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CEC asks officials to ensure training of staff handling EVMs, VVPAT
New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora has directed the chief electoral officers of all the states and Union Territories to ensure proper training of the polling staff who are going to handle EVMs and VVPAT machines.
Arora directed the CEOs to do “meticulous assessment” of all the resources required for the conduct of elections, including the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines.
He asked the officials to ensure adherence to the deadlines specified for completion of the machines’ first level checking. The CEC’s directions came during a two-day conference of the CEOs that concluded here on Saturday.
The directive came in the background of a large number of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines malfunctioning during the Lok Sabha and assembly by-polls in May last year.
The EC had to constitute a committee to look into the reason for malfunctioning of an unusually high number of machines during the by-polls, which pointed out mishandling of the machines as one of the primary reasons.
Addressing the CEOs, Arora emphasized the fact that the electoral roll that is currently under the process of revision and finalization will be used in the coming elections. Hence, care must be taken to ensure the purity of the roll.
He said every effort must be made to register all voters well in time. He directed all the state CEOs to put in place support systems for the election helpline 1950 as early as possible.
Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa said that the entire election machinery must now be geared up in order to deliver a flawless election.
He said that in order to accomplish this, a detailed planning process and a leadership role has to be assumed by the CEO at the state level and the District Election Officers (DEOs) at the district level.
He also emphasized upon coordination with bordering states as well as with other agencies in order to give more teeth to the expenditure monitoring mechanisms operational in the states.
The focus of the conference was on the integrity of the electoral roll, meticulous planning for elections, EVM and VVPAT assessment and training and extensive voter outreach, said an EC official.
–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.