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SIR Phase II: ECI nears completion with 99.93 pc enumeration forms distributed

New Delhi, Dec 6 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday released its daily bulletin for Phase II of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, reporting near-total progress in the distribution and digitisation of Elector-specific Enumeration Forms (EFs) across 12 States and Union Territories.

The enumeration exercise, which began on November 4, will continue until December 11.

According to the bulletin, while the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Goa have achieved 100 per cent coverage in EF distribution, Goa and Lakshadweep have achieved 100 per cent digitisation. Lakshadweep has digitised all 57,813 forms, whereas Rajasthan has also digitised all 5,46,55,375 Enumeration Forms. Goa has digitised 11,82,034 forms, marking 99.75 per cent completion.

Among larger States, West Bengal has distributed 99.97 per cent of forms and digitised 7,61,96,871 (99.43 per cent). Chhattisgarh has distributed 99.98 per cent and digitised 2,11,59,317 forms (99.66 per cent). Madhya Pradesh reported 99.99 per cent distribution and 99.66 per cent digitisation, with 5,72,10,271 forms processed.

Tamil Nadu, with an electorate of over 6.41 crore, recorded 99.86 per cent distribution and 98.69 per cent digitisation. Gujarat has achieved 99.94 per cent distribution and 98 per cent digitisation, while Kerala stands at 99.58 per cent distribution and 96.32 per cent digitisation.

Uttar Pradesh — the State with the largest electorate, exceeding 15.44 crore — has distributed 99.93 per cent of forms and digitised 14,20,43,814, reflecting 94.04 per cent completion, the lowest digitisation rate among major States.

Across the 12 States and UTs covered in the bulletin, a total of 50,93,62,185 forms have been distributed (99.93 per cent), and 49,69,38,877 forms digitised (97.49 per cent) so far.

The ECI also noted that the figures for Rajasthan exclude the 193-Anta Assembly constituency, where the revision process was deferred due to a by-election. Enumeration in Anta will begin on December 8.

Recognised political parties have been urged to appoint additional Booth Level Agents to support the exercise. For Kerala, the last date for submitting Enumeration Forms is December 18.

–IANS

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18,000 people affected by Yamuna floods as Delhi govt sets up 35 relief camps

New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS) The Yamuna floods in the national capital have impacted nearly 18,000 people for whom the Delhi government has made 35 relief camps operational, an official said on Friday, adding that nearly 5,000 people were evacuated on boats in the East District.

As part of the government’s action and relief arrangements, NDRF teams have been deployed in the affected districts for evacuating people from low-lying areas, the official said in a statement.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta appealed to citizens not to pay heed to rumours and to remain calm.

She said the government, administration, NDRF, public representatives, civic bodies and social organisations are working together to tackle this challenge, and the situation will be brought under full control very soon.

Tents and relief camps have been set up in all affected districts. With the cooperation of Delhi Jal Board, MCD and DUSIB, basic amenities such as food, clean drinking water and toilets have been ensured, the official said.

Special teams have been deployed to move citizens and their livestock to safer places, he said.

In East Delhi, under the leadership of the District Magistrate, the Boat Club successfully evacuated more than 5,000 people from the Yamuna floodplains.

Divers and boatmen, risking their lives, also saved hundreds of animals including cattle, goats, buffaloes, dogs and others.

The Irrigation and Flood Control Department of the Delhi Government is in constant touch with the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department to ensure close monitoring of water release from the Okhla Barrage, so that floodwaters continue to flow downstream quickly, the official said.

Reports have also been received of water-logging in some parts of South-West and North districts due to damage to a couple of drains in neighbouring Haryana areas, he said.

Officials concerned have been directed to immediately bring the situation under control and ensure drainage of water from the affected areas.

Continuous consultations are being held with relevant departments of the Haryana government, and a resolution is expected soon, said the statement.

A latest report on Yamuna water level issued by the Central Water Commission said that on September 4, several hundred thousand cusecs of water were released towards Delhi from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana.

“However, the discharge has now reduced. At 4 p.m. on Friday, the discharge from the barrage was recorded at 58,000 cusecs. At the Old Railway Bridge in Delhi, the water level stands at 207.18 metres, while the danger mark is 205.33 metres and the evacuation level is 206 metres,” it said.

According to the Central Water Commission’s advisory issued at 7 a.m. on Friday, the Yamuna water level is expected to recede to 207.15 metres by 8 p.m.

Since it takes around 36 hours for water from Hathnikund to reach Delhi, the government is keeping a constant watch on the situation. At 5 p.m. on Friday, the Yamuna water level was recorded at 207.16 metres, said a Delhi government official.

Sharing the district wise list of flood-affected people, the official statement also provided details — East Delhi: 7,200 people affected, 7 relief camps set up; North-East Delhi: 5,200 people affected, 13 relief camps; South-East Delhi: 4,200 people affected, 8 relief camps; Shahdara: 30 people affected, 1 relief camp and North Delhi: 1,350 people affected, 6 relief camps.

–IANS

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KTR demands probe into allegations by Miss England

Hyderabad, May 25 (IANS) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao on Sunday demanded a thorough investigation into allegations of Miss England Milla Magee, who has withdrawn from the ongoing Miss World 2025 pageant in Hyderabad, citing personal and ethical concerns.

The former minister took to ‘X’ to condemn victim gaslighting and demand a thorough probe.

“It takes a lot of guts to stand up and call out misogynistic mentality, especially on international forums like the Miss World. You are a very strong woman, Milla Magee, and I am truly sorry you had to go through this in our state of Telangana. Telangana has a rich culture of respecting women. We revere them, respect them, and provide equal opportunities for growth. Some of the greatest leaders from our land are women like Rani Rudrama and Chityala Ailamma. Unfortunately, what you had experienced doesn’t represent the real Telangana. I hope you do feel better soon,” posted Rama Rao.

“As a father of a girl child, I wish no woman or girl ever has to go through such horrific experiences. Also, I strongly condemn the attitude of victim gaslighting and demand a thorough investigation into the allegations made by Miss England Milla Magee,” added the BRS leader.

Milla Magee pulled out of the beauty pageant and returned home.

The Miss England told British tabloid ‘The Sun’ that the pageant’s environment did not align with her expectations of ‘beauty with a purpose’.

She also stated that contestants were expected to wear make-up at all times and remain dressed in ball gowns throughout the day, even during breakfast.

“Tipping point came when they were allegedly asked to socialise with middle-aged men as a gesture of appreciation for their financial contributions to the event,” The Sun quoted her as saying.

However, Julia Morley, Chairman and CEO of Miss World Organisation claimed that Milla Maggie requested to leave the competition due to a reported family emergency involving her mother’s health.

“We responded to Milla’s situation with compassion and immediately arranged her return to England, placing the well-being of the contestant and her family first. Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that certain UK media outlets have published false and defamatory statements, allegedly made by Milla Maggie, regarding her experience in India. These claims are completely unfounded and inconsistent with the reality of her time with us,” she said.

–IANS

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