Modi will continue as PM; BJP has good future in Karnataka too: S M Krishina

Kochi, Feb 29: The Kerala Non-Resident Indians' Commission on Friday passed a resolution to request the Centre and Election Commission (EC) to make appropriate amendments in the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, to ensure voting rights to the non-resident Indians working abroad. According to People’s Representation Act, 1951, None-Resident Indians (NRIs) can vote by proxy.

The Commission is a statutory body constituted for the welfare of Non-Resident Keralites working outside India.

The Centre had introduced a bill for this purpose which was passed by the Lok Sabha in 2018, but the same has since lapsed.

Therefore, the Kerala NRI Commission decided to request the Centre to consider introducing the bill in the next session of Parliament considering the interest of the NRI community at large.

The resolution was moved by commission member and NRI entrepreneur Shamsheer Vayalil, who is also a petitioner in the writ petition, filed regarding this in the Supreme Court.

"The central government may consider introducing the bill in the next session of the Parliament session considering the interest of the NRI community at large," read the resolution which will now be sent to the Ministry of Law and the Election Commission (EC).

Commission chairman Justice PD Rajan said the right to vote for NRIs is a genuine demand.

"This is the time that we step up pressure on the agencies concerned to implement this. Voting from the workplace would be a different experience for them. It would be a decisive step," he said.

This fresh development comes at a time when a petition filed in the Supreme Court on the same topic last week came before a bench headed by Justice Deepak Gupta, which considered the case and said it will be heard in April.

"We are expecting a favourable decision from the Supreme Court. We would also approach the NRI commission in other states and request them to raise the same demand," said Vayalil.

If implemented, millions of NRIs around the world would be able to exercise their franchise in the electoral processes of the nation. According to the estimate of the Ministry of External Affairs, there are about 3.10 crore NRIs.

Mangalore, Mar 11: There everybody busy in hailing ‘Padmashree’ Harekala Hajabba. They wondered how an orange seller turned into an educationist with his grit and high objectives. However, the center of attraction- Harekala Hajabba was thinking how to transfer a cheque of rupees one lakh to a current account of his school!

Dakshina Kannada District Kannada and Culture Department had an interaction program with Harekala Hajabba at Ravindra Kalabhavana of University College Mangaluru on Wednesday. The department, as well as Dakshina Kannada District Bus Owners’ Association felicitated the achiever. They also honored Hajabba with a cash of rupees one lakh. Instantly, the man decided to utilize the amount for his school! 

In his address, Guruvappa N T Balepuni, who introduced Harekala Hajabba to society opined that with his simplicity, humbleness, moreover his service without any expectation, Hajabba is being respected everywhere. Though he is an illiterate, three universities have made his life as lessons for students. “He has kept around Rs 50-55 lakh, including his award money for the development of school. January 25, the day on which ‘Padmashree’ award has been declared to Hajabba is a memorable day for me too,” he added. 

Dakshina Kannada District Bus Owners’ Association President Dinram Alva and former president Jayaram Shekha opined that there is lot to learn from Hajabba and he is a model for the society. Recalling his old- harsher days, Hajabba said, “Parents should make mind to save government schools. A literate can achieve anything, he can lead the society,” he said and called upon for the communal harmony. 

Presiding over the function, Principal Dr. Uday Kumar M A said that Harekala Hajabba is best example how a pure-hearted man achieves any height, simplicity can make someone so rich. In his welcome speech District Kannada and Culture Department Deputy director Rajesh G, depicted Hajabba as ‘modern time Mahatma Gandhi’. Economics PG Coordinator Dr. Jayavantha Nayak and M.Com Coordinator Dr. Abobakkar Siddiq were present on the occasion.

Mangaluru, Feb 11: BJ Puttaswamy, chairman of the State Planning Board stated that the detailed project report (DPR) to develop the Mangaluru-Karwar fisheries road at a cost of Rs 780 crores has been submitted to the state government and approval for it by the Coastal Development Authority (CDA) is pending.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, he said the new developments done and in those in the future for the coastal districts.

He claimed that a feasibility report for the development of State Highway 67 has been submitted to the government.