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Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Two held with illegal liquor worth Rs 24K
Indore: Dewas police on Saturday arrested two persons and seized 54 litre of illicit country liquor worth Rs 24,000 and a two-wheeler valued at around Rs 50,000 in Nemawar area. Nemawar police station in charge Manoj Singh said, acting on specific intelligence a team reached Satatlai Road. The team cordoned off the area and apprehended two suspects — Ravi Shankar and Rahul, both residents of village Kankaria. A case under Section 34(2) of the Excise Act was registered the duo at Nemawar police station. Police said that since the launch of 'Operation Prahar' on Jan 1, they seized a total of 2,945.12 litre of illicit liquor worth Rs 20,94,994, five four-wheelers worth Rs 22 lakh, and 10 two-wheelers worth Rs 4,57,000. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
SIR challenge: Domicile verification backlog hits electoral roll revision
Synopsis Bihar's Seemanchal region faces challenges in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, particularly in Muslim-dominated Kishanganj, due to a surge in domicile certificate applications. The administration struggles to verify applications amidst concerns about Bangladeshi infiltrators. On an average, Muslim-dominated Kishanganj district receives 30,000 online applications per month seeking issuance of 'Awasiya Praman Patra' (domicile certificate). In July, three lakh voters submitted applications for this certificate, which is one of the 11 documents required by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral is a challenge for the Kishanganj administration to verify each application at the ground level to issue permanent residence certificates to genuine citizens within a short time. As per the SIR schedule, the decision on the Enumeration Forms (EFs) received during H2H enumeration and disposal of claims and objections will be completed by September 25, 2025. This is just one of the problems in carrying out a proper SIR in Bihar's sensitive Seemanchal region spanning four districts -- Kishanganj, Araria, Purina and Katihar. Seemanchal region remains in the news for the alleged presence of Bangladeshi there is apparently little cooperation between the ECI and political parties to complete SIR at the ground-level, the administration depends on booth level officers (BLOs) to give a final shape to the electoral rolls. "You can't expect us to fully cooperate after the collection of EFs in SIR's first phase. BLOs distributed EFs and collected it from voters on their own without support from BLAs. So, the process for SIR could not begin on a good note," claimed Abhay Sinha, Purnia district's general secretary of the state's main opposition has a different version on SIR. "We have organised workshops in different areas to train our BLAs on their role in the SIR process. We want our BLAs to develop proper understanding with the BLOs concerned," Manoj Singh, BJP's Purnia district president, said. Although SIR is a commendable step, it is tough to complete in a short time, he first stage was significant because of ECI's intensive search for 'ASD' (absentee, shifted and dead) voters. Most BLOs this reporter met in Kishanganj, Araria and Purnia, admitted they completed the task of distributing and collecting EFs on their own, besides tracing 'ASDs'. At Singhiya Chakandara village in Kishanganj's Kochadhaman assembly constituency, three BLOs -- Prabhakar Ghosh, Mehmood Aalam and Ghulam Taha -- were busy identifying voters who have not submitted SIR documents. "We spent sleepless nights to distribute and collect EFs on our own. Now, we are calling voters to submit the documents," said Ghosh, who is trying to contact the remaining 429 voters (out of 796 at booth number 208) to collect said they had made a special appeal to voters to arrange documents in advance at the time of the collection of EFs. "This is farming season. Farmers are busy planting paddy. They are available only during evening hours," said BLO Mehmood Aalam, who is struggling to collect documents from 3q50 voters (out of a total 796) at booth number middle school, Simalbadi (Kishanganj), two BLOs, Uttam Kumar and Lutfun Nishan, said they collected mobile numbers of all voters during the distribution and collection of EFs. "The phone numbers made our task easy to contact voters for the collection of documents. Although we do not get any support from BLAs, we are in touch with ward members, Anganwadi Sevika, women associated Jeevika, ration dealers and panchayat functionaries to trace voters for submitting SIR documents," Uttam Kumar were given a list of names of Mahadalit voters, issued by Bihar Mahadalit Vikash Nigam. "This list is helpful for Mahadalit voters. This is a recognised document as the family register," BLO Uttam said. So, most Mahadalit voters are apparently not facing the threat of being deleted from the electoral rolls, he Katihar's Bheriya Rahika, this reporter accompanied BLO Shakoor Aalam (booth number 106), who was trying to collect documents, to see at first hand the challenges he faced. He met a voter, Soni Devi at a tea stall, whose father-in-law Ramanand Chauhan's name is in the 2003 electoral roll. She is not ready to bring the required documents from her father's place of Khokhali Bagh (Purnia). "I am desperately looking for available options to ensure her name in the rolls," Aalam said. He said most voters do not possess their own documents. This is a major problem to link them with their parents whose names are in the 2003 rolls. They produce documents like Aadhaar and pan card which are not Maharajpur panchayat of Purnia, Bhukhiya Devi approached BLO Lakshman Singh as her name is not in the draft rolls although she was a voter in the 2003 rolls. The BLO tried to pacify her that an objection has been filed and her name will be in the final rolls. The SIR exercise in Seemanchal shows that there is a need for a proper understanding between political parties and BLOs. What has politically troubled Opposition parties in Bihar is the SIR's timing, which just ahead of the 2025 polls. "This is the right time for opposition parties to highlight political issues to woo voters. This is the time for them to target the NDA government. However, opposition parties are entangled with the SIR issue," a voter in Purnia said. Officers engaged in SIR do not spare time to hearing people's grievances. This is not a good sign for the ruling NDA alliance ahead of the assembly polls.
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Yamuna breaches danger mark in Auraiya, authorities stay on alert
Kanpur: The authorities remain on alert as the Yamuna breached the danger mark in Auraiya district on Thursday. The water level of the Yamuna was recorded at 114.880 metres, above warning level at 112 metres and danger mark at 113 metres , in Auraiya district, at 8am on Thursday. The rise in the water level is because of upstream flow, said the officials. Flood Control executive engineer, Manoj Singh, stated that district teams were vigilant and confirmed continuous monitoring of sensitive regions. Comprehensive monitoring systems have been established along the riverbanks and additional rescue team have been placed in low-lying areas near the Yamuna. Emergency response units have been positioned at crucial locations for quick evacuations if required. Authorities have advised the residents living in low-level areas to stay alert and adhere to the district safety guidelines. The flood control department has prepared temporary accommodation and emergency supplies as precautionary arrangements. Social media channels are being used to provide regular updates to the public. The irrigation department has initiated flood monitoring operations and is working with adjacent districts to regulate upstream barrage water release. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Age is Just a Number: Stunning Home Transformation! Read More Undo Village pradhans in the low-lying areas have been asked to maintain regular contact with district offices. Farmland near the river is under observation, with farmers being provided guidance on crop protection measures. A round-the-clock control centre has been established for emergency response. PWD has reinforced vulnerable embankment sections using additional sandbags and stone reinforcement. Medical units are prepared in affected regions for health emergencies. The district magistrate's office is ensuring coordinated efforts across various departments. Police patrols have been increased along riverbanks to restrict access to hazardous areas.
NDTV
31-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
One Leg In Car, Another Out: Peculiar Driver Tradition In Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal: In Madhya Pradesh, a peculiar tradition continues to roll with every official car and every VVIP onboard. The moment a minister or an IAS-IPS officer approaches their vehicle, the driver adopts a unique posture: one foot inside the car, the other firmly planted outside. There is no official rulebook endorsing this ritual, but it has become an unwritten code performed in the name of "respect." "When the officer sits, we stand," says Prakash Gajbhiye, a driver from the State Garage. "It is about respect... one foot up, one down - we are trained that way. We are taught how to walk with VIPs, how to talk to people, how to behave. I don't know about British times, but since I joined, this has become a habit." "In our department," says Manoj Singh, General Secretary of the Government and Semi-Government Drivers Association, "there is a protocol that we can't leave the vehicle entirely, so we leave the seat halfway, stand with one foot outside. It's a sign of respect. Drivers for ministers and top bureaucrats, especially, are trained like this." But behind this performative posture lies a far more uncomfortable reality of long hours and poor health. "We are on duty 24 hours," says driver Ashok Batham, adding, "Sometimes, we are driving while half-asleep, leaving food on the plate because the minister is ready to leave. Blood pressure, sugar... all of it is happening." Driver Mirchi Lal feels the same: "There are too few of us, and work never ends. We're not robots. Even the approved posts aren't being filled. We just want people to be recruited for the sanctioned vacancies to be recruited." These aren't isolated complaints. Union leaders said there has not been a single new appointment since 2005, even though 47 posts lie vacant. "Every minister should have two official drivers, but we are running the system on fumes," says Manoj Singh. Politicians from both the ruling party and the opposition called for putting an end to the tradition. "We chased the British out," said Hemant Katare, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, "but we're still following their traditions. Why should a driver keep standing like that until the officer arrives? This is part of a colonial hangover and it must go." BJP MLA Dr Chintamani Malviya said, "The Honourable Prime Minister has called for erasing all signs of slavery. If there is a practice rooted in colonialism, officers themselves should let go of it. The system created by the British needs to end not just in files, but in habit."
New Indian Express
10-07-2025
- New Indian Express
UP makes QR code stickers mandatory for eateries, steps up food safety drive ahead of Kanwar Yatra
LUCKNOW: With Kanwar Yatra all set to kick off on Friday with the advent of the holy month of Shravan, the Uttar Pradesh government intensified its food safety and cleanliness campaign along the pilgrimage route. The state government has made it mandatory for all eateries to display QR-code-enabled stickers linked to the Food Safety CONNECT App. While the state government officials claim it to be a digital food safety reform aimed at ensuring hygiene, transparency, and accountability for the estimated four crore pilgrims expected to undertake the Yatra this year, the eatery owners consider it the 'official version of the nameplate diktat'—a reference to last year's government order (GO) that had snowballed into a controversy. As per the new norms, the QR-code-based sticker—linked to the Food Safety Connect App—is now mandatory on all food establishments along the Kanwar Yatra route. Scanning the sticker reveals the owner's name, registration number, address, and menu details. According to senior state government officials, the move is not just a technological upgradation but a hygiene and transparency reform. The official sources confirmed that teams were placing stickers on all eateries—from high-end restaurants to roadside stalls. They said that citizens could also file complaints via the app on finding sub-quality food. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has also directed shopkeepers to display rate lists and maintain high standards of cleanliness. Expired products and uncovered juices have been destroyed in several inspections, especially in Muzaffarnagar, Lucknow, Meerut, and Ayodhya. While the state government has decided to stay away from issuing any fresh directive about nameplates or religious identification ahead of this year's Kanwar Yatra, the digital sticker bearing the owner's name and registration has reminded traders of July 2024, when the UP Police issued the controversial order for shop owners on the 240-km Kanwar route to display their names and phone numbers prominently. Officials maintained that the Food Safety Connect App was part of a wider initiative to ensure food safety during monsoon and mass gatherings. To ensure smooth movement and safety of Kanwariyas along with better coordination with respective district administrations during the Kanwar Yatra, top officials from states including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Uttarakhand convened a high-level meeting at the Commissioner's Office in Meerut earlier this week. The inter-state coordination meeting, attended by UP Chief Secretary Manoj Singh, DGP Rajeev Krishna, and other senior officers from the other three states, finalised a detailed action plan for crowd management, law and order, and pilgrim convenience.
