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Tag: ashok gehlot

  • Rajasthan: Gehlot, Pilot put up united face ahead of Assembly bypolls

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Ahead of the bypolls to four Assembly seats, the ruling Congress in Rajasthan put up a united face with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot flying together in a helicopter and addressing two farmer mahapanchayats on Saturday.

    It was in July last year that Pilot had revolted against Gehlot, resulting in a political crisis in the state.

    The month-long crisis had ended after the intervention of party leader Rahul Gandhi.

    Gehlot and Pilot, along with AICC general secretary Ajay Maken and state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra, flew in a helicopter from Jaipur and addressed the rallies in Bikaner’s Dungargarh and Chittorgarh’s Matrakundiya.

    It is the first time since the 2019 Lok sabha elections when Gehlot and Pilot travelled by air together.

    Both leaders were seen together during Rahul Gandhi’s two-day visit to Rajasthan recently.

    Maken and Dotasra shared the photo of all the four sitting in a chopper on Twitter.

    Commenting on the photo, BJP state president Satish Poonia said Gehlot was smiling but what “pain” Pilot was hiding.

    People of the state have been paying the price of this smile for the past two and a half years, Poonia tweeted.

    On the other hand, Health Minister Raghu Sharma said the Congress is united under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

    With the “mahapanchayats” on Saturday, the Congress launched the party’s campaign for the bypolls to Sujangarh (Churu), Sahada (Bhilwara), Vallabhnagar (Udaipur) and Rajsamand assembly seats.

    While the mahapanchayat in Dungargarh was close to the Sujangarh constituency in Churu, the mahapanchayat in Matrikundiya of Chittorgarh was near the other three Assembly seats.

    The bypolls were necessitated by the demise of sitting MLAs Kailash Trivedi (Sahada), Gajendra Singh Shaktawat (Vallabhnagar), Master Bhanwarlal Meghwal (Sujangarh) and Kiran Maheshwari (Rajsamand).

    Barring the Rajsamand seat, which was held by BJP leader Kiran Maheshari, the other three were held by the Congress.

    While Meghwal, who was a minister in the Ashok Gehlot cabinet, had died due to a brain stroke, Trivedi, Maheshwari and Shaktawat died from coronavirus.

    At present, the ruling Congress has 104 MLAs and the BJP 71 in the 200-member Assembly.

    Thirteen are independents, while the RLP has 3 MLAs, BTP 2, CPI (M) 2 and the RLD 1.

  • Centre stubborn, not ready to listen to farmers: Gehlot hits out at Modi government

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday accused the Centre of being stubborn, saying it is not ready to listen to farmers protesting against its contentious farm laws in harsh weather for the past three months.

    Addressing farmers’ ‘mahapanchayats’ in Dungargarh of Bikaner and Chittorgarh’s Matrikundia, Gehlot said the way the Union government is behaving is shameful.

    Protests should be there in a democracy but the Union government is stubborn and not ready to listen to the farmers protesting for the past 90 days in extreme weather conditions, he said.

    Gehlot asked how those in the government can sleep when farmers are protesting while facing hardships.

    Gehlot also alleged that democracy in the country is under threat with the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department and other agencies working under pressure.

    “What is happening is really sad. Journalists and activists are being arrested. We have seen many governments but this is happening for the first time. Governments are not meant to be stubborn,” he said.

    Targeting the former BJP government in Rajasthan, Gehlot said over 80 people were killed in firing incidents during different protests, including the Gurjar agitation, during its rule but in the Congress rule, not a single baton charge took place.

    He said the state government brought bills to counter the three farm laws but the Governor has not forwarded these to the President.

    He also said that the government has waived farmers’ loans and appealed to people to vote for the development work carried out by his party in the upcoming bypolls to four Assembly seats.

    Former deputy CM Sachin Pilot too said in the Matrikundiya rally that the Congress Party has always worked in the interest of farmers and was standing by them.

    “The Centre wants to impose the laws on farmers. The prime minister is not ready to listen to farmers. The laws made by the Centre are not only against farmers but also against the common man,” he said.

    Pilot said the government wants to close all mandis.

    “Through these laws, farmers will become labourers on their own land,” he said.

    The former deputy CM also praised the state Budget and asked people to vote for the Congress in the bypolls.

    “The state budget is very good and the Opposition is left with nothing to say against us,” he said.

    Pilot also hit out at the BJP-led Union government over increasing fuel prices.

    “The price of petrol is Rs 100, cylinder is being sold at Rs 800 and unemployment is at peak,” he said.

    AICC general secretary Ajay Maken and state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra also addressed the rallies, in which the Congress put up a united face with Gehlot and Pilot in presence ahead of the Assembly bypolls to four seats.

    It was in July last year that Pilot had revolted against Gehlot, resulting in a political crisis in the state.

    It is the first time after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections that both leaders travelled by air together.

    Maken and Dotasra also shared the photo of all the four sitting in a chopper on Twitter.

    With the “mahapanchayats” on Saturday, the Congress launched the party’s campaign for bypolls to Sujangarh (Churu), Sahada (Bhilwara), Vallabhnagar (Udaipur) and Rajsamand assembly seats.

    While the Dungargarh rally was close to the Sujangarh constituency, the rally in Matrikundiya was near the rest of the three constituencies.

    At present, the ruling Congress has 104 MLAs and the BJP 71 in the 200-member Assembly.

    Thirteen MLAs are Independents while the RLP has 3, BTP 2, CPI (M) 2 and the RLD 1.

  • Gehlot and Pilot put on a show of unity as they kick-off campaigning for Rajasthan by-polls

    Express News Service
    The ruling Congress in Rajasthan held two ‘Kisan Mahapanchayats’ on Saturday as part of its farmer outreach and to kick-off its campaign for the four assembly by-polls. Significantly, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot not only spoke from the same platform but also shared the same helicopter as they flew to address the two Mahapanchayats in a bid to present a united face after many months of infighting.

    Ever since Pilot rebelled against Gehlot’s leadership last July, differences between the two have left the state Congress a fragmented house. Even recently during Rahul Gandhi’s trip to Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot was made to come down from the dais at one rally, a move which left the Pilot camp hurt and angry.

    However, as the two leaders flew in the same helicopter, the effort was seen as a damage-control exercise to project a united face of the Congress party keeping in view the upcoming by-elections. Rajasthan in-charge Ajay Maken and state Congress president Govind Singh Dotasara also travelled along with Gehlot and Pilot in the same helicopter to give a message of unity. Interestingly, Sachin Pilot has held three separate kisan mahapanchayats over the past few weeks.

    The two kisan mahapanchayats on Saturday were held at Dhaneru in Bikaner district and at Matrakundiya village in Chittorgarh district. The four bypolls are scheduled in Sujangarh, Rajsamand, Sahada and Vallabhgarh as their four MLAs have passed away between October 2020 and January 2021.

    Addressing the gathering at Dungargarh, Gehlot urged people to vote for the Congress and claimed that huge injustice was being done to farmers. He remarked, “We all know what is happening in the country. Democracy is being destroyed and farmers are being made to sleep outdoors in biting cold. Farmers want the new laws to be repealed but the government is not ready to listen to them. PM Modi had promised to bring ‘Achche Din’ but people are saying please give back our good old days. These new days have forced farmers to live on the streets.”  

    Similarly, Pilot stressed how the Congress had opposed the farm laws from the very beginning. He asserted, “When farmers are so upset, it’s difficult to understand, as Rahul Gandhi ji has asked, as to why the Prime Minister can’t repeal the laws. Since farmers are the backbone of the country, why can’t the PM talk to them.”

    However, Pilot also indirectly reminded people of his contribution in reviving the Congress in Rajasthan. He remarked, “When the BJP had formed the last government, we were down to just 21 seats in the assembly. But then we worked together and strengthened our party in the state. We are all united and our Congress party is really strong.”  

    Clearly, before the crucial by-elections in Rajasthan, the Congress is engaged in removing bitterness. But political observers wonder whether the Gehlot-Pilot show of togetherness, including by sharing a helicopter together after almost one and a half years, will last beyond the campaigning for the bypolls. 

  • Congress to hold Kisan Mahapanchayats in Rajasthan on Saturday with Gehlot in attendance

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: The Congress will hold two Kisan Mahapanchayat in Bikaner and Chittorgarh districts of Rajasthan in the presence of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and other senior party leaders on Saturday, sources said.

    The mahapanchayats are being held near the four assembly constituencies which are headed for bypolls.

    The first ‘kisan sammelan’ will be held at Pilaniyon Ki Dhani in Dungargarh of Bikaner while the second mahapanchayat will be organised at Matrakundia, Chittorgarh, according to the party sources.

    The venue of the first meeting in Dungargarh is close to Churu’s Sujangarh while Matrakundia, where the second meeting will be held in Chittorgarh, is near Vallabhnagar (Udaipur), Rajsamand and Sahara (Bhilwara) constituencies.

    Bypolls are to be held in Vallabhnagar (Udaipur), Sujangarh (Churu), Sahara (Bhilwara) and Rajsamand.

    The bypolls to the four seats in the Congress-ruled state are necessitated due to the demise of sitting legislators.

    Three of the seats were held by Congress and one (Rajsamand) by the BJP.

  • Negative Covid test report must for people visiting Rajasthan from Kerala, Maharashtra

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: People coming from Maharashtra and Kerala will have to show a negative COVID-19 test report before entering Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Thursday.

    The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by Gehlot at his residence.

    Also, an awareness campaign for vaccination will be run from March.

    “In the meeting, it has been decided that it will be mandatory for people coming to Rajasthan from Maharashtra and Kerala to bring a negative report of corona RT-PCR test,” Gehlot said.

    The chief minister directed officials to ensure compliance of all safety protocols related to COVID-19 like social distancing and wearing of face masks.

    State Health Secretary Siddharth Mahajan said the recovery rate has increased to 98.75 per cent.

    Meanwhile, 128 more people tested positive for coronavirus in the state on Thursday, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state to 3,19,929.

    At present, there are 1,208 active cases in the state.

    No new death was reported due to COVID-19 on Thursday, an official report said.

  • Day after state budget, Rajasthan BJP says chances of mid-term election cannot be ruled out

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: A day after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot presented a populist budget in the Assembly, the opposition BJP claimed on Thursday that the chances of a mid-term election in the state cannot be ruled out.

    Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, BJP state president Satish Poonia said the Budget for 2021-22 presented by Gehlot was like an election budget.

    “It is clear from the face, gesture and the body language of the chief minister that mid-term elections may happen in the state,” he said, adding there are indications of this in the budget too.

    Taking a dig at Gehlot by calling him a “Ghoshnajeevi” over a series of announcements made in the budget, Poonia claimed that 78 such announcements made in his first and second budgets are yet to be fulfilled.

    Responding to this, Labour Minister Tikaram Jully asserted that the Congress government in the state will complete its full term of five years.

    “The government is stable, and there is no situation for mid-term elections,” he said.

    Former minister and BJP MLA Vasudev Devnani also claimed that mid-term elections in the state may happen.

    “Looking at the situations in the state, mid-term elections may take place,” he added.

    Congress MLA Khiladi Lal Bairava also ruled out any possibility of mid-term elections, and said the BJP was daydreaming.

  • Free uniforms, textbooks for government school students in Rajasthan

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday announced free uniforms and textbooks for government school students under the “Back to School programme” in the state budget 2021-22.

    In his budget speech, Gehlot said the COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on school education and the entire academic year turned out to be a “zero year”.

    “Back to School programme will be launched to bridge the gap of learning intervals of the students under which study material will be provided to the students and the students will be made comfortable towards classes,” the chief minister said.

    Free school uniforms for government school students of the state up to class 8 and free books for class 6 to 8 students would be provided under the “Back to School programme” for which the state government will spend Rs 470 crore, he said.

    Gehlot said smart TVs would be installed at all the government secondary and senior secondary schools and Kasturba Gandhi Residential schools of the state for digital learning of the students.

    Also, agriculture subjects will be taught in over 600 government schools of the state.

    Gehlot announced to set up 1,200 new English medium Mahatma Gandhi schools in the next two years, increase in infrastructure facilities in schools, directorate of peace and non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Governance and Social Sciences in Jaipur, new colleges, including girls Sanskrit colleges and new it is, Rajiv Gandhi Centre of Advance Technology (R-CAT) at Jaipur, Science and Space Clubs in 1,500 government schools.

    For the sports sector, the chief minister announced Major Dhyanchand Stadium Scheme for developing stadiums, an indoor stadium in Pratapgarh, new residential sports schools in Jodhpur and Jaipur, and development work at Jodhpur’s Barkatullah Khan Cricket Stadium and a new archery academy in Dungarpur and Handball academy in Jaisalmer, among other things.

  • Rajasthan to present separate agriculture budget from next year: CM Gehlot

    Express News Service
    JAIPUR: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday presented a “farmer-friendly” budget in the Rajasthan Assembly and announced that a separate ‘agriculture budget’ will be presented from next year. 

    In his budget speech, CM Gehlot listed a string of steps focused on providing big relief to farmers. He claimed that his government has waived off debts of over 20 lakh farmers amounting to Rs 8,000 crores. A total of over Rs 14,000 crore has already been spent on this, Gehlot said.

    The CM further said that his government is committed to a ‘One Time Settlement Scheme’ to waive off commercial loans of farmers.

    Gehlot said electricity bills for farmers would be sent only once in two months and the power connections would be specially provided to 50,000 farmers in the state. Over the next three years, an area of around 4.3 lakh hectares will be brought under the micro-irrigation sector. Automation will also be encouraged for which the budget is estimated at Rs 732 crores, the CM said.

    ALSO READ | Rajasthan govt to bring Universal Health Care scheme worth Rs 3,500 crore: CM Ashok Gehlot

    Gehlot said as per the new budget, mega food parks with a cost of Rs 200 crore and 1,000 Kisan Service Centers will come up in various districts. Solar pumps will also be provided to 50,000 farmers, and agricultural mandis will be modernized. Also, a farmer complex will be built in Jodhpur.

    Workers on MNREGA will get 200 days of employment instead of 100, Gehlot announced.

    He remarked, “Gandhi ji had said that the rich must realize that the soul of India resides in farmers. Keeping that in mind, our government has announced many steps to benefit farmers. Given their anger with the Centre’s farm laws, we had passed our own bills a few months ago and sent them to the Governor. It is in that spirit that our government has now initiated several steps to ensure a better future for farmers.”

    Gehlot’s budget also had a few special steps in the health sector. A Universal Health Care scheme worth Rs 3,500 crore will be started next year which will ensure universal health coverage. Under this scheme, every family in the state will get a medical insurance benefit of up to Rs 5 lakh. Gehlot said that a bill on ‘Right to Health’ will be introduced in the Assembly.

  • Rajasthan: Rape survivor, family get security after Priyanka dials Gehlot

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Police on Tuesday provided security to a rape survivor and her family after her mother met Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi at a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura.

    After talking to the woman, Priyanka Gandhi called Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot following which he sought a report from police about the case and gave necessary directions.

    Commenting on it, Bharatpur SP Devendra Vishnoi said, “The family said there was a threat to them, therefore, the security was provided on Tuesday.”

    The SP said the rape case was registered at the Jurhara police station in April last year.

    On the other hand, members of the accused’s family also met the DGP and alleged that the allegations in the FIR were false and demanded a fair probe.

    “They said the facts mentioned in the FIR and the statement of the victim before the magistrate are contradictory,” sources said.

  • Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot attacks Modi government over rising fuel prices

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said fuel prices have been increasing for 11 days and the common man is suffering as a result of ‘wrong’ economic policies of the Centre.

    In a series of tweets, Gehlot targeted the Centre and cleared his stand on the rumours that Rajasthan levies highest tax on fuel prices.

    “The Modi government imposes excise duty of Rs 32.90 on petrol and Rs 31.80 per litre on diesel. Whereas during the UPA government in 2014 there was an excise duty of only Rs 9.20 on petrol and just Rs 3.46 on diesel. The Modi government should reduce excise duty in the interest of the public without delay,” he tweeted in Hindi.

    “People are affected by petrol and diesel prices. Prices have been increasing continuously for the last 11 days. This is the result of wrong economic policies of the Modi government. Crude oil prices in the international market are currently half of what it used to be during the UPA rule, but petrol-diesel prices have reached an all-time high,” Gehlot said in another tweet.

    The chief minister claimed that the Centre has continuously reduced the part of basic excise duty of the states and increased the additional excise duty and special excise duty on the central portion “only to fill its treasury”.

    Consequently, the state governments have to increase VAT (value-added tax) to raise their economic resources, the chief minister said.

    Gehlot said the economy of Rajasthan has been badly affected due to COVID-19 and the state’s revenue has decreased.

    But, the state government reduced VAT by 2 per cent in the last month to give relief to the common people, he added.

    “Instead of giving any such relief, the Modi government is increasing the prices of petrol and diesel every day,” Gehlot said.

    He further said, “Some people spread rumours that the Rajasthan government imposes the highest tax on petrol, so the price is high here. Petrol in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh is taxed more than Rajasthan, so the price of petrol in Jaipur is less than Bhopal.”