Gujarat: Junagadh civic body, 66 municipalities to vote on Feb 16 with 27 per cent OBC quota
Polling will be held on February 16 for Junagadh municipal corporation, 66 municipalities, and three taluka panchayats in Gujarat. This is the first local body election with a 27% OBC quota since the 2023 Gujarat government decision. Votes will be counted on February 18.
Gujarat to hold panchayat, civic body elections after two-year hiatus; voting on February 16
AHMEDABAD: The long-awaited dates for elections to Municipal Corporations, District Panchayats, and Taluka Panchayats in Gujarat, whose terms have recently expired, are being unveiled today. Voters across the state will head to the polls on February 16 for the municipal elections, which will cover 66 municipalities. The results will then be determined with vote counting scheduled for February 18. The State Election Commission has announced the general elections for Junagadh Municipal Corporation and 66 municipalities across Gujarat on Tuesday, Gujarat will conduct general elections for the Municipal Corporations, including those in Kathlal, Kapadvanj, and Gandhinagar Taluka Panchayats. Additionally, mid-term elections for the Botad and Wankaner Municipal Corporations have also been called. Alongside these, by-elections have been scheduled for seats that have fallen vacant across various municipalities and panchayats. A total of three vacant seats in three Municipal Corporations, 21 seats in Municipal Corporations, 9 seats in District Panchayats, and 91 seats in Taluka Panchayats will go to the polls. Voting for all these elections will take place on February 16, with the results to be declared on February 18. In addition to the general elections, by-elections will take place across several municipalities and panchayats. This includes three vacant seats in three municipalities, mid-term elections for Botad and Wankaner Municipalities, and by-elections for 21 vacant seats in Municipal Corporations, 9 seats in District Panchayats, and 91 seats in Taluka Panchayats. Voting for all these seats will occur on February 16, with the results announced on February 18. Elections for several gram panchayats are still pending due to ongoing work on reservation implementation. However congress demands to announce it soon. The election process in Gujarat, previously stalled due to delays in implementing a 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local bodies, is now set to move forward. This follows the Gujarat government's approval of the 27 per cent OBC reservation in August 2023, based on recommendations from the Justice Jhaveri Commission. The decision comes after a landmark Supreme Court ruling, which mandated that OBC reservations in local bodies must be grounded in population-based data. Notably, OBC reservations in Gujarats local bodies had previously been set at just 10 per cent.
Gujarat Doctor Performs Complex Uterine Surgery Denied Thrice By London Surgeons
Dr. KP Gadhvi in Junagadh performed the laparoscopic surgery in just 1.5 hours. The NRI patient who arrived in Junagadh on a one-month visa, recovered well and started walking in three days
Gujarat Titans launch Season Two of Junior Titans in Junagadh; initiative instils love for sports in children NewsPatrolling
Gujarat Titans launch Season Two of Junior Titans in Junagadh; initiative instils love for sports in children Gujarat Titans
Gujarat's Sakkarbaug Zoo Welcomes A Pair Of White Tigers
The animals at Sakkarbaug Zoo in Gujarat's Junagadh are thrilled to welcome two new zoo-mates - a pair of white tigers.
4 College Students Among 7 Killed In Car Collision In Gujarat
Seven persons, including four college students, headed to a village to appear for an exam, were killed when two cars collided in Gujarat's Junagadh district on Monday, police said.
Gujarat: Four College Students Among Seven Killed As Two Cars Collide
The incident occurred on the Junagadh-Veraval Highway around 8 AM when a car jumped the road divider at high speed and crashed into another car coming from the opposite direction near Bhanduri village
7 Killed As Cars Collide In Gujarat, Catches Fire, Spreads To Nearby Huts
Seven people, including five students, were killed in a deadly collision between two cars on the Junagadh-Veraval highway near Maliya Hatina village in Gujarat on Monday morning.
Seven dead, including five college students, in Gujarat road accident
At least seven people, including five college students, were killed in a tragic road accident in Junagadh, Gujarat, on Sunday night. The incident occurred when the car they were traveling in struck a divider and collided head-on with another vehicle, leaving no survivors. Gujarat: A collision between two cars near Bhanduri village on the Junagadh-Veraval highway killed seven people, including five students heading for an exam. The police arrived at the scene, and the injured were taken to the hospital pic.twitter.com/B4C80qnFL9 IANS (@ians_india) December 9, 2024 According to local police, the group was traveling in a car from a nearby town when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle. The car veered off course, hit the road divider, and then collided with an oncoming vehicle. The impact of the crash was so severe that all passengers in the car, including the five students, were killed instantly. The victims, aged between 18 and 22, were identified as students from a local college who were returning from a weekend trip. The two occupants of the other vehicle, a middle-aged couple, sustained injuries and were immediately rushed to the nearby hospital, where they are reported to be in stable condition. The police have registered a case and are investigating the cause of the accident. Initial reports suggest that the driver may have been speeding or lost control due to slippery road conditions, but further investigations are underway. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with the families of the deceased expressing their grief. College authorities have also issued a statement offering condolences to the families of the victims. Local residents and students have gathered to mourn the tragic loss of young lives.
Temple theft cases surge in Gujarat
AHMEDABAD: In Gujarat, a surge in burglaries is hitting not only homes left vacant during Diwali vacations but also temples, according to government data. Over the past three years, thieves have stolen a total of Rs 4.93 crore in cash and valuables from temples across the state. Gujarat reported 501 temple theft incidents: 151 temples were targeted in 2020-21, 178 in 2021-22, and 172 in 2022-23. In addition, there were five armed robberies in temples, intensifying concerns over temple security statewide. Gujarat Congress spokesperson Hiren Banker criticized the government, saying the incidents of looting and theft in temples, which hold deep significance for Gujaratis, are being met with little more than promises of CCTV installations by the home department. Is the BJP, which campaigns in Gods name, only concerned with securing votes? he asked. Even during Navratri, incidents of assault on women occur and illegal activities like bootlegging and drug trade operate openly. The reality is the state police is facing a severe shortage of personnel, with the number of police personnel falling below the national average, Banker said. Private residential homes too are the target. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, Gujarat has witnessed a troubling surge in home burglaries and robberies over recent years, underscoring persistent challenges in crime prevention. Nighttime burglaries have consistently overshadowed daytime incidents. In 2017, there were 3,957 burglaries reported at night, but by 2022, that number fell to 2,936. Daytime burglaries also saw a decrease, from 440 cases in 2017 to 359 in 2022. However, the overall burglary rate per lakh population fluctuated, peaking at 6.9 in 2017, dropping to 3.9 in 2020, and rising again to 4.6 in 2022. Robberies showed a mixed pattern, with 1,277 cases in 2017, which dropped significantly to 498 in 2020, before stabilizing at around 575 cases in 2022. Over the six-year period from 2017 to 2022, Gujarat recorded a total of 18,453 night burglaries, 2,489 day burglaries, and 5,428 robberies, reflecting ongoing security concerns for residents across the state. The state government at present controls 13 temples in Gandhinagar district,13 in Valsad district, eight in Rajkot district, 16 in Porbandar district, four of Surat district and one temple each in Junagadh, Surendranagar, Jamnagar, Mehsana and Banaskantha districts. These include the ancient temples at Somnath, Dwarkadhish and Akshardham. The security of the temples is a tricky task given the strength of the police force as well as encroachments around such places. The Somnath temple in Veraval, Gujarat is one of the richest temples in India, with a net worth of around Rs 100 crore: The Somnath temple in Gujarat is heavily protected by police and has a Z+ security grade. Non-Hindus need prior permission to enter the temple due to security concerns and to protect the sanctity of the religious place.
Two farmers suicide in past week as unseasonal rains devastate crops in Saurashtra
AHMEDABAD: In Gujarat's Saurashtra region, unseasonal rains during and after Navratri have devastated crops, putting immense strain on farmers. In the past week, two farmers have tragically taken their lives due to crop failure. Five days after a farmer's suicide in Sardhar, Rajkot, another case has emerged in Junagadhs Keshod taluka, where a farmer ended his life, leaving behind four grieving daughters in Shergarh village. Danubhai Babria, a farmer from Shergarh village in Keshod taluka, Junagadh, tragically took his own life on October 31 amid severe financial distress. According to family members, Danubhai had planted groundnuts during the Kharif season, but relentless rains during and after Navratri wiped out his crop, leaving him in deep economic hardship. My elder brother took his own life last night by hanging himself, Jan Kishan Babria, a resident of Shergarh village and the deceaseds family member, told local media. He made this tragic choice after his groundnut crop failed. For the past week, Babria explained, his brother had grown increasingly silent, burdened by the loss of his crop and mounting financial struggles. He leaves behind four daughters who have now lost their father's support, he added. We received information on Friday at 9:30 a.m. about a man who had hanged himself in Shergarh village, Junagadh District Keshod P.I. P.A. Jadav told local media. Keshod police immediately reached the location and began an investigation. According to Jadav, the deceaseds brother informed officers that farmer Danabhai Babria had taken his life due to financial difficulties and the failure of his groundnut crop. The police are now conducting a further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the farmers suicide, Jadav added. In another incident, eight days ago, 42-year-old Jasingbhai Arjanbhai Makwana, a farmer from Sardhar village in Rajkot, ended his life after the complete failure of his two-acre crop. His death has left a wife without her husband and two sons without a father. The grieving families of these farmers are now urging the government to step in and support those struggling in agriculture. Meanwhile, On October 23, the Gujarat government announced Rs 1,419 crore relief package to aid farmers hit by Augusts devastating floods. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. According to the Government, farmers are affected across 6,812 villages in 136 talukas spanning 20 districts, including Panchmahal, Navsari, Surendranagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Rajkot.
PM Modi, Spanish Prez to launch C295 aircraft plant in Vadodara
Vadodara: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Spanish President Pedro Sanchez, will be inaugurating the Tata-Airbus C295 aircraft plant facility in Vadodara, Gujarat on Monday. The Spanish President, who is on a three-day visit to India, arrived in Vadodara in the early hours of Monday. The plant has been set up by Tata Advanced Systems in collaboration with Airbus Spain. The facility is built at the TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) campus. A total of 56 aircraft are there under the C-295 programme, of which 16 are being delivered directly by Airbus from Spain and the remaining 40 are to be made in India. Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. is responsible for making these 40 aircraft in India. This facility will be the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in India. It will involve the full development of a complete ecosystem from the manufacture to assembly, testing, and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft. Apart from Tatas, leading defence public sector units such as Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd, as well as private micro, small, and medium enterprises, will contribute to this programme. The C295 aircraft is a military aircraft, and its production will strengthen India's aerospace industry and drive the country towards self-reliance. In 2021, India signed a contract with Airbus to buy 56 C-295 transport aircraft, of which 16 were to be directly sent from Spain while 40 had to be manufactured in India at the Tata facility in Vadodara. The city of Vadodara is all decked up with beautiful lights to welcome the two leaders. The residents of Vadodara expressed their happiness over the visit of PM Modi and Spain's PM and hoped for good international relations with Spain. Later in the day, PM Modi will visit Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara. From Vadodara, the Prime Minister will travel to Amreli, where he will inaugurate Bharat Mata Sarovar. He will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects worth over Rs 4,800 crores. These projects will benefit the citizens of Amreli, Jamnagar, Morbi, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Junagadh, Porbandar, Kachchh, and Botad districts of the state. Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various road projects worth more than Rs 2,800 crores. Projects to be inaugurated include four-laning of various sections of NH 151, NH 151A, and NH 51 and the Junagadh bypass. The Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various development projects worth over Rs 700 crore of the water supply department from Amreli district. The foundation stone of Pasavi Group Augmentation Water Supply Scheme Phase 2 in Bhavnagar district will also be laid which will benefit 95 villages in the Mahuva, Talaja, and Palitana talukas, in Bhavnagar district. Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for tourism-related development initiatives which includes transforming the Karli Recharge Reservoir at Mokarsagar in Porbandar district into a world-class sustainable eco-tourism destination, among others. Meanwhile, President Sanchez will also visit Mumbai, where, apart from official engagements, he will interact with trade and industry leaders, think tanks, and the film industry.He will address the 4th Spain India Forum organised by the Spain-India Council Foundation and the Observer Research Foundation. He will also visit prominent film studios where he will interact with leading celebrities in Indian movie industries, to foster greater collaboration between the Indian and Spanish media and entertainment industry.
PM Modi and Spanish PM to Launch C-295 Aircraft Manufacturing Facility in Gujarat
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez are set to inaugurate the Tata aircraft manufacturing complex in Vadodara, Gujarat, on Monday. This facility will produce C-295 aircraft through Tata Advanced Systems. According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), this facility marks the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India. During his visit to Gujarat, Modi will also launch development projects worth over 4,900 crore in the Amreli district. The agreement includes the construction of 40 aircraft at the Vadodara facility, while Airbus will supply 16 aircraft directly. Tata Advanced Systems is tasked with manufacturing these 40 aircraft, establishing a complete ecosystem for their production. This will cover everything from assembly and testing to delivery and maintenance throughout the aircraft's life cycle. In addition to Tata, several prominent defense public sector units, including Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics, along with various private micro, small, and medium enterprises, will play a role in this initiative. Modi had earlierlaid the foundation stone for the Vadodara assembly line in October 2022. During his visit to Amreli, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Bharat Mata Sarovar in Dudhala, a project developed in partnership with the state government and the Dholakia Foundation through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Various rail, road, water, and tourism projects will also be inaugurated, benefiting residents of Amreli, Jamnagar, Morbi, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Junagadh, Porbandar, Kachchh, and Botad districts. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Pushes for Deeper Defense and Economic Relations with India PM Modi and Scholz Strengthen Ties During Three-Day Visit to India
Gujarat: PM Modi to inaugurate Rs 4,800 cr development projects
Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 4,800 crore in Gujarats Amreli district on October 28. These initiatives encompass nearly 1,600 projects across the districts of Amreli, Jamnagar, Morbi, Devbhumi Dwarka, Junagadh, Porbandar, Kutch, and Botad, underscoring a push for infrastructure and water supply improvements. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Gujarat hospital accused of enrolling 350 patients into BJP without consent
A hospital in Gujarats Rajkot city is facing significant backlash following allegations that it enrolled 350 patients undergoing eye surgery as members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) without their consent. The controversy erupted when one of the patients, Kamlesh Thummar a resident of Junagadh shared a video on social media detailing his experience at Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Cataract patients woken up, made BJP members in Rajkot; Party denies, calls it defamation plot
AHMEDABAD: A new controversy has sparked in Gujarat over the BJP membership drive, as a viral video shows patients at Rajkot's Ranchoddas Bapu Charitable Trust eye hospital being woken up in the middle of the night and enrolled as BJP members after cataract surgeries. Reports reveal that patients registered at Junagadh's Trimurti Hospital were brought to Rajkot for cataract surgeries on September 16. During the night, a person allegedly woke them up, collected OTPs, and enrolled them as BJP members. Kamlesh Thummar, a patient from Junagadh, captured the incident on video and shared it with the media. Many patients only realized they had been made BJP members when they received confirmation messages. I went to Rajkot for cataract surgery last Sunday and fell asleep around 8 PM, alleged Kamlesh Thummar, who traveled from Junagadh for eye surgery. Around 10:30-11 PM, someone woke me up, asked for my mobile number, I think it was for the hospital. Before I knew it, he took my phone, mentioned an OTP, and when I got my phone back, I was a BJP member, said Thummar. When I asked him, 'Did you make me a BJP member?' he replied, 'Theres no other way.' This shouldnt happen. Out of 400 people, around 200-250 became members those with mobiles. This is a scam; people were forced into membership, Thummar claimed. Left: Screengrab from a viral video; Right: Thummar showing the membership message he had received. Shanti Wadoliya of Ranchoddas Charitable Trust stated, Our trust brings patients from across Gujarat for free cataract surgeries. On October 16, we held a camp in Junagadh, organized by Dr. Chikhalia at Trimurti Hospital. The patients were later brought to Rajkot for their procedures. This issue has just come to our attention, and an investigation is underway. If any trust member is found involved, strict action will be taken according to the rules, Wadoliya assured. Rajkot city BJP president Mukesh Doshi stated, I have ordered my zone secretary to investigate the entire matter, including identifying the person seen in the video. No one has been given instructions to wake up sleeping patients and make them members. Such overzealous actions will not be tolerated. All city BJP workers have exceeded their membership targets while staying within limits over the last 50 days. I strongly condemn this incident and assure a thorough investigation, considering it might be a conspiracy to defame the BJP, Doshi added.
ED Conducts Raids At 23 Locations In Gujarat Over GST Fraud Case
About 23 premises in Rajkot, Junagadh, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar and Veraval were raided by the federal agency after a case was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
ED conducts raids in Gujarat in GST fraud case
About 23 premises in the cities of Rajkot, Junagadh, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar and Veraval were being raided by the federal agency after a case was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
Ahmedabad police probe GST fraud case; five arrested
The Crime Branch, along with Gujarats Economic Offences Wing, searched 14 locations across the State, including in Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Surat, Kheda, and Bhavnagar
Massive GST fraud unearthed; over 200 bogus firms across India involved
AHMEDABAD: The Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) has launched a sweeping investigation into a major GST evasion racket, uncovering over 200 fake companies involved in fraudulent transactions across the country. Based on intelligence provided by the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI), the Ahmedabad Crime Branch conducted simultaneous raids across 14 locations, including Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Surat, Kheda, and Bhavnagar. The operation targeted individuals involved in a massive GST fraud, resulting in the detention of over 33 key operators who are believed to have established 12 bogus firms. Among those questioned is Mahesh Langa a journalist, and a son of a prominent Saurashtra MLA as authorities continue to unravel the intricate web of financial deception. After the investigation, Journalist Mahesh Langa has been arrested among others. ACP Bharat Patel of the Crime Branch informed the local media, stating: Journalist Mahesh Langa has been arrested based on a complaint received from GST authorities, alleging the use of false documents. The Crime Branch will seize all relevant documents and conduct a thorough investigation. Further actions will be taken as more details emerge during the ongoing inquiry. Sources reveal that the investigation spans 33 locations nationwide, with a focus on fraudulent ITC (Input Tax Credit) claims, amounting to crores. In a sweeping crackdown on bogus firms involved in a massive GST fraud, authorities have identified several key builders and operators behind these fraudulent entities. The investigation revealed the following individuals and companies at the center of the scam: Arham Steel: Nimesh Vora, Hetalbehan Vora Om Construction Company: Rajendrasinh Saravaia, Vanrajsinh Saravaia, Brijrajsinh Saravaia, Hitvarajsinh Saravaia Shree Kankeswari Enterprise: Kalubhai Wagh, Prafulbhai Waja, Manan Waja, Jayeshbhai Waja, Vijay Wagh Raj Infra: Ratnadeepsinh Dodia, Jayeshkumar Sutaria, Arvinand Sutaria Haresh Construction Company: Nilesh Nasit, Jyotish Gondalia, Prabhaben Gondalia D.A. Enterprise: Langa Manojkumar Rambhai, Vinubhai Natubhai Patel Ethiraj Construction Pvt. Ltd.: Nilesh Nasit, Jyotish Gondalia, Prabhaben Gondalia B.J. Odedara: Bhagirath Odedara, Bhojabhai Odedara, Keshubhai Odedara, Bhojabhai Jessabhai Odedara, Abhabhai Jessabhai Odedara R.M. Dasa Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.: Nathabhai Dasa, Ramanbhai Dasa Aryan Associates: Ajay Barad, Vijaykumar Barad, Ramesh Kalabhai Barad Prithvi Builders: Paresh Pradipbhai Dodhia Paresh Pradipbhai Dodia Builders: Paresh Dodia These individuals are accused of creating shell companies to facilitate fraudulent tax claims and evade GST payments. Authorities are continuing their investigations, with more arrests expected as the probe deepens into this large-scale financial fraud. Ahmedabad Crime Branch's press release on Monday, stated It appears that prima facie, there is the involvement of over 200 fraudulently created firms/entities working across the country in an organized manner to defraud the Government Exchequer by availing and passing bogus Input Tax Credit. The use of forged identities and documents to create such firms, with the intent to evade duty through fraudulent means, has also been observed. There seems to be a large group engaged in a criminal conspiracy to cause financial loss to the nation, amounting to revenue losses potentially running into crores of rupees. This was carried out through fake billing, forged documents, and malafide misrepresentation of facts. The investigation is currently ongoing, and legal processes are being undertaken accordingly. it also reads.
Ahmedabad police arrest senior journalist in GST scam
Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested a senior journalist with a leading newspaper in Gujarat in an alleged Goods and Service Tax (GST) scam, officials said. Following detailed questioning, journalist Mahesh Langa was arrested by the Crime Branch on Tuesday morning, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ajit Rajian said. The central GST had found some suspicious transactions in bogus firms floated in the name of Mahesh Langa's wife and father using forged documents. Langa has been arrested for further investigation, he said. On Monday, the city Crime Branch registered an FIR against several persons and entities after getting a complaint from central GST over an alleged scam of floating bogus firms with an intent to defraud the government by availing bogus input tax credit through fraudulent transactions, a release by the Crime Branch said. After registration of the FIR, the Crime Branch along with Gujarat's Economic Offences Wing raided 14 different locations across the state including in Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Surat, Kheda and Bhavnagar. It appears that there is an involvement of over 200 fraudulently created firms working across the country in an organised manner to defraud the government exchequer by availing bogus input tax credit. Forged documents and identities were used for the creation of such firms for tax evasion, said the release. There is a large group working towards a conspiracy of causing financial loss to the tune of crores of rupees to the country by way of using forged bills and documents, it said. Some of the entities named as accused in the FIR include Dhruvi Enterprise, Om Construction, Raj Infra, Haresh Construction Company and DA Enterprise.
