Single window system to get nod for rallies, campaigns

The system will operate in all 8 assembly constituencies in DK, says DC

A single window system will be introduced to obtain licence for organising political rallies, processions, campaigns and public programmes during the election, said Deputy Commissioner Harsha Gupta.

Chairing a meeting at his office on Wednesday, he said that the single window system will operate in all the eight assembly constituencies in the district. This decision has been taken in response to the complaints during the last elections when political parties had to approach various departments to obtain licence, resulting in inordinate delay.

The team for managing the new system will comprise of deputy commissioner who is also the District Election Officer, various department heads as nodal officers.

It includes circle inspector representing the police department, transport officer from transport department, corporation commissioner and chief officers to represent the urban local body, taluk panchayat executive officers to represent the rural body and assistant election officer from the office of the DEO.

On receiving the application, the assistant election officer, should ensure that the application reaches the nodal officer of the department concerned within an hour. The nodal officer from the department, should obtain feedback from the lower department as per the rules and submit the same to the assistant election officer. The AEO will in turn submit the application to the DEO. The DEO will grant permission as per the rules and inform the same to the district control room (1077).

The election code of conduct will be strictly implemented while organising election meetings, rallies, conventions and other public programmes, the DC said.

Deposit weapons

In the wake of election, the deputy commissioner has also instructed those owning licenced weapons to deposit their weapons in the local police stations or the registered weapon dealers. In a separate meeting with the police commissioner and the superintendent of police on Wednesday, he said that the measure has been taken as per the directions of the Election Commission of India to maintain peace, public safety and law and order during the polls.

Quoting the Indian Weapons Act 1959 (Colum 17 (3) (b)), the DC ordered for temporarily suspending the licence of the weapon holders who are owning weapons for protecting agricultural crops or personal safety.

Those who are owning weapons for the protection of crops, should deposit their weapons with the registered weapon dealers on or before April 20, 2013. If the weapon holders have any objections regarding the order or if they feel that carrying weapon is very essential to them, then they can submit their grievance to the local tahsildar within a week of issuing the order.

Those who are owning weapons for personal safety, should deposit revolvers and pistols with the nearby police station and other weapons with the registered weapon dealers on or before April 20, 2013. In case of objections, the weapon owners can submit a plea with the Mangalore police commissioner or superintendent of police.
The police officers and the weapon dealers should return the weapons once the suspension order is withdrawn.

Order for school teachers

In the backdrop of elections, the DC has ordered the government school teachers who are deputed on election duty, to seek permission from the authorities concerned if they are going on leave or leave their duty centre. All the teachers should be in regular touch with school head teachers for the successful election process, he said.