Discussions on simultaneous polls gaining momentum: PM Modi
New Delhi, Aug 26 : Days after the Election Commission ruled out the possibility of holding both Lok Sabha and Assembly polls simultaneously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the issue of was gaining momentum as people were sharing their views on it.
"A discussion in the country is gaining momentum for having simultaneous polls in states and Centre. People are sharing their views for and against. It is good sign for healthy democracy," Modi said in the 47th edition of his monthly radio programme, "Mann Ki Baat".
He also said that late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee brought fundamental reforms in the electoral process and courageously removed shortcomings related to people's representative.
"It will be a fitting tribute to Atal ji to develop best practices, sustained effort to strengthen democracy and promote discussions with an open mind," he said.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
