Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Resigns After Rajasthan Assembly Elections
On December 3, 2023, following the Rajasthan Assembly Elections in which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a clear majority, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot submitted his resignation to Governor Kalraj Mishra.
Election Results
- BJP won 115 out of 199 seats.
- Congress secured 69 seats.
- Other parties and independents garnered a total of 15 seats.
Governor Mishra accepted Gehlot's resignation but requested him to continue in office until a new government is formed.
Ashok Gehlot's Political Career
Gehlot has had a long and distinguished political career, including:
- Serving in the Lok Sabha from 1980 to 1999, representing the Jodhpur constituency.
- Becoming Chief Minister of Rajasthan in 1998.
- Elected multiple times to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, with his first election in 1999 from the Sardarpura (Jodhpur) constituency.
- Serving as a Union Minister in various capacities under Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and PV Narasimha Rao, including roles in the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ministry of Sports, and Ministry of Textiles.
Action Plan for Safe Blood Supply in Rajasthan
On December 4, 2023, Shubhra Singh, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Medical and Health Department in Rajasthan, announced the creation of an action plan to ensure the safe and easy availability of blood and its components, such as plasma, platelets, packed red blood cells, and cryoprecipitate, to patients in the state.
- During a review meeting on the functioning of State Blood Transfusion Services and the State Blood Transfusion Council, Singh emphasized the need for two sub-committees, regulatory and technical, to oversee blood banks' operations according to Government of India guidelines.
- The action plan aims to facilitate the smooth operation of blood banks across Rajasthan. Singh also called for the appointment of a state nodal officer to monitor blood transfusions effectively and for regular reviews by zonal committees at medical colleges. Regular inspections of blood banks were also mandated, with strict actions to be taken against any violations of protocols.
- To promote blood availability to the public, Singh stressed the need for widespread awareness of the e-blood fund portal and its dissemination through various channels, including the Rajasthan Government's Medical and Health Department portal and the 181 helpline.
National Award for Empowering Persons with Disabilities
On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2023, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Award-2023 to Sunita Gupta and Prashant Aggarwal from Rajasthan for their exceptional contributions to empowering persons with disabilities. The awards were presented during a ceremony in New Delhi, where 21 individuals and 9 institutions from across the country were recognized for their outstanding efforts in various fields.
- Sunita Gupta's Achievements : Sunita Gupta, a resident of Dausa with 70% physical disability, received the National Award for Individual Excellence-2023 in the category of ‘Best Disabled Person’ for her remarkable work in art and culture. Despite her rural background, she started a business in artificial jewellery with a government loan of Rs 50,000. Additionally, she is involved in the Rain Water Harvesting Mission, Sweep Team Voter Awareness, and has appeared in the film Vicky Donor.
- Prashant Aggarwal's Contributions : Prashant Aggarwal, the President of Narayan Seva Sansthan in Udaipur, was honoured with the National Award-2023 for Personal Excellence in the category of ‘Best Individual - Working for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities’ for his significant role in uplifting persons with disabilities through initiatives such as residential schools, vocational rehabilitation centres, free distribution of assistive aids, and free marriage ceremonies. He was previously recognized as the Best Social Worker in the Field of Disability by the Government of Rajasthan in 2017.
- Background of the National Awards : The National Awards for Outstanding Persons with Disabilities were initiated by the Central Government in 1969 to highlight issues related to persons with disabilities and promote their inclusion in society. The awards aim to focus public attention on the contributions of persons with disabilities as employers and employees and encourage their integration into the mainstream.
National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2023
The National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2023 were announced to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities. The awards are given on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3rd.
Categories and Winners
I. National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities-2023-Individual Excellence
- Best Disabled Person : Recognizes individuals with disabilities who have excelled in various fields.
- Super Disabled Person : Honors individuals with severe disabilities who have shown exceptional strength and achievement.
- Locomotor Challenge : Awards given for various locomotor and muscular challenges, including Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, Leprosy Recovery, and Cerebral Palsy.
- Visual Impairment : Awards for individuals with Blindness or Low Vision.
- Hearing Loss : Awards for Deaf individuals, Hard of Hearing, and those with Speech and Language challenges.
- Intellectual Disability : Recognizes individuals with Mental Retardation, Psychotic Behavior, Specific Learning Challenges, or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Any Specified Disability : Awards for individuals with disabilities not specified above.
- Best Disabled Child/Girl : Awards for outstanding disabled children or girls.
- Best Person Working for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities : Recognizes individuals working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
- Best Rehabilitation Professional : Awards for rehabilitation professionals working in the field of disability.
II. National Award for Institutions Engaged in Empowering Persons with Disabilities-2023
- Best Institute for Empowerment of Disabled : Awards for private organizations or NGOs working for the empowerment of disabled individuals.
- Best Employer for Disabled : Recognizes government organizations, public sector enterprises, autonomous bodies, or private sector employers who are best for disabled individuals.
- Best State/UT/District in Implementation of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan : Awards for the best implementation of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan and creation of a barrier-free environment.
- Best Accessible Means of Transport/Information and Communication Technology : Recognizes government or private organizations providing the best accessible means of transport or information and communication technology.
- Best State/UT/District in Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act : Awards for the best implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, UDID, and other schemes for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
- Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities : Recognizes the best Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities in implementing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act in their State.
- Best Organizations Engaged in Development of Rehabilitation Professionals : Awards for organizations involved in the development of rehabilitation professionals.
Honoring Rajasthan Home Defense Department Personnel
On the occasion of the 61st Home Defense Foundation Day-2023 on December 5, 2023, several officers, personnel, and a volunteer from the Rajasthan Home Defense Department will be honored with the Director General Citation and Disc by the Director General of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Awardees include:
- Commander Vikas Lamba
- Deputy Commander Ravindra Singh
- Company Commander Balveer Singh
- Raghunath Singh
- Additional Administrative Officer Bhanwar Virendra Singh
- Platoon Commander Narnaram
- Senior Assistant Madan Mohan Joshi
- Volunteer Bhagwat Singh
Construction of Rajasthan's Longest High-Level Bridge Underway
On December 5, 2023, Public Works Department (PWD) Executive Engineer Mukesh Meena announced the commencement of construction for Rajasthan's longest high-level bridge over the Chambal River. This bridge is located near Balaji Ketuda village in Jharer along the Sawai Madhopur-Etawah road.
- The bridge, measuring 1880 meters in length, is expected to be completed within approximately two years at a cost of Rs 165 crore. Once finished, it will significantly enhance transportation facilities between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, directly connecting Sawai Madhopur to Khatoli, Etawah, and Baran districts.
- Currently, the Gainta Makhida bridge, also on the Chambal River, holds the title of the longest bridge in Rajasthan at 1562 meters. This bridge, located in the Etawah area, connects Kota district with Sawai Madhopur in the Bharatpur division. The new bridge project was initiated following a budget announcement by the state government last year, which allocated Rs 30 lakh for the construction of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Balaji Bridge in Jharer. The PWD subsequently prepared the DPR worth Rs 165 crore and submitted it for approval. Chief Minister Gehlot had announced the bridge's construction in the budget.
- The upcoming bridge will feature a prestressed concrete design with four girders. It will have a width of 12 meters and a carriageway of 7.5 meters. Additionally, approach roads measuring 280 meters towards Sawai Madhopur and 486 meters towards Kota will be constructed, along with two minor bridges.
- The bridge will consist of 48 pillars, with 40-meter gaps between each pillar. There will also be two abutments at either end of the bridge. The construction will involve a combination of rock and soil foundations, including 36 anklet foundations, some of which will be located on rocks.
Recognition for Rawat Educational Group Director Narendra Singh Rawat
Narendra Singh Rawat, the Director of Rawat Educational Group, has been awarded the 'Director of the Year-2023' by the Universal Mentors Association. The award ceremony took place on December 5, 2023, at Hotel Clark Amer.
- During the event, Elizabeth Taylor, the founder of Indase International from America, presented awards to various educationists for their contributions. Rawat has previously received numerous national and international accolades for his work in education, including the Educational Entrepreneur of the Year award from the President of Mauritius.
- In addition to his role in education, Rawat is a social worker, motivational speaker, and secretary of the Akshendra Welfare Society. The Universal Mentors Association, founded in 2019, is a research-based media organization aimed at transforming sectors such as education, BFSI, HR, and marketing.
Alwar’s Gaurav Yadav Receives IMA’s Prestigious ‘Sword of Honor’
Background Gaurav Yadav, hailing from Alwar district in Rajasthan, was honored with the prestigious ‘Sword of Honor’ during the passing out parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, on December 9, 2023. In addition to this esteemed award, he also secured the gold medal for his outstanding performance.
- Passing Out Parade Highlights: A total of 343 young cadets from India and 29 overseas cadets successfully passed out from the IMA, ready to join the army and serve the nation.
- Gaurav Yadav’s Achievements: Gaurav Yadav was recognized for standing 1st in the order of merit, earning him the gold medal. His exceptional performance also led to him receiving the Sword of Honor, a symbol of excellence at the IMA.
- Other Medal Winners: Saurav Badhani from Chamoli, Uttarakhand, received the silver medal for 2nd place in the order of merit, while Alok Singh from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, secured the bronze medal for 3rd place.
Gaurav Yadav’s Background
- Family: Gaurav Yadav comes from a humble background, with his father, Balwant Singh Yadav, working as a farmer and his mother, Kamlesh Yadav, a housewife.
- Education: He completed his schooling at Kerala Public School.
- Sibling: His brother, Vineet Kumar, is currently serving in the Army as a Naik.
Journey to the IMA
- NDA Exams: Gaurav Yadav attempted the NDA exam five times. He faced failures in the first four attempts but succeeded on his fifth try.
- Previous Recognition: He was awarded the President’s Gold Medal in the previous year for his outstanding performance in the 143rd course at the IMA.
Bhajan Lal Sharma to Become New Chief Minister of Rajasthan
Bhajan Lal Sharma, the MLA from Sanganer in Jaipur, has been elected as the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan during the BJP Legislature Party meeting on December 12, 2023.
- Proposal and Election: The proposal for Bhajan Lal Sharma was made by former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje during the meeting, which was attended by Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and other observers from the BJP central leadership.
Deputy Chief Ministers and Assembly Speaker
- Deputy Chief Ministers: Diya Kumari, MLA from Vidyadhar Nagar in Jaipur, and Prem Chandra Bairwa, MLA from Dudu in Jaipur, were elected as Deputy Chief Ministers.
- Assembly Speaker: Vasudev Devnani, re-elected as MLA from Ajmer North, will be appointed as the speaker of the assembly.
Formalities and Background of Bhajan Lal Sharma
- Claiming Government Formation: After his election, Bhajan Lal Sharma met with Governor Kalraj Mishra to stake his claim to form the government, with the official oath-taking ceremony scheduled for December 15, 2023.
- Personal Background: Bhajan Lal Sharma, aged 56, is an MLA from Sanganer and has been a member of the BJP for a long time, previously serving as the state general secretary of the party.
Chief Ministership in Rajasthan
- Historical Context: Since independence, there have been 13 Chief Ministers in Rajasthan, and Bhajan Lal Sharma will be the 14th. The record for the longest-serving Chief Minister is held by Ashok Gehlot, with 15 years in office.
- Political History: Rajasthan has seen 25 different governments since 1949, with the Congress party forming the government 20 times, the BJP 4 times, and the Janata Party once. This upcoming government will mark the BJP’s fifth term in power.
- President’s Rule: President’s rule has been imposed in Rajasthan three times since 1949.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and an Anti-Gangster Task Force to address issues related to paper leaks in examinations and to combat organized crime in the state.
Special Investigation Team (SIT)
- The SIT is tasked with preventing and expediting investigations into paper leaks across various examinations in Rajasthan.
- It is led by Additional Director General of Police (Technical Services) VK Singh.
Anti-Gangster Task Force
- This task force is focused on the effective control of organized crimes and stringent actions against criminals in the state.
- It is headed by Additional Director General of Police (Crime) Dinesh MN.
- The team will gather human and technical intelligence to identify gangs involved in organized crimes and will maintain a database for legal actions.
- The task force aims to ensure strict punishments for gangsters by monitoring pending cases in various courts.
Composition of the Investigation Team
- The investigation team comprises 50 members, including various ranks such as ADG, IG, DIG, SP, Additional SPs, DSPs, Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, Assistant Sub-Inspectors, and Constables.
Kalicharan Saraf took oath as Protem Speaker
Kalicharan Saraf, a senior BJP MLA and former minister, was sworn in as the Protem Speaker of the Rajasthan Assembly by Governor Kalraj Mishra on December 18, 2023. The ceremony took place at Raj Bhavan and was attended by notable figures including Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Assembly Speaker C.P. Joshi, Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, and others.
Role of the Protem Speaker
- The Protem Speaker is responsible for administering the oath to newly elected MLAs.
- Vasudev Devnani has been nominated as the Assembly Speaker by the ruling party.
Function of the Protem Speaker
- The Protem Speaker’s duties include presiding over the first meeting of the newly elected House, administering oaths to newly elected members, and conducting votes for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions.
- The Protem Speaker’s role ceases once a new Speaker is elected.
Chief Minister Conducts Floor Test
On December 17, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma inaugurated the Vedanta Pink City Half Marathon, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Swachh Bharat' (Clean India).
Empowering Women Through Skill Development
- During a conference attended by President Draupadi Murmu and Governor Kalraj Mishra, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced a new scheme aimed at economically empowering women.
- The initiative plans to provide employment-oriented skill development training to 2 crore mothers and sisters associated with self-help groups (SHGs) across the country.
Target and Progress in Rajasthan
- The scheme aims to benefit 11.24 lakh women in Rajasthan, with 3 lakh women already included in the program.
- Chief Minister Sharma also distributed checks worth Rs 150 crore to women belonging to self-help groups during the event.
Promoting Youth Health and Enthusiasm
- The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of youth health and enthusiasm, urging them to pledge to make Rajasthan a leading state in the country.
Marathon for a Cause
- The Vedanta Pink City Half Marathon is organized with the significant objective of 'Run for Zero Hunger.' Over 12 thousand runners participated in the event, which aims to provide food to more than one lakh needy people.
- Participants showcased messages of fitness and unity by completing various categories, including the 21 km half marathon, 10 km cool run, and 5 km dream run.
Lakhpati Didi Conference: Empowering Women in Rajasthan
Chief Minister's Vision for Lakhpati Didis
- At the 'Lakhpati Didi Sammelan' held on December 23, 2023, in Jaisalmer, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of creating 2 crore Lakhpati Didis (wealthy women) across India.
- To achieve this, the Women Empowerment SHG Mission will be launched with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore, aiming to connect 2 lakh new women members with self-help groups (SHGs).
Facilitating Loans and Market Linkages
- The Chief Minister outlined plans to provide loans up to Rs 1 lakh at minimal rates to approximately 28 lakh women working in SHGs through the Women Empowerment Credit Card Scheme.
- This initiative will include simple loan facilities and market linkage support for the newly connected women members.
Ensuring Women's Safety
- To enhance women’s safety, every district in Rajasthan will have a dedicated women’s police station.
- Additionally, women’s desks will be established in all police stations, and anti-Romeo squads will be formed in major cities.
Strengthening Women Empowerment
- Union Minister Kailash Chaudhary highlighted that the Lakhpati Didi Yojana will strengthen women socially, economically, and politically in Rajasthan.
- The initiative aims to provide skill development and new livelihood opportunities for women, contributing to their overall empowerment.