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Hans India
an hour ago
- Politics
- Hans India
TDP suggests third-party audits of electoral rolls under CAG
Amaravati; The TDP has suggested strengthening electoral roll verification by conducting annual third-party audits under the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, to identify anomalies. It also urged ECI to start the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Andhra early and advocated that deletion of any voter must be based on a reasoned order, proper notice, and an opportunity to respond. It also called for using Al-driven tools to flag duplication, migration, and deceased entries in real time. TDP, a partner in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, made the suggestions in order to strengthen electoral roll management and enhance transparency in the electoral process. TDP Parliamentary Party leader, Lavu Krishna Devarayalu, submitted a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi. The TDP also urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure a time-bound grievance redressal mechanism at the Block-Level Officer (BLO) and Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) level to promptly rectify wrongful exclusions. It suggested standardising door numbers nationwide as a policy measure to strengthen electoral roll verification. The TDP favoured rectification of duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers with the help of Aadhaar. "Expedite the issuance of unique, non-repeating EPIC numbers nationwide. Allow Aadhaar-based cross-verification with robust data privacy protections. Replace the ink-based verification process with a biometric verification process," reads the letter. Political party participation should mandatorily involve Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from all recognised parties throughout the revision process, the TDP said. It suggested pre-publication and sharing of draft rolls with BLAs compulsorily to enable real-time verification. It also called for publishing district-wise data on voter additions and deletions with explanations on the ECI portal. "Implement a real-time public dashboard for tracking voter grievances and their resolution," the TDP said, while seeking statutory timelines and penalties for inaction or misconduct by EROs/DEOs (District Election Officers). The TDP urged the poll panel to empower State Election Watch Committees to function with observer status during roll revision. It mooted rotation of BLOs and EROs to prevent local influence or partisan misuse. It also wanted appointment of a state-level Ombudsman under the ECI to handle unresolved political grievances related to the electoral rolls. Conduct targeted re-enrollment campaigns for migrant workers, tribal groups, elderly, and homeless citizens. Permit temporary address declarations with basic documentation to avoid disenfranchisement of mobile populations, it said. As Andhra Pradesh is not due for Assembly elections until 2029, the TDP recognises that any future SIR provides a valuable opportunity to ensure that the electoral rolls are updated in a fair, inclusive, and transparent manner. It urged the ECI to start the process in the state as early as possible. "To ensure voter confidence and administrative preparedness, the SIR process should be conducted with sufficient lead time, ideally not within six months of any major election. Voters who are already enrolled in the most recent certified electoral roll should not be required to re-establish their eligibility unless specific and verifiable reasons are recorded," it said. The burden of proof lies with the ERO or objector, not the voter, especially when the name exists in the official roll. The purpose of SIR must be clearly defined and limited to electoral roll correction and inclusion, the TDP said. "It should be explicitly communicated that the exercise is not related to citizenship verification, and any field instructions must reflect this distinction," it said. Stating that Andhra Pradesh has high levels of seasonal migration, particularly from rural and coastal regions, it said SIRs should deploy mobile BLO units and accept temporary address declarations to prevent exclusion of migrant workers and displaced families. "We request the Commission to issue clear procedural guidance stating that deletion of any voter must be based on a reasoned order, proper notice, and an opportunity to respond. Where voters are unable to submit documents at the time of visit, stage-wise verification should be permitted, instead of immediate exclusion," it added.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Business
- Time of India
Opposition leader in legislative council Ambadas Danve slams state govt over ‘plan' to issue new liquor shop licenses in Maharashtra
Mumbai: Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra legislative council Ambadas Danve on Tuesday claimed that the state government was planning to issue 328 new liquor shop licences which would only benefit those who are close to the ruling alliance. "The government is pushing this decision in the name of increasing revenue. But the way the planning has been done, it appears that licences will be distributed to people close to MLAs of Mahayuti alliance," Danve told reporters at the legislature complex, where the monsoon session is underway. It would also lead to a rise in liquor consumption and prove harmful to society, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said. "With more liquor shops, consumption will go up and it will destroy many families. This will damage the state's reputation," he said. Danve also recalled that when the government tried to take a similar decision in 1972, socialist leader Mrinal Gore had opposed it. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Last week, NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad had claimed that the BJP-led Mahayuti government was planning to issue new liquor shop licences to cope with the financial burden of schemes like Ladki Bahin Yojana, under which eligible women receive monthly aid of Rs 1,500. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Launch: 2/3/4 BHK Luxury in Panvel L&T Panvel Enquire Now Undo Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar stated that the government had made a rule that no new licences for liquor shops will be given without taking the legislature into confidence. Danve, meanwhile, also accused a Shiv Sena leader from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar of owning 12 liquor shops. "On the one hand, the government launches the Ladki Bahin scheme, and on the other hand, it is expanding liquor outlets. We will oppose this both in the House and on the streets," he said. Talking about the resumption of operations at the Akashwani MLA hostel canteen here, Danve questioned the administration's logic. "The caterer's licence had lapsed years ago, yet the same company continued to operate the canteen. Now it has resumed operating. What was the point of suspending it for a few days then?" he asked. After Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapped a canteen employee for serving 'stale food' last week, the Food and Drug Administration suspended the canteen's licence. On deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who is also Shiv Sena president, reportedly reprimanding his party's MLAs and ministers for their behaviour bringing bad publicity to the party, Danve said, "These people are thick-skinned. You will see no change in their behaviour." He also questioned Shinde's role as then urban development minister when Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd won the contract for the Thane-Ghodbunder-Bhayander road and tunnel project. The contract was scrapped in May after the L&T, which had been disqualified, moved the Supreme Court.
Hans India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Kerala NCP defies national leadership's call to resign
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which includes State Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran and party legislator Thomas K. Thomas, has dismissed calls by party national working president Praful Patel to either resign as legislators or align with the Ajit Pawar-led faction. The Kerala NCP continues to remain an ally of the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF). The internal rift began after Ajit Pawar broke away from the party headed by his uncle and party founder, Sharad Pawar. The Election Commission recently dealt a blow to Sharad Pawar by recognising Ajit Pawar's faction as the official NCP, granting it the party name and symbol. Following this, the Sharad Pawar faction has been renamed as NCP (Sharad Pawar), or NCP (SP), with the Kerala unit staying loyal to the veteran leader. Praful Patel had earlier issued an ultimatum to the Kerala unit, asking its two legislators to either resign or switch allegiance to Ajit Pawar's faction. While the initial deadline was May 31, a fresh letter reiterating the demand was sent recently, warning of consequences for non-compliance. However, Thomas, who also serves as the state NCP president, dismissed the letter. 'Tell me, which party do Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule belong to? They (Ajit Pawar and Patel) all contested on the same symbol. We are with Pawarji. They have nothing better to do than send letters,' he said. 'The Kerala Assembly Speaker will decide our status. We've already informed the Supreme Court that we are with Pawar. No institution is above the apex court. Also, the NCP is a state party now, not a national one,' Thomas added. State Minister Saseendran also brushed off Patel's letter, calling it 'no big deal.' 'At the appropriate time, we'll do what is necessary. We now identify as NCP (SP),' he said. The Kerala unit has ruled out aligning with Ajit Pawar's faction, which is now part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Notably, the Left Front in Kerala recently faced a similar setback when JD(S) -- another constituent -- saw its national president and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda ally with the BJP. JD(S), too, continues to be part of the ruling Left coalition in the state.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'Odisha bandh' call over student's self-immolation as Opposition unites in protest
At least eight political parties, including the Congress, have called for 'Odisha bandh' over the death of an Odisha student due to self-immolation, reported news agency ANI. Police personnel investigate after a female student allegedly set herself on fire over sexual harassment at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, in Balasore district, Odisha. (PTI file) The development came hours after Congress and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers held protests in Bhubaneswar outside AIIMS, where the student was being treated since Saturday, July 12. The 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore set herself on fire last week, claiming that no action was taken on the alleged sexual harassment by a professor in her college. Days after she sustained 95 per cent burn injuries, the student was declared dead on late Monday night. Protesting outside AIIMS in Bhunaeswar, parties alleged a cover-up by the state government, and sought the sacking of Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. "Why was the postmortem done at night? The body was brought at night so that no one would come to know," said BJD leader Sulata Deo. She also said that a delegation of BJD leaders met President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention in the matter. "It is shameful that atrocities are being done against women and tribals in such a thing is happening in the temples of education, then where should a woman the President got to know about this incident, she showed concern," Deo said. Congress leader Yashir Nawaz also questioned the timing of the postmortem report, and said, "We are protesting because they are conducting the post-mortem at 2 am. The government, with the help of the police, want to take the body away after the postmortem." Meanwhile, BJD leader Snehangini Chhuria also lashed out at the BJP-led state government in Odisha, and said, "Now, the slogan of 'beti bachao beti padhao' has turned to 'beti padhao beti jalao' in Odisha." According to a bulletin by AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the Odisha student was declared dead at 11:46 pm on Monday, two days after she was brought to the hospital by her friend and was "resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation". Hours before she died, President Murmu visited her at the hospital assured her parents all help in her treatment. After the student's death, Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi vowed stringent action against those involved and wrote on X, 'I assure the family that all those guilty will face the strictest punishment as per the law." The victim was a second-year student of (integrated) at the college. She set herself on fire a day after Samir Kumar Sahu, the head of the educational department against whom she had levelled sexual harassment allegations, was given a clean chit by the Internal Complaints Committee of the institution. She had alleged that the education department head made sexual advances against her and threatened to fail her in exams if she rejected them. She said she had apprised CM Majhi, union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, national commission for women as well as district police officials about it. (With ANI inputs)
India Gazette
9 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Balasore self-immolation case: BJD's Amar Patnaik calls for
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], July 15 (ANI): Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Amar Patnaik on Tuesday called on the BJP-led state government to take 'strictest' action against the concernned minister and the local political leaders over the death of the girl student who had immolated herself in Odisha's Balasore. Patnaik also asked the government to probe the role of Balasore's collector and Superintendent of police (SP). '... We are all deeply distressed and anguished. The student community in Odisha are completely shocked at this negligence and callousness. A government that refused to listen to a student begging for justice and mercy from sexual harassment by her teacher... She had approached the local MLA, local administration, MP, and the concerned minister, and finally she tweeted, tagging the CM and the education minister,' Patnaik said. 'Nobody listened to her plea for help... Heads must roll. The BJP must take action against the concerned ministers, the MP and the local political leaders whom she had gone to plead with. She belonged to ABVP. If a member of ABVP cannot be protected in a government led by the BJP, what can be more shocking? ... I wish the government would take the strictest action. The local district collector and SPs' roles must be probed. The internal complaints committee report was a sham. Their role must be investigated. A judicial inquiry and a crime branch inquiry must be initiated... If the CM has an iota of sympathy for the family of the girl, he must ask for the resignation of the education minister,' he added. Further, expressing concern over the educational system in the state, the BJD leader said, 'The BJD has already protested... The Biju Chhatra Janata Dal and Yuva Janta Dal expressed it on the roads of Bhubaneswar. A time has come when it has to go to every campus. Educational system in our state cannot be denigrated to this extent.' On Monday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed the death of the 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation. The Department of Burn Centre, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said in a statement that the patient was brought to the casualty on July 12 and was referred from Balasore District Headquarters Hospital to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. 'She was admitted to the Burns Centre ICU. The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids and IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14,' the statement said. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. (ANI)
