Bihar Polls: Cong spent more than Rs 61L on FB ads

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Bihar Polls: Cong spent more than Rs 61L on FB ads

Ahead of Bihar Assembly election results on Tuesday, it has emerged that the grand old Congress Party invested more than others in reaching out to voters through the popular social media platform Facebook in the last one month.

According to data from Facebook Ad Library, the Indian National Congress (INC) Bihar page spent Rs 61.5 lakh on 1,268 ads on Facebook during October 8-November 6.

Compared to this, the spending on Facebook ads by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bihar page was less than half of Congress during the same period.

The BJP Bihar page spent Rs 26.9 lakh, while the Janata Dal (United) spent Rs 24.1 lakh during the period.

Thus in terms of Facebook ad spends in the past one month, the combined spending of the ruling Janata Dal (United)-Bharatiya Janata Party (JDU-BJP) coalition did not match that of the Bihar Congress page alone.

A Facebook page of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) president Chirag Paswan was also one of the top spenders in the last 30 days. This page spent Rs 14.5 lakh in the past 30 days, according to Facebook.

The data suggest that the Bihar Congress page accelerated spending on Facebook ads between November 1-7. During this period the page spent Rs 27.8 lakh compared to just Rs 4.8 lakh spent by the Bihar unit of the BJP.

Various other Facebook pages in support of one political party or the other or their leaders also became active in the run-up to the Bihar Assembly election.

Some exit polls on Saturday predicted a thumping victory for the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Congress, and the Left parties, dislodging the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government with more than two-third majority in the 243-member Bihar Assembly.

Cong leader, B’wood join stir against Goa deforestation

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Cong leader, B’wood join stir against Goa deforestation

The ongoing campaign by opposition and civil society groups against the proposed deforestation of protected reserve forests near Mollem village in south Goa, making way for three Central government projects, has drawn the attention of Bollywood actors, too.

Former Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, said the forests near Mollem, which are Goa’s “green lung” must be preserved.

“Prime Minister Modi has waxed eloquent over his love for nature while at the same time he is taking measures to destroy the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. This is sheer hypocrisy. The green lungs of Goa must be saved #SaveMollem,” tweeted Congress leader Ramesh.

Bollywood celebrities such as actresses Richa Chadha, Dia Mirza, and actor Randeep Hooda have tweeted in support of the protests.

Goa Congress President Girish Chodankar, whose party has opposed deforestation, thanked Ramesh for his support.

“Thank you@Jairam_Ramesh Ji for your support to the #SaveMollem #SaveMollemFromDestruction #OnlyGoaSayNoToCoal. As Minister of @moefcc, you have constantly considered the environment, ecology of Goa, at the forefront of your agenda on everything else. Folded hands @INCGoa @INCIndia,” Chodankar tweeted.

Nearly 50,000 trees in and around Mollem village are slotted for felling for the multiple Central government projects which include expansion of railway lines and highways and drawing new power transmission lines spread across protected forests in and around Mollem village.

The projects have been cleared by the National Board for Wildlife in April this year. Civil society groups and all opposition parties in the state have opposed the projects which, they allege, would turn Goa into a coal corridor transporting coal imported into the Mormugao Port Trust, Goa’s only major port, to steel mills in Karnataka’s Bellary district.

“Whether Goa, Kashmir or Aarey, if we destroy our remaining forest cover (already too little for a country the size of India), we will die. For instance, when floods arrive, it will not check your Aadhaar card or political affiliation before taking your life,” Chadha tweeted.

“Let’s stand with Goans protesting the proposed loss of 70k trees and destruction of biodiversity hub in #Mollem #Tiger habitat for doubling the railway line to turn Goa into a coal transporting hub instead. Why not go around the eco-sensitive zone? #SaveMollem,” Hooda tweeted.

Modi to inaugurate several projects in Varanasi

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Modi to inaugurate several projects in Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate several developmental projects in his constituency, Varanasi, on Monday through the virtual medium. He will also interact with the beneficiaries of these projects.

The total cost of these projects that include those related to agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure is about Rs 614 crore.

The list of 30 projects to be inaugurated includes Sarnath Light and Sound Show, up-gradation of Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital Ramnagar, sewerage-related works, infrastructure facilities for protection and conservation of cows, multipurpose seed storehouse, agriculture produce warehouse of 100 MT, IPDS phase 2, a housing complex for players in Sampurnanand Stadium, Varanasi city smart lighting work, along with 105 Anganwadi Kendras and 102 Gau Ashray Kendras.

During the event, Modi will also lay the foundation stone for projects, including the redevelopment of Dashashwamedh Ghat and Khidkiya Ghat, barracks for PAC police force, redevelopment of certain wards of Kashi, parking facility along with the redevelopment of a park in Beniya Bagh, up-gradation of the multi-purpose hall in Girija Devi Sanskritik Sankul, repair work of roads in the city and development of tourist places.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will join in virtually and the programme will be telecast live from six different places in Varanasi.

Shah offers puja at Dakshineswar, wishes ‘Bengal’s lost glory restored’

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Shah offers puja at Dakshineswar, wishes ‘Bengal’s lost glory restored’

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday visited Kolkata’s famous Dakshineswar temple where he offered prayers to Goddess Kali.

“Blessed to have offered prayers at Maa Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata, West Bengal. Took blessings of Maa Kali and prayed for the good health and wellbeing of all countrymen,” Shah tweeted.

The Union Minister and former BJP chief said that West Bengal has been a land of spiritual conscience. “Today was the second day of my visit to Bengal. I have been to Maa Dakshineswar Kali Temple many times in the past.

“Bengal should restore that glory. People of Bengal should reunite and get back those old days under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he told media persons after offering puja.

After visiting the temple, he met Pundit Ajay Chakraborty who is honored with Padma Bhushan at his Kolkata’s Golf Road residence. Shah then reached Salt Lake EZCC to hold a meeting with its officers and workers.

BJP workers have put up flags and hoardings in the Newtown area to welcome Shah.

“After the meeting at EZCC, Shah will go straight to Gaurang Nagar to have lunch with the members of the Matua community in Newtown. Amit Shah will also hold a press conference after that,” said Bharatiya Janata Party sources.

FB to announce US election winner once major media outlets confirm

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FB to announce US election winner once major media outlets confirm

Facebook on Friday said it will update the notifications running across the top of its main app and Instagram with the projected winner of the election once it has been projected by a majority of media outlets,

The social network also will label presidential candidates’ posts with a link to its voting information center.

“While several states continue to count votes, we wanted to share a reminder of the steps we’ll take to provide reliable information across our products once there is a projected presidential winner,” Facebook said in a tweet.

Once a majority of independent decision desks at major media outlets project a winner, “we’ll update the notifications running across the top of Facebook and Instagram with the projected winner of the election”.

Facebook announced several measures to reduce the spread of misinformation on its platforms before the November 3 election.

It also labeled a couple of tweets on “election theft” and mail-in ballots as misleading by US President Donald Trump.

“We will also start applying labels with the projected winner on all presidential candidates’ posts with a link to our Voting Information Center to see more about the election results,” the company said.

Tharu community to be linked to home stay scheme

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Tharu community to be linked to home stay scheme

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is now working proactively to take the culture and traditions of the Tharu tribes to the people across the globe.

Tharu villages in Uttar Pradesh will now be part of the mainstream development and also focus on economic development.

The state government is working on a new and special scheme for the Tharu villages in Balrampur, Bahraich, Lakhimpur, and Pilibhit wherein they will be connected to the Home Stay scheme of the Forest department.

Once they are part of this scheme, the Tharu villages will not only be economically independent but would also create jobs for the people there.

These villages will be connected to the Home Stay of the UP-Forest Corporation, without disrupting their existing environment and tourists will be able to live in these natural habitats in these huts.

The forest corporation would also train the Tharu people to communicate in a better way to the tourist and to behave in a proper way with the visitors.

The villagers would also be trained to inform the visitors of the security, safety, cleanliness, and the rules and laws of the jungles.

By allowing them to avail accommodation facilities in their huts and eat home-cooked food by them, the Tharu people will also be able to charge them good amounts.

Every year hundreds of domestic and international tourists will be able to have a peek into the special culture of the Tharu tribes, stay with them, study and observe their lifestyle, food habits, culture, and their attires.

According to additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Eva Sharma, the Forest Corporation is expanding the Home Stay scheme and work was underway to link it to Thar families.

Yogi Adityanath has been making continuous efforts for the economic and social development of the Tharu community.

According to the 2011 census the number of scheduled castes in Uttar Pradesh is 11,34,273.

According to an estimate, their number has crossed the figure of 20 lakhs in the last nine years and the largest number belongs to the Tharu community.

Jagan not distributing ready houses to beneficiaries: TDP

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Jagan not distributing ready houses to beneficiaries: TDP

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and opposition leader in Andhra Pradesh, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, slammed Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for allegedly not distributing the TIDCO homes to eligible people in the state.

“We have built 2.62 lakh houses for eligible people in gated communities. Former Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu took up this project with utmost priority, but this CM (Reddy) is not distributing them,” said Atchannaidu.

He said those houses were built with the Central government help and some contribution from the beneficiaries, tying up with the banks.

The TDP president said the houses were built in many cities as gated communities, some of which may have small deficiencies such as lack of water or roads but all of them were ready.

“We selected the beneficiaries through online mode, we checked who is eligible, who doesn’t have a house, we took a little beneficiary contribution from them and tied up with the banks,” said Atchannaidu.

The opposition leader said everybody should notice this development of not distributing the ready homes, which should have happened even when a government changes.

“But this CM, despite the houses being completed is just keeping the keys with him and not distributing,” claimed Atchannaidu.

He criticized Reddy that instead of giving away the ready homes, he was trying to distribute some lands to people which are located in graveyards and those belonging to the government and SC and ST communities.

Atchannaidu said the Chief Minister was trying to show off as if nobody had ever distributed land before.

YouTube refuses to block video that claims Trump won election

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YouTube refuses to block video that claims Trump won election

Google-owned YouTube has refused to block a video that claims US President Donald Trump has won the election, saying the video does not violate its election misinformation policies.

The video, titled “Trump Won. MSM hopes you don’t believe your eyes,” was published by a pro-Trump group called One American News Network (OANN) on Wednesday.

YouTube said the video violates its advertising guidelines but not it’s content policies, reports CNBC.

Seen by over 3 lakh people, the video continues to make unsubstantiated claims of “rampant voter fraud” against Republican ballots while urging viewers to “take action” against Democrats.

YouTube, however, said it has discontinued ads on the video.

“We do not allow ads to run on content that undermines confidence in elections with demonstrably false information,” the company was quoted as saying.

“The election has not been called. Therefore, this is in the scope of our demonstrably false policy and will be demonetized on YouTube”.

In the video, an OANN anchor said Trump won another term, claiming that Trump would win a number of swing states if it weren’t for voter fraud.

A panel appeared below the OANN video stating that election results “may not be final”.

People of Bihar will vote for Mahagathbandhan: Rahul

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People of Bihar will vote for Mahagathbandhan: Rahul

Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a poll campaign in Araria has come out with a spin-off of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) by dubbing it Modi Voting Machine (MVM).

Asserting that the youth of Bihar are angry, the Congress leader said: “EVM or MVM will not matter anymore. People of Bihar will vote for Mahagathbandhan (Congress-RJD-Left combine).”

“We have a life-time relationship with the people of Bihar. He (PM Narendra Modi) used to spread hatred in society. Hatred cannot be defeated through hatred but by love,” he said.

“If his (PM’s) fight was against black money, why did he put our farmers, laborers, traders in the queue of banks during demonetization. Were they in the possession of black money?” he wondered.

“During lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic, the PM did not think once and imposed it. Did the PM not know that crores of people in our country are daily wages labourers,” the Congress leader said.

“I want to ensure you if Mahagathbandhan forms the government in Bihar, it will be a government for every religion, caste, poor and labourers. We will change the state together,” Gandhi said.

ECI to tell world how Bihar polls are held amid pandemic

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ECI to tell world how Bihar polls are held amid pandemic

The Election Commission of India is organizing an International Virtual Election Visitors Programme for foreign election management bodies (EMBs) from November 5-7 in the context of the ongoing Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections.

In the past, ECI had organized International Election Visitors Programmes (IEVPs) for foreign EMBs during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, elections for a few state Assemblies in 2017, and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

“Bihar has an electorate of over 72 million, one of the largest in the world to vote so far amid the Covid-19 pandemic. This provides us with an opportunity to share our best practices and experience of the conduct of our poll process during the pandemic period,” said the ECI in a statement.

Delegates from over 40 countries across the world including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malawi, Maldives, Moldova, Mongolia, Mauritius, Nepal, the Philippines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Zambia, besides three international organizations — International IDEA, International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES) and Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB).

The programme for IEVP 2020 comprises an online briefing session on November 5 which would provide the participants an overview of the large canvas of the Indian electoral process, the new initiatives taken by the ECI on voter facilitation, transparency, and accessibility of electoral system; and ECI’s response to the changing needs of training and capacity building.

The keynote address at the inaugural session will be delivered by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora. The session will also be addressed by Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Sushil Chandra.

On the second day, the programme will provide an overview of the commission’s flagship programme for voter awareness – SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation). The Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar will share the state’s experiences with the global audience.

The participants are also being invited to a virtual tour of polling stations in Bihar. The visit will be amplified by exclusive footage, a walkthrough of the electoral process, and various arrangements at the polling station for a free, fair, participative, and safe election.

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