1. Alpesh Thakor Meets Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, Sets Tongues Wagging
Alpesh Thakor, president of the Kshatriya Thakor Sena, met Chief Minister Vijay Rupani at his residence on Thursday, sparking rumours that he may cross over to BJP soon.
Thakor was accompanied by his two lieutenants Dhavalsinh Zala and Bechraji Bharat Thakor, who are both Congress MLAs from Bayad. The three have been close since Alpesh catapulted into the state's political scene when he led an agitation against alcohol prohibition and demanded jobs for youth.
Alpesh had joined the Congress in October 2017 in the presence of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, ahead of the Assembly polls in the state.
However, there have been indications that he has been disgruntled with the state Congress leadership. He has been conspicuously absent from party meetings, especially the one called by state party in-charge Rajiv Satav with MLAs and leaders in Ahmedabad.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
2. Trial on Ahmed Patel’s RS Poll Victory Begins
The trial on Congress leader Ahmed Patel’s Rajya Sabha victory in 2017 started with the complainant, BJP candidate Balwantsinh Rajput entering the witness boxes on Thursday. The matter was heard by Justice Bela Trivedi; Rajput reiterated his objections to the election results in which Patel emerged as the winner.
His deposition was incomplete and the court posted a further hearing on Friday. Language remained a major issue during the trial as Rajput told he was not comfortable talking in English and his counsel started questioning him in Gujarati. This was objected by Patel’s lawyers who insisted that Rajput can only be questioned in Hindi or English.
As Rajput took longer to reply, the court urged him to be quicker and reprimanded him for not coming prepared.
(Source: Times of India)
3. Biochem signs MoU for Rs 2,000 cr biofuel refinery in Dahej
The US-based Biochem on Thursday signed a MoU with the state government to invest Rs 3,000 crore in Gujarat, including Rs 2,000 crore for a biofuel refinery. As per MoU, Biochem will establish a biofuel refinery near Dahej PCPIR for producing fuel ethanol using raw materials such as corn.
"The refinery is expected to come up with an investment of close to Rs 2,000 crore and is expected to create 2,000 new jobs in the region by the year 2021," the government said in a statement.
The US-based company has sought 50-acre land, as well as advanced biofuel and biomass power project incentives and tax breaks for the refinery, according to an official. As per the MoU, Biochem will also set up an Ethanol to Ethylene plant close to IOC's refinery in Koyali, Vadodara, with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
4. Gujarat’s Project Lion Gets Centre’s Nod
Following vehement opposition by the Gujarat government, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change rejected Wildlife Institute of India’s (WII) ‘Recovery and Conservation of Endangered Lions in Gujarat’ project, which was to be monitored by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Instead the Centre has approved Rs 351 crore proposal for Project Lion submitted by Gujarat government. ‘Project Lion involve building a vet hospital in Sasan Gir, Lion rescue centres, deployment of drones to keep track of lions and other wildlife, recruitment of 100 odd trackers, 33 rapid response teams and installation of CCTV Cameras.
(Source: Times of India)
5. Ahmedabad: Two Cows Stolen, Owner Chased With Sword
A complaint was of stealing was lodged with Nikol police on Thursday after three men came made off with two cows on a vehicle from the place. The thieves also pulled out swords and chased off the owner when he went to stop them.
A complaint was lodged by 29-year-old Pratik Rabari, a resident of Tejendra Park society in Nikol. Rabari runs a dairy and owns 21 cattle. The victim had allegedly tied the two cows outside the gate of his cattle shelter at around 1 am on Thursday.
The animals were ill and slept soon, he said. Rabari woke up at around 2.40 am and went to check the animals when he found the three men stealing his cows. When he ran towards them, the accused allegedly got off the vehicle and attacked him with a sword.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
6. Gujarat University Incubated Start-Up Brings Solution for Indian Army
Army officials located in remote areas will not have to wrack their brains for nutritious food anymore. In a major achievement of Gujarat University Start-up and Entrepreneurship Cell (GUS-EC), one of its incubatees will soon be providing nutritious food which can be used in all weather conditions.
A year-old company Rivera Namkins run by Manoj Ukani, Ajay Korat, Manoj Kotadiya from Surat have found a way to retain freshness in vegetables for 6-8 months. Interestingly, at the defence seminar held as part of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, the officials had lauded GU's effort in helping Indian Army solve their problems.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
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