Ashok Gehlot questions ECs functioning amid SIR dissent row
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 23 (IANS) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has questioned the functioning of the Election Commission of India after a report revealed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections to several decisions taken within the poll panel. Gehlot quoted a recent report that the two Election Commissioners recorded objections at least 14 times over the past 10 months, including concerns over voter registration, deletion of names from electoral rolls and the centralisation of access to the voter database. Reacting to the development, Gehlot said the concerns raised by the two Election Commissioners vindicated the questions that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had been raising about the Election Commission. The entire country is aware of what is happening. There were concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission from the very beginning. Rahul Gandhi had repeatedly raised questions about the Election Commission, and now two of the Election Commissioners themselves have raised objections to decisions being taken within the Commission. Gehlot said the issue was not merely about an individual but about the credibility and independence of a constitutional institution. If two members of the Election Commission are putting their objections on record and saying that important decisions were taken without their knowledge or approval, then this is a matter of serious concern. The country deserves to know how such decisions are being taken. Gehlot also questioned the government's decision to change the law governing the appointment of Election Commissioners and exclude the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel. The independence of constitutional institutions is essential for democracy. When questions are being raised from within the Election Commission itself, these concerns cannot simply be ignored. There must be transparency and accountability. He further said that public confidence in the electoral process was at stake. People, especially the younger generation, need to understand what is happening. Elections are the foundation of democracy. If people's confidence in the electoral process is weakened, it affects the credibility of the entire democratic system. Gehlot maintained that the latest developments made it necessary for the functioning of the Election Commission to be examined transparently. This is a much larger question about democracy and the future of the country. The Election Commission must function independently, transparently and in accordance with the Constitution and the law. The Election Commission, however, has rejected the suggestion that its decisions were taken without the participation of the full Commission. In a response issued on Wednesday, the poll panel said differing views and observations were a normal part of institutional deliberations and asserted that decisions taken over the past year, including those relating to electoral-roll revision and SIR, were unanimous decisions of the full Commission.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 23 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday appointed Sanjay Bhatia as its new in-charge for Rajasthan, with Rajya Sabha MP Kavita Patidar and Delhi BJP leader Kuljeet Singh Chahal named as Co-in-charges. The appointments are part of a wider organisational reshuffle covering 28 states and eight Union Territories. The new assignments were announced by BJP President Nitin Nabin and take effect immediately. Bhatia will now oversee the party's organisational affairs in Rajasthan, while Patidar and Chahal will assist him as Co-in-charges. The appointments come as the BJP prepares for the next phase of political activity in Rajasthan, including the state's Panchayati Raj elections. The BJP has also been undertaking organisational preparations at the grassroots level ahead of the upcoming polls. Bhatia, a senior BJP leader, has been given responsibility for Rajasthan as part of the latest national organisational reshuffle. His appointment places him at the centre of the BJP's organisational coordination in the state, where the party is currently in government under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. Bhatia will be responsible for coordinating with the State BJP leadership and monitoring organisational activities across Rajasthan. The BJP has appointed two Co-in-charges to assist Bhatia in managing the party's organisational affairs in Rajasthan. Rajya Sabha MP Kavita Patidar has been appointed one of the two Co-in-charges. She hails from Madhya Pradesh and is a member of the BJP's national-level political organisation. Patidar will work alongside Bhatia as part of the new Rajasthan organisational team. Kuljeet Chahal, a Delhi BJP leader and member of the New Delhi Municipal Council, has been appointed the second Co-in-charge for Rajasthan. Chahal has been associated with the BJP's youth organisation and has held organisational responsibilities in Delhi. The Rajasthan appointments are part of a larger BJP organisational exercise covering 36 states and Union Territories. The BJP has appointed new in-charges and Co-in-charges in several states. Among the other major changes, Baijayant Jay Panda has been appointed Maharashtra In-charge, Vinod Tawde has been given charge of Uttar Pradesh, Smriti Irani has been assigned Chhattisgarh and Haryana, and Ram Madhav has been given responsibility for Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. For Rajasthan, the new organisational team is In-charge: Sanjay Bhatia, co-in-charge: Kavita Patidar and co-in-charge: Kuljeet Chahal. The new appointments assume significance as the BJP continues to strengthen its organisational machinery in Rajasthan ahead of the next round of elections and grassroots-level political activity.
Sawai Madhopur Police Launches Two Initiatives to Help Residents and Tourists
Jaipur, September 23: The Sawai Madhopur Police are launching two initiatives to make it easier for residents to contact police stations and to provide better assistance and security to tourists visiting the district, including Ranthambore. Superintendent of Police Jyestha Maitreyi said one initiative will make direct contact with all police stations in the district easier ... Read more Sawai Madhopur Police Launches Two Initiatives to Help Residents and Tourists
Calls grow for martyr status to ranger killed during anti-mining operation in Rajasthan
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 23 (IANS) Forest Department Ranger Pratap Singh Chundawat, who was killed while leading an operation against illegal mining in Rajasthan's Pratapgarh district, is being widely hailed for his service, with public representatives, forest officials and social organisations demanding that he be accorded martyr status. The demand has gathered momentum in the wake of the ranger's death during a late-night enforcement operation in Chhoti Sadri, where he and his team had acted on information regarding illegal mining and unauthorised transportation of soil in a forest area. ADM Vijayesh Pandya said the request for martyr status was being forwarded to the government, while DFO Suresh Agarwal said the Forest Department would also submit a formal proposal. For Pratap Singh's family, however, the loss is far more personal. The 40-year-old ranger was the sole breadwinner of his household. His death has left his wife, Asha Kunwar, 13-year-old daughter Gunjan, and 8-year-old son Aniruddh without their primary support. The family had already suffered the recent death of Pratap Singh's father. His own death has now deepened the family's grief and uncertainty. Pratap Singh had been posted in Chhoti Sadri around two years ago. During this period, he became actively involved in forest protection, wildlife monitoring, and rescue operations. He participated in rescue efforts involving tigers, leopards, pythons and crocodiles. Colleagues and people familiar with his work also knew him as a skilled marksman and an accomplished swimmer. His work had reportedly earned wider recognition, with his name proposed for a state-level award in recognition of his service. His death came while he was performing one of the most challenging aspects of his official duty, acting against illegal mining and unauthorised transportation of soil in a forest area. Around 11.30 p.m. on Monday, Pratap Singh and his team reached the forest area of Chak Sukhad, near Ghati-wale Balaji in Chhoti Sadri, after receiving information about illegal mining and soil transportation. The team found a JCB, a tractor, and a soil-loaded dumper at the site. During the operation, the dumper was seized. Forest staff member Suresh Meghwal was inside the dumper, while Pratap Singh began returning towards the range office on his Bullet motorcycle. According to the police account, the dumper driver suddenly accelerated the vehicle. The ranger and his motorcycle were allegedly dragged for around 50 metres. Pratap Singh sustained critical injuries and was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. What began as a routine enforcement operation against illegal mining had turned into a fatal incident, cutting short the life of a forest official who had spent years working in the field. Following the incident, police intensified the investigation and launched a search for the dumper driver. Pratapgarh SP Vishal Jangid said several people had been detained for questioning and that all aspects of the case were being investigated. Three police teams have been deployed to locate the accused driver, and raids are being conducted at different locations, he said. Police have also seized the JCB and tractor found at the site. Investigators are examining the role of the dumper and people allegedly associated with the illegal soil transportation. According to reports, the dumper driver took the vehicle towards the vicinity of his village, unloaded the soil, and then fled. Three people, including JCB owner Harish Thakur, have reportedly been detained for questioning. The person who allegedly commissioned the soil removal is also being questioned. A forensic team has collected evidence from the scene, while the ranger's body was handed over to his family following the post-mortem examination. Pratap Singh hailed from Amrana village in the Medi area of Chittorgarh district. For his wife and two young children, his death means losing not only a husband and father but also the family's principal financial support. His 13-year-old daughter Gunjan and 8-year-old son Aniruddh are now facing a future without the person who was supporting the household. The circumstances are particularly painful for the family as Pratap Singh had himself recently lost his father. His last rites were performed with state honours, amid grief among family members, villagers and colleagues. The demand to accord Pratap Singh martyr status has emerged as one of the central responses to his death. Supporters of the demand point to the circumstances in which he died -- while carrying out an official operation against illegal mining -- and his record of service in forest and wildlife protection. MP CP Joshi has demanded martyr status along with strict action against those responsible. ADM Vijayesh Pandya said the request would be forwarded to the government. DFO Suresh Agarwal has also said the Forest Department will formally submit a proposal to the government. The final decision on the demand rests with the government. The incident has put a focus on forest protection challenges. Pratapgarh has a forest area of approximately 1,319 square km, making enforcement and protection a significant responsibility for the Forest Department. The incident has also brought renewed attention to vacancies, manpower and resource constraints faced by forest officials working across large and difficult terrain. For forest personnel, operations against illegal mining and other unauthorised activities can involve working at night and in remote areas, often in challenging conditions. Pratap Singh's death has therefore become more than a case being investigated by police. It has also prompted questions about the risks faced by field-level forest officials and the support available to them while carrying out enforcement duties. As the police continue searching for the accused dumper driver and the government considers the demand for martyr status, Pratap Singh's family is left to cope with an irreversible loss. For his wife and two children, the ranger who spent his career protecting forests and rescuing wildlife was, above all, the person holding their family together.
Todays Gold Rate: Latest gold prices in Coimbatore, Nagpur, Jaipur & other cities
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Meghalaya Showcases Community-Based And Organic Farming At National Spice Conference 2026
Meghalaya showcased its community-based agriculture and certified organic production initiatives at the Fifth National Spice Conference 2026 held in Jaipur. The conference, organised by the World Spice Organisation under the theme Empowering Farmers, Protecting Consumers, brought together stakeholders to discuss sustainable agriculture, food safety, certification, value addition, technology and market linkages. Representing Meghalaya, Augustus Suting,... The post Meghalaya Showcases Community-Based And Organic Farming At National Spice Conference 2026 first appeared on Northeast Today .
8 cars gutted as fire breaks out at Mercedes workshop in Jaipur
Eight luxury cars burnt as fire breaks out at Mercedes workshop in Jaipur
Jaipur A massive fire broke out at a Mercedes workshop in Balaji Market in Rajasthans Jaipur, destroying around eight cars The post Eight luxury cars burnt as fire breaks out at Mercedes workshop in Jaipur appeared first on Bilkul Online .
Video: 8 Luxury Cars Burnt As Fire Breaks Out At Mercedes Workshop In Jaipur
More than 50 cars, including both new and old vehicles, were parked at the workshop when the fire broke out.
Jammu to be developed as year-round tourist destination: CM
Srinagar, Sep 22: The Tourism Department has drawn up a comprehensive plan to develop and promote tourism in Jammu Division, targeting its positioning as a year-round destination nationally and internationally through diversification across pilgrimage, heritage, adventure, eco, nature, rural, cultural, wellness and leisure tourism, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday. Replying to a starred question by BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi of Jammu East, the Chief Minister, who holds the tourism portfolio, said the department is pursuing developmental interventions and sustained promotion to diversify Jammu's tourism product. Major destinations taken up for development include Suchetgarh, Shiv Khori, Sudhmahadev, Patnitop, Basholi, Bhaderwah/Gatha, Mansar, Baradari, Kesari Hills and Behra/Qasab, with a separate list of new and emerging destinations enclosed as Annexure-A to decongest existing tourist centres. On promotion, CM Omar said 110 events and festivals were facilitated or attended between April 2025 and March 2026, and 43 more between April and August 2026153 in all over 17 monthsbacked by district-wise publicity material and digital campaigns on Facebook, Instagram and X. He said the department represented Jammu's tourism at national platforms including GITB Jaipur, TTF Ahmedabad, IATO Convention Puri, ITM Jaipur, IITE Madurai, SATTE-2026 New Delhi and ITM Dehradun, and internationally at IFTM Top Resa Paris, World Travel Market London and ITB Singapore. On the tourism circuit connecting religious, heritage and natural sites, the Chief Minister said five pilgrimage circuits were sanctioned under the Capex Plan 2020-21: Mansar (Phase-1) at Rs 981.48 lakh, Shiv Khori at Rs 313.91 lakh, Uttervehni at Rs 850.33 lakh, Purmandal at Rs 981.57 lakh, and Sukrala at Rs 391.65 lakh, together about Rs 35.19 crore. Omar said 29 works are currently ongoing under these circuits at an approved cost of Rs 514.38 lakh, and that their completion is expected to generate local employment through homestays, tourist guides and related services. On funding, CM Omar said Jammu Division's tourism allocation rose from Rs 5,649.80 lakh in 2023-24 to Rs 6,115.08 lakh in 2024-25 and Rs 6,285.43 lakh in 2025-26, with project-wise details enclosed as Annexure-B. For Jammu East constituency specifically, allocation was Rs 212 lakh in 2023-24, rose to Rs 227.67 lakh in 2024-25, then fell to Rs 141.27 lakh in 2025-26.
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CBI Court Sentences Three Bank Officials to Seven Years for Fraud in Jaipur
A CBI court in Jaipur has sentenced three bank officials to seven years in prison for their involvement in a bank fraud case. CBI Court Sentences Three Bank Officials to Seven Years for Fraud in Jaipur
Odrr Launches Mobile App for Business Buyers, Replacing Singhal B2B App
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Jaipur Weather Today: Rain or Strong Sunshine? Check Rajasthan Forecast for September 22
The monsoon's influence is gradually weakening across Rajasthan, and the weather on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 is expected to remain relatively calm across much of the state. Residents of Jaipur hoping for another spell of heavy rain are unlikely to see widespread rainfall today, while warmer dayti...
Spice sector needs stronger collaboration to tackle climate, food safety challenges
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Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 22 (IANS) After the completion of elections for Mayors, Chairpersons and Municipal Presidents, attention has now shifted to the second-tier leadership posts in Rajasthan's Urban Local Bodies. Elections for Deputy Mayors, Deputy Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons are being held on Tuesday across 309 urban bodies, including 10 Municipal Corporations. Of the state's 309 urban bodies, 10 are Municipal Corporations, 51 are Municipal Councils and 248 are Municipalities. Deputy Mayors will be elected in the Municipal Corporations, Deputy Chairpersons in the Municipal Councils, and Vice-Chairpersons in the Municipalities. Elected councilors of the respective urban bodies will participate in the elections. Where necessary, voting will be followed by counting and declaration of results. Elections for the post of Deputy Mayor are being held today in Rajasthan's 10 Municipal Corporations. At the same time, elections are taking place for Deputy Chairpersons in 51 Municipal Councils and Vice-Chairpersons in 248 Municipalities. The local councilor arithmetic is expected to play an important role, particularly in bodies where no party has a clear majority. Independent councilors could also be significant in closely contested elections. Following the completion of polling, votes will be counted and the results declared according to the election schedule. With the results for Mayors, Chairpersons and Municipal Presidents already being declared, political activity has now shifted toward the elections for the corresponding deputy posts. The elections will complete the leadership structure of the state's Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Municipalities. In bodies where the councilor numbers are closely divided, parties and local leaders have been focussing on securing the required support. The election for Deputy Mayor of the Alwar Municipal Corporation is scheduled for today. The BJP and Congress finalised their respective strategies late on Monday night. Following the mayoral election, councilors from both parties had stayed at their respective camps. They are expected to arrive at the Municipal Corporation today to participate in the Deputy Mayor election. The BJP won the Mayor's post but is also working to secure the Deputy Mayor position. Political activity has increased at the Municipal Corporation ahead of the election. The Deputy Mayor election process in the Udaipur Municipal Corporation begins on Tuesday. BJP leaders continued discussions over the party's candidate late on Monday night. Dinesh Bhatt's name has reportedly been under consideration, although an official announcement had not been made as of the latest update. The nomination process is scheduled to begin at 10 AM, followed by the remaining stages of the election process. Political activity has intensified at the Municipal Corporation ahead of the vote. Elections for Deputy Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson posts are being held today in five Urban Local Bodies in Karauli district. The Deputy Chairperson election will be held in the Karauli Municipal Council, while Vice-Chairperson elections are scheduled in the municipalities of Todabhim, Sapotra, Mandrayal and Suroth. The nomination process will be completed first, with voting taking place if required. Elected councilors will cast their votes to choose the Deputy Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson. After the completion of the Chairperson and Municipal President elections, political activity has now shifted to the elections for these deputy posts.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 22 (IANS) The election for the posts of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Khatushyamji Municipality in Sikar district was postponed amid a late-night dispute over the absence of Congress councillor Lakshmi Devi from the voting process. The controversy began after Lakshmi Devi, the Congress councillor from Ward 10, failed to appear for voting. The voting deadline was extended several times to allow her to cast her vote. According to local reports, the process continued late into Monday night, with the voting records eventually sealed after midnight. The Returning Officer subsequently announced that the election had been postponed until further orders following directions from the State Election Commission. The dispute is significant because the 20-member Khatushyamji Municipality has an equal number of BJP and Congress councillorseight eachalong with three Independents and one RLP councillor. Eleven votes are required for a majority. The political drama continued throughout Monday after Lakshmi Devi did not reach the polling venue. The Returning Officer extended the voting time repeatedly, with reports putting the final extension at around 11:30 p.m.. BJP leaders and supporters staged a sit-in outside the municipality, demanding that Lakshmi Devi be allowed to vote. A complaint was also lodged with the police over allegations concerning her disappearance. These allegations have been made by her family and BJP supporters; they have not been established as fact. Congress leaders, meanwhile, objected to the repeated extensions. Congress MLA Virendra Singh, district president Sunita Githala and former Pradhan Bhanwarlal Verma reportedly approached the District Collector, questioning the extension of the polling deadline. The sit-ins by supporters of both parties continued amid the uncertainty. BJP leaders alleged that Congress had deliberately kept its councillor away from the voting process, while the councillor's family levelled allegations against the Congress. Lakshmi Devi is the councillor from Ward 10 and was elected on a Congress ticket. Election records show that she won the ward with 172 votes, defeating BJP's Mamta Devi by 37 votes. BJP candidate Prem Devi and Congress candidate Vinita Poonia are contesting for the Chairman's post. Reports have described Lakshmi Devi as a relative of Prem Devi, adding another dimension to the dispute. After the protests ended, supporters of both parties left the municipality premises. Memorandums containing their respective demands were submitted to the election authorities. The voting records were secured and sealed in the presence of representatives of both parties. BJP leaders also contacted senior state-level officials to apprise them of the developments. Late on Monday night, Returning Officer Kapil Upadhyay told the media that, following instructions from the State Election Commission, the elections for Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Khatushyamji Municipality had been postponed until further orders. The final outcome of the Chairman's election will, therefore, be known only after the election authorities issue further directions.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 22 (IANS) The political tussle over the Tijara Municipal Council Chairperson election, which began on Monday morning, continued late into the night. Following intervention by the Rajasthan High Court, the voting deadline was extended, first to 8 p.m. and later to 10 p.m., amid delays in councilors reaching the polling station. The election result was declared after 10 p.m. with Congress candidate Ramavatar Saini winning the Chairperson's post with 18 votes. Returning Officer and SDM Divya handed him the certificate of election. The Tijara Municipal Council has 35 councilors, and 18 votes were required to secure the Chairperson's post. The dispute reached the Rajasthan High Court following allegations that Congress-backed councilors were stopped in Haryana while returning from a camp in Himachal Pradesh. Congress leaders alleged that the councilors were intercepted near Panchkula while entering Haryana and were unable to reach Tijara in time for the scheduled voting. The matter was heard by a single Bench of the Rajasthan High Court presided over by Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand. The court directed the ADM of Bhiwadi to submit a report on the incident to the State Election Commission. Following the developments, the voting deadline was extended to allow the election process to continue. Voting, initially scheduled until 8 p.m., was subsequently extended until 10 p.m. because of delays in the arrival of the councilors. The State Election Commission's instructions stated that if all councilors completed voting before 10 p.m., counting would begin immediately after polling concluded. Earlier, at around 3:30 a.m. on Monday, former MLA Sandeep Yadav, District Congress President Balram Yadav, and Congress candidate Ramavatar Saini, accompanied by party workers, reached the Returning Officer's residence. They demanded that the election be postponed until the detained councilors were brought safely to Tijara. A complaint was subsequently lodged with Tijara police station SHO Jaiprakash. Congress leaders claimed that some councilors had expressed concerns through video messages, saying they had been taken to an undisclosed location and feared for their safety. Congress workers later staged a protest near the police station. Congress leaders also alleged that former MLA Sandeep Yadav was detained for several hours at Farrukhnagar near Gurugram. The police version of events regarding the allegation had not been released at the time of the filing of the report. The Congress questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged detention of the councilors, while the developments surrounding the election were taken up before the Rajasthan High Court and the State Election Commission. On Monday morning, former MLA Sandeep Yadav, District Congress President Balram Yadav, Congress candidate Ramavatar Saini, Block President Dharmpal Gurjar, and Deputy Pradhan Dayaram Chavda, along with women and other party workers, gathered near the police station. The protesters raised slogans demanding that the councilors be brought safely to Tijara and allowed to participate in the election. By 2 p.m., reports indicated that 16 of the 35 councilors had cast their votes. Meanwhile, the matter was taken up by the Rajasthan High Court. In compliance with the State Election Commission's order, voting for the Tijara Municipal Council Chairperson election was allowed to continue until 10 p.m.. The order stated that if all councilors completed voting before the deadline, counting would begin immediately after polling ended. The election result was subsequently declared after 10 p.m., with Ramavatar Saini securing the Chairperson post with 18 votes.
Juhi Chawlas Ghoonghat Ki Aad Se look was created overnight with vintage mirror work
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 22 (IANS) National Award-winning designer Neeta Lulla shared that Bollywood star Juhi Chawlas glamorous look in the song Ghoonghat Ki Aad Se from the 1993 film Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke became a major fashion trend of its time, but the outfit was actually put together overnight ahead of the Jaipur shoot. Lulla took to Instagram, where she shared a video of herself talking about the look she created. She wrote: Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke , the song Gungad Ki Aar Se Dil Barka one of my most glamorous songs; clothes created overnight. I got a call around six o'clock in the evening about a shoot that was to take place in Jaipur and the team was traveling the next day, and they wanted three outfits Lulla recalled rushing to pick up fabrics; whatever she could lay her hands on. She shared that she created the look and visualized it in her head. I got all these fabrics from a store that was selling kachhi embroidery, kachhi fabrics and created the looks overnight. I used a lot of vintage mirror work. I used a lot of torans, cut them up and put them together, hand-stitched them and created blouses out of it. Lulla recalled using a lot of ganti fabrics, which were converted to skirts and tissue was used to create dupattas as well. The clothes, however, were ready to be delivered in the morning for the team and the crew to go to Jaipur, and they shot and sent me pictures. I was amazed at how beautiful it looked against the backdrop. When the movie was released, that particular song became a trendsetter. The designer shared: College-going students would dress in that same format and wear the same look to college for their special days, special events, or India Day, or whatever they wanted to wear it for, but I remember it was a huge trend at that time for almost a couple of years. Mahesh Bhatt directed Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke. Based on the 1958 Hollywood movie Houseboat, it also stars Aamir Khan, Sharokh Bharucha and Kunal Kemmu. The film follows Rahul, who looks after his spoilt nephews, Sunny and Vicky, and niece, Munni. At a funfair, they meet Vyjayanti, who has run away from home, and decide to shelter her without Rahul's consent.
Jaipur's Albert Hall Museum to shut for 21 months period, undergo major revamp
CS reviews functioning of Rehabilitation Council in its executive council meeting
Srinagar, Sep 21: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired the 12th Executive Council Meeting of the J&K Rehabilitation Council for Orphans, Women and Disabled Persons to review its functioning, achievements and action plan for 2026-27. The Meeting besides the Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department was attended by Secretary in Social Welfare Department; DG, Budget; and Executive Director, Rehabilitation Council here. The meeting reviewed major welfare interventions undertaken during the previous financial year and approved an expanded roadmap focused on improving mobility and self-reliance among specially-abled persons besides providing greater national exposure and opportunities to children from vulnerable and economically weaker sections. A major focus of the meeting was the free distribution of retrofitted motorized tricycles to eligible orthopedically disabled persons of J&K. The initiative prioritizes students, girl students, artisans and small vendors who possess a Priority Household (PHH) ration card and have at least 40 per cent locomotor disability. It was given out by the Commissioner Secretary, SWD, SarmadHafeez that during 2025-26, against an approved proposal of Rs 13 crore, the Social Welfare Department released Rs 11.05 crore under the CAPEX Budget to the State Motor Garages Department for procurement of around 1,284 motorized tricycles at an approximate cost of Rs 86,000 per unit through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). Similarly for 2026-27, the Council has proposed Rs 12.95 crore for procurement of around 1,500 units, with an initial Rs 4 crore already released after completion of mandatory codal formalities by the Department. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the implementation of the WatanKoJano Youth Exchange Programme, being fully funded and supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, since 2012. The programme provides children and youth from vulnerable sections, including children of militancy-hit victims, specially-abled children and those belonging to economically weaker sections, an opportunity to experience the cultural diversity and developmental progress of different parts of the country. Under the programme, the Executive Director of the Council divulged that around 250 children from EWS families, studying in government schools and residing in Palash and Parisha Homes managed by the Social Welfare Department, undertook a visit to Lucknow and New Delhi in April 2026, accompanied by 23 coordinators. During the visit, the children also had the opportunity to meet and interact with the President of India and Vice President of India. Moreover, building on the initiative, the Council is going to take more 400 children on national exposure visits in two phases during 2026-27, covering the MumbaiNew Delhi and JaipurNew Delhi circuits, with funding already secured from the MHA. The Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments to fast-track procurement and implementation processes while maintaining complete transparency and adherence to prescribed procedures. He also stressed maximizing outreach and ensuring that welfare schemes translate into tangible benefits for eligible beneficiaries at the grassroots level, with particular attention to empowerment and social inclusion of vulnerable sections across the cross section of the society here.
16-hr jungle chase through Hry ends in Congress victory in Tijara
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Gehlot, Dotasra allege BJP used police, money power to steal ULB mandate in Rajasthan
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SET re-exam for two Jaipur centres on Sept 27
Rajasthan civic polls: BJP converts narrow vote edge into board control
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) The Rajasthan urban local body elections have produced a political paradox: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress remained separated by less than one percentage point in overall vote share, yet the BJP emerged with a substantially larger number of elected councillors and subsequently converted that advantage into control of several urban bodies. The numbers raise a bigger question: was the difference created at the ballot box or after? The answer appears to lie in a mix of electoral arithmetic, organisational mobilisation, the fragmented independent vote, and parties' ability to negotiate support during the crucial process of forming municipal boards. The Congress, meanwhile, faces questions over internal coordination and its ability to retain the support of its own councillors. The BJP and Congress were separated by only around 0.94 percentage points in vote share. The BJP polled about 35.18 per cent of the vote, compared with 34.24 per cent for the Congress. Yet the BJP won 4,179 wards, compared with 3,613 for the Congress, while independents won 2,273 wards. That gap shows how vote distribution across individual wards can produce a very different result from the statewide vote-share comparison. Ward delimitation in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota showed that Congress received a slightly higher combined vote count than the BJP in those three corporations but won fewer wards. Analysts attributed this partly to the concentration of Congress votes in fewer wards, while BJP votes were more evenly distributed. Congress leaders, however, alleged that the delimitation process disadvantaged the party. The real political battle began after the ward results. The BJPs advantage became more significant in municipal board formation. In several urban bodies, neither major party secured an outright majority, leaving independent councillors in a pivotal position. The BJP was the largest party in several such bodies, while Congress led in places including Ajmer and Pali but remained short of a majority. This is where post-election political management became central. The contest was no longer simply about how many councillors each party had won. Parties had to secure the support of independents and maintain cohesion among their own councillors before the mayoral and chairperson elections. The outcome in Pali provides perhaps the clearest illustration. In Pali, Congress had 29 councillors, but BJP got the mayor. Pali Municipal Corporation has 65 councillors. Congress emerged as the largest group with 29 seats, followed by the BJP with 21 and independents with 15. The majority mark was 33. Yet in Monday's mayoral election, BJPs Namita Bubakia won with 33 votes. Congresss official candidate Sumitra Jain received only three votes, while Congress rebel Rajbala Hingad, contesting as an independent, received 29 votes. All 65 councillors voted. The result dramatically changed the political picture created by the ward election. The BJP entered the mayoral contest with 21 councillors and needed 12 additional votes to reach a majority. The final tally indicates that the party succeeded in attracting sufficient support from outside its elected bloc. Because the mayoral ballot was secret, however, the result alone cannot establish the individual identity of every councillor who supported each candidate. The Pali result therefore raises a pointed political question for Congress: how did a party with 29 elected councillors end up with its official mayoral candidate receiving just three votes? Across the 309 urban local bodies, independents won 2,273 wards, making them a significant force in board formation. In Bharatpur, independents won 36 of 65 wards and crossed the majority mark on their own. In cities such as Pali, Ajmer, Alwar and Jodhpur, their numbers were crucial to determining who would control the civic administration. This changed the traditional BJP-versus-Congress equation. Where neither party had the numbers, the ability to communicate with, negotiate with and retain the support of independent councillors became decisive. Congress raised allegations that the BJP used government power and resources to influence board formation in some places. Those allegations are political claims and should be distinguished from the confirmed election results. At the same time, Congress leaders pointed to other explanations, including delimitation. Rajasthan PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra argued that the delimitation process contributed to the partys losses, despite the narrow vote-share difference. The available numbers also support another explanation: the BJP was more successful in converting its councillor strength and outside support into control of municipal leadership posts in several closely contested bodies. The sequence of events shows that the political environment surrounding board formation mattered greatly, particularly where independents held the balance. The civic election results expose a distinction between electoral support and organisational conversion. Congress secured 34.24 per cent of the overall vote, almost matching the BJPs 35.18 per cent. Yet the BJP won substantially more wards and subsequently secured key mayoral and chairperson posts in several places. For Congress, therefore, the issue is not simply whether it retains its voter base. It is also whether it can maintain unity among elected councillors, manage competing local factions, prevent internal rebellions, build relationships with independents, and convert ward-level victories into control of municipal boards. Pali demonstrates the scale of that challenge in particularly stark terms. The BJPs success in securing municipal leadership positions gives the party an organisational advantage at the local-government level. But winning the mayoral post is only the beginning of the political test. BJP leader Madan Rathore said, Regarding organisational strength, consider that Dotasras candidate received zero votes in Sadri (Pali), while the official Congress candidate in Pali secured only three votes; how, then, can I possibly match him? We believe in the organisation. The new municipal boards will now be judged on issues that directly affect everyday life: roads, drainage, sanitation, street lighting, water supply, waste management and other civic services. The political story of Rajasthans 2026 urban elections, therefore, is not simply BJP versus Congress. It is a story of three layers of electoral politics, moving from vote share to ward strength to board formation. The first two stages produced a closely contested picture. The third stage demonstrated the importance of alliances, independent councillors, internal cohesion and post-election political management. And that is perhaps the most important lesson from Pali: winning the most wards and controlling the board are not necessarily the same thing.
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], September 21: Lehar Footwears Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of renowned Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao as the Brand Ambassador for its in-house athleisure brand Rannr,
BJP wins 197 Rajasthan civic body posts, Congress bags 94; AAP springs surprise
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) Results for 301 civic bodies in Rajasthan have been declared so far, with the BJP emerging as the dominant force in the mayoral and chairperson elections. BJP candidates have secured 197 posts, while Congress has won 94. Independents have bagged seven posts, while AAP, CPM and RLP have won one post each. The BJP has also secured mayoral posts in six of Rajasthan's seven municipal corporations whose results have been declared. Congress managed to retain the mayor's post in Bikaner. The results have produced several reversals for Congress, including in Ajmer and Pali, where the party initially appeared to have an advantage based on its councillor numbers. In Ajmer, BJP's Anamika Sharma was elected mayor after securing 43 votes, despite the BJP having won 32 councillor seats in the corporation. In Pali, BJP candidate Namita Bubakia won the mayoral election with 33 votes. The BJP secured 21 councillor seats, while Congress won 29. However, Congress candidate Sumitra Jain received only three votes. The BJP also secured the mayoral posts in Udaipur and Alwar. Paras Singhvi won in Udaipur, while Sumanlata Agarwal emerged victorious in Alwar. Agarwal secured 42 votes against Congress candidate Kamlesh Sharma, who received 23 votes. In Bikaner, Congress candidate Anil Kalla was elected mayor. Kalla is the nephew of former minister BD Kalla. Another notable result came from Atru municipality in Baran, where Congress candidate Nisha Nainwal defeated Krishna Murari Dilawar, brother of Education Minister Madan Dilawar, by three votes in the chairperson election. The results also saw the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) make a surprise entry by winning a civic body chairperson post. CPM and RLP also secured one post each, while independents won seven posts. It may be noted that elections had already been decided unopposed in 32 civic bodies, including the Bhilwara and Bharatpur municipal corporations. The electoral process is not yet complete. Elections for mayoral posts in three municipal corporations, including Jaipur, and one municipality are scheduled for September 25. With the remaining mayoral contests still to be decided, the final political picture of Rajasthan's urban local bodies will emerge only after the September 25 elections.
Rajasthan: Hanuman Beniwal's RLP retains Mundwa Board
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) candidate Alka Kandoi was elected chairperson of the Mundwa Municipal Council in Nagaur district of Rajasthan, securing the post for a second consecutive term. Kandoi polled 13 votes, defeating independent candidate Ghanshyam Sadawat, who secured 12 votes. Sadawat had rebelled against the BJP after being denied the party's ticket and contested the chairperson election as an independent. The most notable feature of the result was the performance of the BJP's official candidate, Geeta, who received no votes. The BJP had emerged as the largest party in the Mundwa municipal council elections, winning 10 councillor seats. Four independent councillors supported by the BJP also won, giving the BJP-backed camp the support of 14 councillors in the 20-member house. A total of 11 votes were required to secure the chairperson's post. The RLP had won seven councillor seats, while Congress had three. The RLP-Congress camp also received the support of a BJP rebel councillor, taking its strength to 11enough to secure the required majority. However, the final voting pattern saw Kandoi receive 13 votes, while Sadawat polled 12. The BJP's official candidate Geeta did not receive a single vote. During the selection of its chairperson candidate, the BJP chose Geeta, a first-time elected councillor, over leaders including Ghanshyam Sadawat and Ramakant Sharma. After being denied the ticket, Sadawat rebelled and entered the contest as an independent. The result allowed Kandoi to retain the chairperson's post for a second consecutive term, while the zero-vote tally for the BJP's official candidate emerged as one of the most striking results of the Mundwa civic election. It may be noted that elections had already been decided unopposed in 32 civic bodies, including the Bhilwara and Bharatpur municipal corporations.
ED raids Jaisalmer premises in Rs 5.1 crore foreign funding case, probes FCRA violations
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) The Jaipur Zonal Office of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted search operations at two locations in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district in connection with the alleged misuse of foreign donations worth around Rs 5.10 crore received from a Belgium-based entity without mandatory registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), officials said on Monday. The searches were carried out on September 19 under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, following intelligence inputs that a Jaisalmer resident, identified as Deu Ram, was allegedly receiving foreign funds from Belgium-based organisations and using them for activities aimed at influencing vulnerable sections of society under the guise of educational and social welfare initiatives. According to the ED, its investigation found that Deu Ram and his associate, Gyan Chand, received around Rs 5.10 crore in foreign remittances, largely by declaring the funds as payments for educational services, cultural and recreational activities, and family maintenance or savings from non-resident Indians. A substantial portion of the funds was allegedly received from Amar ASBL, a Brussels-based non-profit organisation. During the searches, officials recovered several incriminating documents and digital records. The probe revealed that Amar ASBL, established in Brussels in 2011, is managed by Belgian nationals Jose Goffinet and his son Salian Goffinet. Despite operating exclusively in Jaisalmer, the organisation has neither registered any trust nor set up an NGO in India, and has allegedly conducted its activities through Deu Ram and Gyan Chand for the past 14 to 15 years. The ED alleged that the foreign donations were received without obtaining the required FCRA permissions and that the purpose of the remittances was misdeclared. Investigators further claimed that a portion of the funds was diverted for personal expenditure, while the remaining amount was used to influence the cultural and religious beliefs of vulnerable communities under the cover of providing educational support to children. According to the agency, nearly Rs 2.60 crore was withdrawn in cash from bank accounts linked to the recipients, while no proper books of accounts or financial records were maintained regarding the receipt and utilisation of the foreign funds. The investigation also found that Jose and Salian Goffinet allegedly visited Jaisalmer annually, interacted with families of beneficiary children, and organised meetings and religious gatherings. The ED said the foreign funds were routed through multiple purpose codes, including family maintenance, educational services, cultural and recreational services, commission agent services, and employee compensation, even though no such services were actually rendered to the Belgian organisation. The agency further alleged that after banks recently stopped accepting foreign remittances into the accounts of Deu Ram and Gyan Chand, efforts were made to route the funds through the personal bank accounts of other associates in Jaisalmer. Further investigation is underway.
'Our coaches were fighting': Rudrankksh Patil on hotel accommodation issues at Asian Games
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) Double Asian Games 2026 medallist Rudrankksh Patil opened up on the accommodation issues he and his other shooting contingent faced during their travel to Japan for the Aichi-Nagoya Games. Patil clinched a silver and a bronze in the 10m Air Rifle team and individual event, respectively. Speaking to the media after the win, the fabled shooter highlighted the travel and accommodation issues he and his team had to face. So, while we were going from Bhopal to Delhi and from Delhi to Japan via Hong Kong, it was a long travel for us from Bhopal to Delhi. Our flight had some issues, and we did an emergency landing in Jaipur, Patil told reporters after his twin medals. From there.... we went to Delhi. The next day, we had our flight. In the evening, we took the flight and came to Japan. It was an almost five-hour flight to Hong Kong, then six hours, seven hours halt in Hong Kong. And then again, from Hong Kong to Japan, it was five hours flight. And after reaching here, within five minutes, everything was cleared, he said on the travel. Patil then highlighted that the contingent had to wait for hours for their bus to arrive, and then the coaches had an altercation with the hotel staff after they were not offered the hotel they booked their rooms in. We went to the welcoming centre. It took us three hours to wait for the bus over there. At 2 or 3 am, we started leaving for the hotel and reached there at around 3:30 or 4 am. After reaching the hotel, we realised that the hotel we had booked was not our hotel, we only had a couple of rooms over there, and that was supposed to be the best hotel. And our coaches were fighting over there that if you can give us the confirmation for the best hotel, then how are you shifting us to some other hotel? he highlighted. Patil further stated that the organisers had an accommodation of an apparent village, where the main hotel is connected to the other ones and they were offered much smaller rooms. So, apparently, they had that village thing that one hotel was the main hotel and everything; every other hotel was connected to that hotel. And whatever room was empty, they were supposed to give us in that way. It did not work in the reservation way. So, it was quite disappointing to know that, but we had a hotel beside the main hotel. The rooms are very small. We cannot open our suitcases over here, but our coaches promptly decided that these rooms are too small to have them with double occupancy. So, the coaches gave every shooter single occupancy, and that made us stay much more comfortable. And this room is small, but it's comfortable also. It's cosy also. I love this room now, he added. The 2023 Hangzhou Games gold medallist from the team event, Patil, further stressed another issue the contingent faced, and that was delayed buses, which was later solved by the Indian authorities. Then the second issue was with the bus. Japanese are known for their time efficiency, but it was very difficult to see that the buses were coming on time. It took two hours to reach, rather than the 70 minutes, which they had promised, and it took two and a half hours to reach. So, that was a big problem. The next day, they solved it. The return bus issue was solved by providing us with more buses, but for going (to the competition), we had no guarantee because they did not know how many athletes were coming and how many are going to leave. The bus's capacity was 50. So, our government provided us with private cars. So, every rifle, pistol and shotgun (teams), were given one car, or one car per day. And then whoever has a match will take the car so that no one misses the match, or even if the bus is delayed or due to any circumstance, the car will always be on time. So, again, yesterday was the women's match (rifle women's match); they took the car yesterday, and we had a match today; so, we took the car today. So, I think, you know, even though the things are not that good, but again, I like, you know, how it was handled, promptly handled and looking forward to how Japan is treating us, I would say the atmosphere is really good. The rooms look small, but this is part of their culture; as far as I am aware, they have small rooms, and the room has everything which a player would need. He also heaped praise on how Japan has been working ecologically on providing food so that minimal food is wasted. Other than that, Japan is always the first one to have a sustainable, ecological way of conducting tournaments, and that's what they are doing. They ask us if we are going to have lunch or dinner or breakfast and they create the food items accordingly, he said.
Video: Thar Swerves, Rams Biker In Gurugram-Like Hit-And-Run In Jaipur. He Dies
The black Thar appears from behind, swerves left to hit Sharma and flees the scene without stopping.
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