In Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Gujarat CID arrested two individuals with approximately 12 kilograms of narcotics (ganja) during a special operation in the Mota Chiloda area. Officials reported this information on Friday.

Acting on specific information received during regular patrols, a team from the ANTF's Gandhinagar zone stopped a government bus at Chiloda Circle and apprehended two suspects accused of being involved in ganja smuggling. The accused have been identified as Viraj Solanki (26) from Daboda and Aditya alias Aadi Baraiya (22) from Chanakyapuri, Gandhinagar. According to officials, a total of 11.94 kilograms of ganja was seized during this operation, valued at 5.97 lakh rupees.

Additionally, two mobile phones worth 10,000 rupees were also confiscated, bringing the total value of the recovered items to 6.07 lakh rupees. The operation was conducted by a team led by Inspector N.R. Patel, which included officials such as K.M. Vadnagara, P.S. Jala, and P.M. Chavda, along with other staff and a technical expert.

A case has been registered under sections 8(c), 20(b)(2)(b), and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Further investigation has been handed over to the Chiloda police station. This seizure is another step in the recent stringent actions against narcotics in Gujarat and other places.

Previously, in February, officials uncovered a large illegal cultivation of narcotics in Bhavnagar district and seized narcotics worth over 10.9 crore rupees, including ganja and opium, marking one of the largest seizures in the state to date. Earlier in March, law enforcement agencies also uncovered a large urban network for drug distribution and seized hybrid ganja worth over 26 lakh rupees from a rented apartment.

In another recent action, the ANTF seized 5.177 kilograms of ganja in the Prantij area of Sabarkantha district and arrested one suspect. Further investigation has been initiated to uncover the larger network associated with this supply.

Gandhinagar - The Gujarat government has approved road development works worth Rs 1,185 crore across five districts of South Gujarat as part of a comprehensive effort to strengthen logistics connectivity and support the long-term growth of the Surat Economic Region. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel cleared twenty-four projects aimed at widening and improving approximately 383 kilometers of roads in the districts of Surat, Tapi, Valsad, Navsari, and Dang.

These infrastructure initiatives are designed to enhance connectivity among industrial clusters, ports, and logistics centers in the area, facilitating their integration into global supply chains, as per agency report. The projects fall under a broader development framework centered around the Surat Economic Region, which the government intends to model after major international trade hubs such as Dubai and Guangzhou. The overarching goal is to solidify the role of Surat in international trade by bridging the gap between manufacturing centers and global markets.

Among the five districts, Surat has been allocated the largest share of the funds, receiving Rs 631 crore, which underscores its central position in the industrial and economic activities of the region. Valsad district has been granted Rs 264 crore, while the remaining funds will be utilized for projects in Navsari, Tapi, and Dang. These road development efforts are closely aligned with the economic master plan prepared by NITI Aayog for the Surat Economic Region.

The master plan, initiated in Surat about seventeen months ago, outlines a long-term strategy to transform the city and its neighboring districts into a prominent economic hub by the year 2047. When the plan was formulated in 2024, Chief Minister Patel described it as a reflection of the state commitment to visionary, dynamic, and inclusive development, serving as a vital component in nation-building rather than just a basic blueprint.

The industrial profile of South Gujarat played a crucial role in its selection as one of the four pilot city regions across the country for the economic master plan. Surat is globally recognized for its textile manufacturing and diamond cutting industries, while the surrounding districts host a diverse range of sectors including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, agro-processing, and small-scale manufacturing. Bharuch features a robust base in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals, whereas Navsari is noted for agriculture, food processing, and small-scale production. Tapi engages in agro-processing, paper manufacturing, and dairy activities. Valsad combines chemical industries with trade and tourism, while the predominantly forested and tribal district of Dang relies primarily on farming, forest produce, and basic services.

The government is focusing on fortifying infrastructure to encourage economic diversity and balanced regional development. Recognizing that well-connected coastal and inland regions are emerging as significant global trade centers, the state is prioritizing logistics and transport connectivity. The region already benefits from extensive transportation facilities, including expressways, railway networks, ports, an international airport, and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. Together, these elements create a massive logistics network that links manufacturing hubs directly to ports and consumer markets.

Looking ahead, the state government has identified sustainable agriculture, real estate, tourism, information technology, and logistics as potential sectors for future expansion in the area. Officials estimate the current per capita gross domestic product of South Gujarat to be around 4,600 US dollars. Through continuous investments in infrastructure and industrial expansion under this long-term strategy, the government aims to elevate this figure to over 45,000 US dollars by 2047.

Gandhinagar: Authorities on Monday demolished at least ten illegal structures in Sector 30 as part of an ongoing campaign against encroachment on government land. The operation was carried out in coordination with multiple departments in the early hours of the morning, as per agency report.

Assistant Police Superintendent Ayush Jain said that teams from the state’s Roads and Buildings Department and the Revenue Department, along with police personnel, initiated the demolition drive at around 5:30 am. Nearly 200 police officers were deployed in the area to assist officials during the operation. Notices had been issued earlier, following which the structures in Sector 30 were removed.

The latest action follows a major demolition drive conducted in September, during which authorities cleared around 700 illegal structures built over one lakh square metres of government land in the nearby Pethapur area.

Gandhinagar – The Gujarat government has made it mandatory to register all births and deaths on the Civil Registration System (CRS) portal, a move aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and convenience for citizens. Under the new system, applicants can directly download birth and death certificates from the portal once the registration process is complete, saving both time and effort.

The CRS portal has been operational across the state since May 31, 2025. As part of this initiative, all government hospitals are now required to carry out online registrations of births and deaths. Hospitals will upload not only the birth certificate but also the child’s discharge certificate directly onto the portal.

According to officials, the biggest advantage of this system is its transparency and error-free process. Applicants can review the information entered using their mobile phones and, if any errors are detected, corrections can be made within 24 hours.

To ensure smooth implementation in Vadodara district, a one-day training camp was organized for district officers and staff. The program, conducted under the guidance of District Registrar (JM) and District Health Officer Dr. Meenakshi Chauhan, covered all aspects of the new system.

The training was attended by taluka development officers, statistical assistants, taluka-level health officers, primary health centre medical officers, municipal registrars, data entry operators, and staff from private hospitals involved in birth and death registration.

As per report, the government believes that this digital shift will streamline the registration process, reduce administrative burden, and provide citizens with quicker access to essential certificates, marking a significant step toward digital governance in Gujarat.

Gandhinagar, May 21 – The population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat has seen a significant increase over the past five years, rising from 674 in 2020 to an estimated 891 in 2025. The data was released by forest officials on Wednesday following the completion of the 16th Asiatic Lion Census conducted earlier this month.

As per agency report, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel confirmed the rise in lion numbers while speaking to the media, highlighting the success of ongoing conservation efforts. The new figures indicate a substantial growth in lion populations, now spread beyond their traditional habitat in the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary to 11 districts across the Saurashtra region.

According to the forest department, the current population includes 196 adult males, 330 adult females, 140 sub-adults, and 225 cubs. This distribution marks not only a numerical increase but also a territorial expansion of the species.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Jaipal Singh stated that 384 lions were recorded within Gir National Park and its adjacent sanctuaries, while 507 lions were found in areas beyond, including protected zones such as Pania, Mitiyala, Girnar, and Barda, as well as in coastal and non-forest regions. The Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, located around 15 kilometers from Porbandar, was found to be home to 17 lions. In Bhavnagar district, one pride alone comprised 17 lions, the highest number recorded in a single group.

The lion census was conducted in two phases from May 10 to 13, covering 35,000 square kilometers across 58 talukas in 11 districts. Over 3,000 participants, including volunteers, regional officers, beat officers, and data collectors, took part in the exercise.

For enhanced accuracy, the forest department employed the “Direct Beat Verification” technique for the first time, alongside advanced tools such as camera traps, high-resolution cameras, and radio collars to track lion movements and identify individuals based on physical markings, age, sex, and GPS locations.

This extensive survey recorded lion presence in districts including Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Surendranagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Amreli, Porbandar, and Botad, reflecting a broad and healthy distribution of the species across Gujarat.

The Gujarat forest department conducts the Asiatic lion census every five years, and the latest results reaffirm the state’s pivotal role in the global conservation of this iconic and endangered species.

Gandhinagar, May 4 – The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB) will declare the results of Class 12 and GUJCET 2025 on May 5 at 10:30 AM. This announcement was confirmed by Gujarat Education Minister Kuber Singh Dindor via a post on social media platform X.

According to a press release issued by the board, the results for Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, including Science, General, Vocational, UUB streams, GUJCET-2025, and Sanskrit Madhyama will be available on the official website www.gseb.org at the scheduled time. Students can view their results by entering their seat numbers on the website. Additionally, results can also be obtained by sending the seat number via WhatsApp to 6357300971.

https://twitter.com/InfoGujarat/status/1919038204327436657

Further details regarding the distribution of mark sheets, certificates, and school records will be released later. The board also plans to issue a comprehensive circular containing instructions on mark verification, document correction, name updates, rejection of marks, and procedures for reappearing in exams. This circular will be distributed to schools along with the official documents.

This year, a total of 4,23,909 students registered for the General stream in Class 12, including 3,64,859 regular, 22,652 repeaters, 4,031 isolated, 24,061 private, and 8,306 private repeaters. In the Science stream, 1,11,384 students registered, comprising 1,00,813 regular, 10,476 repeaters, and 95 isolated candidates.

Notably, in 2024 the board declared the Class 12 Science and Commerce results on May 9. This year’s early announcement is expected to give students additional time for college admissions and entrance processes.

To check results on the official website, students can follow these steps:

1. Visit the Gujarat Board’s official website www.gseb.org.

2. Click on the link for “HSC Science/General/Vocational Stream Result 2025” or “GUJCET 2025 Result” on the homepage.

3. Enter your seat number.

4. Click on the "Submit" button.

The result will be displayed on the screen and can be downloaded or printed. Students are advised to check their results only through the official website and avoid relying on unauthorized sources.

Gandhinagar, April 21 – Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary on Monday inaugurated the PDEU-NSDC Centre of Excellence for Skill Development at Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) in Gandhinagar. The centre, established in partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), aims to equip Indian youth with hands-on skills in emerging sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence (AI).

As per agency report, the new initiative is designed to provide advanced training in future-critical technologies, giving students real-world exposure to high-tech manufacturing and digital domains. Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary emphasized the importance of collaboration between academia and industry and urged universities across the country to engage with their alumni networks for stronger institutional development.

The Centre of Excellence will offer more than 40 online and hybrid courses, covering a wide range of topics such as semiconductor fabrication, renewable and non-renewable energy, smart manufacturing, embedded systems, robotics, AI, machine learning, cloud computing, blockchain, and VLSI design. The training for semiconductor technologies has already commenced, and further infrastructure, including domain-specific laboratories, is being added to enhance capacities in smart and clean technologies.

Professor Sunder S Manoharan, Director General of PDEU, announced during the event that the Centre of Excellence will train professionals for upcoming semiconductor assembly operations at the Micron Technology plant in Sanand, near Ahmedabad. Micron, a US-based chipmaker, is setting up one of India's key semiconductor manufacturing facilities, and this centre is expected to play a vital role in developing a skilled workforce for the project.

The initiative marks a significant step in aligning India’s talent development with the country’s broader ambitions in technology-driven growth and self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing.

Gandhinagar, March 18 – An Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA was removed from the Gujarat Assembly on Tuesday after refusing to remove a sticker from his T-shirt that opposed the ongoing land survey process. The incident took place during the budget session’s question hour when Speaker Shankar Chaudhary objected to the display of protest slogans inside the House.

As per agency report, AAP MLA Hemant Khawa entered the Assembly wearing a T-shirt with a sticker that read, "Cancel the faulty land mapping process." When the Speaker pointed out that such demonstrations were not permitted inside the Assembly, Khawa defended his action, stating that he was merely trying to draw the government’s attention to the difficulties farmers were facing due to the ongoing land resurvey process finalizing agricultural land records.

Despite repeated warnings, the MLA refused to remove the sticker or leave the Assembly voluntarily. He insisted that his intention was not to stage a protest but to highlight a critical issue affecting farmers. The Speaker then directed marshals to escort him out of the House with due respect.

Khawa, who represents the Jamjodhpur constituency in Jamnagar district, continued to argue his case before being removed. His expulsion highlighted the growing tensions between the ruling BJP government and opposition leaders over land survey policies and their impact on farmers.

Gandhinagar, March 12 – The Gujarat Assembly members celebrated the festival of Holi with enthusiasm and grandeur, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Speaker Shankarbhai Chaudhary. The colorful festivities took place on Wednesday after the conclusion of the assembly session, as ministers, legislators, and other attendees gathered in the lush green courtyard in front of the assembly complex.

As per media report, the celebration began with CM Bhupendra Patel, Speaker Shankarbhai Chaudhary, and other ministers and legislators walking from the assembly to the venue, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the traditional Gheraiya dance performed by tribal artists. The vibrant atmosphere was further enhanced by melodious Holi songs and energetic folk dances, as leaders and attendees joyfully played with colors and celebrated the spirit of Holi together.

The courtyard was adorned with colorful flowers, decorative rangoli, and traditional seating arrangements like charpoys, adding to the festive charm. The ministers and legislators also performed Garba to the tunes of Holi songs, creating an environment filled with joy, unity, and cultural harmony.

Following the celebrations, CM Bhupendra Patel, Speaker Shankarbhai Chaudhary, and other assembly members enjoyed a communal feast, strengthening the spirit of togetherness. Notably, the tradition of celebrating Holi collectively in the Gujarat Assembly was initiated last year by Speaker Shankarbhai Chaudhary, and it has since become a cherished annual event.

Gandhinagar, March 4: Gujarat has recorded the death of 286 lions in the past two years, including 143 cubs, with 58 fatalities attributed to unnatural causes, according to State Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera. The data was revealed during the ongoing budget session in response to a question posed by senior Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.

Bera further disclosed that 456 leopards, including 140 cubs, also died in Gujarat during 2023 and 2024. Of the 286 lion deaths, 121 occurred in 2023, while 165 were recorded in 2024. Gujarat remains the last natural habitat of the Asiatic lion in the world, with the last official lion census in June 2020 estimating the state's lion population at 674, most of which reside in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.

Providing additional details, the minister stated that 225 leopards died in 2023, followed by 231 in 2024. Of the total lion deaths, 228 were attributed to natural causes, whereas 58 were caused by unnatural factors, including road accidents and drowning in open wells. Similarly, 303 leopard deaths were due to natural reasons, while 153 fatalities were caused by external factors.

To curb the rising number of unnatural lion deaths, the Gujarat government has initiated several measures, including the recruitment of veterinarians and the launch of ambulance services for timely treatment of lions and other wildlife. The government remains committed to enhancing conservation efforts and ensuring better protection of endangered species in the state.

Gandhinagar, March 4: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced on Tuesday that the state government will launch a statewide awareness campaign against obesity. The initiative aims to educate people on the risks associated with obesity and ways to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

The announcement was made in the Gujarat Assembly during the ongoing budget session, coinciding with World Obesity Day on March 4. The Chief Minister emphasized that the campaign will run throughout the year, featuring various programs to promote awareness about weight management and healthy living.

Patel highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a recent episode of his radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’, urged people to take obesity seriously and work towards spreading awareness about its health implications. The Chief Minister stated that Gujarat has always responded promptly to the Prime Minister’s appeals, and this campaign is a step in that direction.

The state government plans to implement year-round initiatives aimed at educating the public on effective ways to combat obesity, promoting healthy eating habits, physical fitness, and lifestyle changes across Gujarat.

Gandhinagar : The Gujarat government, in collaboration with the central government, is developing a Buddhist circuit in the state, with tourist facilities at 12 significant sites already completed. State Tourism Minister Mulu Bera shared this update on Sunday.

Addressing the Sixth International Conference on Buddhist Heritage, organized by the Sanghakaya Foundation with the support of the State Tourism Department, Bera highlighted ongoing development work at the historic site of Dev Ni Mori in Aravalli district. This site gained prominence after the excavation of a stupa revealed a carved relic casket containing the remains of Buddha.

Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the Gujarat government is enhancing the Buddhist circuit with the assistance of the central government. The minister emphasized that various amenities have been developed across 12 identified Buddhist heritage sites as part of this initiative.

The state has also submitted a revised project proposal worth Rs 653 crore to the central government for the comprehensive development of Dev Ni Mori. The project originally estimated at Rs 1,002 crore has been scaled down, with plans to transform the site where Buddhist relics were discovered and are now preserved at MS University in Vadodara.

Bera noted that numerous projects at these 12 sites are either completed or underway. The state government has reached out to district collectors of the seven districts where these heritage sites are located to secure the necessary land for further development.

Dev Ni Mori remains the most significant project under this scheme, requiring 206 hectares of land, of which 28 hectares are already available with the Tourism Department. The Culture Ministry of India is currently reviewing the Buddhist Circuit project, and a recent joint meeting between central and state government officials, chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, discussed the project's progress.

The central government had allocated Rs 36 crore for the circuit development back in June 2017. The minister confirmed that an architect has been appointed, and land acquisition along with other preliminary tasks are being actively pursued to expedite the project.