MENACE OF PAID NEWS

Formation of media panels hangs fire
Nainital, January 2

Despite stringent measures ordered by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to tackle the menace of paid news after the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, the constitution of the Media Certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMCs) is yet to take off. Meanwhile, media organisations across the state are learnt to be devising ways and techniques to increase their “election revenue”.

Sources in the government say that there are some roadblocks emerging with regards to the constitution of the MCMCs. While there is no doubt that the two members of the committees will be the Deputy District

Election Officers, problems are being encountered with regards to the other two members.

One of the members has to come from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Sources say that while the orders have been sent across to the departments under the Information and Broadcasting Ministry like the song and drama division, most of the officials are busy holding voter awareness campaigns and other such works. However, they say that this will be resolved in a day or so.

The maximum confusion is prevailing with regards to the fourth member which is to be an independent person or journalist nominated by the Press Council of India (PCI). The officials say that they are unclear when such persons will be nominated and notified.

The sources further said the job for recording and monitoring of news being run in the electronic medium and print medium was being outsourced to credible agencies.

Meanwhile, sources within the media industry pointed out that ever since the Model Code of Conduct was implemented, several television channels had managed to hoodwink the authorities on the issue of paid news.

The sources said money had been changing hands for repeatedly running one to one interviews with politicians who had either been declared as candidates or were in the line for getting the party ticket.

The sources further said the marketing professionals had already been given huge targets to meet during the poll campaign.

The Joint Chief Election Officer for the state Saujanya had said here a week back that this time the commission’s own teams would be monitoring the expenses incurred instead of the earlier practice of relying only on the declarations made by the candidates.

She had also asserted that stringent measures would be taken to check the menace of paid news.

ND Tiwari floats Nirantar Vikas Samiti

Body to fight Vidhan Sabha elections

Dehradun, January 2
Veteran Congress leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister ND Tiwari, who had been sidelined by the party following a sex scandal in Hyderabad Raj Bhawan, has created a stir in the party circles by announcing the formation of a society that will contest all 70 Assembly seats in the state.

Tiwari is the patron of the Nirantar Vikas Samiti and his private secretary Sanjay Joshi is the general secretary of the organisation. The move is seen as part of the strategy by Tiwari to pressurise the Congress high command to accommodate his favourites on the list of Congress candidates.

Tiwari has been trying hard to get party nomination for his former private secretary Aryaendra Sharma from the Sahaspur Assembly segment in Dehradun district and his own nephew Manish Tiwari from the Khatima Assembly segment in Udham Singh Nagar district.

Interacting with the media at his residence, Tiwari declined forming any political party but hosted a meeting of the Nirantar Vikas Samiti at his residence here today.

The development happens at a crucial time for the Congress when its screening committee is busy finalising the name of party candidates in New Delhi.

“I am not floating any political party. I have no wish to contest as I am 87,” Tiwari told mediapersons.

Nirantar Vikas Samiti spokesperson Bharat Sharma said, “We have received 350 applications. The Nirantar Vikas Samiti will be fielding selected persons as independent candidates. Many BJP and Congress leaders are in contact with the NVS. The samiti will be forming a national council of independent candidates and will also contest the UP Assembly poll. ND Tiwari will be the guiding force of the organisation”.

The development is viewed as a last-ditch effort by Tiwari to convey to the party high command that he is still around and cannot be ignored. Tiwari has his area of influence in the Nainital and Terai regions of Kumaon, his native place.

His supporters had also erected his posters and banners in the town but were quickly removed. 

Bad weather may hit voting in remote areas

Mussoorie, January 2
If the weather remained inclement on January 30, election booths in far-flung areas in the hill districts of Tehri and Mussoorie may witness a low turnout of voters.

Many booths in both districts are approachable only by foot. In Tehri district, the election booth at Junior High School, Bhavna Kyara village, is too far that voters will have to walk several kilometres to caste their vote.

More than five booths in the Narendar Nagar Assembly segment are situated at a distance of 20 km from the main road. The Gangi booth in Ghansali is 22 km away while the Pasni booth in the Dhanaulti Assembly segment is 18 km from the main road.

In the Mussoorie Assembly segment, voters will have to walk several kilometres to reach the election booths at Hathipaon, Chaskhet, Bulhat and Chamasari, which is difficult in inclement weather.

However, political parties have heaved a sigh of relief with the Election Commission giving them an assurance that the elections could be rescheduled in the booths that would be affected by heavy snowfall.

Happy New Year 
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Slowdown keeping NRIs away from elections

Jalandhar, December 29
Economic slowdown all around the world is keeping NRIs away from swarming Punjab in large numbers on the poll eve to extend their support and monetary contributions to their choicest political parties and candidates.
Though the Central government had accepted the NRIs’ demand of giving them voting rights, they have hardly displayed any interest to take part in the electoral process as only 165 NRIs have got themselves registered as voters in Punjab so far.
Punjab elections have always remained a centre of attraction for politically aware and sensitive Punjabi NRIs who have been flocking to their home state in hordes in the past to vote and support their favourite candidates and parties.
It is for the first time that NRIs have decided to stay away from the poll process, thanks to near-recession in the West, particularly in Canada, the US, the UK, euro zone countries, besides Australia and New Zealand.
Just one delegation of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), led by its chairman Dalwinder Dhoot and president Satnam Chahal, has landed in Punjab so far.
“Many NRIs have decided to contribute to political funds in the range of $2000 to $3000 by staying back in North America instead of spending double the amount on air-tickets for visiting the state along with their families,” said Dhoot and Chahal.
Meanwhile, the annual NRI convention to be held in Jalandhar in January may be postponed due to elections.
Money wise
n Only 165 NRIs get themselves registered as voters so far
n Most NRIs have preferred to cling to their jobs/businesses in the wake of economic slowdown world over
n Instead of flying to Punjab, NRIs are preferring to donate money to political parties/candidates

Shaheedi Jor Mela concludes with religious ceremonies

Devotees take part in the Palki procession at the Shaheedi Jor Mela
 in Fatehgarh Sahib.

Fatehgarh Sahib, Dec. 28

The three-day annual Shaheedi Jor Mela, which is organised in memory of younger Sahibjadas of Guru Gobind Singh, who were bricked alive by Mughals for not embracing Islam, concluded here today with religious ceremonies.

A scene from ‘Mein Tera Banda’ at the Shaheedi Jor Mela in Fatehgarh Sahib. Tribune photo

To mark the concluding ceremony, a Nagar Kirtan was taken out from Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib to Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup Sahib after performing the "ardas" by Tarlochan Singh, head priest, Gurdwara Keshgarh Sahib.

Lakhs of devotees accompanied the Nagar Kirtan led by Panj Piaras. School bands, Gatka teams, Nihangs, Kirtani Jathas, Sukhmani Sahib Sewa Societies and various other social, religious and political leaders accompanied the Nagar Kirtan. The main attraction during the Nagar Kirtan was martial arts displaced by Nihangs and Gatka teams.

The palanquin carrying Guru Granth Sahib was placed on a well decorated four-wheeler. Akal Takhat Jathedar Gurbachan Singh performed the duty of "Chor Sahib", whereas Tarlochan Singh, Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar Damdama Sahib, Jaswinder Singh, head priest, Darbar Sahib and Harnam Singh Dhuma, head, Damdami Taksal accompanied the Guru Granth Sahib.

The palanquin was escorted by Avtar Singh Makkar, president, SGPC, Prem Singh Chandumajra general secretary, SAD, Dr Harbans Lal, former minister, MLA Didar Singh Bhatti and other political leaders.

'Mein Tera Banda' staged

The main attraction during the mela was the "Mein Tera Banda", a light and sound programme, organised by the district administration and the SGPC. The programme, which was based on the life Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, was directed by Harpal Tiwana.