1. Gujarat Govt Makes 24×7 Shops a Reality, Working Hours Limited to 9
The legislative Bill that proposed to amend Shops and Establishment Act and to allow shops across Gujarat to function 24 hours was made effective from midnight Wednesday, the foundation day of Gujarat.
Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel announced this on Wednesday, 1 May, while adding that Gujarat will probably be the first state in India to implement such a law.
Making an announcement in this regard, Patel said that the Bill was passed in the previous session of Gujarat Assembly and has now got the assent of President Ram Nath Kovind. Patel said that implementing the Bill will allow various shops in the state to function 24 hours and will generate more employment opportunities for youth.
(Source: Indian Express)
2. Hardik Patel Flip-Flops on Quota Stir
Patidar reservation stir leader and Congress' fresh face Hardik Patel declared on Wednesday, 1 May, that the community's quota agitation had ended with the Centre's announcement of 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker sections, only to retract it minutes later, stating the agitation would continue till cases against Patidar youths were withdrawn.
"Naturally, after the 10 percent reservation was granted by the central government, there cannot be any agitation (for a separate quota for Patidar community). If we still agitate over the demand, we will be accused of playing politics over the issue," said Hardik in Rajkot after a meeting with community leaders to discuss the release of quota leader Alpesh Kathiriya, jailed since 19 March in a sedition case.
However, as Hardik's surprise announcement evoked mixed reactions from Patidar community leaders, he issued a clarification that PAAS would continue the agitation in a peaceful manner till the top court verdict on the quota comes in.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
3. Hindu Girl Who Eloped Says Muslim Lover Must Convert, Turn Vegetarian to Marry
In a unique development, an adult Hindu girl has submitted an application to Surat police in which she has said that she would marry a Muslim youth with whom she had an affair only after he converted to Hinduism and became a vegetarian.
The girl, aged 18 years and seven months, submitted the application to Katargam police a day after she and her lover were detained by the police, acting on the missing complaint case filed by the girl’s parents. On 22 April, the couple had fled after the girl’s family reached Nanpura marriage registry office where she was going to get married to the Muslim youth.
After detaining them on Monday, police released the couple, saying that both were adults and free to take their own decisions. However, the girl returned to her family, and a day later submitted an application to the police in the presence of her parents and family members.
(Source: Indian Express)
4. Metropolitan Court Issues Summons to Rahul Gandhi for Allegedly Defaming Amit Shah
A metropolitan court on Wednesday, 1 May, took cognisance of the defamation complaint filed against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for allegedly making a wrong and defamatory statement against BJP president Amit Shah during a recent election rally in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The court also issued summons to the Congress president directing him to remain present before it on 9 July.
The complaint was filed by BJP's Khadia councillor Krishnavadan Brahmbhatt and the court after inquiring into the complaint under Section 202 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) held that there is a prima facie case against Gandhi.
According to Brambhatt's lawyer Prakash Patel, the complaint was placed before the court of metropolitan magistrate DS Dabhi on 26 April, which ordered a preliminary inquiry under Section 202 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
5. Class 10 Boy Seeks Gujarat Education Minister's Help for Siblings' Admission
The education minister on Wednesday, 1 May, had a unique visitor – a class 10 student approached Bhupendrasinh Chudasama's office seeking his intervention in admitting two of his siblings to school. Vivek, a resident of a chawl in Shahibaug, has been running from pillar to post to get his sister and brother admitted to class 1 and class 6 in Kendriya Vidyalaya.
Speaking to the media, he said, "My father is a plumber and cannot afford the high fees of schools. It has been over a month that I have been running around for my siblings' admissions. I also have a letter from the collector which asks the school to admit my siblings but I have not got any surety from the school. This is the reason I had to come to Gandhinagar and this is my second visit. If I don't get any response from here, my siblings will remain uneducated."
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
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