News Analysis India

Tag: Rajasthan

  • Gehlot says Rajasthan fully capable of combating possible third wave of COVID-19

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday inaugurated medical infrastructure in Rajasthan and said that the state is now fully capable of combating a possible third wave of COVID-19.

    He said that the state government has developed high-quality health facilities on a large scale in the state and the medical infrastructure has been strengthened from the state capital to villages.

    Gehlot inaugurated NICU, PICU, ICU, oxygen generation and liquid medical oxygen plants at medical institutions in the state on Sunday.

    He also inaugurated projects worth Rs 231.66 crore and laid the foundation stone of works worth Rs 50.61 crore. In a statement, the chief minister said that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet. In many countries, including the UK and Russia, the situation has become serious again.

    Cases have also started increasing in many states. In such a situation, alertness and vigilance are extremely important. The state government saved the lives of many people by managing the situation excellently during the first and second waves of the pandemic, he said.

    “Our efforts are being appreciated in the country and the world,” he added. Gehlot said that the state government has strengthened all the essential health services, increased the number of testing facilities, set up a genome sequencing facility, achieved self-sufficiency in oxygen production and increased ICU beds to combat the potential third wave of the pandemic.

    Health Minister Raghu Sharma said that during the second wave, the entire country faced an oxygen crisis but the Rajasthan government ensured availability of the life-saving gas in the state. “Now we are completing the work of setting up oxygen plants on priority,” he said.

  • Two held for extorting money from people by threatening to circulate their obscene video

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police has arrested two men from Rajasthan in two separate cases for allegedly extorting money from people by threatening to circulate their obscene videos, officials said on Saturday.

    In the first incident, 23-year-old Ijajul, a resident of Rajasthan, was arrested for demanding money from a person after morphing his video, police said.

    A case was registered on the complaint of a person who alleged that he received a friend request from a Facebook account, the police said.

    He received a video call after shared his contact with the accused following which Ijajul morphed his video.

    He made an obscene video and started blackmailing him and demanding money in lieu of not circulating the video on social media, police said.

    The accused was apprehended from his native place in Rajasthan on Friday.

    He disclosed that he was the gang leader and adopted this modus operandi to trap his Facebook friends who hail from Delhi and Mumbai, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Deepak Yadav said.

    Ijajul had been released from jail earlier this month in a similar case.

    His brother was also arrested in a similar case, police said.

    In another incident, a 25-year-old man, also from Rajasthan, was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a retired person after threatening to circulate his obscene video on the internet, police said.

    The accused has been identified as Nasir, a resident of Bharatpur in Rajasthan, they said.

    On October 2, the police received a complaint from the retired person in which the victim alleged that he was receiving extortion calls from different numbers, and the caller had introduced himself as officials of a social media platform, police said.

    He alleged that the callers had been demanding money, stating that they have received a complaint from a woman who has alleged that the complainant had been exploiting her, police said.

    The accused demanded money from him in lieu of not uploading his video.

    Out of fear, the complainant transferred around Rs 4 lakh as the accused threatened to implicate the retired person in a rape case, they said.

    The extortionists were using over 100 mobile phones and more than 1,000 SIM cards issued on fake IDs, they said.

    On October 13, the police received information that the kingpin of the gang will visit Nagar in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur.

    The police conducted raids and Nasir was apprehended from Nagar, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Alok Kumar said.

    Nasir’s brother Shakir is also wanted in this case.

    He used to work as a truck driver.

    Later, he saw that many people in his circle were earning a lot of money using this modus operandi and also cyber cheating, Kumar said.

    For the last two years, he also got involved in this crime and started extorting and cheating people, the police added.

  • Phone tapping: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot’s OSD fails to appear before Delhi Police for questioning

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s OSD Lokesh Sharma did not appear on Friday before the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police in connection with a phone tapping case, citing “family emergency”.

    The CM’s officer on special duty (OSD) was issued a notice by the Crime Branch to appear before it in Delhi for questioning in connection with the case lodged on a complaint by Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

    “When I was on my way to the Crime Branch, I received news of a family emergency and returned. That is why I could not appear,” Sharma said.

    He was earlier called for questioning on July 24 but he said it was not possible for him to travel out of Jaipur for two weeks due to personal reasons.

    However, he said if there was any urgency, he is available via video conference at a suitable time.

    The Delhi High Court has already ordered not to take coercive action against Sharma till January 13.

    The Delhi police had registered the FIR in March this year against Sharma on charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and unlawfully intercepting telegraphic signals (telephonic conversation) on the complaint by Shekhawat, who is also a BJP MP from Jodhpur.

    The phone-tapping controversy erupted in July last year in Rajasthan after alleged audio clips of alleged telephonic conversations between Shekhawat and Congress leaders surfaced amidst a rebellion against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot by his party leader Sachin Pilot and 18 MLAs.

    It was alleged that Lokesh Sharma circulated audio clips purportedly having conversation about the conspiracy to topple the Congress government.

    On the basis of the audio clips, a complaint was lodged with the Special Operations Group (SOG) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the Rajasthan Police in July last year but the FIR did not mention that Gajendra Singh referred to in an audio clip was Union minister Shekhawat.

    The SOG later closed the case after the Congress high command intervened to resolve the issues between Gehlot and Pilot.

    Sharma has rejected the allegations of phone tapping.

  • For the first time since March 2020, no new Covid cases reported in Rajasthan

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR:  In a major relief for Rajasthan, no new Covid-19 cases were reported in the state on Tuesday. It was the first such day since the pandemic hit in March 2020. Over 17,000 samples were collected on Tuesday in 33 districts. All  tested negative. Rajasthan has suffered  nearly 9,000 Covid-related deaths in 20 months. 

    According to figures released by the state health department, in October, there were two days when only one case each was recorded. Random samples were taken from 17,421 persons were taken across the state on Tuesday. All tested negative. In addition, a big relief is that 23 of the 33 districts in the state now have zero active cases. Infection rate in Rajasthan is currently less than 0.25%.  A total of 2.73 lakh samples have been tested so far in the state in October, out of which only 65 samples were positive. 

    Banswara, Baran, Barmer, Dungarpur, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Karauli, Kota, Nagaur, Pratapgarh, Bharatpur, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Churu, Dausa, Rajsamand, Sikar, Sirohi and Tonk are the districts that saw not a single new case this month.

    In addition, Tonk, Sirohi, Sikar, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Kota, Nagaur, Karauli, Jhunjhunu, Jalore, Jaisalmer, Ganganagar, Dungarpur, Dausa, Churu, Chittorgarh, Bundi, Alwar, Banswara, Baran, Bikaner, Bharatpur and Bhilwara districts do not have a single active case. There are only 38 active patients in the state and in 31 districts, Covid beds are unoccupied. Even among active cases, only 2-3 patients are admitted to hospitals while the rest are at home.

    The first Covid-19 case in Rajasthan was reported on March 2, 2020. But it suddenly started rising and March 19 last year, six medical staff of a hospital the textile town of Bhilwara tested positive. It soon became epicentre of Covid-19 in the state. The state was caught wanting when the second wave caused havoc in the country.

    Dengue emerging the fresh threatDespite relief on the Covid-19 front, dengue has suddenly emerged as a new threat for Rajasthan. There have been eight deaths and over 4,700 cases in the last month. CM Ashok Gehlot has acknowledged it as a big challenge and announced a 15-day dengue-free Rajasthan campaign. 

  • Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra stresses on bridging digital gap for students in rural areas

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Monday stressed on bridging the digital gap in the present era of information and communication technology so everyone can get practical benefit of online education.

    He was addressing an online inaugural session of Massive Open Online Courses’ (MOOCs’) teacher training programme and e-learning organised by Delhi University.

    He said the basic objective of the new education policy was an all-round development of the students.

    In order to make quality education accessible to everyone from urban to rural areas, special emphasis has been laid on online and digital education in the new education policy, Mishra said.

    He said the earlier education system was focused on learning and delivering results.

    Students were assessed on the basis of scores obtained, which was a one-way approach to student development, he said.

    The governor said the new education policy lays emphasis on such a structure of education which will help the students at different stages of learning.

    MOOCs is a web-based free distance education programme that ensures the participation of students from geographically remote areas in the field of education, he explained.

    MOOCs and e-learning will open new doors of accessible online education in the context of the new education policy.

    Mukul Kanitkar, National Organisation Secretary of Bhartiya Shikshan Mandal said that in the era of online education, along with bridging the digital gap, it is also a big challenge to stop digital misuse.

    He suggested that we develop educational intranet as an alternative to Internet for educational activities.

  • Rajasthan government to bring ordinance to strengthen law against recruitment exam malpractices: Ashok Gehlot

    Ashok Gehlot said strict action should be taken against those found involved in irregularities in all future recruitment examinations.

  • Jaipur Diary: All that is happening in ‘Pink City’

    Express News Service

    Grandmom completes Srinagar to Leh bicycle trip

    Jaipur’s Iron Lady Renu Shashikant Singhi has recorded another amazing feat. The 55-year-old grandmother of two pedalled nearly 420 km from Srinagar to Leh to become the first woman from Rajasthan to achieve this distinction. Seven cyclists from the state participated in this ride. The 55-year-old Renu was the only female in the group.

    From Srinagar, they went through Sonamarg, Kargil, Budh Kharbu and Saspol to reach Leh, cycling 80 to 120 km every day. Renu started cycling five years ago to stay fit. Later, she joined Jaipur Cycling Club. She credits JCC president Sunil Sharma for motivating her.

    CM Ashok Gehlot watching movies to stay hale and hearty

    After angioplasty, doctors have advised lifestyle changes to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. They have asked Gehlot to watch good movies and webseries which have a relaxing effect on the mind and promote positive thoughts that are healthy for the heart. Following this advice, the CM has started watching movies and webseries.

    During a virtual programme on Girl’s Day, Gehlot said, “I don’t watch movies but last night I saw a film after some 20-25 years. Doctors told me to watch movies and webseries and change my lifestyle because my heart is still in trouble. I watched the movie Mother India.”

    Gehlot had angioplasty on August 27 but after a spell of rest he has recently got back to political activities and attending programmes of the state government and his party Congress.

    School in tribal area among world’s top 100

    The Mandwa Government Higher Secondary School in the tribal area of Kotra in Udaipur district has been named among the top 100 schools of the world. T4 Education, a global organisation that provides rankings in the field of education, selected six schools from India. Mandwa Government HSS is the only one from Rajasthan.

    The feat of the school with over 300 children is special, considering that  literacy rate in this tribal tehsil is just 27 per cent, according to the 2011 Census. It lacked basic facilities but now the school has become a role model.

    Miss Rajasthan 2021 speaks out for girls

    Jaipur’s Mansi Rathore became Miss Rajasthan 2021 at a grand finale in Jaipur. She won ahead of 28 other finalists. The  20-year-old is an arts graduate doing B Ed. After winning the crown, Mansi said, “When I thought of going for the pageant, my mother gave me full support. I did not get much support from my father.”

    Mansi added that she was nervous but ‘a special friend’ boosted her confidence. “Girls in Rajasthan are not able to participate in beauty pageants regularly due to the fear of society and family. This stops them from moving forward in life,” said Miss Rajasthan.

  • Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot’s upcoming Delhi trip sparks cabinet reshuffle talk

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR:  Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s proposed visit to Delhi has intensified the buzz about changes in his government and the state Congress organisation. Gehlot will go to Delhi on October 16 to attend the Congress Working Committee meeting.

    The long-pending cabinet reshuffle and political appointments are likely to be discussed. These are set to get the green signal when Gehlot meets Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Gehlot is not a member of the Congress Working Committee but CMs of Congress-ruled states have been attending these meetings. This will be Gehlot’s second visit to Delhi this year, after February 27.

    After the change of CM in Punjab, the announcement of two Assembly by-elections in Rajasthan and the heated politics in UP over the Lakhimpur tragedy, discussion about changes in the government and organisation in Rajasthan Congress got delayed. Now, politics in the desert state is all set to heat up once again.  

    The Sachin Pilot camp has been demanding a cabinet reshuffle for a long time. Apart from the MLAs coming to Congress from BSP, MLAs of Gehlot’s camp also keep raising the demand for cabinet expansion and political appointments. State in-charge Ajay Maken has given deadlines. but neither cabinet reshuffle nor the work on political appointments and organisation expansion has progressed. 

    According to sources, Gehlot will discuss these with Sonia, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.  He is also likely to meet senior leaders like KC Venugopal and Maken. The Working Committee meeting will discuss current political issues, Assembly elections and organisation elections, apart from other topics.

    BJP leaders retaliate after Rajasthan CM calls them ‘fools’

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot is once again in the headlines for making controversial remarks. Last year, he had called Sachin Pilot nikamma or useless character. Now, he has run into trouble for calling some state BJP leaders ‘fools’.

    Taking objection to his statement, BJP leaders have started hitting back at Gehlot and Rahul Gandhi. State BJP president Satish Poonia tweeted in response to Gehlot’s remark, “Chief Minister has claimed that some people of Rajasthan BJP are fools. Please release the list of those idiots. From this, it is understood that you and Rahul Gandhi are the most intelligent people in the country and you should get a referendum done on this.”

    This controversy erupted after the lynching of an SC youth in Hanumangarh district, over which BJP leaders have been attacking the Gehlot government. BJP leaders even connected the Hanumangarh issue with the Lakhimpur-Kheeri incident in Uttar Pradesh. BJP leaders said Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi are active in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh but not in Rajasthan

  • BJYM says it forced Rajasthan govt to withdraw controversial marriage registration bill

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) on Tuesday claimed to have forced the Rajasthan government into recalling the recently passed marriage registration bill by opposing it through numerous protests.

    The BJP’s youth wing said in a statement that the act was “regressive” and debated that it would “make it easier for people to conduct child marriages”.

    The Rajasthan government has decided to recall the recently passed marriage registration bill to re-examine it, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Monday, citing concerns that its provisions will encourage child marriages.

    Gehlot said that the state government will urge the governor to return the bill for legal consultations.

    The opposition BJP and rights activists had objected to a provision in the ‘Rajasthan Compulsory Marriage Registration (Amendment) Bill 2021’ that allowed registration of marriage even if the bride and the groom had not attained the legal age to tie the knot.

    “This draconian act is a violation of law. It promotes exploitation of young minor girls and mocks the whole system of law. I admire the determined efforts of the Rajasthan BJYM state team for their relentless protests and untiring efforts which forced the insensitive state government to ultimately roll back this act,” BJYM national president Tejasvi Surya said.

    He alleged that the bill that “legitimises child marriages reflects the anti-girl child mindset of the Congress”.

  • Irregularities in conduct of eligibility exam for teachers in Rajasthan will be probed: Pilot

    The Congress leader is currently on a tour of the Tonk constituency, which he represents in the state Assembly.