During the Model Code of Conduct, media should publish news and advertisements according to the rules set by the PCI and the NBSA

Media's important contribution in conducting elections free, fair, and peacefully, Anurag Agarwal

Media should refrain from broadcasting communal, illegal, casteist, and anti-national news

To increase voters' trust, VVPAT will be used again this time

Chandigarh, March 28 - Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Anurag Agarwal said that the media also plays a significant role in conducting the Lok Sabha general elections in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. Therefore, during the Model Code of Conduct, publishing and broadcasting news and advertisements according to the rules and guidelines set by the Press Council of India for print media and the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) for electronic media is mandatory.

Sh. Agarwal said this while chairing a review meeting here today regarding the preparations for the Lok Sabha general elections 2024.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that after the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, any candidate or political party giving advertisements for printing or broadcasting in print or electronic media will be required to verify whether the advertisement has been certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC).

He said that the MCMC committee has been formed at the central, state, and district levels, and candidates or political parties don't need to obtain certification only from Haryana's MCMC committee. Candidates or political parties can also obtain certification from the MCMC committee located in Delhi, which will also be valid in Haryana.

Media should refrain from broadcasting communal, illegal, casteist, and anti-national news

Sh. Anurag Agarwal, providing information about the rules and guidelines set by the Press Council of India and the News Broadcasting Standards Authority, said that during the Model Code of Conduct, the media should refrain from broadcasting communal, illegal, casteist, and anti-national news.

He said that various types of advertising material are printed by candidates and political parties for election campaigning, so it is necessary to send the printed material by the publisher and printer to the office of the concerned District Magistrate or Chief Electoral Officer.

He said that if any individual prints or broadcasts advertising material on behalf of a candidate or political party, then the media organization will have to check whether the individual has obtained consent from the candidate or political party. If advertising material is being printed or broadcasted with the consent of the candidate or political party, then the expenditure of the advertisement will be added to the election expenses of that candidate or political party. If any advertising is being done without the consent of the candidate or political party, a case will be filed against that individual.

To increase the trust of voters, VVPAT will be used again this time

The Chief Electoral Officer said that the media should ensure balanced and unbiased reporting so that citizens receive accurate and truthful news, avoiding any kind of misinformation. He said that to increase voters' trust, the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) will be used again this time. When the voter casts his vote, the VVPAT screen will display the voter's vote for 7 seconds. This gives the voter the confidence that the vote he has cast has gone to the intended candidate.===============================

Patients visiting the Ayurveda Study and Research Institute at Shri Krishna AYUSH University, Kurukshetra can now avail the facility of a new modern ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat)

Chandigarh, March 28 - Patients visiting the Ayurveda Study and Research Institute at Shri Krishna AYUSH University, Kurukshetra can now avail the facility of a new modern ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) telescope machine that has been made available for the examination of patients with nose, ear, and throat problems. The state-of-the-art workstation machine has been installed in Ward No. 50 of the hospital. With this machine, the examination of patients' illnesses can be done immediately, and the disease and problem can also be diagnosed immediately.

Sharing more details in this regard, Dr. Ashu Vinayak, ENT specialist and ENT department head, said that all types of examinations related to nose, ear, and throat can be conducted with this machine, and the report will also be available immediately. He said that earlier there used to be difficulties in conducting examinations; all types of examinations, from endoscopy to others, had to be done separately. But now the patient's examination can be done only with the telescope machine.

University Chancellor Prof. Kartar Singh Dhiman said that the university administration is making every effort to gather modern facilities in the hospital. Undoubtedly, the benefit of the ENT workstation machine will be given to the patients, and there will be no need to spend money for the examination. He said that along with advanced technology, examination will be beneficial for both patients and doctors.

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MoU inked between Kurukshetra University and The Art of Living

Chandigarh, March 28 - An MoU was signed between Kurukshetra University and The Art of Living under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor, Kurukshetra University Prof. Som Nath Sachdeva, today. The MoU was signed by the Registrar of KU, and Country Head of Institutional Programs for The Art of Living Dr. Rajeev Nambiar, in the presence of State Director, Haryana, Shuchika Batra.

Prof. Som Nath Sachdeva said that the National Education Policy 2020 emphasizes awakening self-development in students, developing interpersonal skills, learning, and research. In view of this, the MoU has been signed between KU and The Art of Living. He said that students must remain stress-free and calm-minded for their holistic development and to reach the pinnacles of life.

He said that through the MoU, The Art of Living will start a certificate course on 'Self-Development' for students at KU IIHS. In this certificate course, young students will be able to deal with stressful situations in life, strengthen teacher-student relationships, and help young people develop their interpersonal skills.

Under the certificate course that will begin as a result of this MoU, experienced teachers will educate students on self-development skills, and KU IIHS will serve as the course's nodal centre. Such classes are vital for students' mental and physical wellness.

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Haryana Leads National Efforts in Cyber Fraud Prevention, Saves Rs 15.5 Crore in Record Month

Chandigarh, March 28 - Haryana has emerged as the frontrunner in combating cyber-fraud nationwide, securing a remarkable 27.60 percent of the total cyber fraud incidents. Notably, the Haryana Police intercepted and prevented cyber fraud attempts amounting to Rs 15.5 crore in February 2024, marking the highest prevention rate in the country. This substantial progress signifies a significant leap from September 2023 when Haryana Police ranked 23rd in the country with 8.62 percent of thwarted fraud attempts, now ascending to the foremost position.

Director General of Police, Shatrujeet Kapur, applauded the relentless efforts of his team for this achievement. He highlighted the pivotal role of ongoing cyber workshops organized by Haryana Police, aimed at devising strategies to thwart cybercriminal activities daily. Kapur emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts with financial institutions such as banks, ensuring swift action upon receiving reports of cyber fraud to freeze fraudulent accounts promptly. The deployment of personnel on the cyber helpline number has been doubled from 35 to 70 to enhance responsiveness.

Furthermore, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C) and Haryana Police have amalgamated their efforts, operating under a unified platform. Collaborating with representatives from 20 banks nationwide, an effective action plan is underway to freeze fraudulent transactions. Notably, major banking entities including HDFC, PNB, and Axis are actively partnering with Haryana Police at the dedicated center established within the Haryana-112 office premises to combat cyber fraud.

A government spokesperson affirmed the state police's commitment to safeguarding public earnings. According to the directives of State Director General of Police, Incident Managers have been appointed at the National Cyber Helpline 1930 Headquarters in ERSS Building 112, Panchkula. These managers are tasked with promptly liaising with bank nodal officers upon receiving fraud reports, ensuring swift freezing of fraudulent amounts.

In addition to proactive measures, Haryana Police is leveraging social media platforms to raise public awareness regarding cyber threats. Regular updates are shared to educate citizens about evolving tactics employed by cybercriminals, cautioning against sharing personal information or OTPs with unknown individuals. Citizens are advised to refrain from downloading apps or contacting numbers sourced from unofficial channels, instead relying on verified sources and helpline numbers such as 1930 in case of suspicion or assistance.