In case of death or permanent disability of polling/security personnel during election duty, family members to receive ex-gratia assistance – Sh. Anurag Agarwal
Chandigarh, May 2 - Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Anurag Agarwal, announced that financial assistance under ex-gratia will be provided to the families of polling/security personnel in case of death or permanent disability during election duty. In the unfortunate events of violent incidents, bomb blasts, terrorist attacks, or shootings leading to the death of personnel, the family will receive Rs. 30 lakh. Similarly, for other reasons causing death during duty, Rs. 15 lakh will be provided and in case of permanent disability of the employee due to attack by anti-social elements Rs. 15 lakh will be ensured. In case of loss of eyesight or limbs, a financial assistance of Rs. 7.5 lakh will be extended to the family member.
Sh. Anurag Agarwal chaired a review meeting regarding the ex-gratia policy for employees engaged in election duty for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The assistance amount will be in addition to any compassion amount provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs, state government, or other employers.
Sh. Agarwal said that the responsibility of initiating the process of compassionate funds will be of the District Election Officer and Superintendent of Police and it will have to be started within ten days from the date of the incident of death, disability etc. of the employee. The office of the Chief Electoral Officer will have to ensure disposal of the related case within one month.
The Chief Electoral Officer directed that all the District Election Officers should ensure facilities for health care, first-aid etc. for the polling personnel at the training centres, dispatch and receiving centres and there should also be a provision for an ambulance with doctors and para medical staff. Also, all the District Election Officers will designate a senior officer as the nodal officer for the welfare and other facilities of the employees engaged in election duty and will inform the headquarters about the same.
He informed that the election duty period will be considered from the date of the announcement of election dates to the date of the results, including both days. Sh. Agarwal said that election duty involves rigorous activities carried out by various departments' officials and employees, including the operation of election machinery. These workers undertake challenging tasks to ensure the independent and impartial conduct of elections, risking their lives. Recognizing their contributions, the Commission has provisioned assistance for the families of deceased personnel as compensation or assistance for employees in cases of serious injuries resulting in permanent disability.
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Empowering Tomorrow's Voters, Haryana Launches Initiative for School Children to Pivotal Contribution to Voting Process
School students to encourage family Voting with Selfie Initiative
At the district level, draws will be conducted, winner will receive a cash prize of Rs. 10,000
The school whose students upload the most selfies will also receive a special prize of Rs. 25,000
Chandigarh, May 2 - In a bid to increase voter turnout in the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for May 25 in Haryana, the Chief Electoral Officer's office has launched a new initiative involving school children, who will be rewarded with cash prizes. Under this initiative, children will be encouraged to motivate their parents to vote, and on the voting day, they will be required to upload a selfie of their family members after the voting. At the district level, cash prizes of Rs. 10,000, Rs. 5,000, and Rs. 2,500 will be awarded to the first, second, and third winners by conducting a draw of lots.
Sharing more details in this regard, Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Anurag Agarwal informed that under this initiative, the school having the maximum number of selfies uploaded by their students will also be awarded a special prize of Rs. 25,000. A link has been developed on the https://www.ceoharyana.gov.in/ portal for uploading selfies, which will be available on the voting day, i.e., May 25. The link for uploading selfies will be open for school children along with voting from 7 AM, and selfies can be uploaded until 8 PM.
Sh. Anurag Agarwal said that the aim of this initiative is not only to increase voter turnout this time but also to make school children, who will be future voters, aware of their voting rights. He said that every vote counts in a democracy, so this initiative has been started to ensure that every voter casts their vote.
He said that to attract and encourage voters for the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Election Commission of India has given the slogan ‘Chunav Ka Parv-Desh Ka Garv’. In Haryana too, efforts are being made to celebrate this festival in a unique way and create awareness among voters through slogans like, ‘Chunav Mela Dekhan Jawange, Sare Vote Dalke Aawange’
More than 2 crore registered voters in Haryana
The Chief Electoral Officer said that there are 2,00,41,353 registered voters in Haryana, including 1,06,34,532 males, 94,06,357 females, and 464 transgender voters. He said that the number of voters in Gurugram Lok Sabha constituency is the highest at 25,66,159, while in Faridabad, it is 24,24,281. Similarly, in Ambala Lok Sabha area, there are 19,92,252 voters, in Kurukshetra, 17,92,160, in Sirsa, 19,34,614, in Hisar, 17,88,710, in Karnal, 21,00,439, in Sonipat, 17,64,954, in Rohtak, 18,86,796, and in Bhiwani-Mahendragarh, 19,90,988 voters.
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Voting to Take Place in Haryana on May 25 - Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Anurag Agarwal
Chandigarh, May 2 - Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Anurag Agarwal, stated that in view of the Lok Sabha general elections, Haryana State Transport is playing a significant role in raising awareness and encouraging more and more people to participate in the grand festival of democracy. The buses of Haryana State Transport originating from the depots of various districts are becoming helpful in creating awareness among the voters not only of Haryana state but also of other states of the country. Information, Public Relations, Language, and Culture Department of Haryana have placed voter awareness promotional materials on Haryana State Transport buses, which are easily attracting the attention of voters and encouraging them to vote enthusiastically on May 25, the voting day.
He further stated that in order to increase the voting percentage in the Lok Sabha general elections, people are being made aware through buses of Haryana Roadways running on various routes from different bus stands, as per the directions of the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer's office of Haryana. Information, Public Relations, Language, and Culture Department of Haryana have organized voter awareness promotional materials, banners, and posters on Haryana Roadways buses.
Sh. Agarwal said that these posters appeal to the general public to 'not consider voting day as a holiday, come and vote at the polling centre,'Loktantra ki shashakt tasveer ungli par nili lakir’ etc., through awareness slogans and taglines, appealing to vote more and more. Information about the voter helpline number 1950 is also being provided through the advertisement material on buses.
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* A session on career counseling focusing on higher education in journalism and social work at Sushma Swaraj Government College for Girls.
Chandigarh, May 2 - The Department of Communication and Media Technology at J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology organised a session on career counseling focusing on higher education in journalism and social work at Sushma Swaraj Government College for Girls.
Assistant Professor, Media Department, Dr. Sudhir, and Assistant Professor, Social Work course, Dr. K.M. Tabish, organized this special career counseling session to equip the participants with the necessary knowledge and resources to pursue higher education in media and social work and to deal with the complexities that lie ahead.
The session highlighted various aspects of higher education in journalism and social work, including:
Exploring Academic Programs: Participants were introduced to the diverse range of educational programs available in media and journalism, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, specialized courses, and certificate programs.
Understanding industry trends: Experts discussed the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the media and journalism landscape, helping participants gain valuable insights into industry trends aligned with their interests and career goals.
Career Guidance- Specialized panel discussions and interactive workshops provided practical advice on career planning, job prospects, and the path to success in media and journalism, empowering participants to make informed decisions about their future careers.
Dr. Tabish highlighted the value of further education in social work, stating several job options exist for those pursuing a career in social work.
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The Haryana RTS Commission imposed penalty of Rs. 10,000 on the Agriculture Manager for not providing service within the stipulated period
Chandigarh, May 2 - The Haryana Right to Service Commission has imposed penalty of Rs. 10,000 on the Agriculture Manager of Punjab National Bank's branch, Behal, Bhiwani for not providing the prescribed service within the stipulated timeframe to an applicant. Apart from this, a decision has also been given to provide compensation of Rs. 5,000 to the applicant.
A spokesperson from the commission, providing information about this, said that the Commission's Chief Commissioner, Sh. T.C. Gupta, took suo moto cognizance of the matter himself and a hearing was conducted for the resolution of this matter. It has been reported that in this case, Punjab National Bank, Behal branch officials including Branch Manager Manjeet and Agriculture Manager Mulayam Singh also participated in the hearing. The applicant was not provided with the loan on time, for which the commission took cognizance.
The spokesperson informed that the applicant stated that he had been harassed by the bank over a period of more than one and a half years. The loan was sanctioned on July 1, 2022 and the animal was purchased on November 16, 2022 but the loan amount was not disbursed.
He informed that each time Sh. Mulayam singh, Agriculture Manager would ask him to provide one document or the other like copy of some application form, copy of some other documents, three stamp papers etc. It is only after the issuance of notice by the commission that the branch listened to him and disbursed the loan, he added.
The Commission has carefully considered all the facts and circumstances of this case. There is no doubt that there is delay in sanction of the loan as well as disbursement by the bank. The spokesperson further stated that the commission has directed the Circle Head of Punjab National Bank, Rohtak, to ensure that the penalty amount is deducted from Mulayam Singh's April salary, which should not exceed one-third of the salary, and the remaining amount should be deducted next month.
In addition, the commission has recommended initiating appropriate disciplinary action against Manjeet, Branch Manager, PNB-Behal, Haryana, and a request has been made to the Zonal Manager, PNB, Chandigarh to inform the commission about the action taken in this regard within 30 days of the issuance of these orders. It is noteworthy that Manjeet has been posted in this branch since August 2021 and Mulayam Singh since June 9, 2022.
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KU sets new dimensions in Art and Culture - Prof Som Nath
In Kala Utsav 2024, 10 nationally renowned artists will teach young artist the intricate details of art
Vice Chancellor inaugurates four-day Kala Utsav 2024 workshop
Chandigarh, May 2- Kurukshetra University, Vice Chancellor Prof. Som Nath inaugurated the four-day ‘Kala Utsav’ 2024 workshop organised by the Department of Youth and Cultural Affairs in the KU Senate Hall today. During the inauguration, he stated that Kurukshetra University has set new dimensions in the field of art and culture. Practical and skill-based knowledge of art is essential for self-reliance as it can shape the future of the youth by developing their skills.
He said that the National Education Policy 2020 emphasises a skill-based education system, including value-based education for students, along with academic, research, sports and cultural development.
Prof. Sachdeva said that KU has been the first in the country to implement NEP 2020 in UG programs in the campus and affiliated colleges. In the field of research, KU has also registered and published more than 60 patents. In the field of sports, KU has proudly secured third position for the second consecutive year in the prestigious MAKA Trophy and first position among state universities and third position overall in the 37th National Youth Festival in which the Department of Fine Arts also played an important role. He also congratulated and praised the entire team of the Department of Fine Arts, which created the statue of Swami Vivekananda installed on the KU campus. Prof. Sachdeva called upon all the students to learn the intricacies of art from the expert artists who came to the workshop.
Earlier, Director, Youth and Cultural Affairs Department Prof. Maha Singh Poonia said that KU is achieving multifaceted success in the field of art and culture under the leadership of KU Vice-Chancellor. Under his able guidance, this workshop has been organised for the intellectual, cultural and artistic development of the students. He said that recently 6 clubs have been formed in KU to hone the talent of young artists and efforts will be made to give a new dimension to Indian art and culture through them.
Deputy Director, Youth and Cultural Affairs Department Dr. Gurcharan Singh said that the aim the workshop is to prepare young artist students for the challenges they face in the field of art by teaching them the intricacies of art.
Chairman, Department of Fine Arts, Himachal Pradesh University, Prof. Him Chatterjee, said as a resource person that KU is doing an important work of developing its cultural heritage through the Kala Utsav 2024 workshop and this will prove to be a boon for the skill development of young artist students.
Under the Kala Utsav 2024, the four-day workshop organised with 10 nationally renowned artists from across the country has provided an opportunity for the students of KU Fine Art Club and the Department of Fine Arts to learn and understand many subtle aspects related to painting.
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Directorate of AYUSH Haryana Hosts Successful Training Program for Ayush Medical Officers
Chandigarh, May 2 – The Directorate of AYUSH Haryana has successfully inaugurated a specialized training and capacity-building session aimed at enhancing the skills of Ayush Medical Officers (AMOs) cum Community Health Officers (CHOs) stationed in AHWCs and Government AYUSH dispensaries across Haryana State using the ECHO platform for interactive virtual knowledge exchange and collaboration among the participants.
The intensive program, focused on the critical topic of " Screening and Management of Hypertension, & quot; witnessed the participation of 60 dedicated AMOs from selected districts in the first phase. Subject Matter experts Dr. Ajeet Bhadoria, Assistant Professor at AIIMS Rishikesh, and Dr. Sukhvir Verma, AMO GH Hisar, delivered the presentations as esteemed guest speakers.
Dr. Bhadoria enlightened participants with an insightful presentation on hypertension screening, alongside a comprehensive overview of screening methodologies for the three major cancers. Dr. Verma shared invaluable knowledge on the management of hypertension utilizing Ayurveda modalities, highlighting the efficacy of Ayurvedic healing methods in modern healthcare practices.
The training program also featured a case presentation by Dr. Chandan Dua, Training Officer at the Directorate of Ayush Haryana, offering attendees a practical insight into managing difficult case in real-world scenario. Moreover, the session incorporated both pre-and post-questionnaires to effectively evaluate the learning outcomes.
The Directorate of Ayush Haryana is dedicated to continuing its use of the ECHO platform for upcoming training initiatives, underscoring its commitment to leveraging digital solutions for AYUSH healthcare education and professional development ultimately contributing to improved healthcare.