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1. Jaipur, Saturday | March 30, 2024
RNI NUMBER: RAJENG/2019/77764 | VOL 5 | ISSUE NO. 292 | PAGES 12 | `3.00 Rajasthan’s Own English Newspaper
firstindia.co.in firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur thefirstindia thefirstindia thefirstindia
War of words between
Dhariwal and Gunjal
Bhanwar S Charan
Kota
The discontent in the lo-
calCongressafterPrahlad
Gunjal was brought from
BJP to Congress and
made the party candidate
from Kota-Bundi LS con-
stituency, erupted on the
stage on Friday when
Shanti Dhariwal & Gun-
jal shared stage at the Dis-
trict Congress office.
Tension arose when
Dhariwal sought a clear
explanation from Gunjal
on allegations ranging
from the stones thrown at
home to the corruption on
the riverfront, levelled
against him.
Gunjal was also seen
losing his temper and
stood up & scolded Dha-
riwal. Later, in a damage
control attempt, Dhari-
wal said whatever he had
to say, he had said it but
should not create differ-
ences or disagreements.
‘MODI KI GUARANTEE’ IS BJP’S STRATEGY
Ill but strong! CM focusses on‘Mission-25’
First India Bureau
Jaipur
hief Minister
Bhajan Lal is
busy making
strategy for BJP’s Mis-
sion 25 and is therefore
planning to make the vis-
its of PM Modi and other
dignitaries successful.
CM’s complete focus is
on election management
for two days and despite
feeling somewhat un-
well, he continues to en-
gage in election manage-
ment for which he is in
contact with BJP state
president and other offi-
cials. CM Sharma is pro-
posed to visit Jodhpur on
Saturday for which CM
will leave at 11 am. A
meeting will be held at
Polo Ground Jodhpur
from 12:00 pm to 1:30
pm in support of BJP
candidate Gajendra Sin-
gh Shekhawat from
Jodhpur. In Jaipur, CM
will attend Holi meet and
greet ceremony of Gurjar
community at 3:15 pm.
He is proposed to visit
Banswara on April 2 &
participate in nomination
of BJPcandidate Mahen-
drajit Singh Malviya.
Sanganer BJP workers called on CM Bhajan Lal Sharma on Friday.
C
Court orders probe
into Ansari’s death
10 lives lost as car
plunges into gorge
First India Bureau
Srinagar
Ten people have died af-
ter a passenger vehicle
they were travelling in
fell into a gorge on the
Srinagar-Jammu high-
way. The officials said
that accident happened
around 1:30 in the night
and the vehicle fell into a
300-feet deep gorge at a
place called Battery
Cheshma in Ramban dis-
trict. The victims are mi-
grant workers who were
on their way to Srinagar.
Amid heavy rains,
rescue operations were
launched by state disaster
management workers
and police to retrieve the
bodies. LG Manoj Sinha
condoled the deaths and
said that I have issued in-
structions to Dist Admin
& Divisional Commis-
sioner for all assistance.
l Post-mortem reveals heart attack as
major cause of Mukhtar Ansari’s death
l Justice has been served: Wife of BJP MLA
murdered by gangster Mukhtar Ansari
First India Bureau
Lucknow
The Chief Judicial Mag-
istrate of Banda on Friday
ordered a judicial inquiry
into the death of gangster-
t u r n e d - p o l i t i c i a n
Mukhtar Ansari who
died after suffering a car-
diac arrest in a prison in
Uttar Pradesh on Thurs-
day night. The court
asked MP/MLA court
judge Garima Singh to
submit the report within a
month to the Banda Chief
Judicial Magistrate.
Controversy erupted
over the death of jailed
gangster-turned-politi-
cian Mukhtar Ansari af-
ter his son claimed that
the former MLA was
subjected to “slow poi-
soning” in prison. Ansa-
ri’s postmortem was con-
ducted on Friday. Mean-
while, Ansari’s son, Ab-
bas, who is lodged in
Kasganj jail, has ap-
proached the SC seeking
permission to attend his
father’s funeral.
AfterGermany&US,UN
reactstoKejriwal’sarrest
First India Bureau
New Delhi
At a time when US and
Germany have reacted to
arrest of Kejriwal, saying
they “encouraged fair,
transparent, timely legal
processes”, a spokesper-
son of United Nations
has also weighed in on
the matter, saying that he
hoped “everyone’s rights
are protected in India”.
In a press briefing on,
Stephane Dujarric,
spokesperson for the
Secretary-General Anto-
nio Guterres, said, “What
we very much hope that
in India, as in any coun-
try that is having elec-
tions, that everyone’s
rights are protected, in-
cluding political and
civil rights, and everyone
is able to vote in atmos-
phere that is free & fair.”
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secy-General Antonio Guterres.
SDRF recover bodies from 300
feet gorge in Ramban on Friday.
KEJRIWAL’S TIME LIMITED, MADAM
PREPPING FOR POST: MINISTER PURI
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri
on Friday took a swipe at jailed
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as some-
one who has “very limited time”, alluding
to the end of his chief ministership. Puri
said the AAP chief’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal,
is likely preparing to take top post soon.
The news of many
casualties in the road
accident in Ramban,
Jammu is extremely sad. The
local administration is fully
engaged in relief and rescue
work. I express my deepest
condolences to the bereaved
families and pray for the
speedy recovery of the injured.
Jagat Prakash Nadda
(Modi Ka Parivar)@JPNadda
PM MODI’S EXCLUSIVE INTERACTION WITH BILL GATES AT PMR
ChAIPE
CHARCHA!
l From AI to UPI, Modi and Gates discuss India’s
digital revolution l Gates praises Indians for the
ability to adopt technology fast l Not just aai,
kids also saying ‘AI’ as the first word: PM to Gates
Moni Sharma
New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and Microsoft co-
founder Bill Gates dis-
cussed a wide range of
issues from Artificial In-
telligence to Digital Pub-
lic Infrastructure and ef-
forts to combat climate
change in a free-wheeling
chat at the PM’s residence
in New Delhi on Friday.
In the conversation, Bill
Gates praised Indians for
their ability to adopt tech-
nology fast as well as lead
the way while PM Modi
encouraged the Microsoft
boss to take a selfie using
the Photo Booth on Prime
Minister’s Namo App.
Modi jokingly said
that kids in India have
become so advanced that
they are saying ‘AI’ as
their first word. “In India,
we call mother ‘aai’ in
most of the states and
now some advanced kids
are sayingAI as their first
word…it’s a joke but aai
and AI sound similar’.
Modi also shared with
Gates that his Hindi
speech was translated
into Tamil during Kashi
Tamil Sangamam event
using AI.
India has a “digital government”, the
country is not only adapting technology
but it is actually leading the way.
BILL GATES, MICROSOFT CO-FOUNDER
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates interact with each other while
discussing various crucial topics, at the Prime Minister’s residence in Delhi on Friday. PM Modi and
Bill Gates engaged in a free-wheeling chat at 10 in the morning which lasted over 45 minutes.
PM MODI TO BEGIN
LS POLL CAMPAIGN
FROM UP TODAY
PM Modi will kick off
the BJP’s campaign
for the Lok Sabha
election 2024 in Uttar
Pradesh from Meerut
with a mega rally
on Saturday. UP is
crucial for the party
to achieve the target
of 370 seats set by
PM Modi for LS polls
as the state sends
80 MPs, the highest
number of parliamen-
tarians to the LS.
PM MODI WILL VISIT
KOTPUTLI ON APRIL
2 TO SUPPORT RAO
PM Modi will be in
Kotputli on April 2
where he will address
a public meeting at
LBS College ground at
10 am. Modi will hold
public meeting in sup-
port of BJP candidate
from Jaipur Rural Rao
Rajendra Singh Shah-
pura. All BJP leaders
including CM Bhajan
Lal Sharma, BJP State
President CP Joshi &
others will be present.
MODI-GATES COLLOQUY
INDIA’S DIGITAL
REVOLUTION
PM Modi explained how In-
dia has embraced technolo-
gy to prevent
monopolies
and ensure
it is acces-
sible to all
citizens.In addressing the
digital revolution in India,
Modi emphasized its global
curiosity during the G20.
PM’S NAMO APP
DEMONSTRATION
PM Modi demonstrated use
of AI on his Namo app. The
PM asked
Gates to take
selfie via app.
Suddenly
all photos of
Gates with Modi appeared
on the app. PM Modi said
that AI should be embraced
“to enhance daily life”.
‘NAMO DRONE
DIDI’ SCHEME
Modi noted that women in
India are particularly open
to adopting
new tech-
nology. He
highlighted
initiatives
like the ‘Namo Drone Didi’
scheme, which aims to pro-
mote technology, especially
among women.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE-AI TALKS
Interestingly, Modi discussed the integration
of artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects
of governance, including its use during the
2023 G20 Summit. He highlighted how AI is
transforming sectors like health, agri & edu.
AI CHALLENGES
AND DEEPFAKE
Modi called for establishing
clear guidelines and
distinguishing
authentic
content from
deepfake
creations. “It’s
crucial to acknowledge that
deepfake content is AI-
generated and mention its
source,” PM Modi said.
PM MODI WEARS RECYCLED JACKET, HE
TELLS GATES WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT IT
In an interaction with Microsoft co-founder Bill
Gates, PM Modi talked about India’s culture
of recycling waste and said the half-jacket he
was wearing was made of recycled material. It had
been made using spare cloth pieces at tailors’ shops
and also using recycled plastic bottles, he said.
BILL GATES ASKS MODI WHAT HE DOES TO
RELAX. HE SAYS ‘HAPPENS ON AUTOPILOT’
Calling PM Modi one of “most hard-working
leaders” in world, Bill Gates asked Modi what he
does to relax, to which PM Modi replied, saying
that relaxation remains for him in “autopilot mode.”
Recalling his days in the Himalayas, PM Modi said he
used to follow tradition of bathing in “Brahma Muhurat.”
NATIONAL DOCTORS’ DAY
CM MEETS SANGANER MANDAL PRESIDENTS
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma chaired a meeting on Friday
of all Mandal Presidents and key workers of San-
ganer. In the meeting, preparations for Lok Sabha
in Sanganer Assembly and planning up to booth level were
made. Strategy was also made for Sanganer assembly in
Lok Sabha election campaign and instructions were given
to prepare action plan from 1st April to 19th April in which
contact with beneficiaries, delivery of achievements of 3
months to every home has to be highlighted while also
giving information about Modi’s guarantee and the works of
the central government. During this time, a big meeting of
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma will also be organised.
36°C
23°C
Min
Humidity36%
Max
Very warm with hazy sun
in State during the day
FORECAST
BJP Lok Sabha candidate
from Amravati, Navneet
Rana, meets with Home
Minister Amit Shah, at his
residence, in Delhi, Friday.
IN BRIEF
Cong gets fresh Income
Tax notice of `1,700 cr
New Delhi: The Congress
party has received `1,800
crore notice from the In-
come Tax Department for
assessment years 2017-18
to 2020-21 on Friday. This
comes a day after the Del-
hi High Court dismissed
the party’s petition chal-
lenging the tax notices.
7 convicted in BSP MLA
Raju Pal murder case
Lucknow: A special CBI
court in Lucknow on Fri-
day convicted 7 for mur-
der of BSP MLA Raju Pal
in 2005. The court award-
ed life term to six convicts
and imposed a penalty of
`11.62 lakh. 1 convict was
not present, his punish-
ment to be awarded later.
Bhim Army Chief Azad
gets CRPF’s Y+ security
New Delhi: In a signifi-
cant development, the
Ministry of Home Affairs
(MHA) has accorded Cen-
tral Reserve Police Force
(CRPF) ‘Y’ category se-
curity cover to Bhim
Army Chief Chandrashek-
har Azad in Uttar Pradesh,
sources said on Friday.

2. 02
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Jaipur, Saturday | March 30, 2024
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02
BJP government has done
only one thing in three
months and that is UD tax
notices have been given to every
house. The Central government is
doing the work of destroying MSME.
Pratap S Khachariyawas , Congress Leader
QUOTE-UNQUOTE
The Ashok Gehlot govt
made circumstances unfa-
vourable for me got work
stalled. I’m not tired. I was am firm
on development. Shergarh assembly
has once again put seal of trust on me.
GS Shekhawat, Union Minister
Our commitment is
necessary for the resolve of
a developed India. The state
team is working tirelessly and because
of their hard work, BJP will win all the
25 Lok Sabha seats.
Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, LS polls Raj incharge
This time the candidates of
INDIA bloc will win. Results
will be in its favour as every
troubled class has made up its mind.
The double engine government lost
in Srikaranpur assembly elections.
Rupinder Singh Kooner, Congress MLA
Adda
Adda
RAJ
RAJniti
ka
RAJE’S RETURN TO POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT:
ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNS FOR SON, DUSHYANT SINGH
Political activeness of former
CM Vasundhara Raje has
become the talk of the political
corridors. Raje was not seen very
active until recently, but was seen
active in Jhalawar on Thursday,
where she campaigned for her son
and sitting MP, Dushyant Singh.
Will she campaign for other candidates also is a
question which is being asked as her name figures in
the list of star campaigners of the party.
DushyantSinghpoisedtoequalmother
Vasundhara’srecordwithpotentialwin
A unique record could be achieved
Pankaj Soni
Jaipur
Dushyant Singh has once
again been made the BJP
candidate from Jhalawar
seatintheLokSabhaelec-
tions 2024. In such a situ-
ation, Dushyant Singh
has a chance to equal the
record of his mother
Vasundhara Raje on this
seat. Because he is also
going to contest elections
from Jhalawar seat for the
5th time. If he wins, he
will equal his mother’s
record. It will be a unique
record when first the
mother and then the son
have registered victory
on a seat for five consecu-
tive times.
Vasundhara Raje con-
tested from the Jhalawar
seat for the first time in
1989, wherein, she won.
After this, she never
looked back. She then
won five consecutive
times in 1991, 1996,
1998 and 1999.
At the same time, in
2004, Vasundhara Raje
gave Jhalawar seat to her
son Dushyant Singh. Af-
ter this Dushyant won in
2009, 2014 and 2019.
Now by winning for
the fifth time in 2024, he
has a chance to equal
mother Vasundhara Ra-
je’s record of winning
five consecutive times.
Notably, the Congress
had last won Jhalawar
Lok Sabha seat in 1984.
At that time Jujhar Singh
had registered victory on
this seat. Since then, the
Congress has faced
continuous defeats.
Dr Rituraj Sharma
Jaipur
In order to include the de-
prived sections, the Elec-
tion Department has not
only focused on the disa-
bled voters but has also
created booths run by
them. Now, more than 2.5
lakh disabled voters can
exercise their voting
rights in the first phase.
The department has made
200 booths which will be
operated by the disabled.
There has been a sig-
nificant increase in the
number of disabled vot-
ers. There are 2 lakh
51,250 disabled voters in
the state for the first
phase. These include 1
lakh 69,184 men, 82,063
women and three
transgender voters. Churu
has the maximum num-
ber of 25,172 disabled
voters in which 16,414
are male and 8,758 fe-
male voters. Jaipur has
the least number of disa-
bled voters at 12,487.
Bikaner has the least
number of disabled
women voters at 5,000.
 Raje has won from Jhalawar seat five
times in a row  Her son, Dushyant,
who has registered four consecutive
victories, is in the fray for the fifth time
CONG HAS NO STRATEGY TO WIN JHALAWAR SEAT
RAJE CAME FROM MADHYA PRADESH AND MADE
A STRONG POLITICAL BASE IN RAJASTHAN
Congress has been changing its strategy on
Jhalawar seat for 35 years, but has not achieved
success even once. There are preparations to
contest the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 also under a new
strategy. Congress has given ticket to former minister
Pramod Jain Bhaya’s wife, Urmila Jain. Pramod Jain is
considered close to Ashok Gehlot. However, it is not easy
for Congress to change the history of Jhalawar seat. In
the 17 elections held here, the representative of the royal
family has won 10 times.
Vasundhara Raje belongs to the Scindia dynasty.
This family has dominated the politics of Madhya
Pradesh. Before 1984, Rajmata Vijayaraje and
Madhavrao of the Scindia dynasty won from wherever and
from which party they contested. But, Princess Vasundhara
Raje of this dynasty, who entered the field of politics for
the first time, lost the Lok Sabha elections from Bhind in
1984. After this, she resigned from the politics of Madhya
Pradesh. After this Vasundhara came to Rajasthan and
prepared her political ground in Jhalawar. Raje became the
Chief Minister of Rajasthan twice.
2.5L disabledvoterstocast
ballotsat200specialbooths
PMModihaspulledIndia
outof slavementality:Birla
BJP accuses
Cong’s Meghwal
of concealing
criminal cases
Ramchandra
Choudhary files
papers in Ajmer
CongshiftsDamodartoR’samand,
fieldsDrCPJoshifromBhilwara First India Bureau
Jaipur
BJP candidate Om Birla
during his visit to various
villages in Kota during
the Jansampark Abhiyan,
hailed PM Narendra
Modi’s leadership, call-
ing it the ‘Amritkaal’ of
the country, where bold
decisions are being made.
“Modi doesn’t shy away
from taking bold deci-
sions, that is why the na-
tion has come out of
slave mentality today,”
he said. Birla highlighted
Modi’s resolve in making
significant policy chang-
es, citing repeal of Arti-
cle 370, amendments to
CAA, implementation
of Indian Justice Code.
He criticised Congress
for not addressing issues
such as the outdated IPC.
MLA Madan Dilawar
emphasised importance
of voting wisely in polls.
Laxman Raghav
Jaipur
At a press conference
held at BJP’s District
Headquarters in Bikan-
er, the BJP accused Con-
gress Lok Sabha candi-
date Govind Ram Megh-
wal of hiding criminal
cases in his nomination
papers.
District spokesperson
Ashok Prajapat said,
“Govind Ram Meghwal
has written zero in the
record column of crimi-
nal cases in the affidavit.
However, the e-court ser-
vice portal of Rajasthan
High Court shows pend-
ing cases with dates like
4.5.2024, May 13, 2024,
and June 29, 2024. The
information about the
next date is not provided
in his affidavit.”
First India Bureau
Jaipur
Former Ajmer Saras
Dairy Chairman, Ram-
chandra Chaudhary filed
his nomination as Con-
gress candidate forAjmer
LS seat. He held a nomi-
nation meeting near pet-
rol pump No. 9 before
filing papers at Collec-
torate. Chaudhary, ac-
companied by his wife,
declared assets to EC,
revealing that his wife
owns 150 grams of gold
and 5 kg of silver. They
have no house or land,
while Chaudhary owns
1.36 acres of agricultural
land a house in Ajmer.
First India Bureau
Jaipur
Senior Congress leader
and former Assembly
Speaker Dr CPJoshi will
be Congress candidate
from Bhilwara. Mean-
while, another party lead-
er, Damodar Gurjar, has
been made candidate
from Rajsamand. Earlier,
Congress had made Da-
modar Gurjar its candi-
date from Bhilwara but
now Dr CP Joshi will
contest polls from
Bhilwara in place of Da-
modar Gurjar.
Interestingly, accord-
ing to insiders in Con-
gress, Damodar Gurjar is
really feeling cheated as
the party shifted Da-
modar from Bhilwara to
Rajsamand whereas, Ra-
jsamand is considered a
‘safe’ seat for BJP. This
raises a question: Did the
High Command take Da-
modar lightly and just
completed the formality
of giving the ticket?
Congress’s Damodar
Gurjar’s fate uncertain
despite his role as Ge-
hlot’s commander at
CMR. Dr Joshi, with a
stronghold in Nathdwara,
contests from Bhilwara.
Uncertainty looms over
both constituencies and
their voters’ future.
Om Birla greets people during the Jansampark Abhiyan at
Ramganj Mandi area of Kota district on Friday. Madan Dilawar
others were also present.
Dr CP Joshi Damodar Gurjar
BJP PICKS SUBHASH TAMBOLIYA FOR BAGIDORA
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially an-
nounced Subhash Tamboliya as its candidate for
the upcoming by-election on the Bagidora assem-
bly seat. This seat fell vacant following the resignation of
former Congress MLA Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya.
Seat is a political roller coaster due to BJP-Cong tug-of-war
Abhishek Tiwari
Jaipur
aking a retro-
spective glance
at the electoral
history of the
Karauli-Dhol-
pur Lok Sabha constitu-
ency reveals a tale of
political oscillation be-
tween the Congress and
the BJP. Formerly
known as Bayana, this
constituency encom-
passed voters from
Bharatpur, Dausa, and
Dholpur districts. In
1962, Tikkaram Paliwal
of the Swatantra Party
was elected as the MP.
The subsequent elec-
tions in 1967 and 1971
saw victories for Con-
gress’s Jagannath Pa-
hadia. In 1977, Shyam
Sundar Lal of the Janata
Party marked his pres-
ence in Bayana. The seat
alternated between Con-
gress and BJP in the
1980s and 1990s, with
Gangaram Koli winning
in 1991 for the BJP. Sub-
sequently, Bahadur Sin-
gh Koli secured victories
for the BJP in 1996 and
1998, followed by Ram-
swaroop Koli’s win in
2004.
In 2009, during the
delimitation process, a
new Lok Sabha seat,
Dholpur-Karauli, was
established, with Khila-
di Lal Bairwa of the
Congress emerging as
the MP. However, the
2014 elections wit-
nessed a shift in the po-
litical landscape as the
Congress replaced its
candidate. Riding on the
Modi wave, the BJP
clinched victory, and
Manoj Rajoria became
the MP. Since then, he
has been re-elected
twice consecutively.
Post-delimitation, this
Lok Sabha seat has been
considered crucial for
Scheduled Caste repre-
sentation in the state.
Dr. Manoj Rajoria de-
feated Congress’s Lak-
khiram Lal by securing a
total of 4,01,921 votes in
the 2014 elections, while
his opponent settled for
3,74,828 votes. Similar-
ly, in the 2019 elections,
Dr. Manoj Rajoria se-
cured victory with
5,23,801 votes. Mean-
while, the Congress par-
ty faced defeat once
again with their candi-
date Sanjay Kumar Jatav
receiving 4,27,847
votes. The electoral bat-
tleground in the Karauli-
Dholpur constituency
continues to witness
fierce competition, re-
flecting the shifting dy-
namics of Rajasthan’s
political landscape.
T
KARAULI-DHOLPUR LS SEAT
ASSEMBLYSEAT-WISEPOSITIONOFKARAULI-DHOLPUR
l (77) BASERI: Sanjay Kumar Jatav (INC)
l (78) BARI: Jaswant Singh Gurjar (BSP)
l (79) DHOLPUR: Shobha Rani Kushwaha (INC)
l (80) RAJAKHERA: Rohit Bohra (INC)
l (81) TODABHIM: Ghanshyam Mahar (INC)
l (82) HINDAUN: Anita Jatav (INC)
l (83) KARAULI: Darshan Singh Gurjar (BJP)
l (84) SAPOTRA: Hansraj Meena (BJP)
MPs OF KARAULI-DHOLPUR THUS FAR
l 2009 KHILADI LAL BAIRWA: INC
l 2014 MANOJ RAJORIA: BJP
l 2019 MANOJ RAJORIA: BJP
TILL 2009:
CONSTITUENCY
DID NOT EXIST
THE CURIOUS CASE OF RAHU-KETU IN FATEHPUR!
There is mutual conflict between the leaders in
the election field! Dissatisfaction is emerging
among leaders in Fatehpur. There is dissatisfaction
among BJP members in Fatehpur as Shravan
Choudhary, who was BJP candidate in the assembly,
spoke harshly about the rebels and termed them as
‘Rahu-Ketu.’

3. Vikas Sharma
Jaipur
The construction of the
IPD tower has been run-
ning into rough weather.
After the controversy
surrounding it eclipsing
the heritage of Jaipur’s
Albert Hall, now it has
been hit with the paucity
of funds. Actually medi-
cal education depart-
ments wish that the
building should be 24
floors as per the approved
design and for this pro-
ject JDA has sanctioned
Rs 516 crore. But for
construction of a total 24
floors, Rs 100 crore
more are required and
JDAwon’t be giving this
additional amount, as
such the officials of the
department are now do-
ing the exercise for ad-
ditional budget.
Meanwhile health ex-
perts opine that the plan-
ning of IPD tower may
invite certain issues
also. Given the size of
this infrastructure in the
coming future the place
will see an acute short-
age of parking space
while there will be con-
gestion on the road also
because of the vehicles.
Moreover, there will be
a flood of attendants
once this tower becomes
operational and for them
there is no place where
they can stay.
Nirmal Tiwari
Jaipur
On the occasion of Ra-
jasthan Day, being cele-
brated on Saturday, tour-
ists will be allowed free
entry in all the monu-
ments and museums of
the state. Besides, folk
artistes will regel them at
various tourist places.
Chief Minister Bhajan
Lal Sharma has extended
heartfelt congratulations
and best wishes to the
people of the state. He
said that Rajasthan’s
tourism, folk art, culture
and rich heritage are rec-
ognized across the world.
“The state has numerous
stories of bravery and
patriotism, mutual har-
mony and brotherhood,”
he said. On March 30,
1949, the princely states
of Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jais-
almer and Bikaner were
merged to form the great-
er Rajasthan union.
Chief Secy Sudhansh Pant’s concerned approach
towards revenue collection gets officials on toes!
Rajendra Chhabra
Jaipur
hief Secretary
Sudhansh Pant
is extremely
concernedaboutfillingup
the state coffers and thus,
for the past fifteen days,
he has been working tire-
lessly to ensure that the
collection target is
achieved. For this pur-
pose, he is monitoring the
day to day progress of the
five main departments
that bring in most revenue
- Excise, Transport,
Mines,CommercialTaxes
and Registration of
Stamps. He has engaged
Collectors of all fifty dis-
tricts in this work. He has
also gathered the detailed
statisticsofDivisionwise,
district wise and depart-
ment wise achieved tar-
gets and has issued the
same for everyone to see.
Thisisperhapsforthefirst
time in the administrative
history of the state that a
Chief Secretary is being
seen in such an unprece-
dented role.
CS Sudhansh Pant’s
concern regarding reve-
nue collection was ob-
served on Wednesday too
during the Senior Officers
Meeting (SOM). At the
start of the meeting, he
expressed concern over
non-achievement of rev-
enue targets and gave in-
formation that only four
days are left in the end of
financial year and the
state’s exchequer is still
twenty thousand crore ru-
pees short of its revised
target(whichwaslowered
considerably than the
budgettarget). Hestressed
that there are three more
days of leave for the gov-
ernment in the days to
come. Secretary Finance
(Revenue) KK Pathak
could not satisfy CS with
the statistics.
And when the time
came to discuss the Budg-
et and Expenditure, more
thanhalfadozenSecretar-
ies complained to the CS
of the Finance department
not releasing their rightful
money. Although Secre-
tary Finance (Expendi-
ture) - NK Thakral and
Director Budget - Brijesh
Sharma - gave their clari-
fications on this aspect,
the CS appeared to be un-
satisfiedandunimpressed.
According to CS’s in-
structions, every District
Collector is chairing
meetings of five revenue
earning depts of their dis-
tricts on a daily basis and
thereafter they send daily
online progress report to
CS. Based on these de-
tails, different tables have
been created of details till
March 26. And these ta-
bles have made every-
thing crystal clear. CS
considerstheperformance
of Excise and Commer-
cial taxes dept to be poor.
Administrative ex-
perts are surprised with
CS’s keen interest and
concern regarding reve-
nue collection.
CS Sudhansh Pant
C
RAJASTHAN 03
www.firstindia.co.in firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur thefirstindia thefirstindia thefirstindia
Jaipur, Saturday | March 30, 2024
IPDTowerbattlesfunding
hurdlesamidpoorplanning
SI Ashok Meena
TherewereconcernsthatitwoulddwarfAlbertHall
RCA ad hoc panel
formed, MLA
Jaideep Bihani
others included
Naresh Sharma
Jaipur
Thegovthasdissolvedthe
executive of RCA over ir-
regularities in organizing
sports events not send-
ing the accounts to Sports
Councilontime.Coopera-
tive Registrar Archana
Singh dissolved the exist-
ing executive and also
formed an ad hoc commit-
tee late on Thursday.
BJPMLAand treasurer
of Sriganganagar District
Cricket Association,
Jaideep Bihani has been
made the coordinator. Till
the elections of RCA, the
ad hoc committee will run
the RCA. After the BJP
came to power, Vaibhav
Gehlot resigned from the
postofpresidentandinhis
place, Dhananjay Singh,
son of Gajendra Khimsar,
was made acting presi-
dent. Dharamveer Singh,
Harishchandra Singh, Ra-
tan Singh Pawan Goyal
have been made members
of the ad hoc committee.
JDA opens polo ground
walkway as people object
First India Bureau
Jaipur
After JDA officials came
and inspected the spot in
the Polo Ground on Fri-
day in wake of people
protesting regarding the
shut walkway, the walk-
way was later reopened
for the public.
Interestingly, the walk-
way in Polo Ground was
shut and a road closure
noticeboardwasputcaus-
ing much discomfort to
regular walkers. The
board read that walking is
strictly prohibited in view
ofthesafetyofindividuals
and horses around the
polo field. Besides, the
road was blocked using
iron materials. Walkers
who visit Central Park
said that they used to walk
here every day and they
even complained to JDA.
RPS officer killed,
another injured in
road accident,
CM condoles
Jaipur police
seizes `58.08L
amid MCC for
Lok Sabha polls
First India Bureau
Jaipur
A 29-year-old officer of
the Rajasthan Police Ser-
vice died on
the spot and
his female
colleague
s u f f e r e d
fractures af-
ter their car collided head-
on with a truck on NH-
127 in Kota.
According to police,
their SUV crossed the di-
vider and collided with a
truck on the opposite side
after the car tried to dodge
a close overtake bid by a
truck on their side of the
road. Deceased officer
was identified as
Rajendra Gurjar, a resi-
dent of Govindpura vil-
lage of Sikar district. He
was posted at RAC II Bat-
talion in Kota, said DSP
Rajesh Soni. Meanwhile
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma
condoled the demise of
RPS officer and gave di-
rectionstoprovideallpos-
sible support to injured
officer Anjali Singh.
First India Bureau
Jaipur
During the enforcement
of the Model Code of
Conduct amid Lok Sabha
elections, the CST of
Jaipur police commis-
sionerate seized a stag-
gering amount of Rs
58.08 lakhs in a late-night
raid conducted in collab-
oration with Shyam Na-
gar Police at a residence.
The raid led to the appre-
hension of Amit Bharad-
waj, a resident of Rail
Nagar along with recov-
ered cash.Additionally, 2
laptops, 2 mobiles, and 2
diaries were also confis-
cated from the premises.
Police authorities
promptly notified the In-
come Tax Department
regarding the seized
funds. The accumulated
cash, potentially intended
for investment in crypto-
currency, prompted ac-
tion from the teams.
Good Friday Observed
Good Friday being observed with re-enactment of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion
in the St Andrew’s Church at Chandpole in Jaipur on Friday.
SANTOSH SHARMA
Sub inspector in ACB net
for taking `20K in thana
Navin Sharma
Jaipur
The Jaipur team of Anti
Corruption Bureau
(ACB) nabbed SI Ashok
Meena of the Sodala po-
lice station on Friday
while accepting a bribe
of Rs 20,000. The com-
plainant had stated that
SI Ashok demanded Rs
30,000 in exchange for
assisting in a case.
When the complainant
refused to pay the mon-
ey, the SI began threat-
ening him. On which the
victim filed a complaint
with the ACB headquar-
ters. ACB executed the
trap operation in the
presence of NIA.
SI Ashok Meena was
shamelessly receiving
bribes in front of NIA
and Commissionerate
officials.
The ACB team is now
interrogating Ashok
Meena and probing the
roles of the other ac-
cused; nonetheless, the
accused will be present-
ed in court on Saturday.
ACB action across State
Rajasthan Day: Visits to monuments free today
Beatcancerwithpositivemindset:GuvMishra
First India Bureau
Jaipur
Governor Kalraj Mishra
emphasized the impor-
tance of timely treatment
and positive mindset in
defeating cancer during
the 21st Cancer Winners
Day celebration at Bhag-
wanMahavirCancerHos-
pitalResearchCenterin
Jaipur on Friday.
Cancer survivors from
Rajasthan, UP, and MP
participated, sharing their
journeys and raising
awareness. He praised
hospital’s efforts in or-
ganizing such events and
stressed role of survivors
in spreading awareness.
On this occasion, the
hospital’s president
Navratan Kothari high-
lighted upcoming plans
of the hospital free
treatment schemes and
the Cancer Check Aapke
Dwar campaign’s success
in screening over 15,000
individuals. Survivors
shared their triumphs,
withVirendra Kaul deliv-
ering a moving Qawwali
performance. Manila
Singh and Upasana re-
counted their experienc-
es, while Jiyaul and Vim-
la Sankhla were honored.
Big gang that targeted
foreign tourists busted
Satyanarayan Sharma
Jaipur
On December 2, 2022,
miscreants extorted Rs
29.50 lakh from a Japa-
nese tourist by threaten-
ing him with being impli-
cated in a drug case.
Three miscreants have
now been arrested in con-
nection with the crime.
According to Jaipur
Police Commissioner
Biju George Joseph, in
the matter of recover-
ing money from a for-
eign tourist, the ac-
cused Asghar Khan,
Sharif Back, and Kay-
um have been detained.
All miscreants were
apprehended in a raid on
Thursday night.
The search is under-
way for their three com-
panions who are fleeing
the scene.
Fund Crunch
RANGER CAUGHT RED-
HANDED FOR ACCEPTING
`50K BRIBE IN BEAWAR
Beawar (Ajmer): In a
significant operation,
the ACB in Ajmer
apprehended ranger Nitin
Sharma of the Beawar
Forest Range red-handed
while accepting a bribe of
Rs 50,000 on Friday. He
demanded the bribe to
overlook a coal-laden truck,
which was apprehended on
March 24th. Led by ASP
Bhagchand, the ACB team
executed the trap success-
fully on Friday. Earlier, a
complaint was filed against
the ranger, accusing him of
taking a sum of Rs 185,000.
However, this ACB trap in
Ajmer caught Ranger Nitin
Sharma in the act, ensuring
the operation’s success.
Three accused Asghar Khan,
Sharif Back and Kayum in the
custody of police on Friday.
Tourists throng (L) City Palce and (R) Hawa Mahal in Jaipur on Friday. NAIM KHAN
Governor Kalraj Mishra felicitating a cancer survivor at an event
in Jaipur on Friday. Anila Kothari also seen. SUNIL SHARMA
Best wishes to the
people of the state.
The Rajasthan has
numerous stories of
bravery and
patriotism. I call upon
the people of the state
to take a pledge to
strengthen mutual
harmony and
brotherhood and keep
the cultural heritage
and rich traditions of
the state
intact.
BHAJANLAL
SHARMA,
CHIEF
MINISTER
There is fund crunch in construction of 24 level IPD tower. FILE
ACSHEALTHINSPECTSSANGANERCHC,INSTRUCTSFORBETTERHEALTHCARE
Jaipur: ACS of the Health Depart-
ment, Shubhra Singh, conducted
a meticulous inspection of a
Government Community Health Center
in Sanganer on Friday. While inspecting
the CHC, she directed the medical staff
and other personnel in to ensure better
healthcare services for patients, emphasiz-
ing zero negligence. She urged all staff
to serve patients and their families with
empathy and convenience. Singh also
instructed proposals for renovating toilets.
Considering the summer season, she
emphasized for adequate shading and
drinking water management in the hospital,
including provisions of coolers for patients.
She also inspected examination facilities
and medicine distribution centers, ensuring
availability of all medicines as per essential
drug list. During the inspection, Director
of Public Health, Dr Ravi Prakash Mathur,
CHC’s in-charge, and others were present.
Shubhra Singh inspecting the CHC on Friday.
For the past fifteen
days, Chief Secretary
Sudhansh Pant has
been working
tirelessly to ensure
that the collection
target is achieved

4. Poet Kanhaiyalal Sethia has
rightly written about this
Marudhara, ‘Aa To Sarga Nai
Sarmavai, Een Par Dev Raman
ne avai. Dharti Dhora Ri’
After independence, the
process of integration of
princely states started in the
country. From that, today’s
modern Rajasthan came into
existence. I believe that the
formation of Rajasthan was
not merely an event of
geographical integration.
Rajasthan is a state of colorful
culture. Despite diversity in
language, dialect, religion,
customs etc., there is a unique
unity here. Marwar, Mewar,
Hadoti, Mewati, Dhundhar,
Shekhawati, Wagad, despite
being representative of
different cultures, all of them
bind us together.
Rajasthan means a place full
of kings. This land, full of
mystery and adventure, holds
initslapincomparablestories
of devotion-power, courage-
valor, sacrifice-penance and
adornment. It is also
unmatched in terms of art,
culture and rich traditions.
he name ‘Ra-
jasthan’ itself
gives a feeling
of pride in the
mind. This is not
only a confluence of devotion
and power, it is also very rich in
literature, art and culture. Even
in adverse geographical condi-
tions, the people here have
lived a life of celebration. That
is why this earth is said to have
seven seasons and nine festi-
vals. Poet Kanhaiyalal Sethia
has rightly written about this
Marudhara, ‘Aa To Sarga Nai
Sarmavai, Een Par Dev Raman
ne avai. Dharti Dhora Ri.’
It is mentioned in the Rama-
yana written by Maharishi Val-
miki that when Ram conquered
Lanka, Lakshman, fascinated
by the grandeur of Lanka made
of gold, suggested Lord Shri
Ram to rule it. Then Shri Ram
had said that although this Lan-
ka is made of gold, still I do not
have the slightest interest in it,
because my mother and birth-
place are greater than heaven.
It is mentioned in Valmiki
Ramayana itself, ‘Janani Janam
Bhumishch Swargadapi Gari-
yasi.’ It was by following this
saying that the amazingly brave
Maharana Pratap of Rajasthan
not only stopped the Mughals
from ruling his birthplace but
also destroyed the Mughal Sul-
tanate again and again. By fac-
ing the challenge again and
again, a new history of courage
and bravery was written in the
nation. Therefore, this is Shau-
rya Dhara which shows love for
Pratap’s birthplace. This is the
sacred land of a philanthropist
like Bhamashah who donated
everything for the motherland.
This earth cherishes the unique
story of Panna Dhai’s sacrifice,
the land of folk deities, pir-
prophets and saint-mahatmas
likeMaaKarni,Meeran,Dadu,
Baba Ramdev, Sant Pipa,
Gogaji, Gemana Pir, Khwaja
Moinuddin.Along with free-
dom fighters like Kalibai,
Govind Guru, Prataps-
ingh Barhath, this is
the sacred place where Mahari-
shi Kapil explained the essence
of the sutras of Sankhyadarshan
to his mother Devahuti in
Kolayat near Bikaner. Here is
the biggest Nathdwara Peeth of
Vaishnava sect. It is here that
painters have carved the beauti-
ful form of Lord Shri Krishna
and the ever-adorable ‘Radha’.
After independence, the pro-
cess of integration of princely
states started in the country.
From that, today’s modern Ra-
jasthan came into existence. I
believe that the formation of
Rajasthan was not merely an
event of geographical integra-
tion. This was a kind of innova-
tive beginning for the devel-
opment and prosperity of
multicoloured Rajasthan
representedinthecoordina-
tion of different cultures.
Early in the morning on
March 30, 1949, the then
Deputy Prime Minister of
the country and Union
Home Minister Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel inaugu-
rated the formation of Ra-
jasthan in a grand ceremo-
ny held in Jaipur. Jaipur
was later made
the capital of
Rajasthan on
September 7,
1949, based on
the recommen-
dations of the
Rao Commit-
tee constituted
by the Govern-
ment of India.
In the process of creation of Ra-
jasthan,whichwascompletedin
sevenstages,Rajasthanhasbeen
becoming more prosperous and
organized with each stage.
Rajasthan is a state of col-
ourful culture. Despite diver-
sity in language, dialect, reli-
gion, customs etc., there is a
unique unity here. Marwar,
Mewar, Hadoti, Mewati,
Dhundhar, Shekhawati, Wa-
gad, despite being representa-
tive of different cultures, all of
them bind us together. These
unique features today give Ra-
jasthan a distinct and unique
identity in the entire world.
There is not only desert in
Rajasthan, there are huge lakes
with blue water and at some
places there are also high peaks
touching the sky. There are
rocky plateaus and fertile
plains sprouting green and
gold. The grand royal palaces,
artistic airy mansions, impreg-
nable-invincible forts with
various formations and centu-
ries-old ancient temples are liv-
ing treasures of architecture
and architecture.
Swami Vivekananda had
closely seen the land of Ra-
jasthan and its people. While
preserving his experiences, he
has written that ‘I bow down to
the brave Rajasthani heroes
and women who sacrificed
their lives for their country and
religion.’ In the history of Ra-
jasthan written by Colonel
James Tod, it has been de-
scribed as the best land of the
princely states.
Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant
has also written about Ra-
jasthan that ‘among all the
states in the country, Rajasthan
is the highest rated state. Its
history is very interesting and
inspiring. Here, not only the
brave kings sacrificed their all
for freedom, but even the
blacksmiths took a pledge that
until Swaraj is not established,
we will not enjoy even the
slightest comfort and simple
facilities. That is the brave
land, where the seed of free-
dom never withered.’
Rajasthan means a place full
of kings. This land, full of mys-
tery and adventure, holds in its
lap incomparable stories of
devotion-power, courage-valor,
sacrifice-penance and adorn-
ment. It is also unmatched in
terms of art, culture and rich
traditions.This land is also very
rich in biodiversity. This land,
coloured with rainbow colours
of festivals, celebrations, fairs,
customs, costumes and handi-
crafts, gives a sentimental invi-
tation to the people coming here
to ‘Padharo Mhare Des’.
Rajasthan Foundation Day is
not just a day. This day is about
saving our culture of harmony.
We are determined to ensure
everyone’s participation in the
all-round development of Ra-
jasthan. Come, let us all work
together to ensure that Ra-
jasthan continues to progress.
On Rajasthan Day, let us take a
pledge for the all-round devel-
opment of the state and become
the leading state of the country.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY
THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
Kalraj
Mishra
THE WRITER IS GOVERNOR
OF RAJASTHAN
T
TODAY MARKS THE CELEBRATION OF RAJASTHAN FOUNDATION DAY
Rajasthan Foundation Day is not just a day. This
day is about saving our culture of harmony. We
are determined to ensure everyone’s
participation in the all-round development of
Rajasthan. Come, let us all work together to
ensure that Rajasthan continues to progress. On
Rajasthan Day, let us take a pledge for the all-
round development of the state and become the
leading state of the country
PERSPECT VE 04
Jaipur, Saturday | March 30, 2024 www.firstindia.co.in firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur thefirstindia thefirstindia thefirstindia
Rajasthan
Culturallandofdevotionandpower
 Vol 5  Issue No. 292  RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Press, D.B. Corp Limited, Shivdaspura, Tonk Road, Jaipur. Published at 304, 3rd Floor,
City Mall, Bhagwan Das Road, C-Scheme, Jaipur-302001, Rajasthan. Phone 0141-4920504.  Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh Chandra  Managing Editor: Pawan Arora  Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act
The magnificent palaces and forts in Jaipur are synonymous with the royal vibe and history of the city. (T to B) Amber Fort is the epitome personifying Rajputana culture. Elephants
ridden by their mahouts in front of iconic Hawa Mahal. Jantar Mantar is one of the oldest astronomical observatories featuring the world’s largest stone sundial. NAIM KHAN

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6. MAHARASHTRA’S ‘CHIEF SECRETARIAL GRAPEVINE’!
KAREER TO CONTINUE FOR 3 MONTHS, BUT WILL
CHAHAL BECOME NEXT TOP MAHA BUREAUCRAT?
Adani Green Energy begins op of
775 MW solar projects in Gujarat
First India Bureau
Mumbai
n Maharashtra’s
bureaucracy, an
extension of
three months has been
given to Maharashtra
Chief Secretary Nitin Ka-
reer. Interestingly, IAS
Sujata Saunik, IAS Iqbal
Singh Chahal and IAS
Rajesh Kumar Meena
were in the race for this
coveted position but Ka-
rer’s extension puts an
end to the querries being
posed before the bureau-
cracy as to whowill be the
topbureaucratofthestate.
But now a new ques-
tion is doing the rounds:
Will Iqbal Singh Chahal
be the next Chief Secre-
tary at the end of Kareer’s
extension? His claim is
strong because Chahal is
the choice of both CM
Shinde and Deputy CM
Fadnavis! It is rare that an
officer is liked by both
BJP and Shiv Sena.
Moreover, Chahal has
also worked with Uddhav
Thackeray and thus, in
such a situation, a con-
sensus can be reached on
the name of Chahal.
The top leadership
also agrees that Chahal’s
image is good and he is
considered a result giv-
ing officer. Therefore,
now Shinde and Fad-
navis will take the final
decision together in the
last week of June.
PTI
New Delhi
Adani Green Energy on
Friday announced the be-
ginning of the operation
of its 775 megawatt solar
power projects in Khav-
da, Gujarat.
The capacities have
been operationalised af-
ter securing relevant
clearances, Adani Green
Energy Ltd (AGEL) said
in an exchange filing.
Adani Green Energy
through its various whol-
ly-owned stepdown sub-
sidiaries has operational-
ised an aggregate 775
MW solar power projects
atKhavda,Gujarat,itsaid.
“Based on the relevant
clearances, it was decid-
ed at 00:12 am on March
29, 2024 to operational-
ize the plant and com-
mence power generation
from March 29, 2024,”
the company said.
Part of the Adani
Group, AGEL has the
largest operating renew-
able portfolio in India,
spread across 12 states.
Gautam Adani. FILE
BJP candidate actor Kangana Ranaut during an election rally
ahead of Lok Sabha elections in Mandi on Friday. PTI
PM Narendra Modi speaks with Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai at a meeting in Salem. FILE
But now a new
question is doing the
rounds in
bureaucracy: Will
Iqbal Chahal be the
next Chief Secretary at
the end of Nitin
Kareer’s extension?
I
LS POLL BUZZ 05
Jaipur, Saturday | March 30, 2024 www.firstindia.co.in firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur thefirstindia thefirstindia thefirstindia
First India Bureau
New Delhi
ThecVIGILappdeployed
by the Election Commis-
sion of India (ECI) has
emerged as a potent tool
empowering citizens to
report election code viola-
tions swiftly. Since the
declaration of General
Elections 2024, the app
has logged an impressive
tally of over 79,000 com-
plaints, marking a signifi-
cant stride towards bol-
stering electoral transpar-
ency and accountability.
A staggering 99% of
these complaints have
been successfully re-
solved, with nearly 89%
of them addressed within
a remarkable timeframe
of 100 minutes. The bulk
of grievances, comprising
over 58,500 complaints
(73% of the total), were
registered against illegal
hoardings and banners,
highlighting the preva-
lence of visual pollution
in election campaigns.
Moreover, concerns
related to the illicit distri-
bution of money, gifts,
and liquor accounted for
more than 1400 com-
plaints, underscoring the
imperative to curb un-
ethical inducements dur-
ing electoral processes.
Additionally, instances
of property defacement
constituted around 3% of
the complaints, totaling
2454 cases, while reports
of firearms display and
intimidation numbered
535, with 529 already re-
solved.
It is pertinent to men-
tion here that 1000 com-
plaints were lodged for
campaigning beyond the
stipulated period, includ-
ing unauthorized use of
speakers, indicating a
need for stringent adher-
ence to election timelines.
The efficacy of the
cVIGIL app lies in its
user-friendly interface
and real-time reporting
mechanism, which ena-
bles citizens to promptly
document instances of
political misconduct
without bureaucratic hur-
dles. Upon submission of
a complaint, users re-
ceive a unique ID for
tracking purposes, ensur-
ing transparency in the
resolution process.
The app integrates
cutting-edge features
such as geo-tagging,
which facilitates precise
location identification of
reported violations, en-
hancing the credibility of
citizen-generated evi-
dence. Moreover, the op-
tion for anonymous re-
porting bolsters partici-
pation and safeguards
whistleblowers.
Chief Election Com-
missioner (CEC) Rajiv
Kumar, during the an-
nouncement of General
Elections 2024, had em-
phasized the pivotal role
of vigilant citizens in up-
holding the sanctity of
elections. The cVIGIL
app, as part of the Com-
mission’s technological
arsenal, epitomizes the
commitment to harness-
ing innovation for elec-
toral oversight and fos-
tering a level playing
field for all stakeholders.
PTI
Chennai
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi on Friday interact-
ed with the Bharatiya Ja-
nata Party (BJP) workers
through the NaMo App
and discussed fieldwork
at the booth level for the
Lok Sabha elections with
them, encouraging them
to devise a strategy for
the party to win the up-
coming elections.
Discussing ways to
win the election at the
‘Enathu Booth Valimai-
yana Booth’(My booth is
the strongest) pro-
gramme, he encouraged
the party workers to
strive towards ensuring
the victory of the BJPand
NDA candidates.
“I understand you are
facing a paucity of time
owing to the general
election scheduled for
April 19 in Tamil Nadu.
You hardly have 15-16
days left (since election
campaigning ends 48
hours before polling
day). Organise your-
selves well, connect with
the voters, highlight our
achievements and hold
tiffin or lunch meetings
amongst you to discuss
the next step,” the prime
minister said.
Referring to the gov-
ernment’s focus on wom-
en-led development,
Modi sought to know
from a party worker the
schemes that have been
the most liked and talked
about by women. The
PM expressed happiness
that the party worker has
been working at the
grassroots level.
PTI
Bengaluru
Former PM HD Deve
Gowda on Friday said
there are no leaders other
than Prime Minister Nar-
endra Modi and Home
Minister Amit Shah who
can solve all the prob-
lems at the national level.
At the same time, he
underlined the need for
better coordination be-
tween his party and BJP
to achieve the target of
winning all the 28 Lok
Sabha seats in Karnataka.
The Janata Dal (Secu-
lar) had joined the NDA
in September last year.
Noting that the role of
former Chief Minister
and BJP stalwart BS
Yediyurappa was very
important, Deve Gowda
said he must forget what-
ever had happened in the
past “because the time is
very short”.
Agencies
Mandi
Actor Kangana Ranaut,
the BJP candidate from
Himachal Pradesh’s
Mandi Lok Sabha con-
stituency hit back at Con-
gress leader Supriya
Shrinate’s slanderous
jibe on Friday, saying
that ‘such people can do
no good to the country’.
At a public gathering
after the mega roadshow,
she called out ‘Congress
culture’of demeaning and
denigrating others’ char-
acter with hurtful remarks
and said: “Jo betiyon ke
aur behano ke bhao lagate
hain, who log aapke kabhi
nahin ho sakte hain, yeh
aap yaad rakhiyega,”
(those who insult sisters
and mothers can never be
relied upon, all of you
must remember this).
PTI
Chennai
Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) Tamil Nadu unit
chief K Annamalai on
Friday said
the election
campaign of
the ruling
DMK ap-
peared to be
one for state-level polls
and that of the main Op-
position AIADMK
looked like an exercise to
seek votes for polls to lo-
cal bodies.
The BJPleader blamed
the DMK regime for the
state’s “huge borrow-
ings” and appealed to the
people to vote for the
NDA candidates for
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi to return to power,
to ensure continuous
growth.
PTI
New Delhi
Delhi CM Arvind Kejri-
wal’s wife Sunita Kejri-
wal on Friday announced
the Kejriwal
ko Aa-
s h i r w a d ’
campaign,
urging peo-
ple to sup-
port her husband, who is
in the ED’s custody in an
excise policy-linked
money-laundering case.
In a digital media brief-
ing, Sunita Kejriwal
asked people to support
her husband through their
blessings and prayers.
Issuing two What-
sApp numbers –
8297324624 and
9700297002 – Sunita
Kejriwal said people can
send their blessings,
prayers or any other mes-
sages to the Aam Aadmi
Party(AAP)nationalcon-
venor and she will com-
municate those to him.
Nitin Kareer
HD Deve Gowda, BS Yediyurappa and other leaders during the
BJP-JD(S) Co-ordination meeting, in Bengaluru, on Friday. PTI
Iqbal Singh Chahal Sujata Saunik Rajesh Kumar Meena
ECI’s C-VIGIL APP: OVER 79,000 COMPLAINTS LOGGED SINCE LS POLLS ANNOUNCEMENT
Election Commission’s cVIGIL app a big hit with voters
Ensure BJP NDA candidates’ win, PM tells workers
Chat with booth workers
ModiinteractswithBJPworkers,
discusseswinningstrategyinTN
AFTERCONG,CPIGETS
NOTICEFOR`11-CRDUES
“WON’T CAMPAIGN
AGAINST Jr. ANTONY”
New Delhi: The CPI
has got a notice
from the Income Tax
Department, asking it to
pay “dues” of Rs 11 crore
for using an old PAN card
while filing tax returns dur-
ing the last few years. The
sources said the Left party
is consulting its lawyers to
challenge the notice of the
tax authorities. The sources
said the “dues” to be paid to
the I-T department include
penalties and interest due
to authorities for “discrepan-
cies” in the use of an old
PAN card by the party.
Thiruvananthapuram:
Congress veteran
AK Antony and late
Kerala CM Oommen
Chandy were not only col-
leagues in Congress for six
decades but close friends
too and the latter’s daughter
still cherishes their family
ties. Achu Oommen Chandy
has said that she won’t
campaign against Antony’s
son Anil Antony, who has
joined BJP and been fielded
from the Pathanamthitta
Lok Sabha seat, as “they
are childhood friends”.
I.N.D.I.A.BLOC’SSEAT-SHARING
FORMULAFORBIHARANNOUNCED
RaGaVOWS50%QUOTATOWOMEN
INGOVTJOBSIFCONGRESSWINS
Patna: The I.N.D.I.A. bloc in
Bihar announced its seat-sharing
formula on Friday, with the RJD
to contest 26 of the state’s 40 Lok
Sabha seats. The Congress will
field its candidates in nine seats,
while the Left parties have been
allotted five seats. Katihar, Kis-
hanganj, Patna Sahib, Sasaram,
Bhagalpur, West Champaran, Mu-
zaffarpur, Samastipur and Maharajganj
seats have been alloted to the Congress.
New Delhi: Congress leader
Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that
his party will reserve 50 per cent
of government jobs for women if it
is voted to power. Asserting that
powerful women will change the
destiny of the country, the former
president of the All India Con-
gress Committee (AICC)asked
why, even today only one in three
women is employed and why is there
only one woman in 10 government jobs.
In Mandi, Kangana Ranaut responds to Shrinate’s jibe
WhatsApp campaign to
garner support for Kejriwal
FI TOON
Annamalai raps
DMK, AIADMK
campaigns in TN
“ModiShahcansolveall
problemsatnationallevel”

7. NEWS 06
Jaipur, Saturday | March 30, 2024 www.firstindia.co.in firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur thefirstindia thefirstindia thefirstindia
Promoted by
FS Township LLP
CNS Admiral R Hari Kumar addresses Future Leadership of Indian Armed Forces attending the 79
Staff Course at DSSC, Wellington.
Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of
Naval Staff being welcomed.
Agencies
New Delhi
Admiral R Hari Kumar,
Chief of the Naval Staff,
emphasised the impor-
tance of the Indian Na-
vy’s transformation into
a Combat Ready, Credi-
ble, Cohesive, and Fu-
ture-Proof force during
his address to the Future
Leadership of the Indian
Armed Forces at DSSC
in Wellington on March
28, 2024.
Additionally, he em-
phasised the necessity of
joint integration among
the Armed Forces to
achieve national mili-
tary objectives.
The Chief emphasised
the importance of the
Navy’s role in protect-
ing India’s trade and
other maritime interests.
He also underscored the
necessity of jointness
and integration among
the Armed Forces to
achieve national mili-
tary objectives.
79 Staff Course at DSSC, Wellington
ChiefofNavalStaffcallsfor
future-proofIndianNavy
BSF DG Agarwal inspects
security at Jaisalmer border
Suryaveer Singh Tanwar
Jaisalmer
Nitin Agarwal, Director
General, Border Security
Force took stock of the
security arrangements at
the forward border posts
on the India-Pakistan In-
ternational Border in
Jaisalmer on Friday on
the second day of his
three-day visit.
Agarwal reached BOP
Murar on the border of
Jaisalmer Sector South,
where DIG Jaisalmer
Sector (South) Vikram
Kunwar and Utkarsh,
Second Commanding
Officer, Acting Com-
mandant 108th Corps
welcomed him.
Agarwal and other offi-
cers then visited BOPNal-
ka while inspecting the
fencing along the India-
Pakistan border. Nalka
BOPiscompletelymanned
bywomensoldiersofBSF.
Nitin Agarwal with women
soldiers of BSF. (INSET) Nitin
Agarwal taking stock of the
security arrangements in
Jaisalmer on Friday.
BSF DG visited the
166th Corps
deployed on the
Jaisalmer border
Jaipur SOG nabs
suspect related to
CHO recruitment
Zanana Hospital
Superintendent
issued notice
First India Bureau
Jaipur
SOG Jaipur nabbed the
suspect in the CHO Re-
cruitment Exam 2020
case. Accused, Naresh
K u m a r ,
worked as a
Community
Health Of-
ficer at Chu-
ru Health
Center. The action was
taken after interviewing
Ramesh Kumar, who had
already been arrested in
the matter. Naresh Ku-
mar purchased the CHO
test paper from Unique
Bhambu through
Ramesh. CHO test paper
was purchased for Rs 5
lakhs. SOG is now inves-
tigating the case.
First India Bureau
Jaipur
Six days after the Addi-
tional Chief Secretary of
the Medical and Health
Department, Shubhra
Singh conducted a sur-
prise inspection of Za-
nana Hospital and ex-
pressed dissatisfaction
over the irregularities,
Medical Education Com-
missioner Iqbal Khan is-
sued notice to hospital
Superintendent Dr Ku-
sumlata Meena and
sought a reply within
three days.
First India Bureau
Dungarpur
The Bichhiwada police
station in Dungarpur dis-
trict along with the elec-
tion department's FST
squad, recovered illicit
silver from a courier
postal parcel vehicle at
the Ratanpur border.
Approximately 10 kilo-
grams of silver ingots
and jewelry were con-
veyed disguised as a
postal delivery. Police
have seized the vehicle
and apprehended the
driver.
The GST team has ar-
rived in Bichhiwara to
investigate the silver pa-
perwork and tax recov-
ery on the seized silver.
The silver was being
taken from Bhilwara to
Gujarat.
Police recovered illegal silver from the vehicle of a postal parcel
courier van at Tanpur border.
10 kg of smuggled silver seized
from courier van in Dungarpur
NAVY RESPONDS TO PIRACY ATTACK ON IRANIAN FISHING VESSEL
Based on the
inputs on a
potential piracy
incident onboard Iranian
Fishing Vessel ‘Al-Kam-
bar 786’ late evening on
March 28, two Indian
Naval ships, mission
deployed in Arabian Sea
for maritime security
operations were diverted
to intercept the hijacked
fishing vessel. The FV at
the time of incident was
approximately 90 Nm
South West of Socotra
and was reported to
have been boarded by
nine armed pirates. The
hijacked FV has been
intercepted on Mar 29.
The operation is currently
underway by the Indian
Navy towards rescue of
hijacked FV and its crew.
This photo
released by
the Indian
Navy shows
pirates
aboard
an Iranian
fishing
vessel.
AVALANCHE HITS SRINAGAR-SONAMARG
Trapped vehicles safely rescued
Agencies
Srinagar
snow avalanche
hit the Srinagar-
Sonamarg high-
way in the Ganderbal
district on Friday, trap-
ping some vehicles which
were safely rescued.
Officials said that a
snow avalanche hit the
Srinagar-Sonamarg high-
way in the Hung area.
“Some vehicles were
trapped in the snow ac-
cumulated on the road
due to the rolling ava-
lanche. Two vehicles
trapped in the heavy ava-
lanche have been res-
cued. However, no casu-
alties or damages have
been reported so far in the
incident,” an official said.
He said that the rescue
teams supervised by sen-
ior police and civil ad-
ministration officers and
those of the BRO are pre-
sent on the spot.
A massive avalanche struck the Hung area of Sonamarg in
Ganderbal district on Friday afternoon.
Some vehicles were
trapped in the snow
accumulated on the
road. Two vehicles
trapped in avalanche
have been rescued
A
Call for humanity!
Christian devotees participate in a crucifixion procession on the Good Friday, in Mumbai.
Chatra: Two persons
have been arrested and
drugs worth over Rs 2
crore seized from their
possession in
Jharkhand’s Chatra dis-
trict, police said on Fri-
day. During a naka
checking in Gidhaur
area along the inter-dis-
trict boundaries of Cha-
tra and Hazaribag on
Thursday, 45 kg of opi-
um worth Rs 2 crore.
Drugs worth over Rs 2
cr seized, two held
Muzaffarnagar:Two
men travelling in a trac-
tor-trolley were electro-
cuted when they came in
contact with a high-ten-
sion wire here on Friday,
triggering protests by
villagers who blocked a
road. The tractor-trolley
was loaded with sugar-
cane bagasse.
Two electrocuted due
to live wire fencing
Panaji: A seaman from
Goa was honey-trapped
on dating app and Rs
1.35 crore were extort-
ed from him, police
said. Deputy Superin-
tendent of Police San-
tosh Desai said that
three persons have
been booked in this
connection.
Goan seaman honey-
trapped, lost Rs 1.35 cr
IN BRIEF
Agencies
New Delhi
The Department of Tele-
communications (DoT)
issued an advisory to citi-
zens today about calls im-
personating DoT and
threatening people to dis-
connect their mobile
numbers for being in-
volved in illegal activi-
ties.
The DoT has also is-
sued an advisory about
WhatsApp calls from
foreign-origin mobile
numbers, like 92, imper-
sonating government of-
ficials and duping people.
According to an offi-
cial release from the Min-
istry of Communications,
The DoT has issued an
advisory to citizens that
calls are being received
by the citizens wherein
callers, in the name of
DoT, are threatening that
all of their mobile num-
bers would be discon-
nected or their mobile
numbers are being mis-
used in some illegal ac-
tivities.
As per the release, cy-
bercriminals, through
such calls, try to threaten
and steal personal infor-
mation to carry out cyber-
crime or financial fraud.
The DoT does not au-
thorise anyone to make
such calls on its behalf
and has advised people to
stay vigilant and not share
any information on re-
ceiving such calls, it said.
Vimal Kothari
Jaipur
The financial year is go-
ing to be huge for the
Commercial Tax Depart-
ment, i.e. SGST, one of
the largest contributory
departments to the state
exchequer, in terms of
achieving the revenue
target. As compared to
the revenue target of Rs
74,000 crore, the depart-
ment has so far earned a
revenue of only Rs
61,100 crore, which is
only 82.5 percent of the
total revised target.
With only two days left
before the end of the fi-
nancial year, the biggest
challenge for the depart-
ment could be to achieve
the maximum share of the
allocated revenue target.
Almost one-third of the
circles of the department
have not been able to
even collect the expected
revenue. There are 38 cir-
cles of the dept in the
state, where even 90 pc of
the target revenue has not
been collected. Last
week, following the in-
structions of the head of
the department and Chief
Commissioner Dr. Ravi
Kumar Surpur to empha-
size continuous revenue
collection, the depart-
ment had prepared a list
of underperforming cir-
cles of the state. It men-
tions circles whose per-
formance has been less
than 90 percent.
PTI
New Delhi
The Govt e-Marketplace
(GeM) has witnessed a
remarkable surge in the
order value of goods and
services sold to govern-
ment entities, public sec-
tor units, and ministries,
reaching Rs 4 trillion in
Gross MerchandiseValue
(GMV) during the finan-
cial year 2023-24 (FY24),
up from Rs 2.01 trillion in
FY23. According to data
shared by the Ministry of
Commerce Industry,
Micro Small Enterprise
(MSE) sellers contributed
significantly to this
growth, accounting for
49.37 pc (Rs 1.97 trillion)
of the total order value.
In terms of order vol-
ume, GeM processed a
total of 6.226 million or-
ders in FY24, up from
5.036 million in FY23,
marking a growth of 23.6
per cent in the current fi-
nancial year.
The Ministry of De-
fence (MoD) emerged as
one of the top buyers on
GeM, procuring goods
worth Rs 1 trillion since
the portal’s inception in
August 2016. Transac-
tions worth around Rs
45,800 crore out of the Rs
1 trillion were awarded in
the current financial year
alone.
Representational
Govt eMarketplace doubles its
order value to `4 trillion in FY24
Surge in order value of goods services
DoT advisory against
fraud WhatsApp calls
SGSTdeptstrugglesto
meetrevenuetarget
Jodhpur: Film director
Rohit Shetty arrived
in Jodhpur on Friday
evening via charter
plane. Shetty has come
to Jodhpur for shooting
an advertisement, which
will take place amidst
the sandy dunes of the
Khimsar Fort.
ShettylandsinJodhpur

8. Jaipur, Saturday | March 30, 2024
www.firstindia.co.in firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur thefirstindia thefirstindia thefirstindia
07
IN BRIEF
RECORD RAISE FOR REELECTION
Obama, Clinton help Biden raise USD 26 mn
Agencies
New York
arack Obama,
Bill Clinton and
some big names
from the entertainment
world teamed up Thurs-
day night to deliver a
rousing New York em-
brace of President Joe
Biden that hauled in a
record-setting USD 26
million-plus for his ree-
lection campaign.
The mood at Radio
City Music Hall was
electric as Obama praised
Biden’s willingness to
look for common ground
and said, “That’s the kind
of president I want.”
Clinton said simply of
the choices facing voters
in 2024: “Stay with what
works.” Biden himself
went straight at Donald
Trump, saying his ex-
pected GOP rival’s ideas
were “a little old and out
of shape.”
Moderator Stephen
Colbert, in an conversa-
tion, called them “cham-
pion talkers” and joked
that the 3 presidents had
come to town “ not one
of them is here to appear
in court,” a dig atTrump’s
many legal troubles.
The eye-popping fund-
raising haul was a major
show of Democratic sup-
port for Biden at a time of
persistentlylowpollnum-
bers. The president will
test the power of his cam-
paign cash as he faces off
with Trump, who proved
with his 2016 win over
Democrat Hillary Clinton
that he didn’t need to raise
the most money to seize
the presidency.
During the hourlong
conversation, Obama and
Clinton explained just
how hard Biden’s job is.
They spoke of loneliness
frustrationoverpolicies
that work but aren’t im-
mediately felt by the pub-
lic.They gave an insider’s
view of the office as they
sought to explain why
Bidenwasbestforthejob.
President Joe Biden, center, and former presidents Barack Obama
and Bill Clinton participate in a fundraising event with Stephen
Colbert at Radio City Music Hall, Thursday in New York. PTI
B
Miami: Indian tennis
stalwart Rohan Bopan-
na and his Australian
partner Matthew Ebden
sailed into the men’s
doubles final of the Mi-
ami Open with a
straight-set win over
Marcel Granollers and
Horacio Zeballos here.
Bopanna and Ebden, the
Australian Open win-
ners, hardly broke a
sweat to get the better of
Spain’s Granollers and
Argentina’s Zeballos 6-1
6-4 in the semifinals on
Thursday night.
Bopanna-Ebden sail
into men’s doubles
final of Miami Open
Yangon: One person
was killed and 27 others
were injured in multiple
vehicles collision in My-
anmar’s Mandalay re-
gion, rescue officials
said on Friday. The acci-
dent occurred in Meikti-
la town around 4:20 p.m.
local time on Thursday
when a car initially hit a
bicycle and then collided
head-on with another ve-
hicle carrying garment
factory employees. “The
one riding the bicycle
has died. A total of 27
people from both vehi-
cles were injured,” an
official said.
One killed, 27 injured
in multiple vehicles
collision in Myanmar
Moscow: Nine people
have been detained by
Tajikistan’s state securi-
ty service over suspect-
ed contact with the per-
petrators of last week’s
attack by gunmen on a
suburban Moscow con-
cert hall that killed 144
people, as per reports.
Moscow attack: 9
detained in Tajikistan
Ukrainediscussesthe
peaceformulawithIndia
RCB with 2 points are at number 6, KKR with 4 points are at number 2
Iyer’s50,Narine’scameocarry
KKRto7-wicketwinoverRCB
First India Bureau
Bengaluru
A ruthless fifty by Ven-
katesh Iyer worked as the
catalyst for Kolkata
Knight Riders’ smooth
seven-wicket victory
over Royal Challengers
Bengaluru in their IPL
match here on Friday.
Venkatesh’s 50 of 30
balls (3x4, 4x6) and stun-
ning blitzes by openers
Sunil Narine (47, 22b,
2x4, 5x6) and Phil Salt
(30, 20b, 2x4, 2x6) pro-
pelled the Knight Riders
past the 183-run target
that the RCB set for
them, which was built
around Virat Kohli’s skil-
ful unbeaten 83.
The KKR batters never
got bogged down either
by a slow pitch or RCB
bowlers as they hunted
down the target in just
16.5 overs. Their ap-
proach on the night was
best exemplified by Ven-
katesh, who is trying
hard to regain his rele-
vance in white ball for-
mats, who added 75 runs
for the third wicket.
EAM S Jaishankar with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and other delegates
during a bilateral meeting in New Delhi, on Friday. PTI
EAM S Jaishankar with Dmytro
Kuleba in New Delhi on Friday.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Philip Salt plays a shot during the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru
in the Indian Premier League 2024, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, on Friday. ANI
Agencies
New Delhi
The foreign ministers of
India and Ukraine said on
Friday they had agreed to
restore trade and coopera-
tion to levels before Rus-
sia’s invasion, as Kyiv
seeks to build support for
its peace plan with an old
friend of Moscow.
Ukrainian Foreign
Minister Dmytro Kuleba
was in India on the first
visit by a top official
since Russia’s full-scale
invasion, ahead of a pos-
sible international sum-
mit in the coming months
to advance its blueprint
for peace. New Delhi tra-
ditionally had close eco-
nomicdefencetieswith
Moscow and refrained
from criticising Russia
over its war in Ukraine.
RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR
Over 40 killed in Israeli
strikes on Syria’s Aleppo
The strikes hit a Hezbollah warehouse in the Jibrin area near
Aleppo Airport, as per the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Agencies
Hezbollah
Israeli air strikes on Syr-
ia’s northern province of
Aleppo have killed more
than 40 people, most of
them soldiers, according
to news agencies and a
war monitor. The fatali-
ties included six mem-
bers of Hezbollah, the
Lebanese armed group
confirmed on Telegram.
The Britain-based Syr-
ian Observatory for Hu-
man Rights (SOHR) put
the death toll at 42 and
said dozens of people
were injured.The Reuters
news agency reported that
38 people were killed.
The strikes hit a Hez-
bollah warehouse in the
Jibrin area near Aleppo
International Airport, as
per the Syrian Observa-
tory for Human Rights.
Agencies
Cairo
Israel sustained its aerial
and ground bombard-
ment of the Gaza Strip
on Friday, killing doz-
ens of Palestinians, as
fighting raged around
Gaza City’s main Al
Shifa hospital, Palestin-
ian officials and the Is-
raeli military said.
Palestinian health of-
ficials said two Israeli
strikes on the Al-Shejaia
suburb in eastern Gaza
City killed 17 people,
while an Israeli air strike
on a house in the Al-
Maghazi refugee camp
in the central Gaza Strip
killed eight people.
Sources said at least 10
policemen, in northern
Gaza, were among those
killed in Al-Shejaia.
Agencies
Washington
The U.S. military said
on Thursday that it had
destroyed four un-
manned drones launched
by Iran-backed Houthi
forces in Yemen. The
U.S. Central Command
said on the social media
site X that the drones
“presented an imminent
threat to merchant ves-
sels and U.S. Navy ships
in the region.”
The drones were
aimed at a coalition ves-
sel and a U.S. warship
and “were engaged in
self defense over the
Red Sea,” the statement
from the U.S. Central
Command said, adding
there were no injuries or
damage reported to the
U.S. or coalition ships.
Report: Israel
kills dozens in
airstrikes across
the Gaza Strip
Destroyed four
drones launched
by Yemen’s
Houthis: US
Bus plunges offbridge
inSA,killing49people
Agencies
Limpopo
A bus carrying worship-
pers headed to an Easter
festival plunged off a
bridge on a mountain
pass and burst into flames
in South Africa Thurs-
day, killing at least 49
people, authorities said.
The only survivor of
the crash was an eight-
year-old child, who was
receiving medical atten-
tion, according to author-
ities in the northern prov-
ince of Limpopo.
The Limpopo govern-
ment said the bus veered
off the Mmamatlakala
bridge and plunged 164
feet into a ravine before
busting into flames.
Search operations were
ongoing, the provincial
government said, many
bodies were burned be-
yond recognition and still
trapped inside the vehicle.
Reviewingproposalfor
tradewith India,butno
changeinstance:Pak
Agencies
Islamabad
Pakistan is reviewing a
proposal for resumption
of trade with India even
though there has been no
change in its position on
the matter yet, a spokes-
person for the country’s
Foreign Office (FO) re-
portedly said onThursday
in Islamabad. Pakistan’s
trade ties with India have
remainedsuspendedsince
August 2019.
Pakistani FO spokes-
personMumtazZahraBa-
loch confirmed that her
departmentwasreviewing
a proposal for resumption
of trade with India. How-
ever, during the Thursday
briefing, she emphasised
that so far, there has been
no change in Pakistan’s
position on the issue.
Our discussions focused on the ongoing conflict and
its wider ramifications. Exchanged views on various
initiatives in that context. Spoke as well on global
and regional issues of interest to both of us.
Reiterated our commitment to strengthen the
overall relationship, including bilateral cooperation.
S JAISHANKAR, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER
RUSSIALAUNCHES
BARRAGEOFDRONES
KOHLI SHATTERS
RECORDS WITH HIS
EFFORTLESS KNOCK
‘1.1 MN PEOPLE IN GAZA
FACING FOOD CRISIS’
CHINA TO HELP PAK
TO CURB TERRORISM
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS
Kyiv: Moscow
launched a
large-scale
attack on Ukraine’s
energy infrastructure on
Friday, with a mass bar-
rage of 99 drones and
missiles hitting regions
across the country,
Ukraine’s armed forces
said. Air raid warnings
rang out across the
country, with 10 Ukrain-
ian regions coming
under fire, the country’s
Interior Minister, Ihor
Klymenko, said.
Bengaluru: Virat
Kohli wrecked
records during
Royal Challengers Ben-
galuru’s clahs against
Kolkata Knight Riders in
the IPL 2024 on Friday.
The M Chinnaswamy
Stadium once again wit-
nessed Kohli’s remarka-
ble art with the bat as he
cruised to 83* in mere
59 deliveries which
was glistened with four
boundaries and four
sixes. His four sixes in
the unbeaten knock saw
him go past former CSK
skipper MS Dhoni’s
tally of sixes in IPL. The
iconic RCB batter has
241 sixes under his belt
and became the fourth
highest batter to score
most maximums in the
history of the event. MS
Dhoni slipped to the
fifth spot with 239 sixes
in his kitty. As cricket
fans relished Kohli’s ef-
fortless batting display,
Kohli has now the most
sixes for RCB in the IPL
history as per reports.
New Delhi: The
United Nations Of-
fice for the Coor-
dination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA) has said
that more than 1.1 million
people in the Gaza Strip are
facing an extreme level of
food insecurity, as Israel
prevents aid from entering
the enclave.
Islamabad: After five
Chinese nation-
als were killed in
a suicide blast in Besham
in Pakistan, Beijing has
offered help to Islamabad to
contain terrorism. After the
deadly attack, the Chinese
government has called on
the Pakistan government to
ensure more security for its
nationals. China also urged
Pakistan to enhance secu-
rity measures to safeguard
Chinese nationals.
 Seven Hezbollah fighters
killed in Israeli raids in
Syria, Lebanon
 Israel takes steps to
increase communications
competition
 India is completing
rather than competing
with Israel, says Israeli
envoy Naor Gilon as per
latest reports
Pakistani Foreign Office
spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra
Bus carrying Easter worshipers
plunges off bridge
IPL 2024
Virat Kohli plays a shot during the IPL match between Royal
Challengers Bengaluru Kolkata Knight Riders in Bengaluru, Friday.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Phil
salt and Sunil Narine interact
during the IPL match.

9. 08
Emotion has the power to take you to the
highest peak of consciousness or down to the
basest of feelings.
Dr JAGDEESH CHANDRA, CMD Editor-in-Chief
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Postal Reg No. JPC/004/2022-24
Jaipur, Saturday | March 30, 2024 www.firstindia.co.in firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur thefirstindia thefirstindia thefirstindia
Why is no one interest-
ed in knowing the details
about the funds received
prior to March 14, 2019?
Dr Jagdeesh Chandra:
There are two reasons for
it. Firstly, no one wants to
throw more stones in the
mud.As of now, both do-
nors and political parties
are scared that this con-
troversy has brought an
unnecessary bad name to
them. Secondly, they had
targeted BJP, but all of
them came under fire
while the BJP came out
unscathed. Look at the
arguments BJPhas given,
and they are overconfi-
dent on this issue, hence
questioning other parties
and their leaders over it.
Amit Shah asked Rahul
Gandhi where his party
got `1600 crore in
funding.
Why did the Supreme
Court reject the demand
to give information
about bonds prior to
March, 2019?
Supreme Court might
have thought about how
deep will people dig and
if SC has this one job
only. So it said that the
court has taken a con-
science decision not to
open this case more than
the said date. And the
topic ends there itself.
Out of the bonds worth
`20,000 crore, BJP got
bonds worth `6,300
crore and the remaining
went to other political
parties. However, fingers
were raised only on BJP.
Why was it so?
This was the interesting
part of the whole episode
that a perception was be-
ing created. Even Amit
Shah pointed that out.
Shah said that his party
has 303 members in the
house and his party re-
ceived `6,300 crore and
the remaining 242 mem-
bers of other parties re-
ceived around `14,000
crore, so who is the
real beneficiary of this
scheme? He also threw an
open challenge that he is
ready to debate or answer
questions if anyone wants
to do so. So in the begin-
ning, a perception of sorts
was created, but that per-
ception failed to gain fric-
tion. In the beginning,
BJP leaders also felt a lit-
tle pressure on the issue,
but when they looked at
the facts and when Amit
Shah and other teams of
the BJP worked through
it, they realised that their
party was on a better foot-
ing as compared to oth-
ers. Also, the general
public too understood
that BJP is only `6,300
crore and the remaining
goes to other political
parties.
It is said that the non-
BJP government and the
companies or people that
funded them were em-
barrassed. What is your
take on that?
In fact, Amit Shah had
answered on this very as-
pect saying that people
are afraid since they want
secrecy over which party
they gave funds to. Sup-
pose I give some funds to
BRS, BJD or TMC why
would I want that the BJP
or any other party should
come to know of it? So
every person wants to
avoid this dilemma that
their details come for-
ward.
Union Home Minister
Amit Shah once again
has come across as a
troubleshooter for Modi
government amidst this
controversy. How do you
see that?
That’s true. Since day
one he has been the prin-
cipal troubleshooter for
PM Narendra Modi who
is his Guru, boss, God-
father, guide etc. I have
been observing this
since their time in Guja-
rat. Interestingly, it has
been observed in the
Delhi media especially
that earlier there used to
be some sort of fear re-
garding Amit Shah and
people used to shy away
from talking, but today
he appears to be ex-
tremely friendly, ap-
proachable and has be-
come popular in media.
That is why someone
told me recently that it
now seems he has learnt
the lessons regarding
media in his ‘Guru Nar-
endra Modi’s class’.
Also, he talks logically.
I have seen people want
to meet him and strike
up a conversation be-
cause Shah does not like
to hide anything but
give a logical and prac-
tical answer to ques-
tions. When he gave all
the reasons and logic in
this issue, the media
persons were left im-
pressed and he com-
pletely changed the fo-
cus from BJP to other
parties as he gave all the
details which revealed
that the TMC received
`1,609 crore, Congress
`1,421 crore, BRS
`1,214 crore, and BJD
received `775 crore.
Rahul Gandhi termed it
as ‘Hafta-Wasooli’ to
which BJP countered
saying that even if what
he said was true, then
why did his party also
receive funds through
electoral bonds? So it
has to be said that Amit
Shah has diffused this
entire issue. And after
Shah’s argument, Rahul
Gandhi has lost the mor-
al authority to challenge
BJP or attack it, at least
on this issue.
Why were there two
sides in the Supreme
Court Bar Association
regarding the Electoral
Bond issue?
I believe some politics
or something happened
and a letter who shot to
the Supreme Court cit-
ing that the SC does not
have the power to do so.
After the letter, the Bar
officials formed another
group and said that the
letter may have been
sent by the official in
personal capacity and
does not represent the
voice of SC Bar Asso-
ciation. And the govern-
ment played it smartly.
Harish Salve stood up
and said that the govern-
ment honours the SC’s
orders dated February
15 and March 11 to pro-
vide details from SBI to
Election Commission
and that the government
will do so. During the
hearing, CJI made a re-
mark that this ruse was a
media gimmick which
he did not pay attention
to. So this was only for a
temporary period.
ED’s action is under
consideration on some of
the companies which
gave funds to BJP. Did
that put any negative im-
age in people’s minds
regarding Modi
government?
In initial couple of days,
the BJP leaders did come
on back-foot owing to
the details released and
the general perception
that Opposition tried to
make against BJPin pub-
lic’s mind. But as soon as
Amit Shah held the reins
and the fact that all par-
ties had a good share in
the bond funds, then the
situation changed com-
pletely. So, now every-
thing is fine especially
since the fund has been
taken through cheques.
Now, BJP leaders are
telling other party
leaders that they can
only be questioned once
they (Opposition lead-
ers) have clean hands
and image.
What is this develop-
ment around Santiago
Martin who returned
from Myanmar as a la-
bourer but became lot-
tery King?
See, it is about destiny
and luck. He must have
returned and got in touch
with someone and started
working in the lottery
field. He established
himself in that field and
ventured into education,
health and other fields. A
few cases were also filed.
However, when the de-
tails of donors were re-
vealed it was learnt that
this Lottery King gave a
total fund of `1,368 crore
of which `542 crore were
received by TMC, `503
crore to DMK and BJP
received only `100 crore,
but the perception was
created that BJP took
`1,368 crore as funds
from Lottery King. So
when this perception was
broken, it was then that
the embarrassment
caused to BJP ended. As
far as Santiago Martin is
concerned, he has com-
plete sway over lottery in
Sikkim and Nagaland
and perhaps has made in-
roads in Mamata’s state
too. If someone is paying
over `500 to a state party
then there must have
been something worth-
while to make that dona-
tion. Moreover, when
DMK’s fund is getting
boosted by five hundred
crore that means Chennai
lottery must also be with
the Lottery King. So San-
tiago Martin is a rags-to-
riches story.
What is your take on
Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman’s
statements in this entire
episode?
She said with absolute
clarity that there is no
link between ED raids
and political funding to
ruling party. Further-
more, she also said that
while people were point-
ing at cases, but no case
has been dropped or
closed against any corpo-
rate or company. Neither
have the cases been
dropped against Megha
or Lottery King and it
may have been a coinci-
dence. Sure it looks bad
if you only look at one
angle, but if you see that
the person who is giving
political donation to BJP
is giving to all other par-
ties as well, then that is
where the seriousness of
the issue dies out.
What role did SBI and
Election Commission
play in this episode?
They were at the receiv-
ing end. They had to
comply with the orders.
SBI surely had some res-
ervations. Sometimes
when you are associated
with government you try
to not put any harm or
befall any difficulty be-
fore the government, so
perhaps that thought
struck the SBI too. The
SBI provided the infor-
mation asked of it. When
the Supreme Court asked
for additional informa-
tion, the SBI provided
the same. So they com-
plied with SC’s orders
and sent the details to
Election Commission
and the EC put that up on
its website for the public
to see.
During the show
#JConElectoralBonds
trended topAll-India on X
Dr Jagdeesh Chandra in conversation with (L-R) Preeti Negi, Shashi Mishra,
Pooja Yadav, Shikha Thakur and Poornima Mishra, during The JC Show.
Revealing why no party wants to delve deep into the issue of political funding prior to 2019,
Dr Jagdeesh Chandra stresses that Opposition parties tried to corner the BJP over the electoral
bond issue. However, Amit Shah turned the tables on them as details were revealed that the
Opposition was, in fact, a bigger beneficiary than the BJP of the scheme. Dr Chandra reveals
why there was a divide in the SC Bar Association on the matter, why ED action on some of the
donors could not tarnish BJP’s image in people’s eyes, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s
take on the matter, and the role played by the Election Commission and SBI. Excerpts... (Part II)
Modi’s principaltroubleshooter Amit Shah
makesCongressandOppositionspeechless
on electoral bonds, says Dr Chandra
Scan to watch
The JC Show
08
It takes far more intelligence and depth
of character to understand and give in,
than to argue and fight.
Dr JAGDEESH CHANDRA, CMD Editor-in-Chief
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Postal Reg No. JPC/004/2022-24
Jaipur, Friday | March 29, 2024
www.firstindia.co.in firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur thefirstindia thefirstindia thefirstindia
What does it mean
when we say that elector-
al bonds are an inexpli-
cable puzzle?
Dr Jagdeesh Chandra:
In his budget speech in
the Parliament, late Arun
Jaitley had said that till
the time electioneering is
made independent and
neutral, democracy will
not work. And it will be-
come independent and
neutral only when the
funding of political par-
ties is made transparent.
Taking this thought for-
ward a law was brought
in 2017 and was notified
in 2018. At that time, a
few individuals had told
Jaitley that secrecy
should be maintained in
it. They feared that if
someday the government
went out of power, then
what would happen to
their fate since if they
funded one party, the
other party that came to
power might trouble
them. Jaitley understood
their issues and said their
secrecy would be main-
tained. The payment
mode will be cheques,
but it will be kept secret.
Suddenly a writ was filed
and for 4-5 years, nothing
was done on it. But then,
in October last year hear-
ing was held on that writ
and the court reserved its
judgement in November
and in March this year,
the decision was given.
So the first puzzle in this
issue is that nothing hap-
pened on the matter for
five years but what hap-
pened now all of a sudden
that the case moved
ahead? Elections are
around the corner and
you cannot question the
Court’s resolve since the
matter was ongoing for
the last few years. So why
was it accelerated all of a
sudden by the people who
were pleading in the mat-
ter? This is a puzzle. So
the overall gist that came
out was that the idea with
which this was brought
forward, to keep the fund-
ing transparent and se-
cret, could not be main-
tained since the secrecy is
no more, with all due re-
gard to the Supreme
Court they gave the deci-
sion which was correct.
But the other aspect was
that the secrecy was no
more and that might have
several ramifications in
future therefore the elec-
toral bonds are an inex-
plicable puzzle.
It is being said this en-
tire controversy turned
out to be a flop show.
What is your take on it?
It is not a flop show as yet
but could be in the near
future because the court’s
intention is obviously
good and now the details
are before the public. So
there is no controversy as
far as these two aspects
are concerned, nor is
there any issue of a re-
view. When the numbers
of the electoral bond
scheme were announced,
a bid was initiated to cre-
ate a perception among
the people that BJP is the
only beneficiary and the
party took money from
the companies that were
in controversies and the
propaganda was started
as if BJP’s election fund
has been unearthed.
However, they forgot that
it was the entire nation’s
election fund that is the
fund that all the parties
had, which came to light
since fifteen political
parties benefited from
electoral bonds. So they
were not successful in
creating the perception
and putting the BJP in
grey. So now what has
happened is that all po-
litical parties are feeling
guilty since they were
unsuccessful and could
not create a perception
against the BJP. Perhaps
this is why Amit Shah
had said in Parliament
that his silence is better
otherwise it will create
disturbances for other
political parties and that
is what happened. Addi-
tionally, several political
parties have received
more money than the
BJP and now each of
them would want to bury
this issue and that is why
people have termed it to
be a flop show.
Now that this arrange-
ment has been termed
unconstitutional, what
other choices are the
parties left with?
See, the biggest thing is
that there should be a
consensus on whatever is
to be done. Former Chief
Election Commissioner
of India Sunil Arora re-
cently said in a live dis-
cussion on electoral
bonds that the Supreme
Court did not show any
way out. But the SC is
there to interpret and re-
view and this work is of
the executive and it
should come out with a
new plan which then
they can forward to the
Supreme Court. So con-
sensus and transparency
are two things that are
required and if there is
no consensus, then the
old idea of state funding
could be pursued where-
in the government gives
money to political par-
ties. So a consensus is
important and the new
government should
bring that for the next
elections.
Do you agree that use
of black money in elec-
tion funding will gain
momentum now?
That is a natural process.
Amit Shah had asked
everyone how they used
to get election funds. It
was in cash as everyone
knows. Demonitisation
was brought to bring an
end to the black money
circulating everywhere
and it was after this
move, that digital trans-
actions and transactions
through cheques, in-
creased. Now sup-
pose today I want
to give one lakh
rupees as an
election fund
donation to
any political
party, what
option do I
have? The
e l e c t o r a l
bond scheme
has been
termed illegal.
So now dona-
tions would
have to be
made in
cash. That is
why it was said that we
are soon entering the
cash era if we do not
bring an effective solu-
tion to this conundrum.
Supreme Court has
said that citizens have a
right to know about
funds of political parties.
Do you think people are
eager to know about it?
See, SC’s view is crystal
clear in this aspect i.e. the
voter has a right to know
who gave which political
party how much money
and what benefit was de-
rived out of it. The coun-
ter view of the govern-
ment is that people do not
have a right to know
about their funds,
which the Supreme
Court overruled
and later the gov-
ernment also ac-
cepted SC’s deci-
sion.As far as peo-
ple being eager to know
about it is concerned,
obviously, people would
be, but not to a great ex-
tent. People in general are
least concerned whether
Adani, Reliance or some
other companies have
given money to a certain
political party. In fact,
there was a survey done a
few years back which
gave shocking results and
it came to light that about
twelve per cent of voters
took money to cast a vote.
Few people believe SC
moved way past what the
applicants had demand-
ed through their appli-
cation on the issue. Do
you agree?
Oh, that is very interest-
ing. It may be in the larg-
er interest of justice done
by the Supreme Court.
The application was to
make the scheme unques-
tionable but SC went one
step ahead and realised
that even the people must
be curious to learn about
which party has received
how much in electoral
bond funds and then this
decision was given. So
the applicant must have
been extremely happy be-
cause his application
sought something but the
SC gave more than what
he had asked for.
Lok Sabha election
process has started and
some people are ques-
tioning the timing of this
decision. What is your
take on it?
See, the SC and its bench-
eshaveaveryhighdegree
of credibility, dignity, and
integrity and it is abso-
lutely non-political.
When we read about CJI,
we can observe that he is
absolutely non-political
andisadignifiedperson.
So you can’t level any
hidden motive or agen-
da charge on the bench
that heard this matter.
But what happens is
that sometimes people
indulgeinloosetalkand
believe that there is
some judicial activism
going on. The reason
for this was because
some decisions caused in-
convenience to the gov-
ernment. Take, for in-
stance, the case of the
Chandigarh Mayor or the
protection of press free-
dom, where the Supreme
Court rightfully ques-
tioned how democracy
could thrive otherwise.
So, you may cite timing
but see this is a democ-
racy and you can’t stop
people from saying what
they want and even if
people may be saying it,
I don’t buy this theory.
The law follows a pro-
cess which goes on and
does not get bothered
with who says what.
Why is it that the politi-
cal parties and compa-
nies donating money to
these parties are shying
from giving details?
They are shying because
theyhaverealisedthatthis
would open a pandora’s
box so the political parties
said what has come in
public knowledge is al-
rightandnownoinforma-
tion is to be given. As far
ascorporatesandindustri-
alists not willing to share
the information is con-
cerned, is because they
realised that they might
get stuck in some litiga-
tion somewhere and they
brought Mukul Rohatgi, I
think, to present their case
in SC, but the SC refused
to hear. So now both par-
ties want the matter
should die down and
come to an end.
TO BE CONTINUED…
During the show
#JConElectoralBonds
trended topAll-India on X
Dr Jagdeesh Chandra in conversation with (L-R)
Ranjana Rawat, Palak Sharma, Pooja Yadav, Sakshi
Mishra and Poornima Mishra, during The JC Show.
Taking a look back at the recent developments regarding electoral bonds and the
Supreme Court’s decision on it, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra stresses that although it is not
known who or what acted as a catalyst to speed up the hearing on the matter, the
outcome is for the greater good of the public. Dr Chandra also explains how political
parties tried to create a narrative against BJP for getting the most funds but failed
miserably, how the new government will have to come up with a new plan in place of
electoral bonds, and how black money could again come back in play. Excerpts... (Part I)
Entireelectoralbondcontroversymay
provetobeaflopshow!:DrChandra
Scan to watch
The JC Show
Dr Jagdeesh Chandra during The JC Show.
You read Part I on MARCH 29, 2024

10. JAIPUR, SATURDAY | MARCH 30, 2024
Glamour | Fashion | Bollywood | Hollywood | Lifestyle
FARZI’S DELAY REVEALED
ans of the hit web series ‘Farzi’ have
been eagerly awaiting news of its highly
anticipated second season, and leading lady
Raashii Khanna has finally offered some
insight into the shooting schedule. P11
F
09
firstindia.co.in
firstindia.co.in/epapers/jaipur thefirstindia thefirstindia thefirstindia
aisley, with its
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ing the imagination.
One of the most fasci-
nating aspects of paisley
designs is their rich cul-
tural significance. In
many Eastern traditions,
paisley symbolizes fer-
tility, eternity, and abun-
dance, making it a popu-
lar motif in ceremonial
attire and decorative arts.
Over time, paisley motifs found
their way into Western fashion,
becoming synonymous with bo-
hemian chic and the countercul-
ture movements of the 1960s and
1970s.
Today, paisley remains a be-
loved motif in both high fashion
and everyday wear. Designers
continually reinterpret and rein-
vent paisley prints, breathing
new life into this timeless pat-
tern. From bold, oversized pais-
ley motifs to delicate, tonal vari-
ations, there is a paisley print to
suit every taste and occasion.
Furthermore, the resurgence
of interest sustainably and ethi-
cally has led to a renewed appre-
ciation for traditional crafts, in-
cludingpaisleyprinting.Artisans
around the world are reviving
ancient techniques and incorpo-
rating eco-friendly practices to
create paisley prints that are as
environmentally conscious as
they are aesthetically pleasing.
Paisley’s designs in print con-
tinue to enchant and inspire
with their timeless beauty and
cultural significance.
Paisley, prints with their intricate motifs and centuries-old legacy, remain an
enduring emblem of sophistication and style in the realm of design. City First
highlights this teardrop-shaped pattern that has transcended borders and
cultures, evolving into a symbol of timeless elegance and cultural fusion.
Tripti
Mahawar
cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
P