Picture courtesy: The Hindu 

Wayanad, a picturesque district in Northeast Kerala, located on high up on the Western Ghat, has catapulted in national limelight after Congress President Rahul Gandhi deciding to contest from this scenic constituency. He filed his nomination from the seat on Thursday. 

Wayanad, which sits comfortably on the tri-junction of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, is a tourist paradise. But its beauty aside, Wayanad was not exactly grabbing eyeballs during the general elections, until on March 31, when Congress announced that Gandhi will contest from this constituency in addition to Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.

Though Wayanad was under active consideration for many days, the decision was nonetheless surprising as Rahul Gandhi’s principal opponent would not be at the national level ideological rival BJP, but the Left party. 

Interesting is why the Congress decided to field Gandhi from Wayanad. It has been argued that the Congress President’s candidature could influence the party’s support base and galvanize the party workers not just in Kerala but also neighboring Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The decision is seen an attempt by the Congress to consolidate its electoral base in South India especially in Kerala which has 20 Lok Sabha seats, Tamil Nadu has 39 seats and Karnataka 28.

Kerala Congress unit also believes that Gandhi contesting from Wayanad will provide an impetus to the party’s footprint in south India.

This is a message to the southern state that they are deeply valued and respected. Congress President Rahul Gandhi has said he will represent Amethi but also represent southern states as they are the important part of India’s way of life, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had said.

Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency is spread across three revenue districts- Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram and comprises seven Assembly seats.

Wayanad came into being in 2009 after the delimitation of constituencies in 2008.

The first MP from Wayanad was senior Congress leader MI Shanavas, who had won with a huge margin of 1.5 lakh votes defeating CPI’s M Rahmatulla. 

Shanavas had retained the seat in 2014 Lok Sabha polls but with a relatively low victory margin of 20,000 votes. 

In November 2018, about six months ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Shanavas died at the age of 67 years. 

In that sense, picking Wayanad as Rahul Gandhi’s constituency is a careful choice as is the calibrated demand to have him contest from a south Indian seat apart from Amethi where he faces union minister Smriti Irani.

In 2014, the Congress secured 41 percent votes while the CPI got 39 percent. It is no wonder then that the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala is livid over Gandhi contesting from Wayanad and see it as a challenge to them than to any other party in the state. 

The LDF has announced CPI’s  P P Suneer as its candidate from Wayanad while the BJP announced that its ally, the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS)  candidate Thushar Vellappally would be NDA candidate against Gandhi.

Wayanad has a strong pro-Congress voter base and Muslims and Christians form over 50 percent of the vote bank. This district has also a mix of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe community. The Indian Union Muslim League, the second biggest partner in UDF, has considerable clout here.

Gandhi, who has positioned as a champion of farmers and agricultural laborers, can impress voters who are largely farmers and plantation worker in Wayanad. 

Also, Congress leaders in Kerala feel Gandhi’s stand against demonetization and GST will gain currency among state holder of the tourism industry.

With only 3.86 percent of people living in urban areas, a major chunk is involved in farming activities in Wayanad.  Rural distress, hence, is a major issue in the area. Pepper and coffee are major crops which were affected adversely during August 2018 floods that ravaged Kerala. 

But the Congress’ decision has not gone well with the LDF and the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying Gandhi contesting from Wayanad is an attempt t attack the Left in the state and not the BJP.

The BJP went hammer and tongs and accused the Congress President of being a ‘fugitive’ who is no longer sure of success from Amethi and hence has chosen a “safe” seat. All eyes will be on Wayanad when it goes to polls on April 23. 

New Delhi, April  2 : The Congress on Tuesday released its manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, promising Rs 72,000 annually to five crore poorest families under Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) scheme, a simplified single slab Goods and Services Tax and filling up 22 lakh vacancies in the government.

The manifesto was released at the party headquarters at 24 Akbar Road at a press conference by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former Union ministers and senior party leaders P Chidambaram and A K Antony. 

Describing the Congress manifesto as ”forward looking” document, Dr Singh said that it summed up aspirations of people of India for a decent, dignified life and of self-respect.  

”The manifesto has been prepared after consultation with a large number of people from various walks of life. All sections of society have been taken care of. It is the duty of the Congress workers to take the message of the manifesto to the people at large,” the former Prime Minister said.  

”This manifesto spells out how we could get out of poverty, ignorance and disease. We would all like India to be a prosperous country where prosperity and productivity go together,’’ said Dr Singh.  

While releasing the manifesto, Mr Gandhi said the document was not prepared in ”closed rooms” and reflected ”wishes of the people of India.”  

”I also said that whatever is going to be in this manifesto has to be truthful, I do not want a single thing in this manifesto that is a lie because we have been hearing large number of lies spoken everyday by our PM,” the Congress President said in his remarks. 

After releasing the manifesto, Rahul Gandhi answered a volley of questions from the mediapersons at the press conference. In reply to a question, he challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a debate on national security and corruption.  

“I am challenging Narendra Modi for a debate on national security, foreign policy or corruption. But Mr Modi is scared to face such issues. He is not talking anything on the real issues like women’s problems, national security and corruption. He has to talk about all these”, Mr Gandhi said.   

Mr Gandhi brushed aside the criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has dubbed the NYAY as “not doable”. He said: “I?agree it is not doable for the BJP. But it is doable for the Congress.” 

Congress manifesto committee chairman P Chidambaram said, “Wealth and welfare is the theme of the Congress manifesto. The idea is how do you marry wealth and welfare.” 

“The idea is to set the narrative for the 2019 election. The BJP, which is our opposition, is trying to seize the narrative. They are trying to take the narrative to old 2014 election narrative of polarization, divisiveness and hyper nationalism,” Mr Chidambaram said. 

He said the election document of the party addresses the “concerns of our farmers, youth, women, Dalits, minority, industry, workers as well as those about internal security, national security and foreign policy.” 

10 Key Takeaway:

– 72,000/ per year direct transfer to the poorest bank accounts

– To Decriminalize ‘Farm Loan Defaulters’, will be taken as Civil, not criminal offense. 

– 6% of GDP to be spent in the education sector 

– 3% GDP to be used in the health sector

– 10 lakhs Seva Mitra posts in Gram Panchayat and in Urban local body

– To fill 4 lakhs government’s vacancies before March 2020

– Tax exemption for the start-ups for the first 3 years

– Focus on internal and national security

– Women security and empowerment

– Probe into Rafale Deal

The newly unveiled plan by the Congress Party to provide a minimum income guarantee to the poorest in the country has sparked a controversy as advocates for and against it are voicing their views in no uncertain terms. The proposal has been criticized, by one segment of economic writers for being too expensive, discriminatory and difficult to implement. On the other hand, it is being commended by others as being visionary and achievable without too much strain despite the estimates that it could cost up to Rs. three to four trillion. The fact is, the scheme is modeled loosely on the much-debated universal basic income concept that was outlined by former chief economic advisor Arvind Subramaniam in the 2016-17 Economic Survey. The Congress proposal is being described by some as the UBI but it differs in many ways from the original idea.

One also needs to mention in this context that the plan seems to have been an effort to leap ahead of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party after the NDA government launched its scheme to provide Rs. 6000 annually to farmers. This amount is far lower than the Congress plan which envisages Rs. 72000 every year to the poorest 50million in the country. But the announcement had brought cheer to famers at that time when agrarian distress was rising and kisan marches had brought this crisis to the attention of the nation.

As for the original UBI, it envisages that everyone in a nation receives a fixed amount of income. This is to be given to individuals, rather than to one person in a household, as is envisaged in the Congress plan.  Thus each individual in a family receives a stipend with money for children below 18 being given to a parent. The idea of a universal income to insulate people from the vagaries of the labour market actually emanated from developed countries which have been worried about the prospect of automation reducing jobs availability for humans. The history of this concept goes back even further as intellectuals and writers in western countries felt the need for a basic income to eliminate inequalities even several centuries ago.

In recent times, the idea of the UBI has been revived by many economists including Guy Standing and has been supported by leading lights of Silicon Valley like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.  Not only that, several trials of the UBI have been carried out in countries as diverse as Finland, Kenya, the U.S. and even India. The positive results of the trials, however, have not led to any decisions to implement the schemes on a larger basis. Mainly because of the costs involved, even for affluent countries like Finland and the U.S.

The scheme, termed Nyuntam Aay Yojana or Nyay, as outlined by Rahul Gandhi, however, is different on many counts. First, it is not a universal scheme. It is limited to 20 per cent of the population that has been identified as the poorest.   Second, the income will be paid per household and not per individual. It is planned to cover 50 million households and assuming that each one comprises of five persons, it will cover 250 million people. Third, there is an element of topping up incomes that is not envisaged in the UBI. It has been mentioned that the income of those below Rs. 12000 per month will be brought to that level.

So clearly this is not the universal basic income scheme. It remains discriminatory even though it will be argued that such discrimination is for the public good. The amount given will also be diluted as it has been allocated per household. The Nyay scheme envisages that Rs. 72000 annually or Rs. 6000 monthly will be paid to the 50 million households that are the poorest in the country. But it translates into Rs. 1200 per month or Rs. 14400 annually per individual in the household. And that will be even less if the household is larger. In addition, the UBI is meant to be introduced by eliminating all other types of income support to the people including subsidies. In this case, the income simply becomes an additionality along with all the other multifarious subsidies in this country.

At the same time, it can become a gamechanger for the Congress in the elections if it is well projected by the party. Whether it can be implemented ultimately without creating fiscal imbalances is another question altogether. The financing of the scheme is bound to be problematic. At a time when the Goods and Services Tax has subsumed most other taxes, it would be retrograde to introduce any cess or surcharge to finance it. Similarly, the proposal by some left activists to tax the rich to fund Nyay is bound to make investors nervous at a time when the economy is in need of greater capital inflows. In fact, recognizing this fact even the Congress has announced it will withdraw the angel tax on start up ventures.

Apart from being a huge drain on the exchequer, it would surely be better to opt for schemes that will provide some form of employment including enhancing skills.Some economists have suggested  that a universal employment scheme be launched  rather than a minimum income guarantee for the poorest. It would be more sustainable and achieve more tangible results in the long run.

In any case, it is clear that the scheme has been evolved to evoke a reaction at the hustings and has not been well thought out especially the financial aspects. The Congress has denied any such allegations and maintains that there have been prolonged discussions with economists including former central bank governor Raghuram Rajan. Even leading international economist Abhijit Banerjee said that he had provided inputs for it but proposed a much lower income guarantee than Rs. 6000 per month. The plan may thus have been discussed with many experts but the financial element has evidently been glossed over before being announced.  In case the Congress does come to power, the big uncertainty will be whether it can finally implement the promise in its present form. If it does not, it will become yet another political illusion aimed at gaining votes in this round of general elections.

(Views expressed by the writer are personal)

The American Dream is a term which signifies the aspirational quality of the majority of the people who live in America. If there is one thing Americans are known for, it is their ability to dream big. However, setting your eyes on a particular goal is not enough. You should have the conviction and the gumption to achieve it. Very few have that quality. Chase McAnear was one such individual. At the age of 18, he planned on setting up an empire and by the time he reached the age of 21, he had managed to accomplish that, but this was just the beginning. 

When eighteen year old Chase informed his parents about his decision to skip college and get into the real estate business, they threw him out to fend for himself hoping that it would put some sense into his head. Instead of breaking his spirit, being homeless and penniless strengthened Chase’s determination and made him pursue his dreams more seriously. He faced a lot of difficulties during this phase of his life but never once did the thought of giving up on his dreams come to him. After passing the real estate licensing test he bought and sold several properties for two years and then, decided to start his own real estate company. During this time, he regained the confidence and faith of his parents who regretted not lending him support in the past.

After successfully establishing Lux Properties his “Hybrid Real Estate Company,” Chase ventured into other areas of business. He went on to open four other companies, all of which are doing very well.  He sees this time as a redemption stage in his life. He feels like the first part of his life didn’t hold much value. Now, he works every day to progress physically, mentally, spiritually, and especially financially. 

McAnear has much more in the works, but decides to hold those plans close to the chest.  In the near future, keep an eye out for what this driven mogul is doing. Any Individual who can go from homeless to a Multi-Millionaire in less than 3 years is someone to pay attention to. Chase McAnear is something the world hasn’t seen yet. Chase McAnear is the true definition of a “Self-Made Entrepreneur.”

Rich Manley is a famed personality and voyager who was born on June 16, 1986, in Massachusetts. As an adolescent, he was tranquil, visionary, and wanted to participate in many activities. Rich was involved with magic when he was only 10 years old and he started to absorb himself in magic when his granddad showed  him his first magic trick. In the early high school years, Rich invested his energy performing at events, bars, TV programs, and for the family. His devotion to magic was as powerful as his eagerness for martial arts, as he continued making new effects and honed his skills.

At the point when Rich turned 13, he began practicing Kenpo Karate and accomplished his Black Belt in four years alongside teaching at the nearby school. In the wake of his exposure to martial arts, he made up his mind to perform for the public and travelled to New York City to master skills in the styles of Wing Chun Kung Fu, Shaolin Kung Fu, and various weapons where he worked under the direction of Shaolin Monks. Rich received a black belt in two particular styles of Kung Fu and travelled to Los Angeles for an international martial arts contest at the age of 19 years old. He received the title from a prominent organization called K-Star named as “one of the main sixty young martial arts entertainers in North America”.

Rich received his education at Radford University in Virginia for media studies and sports while keeping martial arts as a priority. At college, he studied the specialty of making films and honed his acting. Rich was not happy with his learning, and made a plan to travel to Los Angeles to work efforts on a TV documentary known as “Stars Stunts Action”. This visit to Los Angeles was a defining moment of his life, as he had a chance to meet expert fighters, choreographers, and mentors. Additionally, he exhibited his magic abilities in the industry and was invited to perform  at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. 

Starting in his early twenties, Rich was passionate about various activities such as rock climbing, scuba diving, sky diving, mountaineering, travel, music, writing, and the arts. Under the academics, he took human sciences, archaeology, and cultural studies. Rich is an avid writer, martial artist, traveler, and magician.

The health and fitness industry now becoming a major part of people’s lives is witnessing tremendous growth in the market. In competition, many individuals strive to develop and maintain an aesthetically pleasing body and balanced physique but fail to do so because of their modern hectic lifestyles.

As a solution through marvels of modern technology, Jarrah Martin, a fitness trainer brought an online alternative which is quite similar to live fitness training at a gym or other facilities. The idea is to provide quick and easy access to professional training, health and fitness recommendations tailored to an individual’s needs and physical condition to the comfort of their homes.

Speaking about fitness, Jarrah, said, “Social media community is supportive and a motivational way to track down fitness goals. I have used it by myself first. Impressed by the results the idea came to providing online training space to help educate as many people in this world and to make it a profession”.

“Online fitness is bringing a change in the lifestyle to people through platforms like social media and online websites which provide the perfect way to reach and interact with the whole world”, he added.

To get into the industry, Jarrah trained himself for 10 years. With a strict diet and training, he feels that diet plays a massive role when it comes to staying in shape.

Mentioning about supplements and other fitness gurus, Jarrah says, “Fitness is a structural thing. There are way too many fitness gurus out there influencing people with new methods and hints to get fit which is complicating people’s mind.” “On the other hand, Supplement industry has a bad name in it as it brings so much in front of people that they get confused. I also take them as they work but the industry is totally looking up for the revenue”

Online fitness training is the best way to receive professional guidance. It brings the flexibility of being able to work out when and where possible. The service is ideal for people who work full-time or travel regularly. It works great for individuals trying to manage conditions like obesity, depression, generalized anxiety, or phobias, who can benefit from engaging in physical activity in a safe, judgment-free environment.

Mumbai : Winning Combo launches its new fantasy gaming platform, Fan Super League or FSL, aiming to provide the fantasy sports users as well as beginners a unique and flawless gaming experience. The app will be available today.

A Fantasy Cricket App, where users can create their own Fantasy Cricket Team based on the upcoming actual cricket match, including the entire international as well as the domestic leagues prevailing across the globe. Users can join multiplayer contests or can play amongst their family and friends also. There are no age criteria for mobile literate users. Every customer will have a unique referral code which can be used to earn referral money and keep playing.

Mr Nitin Nachnani says, “We, at FSL, aims to give the best experience to our users. The App has been developed keeping in mind the growing Indian gaming industryand have made sure to stand out from our competitors in terms of gaming structure, points system and unique features such as notifications widgets and Quiz Module in our App.” Along with that, the App has lots of bonuses on offer. Going forward “QUIZ” feature will also be integrated in a couple of months, wherein users can play amongst themselves real-time and win cash money.

The Fan Super League is a fantasy gaming application which provides the opportunity to drag in skills of sports and to win cash rewards for participating in various contests. Users can enter open contests challenging other players across India or can also create their own contests and challenge colleagues, family members or friends to win umpteen rewards with very low contest entry costs. In addition, if players are not up for participating in the day’s match, they can also win by playing the one on one quiz; tests general knowledge of the game. This feature will be introduced shortly.

Mr Nitin Nachnani further adds, Â“We are excited to introduce the Fan super League App for Indian sports lovers complementing the fantasy gaming industry. Being different is the key when it comes to creating a brand identity for your product.”

The app is Android, IOS and Web-based. FREE to download. Join Cash contests and win loads of money and prizes by using the cricketing knowledge to the fullest filling cricket fantasy. With a vision to keep upgrading with exciting new features every month such as Widget and Quiz also FSL is ready for IPL. More sports such as Football, Hockey, Kabaddi, NBA to follow.

New Delhi : Hitting two birds with one stone, a group of Indian scientists have come up with a new process which promises to help utilize black carbon soot, which is a major air pollutant, for treating industrial waste containing highly poisonous organic dyes. 

The scientists have developed two techniques: one to convert black soot into graphene nanosheets, and the second to utilize the nanosheets to remove organic dyes such as crystal violet, rhodamine B, and methylene blue from industrial waste. 

Black carbon soot is emitted from gas and diesel engines, coal-fired power plants and other processes that involve burning of fossil fuel. It is known to be highly carcinogenic. Organic dyes, in turn, are an important component of industrial waste and are generally non-biodegradable and deadly. They enter water bodies and make them not only unfit for human consumption but also highly poisonous. 

Treatment of waste water with organic dyes has remained a major challenge. The currently available methods are generally costly and cumbersome. According to the scientists involved in the development of the new process, it would offer a cost-effective and sustainable solution. 

Speaking to India Science Wire, Kumud Malika Tripathi, one of the co-authors of the study, said “the technique we have developed for synthesizing Graphene nanosheets from black-soot is very easy, quick and economical. Black soot is available everywhere and even a lay person can convert it into Graphene nanosheets at home. The second process of utilizing the nanosheets for treating the waste water is also not very complicated. One just had to put the nanosheets into industrial waste water, in the presence of sunlight. The dyes in the water are broken down into simpler and harmless elements and are subsequently isolated.”

The scientists tested the sustainability and the suitability of the overall process by using the treated water for growing wheat. “Seeds which had been germinated for 24 hours were used. Their growth was normal and healthy as compared to those grown with untreated water”. 

The research team comprised of Gunture, Anupriya Singh, Anshu Bhati, Prateek Khare and Sumit Kumar Sonkar, from Department of Chemistry at Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, besides Kumud Malika Tripathy, who is from Department of Bio-nanotechnology at Gachen University, South Korea. They have published a report on their work has been published in the journal Scientific Reports. 

(India Science Wire)

Lakhan Arjun Rawat is touted as the next big thing of Indian Cricket. The 21-year-old cricketer made his list A debut for Manipur in 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy on 19^th September 2018 and his first-class debut for Manipur in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy on 1st November 2018.

The soft-spoken right-hander was in an exclusive interview. Here are the excerpts:

Tell us about your childhood dreams and how you start your cricket journey?

I belong from Bulandshahr, a small city in Uttar Pradesh. Completed my schooling from Nirmal Convent DPS, Bulandshahr. Recalling the times when I was hardly 5-6 years old, cricket was one of the most recognised sports and my father used to watch each match on the television. Inspired by everything happening around, I started playing Gully Cricket all day and night. Slowly my father realised my passion for the sport and took me to my first coach, Munesh Giri. He trained me for almost 5 years. I played at different junior level tournaments all my childhood.

What was the turning point in your life?

After my early years in Bulandshahr, I went to Meerut for further training under well-acknowledged coaches, Sanjay Rastogi and Vipin Vats. Moved to Greater Noida and performed in a few local tournaments. This gave me the confidence to get into under 19 squads in 2015. I won up the title that year.

But my fate decided something else, I suffered through a major injury the very next year which cost me 1.5 years of my career.

Who was your coach? How did you make a comeback?

My biggest strength became my forever coach Mr Ajay Raj. He spent 4-5 hours daily for my training and even shifted his base from Bulandshahar to greater Noida just for me.

Making a comeback I joined up Ranji Probables Team and played against Jammu and Kashmir. I was the first person called as professional for a Ranji Team after selectors got impressed by the videos I posted of my batting against J&K.

How was your experience in Ranji Matches?

After scoring a needy 70 in my Ranji debut I followed it by another 82 in the next match against Uttarakhand. Two matches went on a low and again I smashed a 60 odd in the fourth innings of our match again Nagaland to take my team home. In the 5 matches, I played I scored three 50+ scores.

Being an aggressive batsman I am aiming for IPL at the moment and have been in contacts with a few teams.

What gives you strength and inspiration to keep up with the struggle?

My parents are my biggest strength. We are very open to each other and share a strong bond. My mother helped me come out of depression when I was recovering from injury. Seeing me struggling and in tension, she introduced yoga in my life, she made sure I wake up at 4:30 AM daily for meditation and the results were beyond imagination.

My father is always excited about my matches he keeps an eye on all my matches and performances. They have sacrificed a lot. Even though major financial breakdowns in my family, they made sure I have all the necessities no matter how and they never let me suffer from any crisis.

I can never compensate for the efforts that they made for me. By gods blessing, we have overcome it all and took a giant step progressing. I hand all my match fees and income to my mother. My father always used to say, “JO AANSU BAHANE SE NA MILE, WO PASEENA BAHANE SE ZARUR MILTA HAI” these words gives me inspiration. They motivate me to work harder whenever things are not in our favour 

Based on your experience what would you like to convey to the other players

“Cricket is a hard work game but luck plays a big role”, it’s always practical to have some backup. I have seen things turning around in a day or two. My friends and players who were struggling to make it into state squads, now have India Caps. That how it goes.

A little request to all the cricket lovers, your team always play hard to keep up to your expectations, please be a little calm and understand the highs and lows a cricket player or any sportsperson faces. We respect the support you provide in our highs, just don’t give up on us in our lows. We work really hard to keep up your expectations.

Last I would like to say, “be it life or cricket ise jitna simple banakar rakhoge utna enjoy kar sakoge otherwise i have seen people and myself too getting in complications and making things difficult out of nowhere”.

Yesterday, the Election Commission announced the dates for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.  The voting will take place in seven phases between April 11, 2019 to May 19, 2019.  With this announcement, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has comes into force.  In this blog, we outline the key features of the MCC. 

What is the Model Code of Conduct and who does it apply to?

The MCC is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections, to ensure free and fair elections. This is in keeping with Article 324 of the Constitution, which gives the Election Commission the power to supervise elections to the Parliament and state legislatures. The MCC is operational from the date that the election schedule is announced till the date that results are announced.  Thus, for the general elections this year, the MCC came into force on March 10, 2019, when the election schedule was announced, and will operate till May 23, 2019, when the final results will be announced. 

How has the Model Code of Conduct evolved over time? 

According to a Press Information Bureau release, a form of the MCC was first introduced in the state assembly elections in Kerala in 1960.  It was a set of instructions to political parties regarding election meetings, speeches, slogans, etc. In the 1962 general elections to the Lok Sabha, the MCC was circulated to recognised parties, and state governments sought feedback from the parties. The MCC was largely followed by all parties in the 1962 elections and continued to be followed in subsequent general elections.  In 1979, the Election Commission added a section to regulate the ‘party in power’ and prevent it from gaining an unfair advantage at the time of elections.  In 2013, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to include guidelines regarding election manifestos, which it had included in the MCC for the 2014 general elections. 

What are the key provisions of the Model Code of Conduct?

The MCC contains eight provisions dealing with general conduct, meetings, processions, polling day, polling booths, observers, party in power, and election manifestos.  Major provisions of the MCC are outlined below.

• General Conduct:  Criticism of political parties must be limited to their policies and programmes, past record and work.  Activities such as: (a) using caste and communal feelings to secure votes, (b) criticising candidates on the basis of unverified reports, (c) bribing or intimidation of voters, and (d) organising demonstrations or picketing outside houses of persons to protest against their opinions, are prohibited.
• Meetings:  Parties must inform the local police authorities of the venue and time of any meeting in time to enable the police to make adequate security arrangements.
• Processions:  If two or more candidates plan processions along the same route, organisers must establish contact in advance to ensure that the processions do not clash.  Carrying and burning effigies representing members of other political parties is not allowed.
• Polling day:  All authorised party workers at polling booths should be given identity badges.  These should not contain the party name, symbol or name of the candidate.
• Polling booths:  Only voters, and those with a valid pass from the Election Commission, will be allowed to enter polling booths.
• Observers:  The Election Commission will appoint observers to whom any candidates may report problems regarding the conduct of the election.
• Party in power:  The MCC incorporated certain restrictions in 1979, regulating the conduct of the party in power.  Ministers must not combine official visits with election work or use official machinery for the same.  The party must avoid advertising at the cost of the public exchequer or using official mass media for publicity on achievements to improve chances of victory in the elections.  Ministers and other authorities must not announce any financial grants, or promise any construction of roads, provision of drinking water, etc.   Other parties must be allowed to use public spaces and rest houses and these must not be monopolised by the party in power.
• Election manifestos:  Added in 2013, these guidelines prohibit parties from making promises that exert an undue influence on voters, and suggest that manifestos also indicate the means to achieve promises.

What changes have been recommended in relation to the MCC since the last general elections?

In 2015, the Law Commission in its report on Electoral Reforms, noted that the MCC prohibits the issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer in newspapers/media during the election period.  However, it observed that since the MCC comes into operation only from the date on which the Commission announces elections, the government can release advertisements prior to the announcement of elections.  It noted that this gives an advantage to the ruling party to issue government sponsored advertisements that highlights its achievements, which gives it an undue advantage over other parties and candidates.  Therefore, the Commission recommended that a restriction should be imposed on government-sponsored advertisements for up to six months prior to the date of expiry of the House/Assembly.  However, it stated that an exception may be carved out for advertisements highlighting the government’s poverty alleviation programmes or any health related schemes.

Is the Model Code of Conduct legally binding? 

The MCC is not enforceable by law.  However, certain provisions of the MCC may be enforced through invoking corresponding provisions in other statutes such as the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Election Commission has argued against making the MCC legally binding; stating that elections must be completed within a relatively short time (close to 45 days),  and judicial proceedings typically take longer, therefore it is not feasible to make it enforceable by law. On the other hand, in 2013, the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, recommended making the MCC legally binding.  In a report on electoral reforms, the Standing Committee observed that most provisions of the MCC are already enforceable through corresponding provisions in other statutes, mentioned above.  It recommended that the MCC be made a part of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Source – PRS India