A visit by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka to inspect a government primary school in Jaipur's Rampura Kanwarpura village turned contentious on Friday after his team was allegedly confronted and driven away by local residents.

According to the information available, Ranka and his associates reached the school in the Bagru area as part of a planned inspection of government schools. The CJP alleged that members of the group were assaulted and that stones were pelted at them during the confrontation.

The incident has triggered a political dispute, with CJP accusing BJP supporters of violence while local residents and BJP workers denied attacking the visiting team.

School Inspection Turns Confrontational

The CJP had planned to visit two government schools in Jaipur on Friday. Party workers reportedly reached the Rampura Kanwarpura school at around 8 am, while Ranka and his associates arrived later in the morning.

The school building has reportedly been declared unsafe because of its dilapidated condition. Classes are currently being conducted at a temporary location nearby.

As the CJP team arrived, local residents allegedly forced the activists to leave the area. Villagers subsequently staged a protest outside the school and raised slogans against the party.

A tractor-trolley was also reportedly positioned on the main road leading to the village, temporarily blocking access.

Villagers Reject Allegations

Local residents and BJP workers opposed the CJP team's visit, saying they did not want an outside political organisation to intervene in the school's affairs.

They claimed that the government had already sanctioned funds for repairing the school building and that the work would be undertaken through the local political leadership.

Villager Jugal Kishore Sharma denied that residents had assaulted the CJP team. He alleged instead that a large number of people had accompanied the party and claimed that a vehicle belonging to the group was damaged during the confrontation.

The allegations from both sides could not be independently verified from the information provided.

School Building in Poor Condition

The dispute has also drawn attention to the condition of the government primary school.

The original school building has reportedly been closed after becoming structurally unsafe. Iron supports have been installed around parts of the structure, while students have been shifted to a temporary arrangement approximately 50 metres away.

According to the available details, children are currently studying under a tin shed in a structure that was previously used as a cattle enclosure. Animal fodder is reportedly stored nearby, while portions of the building have suffered damage, including fallen bricks.

The condition of the school became one of the central issues highlighted by the CJP during its inspection campaign.

Ranka Accuses BJP Workers

Following the confrontation, Ranka accused BJP workers of attacking his team and described the incident as a serious law-and-order issue.

He alleged that the incident took place at the behest of Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar and demanded action against those responsible.

Ranka also issued a 48-hour ultimatum, saying the party would intensify its movement if the alleged attackers were not arrested and the restrictions on its activities were not withdrawn.

CJP Targets Rajasthan Government

The CJP later posted its allegations on social media, claiming that its members were attacked while raising concerns about school facilities.

The party questioned the Rajasthan Police's response and alleged that BJP workers were openly engaging in violence.

The CJP said the incident demonstrated a deterioration in law and order in the state and vowed to continue raising issues concerning government schools.

Political Dispute Escalates

The incident has added a political dimension to concerns over the condition of government schools in the area.

While the CJP says its visit was aimed at highlighting inadequate facilities for students, local residents maintain that the school repair process has already been sanctioned and that political outsiders should not interfere.

With both sides making competing allegations, the immediate focus is likely to remain on whether any formal police complaint is registered and whether authorities investigate the alleged assault and stone-pelting.

Officials familiar with the development said the audit will examine records from the last two to three years and is expected to cover documents linked to nearly five lakh students. The exercise is being viewed as one of the most extensive reviews of scholarship disbursement practices in the state in recent years.

The investigation has already uncovered troubling patterns. Preliminary findings indicate that in some institutions, biometric attendance systems were allegedly manipulated using rubber thumb impressions. Authorities suspect that fake attendance records were generated to show student presence and maintain eligibility for scholarship benefits.

The state government has directed the Department of Information Technology and Communication (DOIT) and the audit department to conduct a joint investigation. While DOIT will focus on technological and digital aspects of the alleged fraud, auditors will examine scholarship payments, financial transactions and institutional records.

The issue has gained significance because the scholarship scheme is designed to support students from economically weaker and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Any misuse of funds could directly affect beneficiaries who depend on the financial assistance to continue their education.

Speaking about the matter, Rajasthan Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot said the government has already blacklisted 30 institutions where irregularities were detected. He indicated that criminal complaints are being filed in cases where evidence supports legal action.

According to officials, the investigation is not limited to attendance-related fraud. Authorities are also examining allegations involving manipulation of Aadhaar-linked records. Initial inquiries suggest that some e-Mitra operators allegedly collected student documents and changed mobile numbers linked to Aadhaar and Jan Aadhaar accounts. As a result, one-time passwords (OTPs) connected to scholarship applications were reportedly redirected, allowing unauthorized access to student records and benefits.

The audit is expected to determine whether scholarship funds were claimed in the names of students without their knowledge or whether institutions used fabricated records to secure financial assistance.

Government sources said the administration is simultaneously reviewing its digital infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future. Officials are considering stronger integration of scholarship processing through centralized software systems managed by DOIT, which could improve verification mechanisms and reduce opportunities for fraud.

The latest action reflects the state's attempt to tighten oversight over welfare schemes that involve large-scale public spending. Education sector observers note that scholarship programmes play a critical role in increasing access to higher education, making transparency and accountability essential.

As the audit progresses, authorities are expected to scrutinize institutional records, attendance data, biometric logs and financial transactions. Further findings could lead to additional blacklisting, recovery proceedings and criminal investigations.

The government has maintained that all institutions connected to the scholarship programme will be examined wherever necessary and that action will be taken against those found violating rules. Detailed audit findings are awaited.

The project, undertaken in 2009, was aimed at providing affordable housing to poor and underprivileged families. Thousands of residential units were constructed under the scheme, but administrative delays and political transitions prevented their timely distribution to beneficiaries.

According to information available, the houses were ready before the 2013 Assembly elections. However, a change in government meant the allotment process could not be completed. What followed was more than a decade of neglect, turning what was envisioned as a welfare initiative into a symbol of alleged mismanagement and wasteful expenditure.

Over the years, the unoccupied housing complexes reportedly became easy targets for theft and vandalism. Doors, windows, electrical fittings and even iron reinforcements were allegedly removed from many structures. With no regular maintenance or security arrangements in place, the buildings deteriorated rapidly.

Local residents and officials familiar with the project say that many of the structures now resemble abandoned ruins rather than habitable homes. Cracked walls, damaged roofs and missing infrastructure have raised serious questions about accountability and the handling of public funds.

The issue has also reignited the debate over governance and project implementation. Political parties have traded allegations over responsibility for the housing scheme’s failure, with critics describing the episode as an example of how welfare projects can suffer due to administrative inaction and political changes.

The controversy deepened when efforts were reportedly made to revive the project after the return of the Ashok Gehlot-led government. By that stage, however, much of the housing stock had already suffered extensive damage.

Authorities attempted to distribute the homes to eligible beneficiaries, but many reportedly refused to accept them. Beneficiaries were expected to contribute approximately ₹2.25 lakh under the scheme, and several applicants questioned the value of paying that amount for houses that had significantly deteriorated during years of neglect.

The reluctance of beneficiaries highlighted another challenge facing the government. While the original objective was to provide affordable housing, the condition of the properties made them unattractive to potential occupants. In some cases, repairs and restoration costs could further increase the financial burden on families.

Urban development experts note that delayed implementation often undermines public welfare schemes. Housing projects are particularly vulnerable because prolonged vacancy can lead to structural damage, encroachment and theft, ultimately reducing the utility of public investments.

The Rajasthan housing controversy has once again brought attention to the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms and timely execution of government projects. Questions are being raised about who should be held accountable for the deterioration of assets created using taxpayer money and whether any investigation into alleged irregularities will be conducted.

The fate of the nearly 4,000 houses remains uncertain. While discussions on redevelopment, repair or redistribution continue, the abandoned structures stand as a visible reminder of a project that was intended to provide shelter to thousands but instead became mired in delays, neglect and allegations of corruption.

Further action from the concerned authorities is awaited.

With power fluctuations and rising AC bills, millions of Indians are struggling to sleep. But sleep experts now offer natural sleep hacks that lower body temperature without electricity. According to a survey by Philips India, 68% of urban Indians report summer insomnia. The solution lies in traditional fabrics, oils, and timing.

Cotton Over Synthetic

First hack: Replace polyester bedsheets with 100% cotton or khadi. Cotton breathes and wicks sweat away. “Nylon traps heat, causing restless sleep,” explains textile scientist Dr. Nalini Iyer. “Handloom cotton reduces night sweats by 50%.”

Ayurvedic Oil Massage

Applying chandan (sandalwood) oil or khus oil on the soles of feet and pulse points before bed creates a cooling sensation. This Ayurvedic trick tricks the brain into lowering internal temperature.

The Wet Towel Method

Hang a slightly damp, thin cotton towel on your bedroom window. As air passes through, it cools down naturally by 5–7 degrees. This zero-electricity air cooler works best in low-humidity cities like Pune and Nagpur.

Timing Your Dinner

Eating dinner late causes metabolic heat. Finish your last meal by 7:00 PM. Include bhindi (okra) or karela (bitter gourd), which have high water content and cooling properties.

Avoid Blue Light

Using phones in bed increases mental activity and body heat. Replace scrolling with 10 minutes of sheetali pranayama (cooling breath). This yoga hack lowers core temperature instantly.

What Next

Hotels in Rajasthan are now promoting “AC-free luxury wings” using terracotta coolers. For home use, freeze a hot water bottle (filled with water) and place it near your feet. Start tonight for deep, natural sleep.

Jaipur IPL ticket prices surge: Tickets start at ₹1,800, go up to ₹40,000

Rajasthan Royals set to play four matches at SMS Stadium; ticket sales for Delhi Capitals clash now live

The fever of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has officially gripped the Pink City as ticket sales for the Jaipur leg of the tournament commenced on Tuesday. Fans looking to witness the action at the historic Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Stadium will have to shell out more this year, with the cheapest tickets seeing a significant hike compared to the previous season.

Steep hike in entry prices

The starting price for a seat at the SMS Stadium has been fixed at ₹1,800 for the East Stand. This marks a jump of ₹300 from last year’s base price of ₹1,500. While the entry-level pricing has climbed, the luxury segments have reached premium heights, with the most expensive tickets for the Dream Lounge reportedly touching the ₹40,000 mark.

Four home games scheduled

According to the latest India News Update, the Rajasthan Royals are scheduled to play a total of four matches at their primary home ground in Jaipur this season. This follows their initial "home" leg held at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. The return to the SMS Stadium is expected to draw massive crowds, given the team’s strong performance in the early stages of the tournament.

Delhi Capitals tickets live

As per official sources, the ticketing window has first opened for the high-octane clash between the Rajasthan Royals and the Delhi Capitals, scheduled for May 1. Fans can currently book these tickets online through the franchise’s official ticketing partner, District by Zomato. Management indicated that bookings for the April 25 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad will be made available shortly.

Dynamic pricing in effect

The Royals’ management has hinted that Jaipur IPL ticket prices are subject to dynamic pricing. This means as the match day approaches and demand surges, the cost for the remaining seats could increase further. Both online platforms and physical box office counters will be operational during the match window to cater to the heavy rush of supporters.

Premium lounge costs soar

While the general stands remain the most sought-after for the average fan, the premium sections like the Bikaner Rooftop, Sambhar Lounge, and Ajmer Rooftop are seeing high interest from corporate circles. Though the full detailed price list for all specialized lawns is still being updated, the upper ceiling of ₹40,000 reflects the growing commercial scale of the league.

Student discounts under consideration

Currently, no separate pricing tier has been announced for the student community, which usually looks forward to subsidized rates. However, sources within the organizing committee suggested that discounted tickets might be introduced once offline sales begin at the stadium counters, a move intended to keep the local youth engaged with the latest news today.

Impact on local fans

The surge in prices has sparked a debate among local cricket enthusiasts. While many are willing to pay the premium to see their favorite stars like Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, others feel the steep hike might pinch the pockets of the common man. Regardless, the excitement remains at an all-time high as Jaipur prepares for a month of cricketing carnival under the lights.