Centre asks naxal-hit states to ensure jobs under NREGA

New Delhi, November 2 (PTI): Aiming at countering extremism at grass-root level, the Centre has asked states to ensure that 100 days of employment is provided to all eligible rural households under NREGA in districts affected by the left-wing extremism. In an advisory to the states, Ministry of Rural Development has also asked them to take effective measures to ensure that rural households receive their “due entitlement” under the Act in the districts facing drought. “In a recent review of the implementation of NREGA in drought-affected and 33 left-wing extremism-affected districts, it has been found that a large number of rural households have not yet availed of 100 days of employment under NREGA,” Ministry noted. “It is imperative to intensify efforts to ensure that the rural households (in naxal-affected and drought-hit districts) receive their due entitlements in accordance with the Act,” it added.

‘Stern action against candidates luring electorates’

Firozabad, November 2 (PTI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Umesh Sinha today warned candidates and their supporters of stern action if they tried to lure electorates through unfair means, in view of upcoming by-polls in the state. “Stern action will be taken against candidates and their supporters offering liquor, money and other things to influence the electorate during by-polls,” Sinha told reporters here. The CEO, who was here to review poll preparedness, directed officials to take all necessary measures to ensure free and fair elections. “All arrangements to ensure free and fair polls are being made as per the directives of the Election Commission of India,” he said. Sinha said action would be taken against those trying to disrupt poll process. He said 1,751 poll centres have been set up in the district, and central para military forces will be deployed at sensitive and hyper-sensitive polling stations.

China, Pak enourage Maoists: VHP

Kolkata, November 2 (PTI): VHP leader Praveen Togadia today alleged that China and Pakistan were encouraging Maoists in the country and claimed the naxalites were hand in glove with the mainstream Left parties here. “China and Pakistan are trying to disturb India’s development by encouraging Maoist rebels and this is being supported by the Marxists,” Togadia told newspersons here. “CPI-M and CPI are hand in glove with the Maoists and they are ideologically on the same platform,” Togadia claimed while saying both the Central and West Bengal governments lacked political will and action to defeat the Maoists. “This will affect the development of West Bengal adversely,” the VHP international secretary said. To defeat the Maoists, one needs to focus on health and education in the tribal areas, he said.

SC judges finalise assets details, to be made public soon

New Delhi, November 2 (PTI): Shedding their reluctance in the face of intense public glare, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and all the 21 Supreme Court judges have furnished details of their assets which will be put on the official website soon. The details of the assets would be made available on the site may be in a day or two, highly placed sources told PTI. The decision to make it public was taken last week after CJI K G Balakrishnan and other judges finalised the details of their assets during the Dusshera and Diwali festivals with some of them availing the services of professional chartered accountants for the purpose. The move comes against the backdrop of criticism from the legal fraternity and general public that the judges of the country’s highest court who enjoyed the power of sending people to the gallows cannot fight shy of disclosing their assets to ensure probity in public life.

Take oath in Marathi or face action, Raj warns MLAs

Mumbai, November 2 (PTI): Taking his ‘Marathi manoos’ agenda a step further, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray today asked the legislators in the new Assembly to take oath “only in Marathi” or face his party’s wrath. “The House will witness what my MLAs will do if anyone dares take oath in other language,” Raj told reporters. MNS has 13 MLAs in the 288-member House. “In Karnataka, a Marathi-speaking MLA was expelled from the House as he could not speak in Kannada. Will our legislators show the same attitude about Marathi,” Raj said. Raj’s statement follows his recent warning to Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi who had demanded the House agenda in Hindi. “Hindi is our national language and it should come after Marathi,” Azmi, elected from Mankhurd and Bhiwandi seats, had said in his letter to Assembly secretary.