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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Raj imposes ban on sand mining till end of Aug
Jaipur: The govt imposed a two-month ban on sand mining in rivers in the state, effective until the end of Aug. As in previous years, this seasonal restriction was implemented during the monsoon to protect riverbeds and aquatic ecosystems from erosion and long-term environmental damage caused by mining during heavy rains. During monsoon, rivers swell and become particularly vulnerable to disruption. Experts warn that mining during this period could lead to severe flooding, riverbank collapse, and permanent ecological degradation. As a result of the ban, sand prices are expected to surge. Traders said the situation is exacerbated by the fact that many leases in Tonk and Sawai Madhopur expired and remain unrenewed. "There is only one leaseholder with stocked sand. With demand rising and limited supply, prices will inevitably go up," said a sand trader in Jaipur. Currently, river sand costs Rs 1,400–1,500 per tonne. In the coming months, it is expected to rise by Rs 350–Rs 400 per tonne. Experts raised concerns about illegal mining during the ban period. "In the absence of active leases, villagers are tempted to dig riverbeds for quick money. The govt must tighten checks on all routes leading to riverbanks and prevent unauthorized access," said Pradeep Singh, a mining expert. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The ban directly impacts districts such as Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Tonk, and others, where sand mining provides significant employment. Enforcement teams from the mining and forest departments have been deployed to monitor violations. "Flying squads are active, and any illegal mining will attract heavy fines and equipment seizures," said an official from the mining department. While environmentalists have welcomed the move, calling it vital for ecosystem preservation, many local workers have expressed concern. They urge the state govt to provide alternative materials to those affected during the ban period.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Time of India
Jhansi man arrested for raping minor
Kanpur: A man was arrested by Govindnagar police near Nai Basti in the Kotwali area of Jhansi on Monday night for raping a minor girl after concealing his identity. The girl had filed a report against the accused on Sunday. The police presented the accused in court on Tuesday, from where he was sent to jail. According to the complaint filed by the 17-year-old girl, a BBA student, she met the accused through Instagram. They exchanged phone numbers and started chatting on WhatsApp. Subsequently, he asked her to send her videos which he edited and started blackmailing her. On March 24, a man claiming to be a friend of accused took her to a hotel on the pretext of meeting the accused. At the hotel, he gave the girl sedatives in a drink and assaulted her. He also made a video if the incident. The girl said that on May 26 the accused again asked her to meet. When she refused, he came to her locality with another man in an auto on the next day. While she was on her way to college, he stopped her, slapped her multiple and forcibly took her in the auto to a hotel where he assaulted her. Her friends saw her being taken in the auto informed her cousin. The girl later filed a complaint with the Govindnagar police. Inspector Pradeep Singh of Govindnagar stated that the accused was arrested from his home in Jhansi in the late night hours of Monday and sent to jail on Tuesday.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Illegal mining thrives despite fall in registered cases: Experts
1 2 Jaipur: Illegal mining is declining, according to the state govt's records. But experts cautioned that the drop in cases may not reflect the true extent of the problem on the ground. According to mines department's data, the number of cases registered for illegal mining dropped from 10,169 in 2019–20 to 4,559 in 2024–25, with 677 cases reported so far in the current financial year up to May 1, 2025. FIRs also declined during the same period—from 808 in 2019–20 to 542 in 2024–25, with 129 FIRs registered in the current fiscal year so far. However, experts and locals argue that the fall in registered cases could be due to underreporting or a decline in enforcement intensity. The number of machines confiscated in illegal mining operations—often considered a more direct measure of field-level activity—also reduced, from 10,331 in 2019–20 to 4,515 in 2024–25. Yet, 626 machines have been seized in just the first month of 2025–26, suggesting that illegal operations are continuing despite fewer recorded cases. Arrest figures tell a similar story. While there were 546 arrests in 2019–20, the number dropped to 267 in both 2023–24 and 2024–25. This year, 65 arrests have already been made, again pointing to ongoing enforcement action despite the appearance of an overall decline. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Plankstadt: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo Financial penalties imposed for illegal mining fell drastically—from Rs 66.58 crore in 2019–20 to Rs 27.95 crore in 2024–25, with only Rs 2.7 crore collected so far this year. Experts view this trend as worrying, as penalties are both a punitive and deterrent tool in curbing illegal extraction. "Either the illegal operations are being underreported, or enforcement agencies are not pursuing them with the same intensity. The data shows fewer cases, but the activity on the ground does not seem to have reduced proportionately," said Pradeep Singh, a mining expert . Villagers from mining-affected areas echo this concern. Triyambak Singh, a resident of Banthali village in Tonk district, said, "Illegal extraction of minerals like bajri is continuing openly. The auctions for plots are still underway, but over 500 trucks take sand from the riverbed every day."
The Print
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Calls for deferring CUET-UG exam grow as India-Pakistan tensions escalate
If the CUET-UG exams—for admission to undergraduate programmes in central universities—are to start on 13 May, the NTA is expected to release admit cards soon. Originally set to start on 8 May, the CUET-UG had already been postponed to 13 May by the National Testing Agency (NTA) without citing any specific reason. 'CUET (UG)-2025 Examination will commence from 13th May 2025 and City Intimation will be displayed on 7th May 2025,' it had said in a post on X on 6 May. New Delhi: With the escalating India-Pakistan tensions resulting in school closures, and the postponement of university and Chartered Accountants (Final and Intermediate) exams, calls are growing for the deferment of the Common University Entrance Test for undergraduate admissions (CUET-UG) as well, which is scheduled to begin Monday. However, with the situation at the border deteriorating, uncertainty looms over the commencement of the exam, particularly in states and UTs, such as Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan. Pakistan armed forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along India's 'entire western border' on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, according to a statement by the Indian Army. Pakistani troops also resorted to numerous ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir. According to the defence ministry, military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the border in J&K. The threats were 'swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities', and no casualties or material losses were reported, the ministry added. With the tensions ratcheting up, students and parents have been taking to social media requesting the NTA to consider postponing the exams citing safety issues while travelling. 'NTA, please postpone CUET. I have been allotted a centre in Mohali, but I live in Jammu. Due to the recent Pakistan-linked attack and the current high alert in the northern region. If the situation worsens, it could seriously affect students. Please consider postponing the exam,' Pradeep Singh, a student, posted on his X handle Friday. Divya Bhatt, a Jammu student whose examination centre is in Chandigarh, told ThePrint, 'We haven't been able to study for the past two days, and with the current situation, travelling now will be extremely difficult. The NTA should immediately postpone our CUET-UG or at least shift our centre to our city.' Also Read: Amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, Dehradun's Doon & Welham schools allow students to return home Worried parents Parents are also anxious about sending their children to exam centres. Chandigarh's Amit Kumar, whose daughter has enrolled, expressed concern over students travelling to write the papers under the prevailing situation. 'With the present circumstances, we are not comfortable sending our children for entrance exams. Chandigarh and many other cities are experiencing blackouts, and sirens are going off all night. In such a tense environment, how can we expect students to focus on their studies? The NTA should at least postpone the exam in sensitive cities,' he said. All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary Neeraj Kundan wrote to NTA Director General Pradeep Singh Kharola Thursday, requesting him to consider the postponement of the CUET-UG in Jammu and Kashmir. 'This volatile environment, marked by damaged infrastructure, halted transport, and communication blackouts, renders it impossible for students to safely access exam centers. For instance, a student from Udhampur assigned a center in Chandigarh—420 km away— faces an insurmountable journey amid military operations and travel advisories. The psychological toll on students, grappling with fear… further undermines their ability to prepare or compete fairly,' he wrote. 'In 2023, the NTA postponed CUET in Jammu and Kashmir due to unrest, setting a precedent for responsive action. Today's crisis, far graver, demands similar urgency. Conducting the exam now risks disenfranchising countless students, violating the principles of equity and safely that the NTA upholds.' ThePrint attempted to contact the NTA director general via call and text messages for a comment. This report will be updated if and when a response is received. However, a senior education ministry official said the government is closely monitoring the situation. 'Students' interest will be kept in mind in whatever decision may be taken,' the official told ThePrint, requesting anonymity. Over 13 lakh students have registered for CUET-UG 2025, which is set to be conducted entirely in online mode. The exam is scheduled as of now to be held over multiple days between 13 May and the first week of June. If postponed, it could potentially disrupt the academic calendar of colleges across the country. Other than CUET-UG, another high-stakes entrance exam, the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE-Advanced) for admissions to IITs, is also scheduled for 18 May. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Fully online, fewer subjects to cover, how CUET-UG will be different in 2025
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Drain project lags, Southern Peripheral Road caves in after rain, brings traffic to a crawl in Gurgaon
Gurgaon: A 10-metre stretch of Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) collapsed early on Friday morning, creating a massive sinkhole that brought the city's peak-hour traffic to a grinding halt. The cave-in, which occurred near Sector 74A around 7.30am, was triggered by heavy rain, but compounded by ongoing excavation work for a long-delayed stormwater drain project. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon Officials agreed that the collapse exposed the challenges plaguing the Rs 105-crore master drain project, which was approved in May 2019 to reduce pressure on the overburdened Badshapur drain. The 5.2km project, stretching from Vatika Chowk to NH-8, has missed its 18-month deadline, reaching only 40% completion by Oct last year. "Our team immediately cordoned off the area to prevent any accidents. Fortunately, there were no injuries," said a traffic police official. The incident caused traffic snarls extending over a kilometre, with congestion continuing till 3pm on the crucial arterial road. GMDA officials responded by filling the 10-foot-deep cavity with gravel and soil to restore traffic movement. "Yes, excavation work had loosened the soil. And heavy rainfall in the morning triggered the collapse. We took immediate measures to resume traffic flow," an official said. While the temporary patch was laid using dense bitumen, residents remain sceptical about its durability. Pradeep Singh, a resident of Sector 79, voiced concerns. "This patch won't withstand another heavy downpour. Despite the filling, proper drainage is essential here. This junction is notorious for waterlogging. In June 2023, we witnessed a similar cave-in near Sector 75A after the first rain, just metres away from today's collapse," he added. Asked about preventive measures, a GMDA official said, "To avoid such incidents during the monsoon, drainage work will be suspended when it rains. We aim to complete the project by the end of this year." However, with the monsoon approaching and substantial work pending, the incident has raised questions about infrastructure planning and execution in the city.
