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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Several panchayats declared ‘Samras' – won without contest – in Central Gujarat; BJP leaders felicitate winners
On the last day to withdraw nominations for the upcoming elections to gram panchayats across the state, several panchayats in Central Gujarat on Wednesday were declared 'Samras' — won without a formal election or contest. In Vadodara district, the entire panel of Por gram panchayat in Vadodara taluka as well as Vacchesar gram panchayat in Desar taluka were declared Samras while three gram panchayats in Padra taluka also headed the same way, heeding to the 'appeal' from BJP MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala, who had also announced an incentive of Rs 11 lakh from his MLA fund for villages opting for Samras means. Led by Sarpanch Sanjay Vasava, members of the Por gram panchayat, who were declared uncontested winners, celebrated the victory at Vadodara taluka panchayat on Wednesday. Additionally, two out of the 14 wards of Koyali gram panchayat were also declared uncontested winners. Desar Taluka's Vacchesar gram panchayat — a village with a prominently mixed neighbourhood — saw its body being declared uncontested winner on Wednesday, in a first such occurrence. In Padra taluka, three of 49 gram panchayats — Bamanwasi, Nedra and Tajpura — were declared 'samras' as the sarpanch candidate as well as ward candidates were declared uncontested winners. BJP's Zala felicitated the members of the three samras villages in Padra and also handed over the promised letter of Rs 11 lakh incentive. Zala said, 'I had appealed to villages to opt for Samras initiative and even announced that I would hand out a special grant from the MLA fund. Many gram panchayats had shown interest and we are glad that three gram panchayats of Bamanwasi, Nedra and Tajpura opted for the Samras way… I have felicitated the uncontested members and handed over the letter of Rs 11 lakh.' Zala said that Samras panchayats ensure 'no enmity' among villages. He said, 'Samras way of panchayats leads to a unity in the village as there is no ill-feeling or vengeance between villagers… I want to appeal to people, who are contesting the upcoming polls, that they have the right to contest elections but they should follow the law, and not harbour enmity with each other.' In Narmada district, 112 gram panchayats are going to polls out of 238 villages. As many as 765 nomination forms have been filed for 60 posts of sarpanches while 980 nominations have been filed for 532 ward seats. Puchpura, Jalodra and Vajeria gram panchayat of Tilakwada taluka were declared 'samras' as no contestants were found to have filled nominations for the wards. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) felicitated the 'uncontested' winners of Vajeria gram panchayat on Wednesday. In Panchmahal district, seven villages were declared 'Samras', including Navagam, Jodhpur, Hanselav, Bhotwa, and Sagrala. Three of the seven Samras gram panchayats were going to polls for the first time.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
NO MORE PANTING, ONLY PEDALLING
Rajkot: Before the Covid-19 pandemic, even climbing a few steps left them breathless — regular exercise was out of the question. But three years on, these same people are now pedalling across hundreds of kilometres, taking on cycling expeditions with stamina and enthusiasm like never before. Punita Virani, 51, a lecturer at Bhavsinhji Polytechnic Institute, pedals nearly 20 km daily as part of her regular routine. On Sundays, she ups the ante, covering 50 km to 70 km on cycling expeditions. Recently, she cycled nearly 100 km in a single day to the scenic union territory of Diu. Virani's fitness journey began during the Covid-19 pandemic. "I never got myself tested for Covid, but feared I caught the virus from my family members. Doctors noticed I was breathless even after climbing a few stairs and recommended I begin some physical activity," she recalled. Initially, she turned to yoga, but persistent knee pain made it difficult to continue. "That's when I started cycling. Not only did it ease my knee pain, but it soon became my passion," said Virani. Virani rides to and from college and actively encourages colleagues and friends to take up cycling for better health. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Banheiro escorregadio? Barra de apoio vira febre no Brasil Evite quedas e escorregões Saiba Mais Undo Much like Virani, 41-year-old Kalpeshsinh Zala also struggled with extreme fatigue after recovering from Covid-19. Even minimal physical activity left him exhausted. Doctors informed Zala, a campus officer at Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University, that the virus impacted his stamina and advised him to begin regular exercise. He took up sports and soon began cycling as part of his routine. "I started with just 10–15 km a day. Gradually, my lung capacity improved, the fatigue reduced, and before I knew it, I was cycling 30 km daily," said Zala. With renewed strength and growing confidence, Zala began undertaking long-distance expeditions — from Bhavnagar to Diu and Lathi in Amreli, and even a 350-km ride from Diu to Okha. He is now aiming to cycle across Gujarat's entire coastal highway from Bhavnagar to Narayan Sarovar in Kutch, spanning 650 km. "There was a time when I couldn't climb the staircase at my college. Recently, I completed the 10,000 steps of Mount Girnar in just four-and-a-half hours," he said with pride. To inspire others, Zala also founded a cycling club that now has over 100 active members, many of whom have made cycling a part of their lifestyle.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Time of India
HC refuses to quash FIR against cop accused of facilitating bootlegging
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat high court has refused to quash an FIR against a cop implicated in a case of bootlegging in Vadodara district. The officer faces charges of facilitating bootleggers in transporting liquor across Gujarat. The case involves police constable Shaktisinh Zala , against whom sections of the Gujarat Prohibition Act were invoked in Padra police station in Feb 2018 after local police intercepted a truck carrying IMFL. Witnesses accused Zala of supporting bootlegging and said that he used a sim card and mobile registered in somebody else's name to facilitate the illegal activity. Zala moved the high court for the quashing of FIR and chargesheet against him, claiming he was a victim of office politics. In March 2018, Vadodara police accused Zala of inciting bootleggers to attack police teams when they raided liquor dens or intercepted vehicles. This occurred particularly after an attack on police personnel in Ganpatpura village near Vadodara city. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Did Pak shoot down Indian jets? What MEA said India foils Pakistan's attack on Jammu airport: What we know so far In the high court, Zala sought the quashing of charges against him on the grounds that there was no evidence on record against him. However, the prosecution relied on four statements recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC before judicial magistrates, in which the witnesses implicated him. After hearing the case, the high court said that all those statements prima facie established that the petitioner was engaged in abetting other accused to commit the offence. It also appeared that the petitioner, being an officer in the police department, used a sim card and mobile number belonging to a third party obtained using the latter's documents to facilitate transportation of liquor within Gujarat. Regarding the correctness of witness statements, the high court said that it is a subject of a full-fledged trial. The court further stated, "This court finds no case to scuttle the proceedings on the grounds that there is insufficiency of evidence. Apart from other evidence on record, the statements of four witnesses recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC prima facie would put sufficient accusation upon the petitioner to send him to trial."
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Time of India
Job racket run using ONGC's name busted
Ahmedabad: A fraud case involving fake job offers at the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) was uncovered on Thursday. Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) police registered a case against one Gautam Solanki from Chandkheda for allegedly cheating multiple people by promising jobs at ONGC in exchange for money and providing them with forged documents. The complaint was filed by Sahdevsinh Zala, a security inspector at ONGC, who served the company for 13 years. Zala said that around April 16, he and his team received information about suspicious activity at ONGC's oil well area in Kalol Sector-1. Some individuals were seen taking photos of oil wells, vehicles and pressure gauges, posing as ONGC employees. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Upon investigation, Zala and his team found a group of about 10 people gathered at Zundal Circle, claiming they worked for ONGC and were reporting for duty. One of them, Kiran Parmar, told Zala that they were hired by Gautam Solanki, allegedly working in ONGC's finance department. The group presented appointment letters, gate passes, ID cards and salary slips — all bearing ONGC's name and logo. However, ONGC authorities later confirmed that all documents shown were fake. According to Zala, each of these individuals paid Rs 40,000 to Solanki for placements in the ONGC. Zala submitted copies and screenshots of the forged documents, including emails from an address resembling official ONGC communication, and proof of a Telegram group named "ONGCIAN" used for coordination. Following this, DCB police filed a case under sections of the IPC for breach of trust, cheating, forgery and presenting forged documents as genuine. Further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the racket and determine how many people were duped in the name of ONGC jobs. tnn
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pharma Mar SA (PHMMF) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Profits and Strategic Advances
Revenue Growth: Double-digit revenue growth driven by Sasea and Yanelli's total revenues. Royalty Revenue Growth: 18% increase in total royalty revenues, with a 15% increase in royalties from U.S. sales. EBITDA: 13 million, up from 2.1 million last year. Net Profit: 26.2 million, a significant increase from 1.1 million in 2023. Net Cash Position: Over 100 million, with cash and cash equivalents plus financial assets totaling 157 million, minus 47.8 million in financial debt. Cash Flow from Operations: 6 million generated, compared to 13.5 million used in 2023. R&D Expenses: Increased by 4% to 134.3 million, primarily in oncology. SEELA Revenue: 120 million, accounting for approximately 70% of total income. Joellis Revenue: 54.5 million. Non-Recurrent Revenue Growth: 38% increase due to milestones from Jansen and Luja Pharma. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Signs with PHMMF. Release Date: February 28, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Pharma Mar SA (PHMMF) reported double-digit revenue growth for 2024, driven primarily by strong sales of Sasea and Yanelli. The company achieved an 18% growth in total royalty revenues, with significant contributions from the US market. Net profit surged to 26 million in 2024, reflecting robust financial performance and positive tax gains. Pharma Mar SA (PHMMF) maintains a strong financial position with net cash over 100 million, providing a solid foundation for future growth. Significant progress in clinical trials, including positive results from the phase 3 trial for small cell lung cancer, with plans to submit a marketing authorization application to the EMA. Sales of Joellis declined in its second full year of coexistence with generics, impacting overall revenue growth. R&D expenses increased by 4% year-on-year, which could pressure margins if not offset by revenue growth. The company faces challenges in business development, with high asset prices and a lengthy process for acquiring late-stage or commercial-stage assets. Uncertainty remains regarding the approval timeline for new drugs, as it depends on regulatory bodies like the EMA and FDA. No decision has been made yet regarding the dividend for the year, which may concern investors looking for returns. Q: How is Pharma Mar approaching business development in 2025, and can you provide details on the study assessing Zala with Doxorubicin for LMS? A: Pascal Besman, Senior Vice President of Strategic Development: We are actively seeking late-stage or commercial-stage assets primarily for Europe. The process is ongoing, and we remain disciplined despite elevated prices. We will announce developments once finalized. Luis Mora, Managing Director - Oncology and Virology Business Units: The LMS trial is a two-part study with three arms in phase 2. It involves different doses of doxorubicin combined with Zala. Enrollment is progressing well, and we expect to complete it by the first quarter of next year, with data anticipated in the first half of 2027. Q: What is the status of licensing Lurbi Eadine in Japan? A: Luis Mora, Managing Director - Oncology and Virology Business Units: We are in advanced discussions with several companies and expect to finalize negotiations in 2025. There is significant interest in this drug for the Japanese market. Q: When is the estimated approval date for Lurbi Eadine in the first line in Europe? A: Luis Mora, Managing Director - Oncology and Virology Business Units: We plan to submit the dossier in the first half of the year. The EMA's review time will depend on whether it is considered for accelerated review, which could take between 7-12 months. Q: When can we expect the first revenues from sales in China? A: Luis Mora, Managing Director - Oncology and Virology Business Units: Our partner, Rua Pharma, received approval in December 2024. They are preparing for launch, which we expect in the first half of this year. Q: Can you confirm if the revenue from China in 2024 was due to an approval milestone? A: Maria Luisa de Francia Caballero, Chief Financial Officer: Yes, the revenue from China in 2024 was indeed due to an approval milestone. Q: Is there any update on the dividend decision for this year? A: Maria Luisa de Francia Caballero, Chief Financial Officer: The board has not yet decided on dividends for this year. Q: Can you provide details on the Ecubedin basket trial? A: Luis Mora, Managing Director - Oncology and Virology Business Units: The basket trial is ongoing across 56 different tumor types. We plan to meet with the FDA to discuss development plans. Enrollment is expected to complete this year, with data likely available next year. Q: Will the labinectadine SNDA in the US receive priority review? A: Pascal Besman, Senior Vice President of Strategic Development: The decision for priority review lies with the FDA. We hope our partner Jazz Pharmaceuticals will be successful, but we are not involved in those discussions. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
