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		Villages in Vadodara District will be cleaned




		Lalbaug overbridge traffic controvercy is heating up

28-Jan-2012

Lalbaug overbridge traffic controvercy is heating up	Email
Innauguration on 30 Jan
The Lalbaug railway over bridge now threatens to blow into a full-fledged political controversy. The stage for a showdown was set on Friday evening with Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) opposition leader Chinnam Gandhi sitting on an indefinite fast demanding action against those responsible for the bridge. The design and the traffic movement on the bridge had been debated heavily since the last several months. Recently, even BJP MLA from Raopura and state parliamentary secretary Yogesh Patel raised the issue and VMC officials had to visit the bridge along with Patel to look into the possible ways of taking care of a chaos that Patel had predicted. With the inauguration date of the bridge nearing, the controversy is only peaking. Sources said that the inauguration of the bridge is planned on January 30 and preparations are being made for the same. Gandhi had earlier demanded an inquiry in the affairs of the bridge that was constructed at a cost of around Rs 49 crore. "But that has not been done despite the fact that now everyone admits that there could be traffic chaos on the bridge," he said.


Villages in Vadodara District will be cleaned	Email
CDC and DRDA Join hands
In a first-of-its-kind public-private sanitation project in rural areas in the state, the district administration has roped in a private firm to clean up villages in Vadodara. The district rural development agency (DRDA) and taluka panchayat designed this project along with Centre for Development and Communication (CDC), a private non-profit making agency. Under the project, nine vehicles have started picking up solid waste from 16 villages in Vadodara district from Thursday. The waste will be disposed at a wasteland in Atladara. The project has been initiated to clean up public places in rural areas. "As per the contract, CDC will collect solid waste door to door, streets and public places in 16 villages. The agency will also create awareness among villagers on how to maintain sanitation in their houses and streets," said district development officer (DDO) Rakesh Shankar.

26-Jan-2012

Vadodara commissioner presents draft budget of Rs 2,170 cr	Email
Kumar promised to make Vadodara slum-free by 2020
Ashvini Kumar, Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) commissioner, today proposed a draft budget of Rs 2,170 crore for the financial year 2012-13. Residential property taxes and water charges have not been raised in the draft budget. Talking to reporters after presenting the draft budget to chairman of the Standing Committee of VMC, Kumar promised to make Vadodara slum-free by 2020. "Despite decline in surplus income, no hike in taxes is proposed in the budget, though salary and pension bill has gone up by Rs 90 crore in wake of the Sixth Pay Commission," he said. Water charges for certain categories of commercial and industrial properties may be hiked in accordance with the judgement of the Gujarat High Court. As per the High Court order, the water charges will be converted into water tax, Kumar added. The civic body has estimated the revenue income to be around Rs 713 crore, and it will also raise Rs 387 crore through bank loans and sale of lands. It expects to generate revenue surplus of Rs 63 crore. Capital resources from JNNURM are projected at Rs 135 crore, while those from other grants are projected at Rs 78.78 crore. Kumar has proposed an expenditure of Rs 901 crore on development works. Of this, Rs 341.30 crore will be spent on flyovers and bridges, Rs 120.69 crore will be spent on water supply. Another major expenditure proposed is Rs 250 crore on new overhead water tanks, water network, and source upgradation, etc.

24-Jan-2012

VMC commissioner to propose budget tomorrow	Email
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Vadodara Municipal Corporaiton ( VMC) is set to propose its annual budget for the financial year 2012-13 on Wednesday. The budget is being keenly watched in the wake of ambitious announcements made by chief minister Narendra Modi for the city during his Sadbhavana Mission fast here. Sources said that several major projects promised by the chief minister during the Sadbhavana mission will be included in the budget. Modi had mentioned a Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS), city gas system and other amenities. A book brought out on the occasion by the civic body had also mentioned four multi-speciality hospitals, gardens on public-private partnership mode and other projects.

23-Jan-2012

25,000 kids will be provided career counseling by YI	Email
Launched the career counselling workshop series with 550 students of Vadodara
The Vadodara chapter of Young Indians (Yi), the youth wing of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is targeting 25,000 kids, who will be provided career counseling by the chapter. Yi Vadodara chapter recently launched the career counselling workshop series with students of high schools at Jaspur and Vadodara covering a total of 550 students. The career counseling workshops were held with students of Shri Seva Samaj School, Jaspur and Shri Pratap High School in the city. "We targeted a total of 550 students of standard nine to 12 in these two schools and gave them 200 career options from our customized career database based on their personality traits which will help them map their careers in future. Moreover, we target 25,000 kids in the coming year," Anish Patel, Yi Vadodara chapter chair told TOI. The workshops were facilitated by Anuj Kothari, chair of Yi National (environment) and Amit Bidasaria, co chair of Yi National (rural counseling). "We have created a platform for the city based youth in guiding their career. Through this program, we identify strength and interest of participating students which in turn help students in identifying career possibilities," said Patel. "Based on this, counselors draw a career map for the students." As teachers play a vital role in the drawing a career path for any student, the workshops are also aimed to train the teachers for motivating the students.

22-Jan-2012

OBC Leader demands for ban on sale of grazing land in Guj	Email
Demand raised by Dalsukh Prajapati at OBC Meet
Alleging that the sale of 'gauchar' land (grazing land) was turning the farmers from OBC community in the state, landless, a resolution was adopted at an OBC convention here, demanding immediate ban on this. "The condition of 3.37 crore people from OBC communities, has become very miserable due to pro-industry policy adopted by the Modi government in the state," Dalsukh Parajapati chairman of OBC cell of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee and former mayor of Vadodara city said. The resolution also demanded reservation for OBC students in the self-financed educational institutions in the state. President of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee Arjun Modhwadia criticised the state government for the policies that "compelled" the OBC farmers to sell off their land and become landless. Modhwadia criticised Chief Minister Narendra Modi's slogan on 'Sauno saath, sauno vikas' (all together, development for all) saying it should be 'development of only 100 industrialists, with cooperation of all people.' Former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela urged the people saying, "You should think and make other people of your communities aware about the injustice by the BJP government." "Now, a decade of BJP regime is over. You should be campaigning for the Congress. Modi's Sadbhavna fast is nothing but a 'tamasha'. He is using public money for his own publicity. So, be prepared for the 2012 assembly polls and remove BJP from power," Vaghela added.

17-Jan-2012

Homai Vyarawalla cremated	Email
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India's first lady photographer Homai Vyarawalla was cremated here on Monday. Vyarawalla, who stayed alone, had slipped and fallen at her residence on Thursday and fractured a hip bone. Although she was taken to a hospital by her neighbours, she passed away at the age of 98 on Sunday morning after developing breathing complications. On Monday morning her body was kept for public to pay homage at the veteran photographer's Nizampura residence. Later the funeral procession reached Karelibaug crematorium in the presence of a few Parsi families of the city, her distant relatives who had reached the city from Mumbai and a couple of artists from the city and Delhi. Respecting her wish of not putting her body in Dokhma (also known as the tower of silence as per Parsi customs), she was cremated. Ironically, only Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) mayor Jyoti Pandya and standing committee chairman Dr Vijay Shah - were the two public figures of the city who turned up to pay tributes at her residence in Nizampura and Karelibaug crematorium. All other politicians - be it from Congress or the BJP - who usually do not miss a single opportunity to get clicked - were conspicuous by their absence. Those present recollected how 1990s witnessed a 're-birth' of Homai. "It was photo historian Satish Sharma from Delhi who had started searching for her. After she left photography in 1970, a year after her husband's death, Homai lived in hiding for decades in Vadodara," said Delhi-based multiple media artist and inventor Ashim Ghosh, recollecting how he had first met Homai in 1992 when both of them had put up their solo exhibitions in Delhi. "She was such a delightful person and despite her age had a sharp understanding of her medium," said Ghosh. "She was happy to have received a tool-box (with hammer and nut bolts) as her 96th birthday gift,!" he added.


Earthquake-resistant school complex in Manjalpur	Email
First of its kind in Gujarat
An earthquake-resistant and eco-friendly school complex has been constructed in Manjalpur locality here. The English medium school was founded by Devyani Raje Gaekwad, widow of Lt Col Ashokraje Gaekwad, former ADC to Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British Indian Empire. Further in the making of blocks, paper masch was used as additive to cement and rubbles. Thus the use of cement was also reduced considerably, which is once again an environment friendly aspect. In the new premises, there has been no use of paint. The natural colour of the blocks used for raising the wall has been retained. The walls are raised arranging the blocks in triangular formations, which are earth-quake resistant as compared to the rectangular structure raised using conventional bricks.

16-Jan-2012

Photographer Homai Vyarawalla passes away	Email
India's first professional women photographers
Homai Vyarawalla, one of India's first professional women photographers, died here Sunday, days after being hospitalised due to a fall from her bed, close friends said. She was 98. According to friends, she had slipped and fractured her hip. "It took some time for the neighbours to find out she had a fall. They then took her to the hospital Thursday," said Sabeena Gadioke, an associate who called on Vyarawalla from time to time. However, according to doctors attending on her, it was not the fracture that took her down but the severe breathing problems which she had developed. She was also suffering from lung congestion, which caused her difficulty in breathing. Vyarawalla is only survived by her ailing daughter-in-law, who stays in Jamshedpur in Jharkhand. "She has been informed and is on her way to Vadodara. She too is not keeping well," Gadioke said. Born Dec 9, 1913 to a Parsi family in Navsari (Gujarat), Vyarawalla studied at the then Bombay University and did her arts diploma from Sir J.J. School of Arts. She started working soon after in late 1930s, before moving to Delhi in 1942 where she photographed the first flag hoisting of independent India in 1947. The grand old lady, as she was called, had several accolades to her credit, including the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour, conferred upon her in 2010. Homai Vyarawalla took a number of memorable photographs during her career. Her favourite subject was India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

15-Jan-2012

No right turn for commuters on Lalbaug overbridge	Email
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After much deliberation over technical snags in Lalbaug overbridge, it has been decided that commuters won't be allowed to take right turn on the bridge. No matter what direction they come from on this four-way bridge, they will be allowed to take only left turn to avoid accidents and traffic jams. The decision was taken on Thursday morning during a brief meeting between municipal commissioner, Vadodara Municipal Corporation ( VMC) officials, the consultant who designed the bridge and politicians. All the concerned parties met on the overbridge and discussed the issues that can possibly lead to traffic jams and accidents. "During the meet it was decided that commuters won't be allowed to take right turns on the bridge as it would mean that they would have to cross the lane to reach the other one. It would cause traffic jams on the bridge," said Raopura MLA Yogesh Patel, who had raised objections over the bridge design. TOI had last month reported about faulty designs of overbridges including the Lalbaug bridge and how it can lead to accidents and traffic jams. Representatives of the traffic police were also present during the discussion and they lent their support to the decision. As a result of the decision, those climbing the bridge from Kashivishwanath Temple won't be able to turn towards Vishwamitri and those coming from Manjalpur won't be able to turn towards Pratapnagar from the bridge. The authorities have decided not to install traffic signals on the bridge. Also, there is a proposal to remove dividers from the bridge. "The dividers will create hassles for commuters and serve little purpose," Patel said. The decision to broaden the service roads too has been taken to ensure smooth flow of the traffic. Sources said that the overbridge may be inaugurated by the end of this month or next month.

09-Jan-2012

Bhasha Vasudha international meet ends	Email
Announces next meet in 2013
Experts and activists, who conducted the said meet, on Monday decided to hold another such event in 2013 to showcase experiments in mapping and conservation of languages in different countries. The event will host representatives of 7,000 languages of the world, which will be named "Language Now Carnivalan" the expert group formed an international presidium of languages with its chapters in various countries.

08-Jan-2012

Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan will perform at Palace	Email
He is at 104 yrs of age
On the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan, will perform at the Durbar Hall in Laxmi Vilas Palace on Wednesday, is perhaps the oldest classical singer. "I started singing at the age of five, and have been singing for almost 100 years! I stopped practicing regularly about 20 years back, as my health didn't permit me to undertake extensive workload. But, I will continue singing till my last breath." artist shared.


Is Central Gujarat a center for fake notes ?	Email
A Series of incidents shows
The state anti-terrorist squad (ATS), Anand police and Panchmahal police have all since the last three days been kept busy with detection of fake currency rackets. What has surprised investigators is the fact that in most cases is the ready availability of fake currency notes and connections in central Gujarat to the rackets. But it is not for the first time that such rackets have come to light in the region. In September 2008, two persons from the Maldah district in West Bengal - Abdul Manan Sanullah Sheikh and Mohammed Nazrul Sanullah Sheikh - were caught with fake currency by the Vadodara police. Interestingly, Abdul Manan was nabbed again in connection with a fake currency racket by the ATS last month. In March 2009, the city police again busted a fake currency note racket after alert shopkeepers nabbed two persons in March 2009 from Fatehgunj when they tried to use a fake Rs 500 note. Harendra Gaud, a resident of Bihar and Saddam Ansari, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, led police to a house at Kamatipura where more fake currency notes were found. In May 2009, Tajuddin alias Taj Saiyed, who belonged to Bhopal, but was staying in Nepal was nabbed with fake currency notes at the Vadodara railway station. Police officials investigating the recent fake note cases at Anand and Panchmahal said that fake currency was readily available in Bangladesh and Maldah district had emerged as the hub of those peddling it into India. "The accused we arrested on Monday has told us that the border is accessible easily and there are several like him who got fake currency from Bangladesh. After a point there is little we can do as the roots of the problem lie in a different country," said Panchmahal special operations group (SOG) inspector M V Kikani. SOG had trapped one Mohammed Rafiqul Haq Mayuddin Sheikh, a resident of Maldah district with fake currency. A senior official said that there seemed to be a definite line that fake currency peddlers had identified in the region. "They may have been using it since quite some time, but it has been exposed now," he said, adding that Bangladesh was emerging as a major centre for the operation of these rackets. Another distinct possibility that Anand police officials believe is the reason for the well-oiled racket running in central Gujarat is the involvement of Jayanti Pateliya, the prime accused and mastermind in the sensational star ruby triple murders case. "Our case and that of the ATS are connected to each other and it is the links and network of Pateliya that may have been used for pushing fake currency in the market," said Anand district crime branch police inspector J B Gohil. The crime branch had arrested two persons - Vasram alias Vivek Prajapati and Nikhilkumar Master - in a fake currency racket.

07-Jan-2012

Mega Food Processing park in Savli	Email
Construction will start next month
Gujarat's first mega food processing park is expected to take off by next month in Savli taluka's Paldi village. The park promoted by Anil Group recently got the final land clearances from the district administration. It will be coming up on about 100 acres of land that has been bought by the company from farmers. The park was given the permission by Union ministry of food processing last year.

06-Jan-2012

MSU imposes penalties on Contractors	Email
Construction work delayed in campus
MSU processes penalty on contractors who delay construction projects in the campus. It has forfeited security deposits and imposed penalty worth Rs 12 lakh on five such contractors in 2011-'12. Last year, the university officials had forfeited security deposit and last payment worth Rs eight lakh of a contractor for incomplete construction work of Faculty of Law building that has come up at the Donors Plaza ground (now named as Maharaja Pratapsinhrao Parisar)

05-Jan-2012

Potable water supply scheme for Naswadi taluka of Vadodara	Email
A project worth Rs. 49 Cr
Gujarat government has accorded administrative approval to a scheme aiming to supply drinking water to nine rehabilitated sites of Narmada project-affected persons and all the 116 tribal villages of Naswadi taluka of the district, said Water and Irrigation minister Nitin Patel today. This scheme will cover tribal population of 1.62 lakh in the taluka, he said in a statement today. It is estimated that the scheme will cost Rs 49 crore.

13-Dec-2011

Honest rickshaw driver returns passenger's cash	Email
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In an exemplary show of honesty, an auto-rickshaw driver returned cash of Rs 34,000 to a passenger, police said. One Sagar Shah, working as manager in an engineering unit at Savli town had hired an auto-rickshaw from Bhutadi Zampa to Dumad Chokdi, but forgot his tiffin in the vehicle. However, the passengers, who sat in the rickshaw afterwards, told the rickshaw driver Jayanti Rana about the tiffin lying on the seat. Rana approached the police and handed over the tiffin to police, who found a cash of Rs 34,000 in one of the tins and meal in the other. Meanwhile Shah, the passenger, came back in search of the autorikshaw driver and asked Rana about the tiffin left by him in the auto rikshaw. The rickshwa driver immediately took him to the police station and after verification police returned the tiffin to Shah and also appreciated Rana's honesty.

11-Dec-2011

'Vadodara should be developed as a nodal city'	Email
Says Padma Shri Doshi
Baroda should be developed as a nodal city, eminent architect B V Doshi said on Saturday. Padma Shri Doshi was in the city on the occasion of the launch of his recently penned book - "Paths unchartered" - which captures the journey of his life. Later in the day, Center for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) founder Doshi also interacted with architecture students from M S University, SVIT, Vadodara Design Academy, Vallabh Vidyanagar-based Institute of Environmental Design and School of Design and Architecture at Navrachana University. While addressing mediapersons, the renowned architect and planner pointed out that Baroda has the obvious advantage. "Vadodara is an important centre. As a planner, I believe that in around 20 years, Ahmedabad and Mumbai will become big corridors, while Surat is already developing at a brisk pace. The obvious choice will be Vadodara. As other cities will become nodes of the future, Vadodara will grow at an immense pace and nobody can stop Vadodara from growing. But the threat is that it will grow without the core which the visionary ruler Maharaja Sayajirao had conceived for it," Doshi, whose one of the earliest and largest projects was the GSFC township in Vadodara said. The eminent architect, who was invited by the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), also stressed that if professionals were not being involved by the urban and civic authorities, professionals themselves should make the first move. "If the mountain does not come, Mohammed has to go," he said, adding that advantage of Vadodara is that it has finest rail connectivity. "It has to be planned as a nodal city between Anand on one side and Bharuch on the other. Ahmedabad has only one school of architecture but within 30 kilometre of Vadodara there are five centres of architecture. One of the very important universities in the country is located here. Its involvement is very necessary for Baroda's development," he said, adding that the Bhadra development plan in Ahmedabad was prepared way back in 1975. "It is now that we have got Rs 100 crore to implement it."


VMC's special teams to crack down on Chinese manja	Email
Sale of such Manja is prohibitated
Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) will set up special teams to keep an eye on the sale of Chinese manja or kite flying string in the city. The sale of such manja is prohibited as it is dangerous. VMC commissioner has issued orders to all ward officers to ensure that no wholesale or retail trade of such strings takes place in their jurisdictions. The officers have also been asked to keep a tab on those artisans who sharpen such strings across the city and check if they are using synthetic or plastic strings known as Chinese strings. The decision by the civic body has been taken in the wake of a missive in this regard from environment and forest department of the state government. It is widely believed that Chinese manja can lead to serious injuries to humans, birds and animals and can even prove fatal. The ward officers have been asked to make special teams or squads in their wards and supervise their functioning personally. They have been asked to take legal action and even stop the business of those selling such strings. The missive by the commissioner states that the work of the teams should be monitored and they should send written reports at regular intervals. Also, it has been ordered that the teams should work very discreetly.


Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals receives National Safety Award	Email
Award for their safety records at Dahej Complex for year 09
GACL was presented the National Safety Award at a presentation ceremony held on 29th November, 2011 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. Mr. Shri M S Dagur - IAS, MD-GACL received this award on behalf of the company from Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge, Honorable Union Minister for Labour & Employment, Govt. of India. GACL has won this prestigious award for the safety record of their Dahej Complex for the year 2009. They were announced as 1st Runner up in the category of Manufacturer of Chemicals and Chemical Products (including Fertilizers) in November, 2011. GACL has earlier received this prestigious award in the year 2007 for their Baroda Complex. GACL was incepted by the Government of Gujarat in the year 1973. Since initiation, diversification and innovation has been a key aspect here. Today, the company is the largest manufacturer of Caustic Soda and offers more than 26 products. The Company is also one of the top ranked manufacturers of Specialty Chemicals. Every year, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India, invites applications from various industries for the prestigious National Level Safety Awards acknowledging the policies adopted by the company and maintaining accident free days during the year. This Award has been instituted by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment in 1965. The Award Schemes are operated by the Technical Wing of the Ministry, namely, the Directorate General Factory advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Mumbai. The applications received for NSA are adjudged by a Tripartite Awards Committee constituted by Ministry of Labour & Employment, comprising of representative from Employers' Organizations, Employees' Organizations and Central/State Governments. Besides the Tripartite representation, there are experts in the Committee from renowned institutions, Universities and Industries in the field of Safety, Health, Environment & Productivity.

10-Dec-2011

Western freight corridor: state lags behind Guj	Email
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In a classic case of having woken up after missing the boat, the state government, following a snub from the Centre, is now scrambling to hasten its land acquisition process for the ambitious Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. The corridor is slated to run across 1,500km from the National Capital Region (NCR) to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Panvel. The Gujarat government has managed to acquire 70% of the land required for the project. In Maharashtra, land acquisition is yet to start. Around 460 hectares of land has to be acquired along the Panvel-Dahanu Road stretch for the project. Irked with the state?s slow pace of progress, the Centre has now decided to go ahead with the first phase of the project, across 931km from Rewari in Haryana to Vadodara in Gujarat. The bids for the second phase, across 569km from Vadodara to JNPT, will be taken up later. This means that traffic at Gujarat?s ports will get a boost at the cost of JNPT or Mumbai port. A worried state government has now set up a committee headed by chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad to speed up land acquisition. The government resolution issued on Thursday states: ?By stating that land acquisition in Maharashtra for the project has been slow, it was decided to take up the JNPT to Vadodara alignment in the second phase. That defeats the purpose of the project.?

09-Dec-2011

Two Chinese firms to set up units in Gujarat	Email
A total investment of Rs 3,500 crore
Two Chinese companies have pledged a total investment of Rs 3,500 crore to set up their plants in Gujarat, a top Government official said today. TBEA and TWBB, both energy sector firms, will establish their facilities in Vadodara district, said Maheshwar Sahu, Principal Secretary (Industries). Talking to PTI over phone, Sahu said "The projects are part of Gujarat Government's move to attract more Chinese investments." A delegation led by Chief Minister Narendra Modi and comprising leading industrialists visited China for five days in mid-November and explored avenues for attracting more investment in Gujarat from the world's second largest economy. Gujarat, one of the most industrialists states in India, aims to attract USD 10 billion worth of Chinese investments in the next five years. TBEA Energy (India) Pvt Ltd will make an investment of Rs 2,500 crore for setting up a Green Energy Park near Karjan town in Vadodara district, Shahu said. On the other hand, TWBB will put in Rs 1,000 crore to establish a high-voltage power transformer and reactor plant on Padra-Jambusar Highway near here, he said. TBEA, the third largest transformer manufacturer in the world, has been a major supplier of transformers and reactors to India in recent years.


Weekly Garib Rath trains from January 2012	Email
Train to Bangalore will stop at Vadodara
Railways will run weekly Garib Rath Express Special Trains between Yeswanthpur -Jaipur- Yeswanthpur (Train Nos 06511/06512) from January 1 to March 27, 2012. Trains will run via Arsikere, Hubli, Gadag, Solapur, Pune, Kalyan, Vadodara & Ahmedabad stations. Accordingly, Train No. 06511 Yeswanthpur- Jaipur- Weekly Garib Rath Express Special will depart at Yeswanthpur Station at 5.20 am on Sundays (January 1 to March 25, 2012) and arrive at Jaipur at 4.05 am on Tuesday. In the return direction, Train No. 06512 Jaipur-Yeswanthpur Weekly Garib Rath Express Special will depart at Jaipur at 3:30 pm on Tuesdays (from January 3 to March 27, 2012) and arrive at Yeswanthpur at 3:10 pm on Thursdays. The Special train has 18 coaches, consisting of 16 AC 3-tier coaches and two Second Class luggage-cum-brake vans.


VMC standing committee chairman's election postponed	Email
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The standing committee comprising the newly elected six members met for the first time on Thursday, but did not take up the major item of electing a chairman on its agenda. The agenda was postponed till the next standing committee meeting. The standing committee had six new members on its board after an equal number retired through a draw recently. The 12 members of the committee including both the new and old ones were supposed to elect a chairman on Thursday and a meeting had been called for the purpose. However, the ruling BJP had decided in advance that the issue would not be taken up at the meeting and it would be adjourned. Sources said the move was taken as the appointment of a new deputy mayor was also due soon. "As per the tradition, both the new appointments will be made on the same day on December 17," said Vadodara BJP city unit president Bharat Dangar. The seat of the deputy mayor is usually given to a woman corporator. However, since last term a male councillor is being appointed on the post as the city has a lady mayor.


MSU to set up cluster innovation centre	Email
inspired by the University Innovation Cluster (UIC) initiative of National Innovation Council (NInC)
The M S University (MSU) has initiated steps to set up a cluster innovation centre (CIC) focusing on biotechnological applications at its Genome Research Centre (GRC). The centre is inspired by the University Innovation Cluster (UIC) initiative of National Innovation Council (NInC) chaired by National Knowledge Commission chairman Sam Pitroda. The centre shall provide a platform for taking up innovation-driven projects. It shall also provide specialist facilities for genetic research, bioprocess development and advise on intellectual property rights. A university release stated that NInC is actively promoting and catalysing such centres in universities across the country. Delhi University already has initiated a CIC focusing on a curriculum that emphasises innovation. The CICs are aimed at giving support needed to students and faculty in fostering an ecosystem of innovation as well as connecting research and curriculum with applications for the benefit of industry and society.

08-Dec-2011

Vadodara second safest city in the country	Email
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Vadodara has emerged as the second safest city in the country after Chandigarh and first in Gujarat in an online survey of 37 cities conducted by a global market research firm. "This web site took several parameters in consideration before endorsing Vadodara as the second safest city in the country," Vadodara police commissioner Satish Sharma told PTI. Devising a system for monitoring response to complaints, intense patrolling besides increased number of police control vans are some of the factors that went in favour of the city, he said. As per the police records of 2009, the murder rate for population of one lakh in the city stood at 1.6 as against the average of 2.7 of all Indian cities, while it was 1.7 in comparison with the national average of 2.7 in attempt-to-murder cases. With addition of 56 police sub inspectors in the police force and filling up of vacant posts of deputy superintendent of police, there will be further improvement on the law and order front, Sharma said.

07-Dec-2011

Desert festival `Ranotsav' begins tomorrow	Email
PTI
Ambassadors from Georgia and Ukraine besides a large number of tourists from New Zealand, Australia, UK and other countries will attend the annual desert festival `Ranotsav' in Gujarat beginning tomorrow. This was informed by Kamlesh Patel, Chairman of the Gujarat Tourism Corporation Ltd (GTCL), which is organising the mega event. The 38-day cultural extravaganza, organised in Kutch district bordering Pakistan, will be the longest-ever festival organised in the state. Looking at its popularity and overwhelming response from tourists - both domestic and foreign - this year the festival will go on for 38 days, which is 12 days more than last year, said Patel. "We expect more than one lakh tourists in the festival this year," he said. Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who will inaugurate the festival, is expected to spend 2-3 days in a especially- designed tent at Dhordo village, the main site of the event. More number of tents, a laser show, hot air ballooning, all terrain vehicles and TV artists are amongst the additional attractions planned this year at the festival, which is aimed at giving a boost to tourism in Gujarat.


China's TWBB, Atlanta to set up Rs 400 cr plant in Vadodara	Email
Ultra Mega High Voltage Power Transformers and Reactors Plant on Padra-Jambusar Highway
The Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to China seems to have started paying off. This could be gauged from the fact that TWBB, a Chinese firm engaged in energy sector, on Thursday entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state's Atlanta Transformers and Electrical to set up an ultra mega high voltage power transformers and reactors plant on Padra-Jambusar Highway near Vadodara involving an investment of Rs 400 crore from both the players. The construction of the plant is expected to be kicked off in February 2012 and production will commence from April 2013. "The plant will produce equipment ranging from 750 Kv to 1200 Kv," the state government said in an official statement. "TWBB has selected Gujarat for partnership keeping in mind the growth-oriented policies, quick decision making, transparency and absence of labour rage in Gujarat," Li Yuha, CEO, TWBB said while commenting on the development. He also invited Modi to visit TWBB plant in China.Taking a note of growing ties between Gujarat and China, Modi said that Gujarat government is focusing on the renewable energy sources like solar, wind and tidal and has now become a power-surplus state.


Vadodara will have model roads	Email
VMC to spend Rs 206 Cr
Vadodara will soon have a smooth ride on the roads of all the four zones of the city. To make the city's roads model roads fully equipped with each and every amenity, Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) is planning to spend Rs206 crore. The project is the brainchild of municipal commissioner Ashwini Kumar. The amenities include proper drainage system, ensuring cleanliness is maintained, wall to wall flooring, proper dividers and removal of encroachments, among others. ?The work will begin in December or January and will be completed in three years. In fact, we hope to complete 30% of the work by the 2012 monsoon. Work in the rest of the city will be initiated after the completion of this work,? said Kumar. Speaking to DNA about the project, city engineer of VMC, Shailesh Mistry said, ?To maintain cleanliness and relieve people of traffic problems some of the major well as small roads have been identified which will be developed as model roads.? The model roads will be part of the city's beautification effort. From each zone, a 20 sq km of area having main roads has been selected for developing model roads. ?Hence, more than 50% of the city roads will be included in this project as around 80 sq km of the city will be covered,? added Mistry. The city measures around 158.6 sq km. The project received approval from the standing committee recently and is awaitingapproval of the general board which is meeting on December 15. The small roads measuring less than 18 m have been allotted Rs71 crore while the main roads measuring 18 m and above have been allotted Rs135 crore. For this ambitious project, grants from state government as well from VMC will be utilised. The work will be carried out in different phases; work costing around Rs70 crore will be completed in the first phase.

25-Nov-2011

VMC demolished a portion of a building of Anand Vidya Vihar School	Email
Fell on a proposed town planning road
Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) demolished a portion of a building of Anand Vidya Vihar School in Harinagar area of the city on Tuesday. The school has reacted strongly to the move that came after a prolonged legal battle over the issue. The move to demolish the portion of a building was taken up as it fell on a proposed 7.5 metre town planning road. The issue had remained unresolved for 45 years now as the town planning (TP) scheme was made soon after the Bal Shikshan Samiti Trust that runs the school was given land by the government in 1966. Since then the trust has been making representations at various levels seeking that the TP road scheme be annulled. It even agreed to pay for the land in instalments and bear the costs involved by the government in annulling the road. VMC deputy municipal commissioner C M Makwana said the general board of the civic body had ruled against the move to annul the road. "Following this, the trust had moved the high court and lost there. An appeal was also filed in the Supreme Court, but the same was dismissed. It was after this that we decided to demolish a portion of the structure," Makwana said. He said the Diwali vacation was deliberately selected for the move even as the order had come some time ago to ensure that students are not disturbed. The school, meanwhile, has reacted strongly to the move saying that though there was a consent by the trust to buy the area of the TP road and bear the cost of annulment, this did not happen. The trust has questioned the motive of the VMC. A release by the trust has asked if their's was the only construction in the city that needed to be demolished for reasons best known to the VMC? The trust has even stated that it would be filing a RTI application to determine the status of various constructions in the city and question why they were still standing. "The whole issue has been made into a political one by some people for their vested interest," the release stated. The VMC meanwhile has sought a structural stability certificate from the school. "We want to ensure that the children are safe," said Makwana.


883 pending cases of stamp duty in Vadodara	Email
5300 in Gujarat
Ahmedabad heads list of districts which have maximum number of cases of pending stamp duty of Rs1 lakh or more, according to the state government. State revenue department, said officials, has initiated measures to recover outstanding stamp duty, paid at the time of transferring land and/or property ownership. According to officials, there are 5,381 cases of stamp duty Rs1 lakh or more. The total pending duty could not be immediately ascertained, but sources said that it could be in the region of Rs60-65 crore. With 1,312 cases as on November 21, Ahmedabad accounts for the highest number of cases of pending stamp duty of Rs1 lakh or more, followed by Surat with exactly 1,100 cases. The number of such cases is 883 in Vadodara, while it is 517 in Rajkot. Jamnagar has 200 defaulters, who owe Rs1 lakh or more as stamp duty to the state government, while the number of such cases is 200 in Gandhinagar. Among other districts, Kheda has 141 such cases, Junagadh 106, Valsad 98, Bharuch 98 and Anand 95. The revenue department said that it has already recovered more than Rs2.07 crore in 187 cases, and has already issued recovery notices in the other 5,291 cases.

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