Election Commission Vigilant Against Inflammatory News During Elections
Bengaluru: The Election Commission is closely monitoring the dissemination of pamphlets, paid news, fake news, and content inciting caste and communal tensions during the election period, stated Additional Chief Electoral Officer Venkatesh Kumar.
Addressing a workshop organized in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer and the Information Department at the Mahatma Gandhi Media Center of the Information and Public Relations Department in the city on Wednesday, Kumar mentioned that the Media Certification Monitoring Committee (MCMC) will approve advertisements on TV, channels, and social media before broadcasting.
The Election Commission is also keeping a watchful eye on paid news. If instances of paid news are reported, district-level election officials will issue notices to the concerned candidates within 48 hours. Kumar said that action will be taken against those who fail to obtain permission for their campaign material.
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Kumar highlighted the significant role of the media in elections, referring to it as the "fourth organ" in a democracy. He stressed the importance of mutual monitoring between the commission and the media.
He also outlined the regulations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), stating that incumbent parties are prohibited from announcing new schemes or starting government works. However, he clarified that there would be no hindrance in implementing drought relief, emergency services, natural calamity relief, medical treatment, or the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
Kumar further said that political figures cannot use government vehicles, officers, or staff for election campaigning, and there should be no new notifications, appointments, or transfers in government jobs during the election period.
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Statewide ban on IV Ringer Lactate usage: Dinesh Gundu Rao
Bengaluru: In response to the deaths of postnatal women at Ballari District Hospital, the Karnataka government has temporarily suspended the use of IV Ringer Lactate solution across the state as a precautionary measure, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced on Saturday.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, the minister explained that doubts about the quality of the IV solution had arisen, prompting the decision. He clarified that Ringer Lactate, along with glucose solutions, has been routinely used in hospitals for years. However, out of the 192 batches supplied by the Karnataka State Drugs Logistics and Warehousing Society, concerns were raised regarding two specific batches.
"In light of these concerns, we stopped the use of all 192 batches as a precaution. Following this, the supplying company obtained a High Court order for testing, and the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) conducted an analysis. The CDL report confirmed the usability of the solution, allowing the state to form a technical committee to review and permit the use of certain batches that met quality standards. Despite this, doubts have surfaced specifically at Ballari District Hospital," the minister stated.
To address these concerns, the batches supplied to Ballari Hospital have been sent for anaerobic testing to determine whether the IV solution contributed to the deaths. The test results are expected within a week, after which a final decision on the use of IV Ringer Lactate will be made.
"Until then, we have issued directives to hospitals statewide to suspend the use of IV Ringer Lactate. Every life is important to us, and precautionary measures are essential when suspicions arise," Gundu Rao emphasised.
