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Divine intervention against global warming
Jhunjhunu, December 28, 2009 (ANI): A holy fire ritual was held here on Sunday in which 151
priests from all parts of the country chanted Vedic hymns to reduce the ill
effects of pollution on the environment. "Basically, this fire ritual is organized for development of human race and
mainly for curbing the increasing amount in pollution in the world as the
ingredients used in the holy performance will have a good effect on the
environment," said Raghuveer, one of the priest. Over 13,000 people made offerings for the holy cause.At least 4.5 tonnes of clarified butter, wood, oil and other things was used in
the nine day fire-ritual.
15 people still missing in Kota bridge collapse
Kota, December 28, 2009: Four days after an under-construction bridge collapsed in Kota, 15 people
are still missing. Rescue and relief workers have recovered 32 bodies so far.Rajasthan government has now sought the help of sea divers and a team of experts
from the Indian Institute of Oceanography is also scheduled to visit the
accident site to assist in underwater rescue and relief operations in
Chambal River. The bridge was being built over the Chambal River near Kota in Rajasthan jointly
by South Korea's Hyundai Engineering and Gammon India. A few officials of Gammon India and Hyundai have been arrested for causing death
due to criminal negligence. The 50-metre bridge collapsed on Thursday when about 50 labourers were at the
scene.
Four killed, six injured as bridge collapses in Rajasthan
Kota, December 25, 2009 (IANS): Four people were killed and six injured as an under construction bridge on
the Kota-Udaipur by-pass road on the Chambal River collapsed in Rajasthan, an
official said on Thursday. The district administration said that at least 50 others are feared trapped in
the debris. "We have till now been able to recover four bodies. Chances of more dead under
the debris are high," said a district administration official. "We have launched relief operations and have sought the army's help," the
official said. The reason behind the collapse of the 50-metre bridge is being
investigated, he said. According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened at around 1745 hrs
IST.The bridge collapsed suddenly leaving a number of construction workers, around
250 who were working at the site, trapped.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has announced a compensation of Rs 200,000 to the
next of kin of each of those killed, Rs 100,000 to each of the seriously injured
and Rs 50,000 to the other injured.
Single Window act soon in Rajasthan: Gehlot
Jaipur, December 18, 2009 (PTI): In an effort to woo investors, Rajasthan Chief Minister
Ashok Gehlot today said "Single Window Act" would soon be brought for
simplification of rules and regulations for private sector entrepreneurs to
ensure investment in the state.Industrialists should feel safe and confident, Gehlot said adding they would be
attracted by the single window system of dealing matters related to investment in their business.
Gehlot was speaking to participants at "Globe Stone Technology Forum" here.In the "New Single Window Act", there would be no difficulty, legal wrangling or
hidden restrictions for investors.The era of globalisation picked up in the UPA government during economic reforms
by Dr Manmohan Singh would take a speed in the state, Gehlot said adding the
state was ready with infrastructure facilities and incentives to new comers.
Focus on power, water, public distribution: Gehlot
Jaipur, December 12, 2009(PTI): Claiming to have achieve desired success in first year of
his rule, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today said power, water, public
distribution system and better law and order would be his government's top priorities in coming years.
"The state is heading for self-reliance in power generation, six more power
plants of 4,780 MW would be set up in the state by the beginning of 12th Five
Year Plan," Gehlot told a select group of print media persons here today.
Two power plants of 330 mw each would come up with Kaeshoraipatan gas project in
Bundi district and second phase of Dholpur gas project at Dholpur, he said.
Five missions christened as Rajiv Gandhi Mission on health and population,
social security, agriculture and animal husbandry, education and literacy, water
resources and conservation would be reconstituted and experts and advisors would
be invited to run them, Gehlot said.
Rajasthan governor S K Singh dead
NEW DELHI, December 2, 2009: Former foreign secretary and Rajasthan governor S K Singh (77) died in New Delhi on Tuesday after a short illness. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of Ganga Ram Hospital since November 5. He is survived by wife Manju and two sons, Shashank and Kanishka, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi.
Born on January 24, 1932, Singh became foreign secretary in February 1989 and was instrumental in the first India-Pakistan rapprochement during the Rajiv Gandhi-Benazir Bhutto period. He was also the official spokesman of the Indian government between 1969 and 1974. President Pratibha Patil described him as a "distinguished diplomat" while Vice-President Hamid Ansari said, "The country has lost an eminent diplomat, abble administrator and respected public figure." He became Rajasthan governor in September 2007 after his predecessor Pratibha
Patil.
The President has appointed Himachal Pradesh Governor Prabha Rau to discharge
the functions of the Governor of Rajasthan, in addition to her own duties.
Rajasthan may attract Rs 45k crore in solar power
JAIPUR, November 26, 2009 (ET) : If things move in right direction, Rajasthan is set to bask in the sunshine. The desert state is likely to attract an investment of Rs 45000 crore in the solar energy sector. Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation chairman and managing director Naresh Pal
Gangwar told ET that 72 power companies have registered with the corporation for the generation of 2500 MW in the solar energy sector.
“We have received proposals from companies like Reliance Industries Limited, Par Solar, Jindal Power, GVK Power and Infrastructure Limited, Moser Baer Photovoltaic Limited and Zoom Developers for setting up solar plants in the state.
Rajasthan's Alwar becomes India's first scavenging-free town
New Delhi, November 19, 2009 (PTI): Scores of former manual scavenger women from Alwar in
Rajasthan today adopted a declaration here, stating that the age-old scavenging
system for cleaning latrines has been ended there, making it the first town in
India to achieve this honour.
The declaration of Alwar as a manual scavenging-free town was made at a special
ceremony organised by NGO Sulabh International to mark the occasion of birth
anniversary of former prime minister Indira Gandhi and observe the 'World Toilet
Day'. Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reform Movement
introduced the 123 women, who led by their three representatives -- Usha
Chaumar, Sushila Chauhan and Dolly -- read out the declaration. "Now, neither any woman nor any man is engaged in cleaning toilets in
Alwar. Nobody is treating us an untouchables any more".
Flu spreading fast, 52 more positive
JAIPUR, November 9, 2009: Swine flu seems to be spreading too fast to count in the state. On Sunday, 52 more positive cases were reported, the highest number of patients being identified in a single day so far. While 49 were detected positive in Jaipur, the three others were identified in Jodhpur. Alarmingly, among the those tested positive, 44 are school going children.
In Jaipur, a 40-year-old man died of flu at SMS Hospital during the day even as officials confirmed two more deaths in the state which occurred on Saturday. This takes the total number of confirmed flu
deaths in the state to 17.
Altogether, over 190 positive cases have been confirmed in the state so far, of which 127 have been identified within the past six days. This sudden spurt occurred ever since a positive case was identified
in SMS School in the city on last Tuesday.
Fire at the Indian Oil depot in Jaipur
Jaipur, November 2, 2009: The fire at the Indian Oil depot in the Sitapur industrial area near Jaipur continued to rage
for the for 5th day, a day after it broke out. Cdasualty figures ranged
upto to 11, with another 150 persons injured.
According to media reports, intense heat caused the blast of two barrels of
lubricants on Sunday. Also the fire, on Sunday, had spread to the roof of the
building of a private electronic and instrument company Genus, 200 metres from
the IOC complex wall. However, firemen extinguished it within two hours.
Schools and colleges, which have been closed for the past few days, are likely
to reopen on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Rajasthan government directed state officials Sunday night to prepare
a survey report and adopt a follow up action plan with regard to the massive
fire which broke out at the IOC fuel depot near Jaipur.
Vasundhara Raje resigns as leader of opposition
NEW DELHI, October 23, 2009: Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje met senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani on Friday and submitted her resignation as leader of opposition in the state assembly. The issue has been a tricky one for the party with the leadership
asking Raje two months ago in August to accept moral responsibility for the BJP's defeat in the Lok Sabha and the assembly polls in the state and step down.
Rajasthan to observe Handwashing Day
JAIPUR, October 17, 2009: About 10 million children in one lakh schools of
Rajasthan, 40,000 aganwadi centres and primary health centres at 237 blocks will observe the second Global Handwashing Day campaign on October 27, 2009 and the target is to sustain this hygenic practice round the year. This was disclosed here on Thursday at the media sensitisation workshop on global handwashing day 2009, organized by Communication and capacity Building Development Unit (CCDU) , State Water and Sanitation Mission, Rajasthan and UNICEF-Rajasthan.
Rajasthan is preparing for Global Handwashing campaign-as the UN International Year of Sanitation is echoing and reinforcing its call for improved hygiene practices. As October 15 marks the second
annual Global Handwashing Day throughout the world, but due to
Diwali, the government decided to organize the state level function in rural school near Jaipur on 27 th October, 09.
Rajasthan to introduce new housing policy soon
Jaipur, October 12, 2009(PTI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehot today said that a new
housing policy will be introduced soon to provide better housing facilities to the citizens.
Laying foundation stones of two housing projects of Rajasthan Housing Board at
Jagatpura and Pratap Nagar here, Gehlot said that his government was committed
to fulfil basic needs of people, and has started works in this direction.
"We have started works aimed at constructing 10,000 houses every year, and 1.25
lakh houses in five years," Gehlot said in the function. "The government is working on a new master plan to develop Jaipur as a 'world
class city'. A new housing scheme will also be introduced soon focusing on needs
of people belonging to lower and medium income group," he said.
JSW Energy to invest Rs 54000 cr by 2015
JAIPUR, October 7, 2009: JSW Energy Limited, a part of Sajjan Jindal-led JSW group is planning to invest Rs 54126 crore in two stages to set up power plants of 11390. MWs capacity in various parts of the country. JSW Group Joint CFO Krishna Deshika said that the power plants would be located in
Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Chhatisgrah.
“In the first stage, we would be investing Rs 17000 crore to increase our capacity to 3140 MW by April 2011 and then further enhance it to 11390 by 2015 in the second stage. We would have 1350 MWs of power plant in Rajasthan, 1600 MW in West Bengal, 1320 MW in
Chhatisgrah, 1620 MW in Jharkhand and 1200 in Maharashtra. In West
The company would be funding its first stage expansion plans through debt and equity in 3:1 ratio. For this its is proposing to enter the capital market with an initial public offering of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 3000
crores.
Rajasthan International Folk Festival 2009 starts
Jodhpur, October 1, 2009 (PTI): The third edition of the five-day Rajasthan International
Folk Festival 2009 started here today at the Mehrangarh Fort. Featuring more than 150 local and international folk, classical and fusion
artistes, the festival is presented by two of the country?s leading heritage
trusts - Mehrangarh Museum Trust (MMT) of Jodhpur and Jaipur Virasat Foundation (JVF).
Festival director Divya Bhatia said, "We have aimed at creating a music festival
with a specific folk ethos, where various genres of music can celebrate their
essential vitality together." "One can catch a glimpse of renowned artists like Sivamani and Rekha Bhardwaj
sharing the stage with folk artistes at Jodhpur RIFF. The 2009 edition will also
see the launch of India?s first online database of Rajasthani folk musicians," adds Bhatia.
Nine killed, 28 injured in bus-truck collision
Jaipur, September 30, 2009 (PTI): Nine people, including a woman and a child, were today
killed and 28 others injured when a bus in which they were travelling collided
with a truck in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh district, police said here. The incident occurred in the wee hours when the private bus was on its way to
Ganganagar district collided with the truck near Dhannasar village, some 60 kms
from district headquarter, SHO Rawatsar Dinesh Rajoria said.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot meets Sonia Gandhi
New Delhi, September 19, 2009 (PTI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who had demanded
resignation of Union Minister Shashi Tharoor over his comments on economy class
travel, had a meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi today. Gehlot's meeting with Gandhi came a day after his demand was virtually approved
by the AICC which did not rule out action against the Minister following the
controversy surrounding the "cattle class" remarks.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has, however, described Tharoor's comments as a
"joke". Gehlot has been insisting that it was unfortunate and unbecoming on Tharoor's
part to make such "irresponsible" comments and that he should resign.
Rajasthan seeks coal mine from centre
JAIPUR. September 14, 2009 (ET): Rajasthan government has sought a coalmine from union coal
ministry to cater to the increasing fuel demand for its upcoming power plants. The coal from this mine would be used for the upcoming 4 critical units of 660 MW each at Suratgrh and Chhabra power plants. The state already owns a coalmine in a joint venture with Adani Power Limited in Chhatisgarh at Pasa Kante basin. The fuel from this mine would be used for two units each of Kalisindh and
Chhabra. “We have decided to apply for new mine due to the dilly-dallying treatment of Coal India
towards fulfilling our fuel needs of our existing power plants,” an energy department official said. The
state government is aiming to be self sufficient in power by 2013-14. “At present, we are generating around 7400 MW. We are planning to increase it to 15000-18000 MW in next 5 years.
For this the state government would be commissioning two power plants of 1320 MW each besides roping in a private player to start a super critical power plant at Banswara,” said
the power minister.
Rajasthan to roll out new agri policy
JAIPUR, September 8, 2009: Rajasthan government is planning to roll out new agri business and agro industries policy which aims at encourage public private strengthening the marketing
infrastructure through promoting public-private partnership. As per the draft policy, the state government will encourage the establishment of private
mandis. “Licensed private market would be allowed to retain 20% of the market fee collected by them for the purpose of developing and maintaining their activities of conducting and regulating trading in notified agricultural produce,” an official said.
The policy is also aimed at promoting e-markets in the state. With this policy in place, electronic spot exchanges like National Spot Exchange would be able to start its business in the state. National
Spot Exchange had signed up an MoU with Rajasthan government in 2007 to invest Rs 250 crore for setting up electronic spot markets in the state.
The state government has set aside a budget of Rs 711 crore for development of agriculture sector in the state, which is around 15% more than the last year’s budget of Rs 620 crore. “We are also planning to rope in private sector, apex co-operatives institutions, APMCs etc to set up center of excellences and crop development institutes.
Source: The Economic Times
Rajasthan refinery on ONGC agenda
Barmer (Rajasthan), August. 30, 2009: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd
(ONGC) is looking at the possibility of setting up a refinery in
Rajasthan.Ashok Gehlot, the chief minister of Rajasthan, also raised the demand for a refinery while speaking on the occasion of Cairn India’s debut production from the Mangala oilfield here today. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who flagged off the
production, said, “Cairn’s efforts show that the investment climate is very good in India.”
“I invite investors from all over the world. The investment climate is positive. We are committed to facilitating (such investment) and providing all assistance,” Singh said. Speaking to reporters later, ONGC chairman and managing director
R.S. Sharma said the company would set up a refinery either through a special purpose vehicle or a joint venture. Sharma, however, added that the refinery would be set up only if it was found viable. Though the company has held discussions with the state
government, it requires adequate fiscal incentives for the project, the ONGC chief said. Senior officials of Cairn India also indicated that the company would prefer to focus on its core activity of exploration and production. ONGC has a 30 per cent interest in
Mangala.
The Rajasthan block will initially produce 30,000 barrels per day (bpd). The production will be ramped up to 125,000 bpd in the first half of 2010. Along with the Bhagyam and Aishwarya oilfields, Cairn’s total output will be 175,000 bpd in 2011. At their peak production, the Rajasthan fields will account for more than 20 per cent of India’s crude output. Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd, Indian Oil Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd have been
nominated by the government to buy the initial output from Mangala in 2009-10 and 2010-11. Petroleum minister Murli Deora said production from Mangala would save around 7 per cent in the crude import bill. “Cairn
has invested about Rs 10,000 crore in the area. The total investment in the project will be more than Rs 20,000 crore,” Deora said.
A new era of development taking shape: PM
Barmer, August 29, 2009: The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Saturday dedicated the Mangla oil field of Barmer to the nation. The Prime Minister said that it is the beginning of a new era of development of the country. He said the success of discovery of oil by Cairn energy proved that there is conducive atmosphere for foreign investment in the country. The Prime Minister said that revenue generated by the oil exploration will help in increasing employment in the state. Dr. Singh
assured that Union government will make all efforts to help the people of Rajasthan who are facing serious drought situation. On the occasion, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said that government will consider about setting up of a refinery in Barmer. Earlier, the Prime Minister visited Ramsar near Barmer to take stock of the drought situation.
Rajasthan declares drought in 26 out of 33 districts
JAIPUR, August 26m 2009 (Reuters) - Rajasthan government has declared a drought in
26 out of 33 districts following over 50 percent damage to the crops due to poor
monsoon this year, a senior official said."Twenty-six districts of the state have been declared drought-hit following the
submission of special survey, due to insufficient rains this year," A. R.
Pathan, deputy director in the disaster management and relief department, told
Reuters on Tuesday.He said in all 32,833 villages spread over 26 districts have been affected. A
notification to this effect has been issued and would remain in force till July
15, 2010.
The affected districts are Ajmer, Alwar, Banswara, Barmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner,
Bundi, Chittuargarh, Churu, Dausa, Dungarpur, Ganganaagr, Hanumangarh, Jaipur,
Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur, Naggaur, Palim, Rajsamand, Sawai
Madhopur, Sikar, Sirohi, Tonk and Udaipur. Rajasthan is a major producer of guar, cotton, soybean.
Over 50 pct guar crop damaged in Rajasthan
JAIPUR, August 24, 2009 (Reuters) - Over 50 percent of the standing guar crop in
Rajasthan, accounting for four-fifth of the country's guar area, has been
damaged due to poor monsoon, a top official said on Monday."More than 50 percent of the standing crop in the state has been damaged till
date due to poor monsoon," Harbans Singh Yadav, additional director in the farm
department, told Reuters. "The state has so far received 34 percent deficit rains till date this year,
resulting in damage to all the crops," he added." He said almost 80 percent crop has been lost in the western part, while limited
crop has been damaged in Sirohi, Udaipur, Bhilwara, Chittaurgarh and a few
adjoining districts, which received isolated rains during the sowing period.
Rajasthan's 26 districts to face drought
Jaipur, Aug 21 (PTI) With 26 out of 33 districts in Rajasthan receiving deficit
rains, the state is likely to face a drought, official sources said today.Only seven districts of Barmer, Bharatpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Dungarpur,
Pratapgarh and Rajsamand have received normal rainfall up to 20 per cent from
June one to August 19, 2009, the sources said.
As against 446.76 mm rainfall in Rajasthan in 2008, this year the state received
only 267.43 mm of rains, which comes under deficit category of rainfall.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has already asked district collectors to get the
"girdwari" (crop assessment) report by end of this month and a
contingency plan be drawn to meet the exigency of drought, which includes availability of water,
fodder for cattle, and relief camps for labourers.
Include Rajasthan in A category: CM
JAIPUR, August 18, 2009: Chief minister Ashok Gehlot, while advocating extension of the Modernization of Police Forces Scheme for the next 10 years, demanded inclusion of the state into category "A" which entitles it for 100% Central assistance.
Gehlot was speaking at the "Conference of chief ministers" on internal security, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. He said besides sharing 1,040 km international border with Pakistan,
Rajasthan has peculiar geographical conditions like a drought-prone desert climate. Under these circumstances the inclusion of the state into category "A'' is urgently required so that it is entitled to
100% Central assistance under modernization of police forces. Currently, the state is in "B" category and is entitled to 75% of assistance only.
Gehlot requested setting up a National Security Guards (NSG) hub in Jodhpur and also a
counter-insurgency and anti-terrorist school in Rajasthan out of the 20 such schools proposed in the country. Gehlot also pressed for the demand that a group center of CRPF be established in the state.
State signs pact with Gail
JAIPUR, August 8, 2009: The state on Friday signed an agreement with Gail (India) Limited to procure gas for two of its new units at the gas thermal
power plant in Ramgarh. These units are expected to produce 160 MW of power. The present capacity of the Ramgarh thermal power plant is 110 MW. Of the two new proposed units one has a capacity of 110 MW, which would run on gas, while the other with a capacity of 50 MW would operate on steam. The installation cost of these two new units is estimated at Rs 640
crore, following which the state can daily acquire 65 lakh units of power from the plant.
Palace on Wheels will set off tomorrow
Jaipur, August. 4, 2009: Beating the recession, the Palace on Wheels
will set off tomorrow, almost a month before its first scheduled run of the tourist season.The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, which manages the super-luxury train as a joint venture with Indian Railways, said the idea behind starting the train earlier is to bridge the five-month gap between seasons (April to September) which seems too long.
Rajmata Gayatri Devi no more
Jaipur, July
29, 2009: Gaytri Devi, the princes who evoked memories of a charmed
era and whose beauty was celebrated accross the the world, died in Jaipur on Wednesday. She was 90.
Gayatri Devi was born in 1919 in London. Her father was
Maharaja Jitendra Narayan and mother Maharani Indirarani of Cooch
Bihar. Her first school was Glendower in London. she traveled
extensively with her mother and family and learnt to speak several
languages. In 1940 she married to Maharaja Swai Man singh II of
Jaipur In 1962 she entered in active politics on an anti
congress plank. In 1970 her husband Swai Man Singh II died. In 1971
she won the lok Sabha seat from Jaipur. In 1975 she served five
months in Tihar Jail during Emergency. In 1976 she retired from
politics.
No rule of law in Rajasthan: Supreme Court
New Delhi, July 20, 2009 (PTI) The Supreme Court today came down heavily on Rajasthan
government saying there is no rule of law in the state and it had no business to
be in office if it can't obey even an order passed for the arrest of an alleged
rapist of a British tourist."They (government) have no right to be in power if they can't obey our order.
The country is governed by the rule of law and all state governments must obey
order of the court.
"Article 144 says all state governments shall act in aid of the Supreme Court.
It seems Rajasthan police does not believe in the Constitution," a bench of
Justices Markandeya Katju and Asok Kumar Ganguly said
Rains continue to lash Rajasthan
Jaipur, July 15, 2009 (PTI): Rains continued to lash out at almost all the divisions of the desert state since last evening, MET department said here. Heavy rainfall of 14 cm was recorded at Sarwad while light to moderate rains was recorded at other places which included 6 cm at
Jawaja, Bhumda and Bagidora, 5 cm at Gangdhar, 4 cm at Mount Abu since last evening, officials said. The MET
department has also forecast that rainfall may occur at several places.
Rajasthan records 25 per cent below normal rainfall
Jaipur, July 13, 2009 (PTI): The desert state of Rajasthan has recorded 25 per cent less rainfall than normal this year so far, a MET official here said on Sunday. The state has recorded 71.2 mm rains this month till now as against last year's 95.2 mm in the same period, he said.
West Rajasthan, including Bikaner and Jodhpur, collectively recorded 51.7 mm rainfall, which is 18 per cent below normal. East
Rajasthan, covering Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota and Udaipur divisions, also recorded 29 per cent below normal rainfall with 93.9 mm rains, he said. Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall lashed Jaipur and isolated places in the state since yesterday, providing much-needed relief to
denizens reeling under intense heat.
Uproar in Rajasthan Assembly over drinking water issue
Jaipur, July 10, 2009 (PTI): Raising the issue of acute water shortage in
Kolayat, BJP MLA Devi Singh Bhati on Friday sat on dharna in the well of the
Rajasthan Assembly. Even as Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot demands
special status for the desert state because of its water needs, the
water crisis continues to grim. Budget session of the 13th Rajasthan Assembly commenced on Tuesday with obituary references.
CM Ashok Gehlot presents a surplus budget with sops to all sections
Jaipur, July 8, 2009 (PTI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday presented a
surplus budget of Rs 39.20 crores focusing on infrastructure development, particularly rural roads.
Mr. Gehlot announced several sops to farmers, women, youths, businessmen and traders. To provide relief to the middle class, he reduced the stamp duty from 8 to 5 per cent for people buying houses. For women, the rate will be 4 percent. Mr. Gehlot reduced the stamp duty by Rs.10 and 25 in
registration of EWS and LIG houses respectively.
He increased tax on tobacco from 12.5 to 20 per cent and removed luxury tax on hotel room tariff of Rs.3,000 per day.While exempting farmers and domestic consumers, Mr. Gehlot imposed a new water conservation levy at the rate of 10 paisa per unit of
electrity consumed. Extending relief to traders, he extended the date of filing of
declaration related to income tax assesment completed upto March 31,2009 to March 31,2010. He also made the use of digital signature in filing of
electronic returns optional. To give a boost to the airline service in the state, he reduced the tax rate on aviation turbine fuel from 28 to 4 per cent. He exempted the print media from paying tax on newsprint but proposed a surface rent on land leases to petroleum companies to tap more revenue.
Rajasthan gets 9 new trains, Jaipur world-class station
JAIPUR, July 04, 2009: Rajasthan got a fair deal in railway budget, getting nine new trains and the promise of converting Jaipur into a world-class station. The new trains will ensure better connectivity between Jaipur and Delhi, Mumbai and
Kolkata. The city will also benefit from the inter-city train connecting Ajmer and Agra. Ajmer,will also be converted into a world-class one. Besides, it will get
three of the nine new trains. Jodhpur, Bikaner and Udaipur railway stations which will now boast
multi-fuctional complexes (MFC) on the station premises. These MFCs will have shops, eating joints,
bookstores, phone booths, medicine counters, budget hotels and even underground parking.
For the first time in 52 years, Banswara in southern Rajasthan will get rail connectivity with the
laying of a new line connecting Ratlam-Banswara-Dungarpur. Some of the new trains introduced are a daily
Agra-Ajmer Intercity Superfast, a bi-weekly Mumbai-Jodhpur-Bikaner
Superfast, a weekly Mumbai-Jodhpur Express and a weekly Kolkata-Bikaner Express via
Nagaur.
Irrigation water supply to Rajasthan to be regular from July 4
Jaipur , July 2, 2009: Irrigation water supply to Indira Gandhi Canal Project
(IGNP) in Rajasthan from the Bhakhar Beas Management Board (BBMB) in Punjab would be regular from July 4, a top state official said today.The
IGNP, which was receiving up to 420 cusecs daily due to a delay in monsoon, would be getting the state&aposs share of 7,000 cusecs by Friday, Principal Secretary ( Irrigation and Water Resources) Ramlubhaya said. He said that in case of good rains, the water flow from BBMB would further increase.
Since June-end the IGNP was getting very less water and it was reduced to 420 cusecs daily, he
said.However, after the arrival of monsoon rains in Punjab, the BBMB raised the supply yesterday to 3,100 cusecs.
State welcomes pre-monsoon showers
JAIPUR, June 29, 2009 Pre-monsoon showers were reported in south Rajasthan for the
second consecutive day on Sunday. According to the Met office,
monsoon is expected to reach the state by June 30. While it rained in Chittorgarh for the second day on Sunday, Udaipur also recorded
moderate pre-monsoon showers in the afternoon.
According to the Met office, 7 mm of rain was reported in Chittorgarh on Sunday. Even as heat wave conditions abated due to scattered rainfall in the state on Saturday, the high humidity level also caused a lot of discomfort. According to regional Met office, Chittorgarh recorded a maximum rainfall of 22 mm followed by Sawai Madhopur (20) and Jaipur (13.1).
Bharatpur, Ajmer, and Jodhpur recorded 0.5 mm to 3 mm rainfall till 8.30 am on Sunday.
According to the weather office, in the next few days, the advance of the south-west monsoon is likely to spread to other states including
Rajasthan. Monsoon enters the state through southern part
of the state from Gujarat.
CM urged the people to ensure that plantation under Harit Rajasthan
JAIPUR, June 22, 2009: Chief minister, Ashok Gehlo was speaking at a meeting at Tal Chappar sanctuary on Sunday, exhorted people to adopt greening as a way of life following the good tradition of the Vishnois of western
Rajasthan. The future of a desert state like Rajasthan is dependent on tree plantation, said
Gehlot. He added that the government would provide all help to develop Tal Chappar as a major tourist destination.
The CM urged the people to ensure that plantation under Harit
Rajasthan' survives and asked the people to come forward in nurturing these plants as the future of the state depends on the scheme's success. He said, "Presently Rajasthan occupies the largest land mass area in the country but our water resources are hardly one percent. Erratic rain pattern and increasing demand for water puts
severe pressure on the ground water too. Under this condition large-scale tree plantation is the only way to recharge the groundwater and bring more rain in the state."
Gehlot launches 'Harit Rajasthan' scheme
Jaipur, June 18, 2009 (PTI) : Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday launched a plantation scheme
'Harit Rajasthan' by planting saplings at 'Shiksha Sankul' premises here. Mr. Gehlot said every citizen should do the same to give the state a prefect green cover. The scheme would help to increase ground water level in the state which is rapidly decreasing, he said. Cabinet ministers, principal secretaries, officials of forest and environment department and others also took part in the plantation
programme. Around 300 saplings were planted on the occasion, according to an official of the forest department. Over 30-lakh saplings would be planted in school, college, hospital premises, public parks, along roadsides and highways under the scheme, an official said.
Slight to heavy rain in some parts of
Rajasthan
JAIPUR June 15, 2009: A rain with snowballs were reported in many parts of the state on Sunday night has come as a relief for the people who were reeling under intense heat wave. The eastern parts of the state experienced heavy to light rain on Sunday night. Ajmer reported
4.9 mm, Pilani 2.0 mm, Sikar 14.0 mm, Bundi 4.0 mm. ganganagar 4.4 mm, Churu 1.5 mm and Kota 3.3 mm of
rain till Sunday evening. Bikaner and Bhilwara a heavy rain with snowballs were reported
As per the latest meteorological conditions and the forecast of
several Numerical Weather Predication Models, southwest monsoon activity is not likely to revive during the next one week.
Consequently, the advance of monsoon over east, north peninsular and
adjoining central India will be delayed. However, occasional thunderstorm activity will continue.
Rajasthan Govt plans agro-based industrial policy
Jaipur June 7, 2009 :The Rajasthan government is planning to implement an agro-based industrial policy to promote food processing industries and related sectors in the state. "The policy is aimed at generating employment in the rural sector. It will offer incentives to food processing industries
along with allied industries of marketing and packaging," an agriculture department official said.
The government is also promoting nurseries in the rural areas, the official said, adding Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has asked private players to set up nurseries and orchids in villages. "The state government would support such initiatives. We would
associate such ventures with the central- sponsored NREGA scheme, "he said. - PTI
Rajasthan govt to roll out 25,000 houses every year
Jaipur, June 5, 2009: Rajasthan government is planning to construct 25,000 low-cost houses every
year, priced up to Rs 8 lakh in its effort to provide shelter for all. The state UDH department is
preparing the blueprint of the scheme. Under this scheme, a person can get a 350 sq feet flat for less than Rs 4
lakh. Similarly, a two-bedroom flat of 800 sq feet would cost less than Rs 8 lakh.
"The idea is to provide shelter for each and every citizen of this state," says an UDH official.
Mukandara Hills in Rajasthan to be national park soon
Kota, June 3, 2009 (PTI): The Rajasthan Government has taken up "effective efforts" to convert Mukandara Hills in the Dara Sanctury into a national park soon, a state minister has said. "In a short time these (sanctuary) areas would be cleared of all encroachments and temporary slum houses after rehabilitating
residents elsewhere," Minister of State for Forest, Environment and Mining Ramlal Jat said on Monday. Taking a serious view of the shedding of Tendu leaves in sanctuary area and the mining activity
going on there, he said action would be taken against officials for failing to curb such activities. The sanctuary lies in the border areas of Kota and Jhalawar district, about 30 km from here. The minister said a survey was being carried out in the state to evolve a new mining policy.
Two units of Rajasthan nuke plant get financial sanction
Kota May 29, 2009: The Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) Regulatory Board has
given financial sanction for setting up of the 7th and 8th unit of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) at Rawatbhata, 30 km from here. The sanction was accorded recently and work would commence in the next two months, RAPS site Director C P Jhamb said here today.
-PTI
All four Ministers from Rajasthan
JAIPUR, May 28, 2009: The Congress high command’s decision to induct three more newly-elected Members of Parliament from Rajasthan into the Union Council of Ministers ensures reasonable representation to the State which elected 20 Congress MPs out of a total of 25.
C. P. Joshi, the lone Cabinet Minister from the State, was inducted in the first round of swearing-in this past week while all the three new Ministers named on Wednesday—Sachin Pilot, Namonarain Meena and Mahadeo Singh
Khandela—are to be Ministers of State.
The new Team Manmohan does not have two of the former Ministers—Sis Ram Ola and Santosh
Bagrodia—from Rajasthan. Among the serious aspirants who could not make it are Girija Vyas,
Chittorgarh MP and chairperson of the National Commission for Women, and Chandresh Kumari.
The choice of the Ministers has taken care of the caste aspects most by picking up one each from the warring
Gujjar, Sachin Pilot and Namonarain Meena who had won the Tonk-Sawai Madhopur seat against the Gujjar leader and BJP candidate Kirori Singh Bainsla by a small margin of 317votes.
Chief minister Ashok Gehlo seeks special status for Rajasthan
JAIPUR May 27, 2009 : Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, who hopes to pull out special state
status for the desert state this time. “The demand for a special status is a long-standing one. The state has a unique topography and is the largest in the country in size. With Congress ruling at both Centre and state, the chances have brightened,” Mr Gehlot said. He said that providing basic amenities like drinking water, roads, schools and medical facilities is an arduous task in this desert
state.
"It involves a lot of planning and investment above the normal expenditure incurred in other states on such facilities. Not only availability of drinking water is a problem, its distribution and transportation too put a lot of burden on state exchequer,” he said. Meanwhile, the chief minister has directed the public health and engineering department officials to prepare a proposal for acquiring special status from centre for water distribution. “Water is top priority. We are reviewing the situation of water in the state. The chief minister has asked us to prepare a proposal for getting additional budgetary support for water in the coming Union Budget,”
said a senior official. Source: The Economic Times
Rajasthan Ayurved University heads for zero session
JODHPUR, May 24, 2009: Blame it on the apathy of the state government towards the state of education in the state, the only Ayurved university of the state in Jodhpur, which is running courses in Ayurved, Homoeopathy and Unani medicines, is reeling under the threat of ‘zero session' this year
due to non-approval to the University Ordinance. According to the university's vice-chancellor, B L Gaur, the ordinance was drafted and sent to the government two years ago. A recent letter received
by the university from the Central Medical Council of India (CMCI) has clearly indicated that if the shortcomings like appointment of the teachers and fulfilment of infrastructure parameters of various
departments are not addressed, no admission will be allowed in the coming session, confirmed deputy registrar, Vijay Pareek.
Set up in 2003, the university has been doing away with the permanent staff, both administrative and academic. Gaur said that except him, the entire staff is on deputation, which includes both
registrar and deputy registrar, finance officer and two accountants and besides this all are on contract basis.
There are six private colleges affiliated to this university, of which two are running all the three courses, whereas four are running only Ayurved and Homeopathy courses.Source: The Times of India
17 first-time MPs from Rajasthan debut in Parliament
Jaipur May 19, 2009: Seventeen first-time MPs from Congress and BJP will represent Rajasthan in Parliament this time. The new faces in the House will have 14 MPs from Congress, two from BJP and one independent.
The Congress MPs who will make their debut in Parliament, include Jitendra Singh (Alwar), Harish Choudhary (Barmer), Ratan Singh (Bharatpur) and Bharat Ram Meghwal
(Ganganagar-SC). The two newcomers from the BJP are Arjun Ram Meghwal
(Bikaner) and Devji Patel (Jalore), and one independent Kirori Meena
(Dausa). Besides, three of the five women candidates fielded by the Congress also won at the
hustings. Girja Vyas won the Chittorgarh seat by defeating sitting BJP MP Srichand Kripalini. The other two are Chandresh Kumari from Jodhpur and Jyoti Mirdha from Nagaur seat who defeated Jaswant Singh Vishnoi and Bindu Choudhary of BJP respectively. Chandresh Kumari, who was a former Himachal Pradesh minister, is a member of the Jodhpur royal family.
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Congress sweeps Rajasthan, routs BJP
Jaipur, May 16, 2009 (IANS): The Congress swept Rajasthan Saturday, winning 19 of the
state’s 25 Lok Sabha seats and routing the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP). The BJP could manage only four seats in the state. In the 2004 elections, the Congress had won only four seats as the then ruling
BJP had won 21 seats. The Congress’ Sachin Pilot was elected from
Ajme and C.P. Joshi, the state Congress president was also
elected. The winning Congress candidates included Girija Vyas an Seesh Ram
Ola, from Jhunjhunu,
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, while thanking the voters, said: “They have voted
for policies of the Manmohan Singh government at the centre.”
Voting percentage in 25 Lok Sabha seats of Rajasthan was about 50
Jaipur, May 07, 2009: Voting began at 7 a.m. in 25 Lok Sabha seats of Rajasthan was about 50 percent. The polling in the state remain peaceful barring some incidents. One person was killed and another person seriously injured in Sawai
Madhopur. Over 86,000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure fair and peaceful elections.
In all, 36 million people, including 17.2 million women, were eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 346 candidates. The
BJP, under the leadership of Vasundhara Raje, is trying to hold on to the 21 seats it had won in the 2004 parliamentary elections. The Congress is trying to increase its tally from the four seats it won in the last Lok Sabha polls. It has always been a two party contest in the state. This time, however, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), rebels and independents are trying to make a dent in the vote bank of both the major parties. |
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