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Bedsheets to protect EVMs from severe heat, dust: Palghar Collector (Lead)
Palghar (Maharashtra), May 28 (IANS) Bedsheets, cloth and fans were used to protect the EVMs from extreme heat, harsh sunlight or dust in Monday’s bypolls held in Palghar and Bhandara-Gondiya Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra, said Palghar Collector Prashant Narnaware.
Amid Opposition onslaught of alleged tinkering with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) and electronic voting machines (EVMs) deployed first time in two Maharashtra constituencies, he sought to give an insight into the problems the Election Commission (EC) encountered.
“The sensors of these EVMs are extremely sensitive to heat, light and dust pollution. We were alerted on this by the EC beforehand. We faced problems even during the first level checks carried out on these machines a few days ago,” Narnaware told IANS.
Of the total 2,097 EVMs deployed, 156 machines in different areas of the constituency malfunctioned, but the officials were prepared to tackle it.
“Anticipating a 15 per cent error margin in the machines, we had already ordered 15 per cent more than our requirements – or around 2,608 EVMs – and had sent them to various Assembly segments in Palghar for quick replacement.
“This was done promptly as and when complaints were received,” Narnaware said.
Additionally, the collectorate had demanded a team of 100 engineers to handle the problems that could crop up in the EVMs, and the EC had sent 96 engineers who were distributed evenly in the Assembly segments, he said.
Besides, the local polling stations took their own little precautions like covering the windows with bedsheets, cloth cover near the EVMs and even installing fans in some areas to protect the machines from extreme heat, light or dust.
Narnaware said against a permissible error margin of 15 per cent, Palghar saw lower than 10 per cent, but admitted that it affected the voting percentages.
Till 6 p.m., the district had notched around 47 per cent voting, but this he attributed to the poor turnout in the urban centres compared to rural, the holiday season, high day temperatures and the general lack of interest among the people for bye-elections.
“Meanwhile, I have instructed my officers that any citizen who comes to the polling station by 6 p.m. must be allowed to vote even if it takes an hour or so more to complete the (voting) process,” Narnaware said.
In Bhandara-Gondiya, there have been complaints of more than 100 EVMs malfunctioning even as all opposition parties and ruling ally Shiv Sena cried foul.
Though no repolling has been ordered in any areas of the two constituencies, the Opposition parties have alleged tampering with the machines, while at least one, Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh President Prakash Ambedkar, has sought a repoll in Bhandara-Gondiya.
The Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Shiv Sena have strongly criticized the EC for the large number of faulty machines and accused it of not even registering complaints.
Sena MP Sanjay Raut said the EVM glitches are nothing but a manifestation of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ recent controversial statement on ‘Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed’.
Senior NCP leader Praful Patel said: “I have come to know that around 60 machines are defective in each assembly segment. The EC must take serious note of this. What is the security of the votes that are already cast in the malfunctioning EVMs?”
Congress state spokesperson Sachin Sawant alleged large-scale irregularities as the BJP was attempting to make the Lok Sabha bypolls ‘My-polls’.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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