On Day 1, Ashok Gehlot talks loan waiver with officials

A day after forming his new team in the CMO, chief minister Ashok Gehlot came to his office (CMO) at the secretariat on Wednesday, considered an auspicious day. He was found in action on the first day and held several meetings with CMO officials and chief secretary DB Gupta, issuing them instructions.

Earlier, Gehlot offered prayers at Gandhi statue situated at the secretariat. Hundreds of employees present on the occasion welcomed him. He also offered prayers at the Ganesh Temple that is situated at the entrance of the Secretariat gate.

Later he moved to the CMO where he took charge in the presence of CMO who were appointed on Tuesday. Principal secretary to CM Kuldeep Ranka, secretary to CM Ajitabh Sharma and his OSD Deva Ram Saini were among those present.

Minutes after assuming office, Gehlot swung into actions and held meetings with the chief secretary and Ranka. The agenda of farmers’ loan waiver also discussed in the meeting.

Congress made a poll promise of waiving farm loan in 10 days after coming into the power. Gehlot’s counterpart in Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath has already announced farm loan waiver. Hence, the pressure mounts on him to dispose off the issue soon. Anytime the Gehlot government may announce loan waiver. Besides, the deliberations on first Assembly session alos took place in the meeting. The first session of newly-formed Rajasthan government may start in mid of January. Gehlot also called on governor Kalyan Singh later in the day.

Gehlot did not take charge of office at the Secretariat on Tuesday but held meetings with officials at his residence. 

Meanwhile, his deputy Sachin Pilot visited the Secretariat on Tuesday and the CMO building and took stock of working of the administrative structure. He is still to assume office at the CMO.

Pilot on Wednesday remained busy in party affairs. The party workers and leaders met him at his residence and informally discussed the organisational issues. Pilot also went to Phagi where he offered condolence to kin of martyr Satyanarayan Yadav.

Sachin Pilot at PCC

Deputy CM Sachin Pilot is yet to assume office at the CMO. But on Wednesday Pilot remained busy in party affairs. The party workers and leaders met him at his residence and informally discussed the organisational issues.