Right to Hearing Act implemented in Rajasthan

Rajasthan became the first state in the country to implement the 'Right To Hearing Act', which ensures time-bound hearing and disposal of complaints related to governance. Rajasthan is the first state in the country to introduce such an Act and we would like to ensure that everybody knows about the details of the Act," Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said at a news conference in his office here. "The government is working on a theme to provide sensitive, transparent and responsible governance and the 'Right to Hearing act' is another step in this direction," he said. Gehlot said that under the Act, right of hearing will be provided to people on complaint filed related to governance within stipulated time limits. "Provision of penalty from Rs 500 to 5,000 has been made in the Act," he said.

The Guaranteed Delivery of Public Services Act at present is covering 153 services of 18 departments and 56,33,400 cases out of total 57,06,785 have been disposed off so far, he said. Gehlot also called upon social activists and NGOs to spread awareness about the issue so that maximum people can take advantage of the Act. He expressed hope that the new Act would help in reducing number of public grievances at levels of the chief minister and ministers.

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Shahrukh Khan fined Rs.100 for Public Smoking

Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan, charged with smoking in public during an IPL match, today escaped with a paltry fine of Rs 100, less than the cost of his cigarette box, after having pleaded guilty before a court here. Disposing of the matter, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate S C Godara, Jaipur City, allowed Khan to deposit the fine through his counsel. Khan, co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, was summoned by the court in May on a complaint that he was seen smoking on April 8 during a match between his team and Rajasthan Royals at Sawi Man Singh Stadium. The court asked the actor to pay Rs 100 as fine. Soon after the court's judgement, Shahrukh's counsel claimed that his client was ready to pay the fine.
Nodding to the counsel's request, the court exempted the actor from personal appearance and allowed him to pay the amount through his counsel. Quite interestingly, the amount of fine i.e. Rs 100 must be less than the cost of his cigarette box. Anand Singh, who runs the Jaipur Cricket Academy - a private club, had filed the petition against the court complaining about his act of smoking in public during an IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Apr 8. The petitioner filed the case against SRK under section 5 read with 11 of Rajasthan Prohibition of Smoking Act, 2000, which prohibits smoking at a public places.

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Drought declared in Jodhpur, Nagaur, Barmer, Bikaner and Jaisalmer Districts

Rajasthan Government has declared drought in Jodhpur, Nagaur, Barmer, Bikaner and Jaisalmer districts on Wednesday. The five districts have been worst-hit by deficit rain and will remain in the status of ‘droughtaffected’ from August 1 to July 31 next year. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot instructed the officials to mention everything in detail in the letters that will be presented to Centre. He also asked them to take the assessment exercise of losses seriously. To gauge the situation in the state, Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar will visit Jaipur on August 3. 

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot said “The five districts received no rain. There will be huge scarcity of water. The water level in dams and other resources has been down by 65%. We have to make arrangements for proper supply of drinking water. Apart from that, we will have to ensure the proper supply of electricity and fodder”. A special task force under the chairmanship of principal secretary to CM and departmental heads of animal husbandry and health department has also been formed. They will keep a tab on the ongoing relief work concerned to their respective departments. Similarly, the government will urge the Centre to increase the number of work days from 100 to 200 under NREGS.

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Team Anna to end Fast, Enter Politics

Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare hinted he was open to the idea of his movement entering politics. The announcement came after his latest public fast failed to lead to negotiations with the government on the Lokpal Bill, which is still pending parliamentary approval. Anna Hazare and several of his close associates announced their ongoing hunger strike will end Friday afternoon. The latest round of indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar in the heart of national capital had made some points amply clear. The hunger strike was not going to bring in a Lokpal or for that matter an SIT against corrupt ministers despite some of the fasting members being close to being hospitalised without the fast yielding any result. Team Anna today decided to end its indefinite fast tomorrow and take a plunge into politics. "It is another two years to go to polls in 2014. We have to go to people throughout the country in the next one-and- half years".
"Why waste time on fasts? Tomorrow at 5 pm, all fast will end," Hazare told supporters at Jantar Mantar at the end of an address in which he enunciated the civil society's approach to providing a political alternative to the current system. However, questions still remained as to what Team Anna would do regarding the political alternative and whether they would launch a party themselves.

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Raj Travels owner commits suicide

Raj Travels' owner Lalit Sheth on Wednesday allegedly committed suicide by jumping off the Bandra Worli Sea Link bridge in central Mumbai, police said. According to police, Sheth asked his driver to stop the car on the bridge and told him to drive the vehicle ahead slowly, saying he would like to take a walk on the bridge.  Reportedly, Seth had a debt of around Rs 5 crore which he had to pay to SBI. Police sources also said that when Sheth failed to pay dues of another other two banks—HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, an official liquidator was appointed.
Seth also faced arbitration proceedings with respect to complaints filed by Tata Motors and Tata Finance involving Rs 2 crore and surrender of seven vehicles from Raj Travels. Tatas had moved a petition in the high court demanding his arrest in this concern, which the court could have looked into it this month. Lalit Sheth allegedly committed suicide by jumping off the Bandra Worli Sea Link bridge in central Mumbai on Wednesday. "56-year-old Sheth, who owns Raj Travels, jumped from the sea link bridge this afternoon, leaving a suicide note," Deputy Police Commissioner Dhananjay Kulkarni told reporters.

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Family pension to children of disabled Rajasthan Govt Employee

The son or daughter of a Rajasthan Government employee, pensioner suffering from any mental or physical disorder or disability and is unable to earn a livelihood will get family pension even after attaining the age of 25 years. The Rajasthan Cabinet gave approval for amendment to the Rajasthan Civil Services (Pension) rules at a meeting here on Wednesday.
The monthly income limit for the eligible person for family pension has been increased from Rs 2550 to Rs 6000, according to an official release here on Thursday. The cabinet also approved several proposals including the renaming of the government polytechnic college at Dausa after former union minister Rajesh Pilot. It was also decided that buildings being constructed for public facilities in the district collectorate and Zila Parishad premises will be named as Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi Bharat Nirmal Seva Kendara.

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Saina Nehwal wins by 2-0, Now in Olympics Semifinals

Saina Nehwal wins by 2-0 in Pre-Quarterfinal match Today and enters London Olypics 2012 Semifinals. Saina Nehwal win the first Set against Denmark's Baun Tine by 21-15. In Second set Saina faces some difficultly when Baun Tine took lead of 11-7 and 19-15 but Saina bounce back with bang and defeated Baun Tine in second set too by 22-20, a Superb game from Saina Nehwal clinched from 17-20 to 22-20.

Well done Saina !!!.

So two straight set win for Saina Nehwal and India. Now India can hope one  Medal for sure in Badminton Singles from Saina Nehwal.
For More on London Olympics visit: http://www.athleteindia.com/

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President, PM greet nation on Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan, the festival that reaffirms the treasured bond of love and care between brothers and sisters, was celebrated on Thursday across the country with traditional fervour and gaiety. Feasting, merry-making and exchange of gifts marked the the day as sisters, dressed in their fineries, applied 'tilak' on their brothers' foreheads and tied 'rakhis' on their wrists, praying for their happiness and prosperity. The President, Vice President and Prime Minister have greeted the nation on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan being celebrated on Thursday.
President Pranab Mukherjee in his message said, "On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, I extend my greetings and good wishes to my fellow citizens in India and abroad." He said Raksha Bandhan is the celebration of the unique relationship that exists between brothers and sisters and the tying of a Rakhi symbolises love, affection and mutual trust between sisters and brothers. Vice President Hamid Ansari in his message said, "Rakshabandhan signifies the protective bond between brothers and sisters and the celebration of this festival plays an important role in spreading the message of unity and harmony in our society." He called upon people to follow the ideals associated with the festival to promote the spirit of amity, harmony and goodwill. In his greetings to the people of the nation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for celebrating the joyous occasion to strengthen the bonds of love and affection in family and society. "We should use this occasion to promote peace, harmony and brotherhood in our country," he said

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