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Instead of acting against Modi, EC withdraws its notice to Rahul

News Network
December 19, 2017

New Delhi, Dec 18: The Election Commission's dilemma over acting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reportedly flouting the model code of conduct during Assembly polls in Gujarat finally led to the withdrawal of a notice it served to Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the same.

The EC had served a notice to Rahul after some TV channels aired his interviews on Wednesday - just a day before the second phase polling for the election of the Gujarat State Assembly was scheduled to be held.

This had prompted the Congress to lodge a complaint with the EC over violation of the model code of conduct by the prime minister himself.

The poll panel, however, did not act against the prime minister and rather late at night on Sunday withdrew the notice served to Rahul.

It also ordered setting up a committee to review the model code of conduct and Section 126 of the Representation of India Act, 1951, which was reportedly flouted by the Congress president.

"The commission is of the considered view that due to multi-fold expansion of digital and electronic media, the extant Model Code of Conduct, the Section 126 of the R P Act 1951 and other related provisions require revisiting to cater to the requirement and challenges of the present and emerging situations," the EC stated in an order issued late at night on Sunday.

Section 126 of the R P Act 1951, and Para 1 (4) of the Model Code of Conduct prohibits campaigning during the 48 hours before the scheduled conclusion of the polling. Canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations is also prohibited under the Para 1 (4) of the Model Code of Conduct.

The poll panel, however, noted that multiphase elections might result in a situation in which even when the 48-hour prohibition on campaigning would be in force in some areas, even when electioneering would be continuing in other areas.

Besides, due to advancement of communication technology and rise of social media, even an individual can broadcast or telecast "any election-related matter" from any corner of the world, which could be received by the people of any polling area within the 48 hours when prohibition on campaigning would be in force, the EC observed.

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Agencies
June 26,2020

New Delhi, Jun 26: The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has issued a notification to enable citizens with mild to medium colour blindness to obtain a driving licence.

An official release said that the Ministry has been taking measures to enable divyangjan citizens to avail transport-related services, especially driving licence.

It said the ministry received representations that the colour blind citizens are not able to get a driving licence due to requirements in the declaration about physical fitness (Form I) or the medical certificate (Form IA).

The release said that the issue was taken up with expert medical institution and advice sought.

The recommendations received were that mild to medium colour blind citizens be allowed to drive and restrictions should only be on the severe colour blind citizens.

"This is also allowed in other parts of the world," the release said.

The notification seeks to amend Form 1 and Form 1A pertaining to Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989.

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Agencies
April 24,2020

New Delhi, Apr 24: The Jamia Coordination Committee (JCC) on Friday accused Delhi Police of framing two of its members - Meeran Haider, Safoora Zargar, along with student leader Umar Khalid, as part of "an imaginary conspiracy behind the recent North East Delhi riots".

While Haider was arrested on April 2, Zargar was taken in custody on April 10 for their alleged involvement in fuelling the riots.

"These arrests by the police have little ground, and the charges seem to have no rhyme or reason. Safoora was even granted bail in the case she was initially arrested in, following which she was arrested and had heavier charges placed against her," the JCC said in a statement.

Meeran, Safoora and Umar have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which allows curbing of fundamental rights in order to protect the sovereignty of India. The JCC, however, claimed that in this case, the Act is being used to suppress their voices.

"This Act has been used against many activists working to protect constitutional morality, a list which now includes members of the JCC, a wholly constitutionalist collective of students and alumni," the JCC said, defending its members.

JCC maintained it had no role in Delhi riots, but apprehended that more people will be arrested by the Delhi Police as part of its conspiracy against students and protestors.

"It is almost certain that more protesters will be framed and arrested in the conspiracy invented by the Delhi Police. JCC reiterates that it played no part in the riots, and this fact will be proved before any court of law," it said in a statement.

It also demanded political parties, and university administration take a stand for the two accused JCC members and student leader Umar Khalid.

The JCC came into existence after a violent face-off between Delhi Police and unruly anti-CAA protestors left Jamia Millia Islamia vandalised. It was after this, that a group of students from the Jamia Millia formed it to decide upon the future course of actions in protest against the CAA and the police action.

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Agencies
August 2,2020

New Delhi, Aug 2: The Centre has written to all states and Union Territories stating that smartphones and tablet devices should be allowed for hospitalised Covid-19 patients so that they can interact with family and friends through video conferencing, which would provide them psychological support.

Though mobile phones are allowed in hospital wards, the missive was issued following some representation from the kin of patients alleging otherwise.

Director-General of Health Services (DGHS) in the Health Ministry Dr Rajiv Garg in the letter to the principal secretaries of health and medical education of states and Union territories said appropriate protocols for disinfecting devices and allotting timeslots can be developed by the hospital concerned to facilitate contact between patients and their family.

He underlined that administrative and medical teams should be responsive to the psychological needs of patients admitted in Covid-19 wards and ICUs of various hospitals.

"Social connection can calm down patients and also reinforce the psychological support given by the treating team. Please instruct all concerned that they should allow smartphones and tablet devices in patient areas so that the patient can video conference with their family and friends," stated the letter issued on July 29.

"Though mobile phones are allowed in the wards to enable a patient stay in touch with his or her family, we received representations from the patient families from some states stating mobile phones are not being allowed by hospital administrations because of which they were not being able to stay in contact with the patient," said Dr Garg.

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