News Analysis India

Tag: Rajasthan

  • Rajasthan govt sanctions over Rs 860 crore for inclusion of milk in mid-day meals 

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government on Tuesday sanctioned Rs 864 crore for the daily inclusion of milk in mid-day meals to school students up to Class 8 across the state.

    At present, sweetened-hot milk is served twice a week in government schools under the ‘Mukhyamantri Bal Gopal Yojana’, launched on November 29, 2022.

    To further boost the nutritional value of the daily mid-day meals, milk will now be provided during the remaining four days as well for all students of classes 1 to 8, an official statement said.

    The scheme, announced by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in the 2023-24 state budget, will be started in government schools, madrassas and special training centers to ensure that students opting for mid-day meals are provided milk as well.

    According to the statement, Gehlot has approved a budget provision of Rs 864 crore for the daily inclusion of milk in mid-day meals.

    Based on another announcement in the budget, the government said canals and distributaries in Kota, Bundi and Baran districts will be strengthened.

    The lining of irrigation water canals and structures of the canal system will be strengthened, the statement said, adding a 406-kilometer lining renovation work has been approved by Gehlot.

    A total of Rs 367.17 crore will be spent on 17 such redevelopment works, of which Rs 38.72 crore will be spent in the financial year 2023-24, it said.

    JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government on Tuesday sanctioned Rs 864 crore for the daily inclusion of milk in mid-day meals to school students up to Class 8 across the state.

    At present, sweetened-hot milk is served twice a week in government schools under the ‘Mukhyamantri Bal Gopal Yojana’, launched on November 29, 2022.

    To further boost the nutritional value of the daily mid-day meals, milk will now be provided during the remaining four days as well for all students of classes 1 to 8, an official statement said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The scheme, announced by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in the 2023-24 state budget, will be started in government schools, madrassas and special training centers to ensure that students opting for mid-day meals are provided milk as well.

    According to the statement, Gehlot has approved a budget provision of Rs 864 crore for the daily inclusion of milk in mid-day meals.

    Based on another announcement in the budget, the government said canals and distributaries in Kota, Bundi and Baran districts will be strengthened.

    The lining of irrigation water canals and structures of the canal system will be strengthened, the statement said, adding a 406-kilometer lining renovation work has been approved by Gehlot.

    A total of Rs 367.17 crore will be spent on 17 such redevelopment works, of which Rs 38.72 crore will be spent in the financial year 2023-24, it said.

  • Two missing dalit minor girls’ bodies recovered from canal in Rajasthan’s Jalore 

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: The bodies of two minor girls who had been missing for two days were found in the Narmada canal in the Sanchore area of Rajasthan’s Jalore district, police said on Wednesday.

    The two girls had been missing since Monday night.

    On Tuesday, a kidnapping case was registered against four named accused on behalf of the girls’ relatives under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the SC/ST Act.

    On the basis of the FIR, the four named accused are being interrogated in custody, Circle Officer (Sanchore) Roop Singh said on Wednesday.

    The post-mortem was done by a medical board but the girls’ family members refused to accept the bodies and demanded Rs 50 lakh each in compensation and government jobs for their kin, Singh said.

    The girls’ relatives and local residents are sitting on a dharna outside the Sub-Divisional Officer’s office to press for their demands.

    The administration is holding talks with the girls’ family members to end the stalemate, the police officer added.

    The girls’ family members have alleged that they were killed and thrown into the canal.

    Singh said the actual cause of death would be revealed after the post-mortem report is received.

    JAIPUR: The bodies of two minor girls who had been missing for two days were found in the Narmada canal in the Sanchore area of Rajasthan’s Jalore district, police said on Wednesday.

    The two girls had been missing since Monday night.

    On Tuesday, a kidnapping case was registered against four named accused on behalf of the girls’ relatives under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the SC/ST Act.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    On the basis of the FIR, the four named accused are being interrogated in custody, Circle Officer (Sanchore) Roop Singh said on Wednesday.

    The post-mortem was done by a medical board but the girls’ family members refused to accept the bodies and demanded Rs 50 lakh each in compensation and government jobs for their kin, Singh said.

    The girls’ relatives and local residents are sitting on a dharna outside the Sub-Divisional Officer’s office to press for their demands.

    The administration is holding talks with the girls’ family members to end the stalemate, the police officer added.

    The girls’ family members have alleged that they were killed and thrown into the canal.

    Singh said the actual cause of death would be revealed after the post-mortem report is received.

  • Toddler dies in Rajasthan as family waited in vain for Rs 16 cr injection

    By IANS

    JAIPUR: A two-year-old boy named Tanishq, who was suffering from a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy, died after his family’s every effort to procure an injection costing Rs 16 crore that is required to treat the ailment failed to yield a positive result.

    Tanishq’s father Shaitan Singh had appealed to the government to make arrangements for the injection at its own level for his child. However, nothing happened in this regard.

    As soon as the news of Tanishq’s death came, a pal of gloom descended over Nadwa village in Nagaur district.

    Waiting for the injection, Tanishq died during treatment at the JK Lone Hospital in Jaipur.

    Incidentally, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) MP Hanuman Beniwal had sought help for Tanishq from the Central government last year.

    Tanishq was waiting for the injection for a year and a half. When he was nine-month-old, the doctors in Jaipur had asked his family members to arrange an injection that cost Rs 16 crore.

    To arrange such a huge amount, his relatives had appealed to both the state government and the Centre so that the toddler could be saved.

    A few months back, a court had ordered that every ill person should be provided medicine, but Tanishq’s case once again shows that that is not the case in Rajasthan.

    The family members of Jameel, a child in Churu district who was suffering from a rare disease, had filed a petition in the Rajasthan High Court, after which the Sambal portal was launched by the state government, and Jameel’s interim treatment was done on the orders of the high court.

    After the ruling in Jameel’s petition, the Central government had made Jodhpur AIIMS the only centre of excellence for rare diseases in Rajasthan, in which any patient suffering from a rare disease can get treated.

    JAIPUR: A two-year-old boy named Tanishq, who was suffering from a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy, died after his family’s every effort to procure an injection costing Rs 16 crore that is required to treat the ailment failed to yield a positive result.

    Tanishq’s father Shaitan Singh had appealed to the government to make arrangements for the injection at its own level for his child. However, nothing happened in this regard.

    As soon as the news of Tanishq’s death came, a pal of gloom descended over Nadwa village in Nagaur district.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Waiting for the injection, Tanishq died during treatment at the JK Lone Hospital in Jaipur.

    Incidentally, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) MP Hanuman Beniwal had sought help for Tanishq from the Central government last year.

    Tanishq was waiting for the injection for a year and a half. When he was nine-month-old, the doctors in Jaipur had asked his family members to arrange an injection that cost Rs 16 crore.

    To arrange such a huge amount, his relatives had appealed to both the state government and the Centre so that the toddler could be saved.

    A few months back, a court had ordered that every ill person should be provided medicine, but Tanishq’s case once again shows that that is not the case in Rajasthan.

    The family members of Jameel, a child in Churu district who was suffering from a rare disease, had filed a petition in the Rajasthan High Court, after which the Sambal portal was launched by the state government, and Jameel’s interim treatment was done on the orders of the high court.

    After the ruling in Jameel’s petition, the Central government had made Jodhpur AIIMS the only centre of excellence for rare diseases in Rajasthan, in which any patient suffering from a rare disease can get treated.

  • Rajasthan paper leak case: Row over arrest of Gehlot’s appointee 

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR:  In the high-profile paper leak case in the recruitment exam for senior teachers in Rajasthan, a political row has erupted between the ruling Congress and the BJP. After the arrest of Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) member Babulal Katara in the case two days ago, leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore has severely criticized the government. State party chief Govind Singh Dotasara is responding from the Congress side.

    Demanding a CBI inquiry, Rathore has alleged that Katara visited the Chief Minister’s residence “every 15 days.” He also questioned why and how a statistics officer like Babulal Katara was nominated by CM Ashok Gehlot on a constitutional body like RPSC where the Chief Minister himself nominates the members.

    Earlier, in several tweets, Rathore targeted state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara, raising questions about RPSC’s selection process where relatives of a senior Congress politician got 80 marks in the interview but less than 50 marks in the written exam. This allegation relates to the selection of some relatives of Dotasara in RPSC exams.

    Dotasara responded by accusing Rathore of promoting his children to become contractors. He promised strict action against those who engage in any illegal activities. Dotasara also criticised Rathore’s political career and argued that due to Rathore’s flip-flops, he has never been able to become the CM or the state BJP chief despite winning seven times.

    On Tuesday, the Special Operations Group of the Rajasthan Police arrested RPSC member Babulal Katara, the Commission’s driver Gopal Singh, and Katara’s nephew Vijay Katara. The SOG will present the three in court. The three are now in remand until April 23. Since the arrest of Sher Singh Meena, the main accused in the paper leak case, on April 6 from Odisha, the SOG kept a close watch on Katara. 

    JAIPUR:  In the high-profile paper leak case in the recruitment exam for senior teachers in Rajasthan, a political row has erupted between the ruling Congress and the BJP. After the arrest of Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) member Babulal Katara in the case two days ago, leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore has severely criticized the government. State party chief Govind Singh Dotasara is responding from the Congress side.

    Demanding a CBI inquiry, Rathore has alleged that Katara visited the Chief Minister’s residence “every 15 days.” He also questioned why and how a statistics officer like Babulal Katara was nominated by CM Ashok Gehlot on a constitutional body like RPSC where the Chief Minister himself nominates the members.

    Earlier, in several tweets, Rathore targeted state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara, raising questions about RPSC’s selection process where relatives of a senior Congress politician got 80 marks in the interview but less than 50 marks in the written exam. This allegation relates to the selection of some relatives of Dotasara in RPSC exams.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Dotasara responded by accusing Rathore of promoting his children to become contractors. He promised strict action against those who engage in any illegal activities. Dotasara also criticised Rathore’s political career and argued that due to Rathore’s flip-flops, he has never been able to become the CM or the state BJP chief despite winning seven times.

    On Tuesday, the Special Operations Group of the Rajasthan Police arrested RPSC member Babulal Katara, the Commission’s driver Gopal Singh, and Katara’s nephew Vijay Katara. The SOG will present the three in court. The three are now in remand until April 23. Since the arrest of Sher Singh Meena, the main accused in the paper leak case, on April 6 from Odisha, the SOG kept a close watch on Katara. 

  • Covid-19 claims three lives in Rajasthan

    By IANS

    JAIPUR: Covid-19 claimed three lives in Rajasthan on Monday while 197 new cases were reported, taking the number of active cases in the state to 804.

    Two people died in Jhalawar while one person lost his life to COVID in Bikaner.

    Earlier on Sunday, 165 cases were found.

    On Monday, 1,348 samples were tested in the state out of which 197 people tested positive. The highest number of 55 cases were reported in Jaipur while 35 were reported in Rajsamand, 22 in Jhalawar, 16 each in Jodhpur and Udaipur, 13 in Alwar, 10 in Ajmer, eight in Pali, five in Banswara, four each in Bundi and Tonk, three each in Chittorgarh, Churu, and Sawai Madhopur, and one case each in Ganganagar and Kota.

    Meanwhile, instructions have been given to increase the sampling and to keep the control rooms active for the exchange of necessary information at the state and district level for effective control and management of Covid in the state. Along with this, instructions have been given to be vigilant in the mock drill, reporting and other treatment services in all the health centres of the state.

    Medical Education Secretary T Ravikant and Medical and Health Secretary Dr Prithvi took information about the preparations for Covid control and management through video conferencing at the Swasthya Bhawan Auditorium on Monday and gave necessary guidelines. Principals of all medical colleges, superintendents of hospitals and chief medical officers and chief medical and health officers and concerned officials participated in the meeting.

    Ravikant instructed for compulsory Covid sampling in the patients coming to the hospitals if symptoms of Covid are seen.

    Dr. Prithvi instructed to send positive samples for genome sequencing. He asked the district administration to work in coordination to propagate Covid protocol in public, including using masks, maintaining proper distance, washing hands with soap, etc.

    JAIPUR: Covid-19 claimed three lives in Rajasthan on Monday while 197 new cases were reported, taking the number of active cases in the state to 804.

    Two people died in Jhalawar while one person lost his life to COVID in Bikaner.

    Earlier on Sunday, 165 cases were found.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    On Monday, 1,348 samples were tested in the state out of which 197 people tested positive. The highest number of 55 cases were reported in Jaipur while 35 were reported in Rajsamand, 22 in Jhalawar, 16 each in Jodhpur and Udaipur, 13 in Alwar, 10 in Ajmer, eight in Pali, five in Banswara, four each in Bundi and Tonk, three each in Chittorgarh, Churu, and Sawai Madhopur, and one case each in Ganganagar and Kota.

    Meanwhile, instructions have been given to increase the sampling and to keep the control rooms active for the exchange of necessary information at the state and district level for effective control and management of Covid in the state. Along with this, instructions have been given to be vigilant in the mock drill, reporting and other treatment services in all the health centres of the state.

    Medical Education Secretary T Ravikant and Medical and Health Secretary Dr Prithvi took information about the preparations for Covid control and management through video conferencing at the Swasthya Bhawan Auditorium on Monday and gave necessary guidelines. Principals of all medical colleges, superintendents of hospitals and chief medical officers and chief medical and health officers and concerned officials participated in the meeting.

    Ravikant instructed for compulsory Covid sampling in the patients coming to the hospitals if symptoms of Covid are seen.

    Dr. Prithvi instructed to send positive samples for genome sequencing. He asked the district administration to work in coordination to propagate Covid protocol in public, including using masks, maintaining proper distance, washing hands with soap, etc.

  • Rajasthan govt declares birth anniversary of Jyotiba Phule public holiday 

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government has declared April 11, the birth anniversary of social reformer Jyotiba Phule, a public holiday.

    With this, the state has 30 public holidays and 20 optional holidays.

    Till now, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jayanti was an optional holiday in the state.

    According to an official statement, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved a proposal in this regard.

    The decision has been taken keeping in mind the common man’s feelings and the demand of people’s representatives, it said.

    Women and Child Development Minister Mamta Bhupesh, Rashtriya Phule Brigade Team Rajasthan and various social organizations and people’s representatives had demanded that Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jayanti be declared a public holiday.

    Jyotiba Phule played an important role in eradicating untouchability and empowering society.

    He also made organised efforts for the rights of farmers and labourers.

    Earlier, the state government changed Lord Shri Devnarayan Jayanti from optional to public holiday.

    JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government has declared April 11, the birth anniversary of social reformer Jyotiba Phule, a public holiday.

    With this, the state has 30 public holidays and 20 optional holidays.

    Till now, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jayanti was an optional holiday in the state.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    According to an official statement, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved a proposal in this regard.

    The decision has been taken keeping in mind the common man’s feelings and the demand of people’s representatives, it said.

    Women and Child Development Minister Mamta Bhupesh, Rashtriya Phule Brigade Team Rajasthan and various social organizations and people’s representatives had demanded that Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jayanti be declared a public holiday.

    Jyotiba Phule played an important role in eradicating untouchability and empowering society.

    He also made organised efforts for the rights of farmers and labourers.

    Earlier, the state government changed Lord Shri Devnarayan Jayanti from optional to public holiday.

  • Dalit woman raped, set afire in Rajasthan’s Barmer

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: A Dalit woman was allegedly raped and set ablaze in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, police said on Friday.

    The victim, who suffered 40 per cent burn injuries, is undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Jodhpur, they said.

    Pachpadra police station SHO Rajendra Singh said the alleged incident occurred on Thursday.

    The accused, identified as Shakoor, allegedly raped the woman and then poured some chemical on her before setting her on fire.

    The accused, who lives near the victim’s house, has been arrested, Singh said.

    A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the police added.

    JAIPUR: A Dalit woman was allegedly raped and set ablaze in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, police said on Friday.

    The victim, who suffered 40 per cent burn injuries, is undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Jodhpur, they said.

    Pachpadra police station SHO Rajendra Singh said the alleged incident occurred on Thursday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The accused, identified as Shakoor, allegedly raped the woman and then poured some chemical on her before setting her on fire.

    The accused, who lives near the victim’s house, has been arrested, Singh said.

    A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the police added.

  • Rajasthan’s watered-down Right to Health Bill keeps 90 per cent of private hospitals out of ambit

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR:  Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to provide the Right to Health (RTH) to its citizens after the doctors’ strike was withdrawn on Tuesday.

    The doctors on Tuesday called off their fortnight-long agitation after a consensus was arrived at and an eight-point agreement was agreed upon between the government and doctors. The deadlock was ended after doctors held a meeting at the residence of Chief Secretary Usha Sharma.

    Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had said: “I am happy that finally an agreement has been reached between the government and doctors on RTH and Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to implement the same. I hope the relationship between doctors and patients will remain the same in future.”

    The key gains as follows:

    In case of a medical emergency, one will be able to take treatment in any hospital covered under this Bill without giving any pre-payment. If the person is unable to pay after treatment, the government will pay the amount.
    By bringing many hospitals under this ambit, the person who needs immediate medication in case of an emergency will now get it even in private hospitals. The treatment can be given to him in his golden hour. The emergency cases will include road accidents, snake bites and poisoning.
    Patients who will come under the purview of this bill will be able to get facilities like free OPD, IPD and emergency care. The patient will be entitled to access all his records, investigation reports and bills for treatment.
    When the patient has the right to collect the bill for every treatment and facility, then the private hospital or medical college will be saved from collecting that money.
    The other big question is which hospitals are being brought under the ambit of RTH? The hospitals will include:
    All types of government hospitals including all government medical colleges and all private medical colleges of Rajasthan.
    The key takeaways are:

    The private sector has been largely left out of the bill, with only 47 hospitals in the state coming under its purview. There are over 2,000 private hospitals and nursing homes across the state.
    Only 9 private medical college-cum-hospitals in the state will be bound to provide emergency services. Over 90 per cent of private hospitals in the state will now be exempt from providing any kind of free services.
    Only three districts — Jaipur, Udaipur, and Sriganganagar — have 9 medical colleges that will come under the ambit of RTH. 

    JAIPUR:  Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to provide the Right to Health (RTH) to its citizens after the doctors’ strike was withdrawn on Tuesday.

    The doctors on Tuesday called off their fortnight-long agitation after a consensus was arrived at and an eight-point agreement was agreed upon between the government and doctors. The deadlock was ended after doctors held a meeting at the residence of Chief Secretary Usha Sharma.

    Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had said: “I am happy that finally an agreement has been reached between the government and doctors on RTH and Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to implement the same. I hope the relationship between doctors and patients will remain the same in future.”googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The key gains as follows:

    In case of a medical emergency, one will be able to take treatment in any hospital covered under this Bill without giving any pre-payment. If the person is unable to pay after treatment, the government will pay the amount.
    By bringing many hospitals under this ambit, the person who needs immediate medication in case of an emergency will now get it even in private hospitals. The treatment can be given to him in his golden hour. The emergency cases will include road accidents, snake bites and poisoning.
    Patients who will come under the purview of this bill will be able to get facilities like free OPD, IPD and emergency care. The patient will be entitled to access all his records, investigation reports and bills for treatment.
    When the patient has the right to collect the bill for every treatment and facility, then the private hospital or medical college will be saved from collecting that money.
    The other big question is which hospitals are being brought under the ambit of RTH? The hospitals will include:
    All types of government hospitals including all government medical colleges and all private medical colleges of Rajasthan.
    The key takeaways are:

    The private sector has been largely left out of the bill, with only 47 hospitals in the state coming under its purview. There are over 2,000 private hospitals and nursing homes across the state.
    Only 9 private medical college-cum-hospitals in the state will be bound to provide emergency services. Over 90 per cent of private hospitals in the state will now be exempt from providing any kind of free services.
    Only three districts — Jaipur, Udaipur, and Sriganganagar — have 9 medical colleges that will come under the ambit of RTH. 

  • Stray dog kills infant sleeping next to mother in hospital in Rajasthan

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: A month-old child, who was sleeping next to his mother at a government hospital, was taken away by a stray dog and mauled to death in Sirohi district of Rajasthan, police said on Tuesday.

    The body was found outside the hospital ward, they said.

    Police said the CCTV footage showed that two dogs went inside the TB ward of the hospital late Monday night and one of them returned with the infant.

    Sitaram, SHO, Kotwali said Mahendra Meena, the father of the child, was admitted in the hospital for silicosis treatment.

    He said the child’s mother, Rekha, who was attending to the patient along with her three children, dozed off.

    The officer said the hospital staff was also not present at the ward at the time of the incident.

    “Post-mortem has been conducted by a medical board. A case will be registered in the matter after further investigation,” the SHO said.

    Meanwhile, the child’s father accused the hospital authorities and police of making his wife sign blank papers and perform the last rites of his child without informing him.

    “I was admitted in the hospital on Monday. Dogs were coming inside the ward and I chased them away. My wife woke up at 2 am and found the dogs mauling our child. Today, the hospital authorities and police took the signature of my wife on blank papers and got the last rites of my son done without informing me. I could not even see my son’s face,” Meena said.

    The hospital administration has also initiated a probe into the matter.

    “The patient’s attendant was sleeping and the hospital guard was attending to the other ward. I have not seen the CCTV footage (of the incident). I will be able to comment only after the investigation,” Acting Principal Medical Officer (PMO), Sirohi district hospital, Virendra earlier told reporters.

    Condemning the incident, BJP district chief Narayan Purohit said the hospital officials should be held accountable for the tragedy.

    “It is a complete failure of the hospital administration. Stray dogs are roaming inside the hospital whereas the chief minister and local MLA are claiming that they have changed the face of healthcare facilities in the state,” he said.

    BJP workers also met the aggrieved family members and held a sit-in demanding compensation and other demands.

    The protestors handed over a memorandum to the district administration officials to take strict action in the matter.

    JAIPUR: A month-old child, who was sleeping next to his mother at a government hospital, was taken away by a stray dog and mauled to death in Sirohi district of Rajasthan, police said on Tuesday.

    The body was found outside the hospital ward, they said.

    Police said the CCTV footage showed that two dogs went inside the TB ward of the hospital late Monday night and one of them returned with the infant.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Sitaram, SHO, Kotwali said Mahendra Meena, the father of the child, was admitted in the hospital for silicosis treatment.

    He said the child’s mother, Rekha, who was attending to the patient along with her three children, dozed off.

    The officer said the hospital staff was also not present at the ward at the time of the incident.

    “Post-mortem has been conducted by a medical board. A case will be registered in the matter after further investigation,” the SHO said.

    Meanwhile, the child’s father accused the hospital authorities and police of making his wife sign blank papers and perform the last rites of his child without informing him.

    “I was admitted in the hospital on Monday. Dogs were coming inside the ward and I chased them away. My wife woke up at 2 am and found the dogs mauling our child. Today, the hospital authorities and police took the signature of my wife on blank papers and got the last rites of my son done without informing me. I could not even see my son’s face,” Meena said.

    The hospital administration has also initiated a probe into the matter.

    “The patient’s attendant was sleeping and the hospital guard was attending to the other ward. I have not seen the CCTV footage (of the incident). I will be able to comment only after the investigation,” Acting Principal Medical Officer (PMO), Sirohi district hospital, Virendra earlier told reporters.

    Condemning the incident, BJP district chief Narayan Purohit said the hospital officials should be held accountable for the tragedy.

    “It is a complete failure of the hospital administration. Stray dogs are roaming inside the hospital whereas the chief minister and local MLA are claiming that they have changed the face of healthcare facilities in the state,” he said.

    BJP workers also met the aggrieved family members and held a sit-in demanding compensation and other demands.

    The protestors handed over a memorandum to the district administration officials to take strict action in the matter.

  • Paper leak row rages on in Rajasthan as BJP demands CBI Probe

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR: The political storm over paper leaks in recruitment exams rages on in Rajasthan. BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Kirori Lal Meena has been sitting on a  Dharna in Jaipur for the last seven days demanding a CBI probe into the matter.

    Meena has been in the headlines for the protest for his supporters and unemployed youth even in the midst of heavy rain and freezing cold these days.

    Kirori Lal Meena was seen to be fighting a lone battle as he did not see any special support from other BJP leaders. But now the situation has changed as former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia took to Twitter to extend support.

    Raje tweeted that the BJP leader is on strike demanding a CBI inquiry into the paper leak case of 16 recruitment examinations including REET, RAS and Constable. 

    In another tweet, she wrote that the Rajasthan government is crushing the dreams of the youth. “The government is forgetting that this public anger of the youth will prove to be the last nail in the sinking ship of this government. The government should remember that MP Kirodi Lal Meena is not alone in fighting for the youth to get their rights, we all are with them.”

    Earlier, Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Rajendra Rathore met Kirodi Lal Meena and extended their support to the demand for a CBI inquiry into the paper leak case. MP Kirori has made it clear that his fast will continue until the Gehlot government gives approval for a CBI inquiry. It is a matter of discussion as to why the BJP leaders, who till now kept a distance from Kirodii’s protests and agitations, have suddenly started supporting him. There are speculations behind this that the BJP’s top leadership can include Kirori in the Union Cabinet.

    In contrast, CM Ashok Gehlot has demanded a nationwide solution for the issue of paper leaks. Mentioning the paper leak of the junior clerk recruitment exam in Gujarat, Gehlot said that the issue has become a serious problem across the country. 

    “This is the 17th paper leak in Gujarat in the last few years,” he said.

    Gehlot further added, “There have been complaints of paper leaks and irregularities in Army recruitment, High Court recruitment, even DRDO recruitment, which shows how serious this problem is. We need a nationwide solution.”

    On the other hand, Rajasthan Congress President Govind Dotasara has raised a big question about the Gujarat government in this paper leak case. He asserted that “in the last few years there have been 15 paper leaks in PM Modi’s home state of Gujarat. Will the BJP, which incited the youth in Rajasthan, raise the demand for a CBI inquiry into the paper leak case in Gujarat?” 

    While a solution remains elusive, politics over the ticklish issue of paper leaks is intensifying in Rajasthan.

    JAIPUR: The political storm over paper leaks in recruitment exams rages on in Rajasthan. BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Kirori Lal Meena has been sitting on a  Dharna in Jaipur for the last seven days demanding a CBI probe into the matter.

    Meena has been in the headlines for the protest for his supporters and unemployed youth even in the midst of heavy rain and freezing cold these days.

    Kirori Lal Meena was seen to be fighting a lone battle as he did not see any special support from other BJP leaders. But now the situation has changed as former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia took to Twitter to extend support.

    Raje tweeted that the BJP leader is on strike demanding a CBI inquiry into the paper leak case of 16 recruitment examinations including REET, RAS and Constable. 

    In another tweet, she wrote that the Rajasthan government is crushing the dreams of the youth. “The government is forgetting that this public anger of the youth will prove to be the last nail in the sinking ship of this government. The government should remember that MP Kirodi Lal Meena is not alone in fighting for the youth to get their rights, we all are with them.”

    Earlier, Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Rajendra Rathore met Kirodi Lal Meena and extended their support to the demand for a CBI inquiry into the paper leak case. MP Kirori has made it clear that his fast will continue until the Gehlot government gives approval for a CBI inquiry. It is a matter of discussion as to why the BJP leaders, who till now kept a distance from Kirodii’s protests and agitations, have suddenly started supporting him. There are speculations behind this that the BJP’s top leadership can include Kirori in the Union Cabinet.

    In contrast, CM Ashok Gehlot has demanded a nationwide solution for the issue of paper leaks. Mentioning the paper leak of the junior clerk recruitment exam in Gujarat, Gehlot said that the issue has become a serious problem across the country. 

    “This is the 17th paper leak in Gujarat in the last few years,” he said.

    Gehlot further added, “There have been complaints of paper leaks and irregularities in Army recruitment, High Court recruitment, even DRDO recruitment, which shows how serious this problem is. We need a nationwide solution.”

    On the other hand, Rajasthan Congress President Govind Dotasara has raised a big question about the Gujarat government in this paper leak case. He asserted that “in the last few years there have been 15 paper leaks in PM Modi’s home state of Gujarat. Will the BJP, which incited the youth in Rajasthan, raise the demand for a CBI inquiry into the paper leak case in Gujarat?” 

    While a solution remains elusive, politics over the ticklish issue of paper leaks is intensifying in Rajasthan.