 vials of Covid vaccines were found in a dustbin at 35 inoculation centres in the state.

    Citing the report, the Centre wrote to the Rajasthan government on May 31 saying this was “not acceptable” and must be investigated.

    Replying to the Centre’s letter, state Health Minister Raghu Sharma had said the news report was “false and not based on facts”.

    Gehlot said vaccine wastage in Rajasthan at that time was around 2 per cent as against the national average of 6 per cent.

    The wastage has further reduced to 0.8 per cent in the state.

    “Our health workers were targeted and misleading news was published as part of a campaign, which was unfortunate. How can health workers dump vaccines in the dustbin? The procedure which was followed by them was in accordance with the central government guidelines,” he said.

    “Such an unfortunate campaign was run at a time when the public was suffering. It is wrong that vaccines were wasted. Our target is to ensure zero wastage of vaccines,” he said.

    Health Minister Raghu Sharma, Urban Development and Housing Minister Shanti Dhariwal and Assembly Speaker C P Joshi also addressed the conference that was attended by district collectors, sarpanches and other public representatives.

  • Rift widens in Rajasthan Congress as Pilot camp MLAs, ex-BSP MLAs battle for cabinet berths

    Express News Service
    JAIPUR: The expansion of the Ashok Gehlot ministry originally demanded by the Sachin Pilot camp has turned more complicated in Rajasthan. 

    After weeks of pressure from Pilot’s followers, six former BSP MLAs who had joined the Congress two years ago and played a crucial role in saving the Gehlot government are now demanding their share of power. Political analysts believe these former BSP MLAs are being encouraged by the Gehlot camp to neutralise the pressure from the Pilot camp.

    One of these ex-BSP MLAs, Sandeep Yadav said, “There are issues in Cabinet expansion but it should be done now. It has been delayed for a long time but whenever it is suitable for CM Gehlot and circumstances are right, he should take the decision.”

    Tijara MLA Sandeep Yadav and three other ex-BSP MLAs also objected to any move by the Congress high command to pacify dissident legislators led by Sachin Pilot, saying it was because of them that the government faced a crisis last year. 

    Asserting that people who were “loyal” to the party should be “rewarded” in the cabinet expansion, Yadav even remarked that “the government was saved only because we six and other independents stood by it. The Congress high command should not listen to those who endangered the Gehlot government. Instead, those who saved the government should be rewarded.”

    ALSO READ | BJP posters in Rajasthan without former CM Vasundhara Raje face fan factional fight

    MLA Yadav, who was earlier in the BJP but moved to the BSP after being denied a BJP ticket for the assembly elections in 2018, further said that instead of listening to rebel MLAs, the Congress high command should reward those who have shown loyalty.

    This drew a swift and sharp response from the Pilot camp. Mukesh Bhakar, a known Pilot camp MLA hit back and said those who switch parties frequently were talking about loyalty. 

    Bhakar claimed, “People of the state know who is trustworthy and who is not. People who have switched three parties in two-and-a-half years because of their greed for power are telling us about loyalty and honesty.”

    Bhakar was accompanied by Congress MLA from Masuda constituency Rakesh Pareek. He told reporters at a press conference, “This is wrong. They should tell on whose directions they are giving such statements.”

    Without naming anyone, Bhakar was hinting that the Gehlot camp is fanning the fire being lit by former BSP MLAs.

    Many political observers also believe that the Gehlot group may be covertly encouraging the ex-BSP MLAs in order to neutralize the pressure being mounted by the Pilot camp. Nine cabinet berths are vacant in the state and numerous MLAs are eyeing the berths.

    Pilot had returned with 18 MLAs last year following a reconciliation after a month-long rebellion against CM Gehlot. He had talked to the media recently and said that even after 10 months, his issues were unresolved and the workers who had worked hard to bring  Congress to power were not being heard. 

    However, the Rajasthan Cabinet expansion is unlikely to happen in a hurry after an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of CM Ashok Gehlot announced that doctors have advised Gehlot to avoid one-on-one meetings. CM Gehlot has decided he will not meet any individual for a month as a precautionary step to fully recover from Covid-19.

    Clearly, as the entire issue of cabinet expansion and political appointments becomes more complex, political turmoil in the Rajasthan Congress is likely to sharpen.