Cash, Liquor and Drugs worth Rs 34.77 Crore Confiscated
Chandigarh May 3 - The Haryana Chief Secretary Mr T.V.S.N Prasad today said that enforcement agencies have reported a staggering seizure amounting to Rs 34.77 crore. The seizures, comprising cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and various other items, underscore the stringent measures in place to curb illicit activities during the electoral process.
The Chief Secretary was presiding over the meeting on seizure made during ongoing Lok Sabha Election. DGP Mr. Shatrujeet Kapur, Principal Secretary and Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Anurag Aggarwal, Principal Secretary, Excise and Taxation Mr. Devendra Kalyan, and other senior officials attended the meeting.
According to the Election Seizure Management System's progress report, the seizures include cash worth Rs 5.91 crore, 367,561 liters of liquor valued at Rs 12.48 crore and 6015.72 kilograms of drugs/narcotics valued at Rs 12.11 crore. Additionally precious metals and freebies/other items account for Rs1.73 crore and Rs.2.52 crore respectively.
Mr. Prasad directed the senior officers to establish coordination with neighbouring states to trace the origin of seized liquor. Additionally, he emphasised the need to further enhance vigilance, especially in districts bordering Delhi and other states.
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A Committee to Scrutinize Recommendations for Republic Day and Independence Day Awards in Haryana
Chandigarh, May 3 - A committee will be formed by the concerned Deputy Commissioner to examine recommendations for Republic Day and Independence Day honours at district level in Haryana. This committee will review all applications and make recommendations to the Deputy Commissioner, who will approve a maximum of 20 awards for Independence Day and Republic Day.
Chief Secretary Sh T.V.S.N. Prasad has issued instructions to all Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners, directing them to follow the prescribed standard operating procedure for conferring honours on Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations.
He said that August 10th will be the deadline for finalizing the list of awards for this year's Independence Day. In the future, the deadlines will be August 5th for Independence Day awards and January 10th for Republic Day awards. All Deputy Commissioners must ensure the list of award recipients is sent to the Chief Secretary's office by the specified deadlines. Additionally, mandatory character verification by police will be conducted for all award winners.
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*School and college grounds cannot be used for election rallies - Chief Electoral Officer
*Star campaigners to follow the election code of conduct
Chandigarh, May 3 - Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Anurag Agarwal said that political parties and candidates contesting elections will not be given permission from the Election Commission to use playgrounds of schools and colleges for election rallies.
He has clarified that except Haryana and Punjab, in other states and union territories, playgrounds can be used with the permission of the school management. Punjab and Haryana High Court has imposed an express prohibition on this issue.
The Chief Electoral Officer said that the sentiments of voters will not be influenced on the basis of caste, religion, community during the election campaign and high standards will have to be maintained during the election campaign. He said that the citizens of India have the right to freedom of expression under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution, but the objective of the Model Code of Conduct is contained under its various provisions.
Sh. Agarwal said that during the election campaign, no temple, mosque, church, gurudwara or other religious place can be used for election campaign, nor can speeches, posters, music, election related material be used during the campaign.
He said that photographs of defence personnel or programs of defence personnel will not be used in advertisements during the election campaign. The Chief Electoral Officer said that in the case of violation of election code of conduct by star campaigners, the Election Commission has made it clear that instructions have been given to the Chief Electoral Officer, District Election Officers, Returning Officers and Observers to take appropriate action in this regards.
The Election Commission has made it mandatory for the Chief Election Officer and District Election Officers to maintain a register according to the parties for monitoring violations of the Election Code of Conduct. The register must include the names of candidates, campaigners, and political parties, along with a brief note on the date of violation, action taken, and brief comments on orders passed by the Election Office or Election Commission. Cases of violation must be addressed impartially. Interested parties, including the media, can provide input on these.
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Under the directive of the Haryana State Legal Services Authority, a significant event unfolded at Chaudhary Devi Lal University's community radio station in Sirsa, orchestrated by the District Legal Services Authority, Sirsa, commemorating World Press Freedom Day.
Chandigarh, May 3 - Under the directive of the Haryana State Legal Services Authority, a significant event unfolded at Chaudhary Devi Lal University's community radio station in Sirsa, orchestrated by the District Legal Services Authority, Sirsa, commemorating World Press Freedom Day.
Dr. Amit Sangwan, Chairperson of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department of CDLU, graced the occasion as a distinguished speaker, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Indian press in national development.
Dr. Sangwan highlighted the press's function as a bridge between governance and citizenry. Delving into the theme of World Press Freedom Day 2024, "A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis," he underscored climate change and global warming as universal challenges. The media, he emphasized, serves as a vital tool in addressing these challenges, fostering environmental awareness, and promoting eco-friendly practices.
Dr. Sangwan noted that while technological advancements have facilitated the dissemination of information, the prevalence of misinformation poses significant challenges. Hence, he stressed the importance of journalists in delivering accurate information responsibly. He also shed light on the inception of World Press Freedom Day in 1993 by the United Nations General Assembly to honor outstanding journalists and uphold press freedom, a tradition observed annually on May 3rd.
Advocate Satinder Singh of the District Legal Services Authority, Sirsa, elucidated on the organization's initiatives, particularly in ensuring justice for the underprivileged. Dimple, a research scholar from the Journalism and Mass Communication Department, conducted the event.
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World Press Freedom Day marked with pledges to protect Journalists
Chandigarh, May 3 – The Department of Communication & Media Technology of J.C. Bose University of Science & Technology, YMCA, Faridabad, Haryana observed the World Press Freedom Day on 3rd May 2024. The chairperson of the department with all faculty members, staff, and media students took a pledge to continue work for the voice of the voiceless. The pledge was taken to uphold the principles of truth, impartiality, and public service in journalism ensuring that the trust and confidence of the public in journalism are never compromised.
On this occasion, Vice-Chancellor Prof. S.K. Tomar congratulated the department.
The chairperson, Dr. Pawan Singh said “Journalism is a responsible and challenging profession. Being media teachers we get certain privileges and it is our duty to use these privileges for the betterment of society. Our wrong writing and reporting can destroy the careers of people and also cause social tension. Therefore, we should always do a lot of fact-checking before reporting on any issue”. Dr. Bharat Dhiman, Assistant Professor of the department, coordinated the event.
The World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every year on 3rd May. It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference.
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Kurukshetra University’s Dharohar Haryana Museum visited by renowned artists from across the country
Witnessed the Haryanvi Culture
Chandigarh, May 3- On the second day of the four-day workshop organised by the Department of Youth and Cultural Affairs at Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, 10 nationally renowned artists from across the country visited ‘Dharohar Haryana Museum’ today to give the students information about the nuances related to various arts in the workshop, and also gained insights into various aspects of art related to the museum.
Sharing information in this regard a university spokesperson said that all the artists were warmly welcomed with traditional turbans and were briefed about the Haryanvi folk culture established in the ‘Dharohar Haryana Museum’.
The artists were also given some information about how to promote the folk culture of Haryana in the future.
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Haryana Police Champions Cyber Security: Saves Rs 103 Crore, Sets National Example
Chandigarh, May 3 : Haryana Police stands as a national leader in cyber security, championing innovative approaches to combat digital fraud. This commitment has resulted in a remarkable Rs 103 crore saved from potential losses since November 2021.
Swift Action Saves Millions: Success in the Past Six Months
In the last six months (September 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024), Haryana Police prevented Rs 73 crore in cyber fraud attempts. This success garnered praise from across the nation, showcased during a Finance Ministry meeting at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi where Haryana Police's exemplary practices were shared with fintech and law enforcement agencies
Leadership and Collaboration Drive Results
Under the leadership of Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur, Haryana Police has prioritized cyber security. Expanded helpline staff, rigorous training, and round-the-clock shifts have increased responsiveness. Strategic alliances with banks have skyrocketed in fund-blocking success.
Proactive Arrests: Targeting Cyber Criminals
Recognizing the pivotal role of banks in combating cybercrime, Haryana Police forged alliances with leading financial institutions, leading to a significant surge in fund blocking rate in April alone, a proactive approach led to the apprehension of 137 cyber criminals. This includes focused surveillance of hotspots and a commitment to decisive action
Technology, Awareness, and Empowerment: A Multifaceted Approach
Haryana Police utilizes cutting-edge technology recognition software. In Nuh district, 496,000 fraudulent mobile numbers were blocked, with an additional 72,935 blocked nationally. Over 9,500 awareness campaigns, reaching 6 million people, demonstrate a commitment to public education.
Building Capacity: The Future of Cyber Security
Sh Kapur emphasized the reinforcement and training of field units for effective law enforcement against cybercrime. Haryana Police strengthened its infrastructure by establishing 29 cyber police stations across the state, enabling the training of 4989 police officers in cybercrime investigation and cyber forensics. Since February 1, 2022, Haryana Police has addressed the concerns of 7.25 lakh individuals regarding cybercrime.
The Director General of Police urged the public not to disclose personal banking information to unknown individuals. In the event of falling victim to cyber fraud, he urged immediate contact with the cyber helpline number 1930. He stressed the critical importance of the "golden hour" – the first hour following a cybercrime – where freezing fraudulent transactions is most feasible. Therefore, prompt reporting of incidents is essential to mitigate losses effectively.