Latest news with #TikaramJully
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
State govt dilutes policy to benefit corporates: Cong
Jaipur: The Congress Tuesday criticised the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP govt for amending the state's flagship Rajasthan Unified Clean Energy Policy-2024, alleging it was done to favour industrial signatories of the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit. The announcement of the policy amendment was made during the state cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat Monday. Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully accused BJP of diluting the clean energy policy to benefit select corporate houses and large industrial players at the cost of public interest. TNN
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Temple demolition in Alwar sparks row
1 2 Alwar: In a contentious development from Alwar district's Umrain block, the demolition of a temple by the forest department has triggered protests among local residents. The incident, which occurred Thursday, has led to accusations of religious sentiment violation and damage to a Lord Hanuman idol. Opposition leader Tikaram Jully led a protest Friday morning at the demolition site, demanding immediate reconstruction of the temple by the state govt. Jully criticised the forest department's actions, stating it should have conducted proper investigations regarding land ownership before proceeding with the demolition. According to local resident Suwalal, the temple site holds significant historical and religious importance, dating back approximately 100 years. He emphasised that the location has served as a rest stop for Devnarayan pilgrims for over 25 years. A new Devnarayan temple, constructed six months ago, was initially halted by the forest department before being demolished Thursday. Sarpanch representative Bhavindra Patel warned of potential protests if the govt fails to rebuild the temple, placing the responsibility for any future unrest on the authorities. However, Additional SP Priyanka Raghuvanshi maintained that the forest department only removed illegal encroachments and did not damage the original temple site. The incident has created a rift between local authorities and residents, with villagers threatening to launch intense protests if their demands for reconstruction were not met. The situation continues to develop as both sides maintain their positions on the matter.
NDTV
30-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Sariska's Tigers Await Rajasthan Government vs Opposition Boundary Showdown
Jaipur: A Rajasthan government proposal to alter Core Tiger Habitat boundaries at the Sariska Reserve - which is home to nearly 50 tigers - has angered environmentalists and the opposition. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has claimed the CTH changes are a 'rationalisation of forest area', and has pointed to a re-drawing of boundaries that adds a net 42.52 sq km to the reserve. But critics say the move could impact wildlife corridors tigers use to move between forests, and also restart 57 mines shut down by the Supreme Court to protect tigers and their environment. The controversy revolves around 48.39 sq km of land that happens to contain almost all the mines the Supreme Court had shut down in August last year; the court had said the mines violated the law by operating within a buffer zone meant to protect tigers from human activity. Restarting these mines - which dig out limestone, dolomite, and marble - could have an adverse long-term impact on the environment, including affect the tigers' habitat and forcing them to move out of their territories, and into villages and towns bordering the reserve, in search of food. That the mines will be restarted appears likely because the state has argued land excluded from the CTH 'are impacted by human activity and moving them out will benefit conversation'. The demarcation of CTH in and around Tehla is also expected to benefit hotels being built in the area, which, unchecked and uncontrolled, will add even more pressure on the environment. The other point of concern is that most of this 48.39 sq km is around Tehla - one of the main gateways in and out of Sariska - and where a tigress and her cub were sighted last month. Wildlife activists have questioned the altering of CTH where tigers have been seen, while the opposition has slammed the BJP for 'selling out to mining interests'. The Congress' Tikaram Jully, the Leader of the Opposition, and the local MLA said the state's move 'smacks of corruption'. "They changed the CTH where a tiger was seen. The question is 'who benefits? There should be a proper inquiry... almost all of Alwar (the district that contains the reserve) is industrialised... Bhiwadi, Chopanki... everything. This is the only ecological zone," Mr Jully said. Wildlife activist Rajesh Kishan Sidh, a local who is planning a legal challenge to the CTH alteration, told NDTV any redrawing of boundaries could endanger all 48 tigers in Sariska. "We are decreasing CTH in Tehla... where a tiger was sighted with her cub. The question is - why are you decreasing CTH land area? What pressure has led to this re-drawing of the map of Sariska?" he asked, noting also that no independent environmentalist had been consulted. Wildlife officials have raise questions too. RS Shekhawat, the former Field Director of Sariska, who oversaw the resurgence of tigers in the reserve, stressed the need for wildlife corridors. "Eco corridors are necessary for movement of tigers. Now it appears CTH will reduce by about two km, so from Tehla to Jamwa Ramgarh, and towards Rajgarh, the corridor will be impacted." Mr Shekhawat also said that even if the CTH was to be altered the state should have prioritised the interests of wildlife conservation by giving an assurance that the ESZ, or eco sensitive zone, around Sariska will be maintained at a minimum of five km, and that this will not be affected. But perhaps the fiercest criticism is from Congress leader and ex-Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, who said the proposed changes endanger forests re-generated against great odds. Mr Ramesh also pointed out both the current Union Environment Minister, Bhupendra Yadav, and his state counterpart, Sanjay Sharma, are from Alwar district, and posted on X, "... surely this double engine cannot be supporting such corridor fragmentation to benefit mine owners..." The Rajasthan government, meanwhile, has declared it is, in fact, honouring the spirit and word of a Supreme Court ruling that said forest areas could not be allowed to decrease. Insisting the end result will be 'positive', it pointed to the increased reserve area and hit back at critics, declaring 'those who are opposing this don't have full knowledge of what is being done'. "'Critical habitat' means the tiger should be conserved and the forests should be protected, which means both the buffer zone and the critical habitat. the Supreme Court was also clear - forest areas should not decrease. So, in fact, our forest area has increased, The Rajasthan Wildlife Board and National Wildlife Board have agreed to this proposal," he declared. "Our aim is to expand the buffer area also because the numbers of tigers is Sariska is increasing. Those who are opposing this do not have full knowledge of what is being done." Fifteen years after Sariska was left without tigers - thanks to poachers - the reserve has become a success story. But now its new population of tigers is under threat again.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP undermining its own govt on Yoga Day, alleges Jully
Jaipur: Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, Friday, accused the governing BJP of creating administrative confusion by bypassing its own govt's orders for International Yoga Day on June 21. He alleged that the party's interference in official functioning exposed how it was "side-lining and dominating" the state govt. On June 17, the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led govt, through the cabinet secretariat, directed ministers to oversee Yoga Day events in their charge districts to ensure smooth coordination. However, the BJP state unit issued its own list on June 19, assigning ministers to different venues — often outside their official jurisdictions. "This is a glaring example of how BJP is interfering in governance. Ministers are now caught between two sets of instructions — one from the govt and another from the party," Jully said, claiming it showed the party's intent to control administration through political diktats. For example, deputy CM Diya Kumari, who was supposed to be in Ajmer or Beawar, will now attend the City Palace event in Jaipur. Deputy CM Prem Chand Bairwa has been asked to attend a Jaipur event instead of Bhilwara or Rajsamand. Cabinet minister Jogaram Patel, officially in-charge of Jaipur, is assigned to Jodhpur. Ministers like Kirori Lal Meena and Gajendra Singh Khimsar are also prioritising BJP-listed venues.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Jully urges CM to initiate Udaan scheme
Jaipur: Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully wrote a letter to chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma urging immediate initiation of Udaan scheme which was started by the previous Congress govt for the health and safety of crores of women in the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Expressing concern, Jully said the state, despite having a female minister for both finance and women and child development (Diya Kumari), has shelved the Udaan scheme. "The scheme is directly related to women's health. For the past nine months, sanitary napkins were not purchased for distribution to women, causing distress to crores of mothers, sisters, and daughters who may be unable to express their pain due to hesitation. This is a very serious and sensitive issue." Jully mentioned that according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) 2015-16, only 47.9% of women in Rajasthan were aware of menstrual hygiene and used sanitary pads. "More than half of the women were unable to use sanitary napkins due to a lack of awareness and resources, resulting in health issues and serious diseases like cancer. In response, the previous Gehlot-led Congress govt launched the Udaan scheme in 2021 for women aged 11 to 45 and schoolgirls," he wrote. "The scheme aimed to provide sanitary pads during menstruation. The women's empowerment department was designated as the nodal agency, and the demand for sanitary pads was sent to RMSCL for distribution," he added.
