Rajasthan records increase in voter gender ratio, Chhittorgarh leads with 994

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Jaipur, Dec 12 (IANS) Rajasthan has made significant strides in promoting women’s participation in democracy by achieving a remarkable seven-point increase in the male-female voter gender ratio within just a few months.

The ratio has improved from 923 in February 2024 to 930 in December 2024, surpassing the target set for the Special Summary Revision (SSR) Program-2025.

This progress reflects the proactive measures taken by the Election Department to address disparities and implement corrective actions.

The ongoing Special Summary Revision (SSR) Programme-2025 has been instrumental in updating and refining voter lists across the state.

As per the data as of December 12, the male-female voter sex ratio now stands at 930 women per 1,000 men, exceeding the SSR-2025 target of 926.

The achievement highlights a significant leap from the previous five-point improvement over four years (918 in 2021 to 923 in 2024) to a seven-point surge in just a few months in 2024.

Karauli District registered an extraordinary 20-point increase in the voter gender ratio since August 2024. Barmer and Bikaner Districts improved by 18 and 14 points, respectively. Among Rajasthan’s 33 districts, 26 have achieved a voter gender ratio above 900, with nine districts crossing 950 while Chittorgarh (994) and Pratapgarh (993) lead the state.

Since the draft voter list publication on August 20, 2024, the total number of voters in Rajasthan has grown by 765,624.

Of this increase, women voters accounted for 452,230, outnumbering the rise in male voters (313,378). Additionally, 16 third-gender voters have been added during this period.

Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Mahajan expressed optimism about further narrowing the male-female voter gap by the final publication of voter lists on January 6, 2025.

This improvement reflects the collaborative efforts of the Chief Electoral Officer, District Collectors, and field officials. With continued dedication, Rajasthan is setting an example of empowering women through greater electoral participation, thereby strengthening democracy at its core.

–IANS

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55th GST Council meet: All eyes on health insurance premiums, ATF, ‘Sin Tax’

New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS) As the 55th meeting of the GST Council was set to begin in Jaisalmer on Saturday, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the proposed rate cut on health insurance premiums and the inclusion of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) under the GST ambit would be among the key focus areas.

The GST Council is also set to deliberate on revising the rates of nearly 150 items during the meeting which is likely to help the Centre generate additional revenue of nearly Rs 22,000 crore.

A significant agenda for the GST Council is the proposed rate cut on term health and life insurance premiums. The GST exemption/reduction on life and health insurance is a long-pending demand of the industry, as the move would alleviate the tax burden on both insurers and policyholders.

While most of the panel members of the Group of Ministers (GoM), led by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, pitched for “full exemption” on health and life policy premiums, a few panel members suggested reducing the rate to 5 per cent from the current 18 per cent.

Additionally, insurance policies offering coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh may also receive GST relief.

Another key agenda is to decide whether the 5 per cent GST on delivery charges by food delivery platforms will be applied retrospectively from 2022. Currently, food delivery companies do not pay GST on delivery charges.

Also, the GST Council is likely to take up the issue of bringing aviation turbine fuel under the GST ambit.

At present, the central excise duty of 11 per cent is levied on ATF. It also has a concession of 2 percent under the Regional Connectivity Scheme.

Moreover, there is a recent proposal from the GoM to introduce a ‘Sin Tax’ on demerit goods such as tobacco and aerated drinks. Currently, there is no specific ‘sin goods’ category under the GST structure.

The creation of such a category would send a strong message that India prioritises the well-being of its people over the profits of industries that thrive on unhealthy habits, according to industry experts.

Additionally, a new slab of 35 per cent is likely to be introduced targeting sin goods.

—IANS

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Manipur: Assam Rifles destroys 354 acres of illegal poppy farming in 2024

Imphal, Dec 14 (IANS) The Assam Rifles alone destroyed 354 acres of illicit poppy cultivation this year, primarily in three Manipur districts — Ukhrul, Churachandpur and Chandel.

A Defence spokesman said that through meticulously planned joint operations, the force successfully identified and destroyed 354 acres of illicit poppy cultivation, primarily in the districts of Ukhrul, Churachandpur, and Chandel.

The Assam Rifles continued its determination to fight against the menace of poppy cultivation along the India-Myanmar border, he said.

The spokesman said that by eliminating poppy fields and striking at the roots of narco-trade, Assam Rifles has reaffirmed its commitment towards ensuring stability and security in Manipur and beyond.

According to the defence official, the battle against poppy cultivation has been a consistent priority for the para-military force, as reflected in its sustained efforts over the years.

In 2020 the force identified a staggering 8057 acres of poppy fields, of which 1695 acres were destroyed. This trend of rigorous action continued in subsequent years with 5610 acres identified and 1976 acres destroyed in 2021.

The Assam Rifles intensified its operations in 2022 identifying 494 acres and destroying 715 acres, including previously undiscovered patches.

In 2023, 1735 acres were identified and 1488 acres were eradicated.

By 2024 the area of identified poppy fields had declined significantly, reflecting the success of the state and Central governments and security forces’ multi-pronged strategy, the spokesman pointed out.

Noting that the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur, no single agency can effectively address this challenge alone, the spokesman said that collaborative operations have proven essential, with Assam Rifles actively coordinating with state and central agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Manipur Police and other CAPFs deployed in the area.

The NCB, as the nodal agency for drug enforcement under the Ministry of Home Affairs, ensured synergy among all stakeholders during operations, especially during the opium harvesting seasons. Joint operations have focused on curbing cultivation, disrupting supply chains and dismantling the networks sustaining the illicit drug trade.

The security cover provided by the force has ensured the safe execution of destruction operations in vulnerable and conflict-prone areas.

Assam Rifles deftly incorporated advanced technology, such as drone surveillance in identifying poppy fields in inaccessible terrains.

An official statement said that these high-tech measures are complemented by actionable intelligence from local communities and inputs from civil society organisations (CSOs).

The Leveraging of Technology and Community Support has significantly enhanced the effectiveness of operations, ensuring a swift and targeted approach.

Additionally, the Force has also maintained a robust ground presence through Area Domination Patrols in traditional cultivation zones. This persistent vigilance has acted as a deterrent to the resurgence of illegal farming practices, the statement said.

Beyond destruction campaigns, Assam Rifles has also prioritised addressing the socio-economic factors driving poppy cultivation.

Under its “Drug-Free Manipur” initiative, the Force has conducted extensive awareness drives to educate communities about the perils of drug addiction and the risks associated with illegal farming.

Through regular interactions with villagers and local leaders, the force has actively promoted sustainable livelihood options, encouraging a shift toward legitimate and long-term economic activities.

Assam Rifles’ zero-tolerance policy against narcotics-related activities has led to legal actions against defaulters, including cultivators and financiers. These measures, combined with efforts to restrict cross-border narcotics trafficking, have disrupted the infrastructure supporting poppy cultivation.

–IANS

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