Citing early polls, Mamata keeps her MPs on their toes

May 13, 2012

mamatha_toeNew Delhi, May 13: A day after she said she had information that a political party had held a meeting to advance general elections to 2013, Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she would be happy to see the United Progressive Alliance — of which her party is a part — last its full term.

Her statement about the possibility of early elections came at a party meeting here on Friday, when she advised her colleagues to be ready for elections at any time as she had heard that polls could be advanced.

While Ms. Banerjee is well-known for her whimsicality, it is not a secret that she herself is keen that general elections be held as soon as possible to derive the maximum advantage of her party's performance in last year's Assembly elections when the Trinamool Congress-Congress combine swept the polls, ousting the Left Front from power.

Her fear is that if general elections are held on time in 2014, she may not make the gains she might make if they are held sooner. This is especially as West Bengal is in dire economic straits and the Centre has made it clear that there will be no bailout package until the State itself pulls up its socks and takes some tough measures — something Ms. Banerjee is not prepared to do.

Simultaneously, for while her personal popularity may be intact in rural Bengal, and the Left Front is a long away from rebuilding its party machine, Ms Banerjee is rapidly losing support in the urban areas of the State, especially Kolkata. Apart from that, she is not sure of the loyalty of many of her MPs: the first one to challenge her was the former Railway Minister, Dinesh Trivedi, whom she unceremoniously sacked for announcing a hike in rail passenger fares in his budget, and then refusing to roll them back. It would help to keep her MPs on their toes, by scaring them into believing that elections are round the corner, party sources say, especially as they remain dependent on her not just to get the party nomination but to get elected.

Meanwhile, the Congress officially responded to the Trinamool leader's statement.

“I have not gone through Ms. Banerjee's statement but one thing is clear: UPA-II will complete its term and elections will be held on schedule [in 2014],” party spokesman Rashid Alvi said adding, “There is no question of any mid-term poll. The Manmohan Singh-led government will complete its full term. I can specifically say the [next Lok Sabha] election will be held as per schedule … if any political group talks to its workers about mid-term [election], it is their internal matter.”

Within the Congress, the majority view remains that UPA-II should last its full term, so that it has another two years to set its house in order. Only occasionally, a few of the younger MPs have been heard saying that as this is a lame duck government, it would be better to advance the polls. But given that the core of the party is cautious, it looks unlikely that the Congress would willingly advance the polls: it would rather wait it out.

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News Network
May 13,2020

New Delhi, May 13: Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package "will go a long way in overcoming challenges" posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Welcome the Rs. 20 lakh crore stimulus package announced by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Bhai Modi Ji to revive economy, boost efficiency of various sectors through reforms & make India self reliant and resilient. #AtmaNirbharBharatAbhiyan," the Vice President tweeted.

Calling the reforms as the "need of the hour", he further said: "Bold reforms are the need of the hour to realize the dream of #AtmanirbharBharat."

Expressing confidence in the five-pillar approach, he said that it would help promote local industries "while making India face global competition effectively".

"I am confident that a focused approach on the five pillars- Economy, Infrastructure, Technology driven System, Vibrant Demography & Demand--will promote local industries led growth while making India face global competition effectively. #AtmaNirbharBharatAbhiyan," he said.

"I am certain this timely economic package will go long way in overcoming challenges posed by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. #AtmaNirbharBharatAbhiyan #IndiaFightsCorona," he wrote on the micro-blogging site.

The Prime Minister had on Tuesday announced Rs 20 lakh crore special economic package for the country to become 'self-reliant' and deal with COVID-19.

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News Network
June 30,2020

New Delhi, Jun 30: The Home Ministry on Monday issued guidelines for 'Unlock 2.0' phase across country between July 1 and July 31. The report stated that COVID-19 lockdown shall continue to remain in force in containment zones till July 31. In containment zones, only essential activities to be allowed. The government's guidelines come on a day when Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu extended lockdowns in their respective states to July 31.

Unlock 2.0 Guidelines:

•   Schools, colleges, educational institutes wil remain closed till July 31. Online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged

•   Lockdown shall continue to remain in force in containment zones till July 31st.  In containment zones, only essential activities to be allowed.

•   Night Curfew shall continue to remain in force, between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am, except for essential activities and other relaxations.

•   Social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations remain prohibited.

•   International air travel, except as allowed by MHA, will also remain barred.

•   Shops depending upon their area, can have more than 5 persons at a time. However, they have to maintain adequate physical distance.

•   Training institutions of the central and state governments will be allowed to function with effect from July 15 and SOP in this regard will be issued by the Department of Personnel and Training.

Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla wrote to Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs, urging them to ensure compliance of Unlock 2 guidelines and direct all concerned authorities for their strict implementation.

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News Network
June 5,2020

Jun 5: Meerut Police on Thursday claimed that around 13,500 mobile phones in the country are running on the same IMEI, the number used to identify the device.

A case of fraud has been registered against the mobile phone manufacturing company and its service center, the police said.

The matter surfaced, after police personnel gave his mobile phone to the staff at cybercrime cell for examination, as the new phone was not working properly despite being repaired, Meerut SP (city) Akhilesh N Singh said.

The cyber cell found that around 13,500 other mobile phones are also running on the same International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) as that of the police personnel's phone, the superintendent of police said.

He said the matter is a serious security issue.

Prima facie it appears to be negligence on part of the mobile phone company and criminals can use it to their advantage, Singh said.

He said a case has been registered under relevant sections of the law at a Medical police station and a team of experts has been called to look into the matter.

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