E-sports to get legal backing in India under new Online Gaming Bill
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
9 minutes ago
- Time of India
EC's 2024 survey found Bihar rolls almost error-free
New Delhi: While the Election Commission has launched a special intensive revision (SIR) to clean up Bihar's electoral rolls, its own 2024 KAP (knowledge, attitude and practices) survey on voter insights noted the perceived "near-perfect accuracy of voter listings" in Bihar reflecting the "robustness of the electoral roll system". Released in January 2025, the survey, in fact, pointed to "significant gaps in household-level voter registration" and advocated "simplifying procedures" for "obtaining documents for voter enrolment, especially in rural or underserved areas". Conducted on the Election Commission's instructions just before (baseline) and after every election (endline), the KAP survey is key to EC's voter outreach strategies and its landmark systematic voters' education and electoral participation (SVEEP) initiative. The last such KAP survey (endline) was conducted in Bihar just after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and covered all 243 assembly constituencies of the state. It selected four polling stations per AC -- two each from rural and urban areas -- reflecting a higher and lower voter turnout. 60 respondents per polling stations were part of the survey, as per the survey report prefaced by the Bihar Governor, besides the Chief Secretary and CEO of the state. ET takes a look at what it revealed:- Live Events Roll correctness: Over 98.9% respondents' details were "correctly enrolled in the electoral roll". A very small percentage of 0.3% did not have their names accurately written, while 0.7% were uncertain about this information, as per the survey. Not enrolled: As many as 31.8% of the respondents said that a few of their family members were "eligible yet not enrolled in the voter list". 85.6% of the respondents mentioned lack of awareness as the main reason for non-enrolment. Additionally, 4% expressed a lack of interest and 6.6% cited a "lack of valid documents". Another 1.9% of the respondents mentioned the lengthy procedure as a deterrent. "An equal percentage of respondents mentioned that not permanently residing in the area discouraged them from enrolling eligible members at their current residence," as per the survey. EPIC coverage: Found significantly high at 99.2%. Again, "lack of awareness" was the major reason for respondents not possessing EPIC. Over 88% respondents cited complexities in getting their EPICs including long process (83.8%), uncooperative officials and inaccessibility of the concerned office. Roll awareness: As many as 86.8% of the respondents admitted to be aware of the fact not having EPIC does not itself confer them the right to vote unless their name(s) were found in the latest electoral roll. Over 89.9% respondents also acknowledged that having EPICs at multiple places was an offence. Skipping voting: When EC's survey examined why some people did not go to cast their vote in recent elections, 30.1% cited their "absence in constituency" while 26.15% cited "not having EPIC" as reasons.11.2% respondents cited "absence of name in the electoral roll" for not turning up to cast votes. Women in migrant households: 33.3% respondents acknowledged higher female electors enrolled than male electors in the household. KAP 2024 SURVEY SUGGESTIONS The survey notes "the near-perfect accuracy of voter listings" reflecting the "robustness of the electoral roll system'" It noted that even small inaccuracies can lead to "disenfranchisement" and recommended introducing self-verification tools and periodic roll updates, possibly through mobile apps or SMS. The survey notes the "significant gap in household-level voter registration" and the general challenges seen in individual non-enrolment. It has suggested "simplifying procedures and providing better support for obtaining documents could alleviate some barriers".
Time of India
9 minutes ago
- Time of India
Amit Shah defends minister-removal bill, says people must decide
Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three bills in the Lok Sabha proposing the removal of PM, CMs, and ministers 30 days after arrest. Shah criticized the opposition, asserting PM Modi subjected himself to the law, while they seek to govern from jail. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Hours after introducing three bills in the Lok Sabha on the removal of PM, CMs and ministers 30 days after their arrests, Union home minister Amit Shah , in a series of posts on X, slammed the Opposition and called upon people to ponder over the new bill. He said PM Modi brought a constitutional amendment bill to bring himself within the ambit of the law while the Congress and the Opposition want to remain outside the ambit of the law, run governments from jail and not relinquish power."Now, the people of the country will have to decide whether it is appropriate for a minister, chief minister or the prime minister to run the government while in jail," he posted on X. "The purpose of this bill is to elevate the declining level of morality in public life and bring integrity to politics."Shah said the Constitution makers couldn't have imagined that there would be a situation when a political person won't resign after being arrested on moral grounds.
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
Parliament watch: Delay in land acquisition, capping apprentices and more
Delay in land acquisition Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari told Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that 163 road projects-about 28% of the total-are delayed due to land acquisition hurdles. Over the past two years, acquisitions have taken one to three years to complete, he said, citing disputes over alignment, land type and ownership, compensation, unrevised circle rates, assessment of structures, project length, land quantum, and geographical location. MPLADS: Govt Flags Delays, Low Utilisation The statistics ministry holds quarterly and monthly meetings with states, Union Territories, and districts to review implementation of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation Rao Inderjit Singh told Lok Sabha on Wednesday. For objective monitoring, regular pendency reports are shared with states and Union Territories, flagging works left unsanctioned for over 45 days, incomplete beyond one year of sanction, or unpaid for more than three months, he added. Of 538 constituencies across states and UTs, 61.5% had utilised less than 60% of their allocation, according to data shared by the minister. Utilisation largely depends on recommendations made by MPs and is also impacted by the model code of conduct during central, state, UT, and local body elections. Capping Apprentices The 38th meeting of the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) discussed a proposal to cap apprenticeship engagement at 25% of an establishment's workforce, minister of state for skill development and entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary told Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. He said the issue needs further deliberation and was not put up for a decision. PANEL TO REFORM AIIMS NITI Aayog member VK Paul-led committee has been formed to create a roadmap to transform AIIMS, New Delhi, into a premier institution for medical research and practice, Rao Inderjit Singh, minister of state (independent charge), for ministry of planning, said on Wednesday in response to a question in Lok Sabha. This committee's mandate involves thoroughly examining the existing systems and processes at AIIMS and proposing significant reforms, he said.
