Rajasthan

Barmer District Collector Tina Dabi, one of Rajasthan’s most celebrated IAS officers, has recently come under intense public scrutiny. The controversy erupted after college students referred to her as a “Reel Star” during a protest against increased college fees. The incident has sparked widespread debate on social media and even on the streets, with trolls targeting the officer relentlessly. The Incident The controversy began when students protested against a hike in college fees. During the demonstration, they described Dabi not as a role model, but as a “Reel Star”, implying she seeks popularity through social media rather than focusing on administrative responsibilities. The situation escalated, leading to temporary detention of some students by the police. Following public outra...

In a major police operation in Dholpur, Rajasthan, a wanted criminal with a ₹50,000 reward, Ajit Thakur, was shot during a police encounter in the Basaidang area on Wednesday morning. Thakur sustained injuries and was immediately admitted to the district hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. During the operation, the police also arrested two other fugitives: Kalyan Thakur, another ₹50,000 reward criminal, and Dhira, with a ₹10,000 reward. Both are currently in police custody and being interrogated. Action Triggered by Intelligence According to officials, Cyber Cell Head Narendra Singh and constable Shripal received credible information about the presence of criminals near Sath Kyari in Basaidang. Based on this input, a joint team comprising the Cyber Cell, DST in-charge Ghan...

Jaipur: The Rajasthan State Election Commission has announced a significant increase in the maximum expenditure limits for candidates contesting Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections. The new notification allows candidates for positions such as Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti member, and Zila Parishad member to spend double the amount permitted in the previous elections. This move aims to make the electoral process more transparent, practical, and timely. New Expenditure Limits for Key PositionsState Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh explained that expenditure limits are periodically revised. For the upcoming elections: Zila Parishad members: Increased from ₹1.5 lakh in 2019 to ₹3 lakh. Panchayat Samiti members: Increased from ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh. Sarpanch: Increased f...

Jaipur: A tragic case of love, an illicit affair, and a financial dispute has come to light in Jaipur’s Shastri Nagar, where a 50-year-old woman was brutally murdered. The accused allegedly disposed of her body in a plastic sack outside a neighbor’s house, attempting to mislead the police. Illicit Relationship Turns DeadlyThe victim, separated from her husband for several years, had been involved in a relationship with a neighboring man. On Sunday night, the accused, Jitendra Singh, invited her to his residence. Following the illicit encounter, an argument over money erupted. The altercation escalated, resulting in Jitendra fatally pushing the woman, causing her head to hit a wall and leading to excessive bleeding. Body Dumped in Neighbor’s PorchThe murder came to light on Tuesday mo...

Tonk, Rajasthan: Tonk District Collector, IAS Kalpana Agarwal, made headlines once again with her surprise inspection of the Annapurna Rasoi in Deoli. During the inspection, the Collector expressed strong displeasure over the poor quality of food being served. The dal was watery, and the taste was unsatisfactory, prompting her to issue immediate orders for corrective measures. She also instructed the Municipal Corporation to conduct regular monitoring of the kitchen operations. Collector’s Inspection Reveals Negligence Collector Kalpana Agarwal personally checked the cooking process at the Annapurna Rasoi located at the bus stand. Demonstrating her commitment to hygiene, she removed her shoes before entering the kitchen and closely observed the food preparation. She found the dal exc...

Barmer, Rajasthan: In the village of Sudaberi in Barmer district, an extraordinary story of lifelong love and devotion has touched the hearts of the community. Rajadevi (90) and her husband Ruparam (95), who had shared seven decades together, passed away just hours apart, leaving the village in grief and awe at their enduring bond. Almost 70–80 years ago, the couple had pledged in the sacred seven rounds of marriage (Saptapadi) to stay together in life and death. That promise, kept true to the very end, moved everyone who learned of their passing. Rajadevi passed away on Sunday, and the shock of her departure proved too much for Ruparam. Shortly after, he too passed away, completing a life-long journey that had begun together and ended in unison. Villagers described their relationshi...

Jaipur: Along with the winter chill, air pollution is worsening across Rajasthan, and Jaipur is now facing alarming air quality levels. In several areas of the city, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has crossed 150, raising health concerns for residents. Following Delhi, where outdoor air has become increasingly difficult to breathe, Jaipur is now grappling with elevated PM2.5 and PM10 levels. AQI measures the concentration of pollutants in the air, and a level above 100 is considered harmful to health. In parts of Jaipur, the AQI has surged to 150 and beyond. Pollution HotspotsThe highest pollution was recorded in the Mansarovar area, with an average AQI of 191. Sitapura RICO reported a level of 165, while Adarsh Nagar crossed 150, reaching 158. Murli Pura recorded 118, and near the Poli...

In a landmark move to strengthen the genetic base of tigers in Rajasthan, the state forest department has translocated a tigress from Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh to the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve in Bundi. The initiative aims to promote cross-breeding, reduce the risk of inbreeding, and develop a healthier and more resilient tiger population in the state’s forests. India’s First Inter-State Tiger Translocation India currently has 58 tiger reserves, six of which are located in Rajasthan. However, reserves such as Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra, and Ramgarh Vishdhari have largely been home to tigers belonging to the same family lineage, primarily translocated earlier from Ranthambore. This has led to a narrowing of the genetic pool. Keeping this in mind, the Ramgarh V...

In a major setback for IPL cricketer Yash Dayal, a special POCSO court in Jaipur has once again rejected his anticipatory bail application in a case involving allegations of sexual assault on a minor. The court cited the serious nature of the charges and refused to grant any relief to the accused. The order was passed by Special POCSO Court No. 3 (Metropolitan First), Jaipur, presided over by Judge Alka Bansal, after hearing detailed arguments from both the prosecution and the defence. The court made it clear that allegations of rape involving a minor fall under grave offences, making the accused ineligible for anticipatory bail at this stage. Defence Arguments Rejected During the hearing, counsel for Yash Dayal argued that a similar case had earlier been registered against the cr...

Jaipur, Rajasthan:The movement to protect the Aravalli mountain range in Rajasthan is set to intensify as prominent student leader Nirmal Chaudhary has announced a 1,000-kilometre foot march starting December 24. The march will begin from Mount Abu and aims to mobilise public opinion against what activists describe as the dilution of the legal definition of the Aravallis. The announcement comes amid widespread protests across districts including Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Barmer, and Alwar, following a recent Supreme Court verdict based on a report submitted by the central government. The decision has drawn strong criticism from the Congress and several civil society groups, who accuse the Centre of weakening environmental safeguards. Who Is Nirmal Chaudhary? Nirmal Chaudhary is a well-kno...