Latest news with #BhajanLalSharma
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Energy secy Alok passes away after prolonged illness
Jaipur: State energy secretary Alok passed away in the early hours of Monday in New Delhi following a prolonged illness. He is survived by his wife and two sons. A 1993-batch Rajasthan cadre officer, additional chief secretary Alok, who was on deputation to the Centre, took over the reins of the debt-ridden energy department in Feb last year after the new BJP govt came to power. He played a key role in steering the state govt's strategy to overhaul the sector by signing MoUs with the central PSUs and expediting the rollout of decentralised solar projects at the sub-station level, aimed at solarising agriculture connections. While much of the revamping, long-term in nature, is still in the early stages of progress, and the state's power utilities, including discoms, are still burdened with debts of about Rs 1.5 lakh crore, his passing away comes as a big loss for the sector. Around two months ago, he relinquished charge of the department to discoms chairman Arti Dogra as he moved to Delhi for treatment. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed his condolences and said Alok was a source of inspiration for many in his fraternity. Energy minister Heeralal Nagar also acknowledged his commitments to bringing changes in the power sector. "He was a capable and dutiful administrative officer. He made tireless efforts to materialise the resolve of CM Bhajan Lal Sharma to make Rajasthan a leader in the field of energy," said Nagar in a statement. During his career, Alok worked as collector of Udaipur, Kota, Bikaner and also helmed crucial departments as MD of RSRTC, RIICO, principal secretary of PWD, and revenue, among others.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Rajasthan CM to hold meeting with Union Minister on urban and energy projects
Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma is scheduled to hold an important meeting with Union Energy, Housing, and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday in Delhi. The meeting is expected to play a crucial role in accelerating major infrastructure and energy projects in Rajasthan. The meeting reflects the continued efforts to strengthen the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'double engine' governance model, aimed at coordinated development through active collaboration between the Centre and states. Accompanying the Chief Minister to Delhi will be senior Rajasthan government officials, including Energy Secretary Aarti Dogra and UDH Secretary Vaibhav Galaria. The agenda for the meeting includes detailed discussions on Jaipur Metro Phase-2, E-bus network expansion, Smart battery storage projects and Urban development initiatives under the NCR Planning Board. The Chief Minister recently approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Jaipur Metro Phase-2, which aims to enhance north-south connectivity across the city through modern, high-speed public transportation. The proposed 42.80 km corridor will have 36 stations, 34 elevated and 2 underground, and will stretch from Todi Mode to Prahladpura. Key areas to be covered include Jaipur International Airport's new terminal, VKI and Sitapura Industrial Areas, Vidyadhar Nagar, SMS Hospital and Stadium, Collectorate and Proposed Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT). The project carries an estimated cost of Rs 12,260 crore, with financing support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Implementation will be overseen by the Rajasthan Metro Rail Corporation, a 50:50 joint venture between the central and state governments, which will also handle all future metro initiatives in the state. In addition to the metro project, the meeting will also address the rollout of an electric bus network, smart battery storage systems, and various urban development projects under the NCR Planning Board. These initiatives are expected to bolster Rajasthan's push for sustainable urban transport and improved living standards in growing urban areas.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Political appointments on agenda as BJP gears up for Nadda's visit
Jaipur: BJP is gearing up for the one-day visit to Jaipur of its national president, J P Nadda, on May 31. The visit comes at a time when the state unit is preparing for organisational restructuring and long-pending political appointments. BJP state president Madan Rathore Wednesday instructed all senior leaders to attend a likely high-level feedback and coordination meeting with Nadda. The agenda, according to party insiders, includes finalising appointments to boards, corporations, and other key posts, many of which have remained vacant since the party returned to power. This will be Nadda's first visit to Jaipur after the formation of the new govt under chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma in Dec 2023. Apart from organisational matters, Nadda is expected to hold a closed-door meeting with CM Bhajan Lal Sharma to review the state govt's performance and political strategy. "The points of discussion would be govt's performance in the past one-and-a-half years, cabinet expansion, status of flagship schemes, and moves like One State, One Election," said a source. Nadda is scheduled to land in Jaipur at 12 noon and will proceed directly to a private hotel to attend a special event marking the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar. Sources reveal that Nadda will not only review pending political appointments but also discuss the state executive's reconstitution. Rathore has reportedly submitted a list of proposed names for induction into the state executive. The state govt is set to organize a program dedicated to women's empowerment on the occasion of Ahilyabai Holkar's 300th birth anniversary. The event, scheduled for May 31, will be attended by national BJP president and union health and family welfare minister JP Nadda.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Jaipur metro phase II work to kick off by Diwali, completion in five years
JAIPUR : According to a senior metro official, Rajasthan Metro Railway Corporation ( RMRC ) has submitted the approved Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Line 2 of Jaipur metro to the union govt and is presently awaiting final approval. Subsequent to this approval, the RMRC will initiate the tender process for the project and issue the work order. "In a meeting with the chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, we were asked to finish this process by Aug this year. The state govt aims to lay the foundation stone for the project any time before Diwali, considering the forthcoming civic polls," the official told TOI. While the previous Line 1 project, implemented during the Congress govt's tenure, was fully funded by the state, Line 2 will be a joint venture between the union and state govts. "Under the joint venture, the state govt will provide only 20% of the construction cost. The union govt will contribute another 20%, and the remaining 60% will be arranged through a soft loan. Agencies such as JICA are being considered for the soft loan," said another metro official. Construction of Jaipur Metro Line 1 (Mansarovar to Chandpole) was funded by the state, while the second phase (Chandpole to Badi Chaupar) relied on a Rs 969 crore loan from Asian Development Bank (ADB), which the state is currently facing difficulties in repaying. Officials said that planning meetings with the traffic department will soon take place to map out required diversions during construction. It is anticipated that the stretch will require between three to five years to complete. "We shall build the entire corridor in segments, ensuring no inconvenience across more than a 3 to 5 kilometre stretch at any one time," another official said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Vivekananda scholarship delay draws concern from LoP Jully
Jaipur: Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully has written to chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressing concern over the delay in the application process for the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship for Academic Excellence, previously known as the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Tuesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The scholarship funds education in foreign universities for 300 students and 200 in Indian universities as per the 2024 notification. In his letter dated May 27, he pointed out that the scholarship process for Sept 2025 has not yet begun, even though the results for Class 12 were already declared. "The academic sessions in most foreign universities begin in late Aug or early Sept, and with the application process yet to begin, it will be extremely difficult for students to hold on to their offers. Moreover, the govt will face a tight timeline to complete the selection, approval, and disbursement process by July, as students need sufficient time to apply for visas and make travel arrangements," said Jully. He emphasised that the scheme, initially launched in 2021 under the leadership of former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, was aimed at helping meritorious and underprivileged students pursue higher education in top international universities. He even demanded special consideration or reservation for students of marginalised sections, including OBCs, MBCs, SC, ST, and EWS. Shalini Choudhary, a resident of Jaipur, received admission offers from Manchester University and Birmingham University in March. With the universities' deadline to confirm admission approaching in the first week of June, she is struggling to hold her place. "I have to convince them to extend the offer," said a disappointed Choudhary. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "It's frustrating that despite qualifying, I might lose this opportunity due to administrative delays. " Echoing her frustration, Khushi Valecha, who secured an offer to pursue a master's degree from University College London (UCL), said her deadline to confirm admission is also nearing. "We worked hard to earn these offers, but now we're stuck in limbo," she said. "If the scholarship doesn't come through on time, I may have to give up my dream."
