Gujarat Government

Dearness allowance of Gujarat govt employees, pensioners hiked by 3%

The Gujarat government on Wednesday announced a hike in dearness allowance (DA) for its around nine lakh employees and pensioners by 3 per cent to 53 per cent of the basic pay, a decision which will come into effect retrospectively from July 1, 2024. The finance department issued a resolution raising the DA from the current 50 per cent to 53 per cent of the basic pay under the Gujarat State Services (Pay Revision) Rules, 2016, benefiting over nine lakh employees and pensioners. Arrears for the period July to November will be disbursed along with the December salary and pension in January 2025, it said. All state government and panchayat employees, teaching and non-teaching staff in secondary and higher secondary schools, and staffers in aided non-government schools who are covered under the 7th Pay Commission will benefit from the hike. With appropriate modifications, the benefit will also be available to primary teachers and employees on deputation or transfer in panchayats who ..

New cottage and rural industries policy to create 1.2 mn jobs in Gujarat

The Gujarat government announced on Wednesday its new cottage and rural industries policy, offering higher loans and subsidies to artisans and entrepreneurs to set up units in the state. Minister of Cottage Industries Balwantsinh Rajput, who unveiled the policy in Gandhinagar, said it will facilitate the creation of nearly 12 lakh jobs over five years. The new policy was introduced after the five-year validity of the previous scheme ended, an official release said. The New Cottage Policy 2024, which will remain in force for five years, aims to develop a self-sustaining cottage industry sector and open the doors of local and international markets for artisans, the minister said. Under the policy, the state will work towards the availability of credit and market support to artisans and focus on infrastructure, skill, technology upgrades and innovation, Rajput said. To encourage new industries and businesses, the state government has increased the maximum loan amount under this schem

Jabil signs MoU with Gujarat govt, to invest Rs 1,000 cr at Dholera unit

The Gujarat government on Thursday signed an MoU with a leading EMS company Jabil to set up its electronics manufacturing services (EMS) unit with Rs 1,000 crore investment in Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR). The MoU was signed between Gujarat's Science and Technology Department and Jabil in presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, an official release said. The MoU, signed between the Gujarat Science and Technology Department and Jabil -- a global leader in engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain solutions -- outlines an investment of Rs 1,000 crore in the DSIR. The new unit of Jabil will focus on sectors, including networking, capital goods, automotive, and other allied industries, the release said. Jabil's new unit is expected to commence its operations in Dholera by 2027, and it is likely to create about 5,000 employment opportunities, it said. Jabil Operations Director B N Shukla, and Mission Director of the Gujarat State Electronics Mission (GSEM) Manish Gurv

Gujarat announces formation of 'GRIT', NITI Aayog-like think tank

The Gujarat government on Tuesday announced the formation of Gujarat State Institution for Transformation or 'GRIT', a think tank modelled on the NITI Aayog to help realise the vision of 'Viksit' or developed state by 2047. GRIT has crafted a vision document and roadmap for 'Viksit Gujarat @ 2047', stated an official release here. The Chief Minister will head the governing body of GRIT with the Finance Minister as vice-chairman and the ministers of agriculture, health, education and industry serving as members, it said. "Following the model of NITI Aayog, the 'GRIT' has been established, chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel," the release said. Among other things, it will review the implementation of recommendations from its task force committee for achieving the target of becoming a five-trillion-dollar economy, it said. The ten-member executive committee of GRIT, headed by its CEO, will handle its day-to-day operations. Its governing body will include the chief advisor to

Damage to Ganesh idol triggers clash in Surat, cops injured; 32 held

An idol of Lord Ganesh was damaged after some persons allegedly threw stones at a pandal during the ongoing Ganpati festival in Gujarat's Surat city, police said on Monday. After some minors were detained in connection with the incident which took place in Saiyedpura locality late Sunday night, a mob of around 300 persons gathered at Lalgate police station to protest the action against their community members. Two groups there pelted stones at each other in which some cops were injured and a police vehicle was damaged, Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut told reporters. Police resorted to baton charge and fired teargas shells to disperse the mob, he said. So far, 32 persons have been detained and two separate FIRs registered in connection with these incidents, officials said. Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi and senior police officers visited the incident site and promised strict action against the culprits. "Every single person who has disturbed peace

1,200 Ahmedabad civil hospital doctors go on strike over stipend hike

Around 1,200 resident doctors of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital in Gujarat went on an indefinite strike on Monday seeking a hike in stipend. Services were affected despite authorities making alternate arrangements in view of the strike, with patients and kin complaining of long wait at the Aswara-based facility, which is attached to BJ Medical College and is the largest in the state. As per resident doctors, they will stay away from all duties, including trauma care, emergency and outpatient department (OPD) services as part of the strike until an amicable solution is found. "The state health department had agreed to increasing stipend by 40 per cent every three years. This hike was supposed to come into effect from April 1. It was, however, not implemented till July after which we met state health minister Rushikesh Patel. We had postponed our stir then after getting an assurance about its implementation," said Dr Dhaval Gameti, president of the Junior Doctors' Association of BJ Medical

SC notice to Guj govt on plea against conviction in custodial death case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the Gujarat government's response on former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sanjiv Bhatt's plea against his conviction in a 1990 custodial death case in which he was sentenced to life imprisonment. "Issue notice returnable in four weeks," a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna B Varale said. The court also tagged the appeal with other matters related to the case. Bhatt has moved the top court challenging the Gujarat High Court's January 9, 2024 order dismissing his appeal. The court also upheld the conviction of Bhatt and co-accused Pravinsinh Zala under Sections 302 (murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. The high court had dismissed the state government's appeal seeking to enhance the sentences of five other accused who were acquitted of murder but convicted under Sections 323 and 506. While Bhatt and Zala are behind bars, the court cancelled the bail bonds of the five other .

3 dead after heavy rains flood Gujarat's low-lying areas, hundreds shifted

Incessant heavy showers battered several parts of Gujarat on Monday, inundating low-lying areas, with three persons dying and seven missing in rain-related incidents and hundreds shifted to safer places. The administration is geared up for more showers as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rains with isolated extremely heavy rains in several districts of the state till Thursday morning. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a virtual meeting with district collectors, superintendents of police, and senior civic officials of all major cities to review the current situation. The state education department has declared a holiday for primary schools across the state on Tuesday. Seven persons are missing after a trolley tractor carrying them got swept away while passing through an overflowing causeway in Halvad taluka of Morbi district. According to officials, they remained untraceable despite a nearly 20-hour search operation involving the Nationa

India's first indigenous semiconductor chip will be made in Gujarat: CM

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday said India's first indigenously developed semiconductor chip will be manufactured in the state, which has so far attracted an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore in electronics and chip manufacturing sectors. He was addressing a gathering in Nadiad town of Kheda district in the state after hoisting the national flag on the occasion of Independence Day. "The 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit held earlier this year was instrumental in attracting new investment in emerging sectors like AI and semiconductor," he said. "We have so far attracted an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore in the electronics and semiconductor sector and India's first semiconductor chip will be manufactured in Gujarat," he said. On the occasion, he announced a significant increase in the monthly income limit set earlier by the state government for people wanting free ration under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). At present, a

Gujarat govt helping Adani Ports 'secure monopoly', JPC essential: Congress

The Congress on Wednesday reiterated its demand for a joint parliamentary committee into the Adani issue and alleged that the Gujarat government was helping Adani Ports to "secure a monopoly" on the state's port sector. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the Gujarat government grants private ports a 30-year concession period on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis, after which ownership gets transferred to the government of Gujarat. On the basis of this model, Adani Ports currently has control over Mundra, Hazira, and Dahej ports, he said. Before the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, Adani Ports requested the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) to extend this concession period by another 45 years to 75 years in total, Ramesh claimed. "This was much beyond the maximum permissible period of 50 years, but the GMB hastened to request the Gujarat Government to do so anyways. The GMB was in such a hurry that it did so without approval from its Board, resulting

Gujarat govt extends fishing ban in Arabian sea till Aug 15; Cong opposes

The Gujarat government has decided to extend the ban on fishing activities in the Arabian Sea by a fortnight till August 15, a move the Congress claimed to be "unfair and reckless" which will cause financial losses to fishermen. A senior official from the Gujarat fisheries department on Sunday said the decision was taken in consultation with the central government after considering a representation made by the fishermen's association to allow more time for fish to breed. The government also took into account scientific data and weather conditions to reach the decision, he said, adding the change is also likely to be adopted by other states on the western coast. Since 2021, the annual fishing ban in the state remained in effect from June 1 till July 31. The state fisheries department on July 31 issued a notification, amending the Gujarat Fisheries (Amendment) Rules, 2020, which stated no person shall carry out any type of fishing in the inland and territorial waters from June 1 to .

Gujarat Govt to hold life skills-based child fairs in over 30,000 schools

Gujarat government said it would arrange child and life skills-based fairs in over 30,000 schools for classes 1 to 8 to develop latent talents and creative abilities among kids

Gujarat to launch 'Cooperation Among Cooperatives' across all districts

Gujarat has successfully steered the pilot of 'Cooperation Among Cooperatives' initiative in Banaskantha and Panchmahal districts.In a landmark decision, the central government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi established a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation to strengthen the cooperatives nationwide, affirming the path of 'Sahkar Se Samridhhi'.According to a press release, under the successful leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat has successfully steered the pilot of 'Cooperation Among Cooperatives' initiative in Banaskantha and Panchmahal districts.Notably under this initiative, envisioned by Union Home & Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, over 4 lakh new accounts were opened by cooperative societies and their active members in the District Cooperative Banks of these two districts, resulting in a jump of over Rs. 966 crores in the bank deposits.Significance of Cooperation Amongst Cooperatives ModelThe initiative aims to enhance cooperation among Gujarat's ...

6-storey residential building collapses in Surat, several feared trapped

Police and fire department teams are present at the spot, Rescue operations are underway

Rahul on Guj visit; to address party workers, meet Rajkot fire victims' kin

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be on a visit to Ahmedabad city in Gujarat on Saturday, where he will address party workers, a leader said. Gandhi will also meet the family members of those who lost their lives in various tragedies in Gujarat in the recent past, including the Rajkot game zone fire, the boat capsize incident in Vadodara and Morbi bridge collapse. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha is visiting Gujarat days after BJP and Congress workers clashed outside the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) office here over alleged anti-Hindu remarks made by Gandhi in the Lok Sabha. Following the clash, complaints were lodged against each other by both sides and FIRs were registered, leading to the arrest of five Congress workers. Talking to reporters on Friday, Gujarat Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil said Gandhi will also meet the family members of those five Congress workers who are currently in police custody. "Rahul Gandhi will arrive at the GPCC office

Gujarat received FDI worth $7.3 bn in 2023-24, jump of 55% from last fiscal

Gujarat has attracted a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of USD 7.3 billion in the financial year 2023-24, a jump of 55 per cent over the previous fiscal, the state government said in a release on Friday. With this, Gujarat now occupies the second spot in the country after Maharashtra in terms of the FDI inflow, it said. Citing the data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the state government said Gujarat has topped the charts in the annual increase in FDI inflow during 2023-24 by recording a jump of USD 2.6 billion. "Registering a 55 per cent increase in the FDI inflow during FY 2023-24 as compared to the inflow during FY 2022-23, Gujarat received a whopping USD 7.3 billion in FY 2023-24 as compared to the USD 4.7 billion received in the FY 2022-23. With the FDI inflow of USD 7.3 billion, Gujarat moved ahead of Karnataka and Delhi to reach the second spot in the country," said the release.

Nearly 437,000 girl students enroll for 2 financial aid schemes in Gujarat

Nearly 4.37 lakh girls have registered to avail benefits under two schemes launched by the Gujarat government in March to provide financial assistance to eligible female students from Classes 9 to 12, officials said. While 4.03 lakh girl students have registered for the 'Namo Lakshmi Yojana', nearly 37,000 have enrolled for the 'Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana' as part of the 'Shala Praveshotsav - Kanya Kelavni Mahotsav 2024', an annual drive to enlist students in Class 1 in Gujarat, an official release said on Tuesday. Under the 'Namo Lakshmi Yojana', the government will provide Rs 50,000 over a period of four years to girls wanting to take admission in Classes 9 to 12 for the academic year 2024-25. This scheme is applicable to girls whose family income is less than Rs 6 lakh per annum, said the release. The beneficiary students, after securing admission in Class 9, will receive Rs 500 per month for 10 months each year, and the remaining Rs 10,000 will be disbursed after they

Gujarat's new financial hub aims for real-time dollar settlement by 2025

The service which will cut down on times and delays, and it would be available for financial firms in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City

Gujarat to set up 51 Yoga Studios' to promote ancient practice: CM Patel

On the occasion of International Day of Yoga, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday said his government will establish 51 Yoga Studios' across the state to promote the ancient practice which benefited people immensely during COVID. The CM was at Nadabet in Banaskantha district near the India-Pakistan border to take part in the state-level event to mark the 10th International Day of Yoga. Several state ministers and Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary attended the event at Nadabet. This is the first time Yoga Day is being celebrated at Nadabet, said an official release. In his address to yoga participants at Nadabet, the CM said yoga a system of exercises for the body and for controlling breathing has reached every corner of the world due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event at Nadabet has been jointly organized by the State Yog Board and the Border Security Force (BSF) He said efforts are being made to popularise yoga through the State Yog Board.

Rajkot game zone fire: 2 cops, civic staff among 6 suspended for negligence

The Gujarat government on Monday ordered the suspension of five officials, including two police inspectors and civic staff, with immediate effect for negligence in connection with the Rajkot game zone fire which claimed 27 lives. The officials have been held responsible "for their gross negligence in allowing this game zone to operate without necessary approvals," stated a government release. Notably, it has emerged the facility, where the blaze erupted on Saturday, was operated without the fire NOC (no objection certificate). "The game zone had received permissions from the roads and buildings department. It had also submitted a proof of fire safety equipment to obtain the fire NOC which was under process and not yet completed," Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava told reporters on Sunday. The government's action of suspending five officials comes a day after Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inspected the site where the fire erupted on Saturday and instructed the departments ..