Udaipur, March 7 (Udaipur Kiran): A large number of citizens presented their grievances and suggestions during the public hearing held by MP Dr Mannalal Rawat on Saturday at the MP Seva Kendra located in the District Council premises. Issues related to UDA, Railways, Municipal Corporation, District Council, Pension Department, roads and the Jal Jeevan Mission were raised during the interaction. Complaints regarding illegal encroachments were also brought before the MP.
During the hearing, representatives of the Udaipur Tea Merchants Association, including president Lakshmilal Ostwal, vice president Naresh Kumar Jain, and other members, met the MP and demanded removal of the 0.50 percent Krishak Kalyan Fee imposed on tea leaves in the state.
The representatives stated that as per the order issued by the Directorate of Agricultural Marketing, Jaipur on September 16, 2025, officials in mandis have been instructed to collect a 0.50 percent Krishak Kalyan Fee on tea leaves. They pointed out that the previous government had recognised tea as a common beverage for the poor and had kept the proposed agricultural mandi fee on tea suspended, which still continues.
They also noted that tea leaves are neither produced nor processed in Rajasthan, and even in states where tea cultivation takes place, no such fee is imposed. In neighbouring states, tea is only subject to 5 percent GST, with no additional tax. According to the association, imposing this fee in Rajasthan could encourage direct sale of tea from other states and adversely affect the state’s GST revenue.
Meanwhile, residents raised a complaint about the closure of a road near Dhimdi Basti in Rana Pratap Nagar, which connects the railway colony. Taking immediate action, the MP contacted railway officials on the spot and facilitated a prompt resolution of the issue. Citizens informed that the road had been used by residents for years, but it was being closed due to the construction of a railway office and officers’ quarters, along with a boundary wall.
Several suggestions were also presented regarding railway services. Citizens demanded a change in the timing of the Udaipur–Ratlam train and requested new rail connectivity towards South India. It was suggested that the Ajmer–Sealdah–Ajmer train (via Parasnath Sammed Shikhar), which reportedly halts at Ajmer station for about 11 hours daily, should be extended to Udaipur so that thousands of Jain pilgrims from nearby districts can benefit.
Another proposal was related to the Lok Shakti Express, which operates daily between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The train reaches Ahmedabad at 4:20 am and departs for Mumbai at 8:45 pm, remaining there for more than 16 hours. Citizens also highlighted that the Ratlam–Udaipur–Ratlam Express (19327/19328) arrives in Udaipur at 11:35 pm and departs again at 1:35 am, resulting in very low passenger occupancy. They suggested that the train’s departure from Udaipur should be rescheduled to 6 am and extended up to Bhopal to improve its usefulness.
Residents of UIT-converted Sanjay Colony in Rata Khet, Ward No. 10, also submitted a complaint seeking construction of a CC road and drainage system from Dr Jagdish Nakela to Shankar Solanki.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
