Latest news with #Sanghavi
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Guj delegation in London pitches for 2030 Commonwealth Games
Gandhinagar: A state delegation led by Harsh Sanghavi, minister for sports, Government of Gujarat, met senior officials from Commonwealth Sport in London as part of ongoing efforts to deepen understanding around the Commonwealth Games 2030 bid framework. The delegation also constituted representatives from Commonwealth Games Association India and ministry of youth affairs and sports, Government of India. Along with Sanghavi, senior IAS officers Ashwani Kumar, M Thennarasan, and Banchha Nidhi Pani also met Commonwealth Sports authorities. The proposals are expected to be submitted by Aug 31, and a decision on the selection of host city shall be made by Commonwealth Sport in Nov this year. Over two days of engagements in London, the Indian delegation participated in discussions and presented the preparations undertaken till now with respect to the bid. The Commonwealth Sport team mentioned that they will provide full support and collaborate with the interested host cities towards preparations of the proposals. "We believe that the Games of 2030 should be rooted in sustainability, community participation and above all athlete experience. Athletes are the heart of the Games and every decision we take will be shaped by their comfort, their needs and their performance," said Sanghavi. Emphasizing the importance of legacy for the games, Sanghavi said, "We are designing a model for hosting the Games that focuses on long-term impact rather than short-term spectacle using existing venues wherever possible and ensuring that the Games leave behind a meaningful legacy for local communities." During the interactions, P T Usha, president, Commonwealth Games Association of India, said, "India has a shared belief with Commonwealth Sport that sport has the power to unite nations, inspire youth, and foster social change. India stands ready to partner with the Commonwealth Games Federation to craft a legacy-oriented, future-focused edition of the Games in 2030."
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi leads delegation to engage with Commonwealth Sport on 2030 games bid
London [UK], June 7 (ANI): A senior state delegation led by Harsh Sanghavi, Minister Sports, Government of Gujarat met officials from Commonwealth Sport as part of ongoing efforts to deepen understanding around the Commonwealth Games 2030 bid framework. The delegation also constituted representatives from Commonwealth Games Association India and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, according to a release from HM Office Gujarat. The proposals are expected to be submitted by August 31 and a decision on the selection of host city shall be made by Commonwealth Sport in November. Over two days of focused engagements in London, the Indian delegation participated in comprehensive discussions and presented the preparations undertaken till now with respect to the bid. The Commonwealth Sport team mentioned that the team will provide full support and collaborate with the interested host cities towards preparations of the proposals. During his remarks, Sanghavi mentioned, 'We believe that the Games of 2030 should be rooted in sustainability, community participation and above all athlete experience. Athletes are the heart of the Games and every decision we take will be shaped by their comfort, their needs and their performance.' Emphasizing on importance of legacy for the games, Minister Sports also said that, 'We are designing a model for hosting the Games that focuses on long-term impact rather than short-term spectacle using existing venues wherever possible and ensuring that the Games leave behind a meaningful legacy for local communities.' During the interactions, P T Usha, President, Commonwealth Games Association India mentioned that, 'India has a shared belief with Commonwealth Sport that sport has the power to unite nations, inspire youth, and foster social change. India stands ready to partner with the Commonwealth Games Federation to craft a legacy-oriented, future- focused edition of the Games in 2030.' The meeting focused on gaining insights into the overall planning expectations, governance standards and key milestones involved in the bid process. The engagement reflects India's intent to align with global best practices while continuing to engage constructively with all stakeholders as part of the ongoing process. During the discussions, both sides broadly exchanged views on key elements typically expected in a Games bid proposal, including the overarching vision and legacy ambitions, governance and institutional support, sustainability considerations, transport strategy, sports program, accessibility and planning around infrastructure, athlete services, and Games-time operations. While details remain under development, the focus was on aligning with international benchmarks and ensuring readiness across critical domains. (ANI)
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Payment of school fees, waiving off electricity duty: What is in Gujarat government's relief package for diamond sector
In light of the slump that the sector has been facing for the last two years, the Gujarat government announced a relief package for diamond cutters and polishers as well as factory owners in Surat on Saturday. The relief package includes provisions like the government paying school fees of children of diamond workers, waiving off electricity bills for a year, and payment of the interest rate of bank loans for three years. The diamond workers' union said though some of the provisions were welcome, none of their earlier demands, such as compensation to families of workers who died by suicide in the period, were addressed. The announcement of the relief package was made by State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi who was accompanied by the State Minister for Agriculture, Petrochemical and Energy, Mukesh Patel, and State education minister Praful Pansheriya. Sanghavi said, 'The diamond industry is passing through a bad phase of recession for the last few years. Keeping in mind the condition of small and medium-level diamond factory owners and polishers, the state government has come up with special assistance package under the direction of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.' As per the relief package, the state government will pay school fees of children of diamond polishers, an annual sum of not more than Rs 13,500, for a period of one year. For this, the diamond polisher concerned should have been out of work for the last one year and should have worked for three years at a diamond factory. The fees will be directly paid to the school by the government. Besides, bank interest at 9% of the term loan up to Rs 5 lakh taken by a diamond factory owner will be paid by the government for three years. For this, the beneficiary factory owner should have been running the operations since 2022 to 2025, and such units should have been registered with the District Industries Department before March 31, 2025. Besides, the factory concerned should have investment of around Rs 2.5 crore. 'Apart from this, the power bills of the diamond factory will be waived off for one year. This will help the industry gain momentum,' said Sanghavi. 'To implement this package, a district-level committee will be formed under the leadership of the District Collector, and will comprise the District Labour Officer, District Education Officer, District Employment Officer, leading bank officials, Surat Diamond Association representative, and the District Industries Commissioner. This package will be implemented in Surat and other parts of Gujarat where diamond industries have been established. This is an important decision taken by the state government for the benefit of thousands of diamond factory owners and lakhs of diamond polishers,' he added. Sanghavi said, 'This package is an important step taken by the state government to maintain the momentum of the industry. The action has been taken following representation made by the elected representatives from Surat, Ahmedabad, Botad, Mehsana, Bhavnagar, etc.' To implement the plan, a committee was formed comprising Sanghavi, Praful Pansheriya, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Home, and Principal Secretary to the CM. 'The committee held discussions and meetings with different stakeholders of the diamond industry and its association, which resulted in the relief package,' Sanghavi added. Bhavesh Tank, the vice-president of Diamond Workers' Union, Gujarat (DWUG), said, 'Due to the recession in the industry for the last three years, a number of diamond polishers have become jobless. Those who still have their jobs are getting only 50% salary. The diamond polishers have to pay back bank installments for loans; those staying in rented houses have to regularly pay the rent. The government should carry out a survey of diamond polishers to know their actual financial status and the problems they face.' The DWUG has requested the state government to form a committee to extend financial help to workers in terms of implementing labour laws in the factories, removing professional tax on diamond polishers, and increasing the salaries of the workers. 'We welcome the decision of education fees to be paid by the state government. But, this package is not sufficient for the families of diamond polishers. If our earlier demands are not met by the government, people will stop working for the diamond industry and a time will come when the sector would have to face shortage of manpower.' He further said the government should also pay school fees of children of those diamond polishers who get paid a lower sum than others or who have found their salaries slashed due to the ongoing slowdown in the sector.
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Hans India
Crackdown on drug cartels in three Gujarat cities, several arrested
The Gujarat State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has registered three new NDPS cases within 24 hours in Juhapura (Ahmedabad), Mehsana, and Surat, and has arrested several suspects while seizing significant amounts of illegal narcotics, said state Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Sunday. Since its establishment as an independent police station with special powers in January, the SMC has unearthed 12 major NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) cases in four months. In these operations, authorities have arrested 25 individuals linked to drug cartels and peddling, including two Nigerian nationals. Seized contraband includes cocaine, MD, mephedrone, cannabis, and opium alkaloids with an estimated street value of Rs 4.14 crore. Minister Harsh Sanghavi, while lauding the operation, said, 'The Gujarat government has launched a full-scale war on drugs under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The SMC has not only filled a crucial enforcement gap but is also outpacing local police efforts in tracking and intercepting drug movements. This battle is far from over -- and we are fully committed.' In Sunday's action, the SMC cracked down on three locations -- Juhapura in Ahmedabad, Mehsana, and Surat -- arresting several suspects and seizing significant amounts of illegal narcotics. These latest cases are part of a broader strategy to cleanse Gujarat of organised drug activity, he said. Minister Sanghavi also praised SMC Chief Nirlipt Rai and the team working under the direct supervision of DGP Vikas Sahay, calling the results 'a remarkable achievement' and a sign of growing efficiency in Gujarat's anti-drug apparatus. 'Not a single gram of drugs should be available in our state,' Sanghavi emphasised. 'The SMC team has successfully tracked and intercepted operations that slipped past the radar of local police. This sharp vigilance and execution are exactly what's needed to crush drug mafias.' Initially tasked with curbing alcohol smuggling, gambling, and betting rings, the SMC has now been empowered to act as a full-fledged police station with a sharp focus on organised crime, especially drug trafficking. With this mandate, it has stepped up investigations, leading to multiple high-profile busts and seizures. Over the past several years, Gujarat has intensified its efforts to combat drug trafficking, leading to substantial seizures and numerous arrests. Between October 2021 and December 2024, authorities confiscated approximately 87,607 kilograms of narcotics valued at Rs16,155 crore, resulting in the arrest of over 2,500 individuals. In 2024 alone, 757 individuals were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) notably seized narcotics worth Rs 482 crore over the past two years, including 60.3 kg of methamphetamine and 173 kg of charas. The state has also implemented a Narcotics Reward Policy to encourage public participation in reporting drug-related activities. Since its inception in 2021, over Rs 11 crore has been awarded to 970 informants who provided actionable intelligence leading to significant drug seizures.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Time of India
Surat gets new parallel road to Dumas; Rs 21cr project inaugurated
Surat: A parallel road to Dumas Road, connecting Sachin Magdalla Road to the Silent Zone, was formally inaugurated on Friday. Alongside the road, street lighting and a stormwater drainage network were also launched, with the total cost of the projects amounting to Rs 21 crore. The road has been developed with a focus on managing heavy weekend traffic. It's noteworthy that the Dumas sea face development project is currently underway. The newly built asphalt road spans approximately 5 km and runs along both sides of a canal. It offers an alternative route for vehicles headed toward the airport, Dumas beach, and the upcoming sea face development. This route is expected to ease congestion on the busy Surat-Dumas Road, which often sees major traffic jams during weekends due to large crowds visiting the beach. A road previously existed along the stretch, but poor maintenance had left it heavily damaged. While it remained in use by heavy vehicles commuting to and from Magdalla Port, smaller vehicles were unable to use it in recent years due to its deteriorated condition. Residents of the developing areas near the airport will now have improved connectivity to Dumas beach and the upcoming sea face. Over one lakh residents from Dumas village, Kadifaliya, Sultanabad, and Gaviyer village are expected to benefit from the new road. The canal road is 36 meters wide and includes 6-meter-wide service roads on both sides. While inaugurating the project, minister of state for home, Harsh Sanghavi , said, "Dumas beach is a popular destination for recreation and tourism, often facing traffic congestion on holidays. To ease this, a new Surat-Dumas road has been constructed. This provides citizens with an alternative route to access the beach smoothly without traffic jams." Sanghavi also emphasized the importance of cleanliness and maintaining tourist destinations to attract more visitors, urging locals to support these efforts. City mayor Daxesh Mavani noted that Surat has received seven national awards across various sectors and that the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) continues to work for the welfare of its citizens. MLA Sandeep Desai added that the govt aims to boost tourism through the development of the Dumas coastline.
