Tuesday, February 14, 2017

UP Phase II and Uttarakhand date of polls

Electoral security arrangements have been made for tomorrow’s polling for single-phase Assembly elections in Uttarakhand and second phase in Uttar Pradesh.
Uttarakhand, voters will exercise their franchise to elect 69 members of the 70-member Assembly. The elections for Karnaprayag seat in Chamoli district, which was postponed following the death of BSP candidate Kuldeep Singh Kanwasi, will be held on the 9th of next month.
In Uttar Pradesh, polling for the second phase will be held in 67 constituencies spread over 11 districts. Election for the Alapur constituency, which was postponed following SP candidate Chandrashekhar’s death, will also be held on the 9th of next month. The districts going for polls in the second phase include Saharanpur, Bijnore, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri and Badayun. Barricades have been erected at the entry points of districts where round the clock intense search of vehicles is being carried out by security forces.
The Indo-Nepal border and the boundaries connecting to Uttarakhand have been sealed. Special instructions have been given to check illegal money and liquor. Meanwhile, campaigning has intensified in areas going to polls in remaining 5 phases of 7-phase polls in the state. Today is also the last date for filing of nominations for the sixth phase, in which 49 constituencies will go to polls on the 4th of next month. Uttar Pradesh has a 403-member Assembly.
Uttar Pradesh, the nomination filing ends today for 49 Vidhan Sabha seats of sixth phase. A total of 439 candidates had filed nomination till yesterday for this phase.
CEO T Venkatesh said that after the passage of last date of name withdrawal in fifth phase on 13th February, now a total of 618 candidates have been left in fray for 52 seats of fifth phase.
Meanwhile, Campaigning for the second phase of assembly elections ended yesterday evening. The voting will be held on february 15. 67 seats spread over 11 districts will go to polls in this phase. The districts which will go for poll in this phase are Saharanpur, Bijnore, Moradabad, Sambhal, Rampur, Bareily, Amroha, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheeri, Shahjahanpur and Badayun. Elaborate security arrangements are underway for the smooth functioning of the polling process.
There are 721 candidates including 82 women and one third gender in the fray. The fate of these candidates will be decided by 2.28 crore voters, including over 1.04 crore women. There will be 14,771 polling centres and 23,693 polling stations in the second phase.

Three soldiers martyred in encounter with terrorists

Jammu and Kashmir, three soldiers were martyred in an encounter with terrorists in Hajin area of Bandipora district today. Defence spokesman told AIR that five others personnel were also injured in the gun battle that began in the wee hours.
AIR correspondent reports that an unidentified militant believed to be Lashkar e Toiba cadre was also killed in the encounter. A civilian was reported injured after protests erupted near encounter site. Eight other civilians were reported injured during protest demonstrations in different areas that followed after the operation was called off.
Security forces had a tip off about presence of at least three militants in the area. However, two militants are reported to have escaped from the area. On 10th of last month, a Lashkar e Toiba militant was killed and an army man injured in the gunfight in the same area.

Police arrests Jagran.com editor

On violation of Election Commission’s model code of conduct implemented in Uttar Pradesh, Jagran.com’s Editor Shekhar Tripathi was arrested this morning.
On EC’s direction a case was registered yesterday against Shekhar Tripathi including Managing Editor of newspaper Dainik Jaagran and organisation Resource Development International (RDI) for violation of Model Code of conduct. The EC said, the newspaper has published result of exit polls conducted by RDI on the first phase of elections in the state, through their website.
The Commission said the conduct and publication of exit polls amount to offence under Representation of Peoples Act as well as offence under Indian Penal Code. The offence also amounts to disobedience to Order duly promulgated by the Commission.

CM in Waiting,VK Sasikala to 4 year jail term

Supreme Court today convicted AIADMK ad-hoc General Secretary VK Sasikala in a 19-year old disproportionate assets case that also involved late former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. In the court’s verdict in the case, Ms Sasikala and her two relatives were found guilty under Prevention of Corruption Act.
A bench of justices PC Ghose and AK Roy directed them to surrender forthwith to the trial court in Bengaluru and serve the remaining part of the four year jail term. The AIADMK General Secretary cannot also contest elections for the next 10 years. The bench, however, abated the appeal proceedings against Ms Jayalalithaa owing to her death.
The apex court set aside Karnataka High Court’s order which had, in May 2015, overturned a trial court’s verdict exonerating Ms Jayalalithaa and Ms Sasikala. Karnataka government had challenged the High Court verdict in the Supreme Court.
Today’s verdict disqualifies Sasikala from becoming a legislator, and she can’t be the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister either. She is locked in a power struggle with acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam over government formation in the state. Ms Sasikala was elected as the AIADMK’s legislature party leader last week, paving way for her to become the Chief Minister. Panneerselvam had, however, revolted against Ms Sasikala saying he was forced to resign.
VK Sasikala faction elected the serving PWD minister Edappadi Palaniswamy as the new Legislature Party Leader. He was elected by MLAs owing allegiance to Ms Sasikala in a meeting held at the Kuvathur resort near Chennai. Ms Sasikala was also present in the meeting. The letter endorsing Mr Palaniswamy as the new legislature party leader has been sent to Governor Vidyasagar Rao. The legislators also removed O Panneerselvam from the primary membership of the party.
Meanwhile, Mr Panneerselvam has appealed to all AIADMK MLAs and cadres to unite together in the prevailing situation to continue the works left by Ms Jayalalithaa. Following the apex court verdict, he issued a statement promising that there would not be any hesitation from his side to give due importance the leaders of the party were so far enjoying. He has also asked his party cadres not to fall into the ploys of the opposition that tries to create division in the AIADMK. Heavy posse of police personnel are deployed near the beach side resort where Ms Sasikala and her party MLAs are staying.
Principal opposition party the DMK’s working president MK Stalin has welcomed the apex court verdict saying justice has been done in the case. He told media that the judgment would remain a lesson for all politicians. PMK founder Dr Ramadoss has said Tamil Nadu has been spared from a possible political mishap. The VCK chief Thol. Tirumavalavan has favoured fresh elections to the state Assembly.
BJP has termed the verdict as historic. Talking to AIR, party General Secretary Murlidhar Rao said, the verdict will have consequences for Tamil Nadu polity and will also have an impact on national politics. He said, AIADMK has to introspect and select a leader who can provide clean politics and administration. Mr Rao said BJP will support any constructive move in the interest of Tamil Nadu. Congress has said, the Tamil Nadu Governor must call a special assembly session and both the AIADMK factions. Talking to media, party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, this is the only way forward.

ASSISTANCE TO ADRIFT INDIAN FISHING BOAT “V MATHA-2”


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  1. At about 2355 hrs on 11 Feb 17, Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre Chennai received information from CSG Chennai regarding fishing boat V Matha-2 alongwith 12 crew adrift in approx position 146 n miles Southwest of Porbandar Light view engine failure. The details of the Indian fishing boat are as follows:-

(a)     Name                              :        V Matha-2
(b)     Regd No.                         :        IND-TN-15-MM-4900
(c)     Colour                             :        Green and Black
(d)     No. of Crew                     :        10 (Tamilnadu-04, UP-02, Assam-03,
Kerala-01)
(e)     Expected date of return   :        1900 hrs on 15 Feb 17
(f)      Owner                            :        Mr Joshen S/o Lazor

  1. On receipt of information, following actions were initiated:-

(a)     MRCC Mumbai issued International Safety Net (ISN) for alerting mariners transiting through the area.

(b)     ICGS Arush was diverted at 0920 hrs on 12 Feb 17 for rendering assistance.

(c)     Coast Guard Dornier aircraft, ex-CGAE Porbandar was launched at 1000 hrs for sea-air coordinated search.

(d)     Further, MRCC Mumbai diverted MT Standorf at 1030 hrs on 12 Feb 17 for rendering assistance.

  1. Coast Guard Dornier established communication with IFB V Matha-2 and arrived datum at 1105 hrs. Mr Joshen, boat master informed that there were ten(10) crew onboard of which one (01) crew was suffering from fever/cold and required medical assistance. The details were relayed to Coast Guard ship Arush and the ship arrived datum at 1530 hrs on 12 Feb 17. Coast Guard Boarding Team was deployed and preliminary investigations revealed following:-

  • The boat departed from Kochi on 02 Jan 17 with eleven(11) crew and entered Veraval port on 04 Feb 17 for replenishment of provisions and fuel.

  • One (01) crew (Mr Martin, Age 39 yrs) was disembarked at Veraval on 04 Feb 17. Subsequently, fishing boat resumed fishing activity.

  • Boat/crew in possession of invalid documents.

  1. ICG ship provided following assistance:-

(a)     Coast Guard Medical Team provided Medical Aid to one (01) crew suffering from severe stomach ache.

  • ICG ship provided provisions and water to the boat.

  • Defect investigation was carried out by ship’s technical staff and observed that boat’s engine had seized view low lub oil.

  1. Since defect rectification was not feasible at sea, ICGS Arush took the boat under tow at 1715 hrs on 12 Feb 17 and commenced towing towards Porbandar. Coast Guard ship alongwith fishing boat ‘V Matha-2’ is entered Porbandar at 1730 hrs on 13 Feb 17. Joint interrogation is planned AM 14 Feb 17.

Key rail stakeholders attending Asia Pacific Rail 2017

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Dear N.K,
There’s only 5 weeks left until the 19th Annual Asia Pacific Rail 2017takes place in Hong Kong. As you have yet to confirm your attendance to join us at the show, I wanted to drop you a line and show you some of the fantastic major operators and authorities that have already confirmed their attendance:
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I hope you can join us.
Best Wishes,
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Conference Manager
Asia Pacific Rail 2017

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