1. Nothing Wrong With Inviting Pak to VGS: Gujarat CS Dr JN Singh
Despite reports to the contrary, the Gujarat government is happy that Pakistan trade delegates will attend the Global Trade Show and the Global Conclave of International Chambers at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit (VGS), said Chief Secretary Dr JN Singh.
“There is nothing wrong in inviting Pakistan-based delegates,” The Chief Secretary said on Friday, “In fact, we are happy that they are coming. The Gujarat Chamber for Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has invited them and is hosting them, and we welcome this initiative. It is not that we have zero business relations with Pakistan. We trade with them in cotton and other commodities.”
It remains to be seen whether Pakistan accepts the invitation and GCCI has not received confirmation to this effect. While addressing the media on Friday, Singh shared details of the three-day biennial trade event and its new facets.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
2. Bopal Custodial Death: CID Crime to Probe
The Gujarat High Court on Friday transferred the investigation of the Bopal Custodial Death Case to the State CID Crime after family of the deceased Surbha Zala filed a petition alleging biased investigation. Earlier on 7 December, the HC asked the Dy Superintendent of Police and PI of Bagodara police station to remain present before it.
The court took action following a petition filed by the youth’s elder brother Mahavirsinh Zala, seeking transfer of the probe to any independent agency doubting ongoing investigation carried out by the SIT formed by Ahmedabad district police.
They have submitted before the court that three policemen have been held in the case and the cops have stopped the probe though there are more persons involved.
(Source: Ahmedabad Mirror)
3. Neighbours Beat up Man for Calling Girlfriend to His Residence
A 30-year-old man was attacked by residents of his apartment in Bodakdev area of the city because he invited his girlfriend home on the night of 3 December for dinner. The complainant hails from Surendranagar district and runs an apparel business in Vastrapur area of the city.
The complainant stated that, “On 3 December he and his girlfriend were having dinner at home when four residents from the building rushed into my flat and argued with me about calling a girl to the apartment. I told them she was a close friend and even called her parents on the phone and even called my girlfriend’s mother.”
After the dinner when the complainant when to the parking lot to drop his girlfriend’s mother, the neighbours assaulted him. He was severely injured and filed a complaint after he was released from the hospital.
(Source: Times of India)
4. CBI Nabs EPFO Officer While Accepting Bribe in Vadodara
The CBI on Friday, 11 January, arrested an official of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in Vadodara in Gujarat for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh. R K Tiwari, an Enforcement Officer with the EPFO, was arrested while accepting the bribe from a local builder, the agency said in a release.
The builder had received a notice from the EPFO regarding depositing of provident fund of his employees, and Tiwari allegedly promised to pass a "favourable order" if he paid the bribe. After negotiations, the accused agreed to accept Rs 10 lakh, the CBI said.
After the builder filed a complaint, CBI sleuths laid a trap and arrested Tiwari while accepting the ‘first instalment’ of Rs 5 lakh, it said.
(Source: PTI)
5. Ahmedabad Restaurants Log off From Swiggy
Nearly 750 restaurants and eateries' operators in Ahmedabad have decided to boycott the online food delivery platform, Swiggy, from Thursday night, industry representatives informed the media.
If Zomato and Uber Eats do not renegotiate the terms of the contract and reduce their commission, they will also face a boycott from 14 January. A meeting of restaurants and eateries was held in the city in which it was unanimously decided to log off from Swiggy.
Earlier, restaurants and eateries under the aegis of Hotel and Restaurants Association – Gujarat (HRA) had got consent letter from most of the restaurants to negotiate on their behalf with online platforms following which a meeting was held with representatives of online food delivery platforms.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
6. HC Frames Issues in Plea Against Ahmed Patel’s Win
The Gujarat High Court on Friday framed six issues in an election petition filed by BJP leader Balvantsinh Rajput, challenging veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel’s election to the Rajya Sabha in 2017.
The hearings will start on 19 January. Rajput’s counsel confirmed the same. The HC began hearing in the EP after the Supreme Court directed Ahmed Patel to face trial in Gujarat High Court with respect to his election to the Rajya Sabha in 2017.
Patel was declared winner after the Election Commission invalidated the votes of two rebel MLAs, bringing down the number of votes to win to 44 from 45. Rajput in his petition had challenged the EC’s decision to invalidate the votes of two MLAs.
(Source: Ahmedabad Mirror)
7. PM Narendra Modi, Five Heads of State to Attend VGS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, five heads of states and countries, and political leaders from several countries will attend the ninth edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in Gandhinagar between 18 and 20 January, a senior government official said on Friday. More than 20,000 national and international delegates are also expected to take part in the mega business event.
Chief secretary JN Singh said that presidents of Uzbekistan and Rwanda, and Prime Ministers of Denmark, Malta and Ethiopia, will attend the inaugural session of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2019 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar on January 18.
"Twenty-one ministers from several other countries will also share the stage with prime minister Narendra Modi, and other heads of state and countries. Prime minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Summit," Singh told reporters.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
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