No - Choice option in EVM

The Election Commission has written to the Centre on the issue of inclusion of an option in the electronic voting mechine(EVM) for voters to register their REJECTION of candidates if they feel that  NONE of them is FIT ENOUGH to become their representative, in deference to the wishes of the silent majoriy of voters and ALSO to implement the provisions of Section 49(o) of the Representation of People Act as amended in 1969. This provision under the act is AWAITING the Centre's approval.

The Truth about 49(o)

If an electorate, after his electoral roll number has been duly entered in the register of voters in Form-17A and has put his signature or thumb impression thereon as required under sub-rule (1) of rule 49L, decided not to record his vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry in Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb impression of the electorate  shall be obtained against such remark.

This Infers that in no case will there be a re polling in the said constituency, however the negative/neutral vote is registered and counted so as to cross check on the total number of votes polled.

 

An error has crept into in our earlier reporting under the head "Valuable Vote" that repolling will be ordered and fresh candidates should file nominations. This major error is regretted.

100 days agenda by PM & PM in Waiting

The PM and the PM in waiting are now competing on who, if given a chance to lead this nation, can perform better and get results within  100 days of office on the following:

1) Turn the economy around with a 100-day action plan to revive the economy by adding greater vigor to the stimulus packages and tackling job losses.

2) Revive the confidence in the economy and take it to the stage where 9% to 10% growth is possible.

3) Bring back black money stashed away in tax havens abroad.

4) Job Losses in the economy will be dealt with by an integrated action plan.

 

But , it is increasing getting clearer by the day, that both indulge in spiking and  leaving punches on one another as though they are in the RING and the poor REFEREE, the electorate is helplessly watching the ethics and rules of the game being thrown to winds.

Though both of them  talk ill of each other at the slightest provocation, still they are shying away from direct debate on the issues that concern this nation.

The PM has conceeded that there is a linkage between terrorists outside and within the country and this needs to be tackled urgently by modernising the security and intelligence mechanism if voted back to power.But PM in waiting wants tougher laws to handle terrorism and internal security threats and blames the PM for lack of political will and toughness.

The PM in waiting is harping on the PM not doing enough @ G-20 meet to take a forceful stand on bringing back unaccounted money into India when major countries like US,UK,France and Germany wanted to put pressure on UBS swiss bank to pass on the data base of account holders who are holding secret accounts with them. However, the PM has to do lot of explaining to the nation why it didnot persue the matter when Germany was willing to part with the names of Indians which came into their hands when they sought information from Swiss Bank.

The breifings and press confrences were conducted by both the contenders for leading the nation seperately in the TV and we the electrate feel that they could have had TV DEBATE on one on one  basis and conducted themselves decent and   helped India becoming a MATURE and ROBURST democracy in the eyes of the whole world at a time  when there are  disturbing trends obtaining in our neighbourhood.

 

  

valuable vote

Do you know your VOTE value?

Are you aware of Section 49(o) of the Peoples' Representation Act under the Constitution of INDIA?

This section is  the real weapon in the hands of  every INDIAN citizen, if he wishes to express his choice of NOT voting any of the contestents in a Polling Booth, if he thinks that the contestants are NOT competant.

This  right is available to every electorate under our constitution, as per  the amended 1969 Act, under section49(o), that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his fingerprint  marked and convey to the presiding Election Officer that he doesn’t want to VOTE anyone in the voting screen!

YES such a feature is available, but obviously these provisions have never been disclosed to the electrate. 

A) Under section 49(o) if the electorate  deciding not to vote, can have  his electrol roll number duly entered in the register of voters in Form-17A and have his signature or thumb impression put  thereon as required under sud-rule (1) of rule 49L, in the event of deciding not to VOTE,  a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry in Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb impression of the electorate  shall be obtained against such remark.

B) Why should you go to the polling booth and say " I VOTE NONE?” In a given constituency if a candidate wins, say by 123 VOTES and that particular constituency has received Negative votes under section 49(o) which are  more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled and re-poll has to be ordered.Not only that - but also that the candidature of the previous contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling once again, since electorate  had already expressed their decision on them.

C)  This would instill  fear in the minds of the  political parties and they  would  look for genuine candidates for their parties for the election. This would bring the necessary  changes in our political system. Further, if this section 49(o)  is made public and gets Media Coverage, this will act as a deterant to all political parties from wrong choice of candidates.

D) Thus, expressing your desire not to vote for anybody, is even more powerful than VOTING… So don’t miss your chance!

Courtesy:

Ghansham Ojha,

F&P IYSO Team INDIA,

Prime Manager of India

The debate is still on.. on whether our PM is right in rejecting the one on one TV debate on burning issues that face the electrate before casting their VOTE.The Weakness or otherwise of the prime minister is very much an issue and he can not  wish it away.His first few years in office has proved that he can manage only the economy and the political side of it is left entirely to Madam, the HIGH COMMAND or what you will.This delegation of authority might have worked well as a political expediency until the Nuclear Policy  came to the fore as a Bomb and the PM , the PRIME MANAGER of India, can not take shelter under the delegated authoriy to say that this arrangement WORKED WELL.

And now in the midst of Elections, PM only initiated the debate while announcing the Congress Menifesto. People of India have a right to hear the views of both the contenders for leading the nation before they Decide.

source:http://mjacolumnists.blogspot.com

on India's high savings rate

India's high savings rate has been a crucial driver of its economic boom, providing productive capital and helping to fuel a virtuous cycle of higher growth, higher income and higher savings. India's savings stood at a whopping Rs. 9.85 trillion (US $192 bn) as at the end of 2006-07.  Since the 1990s, the gross domestic savings rate has risen steadily from an average of 23% to an estimated high of 35% in the 2006/07 fiscal year (April-March). The latter rate compares very favourably not only with developed economies (the US and the UK have savings rates of around 14%), but also with other emerging economies—with a few exceptions such as Malaysia (38%) and Chile (35%).

India's household sector (including some small businesses) continues to account for the lion's share—some 70%—of savings. 

Can you identify the reasons for the savings buoyancy in India?  Normally, a growing economy is expected to induce more spending and less of savings.  But in Indian context, this has not happened.  What can possibly explain this?

One reason for this is the woeful inadequacy of India's social-security system. Only around 10% of India's working population is covered by a retirement-benefit scheme. With increased urban migration, the joint family system (where several generations live together) is declining, reducing traditional old-age support from families. Health-insurance coverage is very low. 

Many Indians remain averse to taking loans. Personal savings remain vital to meet long-term needs such as home buying, children's education, retirement and healthcare.

source:Indian current affairs