In Frames: From African shores to Gujarats Gir

The Siddi Badshah community, descended from Africans brought to Junagadh centuries ago, thrives in Jambur and Shirvan villages of the Gir region

Kin of detained Gujarat fishermen in Pakistan protest, seek PMs help

AHMEDABAD : Families of 197 Gujarat fishermen, allegedly detained in Pakistan jails for six years, held a protest at the secretariat in Gandhinagar, demanding immediate government intervention, diplomatic push, and a timeline for their return. Coming from coastal belts of Somnath, Junagadh, Una, Kodinar, Diu and vicinity, the families travelled over 1,000km on Monday to submit a memorandum to authorities, seeking Prime Ministers intervention. They said the fishermen were apprehended after their boats allegedly lost direction at sea due to rough weather, unknowingly crossing the international maritime boundary during routine fishing operations. They were detained by Pakistans maritime security agencies and put in jails. In several instances, fishermen inadvertently cross maritime boundaries due to weather disturbances or navigational issues. Once detained by Pakistan authorities, the matter shifts to diplomatic channels, which often delays repatriation, a coastal police officer said on condition of anonymity. Leelaben of Paldi village summed up their despair bluntly. Poor people like us are heard only during elections, she said.

Nehru Made Kashmir Issue Controversial, India Got Extremism, Separatism From There: Adityanath

Lucknow, Dec 15: Uttar Pradesh Chief Yogi Adityanath on Monday blamed Jawaharlal Nehru for the extremism and separatism emanating from Kashmir, and alleged that the first prime minister of India made the issue so controversial that it continues to sting the country even now. Addressing an event on the 75th death anniversary of the countrys first home minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he referred to the integration of over 560 princely states into the Union of India and pointed to Junagadh [] The post Nehru Made Kashmir Issue Controversial, India Got Extremism, Separatism From There: Adityanath appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

SIR in Gujarat: More than 17 lakh deceased voters found on electoral rolls

AHMEDABAD : The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Gujarat has revealed that more than 17 lakh deceased voters were still included in the existing voter list across the state, said a release by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Thursday. The SIR exercise began in Gujarat on November 4 with booth level officers (BLO) distributing enumeration forms in their designated areas, said the release, adding the campaign is to continue till December 11. During the last one month, enumeration forms have been distributed to more than 5 crore voters registered in the 2025 electoral roll. In most of the 33 districts, 100 per cent form distribution has been completed. Digitization work of the returned forms is currently going on. So far, digitization work has been completed in 12 out of 182 assembly constituencies, it said. These include Dhanera and Tharad of Banaskantha district, Limkheda, Dahod (ST) of Dahod district, Bayad of Aravalli district, Dhoraji, Jasdan and Gondal of Rajkot district, Keshod of Junagadh district, Mehmadabad of Kheda district, Khambhat of Anand district and Jalalpore of Navsari district. Dang district is at the forefront in this work with 94.35 per cent digitization of the counting forms, said the release. During this exercise, it was revealed that 17 lakh deceased voters were still included in the electoral roll across the state. While more than 6.14 lakh voters were found absent from their addresses. It has been noticed that more than 30 lakh voters have permanently migrated, the release said. BLOs found more than 3.25 lakh voters in the epeated category, which means that their names are found at more than one places, said the release. Vadodara BLO assistant dies on duty amid rising SIR workload concerns; four deaths in four days across Gujarat 'I cant do this SIR work anymore...': Gujarat teacher dies by suicide, cites BLO workload pressure

Gujarat faces fresh political storm as ex-cabinet Minister Chavda highlights unemployment crisis

AHMEDABAD: Former BJP cabinet minister Jawahar Chavda has triggered a political storm in Gujarat politics with a fiery 'Employment Assistance Campaign', unleashing a direct attack on the States unemployment crisis, paper leaks, and systemic failures. His videos, interactions with youngsters, and bold admission, stating, we too have failed somewhere, have electrified Saurashtras political ground, triggering fresh tremors inside an already divided BJP ahead of the 2027 polls. Chavda becoming suddenly active, vocal, and unfiltered has created a fresh narrative in Gujarats political landscape. For months, Chavda, who has long been uneasy within the BJP, remained on the sidelines. Now, he has detonated the new campaign on unemployment, and every sentence he utters is landing as a political punch. His re-entry began with a video message on social media where he declared, Enough is enough, talk will not work. This single line signalled the storm he was about to unleash. On November 24, Chavda returned with another hard-hitting video, this time sitting with unemployed youngsters, listening to their rage, and amplifying their anguish. Gujarat: BJP Gen Sec meets family of late ex-CM Rupani amid internal rifts, sparks political speculation One after another, he targeted the government machinery, linking mismanagement to frustration and frustration to the simmering political heat in Saurashtra. In his detailed video address on social media, Chavda said, Today I am presenting my dialogue echoing pains, opinions and wounds of thousands of young unemployed brothers and sisters over the last eight months. Unemployment has spread across every class, society, caste and region. There is no coordination in departments, no system that works. Even big companies fail to give jobs to locals, and on top of that, they behave rudely. He blamed paper leaks, faulty recruitment, and wrong selection methods for a deepening sense of betrayal among Gujarats youth. He did not spare himself either, This is a social responsibility in which we all have failed somewhere, he boldly admitted. With this candour, Chavda began his political march, announcing plans to visit taluka headquarters from September 1, 2025, collecting representations of unemployed youth and women. His campaign doesnt merely highlight problems; it provides a stage for unheard voices. The anger of unemployed women, he noted, is even sharper. Drawing from his earlier BPL assistance drives, he said, It is painful that even today employment remains a serious struggle for women. Educated daughters do not get opportunities as corruption blocks their path. Widowed mothers are forced into helplessness. Even in cities, women are denied equal wages and fair chances. The campaign has erupted right when the Junagadh BJP is cracking under internal factionalism, visible in both the Lok Sabha and Visavadar by-elections. Chavdas sudden activism on a politically explosive issue is seen as a strategic, calibrated move. Political insiders argue he is preparing for a 2027 comeback, building a strong grassroots base while tightening pressure on the BJP, where he has been increasingly disenchanted. Chavdas political journey has always been marked by sharp turns. Being a four-time Congress MLA (1990, 2007, 2012, 2017), he dramatically crossed over to the BJP in 2019, defeated Congresss Arvind Ladani in a bypoll, and became a cabinet minister in the Rupani government. However, cracks appeared last year after he publicly countered Porbandar MP and Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on social media. Now, with the unemployment storm he has stirred, Chavda has placed himself back in the spotlight, forcing both BJP and Congress to reassess the political battlefield of Saurashtra.

Gujarat witnesses five farmers' suicides in a month as unseasonal rains shatter Saurashtra region

AHMEDABAD: With 42-year-old farmer, Shailesh Devjibhai Savaliya, from Junagadh turning out to be the fifth farmer to die by suicide in just one month, Gujarats Saurashtra is reeling under a grim wave of agrarian despair. Unseasonal rains, failed crops, and crushing debt have triggered a chain of tragedies, exposing the widening cracks in the States rural crisis despite government relief claims. Savaliya's suicide tightens the noose of fear that already hangs heavy over the countryside. It comes as a chilling reminder that the agrarian crisis is no longer a distant concern but a relentless, daily reality. Savaliya, a father of two, survived with his ten-and-a-half bigha farmland. He had sown groundnut, onion and tur, hoping for a harvest that could help him repay debts and push his family through another year. Drowning in debt and terrified of the hunger and humiliation awaiting his family, following unseasonal rains, Savaliya walked to his field and consumed poison, an act that echoed the silent scream of thousands battling similar torment. His brother, Prafulbhai Devjibhai Savaliya, broke down talking about the pain behind the tragedy. Shaileshbhai was shattered. He hid much of his suffering, but we saw the stress killing him every day. He felt cornered, hopeless. Out of sheer despair, he went to the field and drank poison he believed there was no path ahead for him, he said. Visavadar police rushed to the spot, registering a case and launching an investigation based on family statements. Preliminary findings pointed to financial collapse caused by crop failure, a pattern now becoming terrifyingly repetitive across Gujarat. Shaileshbhais death has intensified panic among farmers already gasping under erratic weather and rising liabilities, triggering urgent questions about the states preparedness to confront the spiralling agrarian crisis. Saurashtra had recorded four farmer suicides, each driven by the driven by deadly combination of unseasonal rains, damaged crops and unforgiving debt. 1. Rajkot: 50-year-old Dilipbhai Virdiya (Ardoi village, Kotdasangani taluka). He consumed poison late Saturday night in his farmland. His son Utsav said, He was tense for 1520 days after the unseasonal rains. We lost around Rs 10 lakh. Dilipbhai had taken loans to sow cumin, onion and groundnut across 28 bighas, including land borrowed and land owned. Last years marriage expenses for his daughter had already pushed him into a tight spot. Unseasonal rains crushed his hope, village sarpanch Narshi Gajera confirmed. 2. Rajkot: Danabhai Ramjibhai Jadav (Rahamiya village, Vinchiya taluka) Danabhai died by hanging at home. His family said he had cultivated groundnut and tur on 14 bighas, but unexpected monsoon patterns left him buried under losses. Vinchiya Police have begun probing, but villagers say that his death was caused by broken promises and brutal weather. 3. Gir Somnath: Ghafar Musa Unad (Revad village, Una taluka) On November 3, he tied an electric wire around his waist and jumped into a well. His groundnut crop on nine bighas had rotted due to unseasonal rain. He had taken a Rs 2 lakh loan and the responsibility of marrying off two daughters. He saw no escape ahead, a relative said. 4. Dwarka: 37-year-old Karsanbhai Vavnotia (Bhanvad taluka) His seeds were bought after taking a gold loan, and the rains wiped out everything. Family members said he had been 'mentally broken' ever since the crop failed, unable to bear the blow of both debt and disappointment. These back-to-back deaths expose a harsh truth: Gujarats farmers are collapsing faster than relief can reach them. Even though the State recently announced a Rs 10,000-crore loan relief package, ground reports reveal a stark gap; many farmers havent received compensation, crop insurance or financial help, forcing them to depend on moneylenders and pushing them into despair.

Gujarat CM Patel announces Rs 10,000-crore relief package after unseasonal rains wreck 42 lakh hectares

AHMEDABAD: Reeling under one of the worst unseasonal rain spells in two decades, Gujarats farmers have suffered massive crop devastation across 42 lakh hectares and 16,000 villages. On Friday, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced a Rs 10,000-crore relief package coupled with government procurement of groundnut, moong, urad, and soybean worth Rs 15,000 crore from November 9, promising that no farmer will be left without help. Gujarats farmlands, already scarred by erratic monsoon patterns, have now been battered by unseasonal rains that struck at the end of October, which the Chief Minister described as the kind Gujarat has not seen in two decades. The deluge drenched 41 lakh hectares of cultivated land, crippling the livelihoods of over 17 lakh farmers across 16,387 villages. As assessment reports poured in, the figures told a grim story -- over 33% crop loss in nearly 31 lakh hectares, translating to an estimated Rs 1,574 crore blow to the agrarian economy. The Saurashtra belt emerged as ground zero, where 80% of the total state damage occurred. Out of 37.71 lakh hectares sown, 33.53 lakh hectares were hit, devastating 12.65 lakh farmers and causing Rs 1,218 crore in losses. The Mid-East zone followed with 52.5% of crops damaged, while South Gujarat reported 79% cultivation loss, and North Gujarat too saw heavy impact across 4.14 lakh hectares. Seeing the scale of disaster firsthand, the Chief Minister swiftly convened an emergency high-level meeting with officials from the agriculture, revenue, and finance departments. Chairing the meet himself, Patel greenlit a massive Rs 10,000-crore relief and assistance package, calling it a duty towards the sons of the soil who feed us all. Unseasonal rains of a kind unseen in the last two decades have caused huge crop losses in multiple districts, the Chief Minister said in his statement on Friday. I and my fellow ministers visited the affected districts, spoke directly to the farmers, and felt their pain. Understanding their struggle, the state government stands shoulder to shoulder with them with full sympathy. Keeping in mind their hardship, I am announcing a relief package of about Rs 10,000 crore. Alongside, we will begin procurement of groundnut, moong, urad, and soybean worth over Rs 15,000 crore at support prices from November 9, Patel added, assuring that the government was, is, and will always be with our farmers. Following Patels directive, hundreds of agricultural survey teams fanned out across the districts, covering 70% of the damaged area so far. The CM personally ordered that no farmer should be left without assistance and that all relief formalities be expedited this week. This package comes as Gujarats second major farm relief intervention in just three months, following a Rs 947-crore payout in August-September for flood-affected talukas in Kutch, Banaskantha, Patan, and Junagadh. That earlier crisis had already signaled the states growing vulnerability to climate-linked agrarian distress and this latest spell has only deepened the challenge. From drought to deluge, Gujarats farmers have borne the full brunt of climate volatility this year. But with the state government now rolling out an unprecedented twin package of Rs 10,000 crore in direct relief and Rs 15,000 crore in crop procurement, the CM has sent a clear message: In every calamity, the farmer will not stand alone.

Unseasonal rains destroy crops across Gujarat, total loss estimated around Rs 1,500 crore

AHMEDABAD: Over 33% of 30 lakh hectares of Kharif crop in Gujarat have been damaged due to unseasonal rains. A government survey estimated total losses to be around Rs 1,574 crore, prompting the Gujarat government to prepare a fresh relief package. Gujarat experienced relentless rains at the end of October measuring 88.67 mm has caused widespread crop devastation across the states 71 lakh hectares of cultivated land, shattering the livelihoods of 17.06 lakh farmers in 16,387 villages. Responding to farmer representations, the state government swiftly ordered a damage assessment survey, with the Agriculture Department deploying hundreds of teams across regions. The preliminary report paints a grim picture 33% or more loss in 30.92 lakh hectares, translating to an estimated Rs 1,574.48 crore hit to Gujarats farming economy. Of this, the Saurashtra zone stands out as the worst affected. Out of 37.71 lakh hectares sown, 33.53 lakh hectares have been damaged. Surveys covering 28.28 lakh hectares reveal that 12.65 lakh farmers have lost over 33% of their crops, incurring a staggering Rs 1,218.50 crore loss nearly 80% of the total state damage. The Mid-East zone follows, with 52.54% of its 15.55 lakh hectares affected. Over 3.18 lakh hectares of land belonging to 2.59 lakh farmers have suffered major damage worth Rs 296.45 crore. In South Gujarat, unseasonal rains have lashed 79% of the cultivation, impacting 5.61 lakh hectares. Here, 1.36 lakh farmers in 1.67 lakh hectares face heavy losses worth Rs 58.45 crore. Even North Gujarat, which sowed 18.08 lakh hectares, hasnt been spared 4.14 lakh hectares of crops are hit, with 44,849 farmers suffering significant losses in 46,125 hectares, valued at Rs 28.11 crore. According to officials, 70% of the surveyed area has been preliminarily verified, and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is likely to announce a comprehensive relief package on Tuesday or Wednesday. The move comes after Patel personally directed officials to complete damage reports by this week, assuring farmers that no one will be left without help. This crisis follows close on the heels of the Rs 947 crore relief package the government rolled out in August-September 2025 when heavy monsoon rains ravaged 18 talukas, including Vav-Tharad, Kutch, Junagadh, and Patan. Of that, Rs 563 crore came under SDRF norms, with Rs 384 crore added from the state exchequer a sign of Gujarats growing climate-linked agrarian distress.

Familys worst fears come true: Teen kills brother and pregnant sister-in-law in Gujarat village

A shocking double murder has emerged from Junagadh district. A 15-year-old boy allegedly killed his elder brother and pregnant sister-in-law. The bodies were found buried behind their house nearly two weeks later. The boy's mother reportedly helped conceal the crime. The discovery was made after the woman's family raised suspicions. The minor showed no remorse during interrogation.

Sardar Patels 150th birth anniversary: Statue of Unity to host grand national parade every year, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday emphasized Sardar Patels monumental role in uniting India and shaping the nation after independence. He highlighted Patels leadership during the integration of 562 princely states, the Hyderabad and Junagadh operations, and securing Lakshadweep on 15 August 1947. Shah, in a press briefing in Patna, Bihar, noted that the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, conceptualized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, honors Patels legacy. Constructed in 57 months using 25,000 tonnes of iron from farmers tools, 1,700 tonnes of bronze, and 90,000 cubic meters of concrete, the 182-meter statue attracts over 15,000 daily visitors. Additional tourist attractions around the site further enhance its appeal. To commemorate Patels 150th birth anniversary, a grand parade will be held annually on October 31 at Ekta Nagar, akin to the Republic Day parade. This year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take the salute of the grand parade. The parade will include Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), state police forces, gallantry awardees, cultural performances, camel contingents, motorcycle stunts, tableaux, and an air show by the Indian Air Forces Surya Kiran team. A nationwide Run for Unity and Unity Pledge will also be organized across schools, universities, district police stations, and all states and Union Territories. From November 115, Bharat Parv will celebrate Indias tribal culture, concluding with a showcase of folk arts, crafts, and music on November 15. Shah emphasized that the parade and associated events aim to inspire youth, reaffirm national unity, and honor Sardar Patels lifelong dedication to the nation.

After cabinet overhaul, Gujarat BJP now plans major organizational reshuffle

AHMEDABAD: Gujarats political scene is changing again. After appointing a new BJP state president and reshuffling the state cabinet, the ruling party is now preparing for another big organizational change. The BJP plans to bring in new leaders to key posts and redraw its power structure from the state capital Gandhinagar to the district level a clear sign that the party is getting ready for the next big election. According to party sources, the next major step will be appointing new State General Secretaries one of the most powerful roles in the partys state unit. These appointments are expected within a week. Currently, the Gujarat BJP has four General Secretaries. Among them, Kutch MP Vinod Chavda is likely to keep his position, while the other three posts may go to new faces. The move aims to strengthen the partys organization and prepare for upcoming political challenges. Party insiders say this reshuffle is not just routine. It is part of a larger strategy to tighten control and improve coordination after the recent cabinet changes, in which ten ministers were dropped. The BJP wants to strengthen its structure at the district level to improve governance and maintain political balance. As part of this plan, new in-charge ministers will be appointed for 20 districts. The government now wants each minister to handle only one districtespecially those with important departmentsto improve focus and accountability. Earlier, many ministers managed two districts, which often reduced efficiency. Even Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi may see changes in his responsibilities. He currently oversees both Vadodara and Gandhinagar districts for the BJP, but he may now retain only Gandhinagar, reflecting the leaderships push for more focused roles. The 20 districts expected to get new in-charge ministers include Aravalli, Mahisagar, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Botad, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Dahod, Panchmahal, Dang, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Surendranagar, Junagadh, Patan, Narmada, Chhota Udepur, Tapi, and Valsad. Each new appointment will aim to balance political representation and improve administration, helping the BJP strengthen its control both at the grassroots and state levels. With these changes on the way, the Gujarat BJP is reshaping not just its cabinet but also its political strategy getting ready for the road ahead.

Army jawan drowns after rescuing friends from Ozat river in Gujarat's Junagadh

AHMEDABAD: A Diwali outing turned tragic in Junagadhs Vanthali taluka when Army jawan Bharatbhai Bhetaria lost his life while saving his friends from drowning in the Ozat river near Tikar village. On October 22, four friends went to bathe in the river around 4 PM when three were caught in a sudden, powerful current. Bharatbhai, serving in the Indian Army, immediately jumped into the swirling waters and rescued his friends one by one. In the process, he was swept away by the fierce current. Locals alerted the Vanthali Fire Department, a rescue team conducted an overnight search. Family members and villagers waited at the riverbank during the operation. Bhetarias body was recovered at dawn on October 23, concluding the rescue efforts.

BJP set for strategic cabinet overhaul in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: A cabinet reshuffle in Gujarat appears imminent following a high-stakes meeting in Delhi between Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, BJPs top state and national leadership. With regional and caste equations, upcoming local body elections, and the rising influence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in play, major political realignments are expected within days. Many sitting ministers are likely to be dropped, while younger, strategically chosen MLAs are tipped for elevation. All eyes are now on the BJPs political balancing act in Gujarat. A late-night power huddle on Monday in Delhifeaturing CM Bhupendra Patel, BJP state president Jagdish Vishwakarma, organizational general secretary Ratnakar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shahhas set the stage for a sweeping cabinet overhaul. The urgency and strategic nature of the meeting signal that the reshuffle is not just likelyit is inevitable. Sources indicate that a final list of ministers is in the works and could be finalized within two to three days. As anticipation builds, the buzz is deafening: whose chair will be pulled, and whose Diwali will shine brighter? The reshuffle is the culmination of months of political calibration. Internal dynamicsfrom caste arithmetic to the looming challenge posed by AAPhave reached a tipping point. With local body elections approaching and AAP leader Gopal Italia gaining traction, especially among Leuva Patidars, BJPs central leadership has decided to reengineer Gujarats political landscape. Reliable sources suggest that many senior ministers are on their way out. Finance Minister Kanu Desai, Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel, and Social Justice Minister Bhanuben Babaria are reportedly at the top of the exit list. Only five current ministersmost notably Health Minister Hrishikesh Patel and Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajputare expected to retain their portfolios. The reshuffle signals a generational shift within the party. Young MLAs like Jayesh Radadiya (Dhoraji), Uday Kangad (Rajkot), and Rivaba Jadeja (Jamnagar North) are strong contenders for cabinet positions. Saurashtrapolitically volatile and currently a stronghold of AAPs growing influenceis expected to receive special attention. A Leuva Patidar from Amreli or Junagadh may be included to counter the Italia effect. The BJPs caste balancing act extends beyond Saurashtra. With CM Bhupendra Patel representing the Patidar face and Jagdish Vishwakarma as the OBC state president, the party is fine-tuning its social equations. South Gujarat may see the induction of a tribal or female MLA, while in North Gujarat, Alpesh Thakors name is being considered if his community alignment works in BJPs favor. Interestingly, while Congress turncoats like Arjun Modhwadia and C. J. Chavda are still in the mix, only Modhwadia appears to have a strong chancelargely due to a lack of political rivals in Porbandar. Meanwhile, Hardik Patel, once a prominent Patidar youth icon, seems sidelined. Despite his proximity to Amit Shah, sources claim his recent dissent and waning political influence have diminished his chances of a ministerial berth. The reshuffle is not without risks. Elevating defectors over longtime BJP loyalists may spark internal discontent. Striking the right balance between new faces, caste representation, regional expectations, and party loyalty is the BJPs biggest challenge. Former Congress leaders are especially vulnerable, as the party looks to realign around its grassroots cadre. Adding to the political significance is the timely visit of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to Gujarat on Tuesday, coinciding with the Delhi deliberations. The synchrony between the Sangh and the BJP suggests that the reshuffle is part of a broader strategic resetnot just a routine political exercise. In short, Gujarat is on the cusp of a major political reconfigurationdriven by performance, perception, caste equations, and rapidly shifting political dynamics influenced by AAPs rise. What unfolds in the next 48 hours will shape not just the BJPs strategy for upcoming local polls, but also set the tone for 2027 and beyond.

RTI reply exposes audit lapse of over Rs 2 lakh crore in eight Gujarat Municipal Corporations

AHMEDABAD: A massive accountability crisis has exploded in Gujarat as eight major Municipal Corporations have not been audited for several years, leaving a budget worth over Rs 2 lakh crore unaudited and unverified. The revelations, made through an RTI response, expose systemic neglect, violation of audit laws, and a stunning breakdown of financial transparency. Citizens of these cities have effectively been left in the dark about how public money is being spent. Now, Gujarats urban governance is staring at a financial storm. RTI documents have exposed that not a single audit has been completed for several years for eight major Municipal Corporations: Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Surat and Vadodara. The data, obtained from the Director of the Local Fund Accounts Office in response to an RTI filed under Section 4(1) of the Act, reveals how thousands of crores of rupees in civic funds have remained unaudited, violating the Gujarat Local Fund Audit Act, 1963. The backlog means that over Rs 2 lakh crore of municipal expenditure across Gujarats largest cities has never undergone mandatory financial scrutiny. With an annual budget of around 12,000 crore in 202425, the Ahmedabad civic body hasnt completed an audit since 201718, which roughly translates to approximately 50,000 crore in unverified accounts for just one city. Similar patterns are seen in Surat and Vadodara, while other corporations have remained unaudited for four to six years. Experts say that this is not a mere technical lapse, but a deep governance failure. Ignored directives, defied laws This financial vacuum exists despite clear legal obligations and repeated directives. Notably, the Gujarat Local Fund Audit Act, 1963, under Section 4 mandates annual audits of all local bodies. The 11th Central Finance Commission (200005) had recommended that the audit of Municipal Corporations be done under the guidance of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), with reports submitted to the State Assembly. A Finance Department resolution on May 6, 2005, and later a circular on December 23, 2011, made this legally binding. The CAG had also flagged the non-compliance in August 2009, urging Gujarat to ensure timely audits. In 2011, Section 108A was added to the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations Act, 1949, to reinforce the obligation. Yet, the RTI reply confirms that none of these directives have been implemented effectively. Last Audited Year, Municipal Corporation and Pending Years. The failure has also meant that no audit reports have been tabled in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly for years, as the audits were never done. The Finance Departments 2011 circular was meant to bring in accountability through CAG-supervised audits of Municipal Corporations. These reports were to be presented before the Assembly, debated, and acted upon. Instead, the process has been derailed for over a decade. Neither the CAG nor the Local Fund Audit Office has enforced strict timelines, and successive governments have allowed this crisis to deepen. RTI applicant raised red flag RTI Activist and Professor Hemant Kumar Shah has slammed the government, alleging a deliberate shielding of irregularities. In a democracy, the audit report for the previous financial year should be presented in the new year, debated by corporators, and acted upon as per rules. If the audit itself is not done for years, transparency collapses, and irregularities get buried, Shah claimed. He further alleged, This is a clear violation of the Gujarat Local Fund Audit Act, 1963. The State Assembly has failed in its duty to ensure annual presentation of audit reports. Transparency is a fundamental principle of democracy. When 2 lakh crore goes unaudited, the publics right to know how their money is used is crushed. Citizens kept in the dark The lack of audits not just weaken financial scrutiny but also denies Gujarats urban citizens of transparency over how civic budgets are spent on critical services like roads, water, housing, and sanitation.Over two crore people live in these eight municipal areas. However, no red flags were raised, no mismanagement was officially recorded. Political and governance questions mount The revelation has triggered serious concerns: Why has the State not enforced its own audit rules for over a decade? How is financial scrutiny being bypassed despite repeated CAG interventions? Who is responsible for this 2 lakh crore transparency vacuum? Legal experts say this is not just an administrative lapse, but a potential violation of constitutional principles governing local self-government. What next? With RTI evidence out in the open, pressure is likely to mount over the State government to immediately initiate pending audits and present reports in the Assembly. Activists and former bureaucrats argue that independent CAG oversight and public disclosure of audit findings are the only way to restore credibility. However, with seven years already lost in some corporations, the process of auditing such massive backlogs will be long, complex and politically sensitive. Whether the State acts decisive or let the lapse unchecked will determine the future of transparency and accountability in Gujarats urban administration. Notably, Hemant Kumar Shah said,If audits are not done, irregularities remain invisible. And when irregularities remain invisible, accountability dies.

From teacher to trickster: Gujarat police nab car scam kingpin in Mumbai

AHMEDABAD: A fraudster who rocked Gujarats online car market with a Rs 73 lakh fraud has finally landed in police net. Junagadh police nabbed the fraudster from Dahisar, Mumbai, after a high-tech chase across states. For three years, he duped car buyers and sellers on apps like OLX and CAR-24, trapping victims in 31 cases across 11 districts of Gujarat. The accused, Piyush Maheshbhai Patel (39), a resident of Visnagar, Mehsana, Gujarat was caught from Dahisar, Mumbai, after an intensive three-day surveillance operation. The story broke from Junagadh, where on September 25, 2025, a resident filed a complaint at the A-Division Police Station. The fraudster, posing as Dhaval Patel from CAR-24, trapped a local doctor by offering an inflated price for his Swift and luring him with a Brezza in return. Once the deal was set for just Rs 2.25 lakh through Angadiya payment, the scammer switched off his phone and vanished. The victims complaint led SP Subodh Odedara to order immediate action. PI and his team tracked the fraudsters digital trail, discovering he was operating from Mumbai. Using local intelligence, officers lay in wait inside a Mumbai salon for three days before finally nabbing the accused in Dahisar. Police interrogation peeled back Patels web of deceit. A former schoolteacher and car showroom worker, debt drove him into crime. His modus operandi was chillingly systematic: he would scan car-sale ads on OLX, pose as a CAR-24 agent, and bait owners with high offers. At the same time, he would tempt dealers in nearby cities with quick-sale cars at throwaway prices. Once both sides were convinced, Patel collected payments through Angadiya, then switched off his mobile and re-emerged with a new number and a new name. Patels aliases ranged from Dhawal, Arpit, Hardik, Sanjay, Rajendra Panchal, Jaimin, Hemala carousel of fake identities that helped him cheat buyers and sellers of 42 cars in three years. The confession is staggering: 31 cases registered in 11 districts, including Ahmedabad (6 cases), Gandhinagar, Bharuch, Botad, Banaskantha, Rajkot, and Kutch, with a total fraud of Rs 73.30 lakh. Earlier, he had already duped victims of nearly Rs 1 crore. From Patels possession, police seized a Samsung Galaxy A-35, 13 SIM cards, 3 blank HDFC cheques, and fraud-linked materials. His record reveals he turned Gujarats car market into his hunting ground, repeatedly exploiting digital platforms with surgical precision. The police have now tightened the investigation to identify possible accomplices and recover the looted money.

Gujarat weather alert: Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Junagadh, Kutch, and more districts to receive heavy rain: 7-day IMD forecast

Gujarat monsoon forecast: Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch experience active monsoon conditions. Extremely heavy rain occurred in isolated areas. A low-pressure area influences weather patterns. It may intensify into a depression. The India Meteorological Department forecasts light to moderate rain for the next seven days across the region. Heavy showers are expected in South Gujarat and Saurashtra.