Mamata bats for use of ballot paper in upcoming polls
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today called for the replacement of EVMs with ballot paper, saying “old is always gold”. “EVMs can be tampered with, so let’s go back to the old system,” Mamata said here in an informal interaction with media. The TMC is part of the 13-party delegation meeting the Election Commission to demand that upcoming polls be held with 50 per cent use of paper trail of EVM voting and ballot paper. “If there is any doubt (on EVMs) then let’s opt for ballot paper,” the TMC supremo said. Opposition parties are unitedly taking up with the EC the issue of alleged EVM tampering in the recently held elections. She said in a democracy the EC cannot be immune to the demand of the majority of political parties. “The EC has to abide by the democratic process…when so many political parties are raising it. The EC has to increase its staff strength for counting,” she said. (PTI)
UP minister asks officials to come out of holiday hangover
Lucknow: UP minister Surya Pratap Shahi today rapped the govt officials over low punctuality and poor attendance and asked them to come out of the “holiday hangover” of the previous government. While conducting a surprise inspection at Krishi Bhawan, Shahi said: “The quantum of laxity in the office is very high. It is absolutely unjustified. The attendance in the office was very low. Those who have been marked absent on Monday would face a pay cut of one day.” He said warnings have been issued to the officials who were found absent. “The ground reality is indeed disturbing, and we will take stringent action against the habitual offenders. There should be no pendency of work, and all works must be completed within the stipulated deadline,” he added. (PTI)
Kerala govt to use live streaming tech for tourism promotion
Kochi: The Kerala government is planning to use its own live streaming technology to tap tourists’ experiential accounts of the destinations they visit. Considering its potential for tourism promotion in India, a group of young professionals from Kerala, with the support of state Tourism Department, is all set to explore live streaming as a major campaign tool for the upcoming second edition of International Conference on Tourism Technology (ICTT) in Kochi. Association of Tourism Trade Organisation (ATTOI), with the support of Kerala Tourism, will organise the three-day event at the Le Meridien Hotel here from June 8 to 10. “Technology has become an essential part of tourism industry. Unlike other social media tools, we have noticed that the live feeds are getting more traction. “It is intimate, engaging, bespoke and authentic than any other form of tourism destination promotions,” ATTOI President Anish Kumar P K, who is a winner of the Kerala State Tourism Award for best use of IT in tourism, said. (PTI)
Two held for robbing tourist
Mathura: Two persons have been arrested for allegedly robbing a Greek national on board the Mangala Lakshadweep Express a fortnight back, police said here on Monday. On March 27, Angelica Elene was travelling to Delhi when the two accused, Faizan and Vinod Gupta, both residents of Ghaziabad, looted her purse after the train crossed Kosi Kalan station, Government Railway Police (GRP) inspector Vijay Singh said. The duo escaped after pulling an alarm chain of the train, the officer said. Upon reaching Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi, the woman lodged a complaint there and mentioned that the purse contained Rs 10,000 in cash, two mobile phones and her passport.The case was later transferred to Mathura GRP, he said. The two accused were arrested on Sunday from Mathura railway station (PTI)