80% polling recorded in Naxal-hit Balaghat
Balaghat: Despite the boycott call given by the rebels, nearly 80 per cent polling was recorded in the Naxal-affected Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh in yesterday”s Assembly polls. Naxals had asked people not to vote through posters and pamphlets, and put up felled trees across roads to prevent polling parties and people from reaching the polling stations. However, an impressive 80 per cent electorate defied the ultras in the Naxal-affected constituencies of Baihar, Paraswada and lanjhi. Due to the threat of Naxal violence, polling was held in these constituencies from 7 am to 3 pm. Voters, many of them dressed in traditional tribal attire, were seen standing in long queues at polling stations right from the morning on Monday. Former Naxals Magru alias Pavel, Mahel Singh alias latif and Imlabai (a woman), acquitted by the courts, were among those who voted in Baihar constituency. They wanted to live peacefully by joining the society”s mainstream, they told, saying they expected that winning candidate would work for welfare of tribal community.
Chief Secy opens workshop on e-Governance
Bhopal: Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa inaugurated a one-day workshop on e-Governance and Project management at the Academy of Administration”s conference hall here today. On the occasion, important suggestions were sought in connection of framing state policy on use of information technology by different departments, exchange of data and access. Stressing the need for increase use of information technology in official work, the Chief Secretary hailed the works done so far. He apprised himself of the efforts for promoting information technology by departments. At the workshops, presentations were also made on draft of Madhya Pradesh Electronic Service Providing Rules, state”s e-mail policy, extension of wi-fi facility and e-portal. Secretary Information technology Hari Ranjan Rao invited detailed suggestions on above-mentioned points. Those who also attended the workshop organised by Information Technology Department included Academy of Administration”s Director General IS Dani, Additional Chief Secretary Technical Education and Skill Development Ajita Vajpayee Pandey, Additional Chief Secretary Panchayats, Rural Development and Social Justice Aruna Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary Commerce and Industries Ajay Nath, Principal Secretary General Administration K Suresh and Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of various departments. State Information Technology Head (NIC) M Vinayak Rao, Nita Verma and Seema Khanna also spoke on the occasion.
Welcome for new Chief Justice of MP HC
Bhopal: Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar assumed charge as the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, on Tuesday. Justice Khanwilkar was welcomed by senior advocates and office bearers of various advocate organisations. On the occasion, Justice Khanwilkar said that the Madhya Pradesh High Court has produced distinguished jurists. Pointing out that judiciary is confronting numerous challenges, he said that these could be overcome with the cooperation between the bar and the bench. Judicial process could be simplified with the combined effort of everyone. Governor Ramnaresh Yadav had administered the oath of office to Justice Khanwilkar at a function at the Raj Bhavan on Sunday. Earlier, Justice Khanwilkar had served as the Chief Justice of Haryana High Court. The post of Madhya Pradesh High Court”s Chief Justice was lying vacant since the past few months. The main bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court is in Jabalpur. Besides, two other benches of the High Court are in Indore and Gwalior.
29th anniv of gas tragedy prayer to be held
Bhopal: An all-religion prayer to mark 29th anniversary of Bhopal gas tragedy will be held on December 3, 2013 at Barkatullah Bhavan (Central library) where representatives of various religions will recite their scriptures. Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa will be present at the all-religion prayer meeting, which is held to pay tributes to people deceased in Bhopal gas tragedy.
cong protest as Party wokrer dies in clash
Khargone: Congress held a demonstration here after a party worker was allegedly killed a clash at Saddi village during Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls on Tuesday. A large number of party workers staged protest and placed the body of Kalu Yadav in front of Kasrawad police station at Jai Stambh square, demanding immediate arrest of those responsible for the killing. Heavy police force was deployed in the area to control the situation. Former Union Minister and Khandwa MP Arun Yadav, who later reached the site, tried to pacify the agitated workers, following which they agreed to perform the last rites of the deceased. Police have so far taken five persons into custody in this connection. Yadav (38) was killed when BJP and Congress workers clashed over a poll-related issue yesterday. Four other Congressmen had suffered injuries, police said.
72.52% polling recorded in assembly polls
Bhopal: A new record of 72.52 per cent polling has been created in the election for 14th Vidhan Sabha in Madhya Pradesh. It is highest poll percentage during the state”s 57-year-old history. Woman and young voters also participated in the election enthusiastically. People who had queued up at polling booths till 5 pm on November 25 were given chance to vote later by issuing slips to them. Similarly, voting process of arrival of polling teams from remote areas to district headquarters continued till late night. Factual reports of polling figures continued to receive from districts throughout the day. As per information received till late in the evening by office of the Chief Electoral Officer, percentage of Vidhan Sabha elections was 72.52. Of this, 73.53 per cent males and 69.77 per cent female exercised their franchise. Postal ballots” percentage was 0.47. As many as 2,21,045 officers and employees and service voters exercised franchise through postal ballots. Of the 4,66,09,24 voters in the state, 3,37,08,643 cast votes. Of these, 3,34,87,598 voters cast their votes through EVMs. Maximum 81.52% polling was registered in Chhindwara district and minimum 55.77% in Alirajpur district.