EC: Arrangements for Karnataka Assembly elections in full swing

Mar 30
Following the announcement of Assembly election in Karnataka, arrangements are in full swing to ensure free and fair election by the Election commission.

The Chief Election Commissioner Mr.V S Sampath and other members of the Commission will visit Bangalore on 8th and 9th of next month to hold second round of interactions with political parties, top civil servants and police officers and District officials.

They will also evaluate the arrangements being made and receive memorandums from different organisations and individuals during this visit. On the other hand, the political parties are busy in finalising candidates, prepare manifestoes and chalk out strategies for the election campaigns.

Our Correspondent adds that parties are having tough time finalising candidates due to faction fueds, clash of interests and other political factors.

Rajasthan is celebrating 63rd Foundation Day Mar 30 Rajasthan is today celebrating its 63rd foundation day. AIR correspondent reports that various programmes are being organized in Rajasthan on this occasion. His report says: "On 30th March 1949 Rajasthan was formed after merger of 22 princly states.The process of merger was continued till 1956. Today Rajasthan is the biggest state of the country and entrepreneurship of Rajasthanis is well accepted all around the globe.This year, week long Rajasthan Day celebrations are being organized in the state. Exhibitions on development are going on in districts while symposiums,Kavi Sammelans ,Theatre festival and cultural programmes are being organized at capital Jaipur. Craft Bazar and Rajasthani food Cort is also attracting local people as well as foreign tourists. Today, a colourful presentation of folk dances will also be organized in Jaipur in the evening. Quake measuring 4.5 on Richter Scale hits Gujarat Mar 30 An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter Scale struck Bhachau in Kutch district of western Gujarat today. According to the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) Ahmadabad, the earthquake struck 22 km north of Bhachau, near Choburi at noon. There are no reports of any loss or damage to life and property. Curfew clamped in Sualkuchi town in Assam after silk weavers observing bandh clash with police Mar 30 In Assam indefinite curfew was clamped in Sualkuchi town in Kamrup (Rural) district today after silk weavers observing a 12-hour bandh today defied prohibitory orders protesting the use of artificial silk.  The police resorted to blank fire after a lathi-charge and teargas failed to quell the weavers who ransacked shops selling silk clothes and made bonfires of these on the road.  Central West Region IGP Dr. L R Bishnoi said that one Additional SP and three civilians sustained injuries in the clash. He said that one additional company of Assam Police has been deployed to maintain law and order. The weavers, who reared silk worms and were employed in the weaving industry, alleged that artificial silk brought from other parts of the country for making the traditional Assamese attire was affecting them and the silk industry in the state. The trouble began yesterday when the weavers set ablaze silk clothes, clashed with shopkeepers and threw stones at the police when they intervened injuring five of them. Steps being taken to further strengthen Panchayati Raj system in Patna Mar 30 In a bid to implement Centre’s Mahatma Gandhi NREGA in Bihar more affectively, steps are being taken to further strengthen the Panchayati Raj system. AIR Patna Correspondent reports that 30 new project (or schemes) will be included under MG NREGA from 1st of April this year including agriculture based works. The role of Gram Panchayat, Mukhiya and Rojgar Sevak are being relooked to proper implementation of the Act. Now onwards, Executive of the Gram Panchayat will hold discussion on every Tuesday where new schemes upto five lakh rupees are likely to be approved. Talking to AIR, State Rural Development minister Nitish Mishra said that the implementation of the Act in the state will be more affective from 1st of April this year. Under it agriculture based works will be given emphasise. He also said that the wages of labourers under MG NREGA will be increased to 138 rupees per day from the beginning of the next financial year. Along with this, steps like, appointment of Lokpal in each district, direct cash transfer to beneficiaries and online database of the job card holders have been undertaken to make this ambitious Act more effective.