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Time of India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
SC notice to state govt in Town Hall case
Jaipur: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the state govt in the ongoing legal battle over the ownership of the historic Town Hall in old Jaipur, while declining to stay the earlier Rajasthan High Court judgment that declared it state property. The dispute, involving properties valued at nearly Rs 2,500 crore, centres around several historic buildings in Jaipur's Walled City, including the former Vidhan Sabha (Town Hall), police headquarters, home guard general directorate and accountant office complex at Jaleb Chowk. The matter reached the apex court after the erstwhile Jaipur royal family, led by Padmini Devi, filed a special leave petition (SLP) challenging the Rajasthan High Court's single bench order of April 17, which declared these buildings as "govt property". The single bench of Justice Ashok Kumar Jain had issued this order while accepting four revision petitions from the state govt. The single bench order also decreed that no civil court could entertain any claims related to this case. Senior advocate Harish Salve appeared before the apex court on behalf of Padmini Devi and others and submitted that the dispute involves purely civil rights over private property that was ceded to the state govt under a covenant with the express condition that it be used only for official purposes by the govt. A division bench comprising justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Augustine George acknowledged the case as involving "an important question of law" but refused to grant any interim relief. The court has given the state govt six weeks to respond to the notices issued to chief secretary, principal secretary (general administration) and Amber development and management authority. Controversy over the Town Hall building, which housed the Rajasthan assembly until Nov 2000, intensified in 2022 when the then Congress govt under Ashok Gehlot announced plans to convert the old Vidhan Sabha building into a 'world class Rajasthan heritage museum', prompting objections from the erstwhile Jaipur royal family. Additional advocate general Shiv Mangal Sharma, representing the state govt, argued in the apex court that such disputes concerning pre-Constitution covenants were barred under Article 363 of the Constitution. He assured the court that the state would respect the pending proceedings and refrain from taking any action regarding the property during the course of proceedings.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
SC seeks Rajasthan's reply in Jaipur Town Hall ownership row
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Rajasthan government seeking its response to a plea challenging a Rajasthan High Court order pertaining to state's plan to convert Jaipur Town Hall (Old Assembly Building), the heritage building into a plea has been filed by Rajmata Padmini Devi , a member of the former royal family, Diya Kumari, and Sawai Padmanabh Singh. A controversy had arisen during the previous Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government, which had announced plans to convert the Old Assembly building into a heritage museum to promote tourism and decision was opposed by Rajmata Padmini Devi who had moved a civil court challenging the government's decision. According to Padmini, the 1949 covenant agreement signed between the royal family and the Indian government clearly mandated that the said building was to be used strictly for official purposes. She contended that any attempt to use the site for commercial or tourism-related activities would violate that on behalf of the petitioners, senior advocate Harish Salve, argued that the issue pertains to ownership rights and the terms of a pre-constitution agreement. He contended that since the legislative assembly has already shifted to a new complex, the state has no legal right to repurpose the old structure for any non-official or commercial royal family has argued that the Town Hall is their private property. They have contended that the building originally belonged to the Maharaja of Jaipur and was only used by the Rajasthan state government as a Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) on the basis of a that the government has moved the Vidhan Sabha to a new building, the family believes the license has automatically ended and the property should return to the Rajasthan High Court had found no force in the claims made by the Royal family. The High Court had ruled that the Town Hall building, along with some other properties, had been handed over to the government of India through a legal agreement known as a "covenant" made in 1949 between the Jaipur state and the Indian High Court had further held that such properties, once included in a covenant, become government property meant for official the hearing today in the Supreme Court, counsel for the Rajasthan government argued that the legal dispute is rooted in pre-Constitution covenants, and hence, under Article 363 of the Constitution, it falls outside the purview of judicial counsel urged the Court to not pass any interim directions without allowing the state government to file a formal response in the matter.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
CM Dhami's work in Uttarakhand an inspiration for Delhi, says Delhi CM Rekha Gupta
Haridwar (Uttarakhand) [India], June 1 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday heaped praise on Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for his developmental work in the state, which she said serves as an inspiration for the national capital. Addressing the gathering during her visit to Haridwar, Gupta said, '... The work done by CM Dhami in Uttarakhand is an inspiration for Delhi. Pushkar Singh Dhami extensively campaigned in Delhi during the Vidhan Sabha elections, interacting with the voters who hail from Uttarakhand...' Hours after taking a dip in the Ganges, Delhi Chief Minister asserted that her government is continuously working towards cleaning the Yamuna river in the national capital. Addressing a public rally in Haridwar, Gupta said, 'Yesterday, we performed the aarti of Yamuna ji in Delhi and today I took a dip in Ganga ji. Today, I want the blessings of all the saints sitting on this stage that one day we will be able to take a dip in Yamuna ji. Yamuna is dry; there is no water in it, and the water that is there is very dirty. I have to work continuously to achieve this goal of cleaning the Yamuna River...' The Delhi Chief Minister was accompanied by her family during her visited to the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar. After taking a holy dip in the Ganga at Har Ki Pauri, Gupta said, 'Taking blessings from Maa Ganga, we will work to make Maa Yamuna clean and beautiful. We will work to speed up the development of Delhi. Taking the blessings of Maa, I feel very satisfied that as the Chief Minister of Delhi, I will be able to do better work for Delhi.' The Delhi Chief Minister also performed Yamuna Aarti at Vasudev Ghat in the national capital on Saturday to mark the completion of 100 days of the BJP government in Delhi. The Delhi Chief Minister could be seen offering prayers at the ghat along with the other party members. Addressing the gathering, Gupta said, 'The Delhi government and the city's residents have decided to clean the River Yamuna. Social workers also will be part of this.' Taking a swipe at the previous AAP government, Rekha Gupta said, 'The previous governments used to lie about Yamuna cleaning. They did not take a single step towards Yamuna cleaning...' Rekha Gupta participated in the '100 Din Seva Ke' programme earlier in the day. The Chief Minister slammed her predecessor, saying they had claimed to be ordinary people who became greedy for power, while her government is working on the streets among the people. (ANI)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
LOP Dr Charandas Mahant urges Chhattisgarh CM, speaker to install BR Ambedkar's statue at new Assembly complex in Nava Raipur
RAIPUR: With the Chhattisgarh govt advancing its plan to relocate the Vidhan Sabha to a new, state-of-the-art complex in Nava Raipur, Leader of Opposition Dr Charandas Mahant has written to chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh, urging the installation of a statue of Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar at the new Assembly complex. Dr Mahant stated that the architect of the Constitution, Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, shaped the Constitution with clarity, foresight, and a spirit of social justice. He added that this serves as an ideal for any democratic nation and it is everyone's duty to follow it. Dr Mahant mentioned that during his tenure as Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker, he announced the installation of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar's statue in the proposed new Assembly complex. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his in-principle consent to attend the inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed Chhattisgarh Assembly in November 2025. Dr Mahant believes this would be an opportune time to unveil the statue of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, which would be a great honour for the Scheduled Caste community in Chhattisgarh and India. This would also serve the broader public interest in remembering the great leader's contributions. The new Assembly complex, situated in Sector-19 of Nava Raipur, spans approximately 51 acres. It is designed to include the main Assembly building, MLA rest houses, residential quarters for officers and employees, and an auditorium with a seating capacity of 500. The complex will be powered by solar energy, incorporate rainwater harvesting systems, and feature extensive plantations of native tree species such as Mahua, Kusum, Sal, and Sagon. The new Assembly complex is expected to be fully operational by September 2025. The relocation of the Vidhan Sabha marks a pivotal step in the development of Nava Raipur in Chhattisgarh's new capital. The city is envisioned as a modern, smart, and sustainable urban centre, integrating administrative functions with cultural heritage. The new Assembly complex is set to become a symbol of democratic values and the state's commitment to sustainable development.
India.com
22-05-2025
- India.com
10 Facts About Shimla City You Must Know
Shimla is one the most popular tourist destinations in India. Shimla is also known as one of the iconic hill stations in India. Some of the captivating attributes of Shimla are its pleasant weather, colonial style infrastructure, architecture, and rich historic landmarks. Here we mention all of Shimla's facts for you to savor this captivating city. 1. The Summer Capital of Colonial India : Shimla While the British used to rule over India, Shimla was considered the Summer capital. It was discovered by the British that the cool climate of Shimla was the best venue for escaping the scorching heat of the plains. During that time, Viceregal Lodge was built amongst other iconic landmarks. It was declared the summer capital in the year 1864 which meant some administrative decisions would be made in Shimla during that time. 2. The Name 'Shimla' Has an Interesting Origin 'Hindu goddess Shyamala Devi' is the origin of the word Shimla coming from the other version Goddess Kali. 'Shyamala' is a version of the old 'Shyamala.' The name of the goddess can be spotted engraved on a temple that can be found near the Ridge of Shimla. The cultural and religious aspects of Shimla can be very well understood with the help of this peculiar name. 3. Shimla Houses The Longest Railway In Asia That Is Narrow-Gauge One of India's most breathtaking engineering marvels is the Kalka-Shimla Railway, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the breathtaking constructions during British rule. This narrow gauge railway is over 96 kilometers long, with 103 tunnels, 864 bridges, and countless straitjacket bends. The train ride is capped off with stunning views of the Himalayas, which makes it a favorite among tourists. 4. And Himachal Pradesh's Capital City Is Shimla Apart from the snow-capped mountains, the stunning valleys, and adventure tourism, Shimla is also the capital of Himachal Pradesh which lies in North India. Now as an administrative center, Shimla has the state government offices which include the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative assembly) and the Raj Bhavan (Governor's Residence). 5. The Mall Road Is Shimla's Heartbeat Mall Road is the bustling heart of Shimla where you can find shops, cafes, restaurants and even historical monuments. With foot traffic only, the area is perfect for visitors who want to take a walk and buy some Shimla souvenirs such as eid charras and momos. Located adjacently to Mall Road is The Ridge, an expansive open space which serves as a gathering and event spot. 6. Shimla Hosts One of India's Oldest Churches Christ Church is one of the oldest churches in North India and is located on The Ridge. Constructed in 1857, this building is an architectural wonder with gorgeous Gothic imprints and marvelous stained glass windows. The church is a monument of Shimla's colonial history and continues to be one of the significant landmarks of the city. 7. Adventure Tourism Begins At Shimla Shimla Is A Gateway To Adventure tourism. Breathtaking gorges, steep mountains, Shimla also brings together a lot for nature lovers with visiting rivers and dense forests. Trekking, paragliding and skiing aside, camping is also well liked around these parts. The conjoining places like Chail, Kufri and Narkanda provide amazing opportunities for outdoor activities as well as to explore the scenic beauty of nature. 8. Winters Bring A Heavy Dose Of Snowfall To Shimla From December to February is the timeframe in which Shimla is likely to enjoy the heaviest snowfalls. The picturesque landscape as winter settles turns into a mesmerizing sight which grabs people's attraction from all corners of the nation. Places like Jakhu Hill and The Ridge are famous all over and during winters with snow, look even more breathtaking at these places. 9. Shimla's Local Markets Shimla is famous for its local markets, where every visitor can shop for a variety of items ranging from traditional handicrafts to intricately designed woolen garments. Lower Bazaar is popular among tourists for its affordable shopping options, while Lakkar Bazaar is the go-to place for wooden crafts. Due to the cold weather, tourists buy shawls, caps, and other woolen items which are quite famous over here. 10. Environmental Conservation Efforts in Shimla Shimla's location in the sensitive ecosystem of the Himalayas makes it important for environmental conservation. Efforts to protect the area's biodiversity, mitigate pollution, promote sustainable tourism, and encourage eco-friendly practices are actively carried out by government and non-government organizations. On the other hand, issues like deforestation and waste disposal need improvement. Conclusion Splendid views of nature is just one of the many perks Shimla offers. Besides being a popular hill station, it also has quite the historical significance. From colonial architecture to modern Shimla, the city has something for every traveler. While on a trip, Shimla is bound to provide an experience that is everlasting, be it riding the toy train, visiting ancient sites or relaxing at the mountains. Shimla truly is one of a kind. These facts prove that shimla is a must visit at least once in your lifetime.
