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File poll-related complaints online
Curbs pinch poll material traders
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tribune impact
Money changers threaten to boycott elections
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File poll-related complaints online
The system has been devised in such a way that no frivolous complaints are received as the mobile phone number of the complainant is to be registered as the user ID. As the process of creating the ID begins, the users get mobile verification code as an automatic SMS from TD-ECI which too has to be entered. After the log in has been successfully created, the user ID and password are then SMSed again to the complainant for future use. The complaint thus lodged goes automatically as an SMS alert to the District Election Officer (DEO) concerned and the returning officer, who further have directions to redress the grievance in 24-hours and respond back to him. All complaints and applications lodged through the ID and their responses will be saved on the complainant’s ID. Creating an ID has other advantages too. The ECI has plans to send automatic updates through SMSes on mobile phones to the users. Further, the users just need to tell the name of their state, district, constituency and colony, and the names of all officials concerned, including the booth level officer, the returning officer, the district election officer and the chief election officer comes on the webpage with their mobile phones numbers and other details. District Election Officer Priyank Bharti said he had received a few complaints through SMSes on his mobile which he had forwarded to the ROs concerned for responses. The DEO said the toll-free number had been activated and was now available through landline as well as mobile phone. How to lodge complaint
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Curbs pinch poll material traders
Jalandhar, December 30 The elections, which once used to be a flourishing business, have virtually ended up giving tough times to publicity material contractors. As if this was not enough, the contractors still have a huge poll material that was not used in the previous Assembly elections in 2007. Their godowns are full of old publicity material, including party flags, stickers, scarves, cut-outs, hoardings, badges and caps. A random survey by Jalandhar Tribune revealed that almost all the contractors were witnessing huge losses this time as compared to the previous elections. Yogesh Kohli, owner of Kohli Glowsigns, said: “We are going to face huge losses this time as candidates are yet to be announced. Even the time limit for campaigning is less. In these circumstances, you can well imagine the status of our business.” He also rued that party workers delay their payments. “We end up working in ambiguity. Orders come till the last day of campaigning, but the quantity of publicity material keeps on changing. Moreover, the orders are placed by one party worker, cleared by another and the payments are to be made by a third party,” he added. The contractors said earlier political parties used to give orders for the material in advance. “Even we used to come up with innovative ideas, but this time, the business has gone for a toss,” they added. Another trader from Outdoor Catalyst services Deepak Kumar said they had already faced huge losses owing to the implementation of code of conduct in the district. “All billboards made by us were removed within no time, which reduced our profits. We sent our workers to fix hoardings, but we are yet to clear their payments. There is no scope for profit,” he said. An elderly, Hari Dutt, said elections used to be a grand affair with the participation of the candidates with the masses. “These days, canvassing by candidates have become hi-tech, hence less chances of knowing the candidates. Now, neither the candidates reach out to the masses nor the electorate is interested to know much about them,” he added. |
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tribune impact
Jalandhar, December 30 The district election authorities removed the billboard of AICC chief Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh from outside the Government Junior Model School, situated on Ladowali Road. Even the graffiti seeking votes for BSP candidate from the Jalandhar Central Assembly seat Rajinder Singh Rehal was also whitewashed by the static surveillance teams in the district. Jalandhar Tribune had reported violations of the code of conduct two days ago, following which the authorities removed the hoarding and whitewashed the graffiti. Both the Congress and the BSP were found violating the election code of conduct, which came into force in the state from December 24. While the Congress was issued a notice today, the BSP was sent a notice yesterday under Section of 3 of the Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act, 1998. Meanwhile, the model code of conduct teams today removed 44 flags and buntings and one hoarding. These were installed before the imposition of code of conduct in the district. The video surveillance teams also issued show-cause notices to Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT) chairman Baljeet Singh Neelamahal, SGPC member Kulwant Singh Manan, BSP president Rajinder Singh Rehal and the Congress.
More violations
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Ban on carrying cash
Jalandhar, December 30 Since there is a ban on carrying of cash of more than Rs 2.5 lakh (which was Rs 1 lakh till Friday afternoon), there is a dramatic decrease in the number of people going to the complex to get the registries done. The notaries, deed writers and brokers all sit around talking or sipping tea in their cabins as they have no customers to attend to. Harried customers, who had to strike important deals during this period, are also incurring major losses due to the implementation of the poll code. Paramjit Singh Kanda, a notary at the complex, says: "There has been more than a 50 per cent decline in the number of people coming to the complex to get their work done, since the implementation of the poll code." Mohan Lal, a deed writer at the complex, says: "Only 30 to 40 people come here to get the registries done. Yesterday, we had 40 clients in all. The situation is dismal we are incurring losses due
to the dearth in clients." Deed writers Rattan Lal Bangar and Rajpal Singh also said if they were getting five to 10 clients earlier, now there are none. "We can only wait for the poll code to be lifted for things to get back to normal." Sources in the registrar's office said the tehsil complex had already incurred losses to the tune of crores in a few days. "Not only registries, there has also been a decline in the number of marriage and SC/BC certificates being made at the tehsil complex in the past few days" said an employee at the tehsil complex.
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Sans ROB, residents continue to suffer
Jalandhar, December 30 During electioneering in 2007, BJP candidate from Jalandhar North KD Bhandari promised: “If I am elected and the SAD-BJP alliance comes to power, I will see to it that an overbridge or an underbridge constructed on level crossings.” Even as Bhandari was elected and the SAD-BJP came into power, city residents are still devoid of an overbridge or an underbridge at any of these crossings. Over 150 trains pass through the Jalandhar-Ferozepur and the Jalandhar-Amritsar lines on these crossings daily. Thousands of residents of these localities have to face problems as a train crosses from these points every 10 minutes and the crossings remain closed for normal traffic most of the time. Residents living across the railway lines have been demanding an overbridge at any of the level crossings at Kishan Pura, Devi Talab, Sodal, Gazi Gulla and Ram Nagar for the past several decades. When no effort was done to construct an overbridge or an underbridge even after two years of the Assembly elections, the welfare societies of several localities situated across
railway lines had jointly put up a huge hoarding during the previous Parliamentary elections in 2009 to draw the attention of politicians on the issue. Problems being faced by residents of these localities in the absence of an overbridge and an un4derbridge were mentioned on the hoarding prominently. This leads to wastage of time and fuel as commuters have to wait for the train to pass. Unfulfilled Promise
During previous elections, BJP candidate KD Bhandari had promised that if he elected and the SAD-BJP combine comes into power, he will to provide a railway overbridge or a railway underbridge at any of the four level crossings in the Jalandhar North constituency. However, even after five years, the project is yet to be
conceptualised. Process to construct RUB on
The process to construct of an underbridge at the Sodal level crossing is on. Residents, especially those residing in Jalandhar North are facing problem in the absence of an overbridge. I also raised the issue in the state Assembly. The state government has given nod to the construction of an underbridge at Sodal crossing and the process of acquiring land for an underbridge was initiated but the project has been delayed as its design has not been cleared so far by chief engineer (railway bridges). If I am elected again, I will ensure that the project is completed in the next few
years — KD Bhandari , BJP MLA Too little, too late
I along with residents of the Jalandhar North launched an agitation for the construction of an overbridge or an underbridge at any of these crossings. Bhandari tried his best to get the underbridge constructed at the Sodal crossing, but his efforts were probably too little and too late. The project of construction of an underbridge at the Sodal crossing was cleared last year. Had it been cleared earlier, the work would have been started and even completed by
now — RK Sharma, president, Jalandhar Traders' and Manufacturers' Association |
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City all set to welcome 2012
Jalandhar, December 30 The actress arrived in the hotel this evening where anchor Sattinder Satti, Punjabi singer Preet Harpal and a UK-based DJ are also expected to be a part of New Year’s gala party. Almost all city hotels and clubs have made elaborate arrangements to treat the New Year guests in a special way. Sumptuous snacks, multi-cuisine foods, grooving music by DJ groups, live bands, lucky draws and lots of fun games is what these places have to offer, but for a price ranging between Rs 2,500 and Rs 6,000 for a couple. A mall, too, has joined the list of New Year extravagansa where there are plans for a mask theme party, performances by singers Manna Dhillon and Pavneet Birgi, tarot card reading by Rita Chhachhi, comedy by Gurtej Thukral. Jagdish Kumar, beverage incharge at the mall, said that the best of the mock drinks would be served at the event to be held on the second floor. Another prominent hotel has invited a Mumbai-based band Carnations with singers Daphney and Ulrich singing live music. There also will a DJ Pallav playing a mix of Hollywood, Bollywood and Punjabi songs. The major attraction is the food - Turkey, Salmon fish, Mexican and Tapanyeki (Mongolian) cuisines. There of course will be lot many activities, games and gifts, said the hotel staff. Another hotel has its preparations done with Delhi-based DJ group, anchor and dance troupes performing for the occasion. General Manager Kuldeep said that there will be elaborate menu of veg and non-veg dishes. Hotel President too has plans for the party but has restricted the entry only for its members. |
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Drug shop’s seal found broken
Jalandhar, December 30 On coming to know, a team of health department immediately reached the spot and took stock of the situation. Health officials also sought legal action against the alleged accused. Drug Inspector Amarjit Singh said on December 27 they had sealed two chemist shops at Dilkusha market. He also informed the police to keep a vigil on the shop to prevent breakage of the seal. “Today we were informed about the breakage,” said the drug inspector. Though the seal was found broken but miscreants were not able to decamped with medicines. Drug inspector said the sealed shop was under the supervision of the police division no 4 but due to the negligence of the police the incident took place. “We have filed a written complaint with the Inspector Balwinder Singh of the said police station and asked him to register a criminal case,” said Amarjit Singh. Meanwhile, the health officials said the shop owner had not contacted them to carry out search operation. “As the said shop was sealed on suspicion of keeping habit forming drugs so until and unless the shop owner does not contact us, we cannot carry out search operation,” said Amarjit Singh. He also added that if habit-forming drugs were found inside the shop, the health department would initiate legal court proceedings against the owner. When contacted, Inspector Balwinder Singh said he has received a complaint and would register an FIR against the unknown accused. |
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Money changers threaten to boycott elections
Jalandhar, December 30 The association also termed the increase of cash carrying limit, from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh, as not enough. The reason for their fuming was the alleged seizure of Rs 8.5 lakh from a money changer of Cantonment a few days back. Since then Jalandhar money exchangers have shut down their shop in protest. Sagar Aggarwal, President of the Association, while addressing a press conference said policemen in civil dresses had allegedly confiscated the said amount after invading into the office and later showed the confiscation somewhere else. Sagar said the seizure of cash was totally unauthorised. He also alleged that such unconstitutional practice of police had affected their business. |
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Jalandhar, December 30