Rajasthan HC issues notice on expense details of Gaurav Yatra
Jaipur, Aug 10 : The Rajasthan High Court on Friday issued notice to the BJP state unit chief on a PIL regarding the expenses incurred on the party's ongoing 'Gaurav Yatra' led by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in the state, a lawyer said.
The court directed Bharatiya Janata Party state unit President Madanlal Saini to submit his party's stand on the expenses by August 16, said petitioner-advocate Vibhuti Bhushan Sharma.
Sharma's PIL was taken up in the court of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog.
On August 4, BJP President Amit Shah flagged off the 'Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra' from Charbhuja temple in Rajsamund, which is being seen as the official start of the party's campaigning ahead of the Assembly polls this year.
The PIL mentioned that the 'Gaurav Yatra' was a ruling party initiative and questioned the state government orders to the Public Works Department on August 1 to make arrangements for setting up the stage, sound system, decoration etc for the yatra by inviting tenders for the same.
The PIL listed as respondents the state Chief Secretary, PWD Principal Secretary and Chief Engineer and BJP state unit President Madanlal Saini.
He also questioned the delegation of tasks to officials of Information and Public Relations Department for publicity work.
Sharma told IANS that advocates for the Chief Secretary and PWD told the court on Friday that orders pertaining to expenses for the yatra have since been withdrawn.
However, Sharma said, the Chief Justice maintained that hearing in the matter is mandatory and thus issued a show-cause notice to Saini who was directed to present his party's stand by August 16.
State Congress chief Sachin Pilot has claimed that government funds are being misused for the yatra and showed to the media state government orders to PWD officials on the issue.
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PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
