Gujarat Desk

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced Harshad Parmar as its candidate for the upcoming by-election in the Umreth विधानसभा constituency in Gujarat. 🗳️ Bypoll Triggered by Sitting MLA’s Demise The by-election has been necessitated following the demise of sitting MLA Govind Parmar, who passed away on March 6 at the age of 72 after a brief illness. Govind Parmar had been representing the Umreth seat in Anand district and was known for his strong grassroots connect. His

In a significant push toward e-governance, the Government of Gujarat has digitised 20 high- demand citizen services, making them available through complete end-to-end online delivery on the Digital Gujarat platform. 💻 Reforms Driven by Administrative Recommendations The move follows key suggestions from the Gujarat Administrative Reforms Committee, which recommended streamlining public services to improve efficiency, transparency, and accessibility. As a result, about 4% of

The innovative Bio-CNG initiative pioneered by Banas Dairy is gaining recognition across India, with the Government of Gujarat announcing an allocation of ₹60 crore to scale up the model and promote sustainable energy solutions. 🌱 A Model of Circular Economy The Banas Bio-CNG model is based on converting cattle dung and organic waste collected from dairy farmers into compressed biogas (CNG). This approach not only generates clean fuel but also helps in: Managing agricultural

The innovative Bio-CNG initiative pioneered by Banas Dairy is gaining nationwide attention, with Gujarat government announcing an allocation of ₹60 crore to scale up the model across the state. The Banas Bio-CNG model converts cattle dung and organic waste generated by dairy activities into compressed biogas (CNG), offering a sustainable solution for waste management while producing clean fuel. The initiative has been widely appreciated for promoting circular economy practice

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that his recent remarks on the West Asia situation did not present any new perspective. She stressed that a comprehensive discussion on the issue must take place in Parliament to ensure transparency and democratic participation. Speaking to the media, Priyanka Gandhi highlighted that her party has already submitted a formal notice seeking a discussion in Parliament on the evolving situa

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once again sparked a political debate by criticising the use of the term “vanvasi” for tribal communities, asserting that it undermines their identity and historical rights. Addressing a public gathering, he emphasised that the word “Adivasi” more accurately represents India’s indigenous people, as it translates to “original inhabitants.” Gandhi argued that referring to tribal communities as “vanvasi” — meaning “forest dwellers” — reduc

In a significant step towards strengthening rural infrastructure, the Government of Gujarat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of India under the ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. The agreement aims to ensure uninterrupted and sustainable drinking water supply to rural households across the state. Key Highlights of the Agreement Under this MoU, both the Centre and the state government have committed to upgrading and expanding water supply syste

Una, Gujarat:  Nearly a decade after a brutal act of caste-based violence shocked the nation, a local court in Una has sentenced five individuals to five years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with the infamous 2016 Una flogging case. The verdict marks a significant moment in the long legal battle for justice for the victims—members of the Sarvaiya family—who were publicly assaulted in an incident that triggered widespread outrage and protests across India. 🔴 The Incid

Sasan Gir, Gujarat :In the faint hours before sunrise, when the forest still clings to the night, the wilderness of Gir National Park begins to stir. The air is cool, the silence almost reverent—broken only by the distant call of peacocks and the crunch of dry leaves beneath jeep tires. For those who venture into this rugged terrain at dawn, it is not just a safari—it is a patient vigil for a fleeting glimpse of one of India’s most iconic creatures: the Asiatic lion. The fore

Ahmedabad : The India Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall across parts of Gujarat between March 18 and 20, bringing possible relief from the prevailing heat in several regions. According to the Met department, changing weather conditions due to atmospheric disturbances are expected to trigger scattered showers in multiple districts, accompanied by cloudy skies and a slight dip in temperatures. 🌡️ Temperatures Stay High Across Cities Despite the

Ahmedabad : A major fire broke out at the bustling Panchkuva cloth market, gutting several shops and causing extensive damage to goods and property. The blaze reportedly started in the early afternoon inside a cloth store located opposite a nearby fire station. Within minutes, the flames spread rapidly across adjacent shops due to the highly flammable nature of textile materials and the congested layout of the market. 🔥 Fire Spreads Rapidly Traders and workers in the area in

Surat : A growing wave of migrant worker departures from Surat has set off alarm bells in the city’s crucial textile industry, with many labourers citing rising living costs and shrinking incomes as key reasons for leaving. For several days, Udhna Junction has been witnessing भारी भीड़ of migrant workers carrying their belongings, waiting for trains to return to their native states. The दृश्य reflects deep distress among workers who say they can no longer sustain themselves i

Lucknow/Ahmedabad:  In a major anti-narcotics operation, the Gujarat Anti Terrorism Squad has busted an illegal mephedrone manufacturing lab in Uttar Pradesh and seized a significant quantity of the banned synthetic drug. The कार्रवाई follows a crucial breakthrough on March 1, when ATS officials allegedly recovered 4.6 grams of mephedrone from an आरोपी identified as Shafaat Ahmed alias Chand Mohammad Istiyak Farooqui. He was immediately taken into custody, and his interrogati

Ahmedabad : In a significant development in the infamous Una flogging case, a trial court has revealed that 80 out of 239 witnesses turned hostile during the proceedings, raising serious concerns over the strength of the prosecution and the challenges in securing justice. According to the detailed 331-page judgment delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Jignesh Pandya, the prosecution had examined a total of 239 witnesses over the course of the trial. However, a substantial n

Ahmedabad : Authorities in Gujarat have seized illegal liquor worth approximately ₹42 crore over the past two years as part of intensified enforcement against bootlegging and the illegal liquor trade in the state. Officials said the seizures were carried out during multiple raids and operations conducted by law enforcement agencies across various districts. Since Gujarat follows a strict prohibition policy, the sale, consumption, and transportation of liquor are regulated und

Harsh Sanghavi, Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, urged women to help protect young girls from men who allegedly trap them by using fake identities, while addressing a gathering at a temple event. Appeal to Women at Religious Event Speaking at the event held at a temple in Gujarat, Sanghavi called on mothers and women in society to remain alert and proactive in safeguarding their daughters. He said families and communities must work together to identify and prevent cases wher

Senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and former Gujarat minister Govind Parmar passed away on Saturday after suffering a heart attack. He was 72. His death has been widely mourned by political leaders and supporters across Gujarat. Sudden Cardiac Arrest According to party sources, Parmar suffered a sudden heart attack, after which he was rushed for medical treatment. However, doctors were unable to save him. The news of his demise spread quickly, leaving party wo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a major semiconductor facility of Micron Technology in Sanand, marking a significant step in India’s efforts to strengthen its semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. The plant is an Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP)  facility and is considered one of the largest semiconductor investments in India under the government’s semiconductor development programme. Key Project Under India Semiconductor Mission The Micron plant is

Gas Supply Disrupted by Strait of Hormuz Crisis Industry representatives say shipments of propane and natural gas from Gulf countries  have been severely affected because many tankers carrying fuel are unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime passage partly controlled by Iran. As a result, fuel consignments meant for factories in Gujarat have been delayed or stranded , leading to a major shortage of energy required to run ceramic kilns and drying units. Fac

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel  on Sunday unveiled the state’s ambitious Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2026–2031  during the inaugural session of the Gujarat SemiConnect Conference held in Gandhinagar. The new policy lays out a comprehensive roadmap aimed at positioning Gujarat among the world’s leading innovation-driven economies by placing science, technology, and innovation at the core of inclusive development, industrial competitiveness, and soci