First India 02022023.pdf

INCLUSIVE
DEVELOPMENT
INFRASTRUCTURE
GROWTH
GREEN GROWTH
GOVERNANCE
FOCUS
YOUTH POWER
FINANCIAL
EMPOWERMENT
AGRICULTURE
DIGITAL INFRA
JAIPUR l THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023 l Pages 14 l 3.00 l RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764 l Vol 4 l Issue No. 237
UNION
BUDGET
2023-24
UNION BUDGET 2023
‘DISAPPOINTING’ FOR
RAJASTHAN, SAYS CM
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Chief Minister
Ashok Gehlot on
Wednesday termed the
Union Budget disap-
pointing. He said while
budget provides addi-
tional funds for an irri-
gation scheme in Kar-
nataka, it has not given
national status to East
Rajasthan Canal Project.
He claimed Budget al-
lotted `5,300 crore to the
Upper Bhadra Irriga-
tion Project in Karna-
taka keeping the com-
ing elections in mind
and accused the Centre
of being “step-mother-
ly” towards Rajasthan.
“If the Union Budget
istalkedaboutinthecon-
text of Rajasthan, then it
was very disappointing.
The people of the state
aredisappointedbecause
the central government
did not accept our just
demandof givingnation-
al status to the ERCP
, an
importantprojectrelated
to the development of
Rajasthan,” Gehlot said.
More on P10
CRUCIAL READ
Gehlot: Centre did
not accept the only
demand of giving
nat’l status to ERCP
Last full Union Budget
before 2024 Lok Sabha
elections ticks all boxes ‘ALL INCLUSIVE’
BUDGET!
Rahul Gandhi
@RahulGandhi
‘Mitr Kaal’ Budget has:
NO vision to create
Jobs, NO plan to tackle
Mehngai, NO intent to
stem Inequality, 1%
richest own 40% wealth,
50% poorest pay 64%
of GST, 42% youth
are unemployed- yet,
PM doesn’t Care! This
Budget proves Govt has
NO roadmap to build
India’s future.
Narendra Modi
@narendramodi
This Union Budget 2023
will fulfil the dreams
of an aspirational
society including poor
people, middle-class
people, and farmers.
I congratulate Union
Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman and
his team for this historic
budget. The first budget
of “Amrit Kaal” will build
a strong foundation for
building a developed
India. It gives priority to
the deprived.
Amit Shah
@AmitShah
The budget-2023
brought by the Modi
government is a budget
that lays a strong
foundation of Amritkal.
I am sure that this all-
inclusive and visionary
budget will give further
impetus to the resolve
of the Modi government
for a self-reliant India,
taking every section
along. Congratulations
to @narendramodi and
@nsitharaman for this.
#AmritKaalBudget
Top
TWEETS
Moni Sharma
he “first Budget of Amrit
Kaal”, as Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman called
her fifth budget in a row on
Wednesday. This was the Nar-
endra Modi government’s last
full budget before the 2024 Lok Sabha elec-
tion and came ahead of polls in nine states
this year. Keeping that in mind, it ticked
off as many boxes as it could without de-
railing government finances and had
something for everybody -- from industry
to the middle classes, farmers and various
social groups that the BJP would like to
keep on its side as the countdown for the
general election begins.
Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman
said during her budget
speech that the focus
remains on widening
the scope of economic
growth, boosting key
areas like infrastruc-
ture and manufacturing
and creating jobs.
1ST BUDGET OF ‘AMRIT KAAL’: NATION FIRST, CITIZEN FIRST
GREEN GROWTH
GOVERNANCE
FOCUS
YOUTH POWER
FINANCIAL
EMPOWERMENT
BUDGET!
Wednesday. This was the Nar-
endra Modi government’s last
full budget before the 2024 Lok Sabha elec-
tion and came ahead of polls in nine states
this year. Keeping that in mind, it ticked
off as many boxes as it could without de-
railing government finances and had
something for everybody -- from industry
to the middle classes, farmers and various
social groups that the BJP would like to
keep on its side as the countdown for the
Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman
said during her budget
speech that the focus
remains on widening
the scope of economic
growth, boosting key
areas like infrastruc-
ture and manufacturing
T
First budget of Amrit Kaal....the world has recognised
India as a bright star. Economic growth for the
current year (2022-23) is estimated at 7 per cent... is
the highest among all major economies.
—Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister
SITHA’S
‘SEVEN SAGES’
MAJOR TAKEWAYS
The govt has simplified
the slabs in the new tax
regime. There will be
no tax on income on up to `7
lakh a year -- up from `5 lakh.
For the railways, the
minister announced an
outlay of `2.4 lakh
crore — the highest in almost a
decade and four times the last
year’s budget.
The PAN will be used as
a common identifier for
all digital systems of
specified govt agencies.
The KYC process will be
simplified and a
one-stop update of iden-
tity will be established through
Digilocker service and Aadhaar.
The government will
spend a record `10
lakh crore on longer
term capital expenditure.
In another populist
measure, the agricul-
tural credit target has
now been increased to
`20 lakh crore.
Allocation for Prime
Minister Awas Yojna
increased by 66 per
cent to over `79,000 crore.
The government has
promised 50 new
airports and helipads.
To settle commercial
disputes, the govern-
ment will bring another
dispute resolution scheme.
The government is
targeting 5 MT of Green
Hydrogen production
by the year 2030. Budget
provides for Rs 35,000 crore for
priority capital investment
towards energy transition and
net zero objectives.
The fiscal deficit target
of 6.4 per cent will be
retained in the revised
estimate for the current fiscal.
For next fiscal 2023-2024, it will
be cut down to 5.9% of the GDP.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the
Union Budget 2023-24 to the President, Droupadi Murmu, at
the Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Wednesday.
6th FinMin to present Budget 5 times in a
row; Sitha’s shortest speech at 87 mins
FinMin Nirmala Sitharaman is 6th minister in independent In-
dia to present 5 consecutive budget, joining a select league of
legends likes of Manmohan Singh, Arun Jaitley and P Chidam-
baram. She wrapped her 2023 speech in under 90 minutes.
D-STREET CHEERS BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENTS!
SENSEX SURGES 1,200 PTS, NIFTY NEAR 17,900
SHUBMAN GILL STARS WITH UNBEATEN 126 AS
IND DEMOLISH NEW ZEALAND TO WIN T20I SERIES
BIDEN MAY HOST MODI
FOR US VISIT IN JUNE
MORBI: OREVA GROUP
CHIEF IN 7 DAYS PC
Mumbai: Indian stock markets reacted
positively to the Union Budget for 2023-24
with benchmark indices rising over 1,000
points to breach the 60,000 mark. Barring
the Nifty oil and gas index, all other indices
traded in the green, National Stock Exchange
data showed. Nifty bank, financial services,
and private bank rose the most.
Ahmedabad: India remained unbeaten in
2023 after defeating New Zealand in the
decider of the three-match series. Led by
Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 126, India were
able to defeat Mitchell Santner and Co. by
a massive margin of 168 runs - the biggest
margin for victory from India against the
New Zealand.
New Delhi: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi is likely to visit
the United States later this
year. US President Joe Biden
has reportedly extended an
invitation to PM Modi for a
state visit in June or July. The
invitation has been accepted
in principle and both sides are
presently working on mutually
convenient dates for the visit.
Gandhinagar: Oreva Group
MD Jaysukh Patel was sent
to police custody for 7 days
till February 8 by a court on
Wednesday in connection
with the Morbi bridge collapse
case. This comes a day after
he surrendered before a Morbi
court. Oreva Group signed a
15-year contract for operation
and maintenance of bridge.
ADANI ENTERPRISES CALLS
OFF `20,000 CRORE FPO
A SPOILSPORT AFTER BUDGET...
The interest of the investors is paramount and hence to insulate them from any
potential financial losses, Board has decided not to go ahead with FPO: Adani
First India Bureau
Mumbai: On Wednes-
day, tremendous, ambi-
tious and popular budg-
et was presented by Un-
ionFinanceMinister,on
the same day there was
ahugechaosinthestock
market.BillionaireGau-
tam Adani-led group’s
firm Adani Enterprises
decided to scrap its fol-
low-on public offer
(FPO), a day after it was
fully subscribed.
`20,000 crore FPO was
fully subscribed a day
agoasinvestorspumped
funds into the flagship
firm. Adani Group said
that it has decided not to
proceed with FPO in the
interest of its subscrib-
ers. “Given the unprec-
edented situation and
the current market vola-
tility the company aims
to protect the interest of
itsinvestingcommunity
by returning the FPO
proceeds and withdraws
the completed transac-
tion,”AdaniGroupsaid.
Stating that his group
balance sheet is very
healthy with strong
cash flows and secure
assets, Adani said that
decision will not have
any impact on their ex-
isting operations and
future plans.
Thanking the investors for their sup-
port and commitment to the FPO,
given the unprecedented market
movement, the board of directors of company
felt that going ahead with FPO will not be “mor-
ally correct”. —Gautam Adani, Chairman Adani Group
ADANI LOSES ASIA’S RICHEST PERSON
TITLE, DROPS TO 15 ON WORLD LIST
Gautam Adani lost his title as Asia’s richest person on
Wednesday. Stock losses saw Adani slip to 15th on the
Forbes rich list with an estimated net worth of $76.8 billion.
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OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & MUMBAI
Illustration by: Uttkarsha Shekhar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Minister Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Narendra Singh Tomar and others lend ears to Union
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as she presents the Union Budget 2023-24 on 2nd day of Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Wednesday.
‘PLEASE ALL’ BUDGET! TAX
TAX
ALL NEW INCOME TAX SLABS
REBATE LIMIT INCREASED FROM
`5 LAKH TO `7 LAKH A YEAR
`0 to `3 lakh 0%
`3 lakh to `6 lakh 5%
Above `15 lakh 30%
FINANCIAL
EMP’MENT
MSMEs
Collateral
OTHERS
l `9,000 crore
l `2 lakh crore
l Banking Laws to
be amended
l KYC process
simplified
l Support for digital
public infrastructure
will continue
l Std deduction to
`52,500 for income
slabs to `15.5 lakh
to more
l Over 100 Joint
Commisioners to
dispose small Tax
disputes
l New TAX regime
to be implemented
l One stop solution
for reconciliation
and updation of
identity and address
of individuals to be
established using
DigiLocker service
and Aadhaar as
foundational identity
l Phase-3 of E-Courts
project to be launched
with an outlay of
w7,000 crore for
efficient administration
of justice
l Setting up a single
window IT system
for registration and
approval from IFSCA,
SEZ authorities, GSTN,
RBI, SEBI and IRDAI
l 1% Reducing
credit guarantee
NATIONAL FINANCIAL
REGISTRY FOR
FINANCIAL STRATEGY
INDIA FY24
FISCAL DEFICIT
SEEN AT 5.9%
Fiscal Consolidation
underway
Note: India’s
financial year runs
from April to March.
FY2024 is a target
FY2024
5.9%
FY2023
6.4%
FY2022
6.4%
FY2021
6.7%
SURCHARGE
DOWN
25%
37%
OTHER
PROJECTS
UNION BUDGET 2023-24
On Wednesday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made as many as five personal income tax-related announcements, in
what was her fifth consecutive budget speech. No announcement on income tax was made in last year’s budget. This was the last
full budget of the Narendra Modi government before next year’s parliamentary elections, slated for April-May 2024
INCOME TAX
02
JAIPUR | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023
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Infusing new energy to India’s growth!
The Union Budget for
the Financial Year 2023-
24 envisages a total
outlay of Rs. 45,03,097
Crore. Of this, Ministry
of Defence has been al-
located a total Budget of
Rs 5,93,537.64 Crore,
which is 13.18 % of the
total GoI Budget. The
best budget for India’s
growth in ‘Amrit Kaal’.
Rajnath Singh,
Union Defence Minister
The first budget of
‘Amrit Kaal’ reflects the
vision of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and his
visionary leadership. It
is a budget to empower
poor farmers, trib-
als, Dalits, backward,
deprived, economically
backward and middle
class... Emphasis is on
middle class earnings
and the well-being of
the elderly.
Jagat Prakash Nadda,
BJP National President
Key announcements
such as setting up
the National Financial
Information Registry,
establishing a Central
Data Processing Centre,
targeting fiscal deficit
to be below 4.5% by
2025-26, etc. are all
indicative of the Govt’s
commitment towards
taking the country to
newer heights.
Manish Gupta,
ICSI President
Personal tax rebate hiked, slabs cut
inance Minister Nir-
mala Sitharaman
has increased the re-
bate limit for indi-
vidual taxpayers
from `5 lakh to `7 lakh a year.
“..Currently, those with in-
come up to `5 lakh do not pay
any income tax in both old
and new tax regimes. I pro-
pose to increase the rebate
limit to `7 lakh in the new tax
regime. Thus, persons in the
new tax regime, with income
up to `7 lakh will not have to
pay any tax,” Ms Sitharaman
said while presenting Budget
2023 in parliament today
.
She also announced new
tax slabs and scrapped the
old twin-structure system
that was unboxed in 2020,
which taxed citizens under
25 per cent without exemp-
tions and 30 per cent with
exemptions allowed.
New Tax Regime to be
Default Regime: The new
tax regime will now be the
default tax regime, but citi-
zens can still avail of benefits
under the old tax regime on
an opt-out basis.
Rebate Increased: The
finance minister has pro-
posed in the Budget to in-
crease the tax rebate. There-
fore, the income rebate limit
has now been increased to `7
lakh from `5 lakh in the new
tax regime.
Faster Processing of
Tax Returns: The average
processing time for income
tax returns has been re-
duced from 93 days to 16
days.
Common IT Return
Forms: The government
seeks to roll out next-gen
common Income Tax Return
forms and strengthen griev-
ance redressal mechanisms
for taxpayers to help them
resolve issues of income tax
payments.
In a relief to taxpayers, the FM proposed to change tax structure in new personal income tax regime
TAXATION
F
Chief Economic Adviser Venkatramanan Anantha Nageswaran interacts with Finance Secretary TV Somanathan and
share a lighter moment after FinMin’s Budget Speech of 2023 at the Parliament House in New Delhi on Wednesday.
SIMPLIFIED INCOME TAX
REGIME FOR PEOPLE
 The collection through per-
sonal income tax is estimated
at `8.15 lakh crore for fiscal
year 2022-23 and are projected
to rise by 10.4% next year and
reach `9 lakh crore
 The fiscal deficit target of
6.4% will be retained in the
revised estimate for the cur-
rent fiscal. For the next fiscal
2023-2024, it will be cut down
to 5.9% of the GDP
 A system of ‘Unified Filing
Process’ will be set-up to
streamline the current process
of duplication for multiple de-
partments for ease of business
First India Bureau
New Delhi: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on Wednes-
day hailed the “first budget
of Amrit Kaal” and said that
it would lay a strong founda-
tion for building a developed
India.
The Prime Minister said
that the budget gives priority
to the deprived and will ful-
fill the dreams of the aspira-
tional society, the farmers
and middle class. “The first
budget of Amrit Kaal will
build a strong foundation for
building a developed India. It
gives priority to the de-
prived. This budget will fulfil
the dreams of an aspiration-
al society including poor
people, middle-class people,
and farmers. I congratulate
Nirmala Sitharaman and his
team for this historic budg-
et,” PM Narendra Modi said
in a televised address.
Strong foundation for building
developed India, says PM Modi
VISHVAKARMA KAUSHAL
SAMMAN
Noting that PM Vishvakarma
Kaushal Samman will bring
a huge change in the lives of
‘Vishvakarmas’, the Prime
Minister said that for the first
time schemes relating to their
support has been incorporated
into the budget.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
addressing after tabling the
Union Budget 2023-24 via video
conferencing on Wednesday.
STEPS TAKEN FOR WOMEN
IN RURAL, URBAN EASY: PM
The govt has taken several
steps to make the lives of
women, in rural and urban
areas, easy. Women’s self-help
groups will further enhance
them. Special savings scheme
will be started empowering
women in households, said
PM Modi. “This year’s Budget
infuses new energy to India’s
devp trajectory”, he added.
INDIRECT TAXES DIRECT TAXES
l Tax exemption on
Capital Goods and lithium
Batteries for Electric vehicles
l GST EXEMPTION ON
BLENDED CNG
l Custom Duty reduced
from 21% to 13%
l MOBILES CAMERAS
LENSES TO GET CHEAPER
l Gold Silver Diamonds
to get expensive
l CLOTHES TO BECOME
MORE EXPENSIVE
l Customs duty on parts of
open cells of TV panels cut
l MSME with turnover upto
2cr and 50 lakhs can avail
presumptive taxation
l TAX RELIEF TO 3.7 LAKHS
FOR CUSTOMERS WHOSE
CASH RECEIPTS IS 5%
l New IT return form for
easing Filing returns
l HIGHER TDS LIMIT OF
3CR FOR COOPERATIVES
l Lower Taxes on Higher
Digital Payments
l 100 JOINT COMMISIONER TO
DISPOSE SMALL TAX DISPUTES
l TDS cut on EPF withdrawal

JAIPUR | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023 03

 Increase in government capex on infrastructure to Rs 10 lakh
crore, increase of 33% compared to last year
 To allocate Rs 15,000 crore over three years under Schedule
Tribe Mission towards safe housing and infrastructure devel-
opment towards Road
 Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) will be estab-
lished through use of priority sector lending shortfall
 States and cities encouraged to undertake urban planning
reforms and actions to transform cities into ‘sustainable cit-
ies of tomorrow’
 Union Agriculture Minister Tomar said
that the total budget of the Ministry
of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare,
including Agricultural Education and
Research, is about Rs 1.25 lakh crore
this time
 Rs 60,000 crore has been made for
the the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sam-
man Nidhi (PM-Kisan)
 Focusing on Animal Husbandry, Dairy
and Fisheries, the agricultural loan
target has been increased to Rs 20
lakh crore
 A new sub-scheme of Pradhan Mantri
Matsya Sampada Yojana will be
launched with a targeted investment
of Rs 6,000 crore to further enable
activities of fishermen, fish vendors,
and micro and small enterprises,
improve value chain efficiencies, and
expand the market
 Agriculture Accelerator Fund will be
set-up to bring affordable solutions
for challenges faced by farmers
 Government to implement a plan to
set up decentralised storage capacity
so farmers can store produce
 One crore farmers to be supported
to adopt natural farming, for this,
10,000 bio input resource centres
& network for distributing micro
fertiliser and pesticide manufacturing
to be set up
 The Ministry of External Affairs
(MEA) has been allocated a total of
Rs 18,050 crore in the Union Budget
for 2023-24 which is an increase of
around 4.64 per cent over last year’s
allocation of Rs 17,250 crore
 India has allocated Rs 990 crore for
the G20 presidency while retain-
ing an outlay of Rs 100 crore for
Iran’s Chabahar port, signalling the
importance of the facility in regional
connectivity efforts
 The GoI has allocated Rs 2,400 crore
for Bhutan, Rs 400 crore to the Mal-
dives, Rs 200 crore for Afghanistan
 A specific allocation of Rs 1,002.78
crore was made for commitments
towards issuing e-passports and
implementing the Passport Sewa
Project V2.0 to usher in technological
upgrades in passport services
HIGHLIGHTS
 Despite the demand under MGNRE-
GA reaching near pre pandemic levels
in the Union Budget 2023 the allocation
has been cut to Rs 60,000 crore, the
lowest in past four years. In 2022-23,
the govt had allocated Rs 73,000 crore
for MGNREGS in the Budget, while the
expenditure as per the revised esti-
mates was Rs 89,400 crore
 The Rural Development Ministry
has been allocated Rs 1,57,545 crore
in the Union Budget for 2023-24,
around 13 per cent less than the
estimated expenditure made by the
ministry in the current fiscal
 To end manual scavenging, Fi-
nance Minister informed that all cities
and towns will be enabled for 100%
mechanical de-sludging of septics
tanks and sewers to transition from
manhole to machine hole mode
 Civil aviation ministry gets Rs
3,113.36 cr allocation in Union Budget
 Rs 19,518 cr allocated to metro
projects across India in Budget
2023-24
 Budget allocation for Minority Af-
fairs Ministry reduced by over 38 per
cent to Rs 3097.60 for FY 2023-24
 The Centre allocated Rs 3079.40 to
the Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change as part of the
Union Budget 2023
 To tackle the issues at hand such
as pollution, the Centre has allocated
Rs 948 crore
 The allocation for the National
Mission for Green India reduced from
last year’s Rs 361.69 crore to Rs 220
crore in this year’s Budget
 Finance Minister provided an outlay
of Rs 35,000 crore to achieve energy
transition and net zero objectives
New Delhi (PTI):
Whether it was just a
slip of tongue or a
tongue-in-cheek swipe
at opposition parties,
Finance Minister Nir-
mala Sitharaman’s
mention of replacing
“old political” before
correcting it with “old
polluting vehicles”
triggered moments of
mirth all round dur-
ing her budget speech
in Lok Sabha on
Wednesday.
Speaking on the ve-
hicle replacement
measures to curb pol-
lution, she said, “Vehi-
cle replacement is an
important continuing
policy. Replacing the
old political...” Treas-
ury benches had a good
laugh as the slip, delib-
erate or not, appeared
to be aimed at the Op-
position Congress, In-
dia’s oldest political
party which has been
replaced by the BJP as
the country’s most
powerful party
.
New Delhi: The Union
Budget presented in Par-
liament by Finance Min-
ister Nirmala Sithara-
man on Wednesday allo-
cated Rs 5.94 lakh crore
for the Defence Ministry,
a 13% increase year-on-
year from last year’s
budget estimates.
Capital expenditure for
military modernisation
also saw a 6.7% rise by Rs
10,230 crore year-on-year
to Rs 1.62 lakh crore.
There was also a major
hike in the allocation for
defence pensions on ac-
count of the revision of
the One Rank One Pen-
sion (OROP) scheme.
The overall revised es-
timates for 2022-23 for de-
fence stood at Rs 5.85 lakh
crore and this year’s allo-
cation represents a 1.5%
increase. Of this year’s
defence budget, Rs 2.7
lakh crore is for revenue
expenditure, Rs 1.38 lakh
crore for pensions and Rs
22,612 crore for defence
(civil).
Of the Rs 1.62 lakh
crore set aside for capi-
tal expenditure, a 6.7%
increase year-on-year,
Rs 37,242 crore has been
earmarked for the Army,
Rs 52,804 crore for the
Navy and Rs 57,137 crore
for the Indian Air Force
(IAF). This represents a
year-on-year increase of
16.32% for the Army,
10.96% for the Navy and
2.79% for the IAF. Budg-
et documents show that
the Defence Ministry
has returned about Rs
2,370 crore from the cap-
ital component, a major
part accounted for by
the IAF, which has un-
spent funds of Rs 1,837
crore.
The revised esti-
mates of 2022-23 for
pensions shot up by
Rs 33,719 crore to Rs
1,53,415 crore follow-
ing the Union Cabi-
net’s approval for
the revision of the
OROP scheme last
December, which
was pending since
July 2019. The revi-
sion will benefit
more than 25.13 lakh
veterans and family
pensioners, including
over 4.52 lakh new ben-
eficiaries.
Capex for defence re-
ceived a nominal 7% in-
crease compared with the
33% rise in the country’s
overall capital expendi-
ture commitment, accord-
ing to Gaurav Mehndirat-
ta, partner and head,
Aerospace and Defence,
KPMG in India. “We be-
lieve the capex allocation
misses a commensurate
reflection of the govern-
ment’s impetus on de-
fence manufacturing,” he
said.
10.96% for the Navy and
2.79% for the IAF. Budg-
et documents show that
the Defence Ministry
has returned about Rs
2,370 crore from the cap-
ital component, a major
part accounted for by
the IAF, which has un-
spent funds of Rs 1,837
The revised esti-
pensioners, including
over 4.52 lakh new ben-
Capex for defence re-
ceived a nominal 7% in-
crease compared with the
33% rise in the country’s
overall capital expendi-
ture commitment, accord-
ing to Gaurav Mehndirat-
ta, partner and head,
Aerospace and Defence,
KPMG in India. “We be-
lieve the capex allocation
misses a commensurate
reflection of the govern-
ment’s impetus on de-
fence manufacturing,” he
DEFENCE BUDGET
ESTIMATES (2023-24)
5.93 2.7
lakh crore total
allocation
lakh crore
capital
expenditure
lakh crore rev-
enue allocation
lakh crore
Pension
1.62
22,612
crore civil
1.38
 In her Budget speech, Sitharaman said:
A capital outlay of Rs 2.40 lakh crore
has been provided for the Railways. This
highest ever outlay is about nine times
the outlay made in 2013-14.
 At least 100 critical transport infrastruc-
ture projects for last and first mile con-
nectivity have also been identified and
will be taken up on priority for steel,
coal, fertiliser and foodgrain sectors with
investment of Rs 75,000 crore, including
Rs 15,000 crore from private sources
 Makeover of 1,275 railway stations
across the country under the Amrit
Bharat scheme
 Some of the major station under the
redevelopment stage are – New Delhi,
CSMT, Puri etc.
 In MoRTH was al-
located Rs 2.70 lakh
crore. In the last
Budget, 2022-23,
MoRTH was allocat-
ed Rs 1.99 lakh crore
 For Roads, the Budg-
et allocation has
increased about 35%
from the previous
year
 Out of the total Rs 2.7 lakh
crore, the NHAI has been allo-
cated around Rs 1.62 lakh crore
as part of MoRTH’s capital
expenditure plan for 2023-24
 The higher budgetary alloca-
tions are necessary to help
MoRTH meet the target of
25,000 km target announced
by the government in the
2022-2023 budget
MORE HIGHWAYS AND EXPRESSWAYS, VANDE BHARAT TRAINS, RAPID LAYING OUT OF 5G INFRASTRUCTURE AND SHORING UP INDIA’S DEFENCES – THIS IS THE TOP PRIORITY OF THE NARENDRA MODI-LED GOVERNMENT
IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR WITH JUST FOUR MINISTRIES OR DEPARTMENTS ACCOUNTING FOR NEARLY 73 PER CENT OF THE MASSIVE `10 LAKH CRORE CAPEX BUDGET IN 2023-24
DEFENCE, ROAD, RLYS & INFRA
4-5
INDIA FLEXES MUSCLES, MARCHES FORWARD
Overall, the Modi gov-
ernment has made life
difficult for the people.
The country’s economy
has been deeply hurt.
The Modi government
has done nothing except
loot the country’s wealth.
This budget will be called
‘Naam Bade Aur Darshan
Chhote Budget’ (big on
announcements and short
on delivery).
—Mallikarjun Kharge,
Congress president
This budget is for eve-
ryone’s support, every-
one’s development and
everyone’s effort.’ Finance
Minister has presented
such a budget that every
section will feel empow-
ered. India is on the path
of economic development
based on self-reliance.
—GS Shekhawat,
Union Minister
No indirect taxes have
been reduced. There is
no cut in the cruel and
irrational GST rates. There
is no reduction in the
prices of petrol, diesel,
cement, fertilizers etc.
There is no cut in the
numerous surcharges and
cesses which are, anyway,
not shared with the state
governments.
—P Chidambaram,
Former Union FinMin
The budget presented by
Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman is ‘Sarvajan
Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhay,’
which is a historic step for
the country towards in-
clusive development. This
budget will take India fast
forward in the direction of
green growth. The budget
is entirely dedicated to
the prosperity of all sec-
tions including farmers,
women, job-professionals,
businessmen and youth.
—Vasundhara Raje,
Former CM
This Union Budget is not
futuristic, totally oppor-
tunistic, anti-people and
anti-poor. It will benefit
only one class of people.
This Budget will not help
address the country’s
unemployment issue. It
has been prepared with
an eye on the 2024 Lok
Sabha elections.
—Mamata Banerjee,
West Bengal CM
The budget presented by
#NirmalaSitharaman failed
to address the issues of
the middle class, lower
middle class & shopkeep-
ers. Increasing tax slab is
only beneficial for those
who are making that
much money but what has
the govt done to assist
people in increasing their
income?
—SS Randhawa, Raj
Cong In-charge
Step-motherly treatment
again with the people of
Delhi. The people of Delhi
paid more than Rs 1.75
lakh crore income tax last
year. Out of that only Rs
325 crore was given for
the development of Delhi.
This is a gross injustice to
the people of Delhi.
—Arvind Kejriwal,
Delhi Chief Minister
The budget of the central
government is not a budget
to provide relief to the
common citizen, every sec-
tion has been disappointed.
There is no concrete action
plan in the budget to
reduce rising inflation and
unemployment.
—Sachin Pilot,
Senior Cong Leader
Instead gave more
concessions to the rich
and even reduced the
highest tax bracket. The
finance minister herself
announced that these tax
concessions amount to
losses of Rs 35,000 crore
in terms of revenue collec-
tions for the coming year.
So this way the economy
is contracting.
—Sitaram Yechury,
CPI(M) General Secretary
This year we are grow-
ing at 7%, next year we
are projected to grow at
6.5%. This is because of
the global slowdown. It is
obvious that we too would
be affected by that. Our
growth rate is projected
to slow down by 0.5% but
elsewhere it is shrinking
by two to 3%.
—Jayant Sinha, former
Union Minister
 The Modi government on Wednesday allocated Rs 1.96 lakh
crore to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) with a major-
ity of the spending on Central Armed Police Forces such as
CRPF and intelligence gathering
 Rs 1,27,756.74 crore has been allocated to the Central
Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Central Reserve Police Force
(CRPF) Rs 31,772.23 crore, Border Security Force (BSF) Rs
24,771.28 crore, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Rs
13,214.68 crore, Shashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Rs 8,329.10
crore
 The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which guards the
Sino-Indian border, got Rs 8,096.89 crore in comparison to
Rs 7,626.38 crore given in the current fisca, Assam Rifles Rs
7,052.46 crore, National Security Guard (NSG) Rs 1,286.54
crore, Intelligence Bureau Rs 3,418.32 crore, Special Protection
Group (SPG) Rs 433.59 crore, Delhi Police Rs 11,662.03 crore
Capital expenditure for military modernisation
also saw a 6.7% rise by `10,230 crore
year-on-year to `1.62 lakh crore
FinMin’s FAUX PAS
RAILWAY MINISTRY
ROAD MINISTRY
INFRASTRUCTURE
AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
HOME MINISTRY
COSTLIER
 Taxes on cigarettes hiked by 16%
 Basic import duty on com-
pounded rubber increased to
25% from 10%
 Basic customs duty hiked on
articles made from gold bars
 Customs duty on kitchen electric
chimney increased to 15% from
7.5%
CHEAPER
 Customs duty on parts of open
cells of TV panels cut to 2.5%
 Govt proposes to reduce
customs duty on the import of
certain inputs for mobile phone
manufacturing
 Govt to reduce basic customs
duty on seeds used in manufac-
turing of lab-grown diamonds
 Govt to reduce customs duty on
shrimp feed to promote exports
PRICES UP & DOWN
New Delhi (PTI): The government
plans to borrow a record Rs 15.4 lakh
crore from dated securities in FY24 to
meet its expenditure requirement to
prop up the economy
.
This is higher than the total borrow-
ing of Rs 14.21 lakh crore for the cur-
rent financial year ending March 31,
2023.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sithara-
man while presenting the Budget on
February 1 said the net market borrow-
ings from dated securities are estimat-
ed at Rs 11.8 lakh crore to finance the
fiscal deficit in 2023-24.
“The balance financing is expected
to come from small savings and other
sources. The gross market borrowings
are estimated at Rs 15.4 lakh crore,” she
said.
The government has raised Rs 12.93
lakh crore till January 27, which is 91%
of the overall borrowing target of Rs
14.21 lakh crore estimated for 2022-23.
The indebtedness of the Centre and
State governments together is equal to
83% of the annual gross domestic prod-
uct (GDP).
The Finance Minister retained the
fiscal deficit target at 6.4% despite an
increase in the subsidy bill.
“Coming to 2023-24, the total receipts
other than borrowings and the total
expenditure are estimated at Rs 27.2
lakh crore and Rs 45 lakh crore, respec-
tively
. The net tax receipts are estimat-
ed at Rs 23.3 lakh crore,” she said.
She pegged the fiscal deficit at 5.9%
of GDP for FY24.
“In my Budget Speech for 2021-22, I
had announced that we plan to contin-
ue the path of fiscal consolidation,
reaching a fiscal deficit below 4.5% by
2025-26 with a fairly steady decline over
the period. We have adhered to this
path, and I reiterate my intention to
bring the fiscal deficit below 4.5% of
GDP by 2025-26,” she said.
Ms. Sitharaman had pegged gross
market borrowing through dated secu-
rities for 2022-23 at Rs 14,95,000 crore.
However, the government in Septem-
ber 2022 decided to cut the gross bor-
rowing to Rs 14.21 lakh crore during
FY23. The gross borrowing for 2021-22
was Rs 12,05,500 crore.
GOVERNMENT TO BORROW RECORD `15.4L
CRORE IN FY24 TO BRIDGE REVENUE GAP

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ver since the very inception
of budget in 1860s it has
shown a transformation
from briefcase to bahi kha-
ta, then to tablet for now.
The very first budget of
“Amrit Kaal” as enunciated
by Finance Minister,was an
excellent opportunity for
the nation to demonstrate
how its tax policy measures
align with its growth and
investment goals while pre-
venting needless conflicts
from arising on its path to
becoming the third largest
economy by the turn of the
decade. Following seven pri-
orities, which complement
each other and act as the
Saptarishi in guiding us
through the ‘Amrit Kaal’
are: inclusive development,
infrastructure and invest-
ment,reachingthelastmile,
unleashing the potential,
green growth, youth power,
financial sector. The big pic-
ture of the Budget is its fo-
cusongrowththroughhigh-
er productive capital spend-
ing, and simultaneously
sticking to fiscal prudence.
Prior to the general elec-
tions in 2024, the Union Fi-
nance Minister, Nirmala
Sitharaman, unveiled a sig-
nificant budget that fea-
tured significant invest-
ments in infrastructure
and agricultural sectors as
well as redesigned tax
brackets that provided sig-
nificant relief to middle
class. The Union Budget
2023-24 can be summarized
in the following big takea-
ways as mentioned:
PUSH FOR GREEN
GROWTH- REDUCING
GREEN INFLATION
Green inflation is the accel-
eration of consumer prices
triggered by the increase in
the price of products linked
to the transition to a carbon-
free economy, both those to
bediscontinuedandthoseto
be enhanced. With regard to
green product prices, such
as commodities used inten-
sively by renewable ener-
gies (copper, lithium), price
increases are also to be ex-
pected given the slow re-
sponse of production to the
increase in demand.
With a budget of Rs 19,700
crores, the recently estab-
lished National Green Hy-
drogen Mission would help
India shift to a low carbon
economy, and establish the
nation as a market and tech-
nological leader in this
emerging industry
.
RAISING CAPEX
The amount spent on capi-
tal projects has steadily in-
creased over the past three
years, rising from Rs 4.39
lakh crore in 2020–21 to Rs
5.4 lakh crore in 2021–22, Rs
7.5 lakh crore in the current
fiscal year (202–23), and Rs
10 lakh crore in the follow-
ing fiscal year. The expect-
ed capital expenditure for
2022–2023 is 33% lower than
the expenditure for the fol-
lowing year.
NEW TAX REGIME
New Personal Income Tax
regime is now the default:
The Budget choice that will
likely garner the greatest
attention is this one. Indi-
ans who make a living on a
salary anticipated some tax
relief. Although it was in-
troduced last year and not
many people took use of it,
the FM appears to have in-
cluded it under the so-called
new personal income tax
structure. The public is like-
ly to support this action
since it will provide relief
for the salaried class. The
government hopes that this
will help to boost the econo-
my by putting more money
in the hands of taxpayers.
By exempting income up
to Rs 7 lakh from tax, Si-
tharaman has put more
money in the hands of
many young) entrants to
the job market. Now, those
earning up to Rs 7 lakh
(monthly income of just un-
der Rs 60,000) will not pay
any tax. Also, those who
have retired – government
employees and even private
sector – which is an increas-
ing number today, will not
have to pay tax if their pen-
sion is less than Rs 60,000.
FISCAL PRUDENCE
The fiscal deficit, or the dif-
ference between expendi-
tures and revenues, is the
figure that matters the
most in the budget and is
closely monitored by all
FIIs and foreign investors.
In addition to estimating
the budget deficit for 2023–
24 at 5.9% (less than 6%; a
decrease of 0.5 percentage
points from the deficit fore-
cast for 2022–23), she noted
that the budget has fallen
short of the objective this
year, which was 6.4% of the
GDP. Interest rates are low-
er when the government
borrows less money. This
will have a salutary impact
on the broader economy as
it suggests that money will
be available for private en-
trepreneurs to borrow.
CONCLUDING REMARK
India Budget 2023 has of-
fered a multi-dimensional
view. The 3 Cs which stand
out are — capex increase,
consumption boost, capital
gains tax status quo. Mind-
ful of the fact that there is
hardly any space for fiscal
expansion, FY24 fiscal defi-
cit is pegged at 5.9 % and
expected to see progressive
reduction by FY 2026. Budg-
et 2023 also aimed at the eco-
nomic empowerment of
women and job generation
for youth. Under PM Vish-
wakarmaKaushalSamman,
traditional artisans, for the
first time, will get a package
of assistance which will fo-
cus on bettering the quality
,
scale and reach of their
products. There is no pop-
ulism in Union Budget for
2023-24, Finance Min Nir-
mala Sitharaman’s fifth in a
row,noforeshadowof 2024LS
polls – or its imperatives for
a party working for a third
term. If at all, this Budget
clearly points to continuity
to government’s economic
strategy
. It is bold, and in-
novative too with the hope
that good economics isn’t
necessarily bad politics.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY
THE AUTHORS ARE PERSONAL
PROF ND MATHUR
The writer is Dean, Jaipur School of
Economics, JECRC University
SUMANT KAUSHIK
The writer is Assistant Professor, Jaipur
School of Economics, JECRC University
PERSPECTIVE
06
This year’s
Budget provides
an unprecedented
impetus to:
Sustainable
Future, Green
Growth, Green
Economy, Green
Infrastructure,
Green Jobs.
Bhupender Yadav
@byadavbjp
Unprecedented -
allocation to
create paperless
courts for faster
delivery of
justice. I thank
PM @
Narendramodi ji
and FM @
NSitharaman ji
for timely
announcing
critical eCourts
Phase-III Project
with an outlay of
Rs 7000 Cr in
Budget for
2023-24.
Kiren Rijiju
@KirenRijiju E
SAPTRISHIS TO GUIDE INDIA’S GROWTH
SABKA SAATH SABKA VIKAS
MAPPING PRIORITIES FOR AMRIT KAAL:
A ROADMAP TO 3RD
LARGEST ECONOMY
Under PM Vishwakarma Kaushal
Samman, traditional artisans, for
the first time, will get a package of
assistance which will focus on
bettering the quality, scale and
reach of their products. The
package will include financial
support, skill training, digital,
green techniques, brand
promotion, digital payment,
social security etc. There is no
populism in Union Budget for
2023-24, Finance Min Nirmala
Sitharaman’s fifth in a row
Don’t you know
that you
yourselves are
God’s temple and
that God’s Spirit
dwells in your
midst?
—Bible
SPIRITUAL
SPEAK
Vol 4 Issue No. 237 RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Press, D.B. Corp Limited, Shivdaspura, Tonk Road, Jaipur.
Published at 304, 3rd Floor, City Mall, Bhagwan Das Road, C-Scheme, Jaipur-302001, Rajasthan. Phone 0141-4920504. Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act
aptrishis, the
seven ascetics
extolled by the
Vedas, were in-
voked in Union
Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman’s Budget for Fi-
nancial Year 2023-24. A con-
stellation is named after
them. What do the mytho-
logical holy men have to do
with the Union Budget? As
the Finance Minister ex-
plained they form the gov-
ernment’s seven priorities-
--inclusive development,
last mile growth, green
growth, infrastructure and
investment, unleashing the
potential, youth power, fi-
nancial sector---in the Am-
rit Kaal.
Inclusive growth carries
forward the government’s
agenda of ‘Sabka saath,
sabka vikas’ for the welfare
of Divyangjan (physically
challenged), financially
weaker sections, farmers, O
BCs, SCs STs. The Fi-
nance Minister outlined in
her Budget speech a wide
range of schemes for the
benefit of agriculturists.
Also included for inclusive
development are the health
and education sectors, both
important components re-
quiring focus especially in
the context of farmers and
weaker sections of the soci-
ety
. Sitharaman announced
four schemes for reaching
the last mile.
In the case of infrastruc-
ture and investment the
government announced an
increase of 33.4% in capital
outlay, increasing the Rail-
ways capital outlay by Rs
2.4 lakh cr, creation of a
fund for development of
modern infrastructure in
Tier 2 and 3 cities and other
schemes.
To unleash potential 3
artificial intelligence cen-
tres in educational insti-
tutes, a national data gov-
ernance policy, making
contract execution for MS-
MEs less strict, etc. have
been planned. Ambitious
schemes are on the anvil for
other priority sectors. The
Budget is a clear roadmap
to make India outshine oth-
er countries.
S
As the Finance Minister
explained they form the
government’s seven
priorities—inclusive
development, last mile
growth, green growth,
infrastructure and
investment, unleashing
the potential, youth
power, financial sector—
in the Amrit Kaal

150%
HIKE
in outlay of
Swachh Bharat
Mission-Urban
l In a major boost
to the Swachh Bharat
Mission (Urban), the
Centre on Wednesday
announced a 150-per
cent hike in the outlay
of its flagship scheme
with an allocation of
`5,000 crore in the
Union Budget 2023-24.
l However, there has
been a nine-per cent
decrease, with an al-
location of `2,132 crore,
for the construction of
non-residential office
buildings, including the
Central Vista project,
Parliament and Supreme
Court, as compared to
the revised estimates of
`2,344.08 crore in the
last fiscal.
50%
RISE
in National
Ayush Mission
Focus on integrating
Ayush system in
National Health eco-
system had got a boost
in the Budget 2023-24
presented by Finance
Minister Nirmala Sithar-
aman. The total alloca-
tion of budget to Ayush
Ministry has increased
by 20 percent to `3,647
crores. The budget has
also emphasized on
promoting evidence-
based research in Ayush
systems through Ayush
research councils.
Budget allocation to
centrally sponsored
National Ayush Mission
(NAM) has got 50
percent increase in allo-
cation from `800 cores
to `1,200 crores.
Union Budget
brings cheers to
the automobile
industry as it will
positively give
push to sales
The budget
has laid special
emphasis on the
Vehicle Scrappage
Policy which will
not only boost the
sales but will also
enable in achieving
clean and green
environment for
overall sustainable
development.
Venkatram
Mamillapalle,
Renault India
CEO MD
`700 CRORE PLUS BOOST
FOR SPORTS MINISTRY
n a year when the In-
dian athletes will
compete at the Asian
Games and prepare
for 2024 Paris Olym-
pics, the Sports Ministry has
got a fillip with the govern-
ment allocating Rs 3,397.32
crore, an increase of Rs
723.97 crore, in the Union
Budget here on Wednesday
.
One of the reasons for the
reduced revised allocation
for 2022-23 could be the post-
ponement of the Hangzhou
Asian Games, which will be
held this year.
Theministry’sflagshippro-
gramme, ‘Khelo India — Na-
tional Programme for Devel-
opment of Sports’ continues
to be the govt’s priority, with
it being allotted Rs 1,045 crore
as against the revised alloca-
tionof Rs606croreduringthe
previous financial year.
SPORTS
I
The Union Budget 2023 has allocated a whopping `88,956 crore to health expenditure, a `2,350 crore hike of 2.71% from `86,606 crore
in FY23. Dwelling on the subject of Pharma Innovation, Government will encourage industry to invest in RD through centers of excellence.
National Digital Library for Children and Adolescents will be set-up for facilitating availability of quality books across the nation
HEALTHEDU
07
Office of
Mr. Anurag Thakur
@Anurag_Office
157 new nursing col-
leges will be set up in
Sahasthan along with
the existing 157 medical
colleges established
since 2014. A mis-
sion will be launched
to eliminate sickle cell
anemia by 2047 through
awareness generation
and universal screen-
ing of 7 crore people in
affected tribal areas.
Smriti Z Irani
@smritiirani
Congratulations to PM
@narendramodi Ji
FM @nsitharaman Ji
for a truly #AmritKaal-
Budget epitomising
inclusive development
reinforcing economic
fundamentals. Empha-
sis given to infra, tech,
green energy other
areas will institutionalise
India’s growth for a
stronger tomorrow.
Dharmendra Pradhan
@dpradhanbjp
#AmritKaalBudget paves
the way to transform
India into a knowledge-
based economy.
Highest-ever allocation
of `1,12,899.47 crore
for the education sec-
tor. Total allocation of
`1,16,417.08 crore for
the education and skill
development sector in
#AmritKaalBudget.
hebudgetallocatedto
theWomenandChild
Development Minis-
try
, the nodal depart-
ment of the govern-
mentforthewelfareof women
and children, stood at Rs
25,448.75 crore in 2023-24, an
increase of Rs 267 crore from
Rs 25,172.28 crore allotted in
2022-23. The most significant
announcement for women in
Finance Minister Nirmala Si-
tharaman’s Budget speech
was the proposal for the ‘Ma-
hila Samman Saving Certifi-
cate’ with a fixed interest rate
of 7.5 per cent for two years.
The deposit can be made
in the name of a woman or a
girl child. The maximum de-
posit amount has been kept
at `2 lakh and the scheme
will have a partial withdraw-
al facility as well.
For the ministry, the larg-
est allocation has been for the
Saksham Anganwadi and
POSHAN 2.0 (Umbrella ICDS
- Anganwadi Services,
Poshan Abhiyan, Scheme for
AdolescentGirls)of `20,554.31
crore. Mission VATSALYA
(Child Protection Services
and Child Welfare Services)
has been allotted `1,472 crore
and allocation for Mission
Shakti (Mission for Protec-
tion and Empowerment for
Women) is `3,143 crore in
2023-24, a dip from `3,184
crore in 2022-23.
Marginal rise for WCD Ministry,
new savings scheme for women
WOMEN FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
AUTONOMOUS BODIES
GETS RAISE IN BUDGET
The budget allocation for autono-
mous bodies is Rs 168 crore, a
marginal increase from Rs 162
crore in the earlier budget. These
autonomous bodies include -
Central Adoption Resource Agency
(CARA), National Commission
for Protection of Child Rights
(NCPCR) and National Commission
for Women.
AboosterdoseforYouth,WomenSports
People watch a live telecast of Union Budget 2023-24 presentation at an electronic showroom, in Kolkata on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY ANI
To give impetus to the youth
and help the ‘Amrit Peedhi’
realise their dreams, Finance
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
on Wednesday said that the
government has formulated
the National Education
Policy, focused on skilling,
adopted economic policies
that facilitate job creation at
scale and support business
opportunities.
 Setting Up Of Unity
Malls In State Capitals ,
For promotion and sale of
ODOPs (One District,
One Product), GI and
handicraft products
 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal
Vikas Yojana 4.0 will be
launched to skill lakhs of
youth within the next 3 years
 The scheme will also
cover new age courses for
Industry 4.0 like coding, AI,
robotics, IOT, 3D printing,
drones, and soft skills
30 SKILL
India International Centres
will be set up across different
states to skill youth for
international opportunities
47 LAKH
youth to get stipend support
in three years through direct
benefit transfer under the
National Apprenticeship
Promotion Scheme
KEEPING A KEEN EYE
T
SKILL DEVP FOR ‘AMRIT PEEDHI’
uring the delivery of
the Union Budget
2023 speech, Finance
Minister Nirmala Si-
tharaman stated that
the govt will establish 157
new nursing colleges, while
talking about budget alloca-
tion in the sector of health
and education. “157 new
nursing colleges will be es-
tablished in co-locations with
the existing 157 medical col-
leges established since 2014,”
she added.
The Finance Minister also
said, “Facilities in select In-
dian Council of Medical Re-
search (ICMR) labs will be
made available for research
by public and private medical
colleges.” She has also made
the announcement of a new
research scheme for research
in the Pharma sector.
FM has given a massive
push to millets, the coarse
grain already being recom-
mended by doctors as having
the capability of reducing the
burden of diabetes in a coun-
try
. This is the first time that
nutrition gets a big push with
a special programme called
the PM Programme for Resto-
ration Awareness Nourish-
ment and Amelioration of
Mother Earth (PM-Pranam).
The govt also announced
an Aspirational Blocks Pro-
gramme, covering 500 blocks
for saturation of essential
govt services across multiple
domains such as health, nu-
trition, education, agricul-
ture, water resources, and
skill development.
However, the budget for the
National Health Mission has
been cut down to Rs 36,785
crore this year from Rs 37,165
crore in 2022-’23.
157 nursing colleges to be set up
The Centre will recruit 38,800 teachers and support staff for 740 EkLavya Schools serving 3.5L tribal students
HEALTH EDUCATION
D
EDUCATION MINISTRY
GETS `1.12 LAKH
CRORE, HIGHEST EVER
ALLOCATION
As per budget documents, cetre’s allocation for the Ministry of Educa-
tion for the next financial year is `1,12,898.97 crore. Notably, this is
the highest allocation granted to the ministry ever. School Education De-
partment’s outlay stands at `68,804.85 crore, while the Higher Education
Department has been allocated `44,094.62 crore.
WHAT HAS BEEN
ANNOUNCED FOR
HEALTH, EDUCATION
 The ICMR Labs will be made
available for research by public
and pvt medical college faculty
 Centre will appoint over 38,000
teachers for 700 plus Ekalavya
model residential schools serving
3.5 lakh tribal students
 Teachers’ training to be
reenvisioned via innovation
 District Institutes of Education
and Training to be developed as
vibrant institutes of excellence
 National digital library to be
set up for children
 The government is aiming to
test seven crore people for sickle
cell disease in tribal belts, and
those who test positive will be
given a colour-coded card
 All cities and towns will be
enabled for 100% mechanical
desludging of septic tanks

INDIA
08
Promoted by
Shree Salasar Oversease Pvt. Ltd.
NEWS DIGEST
Washington (ANI):
The United States and
India on Tuesday for-
mally established a
high-level initiative on
critical and emerging
technologies or iCET.
India’s National Se-
curity Advisor Ajit Dov-
al had a ‘fruitful discus-
sion’ with his US coun-
terpart at the White
House. In the discus-
sions, there was a laser
focus on aligning Wash-
ington and New Delhi’s
strategic, commercial
and scientific approach-
es specifically in the
field of technology. Of-
ficials did announce
several concrete steps
that the initiative will
be taking forward from
the high-power meeting
in Washington.
Sullivan, in an inter-
view with reporters,
said that iCET would
‘serve both countries’
deeper strategic inter-
ests, according to The
Washington Post. iCET
has no explicit refer-
ence to China, but the
Biden administration
sees technology devel-
opment vis-a-vis China
as a zero-sum game that
the U.S. cannot lose
hence iCET could be an
important way for-
ward.
“The US-India de-
fence and artificial in-
telligence dialogue is a
multi-layered approach
and China is one of the
dimensions as it is a
major challenge to New
Delhi and the world,” a
senior administration
official told reporters.
Dehradun (ANI): The
killingsof formerPrime
Ministers Indira Gan-
dhi and Rajiv Gandhi
were not “martyrdom
but accidents”, Uttara-
khand Minister Ganesh
Joshi said, stoking a po-
litical controversy
.
The Minister said
that there is a “differ-
ence between accident
and martyrdom” and
what happened with the
two former prime min-
isters is betetr called an
“accident”. “If you look
at History
, there is a dif-
ference between acci-
dent and martyrdom.
Freedom fighters like
Chandra Shekhar Azad,
Ram Prasad Bismil and
others, who accepted
capital punishment but
did not accept the Brit-
ishers’ demands, were
martyrs. If there is
some bad incident with
someone, that is called
an accident,” said Joshi.
Former PM Indira
Gandhi was killed by
her 2 Sikh bodyguards
in 1984 as a revenge for
military operation to
flush out extremists
fromtheGoldenTemple.
Her son Rajiv Gan-
dhi, who was the prime
minister, was assassi-
nated by Tamil Tiger
rebels in 1991 during an
election campaigning.
“Indira and Rajiv Gandhi killings were accidents”
NEW CONTROVERSY
Former PM Indira Gandhi was killed by her two Sikh bodyguards
on October 31, 1984. Her son Rajiv Gandhi, who was the prime
minister, was assassinated by Tamil Tiger rebels on May 21, 1991.
Chinaamajorchallengetoworld:US
Multi-layered approach needed to strengthen our defense partnership, and China is one of the dimensions
as it is a major challenge to India and the world, a senior administration official in Washington told media
CONG FUMES OVER BJP’S ‘NOT MARTYRDOM’
REMARK FOR GANDHIS, DEMANDS APOLOGY
New Delhi (ANI): Former
Chief Minister of Uttarakhand
and Congress leader Harish
Rawat on Wednesday
slammed the BJP’s minister
Ganesh Joshi for his remarks
on the deaths of former Prime
Ministers, Indira Gandhi and
Rajiv Gandhi, demanding an
apology from the latter. “BJP
has gone mad, as no one has
the right to insult martyrdom,
to criticize the sacrifice. BJP
should apologize for this
statement made by their
minister,” Rawat said. Joshi
courted a political controversy
calling the killings of former
Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi
and Rajiv Gandhi “accidents,
not martyrdom”. The killings
of former Prime Ministers
Indira Gandhi and Rajiv
Gandhi were not “martyrdom
but accidents”, Joshi remained
firm over his statement while
talking to ANI. “Those who
do violence like PM Modi,
Amit Shah, Ajit Doval, and
RSS, cannot understand pain,
but we can. We should stand
against the ideology which
tries to demolish the base of
India,” he said.
Assembly polls: PM Modi,Shah,
Nadda attend BJP CEC meeting
New Delhi (ANI):
Prime Minister Naren-
dra Modi attended the
Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) Central Election
Committee (CEC) meet-
ing over the upcoming
Meghalaya and Naga-
landAssemblyelections.
The meeting at the
party headquarters in
Delhi was chaired by
BJP national president
JP Nadda. Union Home
Minister Amit Shah,
Defence Minister Ra-
jnath Singh and all the
members of the Central
Election Committee
were present at the
meeting. Voting for As-
sembly elections in Na-
galand and Meghalaya
will be held in a single
phase on February 27.
The results will be de-
clared on March 2. In
Meghalaya, BJP will
fight in all seats alone
this time while in Naga-
land, the party will con-
test the polls in alliance
with the Nationalist
Democratic Progres-
sive Party (NDPP).
Air Marshal AP Singh takes charge
as Vice Chief of Indian Air Force
Shah to visit WB in Feb
to boost party’s morale
New Delhi (ANI):
Aiming to strengthen
the Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) organisa-
tion in West Bengal,
Union Home Minister
Amit Shah will be vis-
iting the state in Feb-
ruary.
Incidentally, ahead
of the Lok Sabha elec-
tions in 2024, the cen-
tral leadership of the
Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) is constantly vis-
iting West Bengal to
strengthen its organi-
sation. BJP state presi-
dent Sukanta Majum-
dar informed ANI that
Amit Shah will visit
Bengal in February but
the date has not been
confirmed yet.
“We will finalise the
date of the Home Min-
ister’s visit on Febru-
ary 6. Although, there
is a possibility that he
will visit the state in
the second week of Feb-
ruary,” he said. The
party has also started
the Loksabha Pravas
Yojana, in view of the
Lok Sabha elections.
New Delhi: Air Mar-
shal AP Singh, who
has more than 5,000
hours of flying experi-
ence, assumed charge
as the new Vice Chief of
the Indian Air Force on
Wednesday
. He succeed-
ed Air Marshal Sandeep
Singh who retired on
Tuesday after more
than 39 years of service.
An alumnus of the
National Defence Acad-
emy, Defence Services
Staff College and Na-
tional Defence College,
the Air Marshal was
commissioned into the
fighter stream of the
IAF on Dec 1984. The
officer is a qualified fly-
ing instructor an ex-
perimental test pilot
with over 5,000 hours
of flying experience.
Anti-encroachmentdriveoninJK
Srinagar (PTI): Au-
thorities in Kashmir
launched a massive an-
ti-encroachment drive
here on Tuesday, bull-
dozing illegal struc-
tures to recover over 500
‘kanals’ of land from
influential people in-
cluding former minis-
ters and kin of an ex-
chief minister.
One acre is equal to
eight ‘kanals’. The re-
covered land includes
40 kanals allegedly oc-
cupied by the owners of
Hotel Nedou’s at MA
Road here, officials said
after the drive conduct-
ed by revenue depart-
ment in Srinagar and
Anantnag districts.
New Delhi: Kerala journal-
ist Siddique Kappan, held
on terror charges, will be
released today. A Special
court in Lucknow signed
his release order today --
over a month after he got
bail in the 2 cases against
him. His lawyer said the
formalities have all been
completed today, “but
the release order didn’t
reach jail in time. He’ll
walk out of jail tomorrow
before noon”. Kappan
was expected to walk out
last evening, but he could
not be released since the
judge of the Special Court
on Prevention of Money
Laundering was busy with
a bar council election.
New Delhi (PTI): The
Supreme Court on
Wednesday directed
WhatsApp to publicise
its undertaking given to
the Centre in 2021 that it
will not limit functionality
for users not agreeing to
its new privacy policy.A
five-judge Constitution
bench asked the mobile
messaging app to give
advertisement in five
newspapers to publicise its
undertaking given to the
government.“We record
that the stand taken in the
letter (to government) and
we record the submission
of the senior counsel for
WhatsApp that they will
abide by the terms of
letter…till next hearing.
KERALA JOURNO
KAPPAN TO BE
RELEASED TODAY
SC ASKS WHATSAPP
TO PUBLICISE
UNDERTAKING
SC SEEKS CENTRE’S
RESPONSE ON
CUSTODY MATTERS
COURTYARD
in
in
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval meets his American counterpart Jake Sullivan.
—PHOTO
BY
ANI
White House National Security Advisor to US President Joe Biden,
Jake Sullivan during the Round Table on Critical and Emerging
Technologies hosted by US-India Business Council, in Washington.
INDIA MADE
JET ENGINES
IN US PLAN
TO COUNTER
CHINA
Washington: The
US and India plan to
share advanced de-
fense and computing
technology, includ-
ing the potential
joint production of
General Electric Co.
jet engines, as the
Biden administra-
tion seeks to shift
New Delhi away
from Russia and
counter China. US
officials are evaluat-
ing a proposal from
GE to approve joint
production of jet
engines for Indian
warplanes. Sulli-
van and Ajit Doval
attended an event
with executives from
American and Indian
tech firms and uni-
versity presidents.
DOVAL DISCUSSES DEFENCE TIES WITH US
INDIA, US TIES TO TARGET CHINA’S AI,
MILITARY EQUIPMENT: WHITE HOUSE
Washington: The White
House is launching a
partnership with India that
President Joe Biden hopes
will help the countries
compete against China on
military equipment, semi-
conductors and artificial
intelligence (AI). Washing-
ton wants to deploy more
Western mobile phone
networks in the subcon-
tinent to counter China’s
Huawei Technologies Co
Ltd, to welcome more
Indian computer chip
specialists to the US and
to encourage companies
to collaborate on military
equipment like artillery
systems. Biden’s national
security adviser, Jake
Sullivan, and his Indian
counterpart, Ajit Doval,
are meeting with senior
officials from both coun-
tries at the White House
to launch the U.S.-India
Initiative on Critical and
Emerging Technologies.
New Delhi: Leaders of Delhi’s civic body will meet again on
February 6 to elect a mayor after two failed attempts last
month amid a tussle between the
Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP. Chief
Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi
Party, or AAP, has alleged the BJP is
trying to capture the Municipal Cor-
poration of Delhi by electing a BJP
leader to the mayor’s post, although the AAP won far more
seats than the BJP in the recent election to the civic body.
DELHI MAYOR ELECTION ON MONDAY, WAS
STALLED TWICE DUE TO AAP-BJP FIGHT
JHARKHAND CM
ANNOUNCES `4
LAKH AS EX-GRATIA
WHATSAPP BANS
36.77 LAKH
ACCOUNTS IN 2022
Ranchi (PTI): After PM
Narendra Modi had
announced an ex-gratia
of Rs 2 lakh each to the
kin of the deceased,
Jharkhand CM Hemant
Soren on Wednesday
announced Rs 4 lakh as
compensation to the next
of kin of those killed in
the Dhanbad fire tragedy.
14 were charred to death
after a major fire broke
out on the second floor
of ‘Ashirwad Tower’, a
multi-storied building in
the Joraphatak area.
New Delhi: WhatsApp
said it banned 36.77
lakh accounts in India in
November, marginally
lower than the number
of accounts it barred in
the preceding month
The banned WhatsApp
accounts include 13.89
lakh accounts which were
barred proactively before
being flagged by users.
In December, WhatsApp
banned 37.16 lakh
accounts, including 9.9
lakh accounts which were
barred proactively.
Srinagar (ANI): Major General Girish Kalia assumed charge
as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the elite Vajr
Division from Major General Abhijit S
Pendharkar, a Defence spokesperson
said. Major Gen Girish Kalia was
commissioned on 14 December 1991
from IMA, Dehradun into MADRAS
Regiment, a spokesperson said. An
alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, the
General Officer has attended all-important career courses at
Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Army War Col-
lege, Mhow National Defence College, New Delhi, he said.
MAJOR GEN GIRISH KALIA TAKES CHARGE
AS GOC OF ARMY’S VAJR DIVISION
AVALANCHE
KILLS TWO
FOREIGNERS
‘NATION’S SAFETY
CANNOT BE
OUTSOURCED’
Gill creates
history; breaks
Kohli’s records
Baramulla (ANI): Two for-
eign nationals were killed
in an avalanche in Jammu
and Kashmir’s Gulmarg,
police said on Wednesday.
During the rescue oera-
tions, 19 foreign nationals
and 2 local guides have
been rescued. Some
skiers were trapped in
the famous ski resort Gul-
marg after an avalanche
hit the Afarwat peak in the
region, Baramulla Police
said and added that three
teams comprising twenty-
one Foreign nationals and
two local guides went to
Affarwat Gulmarg for ski-
ing on Wednesday.
Pune (PTI): Chief of the
Army Staff General Manoj
Pande on Wednesday said
no country is willing to
share the latest, “state-of-
the-art” technologies and
it implies that security
of the nation can neither
be outsourced nor be
dependent on the largesse
of others. He was speak-
ing at the foundation day
of the Army Institute of
Technology in Maharash-
tra’s Pune city.
New Delhi: India de-
feated New Zealand to
win the T20 series
against Kiwis 2-1. Shub-
man Gill single-handed-
ly destroyed the bowl-
ing attack of New Zea-
land and was undefeat-
ed at 126. Gill became
only the fifth Indian to
hit hundreds across all
formats of the game,
joining Rohit Sharma,
Virat Kohli, Suresh Rai-
na. He created history
as he surpassed Kohli
Raina to become the
youngest Indian to hit a
T20I century
.
LANDSLIDE BLOCKS NAT’L HIGHWAY-44
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir went into overdrive to retrieve
the encroached government land from influential persons.
PM Narendra Modi with Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh
and BJP chief JP Nadda and other dignitaries at the BJP Central
Election Committee meeting, in New Delhi on Wednesday.
New Delhi: A major
landslide occurred near the
Rampari area in Banihal
town of Jammu and
Kashmir on Wednesday. Na-
tional Highway 44 has been
closed for vehicular traffic
following a landslide. In a
video shared by the deputy
commissioner of Ramban,
boulders can be seen on the
highway, blocking it. The
deputy commissioner of
Ramban district has advised
people to follow advisories
issued by the JK traffic
police. “People are advised
to follow JK Traffic Police
advisories,” said Deputy
Commissioner, Ramban.
New Delhi (PTI): The SC
has sought the Centre’s
response on the issue of
exploring the possibility
of entering into mutual
agreements with the US
in matters related to child
custody disputes as such
cases are increasing due
to Indians residing there.
The apex court passed the
order while holding a man,
who is a resident of the US,
guilty of civil contempt for
his failure to bring back his
child to India on the order of
the court in May last year.

RAJASTHAN
09
Promoted by
Shrey Dream Projects LLP
First India Bureau
Nagaur: The Station
House Officer (SHO) and
Head Constable of Ku-
chaman Police Station
in Nagaur were suspend-
ed on Wednesday for al-
legedly accepting a bribe
of Rs 2.5 lakhs in a land
dispute case.
Sources informed that
Kuchaman Police Sta-
tion SHO Manoj Machra
and Head Constable So-
han Lal were suspended
by Nagaur SP Ram
Murthi Joshi after an in-
quiry was held into the
matter. The SHO had al-
legedly taken Rs 2.5
lakhs as a bribe for not
arresting four people in
the property dispute
matter. A confidential
inquiry was held and af-
ter confirmation, the
SHO and Head-Consta-
ble was suspended. Nota-
bly, the bribe was fixed
at Rs 3 lakhs. However,
Rs. 50,000 was also paid
to a journalist. The mat-
ter is being investigated.
First India Bureau
Jodhpur: The Ra-
jasthan High Court on
Wednesday said that
the construction of reli-
gious places should not
be done with taxpayers’
money. The HC while
hearing a PIL related to
the construction of a
mosque in Mandor vil-
lage of Jodhpur district
stayed the construction
and said that taxpayers’
money should not be
used in the construction
of religious buildings.
The division bench of
Justice Sandeep Mehta
and Justice Rajendra
Prakash Soni stayed the
construction of the
mosque while hearing
thepetitionfiledbyHary-
ali and Prakartik Vikas
Sansthan. The petitioner
questionedthelegalityof
theconstructionandsaid
that the mosque should
havebeenconstructedby
Jodhpur Development
Authority(JDA). Thepe-
tition also stated that the
mosque is being built on
land that has been de-
clared as a forest area
and so it cannot be built
upon. The court also ob-
served that in their opin-
ion no religious building
should be constructed
with taxpayers’ money
.
NGT notice to Raj govt on
‘Maru Mahotsav 2023’
Plea raised issue of damage to environment by activities during Mahotsav
New Delhi (ANI): The
NGT has called for an
Action Taken Report
(ATR) from various au-
thorities of the State of
Rajasthan on a plea rais-
ing the issue of appre-
hended damage to the
environment by the pro-
posed activities during
‘Maru Mahotsav’.
The matter has been
listed on February 3,
2023, for further consid-
eration.
The bench headed by
NGT Chairperson Jus-
tice Adarsh Kumar Goy-
alcalledforanATRfrom
various authorities and
also issued notice to the
project proponent - Prin-
cipal Secretary, Tour-
ism, Rajasthan by email.
The present applica-
tion has been moved by
Tapeshwar Singh Bha-
ti, a resident of Kota
Rajasthan.
The grievance in this
application is against
apprehended damage to
the environment by pro-
posed activities during
‘Maru Mahotsav 2023’ at
Jaisalmer from Febru-
ary2to5,2023.Thebench
said, “ To further con-
sider the above issues,
we call for a factual and
action is taken report in
the matter from PCCF
Wildlife, Rajasthan,
Chairman, State PCB,
and District Magistrate,
Jaisalmer by February
3, 2023, by e-mail.
History-sheeter
shot at in broad
daylight, critical
First India Bureau
Jodhpur: Five miscre-
ants shot a history-
sheeterinthecityaveng-
ing old enmity
. The con-
dition of the history-
sheeter is said to be
critical. The incident
took place on Wednes-
day evening at 4 pm in
the Vitarag City Society
of the Police Commis-
sionerate. The miscre-
ants fired as many as 3 to
4 rounds. The youth who
got shot is Rakesh Man-
ju. Manju is a history-
sheeter and has an old
enmity with the crook
Vikram Singh Nandia.
In the past also there
has been an incident of
firing between Rakesh
Manju and the opposing
group. On getting infor-
mation about the inci-
dent, Shastri Nagar po-
lice station officer Jo-
gendra Singh reached
the hospital.
Cops to get
promotions for
recovering
children: DGP
DGP Umesh Mishra
Rehearsal on for four-day ‘Maru Mahotsav’ set to commence from today in Jaisalmer.
DGP announces
award on firing
and paper leak
accused
Man sets house
on fire over
‘witchcraft’
Shivendra Parmar
Jaipur: Constable
to assistant sub-in-
spector level police-
men, who recover
missing children in
the state, will be giv-
en a special promo-
tion by nominating
them for the promo-
tion cadre course as
an incentive. DGP
Umesh Mishra has
issued detailed or-
ders in this regard.
According to this
order, constable,
head constable and
assistant sub-in-
spector level police
officers who recov-
ered 60 children be-
low the age of 18
years, including 25
children below the
age of 14 years, in a
period of one year
will be eligible for a
special promotion.
DGP Mishra in-
formedthattheDGP
Commendation Roll
will be awarded to
encourage police-
men from constable
to ASI level who
have recovered 20
children below the
age of 18 years in-
cluding 10 children
below the age of 14
years during a peri-
od of 1 year.
Shivendra Parmar
Jaipur: DGP Umesh
Mishra has announced
a reward of Rs 1 lakh on
thearrestof absconding
accused Bhupendra Sa-
ran and Suresh Dhaka
in the paper leak case
alongwithRohitGodara
and Hrithik Boxer of
Lawrence Bishnoi gang
wantedintheG-Clubfir-
ing case of Jawahar Cir-
cle area. They had de-
manded a ransom of Rs
5 crore from G-Club
owner Akshay Gurnani.
Along with the Jaipur
Commissionerate Po-
lice, a team of hundreds
of policemen from the
Raj Police is on the look-
out for Rohit Godara
and his associates.
Godarahadalsoclaimed
responsibility for the
murder of gangster
Raju Thehat in Sikar.
First India Bureau
Churu: Ayoungman
living in the neigh-
bourhood set on fire a
houseonsuspicionof
witchcraft on a wom-
an in Lambor Chhoti
village. As per locals,
the house was set on
fire by throwing pet-
rol and acid. Due to
this, the food items of
the house including
grains, cash and jew-
ellerywerealsoburnt
toashes.Themember
of the house had gone
to another village to
attend a marriage. In
the house, a mother
and three daughters
were present.
Taxpayers’ money should not be used
for constructing religious places: HC
Suspended SHO Manoj Machra.
Kirodi’s dharna on 9th
day: More
leaderscomeinsupportofprotest
SHO head constable
suspended for taking
`2.5 lakh bribe
Mahesh Sharma
Jaipur: BJP Rajya
Sabha MP Dr Kirodi
Lal Meena along with
hundreds of youths of
the state sat on a dhar-
na for the 9th day in
the bitter cold demand-
ing a CBI probe into
paper leak cases and
95% reservation for
Rajasthan youth in
government jobs and
other demands.
Bharatpur MP Ran-
jeeta Koli, former MP
Col. Sona Ram, MLA
Ashok Lahoti, MLA
Hamir Singh Bhayal,
Srichand Kripalani,
Ram Kishore Meena,
Suman Sharma, Mus-
lim Nagauri Samaj
State President Hajiba-
bu Khan, National Sec-
retary of Vishwa Hin-
du Mahasangh Naren-
dra Raj Purohit, Bhu-
pendra Saini, Former
IAS Mahendra Singh,
Neelam Gurjar and
others reached the pro-
test site.
Dr Kirodi Lal Meena with Haji Babu Khan, Narendra Rajpurohit
Suman Sharma at the protest site on Wednesday.
Kashiram Choudhry
Jaipur: The Jaipur In-
ternational Airport be-
comes silent airport
from February 1. All
important information
will now be displayed
on dozens of digital
screens installed
across the airport. The
screens are placed at
strategic locations out-
side and inside termi-
nal, in check-in halls,
and a security hold
area. Passengers will
also get instant and
regular updates on
their mobile phone
through SMS.
The airport aims to
make the traveling ex-
perience more relaxing
for passengers by re-
ducing the noisy at-
mosphere inside the
terminal. Passengers
will get all important
and boarding related
updated on the digital
screens and messages
on their respective-
numbers. Technology-
based and automated
PA systems will also be
deployed at the air-
port to provide impor-
tant updates to the
passengers. In their
respective capacities,
airline companies will
also be updating pas-
sengers on all impor-
tant and travel-related
information.
Jaipur Airport goes ‘silent’ digitally
HASSLE FREE EXPERIENCE
Rathore takes part in Haath Se
Haath Jodo campaign in Ajmer
First India Bureau
Ajmer: Chairman of
Rajasthan Tourism De-
velopment Corporation
(RTDC) Dharmendra
Rathore on Wednesday
took part in the
Haath Se Haath Jodo
Campaign of Congress
in Ajmer. He reached
former MLA Rajkumar
Jaipal’s home and par-
ticipated in the cam-
paign.
“People have shown
immense support to the
Bharat Jodo Yatra of
Congress leader Rahul
Gandhi. The Chief Min-
ister of Rajasthan is the
only leader who has
stopped the BJP govt
from toppling the govt.
The Congress govt has
given relief to the gen-
eral public by announc-
ing various schemes
and is working for the
welfare of people,” said
Rathore. While address-
ing the gathering,
Rathore also directed
Congress workers to
prepare for upcoming
assembly elections and
strengthened the party
.
Dharmendra Rathore reached Rajkumar Jaipal’s residence
participated in Haath Se Haath Jodo campaign in Ajmer.
SC REJECTS PLEA
OF NAHAR SINGH IN
SUCCESSION CASE
RSLDC BRIBERY:
ACB ARRESTS EX-
GENERAL MANAGER
New Delhi: The Apex
Court has rejected
petition of Nahar Singh
in case involving the suc-
cession dispute of former
Maharaja of Jaipur
Brigadier Sawai Bhawani
Singh. Nahar Singh went
to SC after Raj HC re-
fused to consider petition
for setting aside decree.
The matter came up for
hearing before Supreme
Court judge Justice
Sanjeev Khanna.
Jaipur: In the RSLDC
bribery case, the Anti
Corruption Bureau
(ACB) on Wednesday
arrested the then-gen-
eral manager of RSLDC,
Ravi Meena. Ravi Mee-
na is accused of taking
bribe through broker
Amit. ACB ASP Push-
pendra Singh arrested
Ravi from Kota. The
action was taken on the
instructions of ACB DG
Hemant Priyadarshy.
Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has stayed the or-
ders of the Jaipur Police Commissionerate wherein
the hotel and marriage gar-
den owners were allowed
to play music at weddings
and other functions without
taking permission from
copyright owners for
playing songs. The single bench of Justice Sudesh
Bansal while hearing the petition filed by music
companies stayed the order of the additional police
commissioner dated December 7, 2022.
Bharatpur/Barmer/Churu: In a horrific road acci-
dent on Tuesday night a father and son died after an
unknown vehicle collided
with their auto-rickshaw on
the Jaipur-Mathura bypass.
Apart from the father and
son, the daughter was
severely injured due to a col-
lision of the vehicle. In another accident, three youths
were killed after their motorcycle rammed into a trac-
tor in Barmer on Wednesday late evening. Two people
were killed in Sujangarh town of Churu on Wednesday
after two vehicles collided head-on, police said.
HC STAYS ORDER TO PLAY MUSIC WITHOUT
PERMISSION FROM COPYRIGHT HOLDERS
7 DIE AND 4 INJURED IN 3 SEPARATE
ROAD ACCIDENTS IN STATE
NEWS DIGEST
Rakesh Manju
PETITIONER
QUESTIONS
LEGALITY
RAKESH MANJU’S
CONDITION IS
CRITICAL: HOSP
The division bench of Justice
Sandeep Mehta and Justice
Rajendra Prakash Soni stayed
the construction of the mosque
while hearing the petition
filed by Haryali and Prakartik
Vikas Sansthan. The petitioner
questioned the legality of the
construction and said that the
mosque should have been
constructed by Jodhpur Devel-
opment Authority (JDA).
MDM Hospital Superinten-
dent Dr Vikas Rajpuro-
hit told that the condition of
Manju is critical. City scans
and X-rays are being done.
After getting the information
of the incident, the compan-
ions of the young man also
reached the hospital. Rakesh
Manju has been transfused
about 4 units of blood, he has
now been shifted to ICU.
—FILE
PIC

10
2NDFRONT
POSTAL REG NO. JPC/004/2022-24
Dr Rituraj Sharma
Jaipur:Chief Secretary
Usha Sharma has in-
structed the officials to
get the work of special
girdawari completed
without delay in view of
damage to crops due to
cold wave, frost, untime-
ly rain, and hailstorm.
The Chief Secretary
was on Wednesday pre-
siding over the meeting
organized through VC
in relation to crop fail-
ure. The Chief Secre-
tary said that frost, cold
wave and hailstorm
have ruined the hard
work of farmers. She
said that it should be
ensured that there is a
correct assessment of
crop damage. The Chief
Secretary instructed
the officers to send the
girdawari report by the
end of the week.
Sharma said that the
concerned Patwari
should be present on the
spot and get this work
done. She said that ac-
tion should be taken by
taking the people’s rep-
resentatives into confi-
dence, as well as the
farmers should also be
given prior notice of
special girdawari.
The CS asked the Dis-
trict Collectors to issue
instructions for inspec-
tion of girdawari by
Land records inspector,
Tehsildar and Sub-divi-
sional officer. The Chief
Secretary also instruct-
ed the officers to con-
duct all crop cutting
experiments online
through the CCE app.
Principal Secretary,
Agriculture and Horti-
culture Department
Dinesh Kumar, Agricul-
ture Commissioner
Kanaram and Special
Secretary, Revenue De-
partment Vishwa Mo-
han Sharma were pre-
sent in the meeting.
Get Girdawari work completed without delay: CS
PROMPT ACTION...
Remember that you will never be
able to hit a target that you cannot
see. Be very clear what you want
in life, only then you can achieve it.
—Dr Jagdeesh Chandra,
CEO Editor-in-Chief, First India
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Expressing dis-
pleasure at the Budget,
Chief Minister Ashok
Gehlot on Wednesday
said that reducing the
provision for schemes
such as the MGNREGA
proves it is anti-poor,
landless farmers and
common people.
“In the budget, only
headline-making ‘jum-
las’ have been used in
the media but in
schemes like Mahatma
Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guaran-
tee Act, which proved to
be a lifeline for poor
people in the ‘corona’
period, the Budget pro-
vision for 2023-24 by the
Centre is 33 per cent
(approximately Rs
30,000 crore),” he said.
Many fake announce-
ments related to agri-
culture and farmers’
welfare have been made
in the Budget but the al-
location to the Union
Ministry of Agricul-
ture and Farmers’ Wel-
fare is about 6 per cent
(about Rs 7,500 crore)
lower than last year, Ge-
hlot alleged.
“...there has been a
significant reduction of
15 per cent (approxi-
mately Rs 23,000 crore)
in urea subsidy as com-
pared to last year,” he
said. Gehlot also ac-
cused the Centre of ne-
glecting important are-
as such as education,
health, social justice
women and child devel-
opment. “The whole
country has suffered
from inflation for the
past years -- prices
of flour, pulses, oil,
soap etc, which are
used by the masses
on a daily basis, have
increased a lot. “In
absence of any poli-
cy statement regard-
ing reducing inflation,
life of the masses will
become even
more diffi-
cult.”
CM:UNIONBUDGETISANTI-POOR,MASSES
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will give his reply to Governor Kalraj Mishra’s address in the State Assembly at 4 pm today
LEADERS SPEAK ON UNION BUDGET-2023
The Union Budget is very disappoint-
ing for the common man. All sections
of the society have been deceived by the
Budget. The expectations of the people of
Rajasthan could not be fulfilled. ERCP has
not been declared a National Project.
—Dr Mahesh Joshi, PHED Minister
This is the Budget of Amrit Kaal after
independence. The budget would fulfil
youth’s imagination. It helped the middle
class people by giving them tax exemption.
Welfare of the poor is govt’s priority. The
Budget is for the welfare of the farmers.
—Dr Satish Poonia, BJP State President
The Union Budget is disappointing, it has
deceived the expectations of farmers,
youth, poor and women. No immediate
measures have been adopted in the Budget
to remove huge problems like inflation and
unemployment. Rather, announcements
have been made according to the vision from 3 years to
25 years. Due to increased cost of silver and gold, the
jewellery industry of the State will be adversely affected.
—GS Dotasra, State PCC Chief
The Budget is based on capacity expan-
sion, green growth, youth power, and
financial sector. It is a new and prosper-
ous, powerful budget Public welfare
budget of self-reliant India, which will
prove to fulfil the aspirations and hopes of
the common man. The Budget has once again proved
that Modi government is fulfilling the dreams and hopes
of the poor, farmers and youth of the country.
—Rajendra Rathore, Dy LoP
CS Usha Sharma chairs a meeting related to crop damage via VC
at the State Secretariat in Jaipur on Wednesday. Also seen here
are Dinesh Kumar, Kanaram Vishwa Mohan Sharma.
First India Bureau
Jaipur: In the election
year, the month of Feb-
ruary will be important
in terms of new ap-
pointments in the Con-
gress, which is engaged
in improving the organ-
isation. This month,
where existing execu-
tive body of PCC will be
expanded, the work of
appointments of Dis-
trict Presidents will
also be completed. Con-
gress sources reveal
that the work of selec-
tion of newly appointed
State Congress office
bearers is almost com-
plete. The list of AICC
members from Raj is
ready word in rele-
vant Congress circles
is that the list may be
released on Thursday
and include all major
leaders.
About 65 to 70 names
are being mentioned in
list. According to sourc-
es, work of reconstitu-
tion of State Cong Com-
mittee is pending for a
long time. Earlier, list
of state officials was
sent to Delhi, but after
the arrival of new in-
charge Sukhjinder Sin-
gh Randhawa, this list
has been reshuffled.
List of AICC
members from
Raj likely to be
released today
Jodhpur (PTI): Jodh-
pur is all set to host the
G-20 Employment
Working Group meet-
ing from today for
which delegates from
the guest countries
have started arriving
in the city.
Elaborate security
arrangements have
been made, and main
intersections and other
places have been deco-
rated on different
themes. The guests are
being received in tradi-
tional Marwari tradi-
tions. District adminis-
tration has also ap-
pealed to locals to deco-
rate their homes in a
traditional manner, a
state government offi-
cial said. In first G20
Employment Working
Group meeting to be
held from Feb 2- 4, is-
sues like global skills
gap, social security to
gig platform workers
and sustainable fund-
ing of social security
will be discussed.
Guests being welcomed in a traditional manner at Jodhpur
Airport ahead of G20 EWG meet, which will begin from today.
Jodhpur all set to
host G-20 EWG
meeting from today
HC revokes suspension of
three JMCG councillors
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Rajasthan HC
on Wednesday, revoked
the suspension of three
councillors ofJMC(G).
The councillors were
suspended along with
Mayor Dr Somya in
2021 for misbehaving
with the then JMC
Commissioner Yagya
Mitra Singh Deo. How-
ever, Dr Somya was re-
instated by HC some
time ago now coun-
cillors’ suspension
have also been revoked.
single bench of Jus-
tice Indrajit Singh
quashed their dismiss-
al orders. Petitioner
Advocate RN Mathur,
RK Daga Akhil Sim-
lot said that govt hasn’t
given chance of hearing
to petitioners in matter.
Hosabale: Creating hearts
brains is work of the Sangh
Aishwary Pradhan
Jaipur: “There has
been a change in the
life of every Swayamse-
vak of the Sangh. if
there is any mistake in
life, it is not the fault of
the Sangh but of the
person. There is curios-
ity in the society as to
what the Sangh has to
say on every subject be-
cause the Sangh influ-
ences the national life
of India,” said Dat-
tatreya Hosabale while
speaking during the
Deendayal Memorial
Lecture organised at
Birla Auditorium on
‘RSS: Yesterday, Today
Tomorrow.’ He
thanked Dr Mahesh
Sharma his estab-
lishment for lecture.
Hosabale cited funny
instances from lives of
Dattopant Thengadi
Mulla Naseeruddin.
“To understand Sangh,
one needs heart only
brain can’t serve the
purpose. Creating
hearts brains is
Sangh’s work. What is
life its goals, know
this also,” he said.
Birla to embark
on a day-long
tour to Kota on
Saturday
First India Bureau
Kota: LS Speaker Om
Birla will visit Kota-
Bundi parliamentary
constituency on Satur-
day for a day and lay
the foundation stone of
the development works
via virtual medium.
Meanwhile, Birla has
expressed concern over
damage to crops due to
rains in Kota and Bun-
di. On Birla’s direc-
tions, his OSD Rajeev
Dutta spoke to District
Collectors of Kota and
Bundi over phone on to
inquire about the dam-
age and asked for prop-
er compensation to
farmers by surveying
crop damage at earli-
est. Birla will lay the
foundation stone of de-
velopment works worth
Rs 8.87 crore in Khair-
abad, Sultanpur, Eta-
wah Ladpura Pan-
chayat Samiti areas.
Agri Minister Kataria
takes stock of PMFBY
Kashiram Choudhary
Jaipur: Agriculture
Minister Lal Chand Ka-
taria reviewed the
Pradhan Mantri Fasal
Bima Yojana directed
insurance firms to set-
tle claim of farmers at
earliest. During the
meet held at Pant Kri-
shi Bhawan about crop
damage by recent rains
hailstorm, he said,
“In last 4 years, claims
of Rs. 1.72 cr crop insur-
ance policy holders
have been approved by
Raj govt while an
amount of Rs. 18,470 cr
have been distributed
as insurance claims.
Max claims have been
distributed in Hanu-
mangarh District.”
Keeping in mind the
problems of the farm-
ers, this work should
be done sympatheti-
cally and sensitively
so that the losses of the
farmers can be com-
pensated.
Usha Sharma, CS
No measures to control unemployment
and inflation have been mentioned in
the Union Budget. There is no thought
of eradicating poverty, stopping farm-
ers' suicides, there is no announcement
for the minorities of Rajasthan State and
the country. Jaipur's jewelry industry was expecting a
reduction in the import duty on gold and silver, but an
increase in it would increase the parallel economy.
—Rajeev Arora, Chairman RAJSICO
The progressive Budget presented
by Union Finance Minister, Nirmala
Sitharaman is development oriented.
The ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ Budget
has taken care of every class and sector.
Increasing the exemption in income tax
up to Rs. 7 lakhs is indeed a progressive measure.
Overall, the Budget will benefit the common man and
the country will move forward.
—Diya Kumari, MP, Rajsamand
Iwould indeed call this Budget a progres-
sive one, paving way for the next 25
years. Govt has focused hugely on infra-
structure which will boost the economy.
On CII’s recommendation, Govt has an-
nounced extension of MSME Guaranteed
Scheme, collateral free loan releasing 95% payment
stuck as penalties in contracts.
— Gaurav Rungta, Chairman (CII), Raj
The Union Budget is progressive and
growth oriented. There is something
for everyone. The impetus on tourism
promotion augmenting infrastructure
in border villages under Vibrant Villages
Programme will have a positive impact
on sector. Increase in infra outlay by 33% will have a
multiplier effect on economy.
—Randhir Vikram Singh, Chairman, FICCI Raj State Council
Union Budget is mis-
leading disappoint-
ing. Nothing has been
clarified on issues of
public interest. In last
10 yrs, BJP govt at the
Centre didn’t give any-
thing to people. Some
industrialists have
definitely benefitted.
—Shanti Dhariwal,
UDH Minister
The Centre is trying to
divert common man’s
attention from deterio-
rating economy. The
budget has expertise
in hiding figures
covering up true facts.
Budget will increase
the fiscal deficit the
rate of development
will be blocked.
—Dr BD Kalla, Edu Min
AISHE2020-21:Rajranks1st
invarsitynumbers
First India Bureau
Jaipur: Rajasthan
ranks first in terms of
number of Universi-
ties. There were 78 Uni-
versities in Rajasthan
in 2016-17, which in-
creased to 92 in 2020-21.
Thus, 14 Universities
have increased in Ra-
jasthan in 5 years,
which is about three
every year, as per the
All India Survey on
Higher Education 2020-
21 report released every
year by the Department
of Education, GoI. UP
is in second place with
84 Universities. Gujarat
ranks third with 83 Uni-
versities. This report is
based on the data till
December 31, 2020.
Rajasthan is also in
the top ten in the coun-
try in terms of number
of Colleges with 3,694
Colleges. According to
the district, Jaipur is at
the 2nd place in the
country with 671 Col-
leges. Bangalore Urban
ranks first with 1,058
Colleges. Similarly, in
terms of the number of
colleges, Sikar ranks
10th in the whole coun-
try with 308 colleges.
According to this re-
port, there were 1,043
Varsities in country in
2019-20, which in-
creased to 1,113 in 2020-
21. Thus, 70 varsities
increased in one year.
There were 44 Central
Universities in country
in 2016-17, which in-
creased to 51 in 2020-21.
LC Kataria reviews ‘Pradhan
Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’ at
Pant Krishi Bhawan in Jaipur.
Also seen is Balwan Poonia,
Dattatreya Hosabale addresses
the gathering at Birla
Auditorium in Jaipur.
—PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA
CM Ashok Gehlot

A
nushka Sharma, who is quite
active on social media, is cur-
rently spending time in Rishi-
kesh. On Tuesday evening,
the actress took to social media and
dropped a peaceful picture from
the mountains. She also penned a
beautiful quote by Neem Karoli
Baba in the caption.
In the picture, Anushka is
seen sporting a black t-shirt and
matching leggings. Along with it,
she wrote, “Can’t you see, it’s all
perfect!” - Neem Karoli Baba.”
J
ennifer Aniston is a well-known for both
her exceptional acting talent and good
looks. The actress is now winning the in-
ternet with the recently released official
trailer of her upcoming project, Murder Mys-
tery 2. The renowned star is reprising her much-
loved character Audrey Spitz in the crime com-
edy, which is set to release on Netflix. To the
much surprise of her fans across the globe,
especially those of Indian origins, Jennifer is
spotted in an exquisite ivory lehenga in the
official trailer of Murder Mystery 2, which has
been going viral on social media.
The heavily embroidered is cre-
ated by renowned
Indian designer,
Manish Malhotra.
thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia 11
JAIPUR | THURSDAY,
FEBRUARY 2, 2023
SELENA SHUTS
DOWN A HATER
S
elenaGomezhas
been quite vocal
about her health
problems, espe-
cially her journey
with lupus. However,
now and then, internet
users find an opportu-
nity to comment, criti-
cize and shame her for
the same. Speaking of
which, recently, the
30-year-old singer re-
sponded to a troll who
made fun of her hand
tremors in a video.
A few days back, Selena
took to TikTok and post-
ed a video showcasing
her skincare regime.
Others felt the need to
point out that Selena’s
hands were shaking. A
TikTok user posted a
now-deletedvideoonthe
platform, saying, “Oh
mygod,whatareyoudo-
ing?!” as they trolled the
actress.Selena took to
the comments section
and reminded the user
by stating “Lol I shake
because of my medica-
tionforlupus.Alsoread
mydisclaimer.Iain’tno
pro (laughing emoji)”.
ANISTON IN AN
INDIAN ATTIRE
SAMANTHA’S APOLOGY
S
a m a n t h a
Ruth Prab-
hu has
joined forces
with Liger actor Vi-
jay Deverakonda for the
romantic entertainer,
Kushi. While the
makers have al-
ready completed the
initial schedule of the
movie in Kashmir, the rest
of the shoot was pushed
because of the Yashoda
actor’s health condition.
Now, the team is all set to
resume work on the much-
awaited drama.
Sharing the happy
news, Samantha wrote on
Twitter, “#Kushi will re-
sume very soon .. my apol-
ogies to @TheDeverakon-
da fans @ShivaNirvana @
MythriOfficial.” The film
was originally scheduled
to release in December
2022, however, it got de-
layed. Recently
, VD con-
firmed that same say-
ing, “We have finished
close to 60 percent of the
shoot. We were originally
hoping to release the film
by December. But now it
has been pushed to next
year due to a bunch of
reasons. We are eyeing
February 2023 release as
of now.
aani Kapoor, who won hearts for
her performance in Abhishek Ka-
poor’s Chandigarh Kare
Aashiqui, has signed her next
project The actress will now
headline Yash Raj Films’ yet un-
titled gritty crime thriller show,
which will be helmed by Mardaani 2 di-
rector Gopi Puthran. This multi-season
show is a part of YRF’s OTT slate.
“Vaani has been looking for projects
where she could deliver a performance to
remember. While she continues to give
preference to theatricals, she isn’t going
to shut herself out of great digital pro-
jects. The show is a gritty, edge-of-the-
seat crime thriller which YRF feels is a
brilliant concept, and has plans to mount
it at a scale that will surprise people.
Gopi was clear that he wanted to cast
someone who will be fresh in the OTT
landscape. He wanted a solid performer
who can hold her own and has always ap-
preciated Vaani’s work in her films,” in-
forms a source close to the development.
V
Anushka soaks in
positive energy
Samantha Ruth Prabhu
Poster of the film
Anushka Sharma
Her post...
Selena Gomez
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer in Manish Malhotra’s lehenga
Vaani Kapoor

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