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TOI : PUNE: Barring three incidents of mild lathi-charge in Vadgaonsheri constituency, the assembly elections in the eight constituencies of Pune city on Tuesday were peaceful.

A police team lathi-charged Shiv Sena activists twice outside Shivraj primary school where they had assembled in large numbers and blocked the road to the polling booth.

The appeal to clear the road fell on deaf ears, forcing the police to lathi-charge the Sena workers around 11.30 am and 12.30 pm.

Raju Sawant, local head of Shiv Sena in Vadgaonsheri, alleged that the police lathi-charged their activists, including women and voters, without any reason.

According to Sawant, the voters had assembled at the tables put up by political parties for getting voters’ slip and information regarding booths and hall numbers, but the policemen lathi-charged them.

Sawant termed the attack as politically motivated as he felt that the police had deliberately dispersed the crowd as the Sena had an upper hand in the area. The activists were standing outside the radius of 200 metres, but still they were beaten up by the police, he added.

In another incident, the police resorted to a mild lathi-charge on a mob assembled at a school in Kharadi gaothan about 4.55 pm when they refused to leave the place despite repeated warnings.

Sena candidate Ajay Bhosale condemned the incident and told reporters that his sister Ashwini Wable was also lathi-charged. Bhosale’s wife Anjali was also present at the time of incident.

Bhosale said the policemen tore the saffron kurtas and T-shirts worn by partymen and lathi-charged them while they were providing information to voters.

Joint commissioner of police (law and order) Rajendra Sonawane, however, said that the police resorted to lathi-charge for dispersing Bhosale supporters from Nana Peth as they were creating ruckus at a polling booth in Vadgaonsheri.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner of police (Zone IV) Jalindar Supekar said the…More

TOI : PUNE: The instructions to offer a paid holiday to employees on the voting day under the Shop Act was mostly observed in the city, district collector Chandrakant Dalvi said on Tuesday. However, the deputy labour commissionerate received 90 complaints against various industrial establishments, banks and restaurants in the city and fringe areas.

The government has initiated the paid holiday concept under the Shop Act to increase the voting percentage. When asked what action would be taken against the violators, Dalvi said, “Under section 135 (b), the government will impose a fine of Rs 500.”

“After preliminary investigations, an first investigation report was filed against a photograph service providing company in Nigdi.” The government will investigate the matter further, Dalvi said at a media conference.

Most of the other complaints were reported on phone by anonymous persons, said deputy labour commissioner Anil Lakaswar. There were 11 objections against business process outsourcing units, which were exempted by the government, Lakaswar added.

Dalvi said that, “The labour department has deployed 60 officials with eight vehicles equipped with 10 video cameras. Flying squads have visited the locations of the 90 cases registered with the labour department. The officials also visited Pavana Industrial Estate in Bhosari, where most of the industrial units were working. After a meeting with the company officials, a paid-holiday was announced and the matter was solved.”

Another squad set up by the Department of Industrial Health and Safety had received 27 complaints and, consequently, 14 locations were raided. The department was equipped with six officers, three vehicles and six video cameras.

The government will conduct detailed investigation on all the complaints and will take action accordingly, Dalvi said. The department could not raid at all the locations due to shortage of staff, he added. There are 4,100 establishments registered under the Department of Industrial Health and Safety.

The labour department also received a…More

TOI : PUNE: While most voters zeroed in on specific candidates, there were those who boldly exercised the None Of The Above (NOTA) option under Section 49 (O) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, during the assembly elections on Tuesday.

According to Shekhar Wagh, who cast his vote from the Hadapsar constituency, it was the lack of promising candidates that made him opt for NOTA. “Today’s politics is based on casteism. Our basic problems like water, electricity and transport are not yet solved. I went to vote with an open mind, but after looking at the options available to me on the electronic voting machine (EVM), I chose not to vote and entered my details manually in a register,” says Wagh, who has no qualms about his decision.

Wagh’s friend, Monica Shinde, a 19-year-old collegian, was almost coaxed by the polling booth agents to not to enter the NOTA choice in the register. “She is a first-time voter and chose not to vote because she was upset with the kind of candidates on the list. But, despite being coaxed not to cast a NOTA, she did so confidently. She felt bad about not being able to fully exercise her voting right for the first time,” says Wagh.

A voter in Sadashiv Peth cast her vote reluctantly. “I was a bit confused after seeing the options available to me on the EVM. I did not want to vote, but had no idea how to cast a No Vote.’ So I had to reluctantly vote for one of the candidates,” she said, on condition of anonymity.

That many candidates of various political parties had a criminal record was the biggest disappointment for regular voters like Satish Khot. President of the National Society for Clean Cities (NSCC), Khot had already made up his mind. “Almost every political party has candidates with criminal records and this is what put me…More

TOI : PUNE: The city displayed only a marginal increase in enthusiasm to come out and vote as less than 45 per cent of the electorate, according to early estimates, exercised their franchise for the state assembly elections, voting for which was held on Tuesday.

Overall, Maharashtra recorded a 60 per cent turnout, with Mumbai registering approximately 50 per cent, Vidarbha 58 per cent, Kolhapur a healthy 72 per cent, Sangli and Satara 65 per cent each, Solapur 55 per cent and the Marathwada region around 60 per cent.

The turnout in Pune was a slight improvement over the dismal 40.66 per cent votes cast in the city during the recent Lok Sabha elections. Incidentally, the figures for the LS polls were the lowest ever recorded in Pune since the first general election held in 1952. In the October 2004 assembly polls, the city had registered 45.92 per cent voting.

In both the LS elections and now, the efforts by the election machinery, NGOs and politicians to encourage citizens to exercise their franchise remained more or less the same. What was also similar in both elections was the lack of poll issues.

The incentive to vote by way of a paid holiday on Tuesday failed to bring the voters to the polling stations. Many industries and commercial establishments, including malls, multiplexes, restaurants and hotels, had stayed shut. The district collectorate had announced that the establishments could remain open but operate only with staff who were not voters. The remaining workers were entitled to a 24-hour paid holiday but could work if they desired. Many establishments, especially malls, promptly opened after the 5 pm deadline.

Significantly, the voter turnout in the rural constituencies of Pune district was much higher than that in the city. District collector Chandrakant Dalvi said that as per preliminary figures, the voting percentage in the rural constituencies was likely to be above 60…More

TOI : PUNE: Approximately 50 to 55 per cent voters turned out to vote in three assembly constituencies of Pimpri, Chinchwad and Bhosari in the Pimpri Chinchwad township on Tuesday.

Voters cast their votes for the first time to elect three MLAs from the three newly formed constituencies that were carved out of the erstwhile Haveli constituency.

The fates of 47 candidates were sealed in the electronic voting machines and the voting was peaceful.

There are 60 slums in Pimpri constituency and many voters turned out at the polling centres in Mata Ramabai Ambedkar school in Ajanthanagar slum.

Around 30 per cent voters from Kasarwadi had cast their votes at the polling centres in the local primary school by 3 pm. Dapodi area, which also has a high percentage of slum voters, registered 25 to 30 per cent voter turnout during the same time.

The Chinchwad constituency with the highest number of voters saw around 40 per cent voting till 3 pm. There was a high voter turnout in Pimpale Gurav area where 40 to 51 per cent voters had cast their votes by 3 pm. There were long queues at a number of polling centres by 4 pm. Heavy voter turnout was recorded in Keshavnagar area of Chinchwad where 50 to 56 per cent of voters had cast their votes by 4 pm. In Thergaon too around 40 to 54 per cent voters cast their votes by 4 pm.

In Bhosari constituency long queues of slum-dwellers from Nigdi Ota Scheme slum were seen in the morning at the polling centres in Madhukar Pawale school.

Voters who did not know their polling centres took assistance from party workers to locate the centres. Some voters like Manasi Nene could not exercise their franchise as their names did not appear in the voter list. Speaking to TOI, Nene said that thought she had registered her name…More

TOI : PUNE: The grade separator in Pimpri, on the Pune-Mumbai highway, will be closed to traffic for three weeks after Diwali to enable repairs.

Speaking to TOI, MM Savale, superintending engineer, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) said, “One side of the grade separator has to be asphalted. The PCMC will do this after Diwali. It will take three weeks and cost Rs 25 lakh.”

Although one side has already been asphalted, the width of the grade separator is just 7.5 m and so cannot be kept open to traffic, he added.

The PCMC had asphalted the grade separator from Morwadi to Kharalwadi in June 2009. At that time, it was closed to vehicles for 15 days. This had increased the traffic on the adjacent service road of the Pune-Mumbai highway.

Speaking to TOI, Makrand Kale, a resident of Chinchwad said, “The PCMC has not built the Pimpri grade separator properly. Every three to four months it closes it for various reasons causing inconvenience to people.”

Anita Jogdand, another Chinchwad resident said, “The PCMC should find a permanent solution to the problems of the grade separator in Pimpri. Pothole formation is a regular feature on it.”

Aniket Bhalerao, a resident of Nigdi said, “The road surface in the Pimpri grade separator gives a bumpy ride. The surface gets slippery with the water that falls on it when plants on the divider are watered.”

The grade separator at Pimpri was the first such construction within PCMC limits in order to reduce traffic problems at Abasaheb Ambedkar chowk in Pimpri and Ahilyabai Holkar chowk in Morwadi. Ever since its inauguration on January 1, 2008, it has been dogged by problems and has had to be closed to traffic on a number of occasions. Initially, heavy vehicles would get stuck in the grade separator, so the PCMC had to install barriers on both sides in June and…More

TOI : PUNE: Some four months on, the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited’s (PMPML) proposed helpline service for commuters remain on paper.

This, PMPML officials allege, is because the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) Pune circle office is yet to receive the necessary instructions about the telephone short code for the helpline from its New Delhi central office.

In July, the Union urban development ministry mooted the introduction of helplines in all cities to provide information on bus services run by local public transport undertakings. The short code for these 155220 would be the same across the country.

The ministry then requested the department of telecommunications to allot the nation-wide short code for the same, with unrestricted access from all service providers. Calls to this number would be treated as local calls paid for by the caller. The main aim behind the move is to provide adequate information about bus routes and arrival and departure timings, which will considerably benefit the public, the ministry said.

In July, PMPML executives confirmed the receipt of directions pertaining to the initiative and made preliminary enquiries with BSNL.

However, PMPML officials said on Monday that the telecom company is yet to receive instructions in the matter from its central office. A possible reason for this could be the election code of conduct being in force, they added.

The transport body is also ascertaining the progress made by other cities in the project so as to emulate their example to hasten matters.

The helpline service will be offered by a call centre operator. In the first phase, basic information such as that pertaining to bus schedules, frequency, connection to other routes and fares will be provided. The ministry has asked transport undertakings to work out a revenue model, which would be based on the volume of calls expected daily. Topics: helpline service PMPML More Stories from this section Setback…More

TOI : PUNE: It was an eventful polling day in the Shivajinagar constituency, which saw a late rise in turnout, the BJP candidate accusing a rival of bribing voters and security personnel seizing voting slips flouting poll rules.

After an initial lull in the morning hours, the Shivajinagar constituency saw polling pick up after 2 pm. Areas like Aundh, Khadki Bazaar and Shivajinagar Gaothan witnessed a steady stream of voters after noon.

A heavy rush was seen in the slum areas of Janwadi and Bopodi, with even youngsters spotted eagerly searching for their names in the voters’ list at booths.

Outside many centres, various political parties had set up help desks to assist citizens in finding their names in the lists. Party workers also handed out voting slips with the picture and symbol of the party candidate to voters.

This is a clear violation of the election commission rules, which state that the voting slips must not carry the candidates’ pictures. Consequently, a team of Central Industrial Security Force personnel was seen doing the rounds of the help desk in these areas, confiscating bunches of these voting slips and warning the party workers against distributing them.

The keen battle between the main contenders continued on voting day, with BJP’s Vikas Mathkari complaining to the commissioner of police (CP) of distribution of money in slum areas by a rival candidate. The run-up to polling had seen the main candidates trade a variety of charges .

Travelling about the constituency, Mathkari said the police have been taking action against elections violations like the putting up of banners and the distribution of the voting slips. “But what about the money being handed out in slums? No action is being taken against that. I have issued a complaint about this to the CP,” he declared. Topics: shivajinagar bribery charge More Stories from this section Setback for anti-spitting drive as…More

TOI : PUNE: As the educated class in Vadgaonsheri constituency were not so enthusiastic in casting their votes, a large number of people from slums turned out to exercise their right on Tuesday.

Elaborate security arrangements had been made in Vadgaonsheri as the constituency was declared sensitive after unknown suspects opened fire on the car of Shiv Sena candidate Ajay Bhosale at Koregaon park on Sunday. Bhosale had held NCP candidate Bapu Pathare responsible for the incident. However, Pathare had refuted the allegations.

Barring three incidents of mild lathi charge in Vadgaonsheri and Kharadi gaothan areas, the polling was peaceful in the constituency.

The constituency has 3,65,715 lakh voters and 348 polling booths. There are 13 candidates in the fray, including Pathare, Bhosale, Sayyad Afsar of RPI and Rajendra Indal of MNS.

People from the slums of Laxminagar, Jai Jawannagar, Ashoknagar and other slums turned out in large numbers to cast their ballot at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose school, Genba Moze primary school, Anusaya primary school, Yashwantrao Chavan vidya niketan and other booths.

The voting was 10 per cent between 7 am and 9 am, 13 per cent till 11 am, 18 per cent till 1 pm, 33 per cent till 3 pm and approximately 50 per cent at the end of polling.

The educated class did not turn up to cast their ballot for various reasons — like heavy rain in the morning, confusion in the voters’ list and the location of polling booths at far off places.

There were no complaints of impersonation reported in the constituency. Topics: Vadgaonsheri More Stories from this section Setback for anti-spitting drive as tenure of PMC squads ends Section of pune-mumbai eway to be closed on Thursday Another blast at HEMRL; one hurt Sena candidate escapes unhurt in firing on car Desire for cha…More

TOI : PUNE: The youth, as sometimes alleged, may not be entirely apathetic to their democratic rights.

First-time and young voters were drawn to polling booths during the state elections on Tuesday. Driving them was mainly a sense of recognition of the significance of the ballot and a desire to cast one’s first vote.

For many, like 21-year-old Anuradha Chauhan, voting is vital to being a responsible citizen. “I work at a beauty parlour, so I took an off today to vote. I think it is very important for youngsters to exercise their franchise, since there is no point in just sitting and criticising the politicians if you don’t,” she said.

Other young voters saw the polls as an opportunity to do something about the problems they encounter daily. “I wanted to vote this time to make sure something was done about the water problems in my area. I feel even one person can make a difference,” says first-time voter Adam Silveira (19). Silveira adds that he savoured the experience, as it made him feel more responsible.

Management student and first-timer Pallavi Khake (21), on the other hand, voted to ensure better roads. “There are quite a few issues that need to be tackled in Kothrud, one of the foremost being roads,” she says.

Vishesh Joshi, a 23-year-old engineer, feels it is essential for voters to be aware of the issues around them. “Exercising your right to vote is a must and every citizen should do it. But you need to make an informed decision,” he states.

The thrill of exercising one’s franchise for the first time led many to polling centres. First-time voter Ruchi Mehta, who is pursuing dentistry from Solapur, came home to participate in the election process. “I could not find my name for a long time in the lists at the booths and felt very disappointed. After searching at different centres,…More