News in brief from across Gujarat

Gandhinagar: Water supply in Jodiya town of Jamnagar district has been disrupted due to suspension of power supply to local water supply facility by govt run Pashchim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd(PGVCL). PGVCL had to take this action due to non-payment of bill by local governing body of Jodiya. Locals observed strike today seeking restoration of power supply to water supply facility.

– A meeting of farmers was held by Kisan Sangh protesting detention of two farmers by forest department. The farmers were detained after dead bodies of one lion and 10 Nil Gai were found in the well. Kisan Sangh will submit memorandum and make representation against detention of farmers.

– Shankar Chaudhary will continue as Chairman and Mavji Desai as Vice Chairman. Election for two posts was to be held today on completion of two and half years, but both were chosen for continuation on their respective posts in unanimous decision by directors.

– Few local activists are opposing lease allocation for sand mining in Ozat riverbed by district administration for last some time in Vanthli. One RTI activist Nayan was allegedly attacked today morning and thrashed for protesting against sand mining lease. In reaction, Junagadh-Somnath highway was blocked for sometime by activists and bandh was observed in Vanthli. Congress MLA Jawahar Chavda reached hospital to inquire about RTI activist Nayan’s health. Locals protesters claim that mining lease can’t be awarded in 500 meter area from irrigation facility or bridge. A group of 50 locals has threatened self immolation of lease is not cancelled.

– Suzuki has completed manufacturing of 20 million cars in India since the beginning of its Indian operation, 34 years and 5 months ago in December 1983. Alto has been the most produced model at approximately 3.17 million units. New Maruti Swift has been the 20 millionth car to be manufactured in India by Maruti. It has been rolled out of Gujarat plant.

– Opposition Congress party has snatched away power from BJP in Mahuva municipality of Bhavnagar district. 7 dissident members of BJP extended their support to Congress following which Congress could come to power with support of 20 out of total 36 members. Congress’s Manguben Dhirubhai Baraiya has been elected as new president of municipality.

– Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti(PAAS) leader Hardik Patel is likely to face another case. Hardik’s former aide Dinesh Bambhania is all set to file complaint in Adalaj police station of Gandhinagar for defamation. Hardik had yesterday circulated a list of former PAAS leaders who joined BJP and claimed they were paid crores of Rupees for switch over. Dinesh was also named in this list. Hardik had later claimed he had received the list from somewhere and he just forwarded it. He said he was not in capacity to authenticate the details circulated.

– Ruling BJP has elected Jaypalsinh Gohil as president of Palitana municipality.

– Rajkot Municipal Corporation(RMC) has banned plastic pouches of drinking water with effect from tomorrow(Tuesday, June 5). Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani said the decision was taken after presence of bacteria was noticed in pouched water.

– Vadodara airport has sought Airports Authority of India (AAI) nod for operating the facility round-the-clock. At present, the airport operates from 6 am to 9.45 pm and operates 22 commercial scheduled flights per day. Jet Airways is set to launch flights to Udaipur, Indore, Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai from September.In October the airport is expected to attract huge traffic in connection with inauguration of the 182-metre tall ‘Statue of Unity’, about 90 km from Vadodara.

– Rajkot city unit of Congress protested against government’s reported move to train children for basic skills such as fixing puncture in tyre today morning outside the District Education Office(DEO) building. Congress involved children in this protest programme. At least half a dozen children were brought to protest location and they were asked to do labour work, puncture fixing work, begging as a mode of protest. Controversial move to involve children in protest programme was criticized.

– Another place, another novel protest by Congress. In Junagadh Municipal Corporation’s board meeting, Congress Councillors came wearing cow shaped headgear. They were protesting ruling BJP’s decision to send stray cows to private party operated Panjrapol facility. It should be mentioned here that yesterday in Ahmedabad, the Congress workers had opened an under construction flyover and named it as Sardar Patel flyover. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation(AMC) had to make clarification that the cement work over the newly construction bridge needs watering for one more week and therefore the bridge has not been opened for public yet.