EC asks govt to stop sending 'Viksit Bharat' messages on WhatsApp
New Delhi (PTI): The Election Commission Thursday directed the Centre to "immediately halt" sending bulk WhatsApp messages under the "Viksit Bharat Sampark" to highlight the government's initiatives.
The Commission issued the direction to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology after it received complaints about the matter.
"The move is a part of a series of decisions taken by the Commission to ensure a level-playing field," the Commission said.
It has also sought a compliance report on the matter from the ministry.
The ministry had informed the Commission that the messages along with a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi were sent before the Model Code of Conduct came into force on March 16.
".... some of them could have possibly been delivered to recipients with a delay because of systemic and network limitations," the ministry said in a communication to the Commission.
The poll authority had received several complaints that such messages highlighting the government's initiatives were still being delivered on citizens' phones despite the announcement of the General Elections 2024 and the MCC coming into force.
The Congress and the Trinamool Congress had raised objections to the message and requested the Election Commission to act against this "blatant violation" of the Model Code of Conduct.
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Teen killed after being hit by private bus in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): A 16-year-old boy was killed after he was allegedly hit and run over by a private bus while crossing a road here on Friday, police said.
The deceased was identified as Varun, they said.
According to police, the accident occurred around 11:30 am on the Hennur–Bagalur main road.
The boy who crossing the road on foot when he was allegedly struck by the bus and came under its rear wheel, leading to his death on the spot.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
Following the incident, family members and locals staged a protest by blocking the Hennur–Bagalur road, resulting in heavy traffic congestion in the area.
The driver of the bus has been detained, and further legal action is being initiated, a senior police officer said, adding that an investigation is underway.
