PVS Speaker condoles on demise of Om Prakash Chautala

Chandigarh, December 20:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala.

In a press release, S. Sandhwan paid tribute to Chautala, acknowledging his significant contributions to Indian politics and his five-term tenure as Haryana's chief minister.

Chautala, 89, was the son of India's 6th Deputy Prime Minister, Chaudhary Devi Lal, and the supremo of the Indian National Lok Dal. S. Sandhwan praised Chautala's dedication to the people of Haryana, saying he will always be remembered for his work.

The Speaker offered his condolences to Chautala's family, praying for eternal peace for the departed soul and strength for the family during this difficult time.

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Vigilance Bureau arrests Patwari for accepting Rs 4,000 bribe

Chandigarh, December 20, 2024 - The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Friday has apprehended revenue Patwari Harjit Rai, posted at Dera Baba Nanak, in Gurdaspur district for accepting a bribe of Rs 4,000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested after an enquiry of online complaint lodged by Surinder Singh, a resident of village Nasirpur, in Batala tehsil.

He further informed that during the investigation of the said complainant it was found that the said accused had accepted a bribe of Rs 4,000 in exchange for halting the mutation (Inteqal) of ancestral land which the Patwari had previously entered in favor of complainant’s nephew.

He further added that in this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at VB Police Station, Range Amritsar. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigations into this case was under progress, he said.

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Punjab Government notifies 21 December as a Public Holiday on account of Municipal Bodies Elections

Chandigarh, 20 December 2024:On the recommendation of Punjab State Election Commission with regard to General/Bye Elections to Municipal Bodies -2024, Punjab Government has notified 21 December (Saturday) as a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 in the revenue jurisdiction of the Municipal Bodies where elections are going to be held.

Furthermore, Punjab Government has also declared a Special leave on 21st December 2024 to those voters who are working in Punjab Government offices/Boards/Corporations/Educational Institutions. Voters can avail this Special leave to cast their vote in the Municipal Bodies Elections by showing their voter card to the competent officer and this Special leave will not be deducted from their leave account.

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SEC allows videography outside the polling Booths during elections of the Municipal Corporations/Councils by private persons including the workers of various political parties

Chandigarh, 20 December 2024:The State Election Commission hereby informs the candidates and general public, that vide its orders dated 10.10.2024, the Commission has allowed videography proceedings outside the polling stations to be conducted by private persons including the workers of various political parties.

In this regard, it is made clear that no private individual may be allowed to carry out any videography activity within the polling stations. These directions have already been issued by the Commission in accordance with the order dated 24.5.2012 passed by the Hon'ble High Court (DB) in CWP 9601 of 2012 Krishan Kumar Sharma & ors. Vs. State of Punjab, the operative part of which is as under:

"The Petitioners or any other person are at liberty to arrange videography outside the polling station at their own costs and if they express such a desire, they be not prevented from doing so. It is, however, made clear that videography shall not be conducted inside the polling booths to maintain secrecy of the polling".

As per the above order, videography by private persons/workers of political parties is allowed at their own expense, subject to such videography being conducted beyond 100 meters of polling stations.