Gold deposit located in Banswara and Udaipur, Geologists Report

Scientists and geologists confirmed the astonishing figure, and experts claimed that the deposits are located mostly in the cities of Banswara and Udaipur of Rajasthan. The exploration by Geological Survey of India (GSI) has revealed that the deposits of gold are 114.78 MT in Bhukia- Dagocha area. Speaking to reporters, Director General of the GSI department N Kutumba Rao said,”The work of exploration of gold and copper in other areas like Kamalpura, Neem Ka Thana and Mundiawas Kheda area is also going on.”

This is not the first time the region has yielded essential minerals. Rajasthan has provided around 80 million tonnes of copper till date, and the Thar Desert yields approximately 1.7 lakh barrels of crude oil on a daily basis, apart from having a high concentration of rare earth elements, as reported by the Times of India, almost two years ago. Rare earth elements are a set of 17 chemicals which occur naturally in trace quantities and are in great demand in the nuclear and space sector, energy, defence, chemicals and electronics industries.

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Rajasthan Budget 2018-19: Farm loan waiver, tax relief

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today announced a Rs 8,000-crore loan waiver for farmers, Rs 650 crore tax relief and Rs 44,135 crore expenditure on social and community schemes in the budget for 2018-19 presented in the assembly today. The state government has tried to touch every section of society including women, young, students, farmers and sectors like infrastructure, medical and healthcare, industries, education and others, the chief minister said. Raje, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the budget for 2018-19 which envisage total outlay of Rs 1,07,865.40 crore on schemes and projects. A major share of the proposed outlay, 40.92 per cent, amounting to Rs 44,135.20 crore has been allocated to social and community services schemes as the state goes to polls this year. Power sector got 25.08 per cent while and rural development sector 13.42 per cent of the planned outlay.

They said it was betrayal with farmers and complete loan should be waived. Raje informed the house that the decision of loan waiver up to Rs50,000 for small and marginal farmers will cost Rs8,000 crore to the exchequer. The chief minister also announced free travel for people above 80 years of age and one attendee on half fare in the state roadways buses. Hike in honorarium to Anganwadi workers, underpass from Ramniwas garden to Delhi road for a better traffic management, biogas plants in cow shelters were among other announcements.

• Rajasthan Budget 2018-19 Highlights, Full in PDF

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Congress wins Ajmer, Alwar, Mandalgarh bypolls in Rajasthan

Congress today wins Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha seats along with Mandalgarh Assembly seat in Rajasthan from the BJP, with Rajasthan heading to Assembly elections in a few months, this spectacular showing is being touted no less than a precursor to the polls' verdict. Party's Karan Singh won the Alwar Lok Sabha constituency seat, defeating BJP's Jaswant Yadav by 1,56,319 votes. Whereas, Raghu Sharma of the Congress won against BJP's Ram Swaroop Lamba in Ajmer. Congress candidates led from the beginning in vote count in both the Lok Sabha seats and edged past the BJP in Mandalgarh after initially trailing at the second spot. Congress president Rahul Gandhi in a laudatory tweet said, Well done Rajasthan Congress!  Proud of each and every one of you. This is a rejection of the BJP by the people of Rajasthan.#RajasthanByPolls.

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29 जनवरी का उप चुनाव क्षेत्र में सार्वजनिक अवकाश

भारत निर्वाचन आयोग की अधिसूचना के अनुसार राजस्थान के लोकसभा निर्वाचन क्षेत्र 8-अलवर, 13-अजमेर एवं विधानसभा निर्वाचन क्षेत्र 183-माण्डलगढ  में उप चुनाव के दौरान 29 जनवरी, 2018, सोमवार को सार्वजनिक अवकाश रहेगा। 

मुख्य निर्वाचन अधिकारी श्री अश्विनी भगत ने बताया कि 29 जनवरी, को उप चुनाव क्षेत्र के संबंधित निर्वाचन क्षेत्र के कार्यालयों में परक्राम्य लिखित अधिनियम एन आई एक्ट 1881 के अन्र्तगत सार्वजनिक अवकाश रहेगा।  

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PM Modi inaugurates work commencement of Barmer refinery

Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed a large and enthusiastic public meeting on the occasion ofthe commencement of work for the Rajasthan Refinery at Pachpadra, in Barmer, Rajasthan. Congratulating the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Smt. Vasundhara Raje, and Union Minister of Petroleum, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, on the occasion, the Prime Minister observed that a few days ago, India marked Makar Sankranti with great fervour. This festive season is the harbinger of prosperity, he added, saying that immediately after the festivities, he is delighted to be in Rajasthan for a project that will bring happiness and prosperity in the lives of many.

This is a time for 'Sankalp Se Siddhi.' We have to identify our targets and work towards achieving them by 2022, when we mark 75 years of freedom, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister recalled the contribution of former Vice President and former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, and said that he had worked towards modernising Rajasthan. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of senior leader and former Union Minister ShriJaswant Singh, noting that his contribution to our nation is immense. The Prime Minister praised the State Government, and Chief Minister VasundharaRaje, for managing the drought situation, and helping the people tide over the difficult situation.

The Prime Minister stated that it the Union Government was committed to make One Rank, One Pension, for the Armed Forces, a reality, and added that the Government has worked towards making it possible. He mentioned the Jan DhanYojana, and said that the poor have now gotaccess to banking facilities. He also spoke about the UjjwalaYojanafor cooking gas, and the significant progress made in electrification of 18,000 unelectrified villages. The Prime Minister praised Chief Minister VasundharaRaje for her commitment towards the benefit and progress of Rajasthan.

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Lalu Prasad Yadav gets 3.5 years jail in fodder scam case

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav was on Saturday sentenced to 3.5 years jail in a fodder scam case. Special CBI judge Shivpal Singh announced the sentence after hearing arguments on the quantum of sentencing. Apart from Lalu, convicts Phool Chand, Mahesh Prasad, Bake Julious, Sunil Kumar, Sushil Kumar, Sudhir Kumar and Raja Ram have also been sentenced to three-and-half-years in jail and a Rs 5 lakh fine was imposed. Former MLA Jagdish Sharma got the maximum jail term, 7 years, and a fine of Rs 10 lakh was imposed on him. The sentence was pronounced through video conferencing. 

This was the second of the five fodder scam cases. It pertained to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from the Deoghar treasury between 1991 and 1994. CBI court had acquitted another former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra and five others in the case, relating to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 84.5 lakh from the Deoghar district treasury between 1990 and 1994 in then undivided Bihar. Lalu Prasad was the Chief Minister of the undivided state from 1990 to 1997.

Lalu Yadav has said his conviction is the result of political vendetta. After the sentencing, Lalu Yadav tweeted: "Rather than practising BJP's Simple Rule - "Follow us or We will Fix you". I will die happily fixing myself for Social justice, harmony & equality." Tejashwi Yadav said, "He was chosen (by the people) and he's in jail... those who had not been elected is now in government... Amit Shah was scared of Lalu-ji." The former Deputy Chief Minister is in the opposition after Nitish Kumar dissolved his alliance with Lalu Yadav and the Congress and partnered with the BJP. Senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said, "Bihar's people have finally got justice"."The law is the same for everyone... a message has been sent that nobody is bigger than law," he said.

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निर्दलीय विधायक राजकुमार शर्मा का त्यागपत्र अस्वीकार

राजस्थान में डाक्टरों की हड़ताल के कारण कई लोगों की मौत के विरोध में निर्दलीय विधायक राजकुमार शर्मा ने 1 जनवरी 2018 को विधायकी से इस्तीफा दे दिया। राजकुमार ने इस्तीफा विधानसभा अध्यक्ष कैलाश मेघवाल को सौंपा। राजकुमार शर्मा ने कहा कि डॉक्टरों की हड़ताल समय से खत्म करा पाने में सरकार नाकाम रही है। स्वास्थ्य मंत्री कालीचरण सराफ को अपना इस्तीफा देना चाहिए था या फिर सरकार को उन्हें बर्खास्त करना चाहिए था। दोनों में से कुछ भी नहीं किया गया। ऐसे में मैं पूरे प्रकरण से आहत होकर विधानसभा की सदस्यता से त्याग पत्र दे रहा हूं। शर्मा ने आरोप लगाया की डॉक्टरों की हड़ताल को भड़काने का काम सरकार ने ही किया। इसके कारण सैकडों लोगों की जान गई। जो हड़ताल शुरू में ही खत्म हो जाती उसे 12 दिन चलाया गया। मंत्री ने डॉक्टर्स के जानबूझ कर तबादले किए गए जिससे डाक्टर भड़के। हुआ भी कुछ ऐसा, जिसके कारण मरीजों की जानें चली गईं। राज्य के लिए यह बेहद दुर्भाग्य है कि प्रदेश सरकार जनता के प्रति संवेदनशील नहीं है।

विधानसभा अध्यक्ष श्री कैलाश मेघवाल ने 2 जनवरी को नवलगढ़ विधानसभा क्षेत्र के निर्दलीय विधायक डॉ. राजकुमार शर्मा के राजस्थान विधानसभा की सदस्यता से दिये गए त्यागपत्र को अस्वीकार कर दिया है। विधानसभा सचिव श्री पृथ्वी राज ने बताया कि डॉ. शर्मा ने सोमवार को विधानसभा अध्यक्ष को अपना त्यागपत्र सौंपा था जिसे अस्वीकार कर दिया गया है।

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Ajmer Bypoll Date, Candidates, News, Result 2018

Ajmer By-poll Loksabha Election 2018 Date, Candidate Name, News, Results: Ajmer Lok Sabha Bypoll election will be held on 29th January 2018 as per Election Commission of India (ECI) along with Ajmer Loksabha seat elections 2018. The counting will take place on February 1 and results will be announced on 1st February 2018. The last date of filing nominations is January 10 and date for scrutiny is January 11. The last date of withdrawing candidature is January 15. Bharatiya Janata Party's Alwar Member of Parliament Mahant Chand Nath had passed away on September 17, 2017 while BJP's Ajmer MP Prof. Sanwar Lal Jat passes away at AIIMS, Delhi, on August 9, 2018.

• Ajmer Loksabha Bypoll Candidate Names 2018:
• BJP Candidate Name for Ajmer seat 2018: Ramswaroop Lamba.
• Congress Candidate Name for Ajmer seat 2018: Raghu Sharma
• Independent Candidate Name for Ajmer seat 2018:
• Ajmer Loksabha Bypoll 2018 Important Dates:
• Ajmer bypoll election date announced on 28th December 2017
• Ajmer bypoll last date of filing nomination:  10th January 2018
• Ajmer bypoll last date for scrutiny:  11th January 2018
• Ajmer bypoll last date of withdrawing candidatures:  15th January 2018
• Ajmer bypoll election voting date: 29th January 2018
• Ajmer bypoll Election Results:  1st February 2018
• Ajmer Loksabha Bypoll Election 2018 Results: updated live on 1st February 2018.

Alwar Bypoll Date, Candidates, News, Result 2018

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Alwar Bypoll Date, Candidates, News, Result 2018

Alwar By-poll Loksabha Election 2018 Date, Candidate Name, News, Results: Alwar Lok Sabha Bypoll election will be held on 29th January 2018 as per Election Commission of India (ECI) along with Ajmer Loksabha seat elections 2018. The counting will take place on February 1 and results will be announced on 1st February 2018. The last date of filing nominations is January 10 and date for scrutiny is January 11. The last date of withdrawing candidature is January 15. Bharatiya Janata Party's Alwar Member of Parliament Mahant Chand Nath had passed away on September 17, 2017 while BJP's Ajmer MP Prof. Sanwar Lal Jat passes away at AIIMS, Delhi, on August 9, 2018.  Here we will update all news on rajasthanvoice.com for Alwar Bypoll 2018.

• Alwar Loksabha Bypoll Candidate Names 2018:
• BJP Candidate Name for Alwar Loksabha seat 2018: Jaswant Singh Yadav
• Congress Candidate Name for Alwar Loksabha seat 2018: Karan Singh Yadav
• Independent Candidate Name for Alwar Loksabha seat 2018:
• Alwar Loksabha Bypoll 2018 Important Dates:
• Alwer bypoll election date announced on 28th December 2017
• Alwar bypoll last date of filing nomination:  10th January 2018
• Alwar bypoll last date for scrutiny:  11th January 2018
• Alwar bypoll last date of withdrawing candidatures:  15th January 2018
• Alwar bypoll election voting date: 29th January 2018
• Alwar bypoll Election Results:  1st February 2018
• Alwar Loksabha Bypoll Election 2018 Results: updated live on 1st February 2018.
• Ajmer Bypoll Date, Candidates, News, Result 2018

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मुख्यमंत्री ने CRPF जवान राजेन्द्र नैण की शहादत पर संवेदना जताई

मुख्यमंत्री श्रीमती वसुन्धरा राजे ने जम्मू कश्मीर के पुलवामा में रविवार तड़के हुए आतंकवादी हमले में चूरू जिले के गौरीसर निवासी सीआरपीएफ जवान राजेन्द्र नैण एवं अन्य जवानों की शहादत पर संवेदना व्यक्त की है। 

श्रीमती राजे ने अपने संवेदना संदेश में कहा कि सीआरपीएफ के इन जवानों की शहादत से पूरे देश का सिर गर्व से ऊंचा हुआ है। उन्होंने कहा कि देश के लिए अपनी जान की कुरबानी देने वाले इन सीआरपीफ जवानों की शहादत व्यर्थ नहीं जायेगी ।मुख्यमंत्री ने ईश्वर से दिवंगत जवानों की आत्मा की शांति तथा शोक संतप्त परिजनों को यह आघात सहन करने की शक्ति प्रदान करने की प्रार्थना की है ।

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निहाल चन्द गोयल मुख्य सचिव नियुक्त

राज्य सरकार ने शनिवार को आदेश जारी कर अतिरिक्त मुख्य सचिव वन एवं पर्यावरण, पर्यटन, कला एवं संस्कृति श्री निहाल चन्द गोयल को राज्य का नया मुख्य सचिव नियुक्त किया है।  श्री गोयल अपने पद के कार्य के साथ-साथ अध्यक्ष, राजस्थान राज्य खान एवं खनिज निगम लिमिटेड राजस्थान, उदयपुर के पद का अतिरिक्त कार्यभार आगामी आदेशों तक संपादित करेगें।

श्री गोयल भारतीय प्रशासनिक सेवा के वर्ष 1982 बैच के अधिकारी है। वे अलवर, जैसलमेर जिलो के जिला कलेक्टर, राज्य के शिक्षा निदेशक, जयपुर विकास आयुक्त, जोधपुर के संभागीय आयुक्त, राज्यपाल के सचिव, जयपुर मैट्रो सी.एम.डी, प्रमुख शासन सचिव एवं अतिरिक्त मुख्य सचिव, दिल्ली, मुम्बई, इडस्ट्रीयल कोरीडोर सहित अनेक महत्वपूर्ण प्रशासनिक पदों पर सेवाएं दे चुके हैं। श्री निहालचन्द गोयल को मुख्य सचिव श्री अशोक जैन के सेवा निवृत होने पर राज्य का मुख्य सचिव नियुक्त किया है।

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Dates for Ajmer, Alwar bypolls announced

Election Commission on Thursday announced by-elections to the Lok Sabha constituencies of Alwar and Ajmer as well as Mandalgarh assembly seat of Rajasthan on January 29, 2018. The counting will take place on February 1. The last date of filing nominations is January 10 and date for scrutiny is January 11. The last date of withdrawing candidature is January 15.
Bharatiya Janata Party's Alwar Member of Parliament Mahant Chand Nath had passed away on September 17 after a prolonged illness. Earlier, BJP's Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat had collapsed in the MLAs and MPs meeting with BJP chief Amit Shah in Jaipur on July 22. Jat breathed his last at AIIMS, Delhi, on August 9. In the same month, BJP's Mandalgarh legislator Kirti Kumari passed away on August 28 in Jaipur while being treated for influenza A (H1N1) or swine flu.

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राजस्थान अनुसूचित जनजाति आयोग 1 एवं 25 जनवरी को करेगा जनसुनवाई

जयपुर, 28 दिसम्बर। राजस्थान अनुसूचित जनजाति आयोग द्वारा सोमवार एक जनवरी एवं गुरूवार 25 जनवरी को जयपुर में जनसुनवाई की जायेगी। राजस्थान अनुसूचित जनजाति आयोग के सचिव श्री मुरारीलाल अग्रवाल ने बताया कि एक जनवरी  एवं 25 जनवरी को प्रातः 11 बजे से दोपहर एक बजे के मध्य आयोग कार्यालय 51/6 शिप्रा पथ, निरजा मोदी स्कूल के सामने मानसरोवर, जयपुर में अनुसूचित जनजाति वर्ग से सम्बन्धित समस्या की जनसुनवाई की जायेगी।

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राजस्थान में रेजिडेंट डॉक्टर्स की हड़ताल खत्म

चिकित्सा एवं स्वास्थ्य विभाग में गत् 16 दिसम्बर से प्रारम्भ सामुहिक अवकाश पर गये सेवारत चिकित्सक संघ एवं रेजिडेंट डॉटर्स के प्रतिनिधियो के साथ बुधवार को सीफू में आयोजित लगभग 8 घंटे  लंबी चली वार्ता के बाद समझौते पर हस्ताक्षर हो गए एवं इसके बाद हड़ताल समाप्ति की घोषणा कर दी गई।     
चिकित्सा एवं स्वास्थ्य मंत्री श्री कालीचरण सराफ, विधायक श्री अशोक परनामी, सार्वजनिक निर्माण मंत्री श्री युनुस खान, सहकारिता मंत्री श्री अजय सिंह किलक, चिकित्सा राज्य मंत्री बंशीधर खंडेला, प्रमुख शासन सचिव श्रीमती वीनू गुप्ता, चिकित्सा शिक्षा सचिव आनंद कुमार के साथ हुई इस वार्ता में डॉ. अजय चौधरी के नेतृत्व में सेवारत चिकित्सक संघ व रेजिडेंट डॉक्टर्स के नेताओं ने भाग लिया।

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32 killed in Rajasthan bus accident

At least 32 people were killed and 10 injured when a passenger bus fell into a river on Saturday near Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur, police said. The Sawai Madhopur-Lalsot bus was driven by a 16-year-old conductor who lost control due to over-speeding, officials said. The bus skidded and fell off a bridge into the Banas river. According to witnesses, the bus was trying to overtake another vehicle on the narrow bridge. All the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, the police added.
The Prime Minister's Office has expressed grief over the incident and said the state government is closely monitoring the situation. "Anguished by the bus accident in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. State Government is closely monitoring the situation, including rescue operations and providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi," the PMO tweeted. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje also took cognizance of the incident and said she has instructed the officials to carry out speedy rescue operations. Congress President Rahul Gandhi also took to his Twitter handle to express grief over the incident and has asked the party's state unit to help in the rescue operations.

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Rajasthan government passes bill raising OBC Reservation to 26% from 21%

Rajasthan Assembly on Thursday passed a bill to raise the reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) from 21% to 26%. With this, the total quota in the state for government jobs and seats in educational institutes increases to 54%, higher than the 50% ceiling set by the Supreme Court. The Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions in the State and of Appointment and Posts in Services under the State) Bill, 2017, seeks to provide 5 per cent reservation to Banjara, Baldiya, Labana; Gadiya Lohar, Gadoliya; Gujar, Gurjar; Raika, Rebari, Debasi and Gadariya, Gadri, Gayari. Under the new arrangement, there will be no SBC category as it does not have constitutional approval. Instead, there will be OBC and 'Most OBC' categories.

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राजस्थान छात्रवृत्ति वेबसाइट 1 नवम्बर से 31 दिसम्बर, 2017 खुलेगी

सामाजिक न्याय एवं अधिकारिता विभाग के निदेशक डॉ. समित शर्मा ने वीडिया कॉन्फ्रेंस में उत्तर मैट्रिक छात्रवृत्ति की स्वीकृतियां एवं भुगतान की समीक्षा करते हुए बताया कि शिक्षा सत्र 2017-18 के उत्तर मैट्रिक छात्रवृत्ति के आवेदन पत्र ऑनलाइन भरने के लिए एक नवम्बर से 31 दिसम्बर, 2017 तक पोर्टल खोला जायेगा।  उन्होंने जिला अधिकारियों को निर्देश दिये कि वर्ष 2012-13 से 2014-15 तक लंबित छात्रवृत्तियों के प्रकरणों को 31 अक्टूबर, 2017 तक हर संभव निस्तारण करने का प्रमाण पत्र प्रस्तुत करना होगा। जो अधिकारी इसमें देरी करेगा उनको चार्जशीट दी जायेगी। उन्होंने बताया कि विभाग का प्रयास है कि जिस वर्ष की छात्रवृत्ति उसी वर्ष छात्र को मिले इसके लिए सभी को गम्भीरता से काम करना है। उन्होंने ओबीसी एवं ईबीसी की छात्रवृत्तियों के तत्काल निस्तारण के निर्देश दिये। 

उन्होंने प्रदेश में संचालित पं. दीनदयाल उपाध्याय विशेष योग्यजन प्रमाणीकरण शिविरों की समीक्षा करते हुए कहा कि यह प्रमाणीकरण शिविर दो चरणों में 25 सितम्बर से 31 अक्टूबर, 2017 एवं एक नवम्बर, 2017 से 31 दिसम्बर, 2017 तक। प्रथम चरण में 5 प्रकार के विशेष योग्यजनों का प्रमाणीकरण, यू.डी.कार्ड एवं निःशक्तता प्रमाण पत्र जारी किये जायेंगे। दूसरे चरण में सभी 21 तरह के विशेष योग्यजनों को निःशक्तता प्रमाण पत्र जारी किये जायेंगे। उन्होंने जिला अधिकारियों को निर्देश दिये कि अपने जिले में पंजीकृत विशेष योग्यजनों का आनलाइन चिकित्सा विभाग को फॉरवर्ड करें। 

• Rajasthan scholarship 2017-18 Website Link:
• http://www.sje.rajasthan.gov.in/Default.aspx
• www.rajpms.nic.in

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GRAM 2017 in Udaipur from 7 to 9 November 2017

Rajasthan State Cabinet in its meeting on 4th October took various important decisions including organization of GRAM 2017 in Udaipur from November 7 to 9, organising campaign to provide lease in rural areas, generating new posts of ECG Technician and Boiler Attendant. The cabinet also reviewed the works done in second phase of MJSA and workplan for the third phase of MJSA. The Cabinet Meeting was presided over by Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhara Raje.  Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shri Rajendra Rathore informed that after successful organization of GRAM in Jaipur and Kota (24-26 May 2017) the third GRAM will be held at Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur where 30 thousand farmers will learn the innovations made in Agriculture sector. Shri Rathore said the Cabinet also gave approval to the proposal related to start campaign to provide lease for houses built on the government land in rural areas. 

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister informed that six Bills shall be presented in the coming session of Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. The Rajasthan State Electricity Distribution Management Responsibility Bill-2017, The Rajasthan Land Revenue Amendment and Validation (Repeal) Bill-2017, The Rajasthan Relief Undertakings (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Bill-2017, The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Members (Prevention of Disqualification) Bill-2017, The Code of Criminal Procedure (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill-2017 and The Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill-2017 shall be presented in the coming Assembly session.

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Rajasthan government announces DA hike and Diwali Bonus

Jaipur, October 3. On the initiative of the Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhara Raje the state government on Tuesday announced 3 percent hike in the Dearness Allowance (DA) of the government employees. Another gift was offered to the state employees in the form of adhoc bonus for Diwali. According to the orders issued to these effects, the Dearness Relief (DR) for the pensioners has also been increased by 3%. Nearly 8 lakh employees and 3.5 lakh pensioners would be benefited by this increase in DA and DR. On the other hand, for the year 2016-17, the benefit of adhoc bonus would be given to the employees having Annual Grade Pay of Rs. 4,800 or less. It would be calculated on the basis of paying Rs. 7,000 for 31 days of the month. Thus, any employee would get Rs. 6,774 as ad hoc bonus to the maximum.

Presently, the state government employees are given DA at the rate of 136% of the basic salary and after the hike 3% it will become 139%. The increase in DA would be effective from July 1, 2017 and it would be paid in cash from October 2017. The arrears on account of the increased DA from July 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017 would be credited in the GPF accounts of the employees. For the employees appointed on or after January 1, 2004 the arrears of the hiked DA would be paid in cash. The increased DR to the pensioners and family pensioners would be paid in cash.  The DA hike and ad hoc bonus both would be applicable for the work-charge employees, employees of the Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads as well. This hike in DA or DR would cost Rs. 320 crore to the state exchequer additionally during the current financial year. The bonus, however, would put the additional burden of Rs. 406 crore.

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Rajiv Mehrishi takes over as CAG of India

Former home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi took over as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India today. He succeeded Shashi Kant Sharma, who demitted office on Friday, officials said. President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mehrishi (62) at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan, which was attended by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi among other dignitaries, they said. A press communique by the president's office said, "Rajiv Mehrishi was sworn in as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He took and subscribed to the oath of office before the President."  He will have a tenure till August 7, 2020, it said.

Mehrishi, a 1978 batch (retired) Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Rajasthan cadre, completed his two- year fixed term as the home secretary last month. His predecessor Sharma had taken over as the CAG on May 23, 2013. He was defence secretary prior to his appointment as the CAG. Mehrishi, who hails from Rajasthan, holds Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow (UK). He also possess Master of Arts (MA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees from Delhi University. Mehrishi has held several posts in both his state cadre Rajasthan and in the Centre. Before his appointment as the home secretary, he worked as economic affairs secretary and chief secretary of Rajasthan. Mehrishi has also worked as secretary in departments of chemicals and fertilisers, and Overseas Indian Affairs.

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