Demonetisation to affect polling personnel

SHILLONG: The deputy commissioners of three districts where by-polls to seven seats will be held have raised concerns over payment of remuneration to polling personnel due to the limited amount that can be withdrawn from the bank and the availability of currency notes of smaller denominations on account of demonetisation of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 by the Centre.
The concerns of the deputy commissioners were raised during the recent meeting chaired by Chief Secretary K.S Kropha.
In this regard, the Chief Secretary directed the Commissioner and Secretary of District Council Affairs, T. Dkhar, to write to the authorities of State Bank of India and United Bank of India.
The Commissioner and Secretary, however, suggested that deputy commissioners should take up the matter with respective bank branches at their level.
Power woes
Lack of power supply may affect smooth conduct of the December 13 by-polls in War East district council constituency.
During the recent meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, the SDO (Civil) of Amlarem had informed that the transformer in Amlakdoh village, which has the polling station under War-East constituency in West Jaintia Hills, has not been working for the last two months. Another village of Kamsing does not have electricity connection.
The additional chief engineer of MePDCL told the meeting that necessary steps would be taken to restore power to Amlakdoh village.
For Kamsing, since there are no electric lines, alternate arrangements will have to be made, it was decided at the meeting.