Rajasthan

Jaipur: Rajasthan’s Special Operations Group (SOG) has made a major breakthrough in the Junior Engineer (JE) Combined Recruitment Exam-2020 paper leak case. The authorities revealed that even the September 2021 re-conducted exam was compromised due to a paper leak. In connection with this case, Assistant Engineer Ganpat Lal Bishnoi of the Public Works Department (PWD) has been arrested. Repeated paper leak led to re-examThe original JE exam, held in December 2020, was allegedly canceled following a paper leak. According to Additional Director General Vishal Bansal, during the subsequent investigation, suspicions arose regarding how certain candidates managed to succeed in the re-conducted exam held on 12 September 2021. Upon questioning, the accused admitted that the exam papers for the...

Jaipur: A heated exchange unfolded in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on Thursday during the Question Hour, as Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari and Congress MLAs engaged in a tense debate over road construction and crop compensation. The controversy began when Chetan Patel, Congress MLA from Peepalda in Kota, raised questions about the government’s failure to release compensation for crops damaged by heavy rainfall and the delay in constructing non-pencheable and missing-link roads in his constituency. Diya Kumari respondsDeputy CM Diya Kumari responded by comparing the performance of the previous government with the current administration, which sparked a row in the Assembly. Members from both sides clashed, leading to a chaotic scene in the House. “Why are you getting agitat...

Barmer: The Barmer district administration is once again under scrutiny, this time over a deepfake video case involving MLA Dr. Ritu Banawat. Dr. Banawat has accused the district administration of acting unjustly in the matter, raising serious questions about the impartiality of the investigation. Allegations against the administrationThe controversy dates back to January 2024, when a deepfake video using MLA Ritu Banawat’s name and photo surfaced. Dr. Banawat claims that the main accused in the case, Dinesh Manju, was recently honored by the Barmer district administration during the Republic Day celebrations. She described this as not only an injustice to the victim but also a blow to the credibility and fairness of the ongoing investigation. In a video statement, the MLA said she i...

Jodhpur: The death of western Rajasthan’s renowned storyteller, Sadhvi Prem Baisa, has raised several questions following the appearance of a purported suicide note four hours after her passing. Her father has now provided clarification regarding the note, stating that the Instagram post was made by her staff in accordance with her last wish. Father clarifies Instagram postAfter Prem Baisa’s death at 5:30 PM, a post appeared on her Instagram account at 9:30 PM, which sparked speculation. Addressing the media, her father said, “It was Sadhvi Prem Baisa’s last wish that a message be conveyed to her followers. Hence, I had the post made through her staff.” Death possibly due to injection reactionPrem Baisa had reportedly been unwell for several days. According to her father, she receive...

Jaipur: The transgender community in Rajasthan has recently witnessed internal divisions, sparking debates and controversy. The issue revolves around Shiv Shankar Saini, also known as Tanisha, a transgender leader associated with the Rajasthan Kinnar Akhara Sangh, and discussions concerning religious conversions within the community. Today, a press conference was held in Jaipur by representatives of the broader transgender community, who strongly refuted recent allegations and statements made by the state president of the Kinnar Akhara Sangh. They emphasized that such statements contradict Rajasthan’s centuries-old Ganga-Jamuni cultural ethos and could harm the community’s reputation. Community voices concernRepresentatives criticized Tanisha’s remarks, claiming they not only damage ...

Kotputli: An extraordinary spectacle is taking place at the renowned Chhapala Bhairuji Temple in Kotputli, Rajasthan, as the annual Lakkhi Fair draws devotees from across the country. This year, a massive 750 quintals of churma—the temple’s special holy offering—is being prepared using a unique blend of traditional faith and modern machinery. Remarkably, JCB and thresher machines are being employed to prepare the colossal prasadi. The fair, celebrated in the scenic Aravalli hills, has become a social media sensation, attracting devotees not only from Rajasthan but also from Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Month-long preparations for the grand offeringAccording to the temple committee and local villagers, preparations for the grand prasadi and the fair have been ongoin...

A tragic incident in Alwar, Rajasthan has claimed the life of a young panther, highlighting the dangers of illegal hunting traps in rural areas. The two-year-old panther was found hanging from a tree near Jhiri village under the jurisdiction of the Pratapgarh forest outpost. Post-mortem reports revealed that the panther had become entangled in a rope snare set by a hunter to trap wild boars, ultimately leading to its death. Panther Dies Struggling in Tree On the evening of January 26, villagers in Guwara spotted the panther’s body dangling from a tree branch—a chilling sight that sent shockwaves through the community. Dr. Manoj Meena, who conducted the post-mortem, confirmed that the rope snare had caught the animal’s abdomen. In an attempt to free itself, the panther climbed the tre...

In a significant step toward breaking long-standing social taboos, the Rajasthan government has introduced the ‘Widow Remarriage Gift Scheme’, an initiative aimed at restoring dignity, confidence, and financial stability to widowed women by encouraging their remarriage. The scheme seeks not only to provide monetary support but also to help women rebuild their lives with self-respect after the loss of their spouse — a phase often marked by emotional isolation, social pressure, and economic hardship. ₹51,000 Assistance for a New Beginning Under the scheme, eligible widowed women who choose to remarry are provided financial assistance of ₹51,000 as a government “gift.” The amount is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account, ensuring transparency and eliminating middleme...

Jaipur:The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly turned stormy on Thursday as sharp exchanges between the ruling party and the opposition dominated the budget session, with controversies ranging from hookah bars and road construction figures to environmental concerns and rising leopard movement in urban areas. Uproar Over Minister’s ‘Naked Dance’ Remark The debate intensified after Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham made a controversial remark while discussing hookah bars. Targeting the Congress, he alleged that during its regime, hookah bars were operating at nearly 55,000 locations and remarked that the opposition was engaged in “naked dance,” triggering loud protests in the House. The comment led to repeated disruptions, forcing Speaker Vasudev Devnani to intervene. The S...

Jaipur: Rajasthan’s Bhajanlal government has unveiled its new excise policy for the fiscal year 2026-27. While alcohol enthusiasts will feel the pinch, the policy also imposes higher sales targets on liquor shop owners. Price Hike for Beer and Spirits Under the new policy, excise duty has been increased from 75% to 80%. Effective from April 1, this will lead to price hikes of ₹5 to ₹20 per bottle or can. Beer prices are expected to rise by around ₹5 per bottle, while a 750ml bottle of imported liquor could cost up to ₹20 more. Extended Shop Timings There is, however, a silver lining for consumers. Currently, liquor shops operate from 10 AM to 8 PM. The new policy grants the Excise Commissioner the authority to review operating hours, with a possibility of extending shop timings...