Top News
Maharashtra bypolls: Official ferrying EVMs in private car suspended (Second Lead)
Palghar (Maharashtra), May 29 (IANS) An election officer, who was among two detected transporting VVPAT-EVMs in a private car after polling in the Palghar Lok Sabha bye-elections on Monday night, was suspended on Tuesday, officials said.
Zonal Polling officers of Booth No. 17 in Chinchani, Deepak Khot has been placed under suspension, while the collectorate has asked police to add any other officials, including Manohar Khande, who was accompanying him, after their probe into the matter.
Khot was placed under suspension after a preliminary probe report from the Zone on the shocking lapse and flouting of protocol by them.
Earlier, it was said that both Khot and Khande had been suspended.
A detailed investigation report of the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) and the local police is awaited before further action in the matter.
Confirming the incident earlier on Tuesday, Palghar Collector Prashant Narnaware told IANS that it was “a serious lapse” since, after the voting in any elections, “the EVM-VVPATs are considered sacrosanct” and cannot be moved around anywhere in such an unauthorised manner.
“As per the ECI guidelines, after voting is completed, a special bus is sent to pick up all the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail-Electronic Voting Machines (VVPAT-EVMs) from all the polling centres.
“Each bus has a specific route by which it travels, picks up the machines and takes them to the ARO office. In this case, the laid down procedures were not followed by the officers concerned,” he said.
According to available information, the concerned officials, apparently tired of waiting for the bus, called for Khot’s own private car from home.
It is not clear whether they were accompanied by any security personnel on this venture, as is the norm to ensure safety of the EVM-VVPATs, said officials.
Khot and Khande loaded a couple of EVM-VVPATs which were under their charge after the voting, placed them on the rear seat and drove off to the ARO’s office early on Tuesday to deposit them in the strongroom before the counting process is undertaken on May 31.
Official sources said that the duo was caught by some alert citizens carrying the EVM-VVPATs in the private car (MH-03-BS-0980) and stopped it near Kirat village.
On questioning, they gave evasive replies following which the locals summoned the Manor police, who arrived and took charge of the matter, besides informing the collectorate and Election Commission officials.
The high-stakes bye-elections to the Palghar Lok Sabha, along with Bhandara-Gondiya, were held on Monday, amidst widespread incidents of malfunctioning EVM-VVPATs and allegations of foul play by all opposition parties and ruling ally Shiv Sena.
–IANS
qn/vd
Top News
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.