Udaipur: Several public grievances and development suggestions were presented during the weekly public hearing conducted by MP Dr. Mannalal Rawat on Saturday at the MP Service Centre located in the Zila Parishad premises. Citizens submitted complaints and proposals related to the UDA, Railways, Municipal Corporation, Zila Parishad, Pension Department, road infrastructure, and Jal Jeevan Mission, along with concerns about illegal encroachments in different parts of the city.

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 the removal of the 0.50 percent Krishak Kalyan Fee imposed on tea leaves. They stated that as per the order issued by the Directorate of Agricultural Marketing, Jaipur on September 16, 2025, mandi officials had been directed to collect this fee on tea leaves.

The association pointed out that the previous state government had earlier suspended the proposed agricultural mandi fee on tea, recognizing it as a common beverage consumed widely by the general public. They also emphasized that tea is neither produced nor processed in Rajasthan, and even in states where tea cultivation exists, no such fee is imposed. Apart from the 5 percent GST, no additional tax is levied on tea leaves in neighboring states. Imposing this fee in Rajasthan, they argued, could encourage direct sales from other states and negatively affect the state’s GST revenue.

Residents of Dhimdi Basti near Rana Pratap Nagar Railway Colony also submitted a complaint regarding the closure of a long-used access road. Taking immediate cognizance of the issue, MP Rawat contacted railway officials during the hearing itself and directed them to resolve the matter promptly. Residents informed that the road, which had been used by the colony for years, was being blocked due to the construction of a railway office and residential quarters along with a boundary wall.

Several suggestions regarding railway services were also placed before the MP. Citizens demanded a change in the schedule of the Udaipur–Ratlam train and sought improved rail connectivity to South India. It was suggested that the Ajmer–Sealdah–Ajmer train, which reportedly remains stationed at Ajmer for around 11 hours daily, be extended up to Udaipur so that thousands of Jain pilgrims from nearby districts could benefit while travelling to Parasnath Sammed Shikhar, a major pilgrimage site.

Similarly, it was proposed that the Lok Shakti Express, which runs daily between Mumbai and Ahmedabad and remains parked in Ahmedabad for nearly 16 hours, could also be extended to improve regional connectivity. Citizens also highlighted that the Ratlam–Udaipur–Ratlam Express (19327/19328) arrives in Udaipur late at night and departs shortly after midnight, resulting in very low passenger occupancy. They suggested that if the train’s departure time from Udaipur is shifted to 6 a.m. and extended up to Bhopal, it could become more useful for travelers.

Meanwhile, residents of UIT Converted Sanjay Colony, Ratakhet (Ward No. 10) submitted a complaint regarding the construction of CC roads and drainage from Dr. Jagdish Nakela to Shankar Solanki, seeking early action on the civic infrastructure issue.

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