Other States - Rajasthan   

Vasundhara pledges to take Rajasthan to new heights

Special Correspondent

`Oustees of Mahi and Kadana dams to be rehabilitated soon'

JAIPUR: In a departure from tradition in Rajasthan, the venue of the State-level function marking the 60th Independence Day was shifted for the first time from the capital Jaipur to Udaipur with Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje unfurling the national Tricolour at Maharana Bhupal Stadium on Tuesday. Ms. Raje took the salute of an impressive parade in the City of Lakes amid tight security.

The Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur, where the Independence and Republic Day functions are organised every year, is presently being renovated for International Cricket Council's Champions Trophy tournament scheduled for October. However, the Government has maintained that the official function was moved to southern Rajasthan to ensure larger public participation.

Citizens' groups led by Nagrik Morcha and Samajik Nyay Manch staged a demonstration outside SMS Stadium here while trying to hoist a flag at the stadium. Police prevented the protesters from entering the stadium and dispersed them by using light force.

Activists, finding the stadium locked for the renovation work, alleged that Independence Day celebrations -- held in the grounds since 1947 -- had been moved out to favour the Rajasthan Cricket Association. The State Government, on the other hand, has affirmed that shifting of the venue had nothing to do with the renovation work.

Ms. Raje, in her address in Udaipur, called upon the people to participate actively in the development process to enable Rajasthan to scale new heights and achieve front-ranking position among the States.

The Chief Minister assured the people of Mewar region that the oustees of the Mahi and Kadana dams would be rehabilitated soon, while pending cases relating to petty offences would be withdrawn from courts and disconnected power connections restored in the tribal-dominated villages.

Ms. Raje affirmed that the desert State had made tremendous progress during the last three years and entered into a new era of development. "We are committed to working on the for development. The Chief Minister honoured three police officers with the President's Police Medals and 13 with Police Medals.

The district-level Independence Day function in Jaipur was held at the Chaugan Stadium where Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria hoisted the national flag.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Vasundhara pledges to take Rajasthan to new heights

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu