Haryana Chief Secretary Reviews Heatwave Preparedness and Election Arrangements

Enforcement Agencies Seize Goods Worth ₹23.31 Crore

Chandigarh, April 24 - The Haryana Chief Secretary, Mr. T.V.S.N Prasad, today reviewed the preparedness for the impending heatwaves of summer-2024 and the arrangements for the general Lok Sabha elections, along with the by-election to the Karnal assembly constituency, with the Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of the state. During the review meeting, Mr. Prasad also sought detailed information about preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha-2024 elections from them.

The Chief Secretary emphasized the necessity for adequate arrangements for drinking water at polling stations on the polling day, May 25.

It was disclosed during the meeting that enforcement agencies have meticulously documented a significant amount of seized goods, valued at a total of ₹23.31 crore since March 1st, 2024. Notably, significant seizures include cash amounting to ₹4.05 Crores, liquor valued at ₹8.17 Crores, drugs totaling ₹8.02 Crores, precious metals worth ₹1.73 Crores, and freebies valued at ₹1.33 Crores. Mr. Prasad directed the officers to maintain strict vigilance over such activities.

Additionally, it was informed that the first randomization of EVMs is scheduled for April 25, 2024, with the second randomization to be conducted after the arrival of General Observers. The first randomization of Presiding and Alternate Presiding Officers will be completed by April 29, with their training concluding by May 11. The second randomization of Polling Parties will be conducted after the arrival of General Observers. A total of 219 auxiliary polling stations will be set up in the state.

Mr. Prasad stressed adherence to government advisories regarding the impending heatwaves. He assured the public of the government's readiness to mitigate the effects of heatwaves, instructing relevant departments to take proactive measures. The Health Department has been tasked with ensuring adequate supplies of ORS packets, essential medicines, and ice packs at health centers and Anganwadis. Additionally, instructions have been given to designate wards/beds for heatwave emergencies, equipped with ACs and coolers where available.

DGP Mr. Shatrujeet Kapur, Principal Secretary and Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Anurag Aggarwal, Principal Secretary Mr. Devendra Kalyan, and other senior officials attended the meeting. Divisional Commissioners, IGs, Deputy Commissioners, and Superintendents of Police from all districts also participated via video conference.

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Through C-Vigil, citizens are keeping a vigilant eye on the elections

So far, 2423 complaints regarding violations of the Model Code of Conduct have been lodged

The highest number, 502 complaints, have been received from Sirsa, Anurag Agarwal

Chandigarh, April 24 - In the Lok Sabha general elections-2024, through the C-Vigil mobile app citizens are keeping a close eye on election violations. As soon as they receive information about violations of the Model Code of Conduct, they send their complaints to the Election Commission. These complaints are resolved within 100 minutes. It is the result of citizens' vigilance that so far 2423 complaints have been received in Haryana, of which the highest number, 502 complaints, are from Sirsa.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Anurag Agarwal said that the general public is ensuring their participation in the system through the "C-Vigil" mobile app, which is a matter of pride. He said that citizens are cooperating with the Election Commission as election observers to conduct elections impartially and transparently.

Providing district-wise details, he said that 455 complaints have been received from Ambala, 64 from Bhiwani, 264 from Faridabad, 71 from Fatehabad, 140 from Gurugram, 164 from Hisar. Similarly, 30 complaints have been received from Jhajjar, 50 from Jind, 54 from Kaithal, 22 from Karnal, 54 from Kurukshetra, 6 from Mahendragarh, 44 from Mewat, 69 from Palwal, 108 from Panchkula, 13 from Panipat, 28 from Rewari, 89 from Rohtak, 134 from Sonipat, and 62 complaints from Yamunanagar have been received. Among these, 2079 complaints were found to be valid and action was taken accordingly.

He appealed to the citizens to support in making the elections fair and transparent. He said that citizens can take photos or record two-minute videos and upload them on this app. The photo or video will be uploaded on the app along with the GPS location. Complaints will be resolved within 100 minutes of registration.

He mentioned that flying squads and static surveillance teams have real-time information and teams will immediately reach the location from where the complaint is received on the C-Vigil app, informed Sh. Anurag Agarwal.

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Every Citizen's Vote: A beacon of hope for a better tomorrow - Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal

Chandigarh, April 24 – Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh Anurag Agarwal said that the citizens of the country are the facilitator of change within our cherished democratic heritage. He said that each vote cast is not merely an indelible mark on a finger or a ballot paper, but rather, it represents a fresh beacon of hope for a brighter tomorrow.

He said that the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha general elections in India will witness voting in Haryana state on May 25. Emphasizing the significance of voter awareness campaigns, he highlighted their pivotal role in encouraging voter turnout. These campaigns serve as catalysts, fostering a culture of proactive citizenship and democratic engagement among the people. To enhance voter participation in the 18th Lok Sabha General Election, all districts of the state are fervently involved in driving voter awareness initiatives. Notably, various departments, including educational institutions, are actively contributing to these campaigns, thereby playing a crucial role in ensuring voter awareness and engagement.

Sh Anurag Agarwal said that this initiative reflects people dedication to fostering values such as equality, justice, and freedom, while emphasizing the significance of every citizen's right to vote. Through the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative, the administration endeavours to connect with every voter, emphasizing the crucial role of citizen responsibility and active participation in the democratic process.

He said that the administration is actively and efficiently fulfilling its responsibility on social media platforms to promote voter awareness and stimulate participation in the electoral process. The significance of every single vote is being elucidated to voters through diverse SVEEP campaigns. Those who may underestimate the impact of their individual vote fail to recognize its crucial role in ensuring the fair and accurate election of public representatives: indeed, each vote holds immense importance. With this perspective in mind, citizens of the state are encouraged to actively engage in the grand festival of democracy on the polling day, May 25.

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Haryana Vidhan Sabha reconstituted Fact-finding committee in sexual harassment case

Chandigarh, April 24 - Haryana Vidhan Sabha has reconstituted the Fact-Finding Committee constituted in the case of the principal accused of sexual harassment in Government Senior Secondary School, Uchana Mandi, Jind district. This said change has been made after the change of the portfolio of Cabinet Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal.

A notification in this regard has been issued by the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. As per notification, now School Education Minister, Smt. Seema Trikha will be the Chairman of the Committee. Transport, Women and Child Development Minister, Sh. Aseem Goyal, MLA, Sh. Bharat Bhushan Batra and Sh. Amarjeet Dhanda will be member and Advocate General of Haryana will be a special invitee member of this Committee.

This Committee will investigate the incidents that took place during the tenure of accused Principal Kartar Singh from the year 2005 to the year 2023, which were discussed in the Assembly on December 15, 2023, and December 18, 2023.

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Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau constable arrested for taking bribe

Chandigarh, April 24: A team of the Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Constable Vikas, posted at Durga Shakti-2 in Gurugram district, red-handed while taking a bribe of Rs.20,000 from Hansi. The accused was demanding a bribe from the complainant in exchange for not raiding his fast food shop located in Sector-33.

Sharing information in this regard an official spokesperson said that the ACB team received a complaint in this regard in which the complainant told that the accused Constable Vikas was threatening to raid his fast food shop located in Sector-33 by a CIA Gurugram team on the pretext of drugs. In this case, the accused told the complainant that he would convince the CIA Gurugram officers to not raid the complainant's shop by colluding with them. In return, he was demanding a bribe of Rs 20,000.

The spokesperson stated that after investigating the matter, the ACB team made a plan to catch the accused and arrested him red-handed while taking a bribe of Rs 20,000 in Hansi.In this case, a case has been registered against the accused at the Hisar Anti-Corruption Bureau Police Station and action has been taken. The entire operation was carried out with complete transparency in the presence of witnesses. Investigation is being done in this case by collecting all the necessary evidence.

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Haryana Vidhan Sabha reconstituted Fact-finding committee in sexual harassment case

Chandigarh, April 24 - Haryana Vidhan Sabha has reconstituted the Fact-Finding Committee constituted in the case of the principal accused of sexual harassment in Government Senior Secondary School, Uchana Mandi, Jind district. This said change has been made after the change of the portfolio of Cabinet Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal.

A notification in this regard has been issued by the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. As per notification, now School Education Minister, Smt. Seema Trikha will be the Chairman of the Committee. Transport, Women and Child Development Minister, Sh. Aseem Goyal, MLA, Sh. Bharat Bhushan Batra and Sh. Amarjeet Dhanda will be member and Advocate General of Haryana will be a special invitee member of this Committee.

This Committee will investigate the incidents that took place during the tenure of accused Principal Kartar Singh from the year 2005 to the year 2023, which were discussed in the Assembly on December 15, 2023, and December 18, 2023.