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Tag: Surat

  • Rs 75 lakh cash seized from car in Surat, VIP pass bearing Congress neta’s name found: Officials

    Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD: The Static Surveillance team (SST) on Wednesday seized Rs 75 lakh in cash from Innova car number MH.04. ES.9907 parked at Rangrej Tower near Jadakhadi Mohalla in Mahidhar Pura area of Surat City. just days ahead of the assembly elections.

    On Tuesday night, the team intercepted a car with three occupants and on searching, it found Rs 75 lakh in cash.

    Two persons — Uday Gurjar who belongs to Delhi, and Mohammad Faiz, who belongs to Surat, were detained and questioned by the police. Police sources claimed a third person name Sandeep managed to escape.

    During investigation, police sources found that an Innova car was registered under the name of ‘Vinayak Travels’.

    SST officials also said they found leaflets of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Surat rally from the vehicle beside a VIP car pass bearing the name of B.M. Sandeep, the AICC secretary and the party’s in-charge of South Gujarat region.

    Surat BJP media spokesperson Jagdish Patel alleged that this indicates the involvement of a Congress leader. He claimed that further investigation will reveal whose money it is.

    Refuting the allegations, Gujarat Congress President Jagdish Thakor called it a ‘conspiracy’ to defame the party. “Let the police investigate the case, whoever is guilty must be punished. Congress never saves the guilty,” he said.

    Police sources said that the Income Tax department will conduct further investigation.

    Gujarat which has 182 assembly constituencies will go for polling in two phases on December 1 and 5. The counting of votes will occur on December 8, which coincides with Himachal Pradesh’s result date.

    AHMEDABAD: The Static Surveillance team (SST) on Wednesday seized Rs 75 lakh in cash from Innova car number MH.04. ES.9907 parked at Rangrej Tower near Jadakhadi Mohalla in Mahidhar Pura area of Surat City. just days ahead of the assembly elections.

    On Tuesday night, the team intercepted a car with three occupants and on searching, it found Rs 75 lakh in cash.

    Two persons — Uday Gurjar who belongs to Delhi, and Mohammad Faiz, who belongs to Surat, were detained and questioned by the police. Police sources claimed a third person name Sandeep managed to escape.

    During investigation, police sources found that an Innova car was registered under the name of ‘Vinayak Travels’.

    SST officials also said they found leaflets of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Surat rally from the vehicle beside a VIP car pass bearing the name of B.M. Sandeep, the AICC secretary and the party’s in-charge of South Gujarat region.

    Surat BJP media spokesperson Jagdish Patel alleged that this indicates the involvement of a Congress leader. He claimed that further investigation will reveal whose money it is.

    Refuting the allegations, Gujarat Congress President Jagdish Thakor called it a ‘conspiracy’ to defame the party. “Let the police investigate the case, whoever is guilty must be punished. Congress never saves the guilty,” he said.

    Police sources said that the Income Tax department will conduct further investigation.

    Gujarat which has 182 assembly constituencies will go for polling in two phases on December 1 and 5. The counting of votes will occur on December 8, which coincides with Himachal Pradesh’s result date.

  • PM Modi launches developmental projects in Surat

    By ANI

    SURAT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated various projects worth more than Rs 3,400 crore in Surat during his two-day visit to his home state on Thursday.

    These include water supply and drainage projects, DREAM City, Biodiversity Park and other development projects such as public infrastructure, heritage restoration, city bus/BRTS infrastructure, and electric vehicle infrastructure as well as joint projects by the central and state government.

    Phase-I of road infrastructure and the main entrance of Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City was also inaugurated.

    The DREAM City project has been launched with the vision to meet the growing demand for commercial and residential space for the rapidly growing diamond trading sector in Surat. The prime minister also laid the foundation stone for Phase II of the project.

    Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone of a biodiversity park, being built over 87 hectares, besides inaugurating the Khoj Museum at Science Centre in Surat. Built for children, the museum will have interactive displays, inquiry-based activities and inquisitiveness-based explorations.

    Earlier today, the Prime Minister held a roadshow. A huge crowd gathered to welcome the Prime Minister as his cavalcade moved forward.

    He will further travel to Bhavnagar to lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple developmental initiatives worth over Rs 5,200 crore.

    The prime minister will lay the foundation stone for the world’s first CNG terminal and a brownfield port in the city. The port will be developed at a cost of over Rs 4,000 crore and will have state-of-the-art infrastructure for the CNG terminal. The port will have an ultra-modern container terminal, multipurpose terminal, and liquid terminal with direct door-step connectivity to the existing roadway and railway network.

    The prime minister will also inaugurate a regional science centre in Bhavnagar, spread over 20 acres and built at a cost of around Rs 100 crore. The centre has several theme-based galleries including the marine aquatic gallery, automobile gallery, and the Nobel Prize gallery. The centre will provide a creative platform for children. 

    SURAT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated various projects worth more than Rs 3,400 crore in Surat during his two-day visit to his home state on Thursday.

    These include water supply and drainage projects, DREAM City, Biodiversity Park and other development projects such as public infrastructure, heritage restoration, city bus/BRTS infrastructure, and electric vehicle infrastructure as well as joint projects by the central and state government.

    Phase-I of road infrastructure and the main entrance of Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City was also inaugurated.

    The DREAM City project has been launched with the vision to meet the growing demand for commercial and residential space for the rapidly growing diamond trading sector in Surat. The prime minister also laid the foundation stone for Phase II of the project.

    Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone of a biodiversity park, being built over 87 hectares, besides inaugurating the Khoj Museum at Science Centre in Surat. Built for children, the museum will have interactive displays, inquiry-based activities and inquisitiveness-based explorations.

    Earlier today, the Prime Minister held a roadshow. A huge crowd gathered to welcome the Prime Minister as his cavalcade moved forward.

    He will further travel to Bhavnagar to lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple developmental initiatives worth over Rs 5,200 crore.

    The prime minister will lay the foundation stone for the world’s first CNG terminal and a brownfield port in the city. The port will be developed at a cost of over Rs 4,000 crore and will have state-of-the-art infrastructure for the CNG terminal. The port will have an ultra-modern container terminal, multipurpose terminal, and liquid terminal with direct door-step connectivity to the existing roadway and railway network.

    The prime minister will also inaugurate a regional science centre in Bhavnagar, spread over 20 acres and built at a cost of around Rs 100 crore. The centre has several theme-based galleries including the marine aquatic gallery, automobile gallery, and the Nobel Prize gallery. The centre will provide a creative platform for children. 

  • Milind Narvekar: Meet Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray’s peacemaker amid political crisis

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader Milind Narvekar, who is also personal assistant of CM Uddhav Thackeray, tried to play the peace marker role between estranged Shiv Sena minister Eknath Shinde and chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.

    After the revolt of estranged Shiv Sena minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday, Narvekar was asked by the chief minister to rush to Surat where Shinde and other disgruntled party MLAs were kept in a luxury hotel and bring him back to Mumbai.

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    Narvekar and and party MLC Ravindra Phatak left for Surat where they met Shinde at Hotel LeMeridien. From there, Shinde spoke with Uddhav and even with hsi wife Rashmi Thackeray over the phone.  Sources said the it was more than ten minute telephonic conversation between Shinde and Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav.

    “Shinde requested Uddhav to break the alliance with Congress and NCP and form the government with BJP in Maharashtra. Shinde even said that he does not want any ministry but a BJP-allied government because both the parties are natural ideological allies. Shiv Sena is losing its support base with Congress and NCP in power and this is not good for the future of the party” said a source requesting anonymity.

    “Thackeray on the other hand, asked Shinde to come back and if needed, he is ready to sacrifice his chief minister post and replace himself with Shinde. However, nothing was finalised in the meeting apart from discussion. It was a failed meeting. All efforts were in vain because Shinde refused to agree with continuing an alliance with Congress and NCP,” said a source requesting anonymity.

    ALSO READ| Exploring possibility of government formation in Maharashtra: Former BJP minister

    Interestingly, Narvekar was always blamed whenever there was revolt in Shiv Sena against its leadership. Union minister Narayan Rane solely blamed Narvekar for not picking his phone and giving to Uddhav Thackeray. He accused Narvekar for creating a communication gap between party leaders, workers, MLAs and Uddhav Thackeray during  his exit time. Now, the same Narvekar has playing the significant role as peacemaker between estranged leader Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray.

    Meanwhile, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has removed Eknath Shinde from legislative party leader post and appointed Ajay Chaudhary in his place.  

  • Gujarat: 8-month-old boy hospitalised after torture by woman caretaker; accused detained for murder bid

    By PTI

    SURAT: An eight-month-old boy has been hospitalised in Surat city of Gujarat after being allegedly thrashed and tortured by a woman babysitter, whose act was captured on a CCTV camera installed at the child’s house, police said on Saturday.

    The woman, identified as Komal Tandelkar, has been detained on the charge of attempting to murder the baby, they said.

    The boy, who is one of the twin babies of a working couple, has suffered brain haemorrhage as per the doctors of a city-based private hospital, where he has been admitted, inspector P L Chaudhari of Rander police station said.

    Talking to reporters, ACP (G-division) Z R Desai said, “An FIR was registered against Tandelkar on the basis of the CCTV footage, in which she can be seen thrashing the baby in her lap for nearly one-and-a-half minute before twisting his ears and repeatedly throwing him against the bed. It appears to be a case of attempt to murder.” The babysitter was employed by the couple in September last year, four months after the birth of their twins, he said.

    The baby’s father, Mitesh Patel, had got the CCTV camera installed at his house only two days back after his neighbours complained of hearing the cries of the babies when they are under the care of the babysitter, Desai said.

    “Yesterday, when Patel was away at work, he received a call from his mother, who informed him that one of the babies was crying and fainting. The child was immediately taken to a hospital. Later, when the family members checked the CCTV footage, they found the babysitter thrashing the child, twisting his ear and throwing him against the bed,” Desai told reporters. After that, Patel approached the police and lodged a complaint.

    “As per the CCTV footage and on the basis of the complaint, it was clear that the woman knew what she was doing. During her interrogation, we realised that she appears to have some kind of frustration,” he said. The babysitter was booked under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt). She has been detained, but will be formally placed under arrest after the police get her COVID-19 test report, he said.

  • Gujarat: RT-PCR test mandatory for people returning to Surat post Diwali holidays

    By PTI

    SURAT: In an attempt to prevent rise in COVID-19 cases, the civic body in Gujarat’s Surat city has made it mandatory for people to carry RT-PCR test reports while returning to the city after Diwali holidays, an official said on Wednesday.

    The test is mandatory for everyone, irrespective of whether they have taken both doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the official said.

    According to the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), locals returning to the city post the Diwali holidays will have to mandatorily carry their RT-PCR reports not older than 72 hours.

    The precaution is being taken to ensure that the city doesn’t see any spike in COVID-19 cases, it said.

    A large number of people, especially migrant workers engaged in the city’s diamond and textile units, visit their hometowns during Diwali and people also go on vacations.

    An appeal has been made for people to get their mandatory RT-PCR test done, not more than 72 hours before their entry to the city after vacationing, said Pradeep Umarigar, municipal officer of health, SMC.

    “We also appeal to people to take their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine before going on vacations.

    Those who have recently tested COVID-19 positive will be given a relaxation,” the official said.

    The SMC will deploy teams at the airport, bus stands and road entry points to check the RT-PCR test reports of people returning to the city, he said, adding that the civic body will also provide facilities for RT-PCR tests for people who were unable to get tested earlier.

  • Gujarat: 15-day-old infant dies of COVID-19 at Surat hospital

    By PTI
    AHMEDABAD: A 15-day-old baby girl, who was born to a COVID-19 patient, succumbed to the infection at a hospital in Gujarat’s Surat city, an official said on Friday.

    The infant was born with the infection on April 1, as her mother had also contracted the disease, said Dinesh Navadiya, the trustee of Diamond Hospital said.

    While the child’s mother was shifted to another hospital, the newborn was under intensive treatment and was also administered remdesivir injection when her condition started deteriorating, he said.

    The baby, who was on ventilator support, breathed her last on Thursday night, Navadiya said.

    Former mayor of Surat Dr Jagdish Patel, who had recently recovered from COVID-19, donated his blood plasma for the infant’s treatment, it was stated.

    “Our doctors tried their best to save the newborn. As per our knowledge, she was one of the youngest victims of coronavirus in Gujarat,” Navadiya said.

    On Wednesday, a 14-day-old boy from adjoining Tapi district, who had contracted the infection, died at Surat’s new civil hospital.

    According to doctors, unlike the first wave witnessed last year, more children are getting infected with coronavirus this time around.

    “The infection rate of the new strain is higher than the previous strain.

    Hence, even children are contracting the disease this time, as the earning members of a household get infected first and then pass the virus on to other members of the family,” Ahmedabad-based paediatrician, Dr Nishchal Bhatt said.

    Surat city on Thursday registered 1,551 COVID-19 cases and 26 casualties.

  • Night curfew in four Gujarat cities gets another 15-day extension

    By PTI
    AHMEDABAD: In view of the recent spike in coronavirus cases, the Gujarat government has decided to extend the night curfew in four major cities of the state, including Ahmedabad, by another 15 days.

    The ongoing night curfew in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot, was to end on February 28.

    An official statement issued on Friday night said, the government decided to extend the night curfew by another 15 days in view of the recent rise in coronavirus cases in four municipal corporations.

    This is the fifth extension of the night curfew, which first came into force in November last year after a spurt in COVID-19 cases in these cities post-Diwali.

    The ongoing night curfew starts at midnight and ends at 6 am.

    Although the statement about the extended night curfew does not mention the time, the existing schedule is likely to continue.

    In view of increasing COVID-19 cases, the government has decided to expedite the vaccination drive, the statement said.

    The statement was issued following a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Friday evening to review the coronavirus situation in Gujarat.

    In the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination, out of the total 4.82 lakh health care workers, more than 4.07 lakh (or 84 percent) have been administered the first dose of the vaccine, the statement said.

    Also, out of the total 5.41 lakh frontline workers, 4.14 lakh (or 77 percent) have been covered in the drive so far.

    The second dose of COVID-19 vaccine has been given to 1.23 lakh healthcare workers till now, it said.

    The health department claimed that Gujarat ranks first in the country in terms of vaccination per million population.

    The state has so far received 15.70 lakh doses of Covishield, and 4.83 lakh Covaxin.

    The vaccination drive for senior citizens and those with co-morbidities will begin from March 1 as per the Centre’s instructions, it said.

    Gujarat has so far reported 2,69,031 COVID-19 cases, out of which 2,62,487 patients have recovered.

    On Friday, it reported 460 new cases.

  • Gujarat civic polls: Kejriwal thanks people of state as party wins 27 seats; to hold roadshow in Surat

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday thanked the people of Gujarat after his party registered impressive gains in the civic body polls in the state and bagged 27 seats.

    He said that the people of Gujarat have “rejected the centuries-old politics of Congress and chosen the Aam Aadmi Party as the main opposition party, which proves that they want politics of development and work in the state”.

    ALSO READ | Congress’ fall in Gujarat civic polls detrimental to democracy: Sanjay Raut

    “The AAP has breached BJP’s citadel in Surat after it bagged 27 seats in the municipal corporation. I would like to thank the people of Gujarat from the bottom of my heart.

    The people of Surat have handed over the responsibility to the Aam Aadmi Party as the main opposition party and rejected the 125-year old Congress,” he said.

    “I want to assure you, that every volunteer of ours will fulfill each of his responsibility with full honesty and dedication.

    Gujarat has introduced a phase of new politics, which is politics of honesty, politics of work, politics of improved schools and hospitals, and politics of 24×7 free electricity,” he added.

    Kejriwal will hold a road show in Surat on February 26 to thank people for voting for the AAP.

    “We will change the face of Gujarat in coordination with the people of the state. I am coming to Surat on February 26, to personally meet and thank all of you,” the CM said.