Deharadun:-Monsoon has arrived in the state. The Election Commission has included the inaccessible and mountainous areas where there is a high risk of rain in the first phase of voting for the panchayat elections. Apart from convening a meeting with the Disaster Management Department, the Election Commissioner has also sought the forecast of polling days from the Meteorological Department. District-wise disaster rescue planning is also being made.
State Election Commissioner Sushil Kumar said that 49 development blocks of 12 districts have been marked where there is a lot of rain every year in the monsoon season. Preliminary talks with the Meteorological Department have made it clear that the monsoon is relatively sluggish in the first two weeks of July. Still, he has asked the weather department for forecasts for all the days during the voting.
Commissioner Sushil Kumar said that a meeting has been called with the disaster management department to make the voting process safe from the weather. The Secretary Disaster Management has been asked to ensure safe movement of polling parties in polling. Helicopter help will also be taken if required. At the same time, all district magistrates have been instructed to make a disaster management plan, on which a virtual meeting will be held on Sunday.
The commissioner said that all the districts will prepare a contingency plan, which will include movement of roads, status of polling booths, staff, safety of materials, rescue work in case of contingency, first aid kits to all polling parties, availability of doctors, medicines, ambulances at every block.
10 lakh on the death of a poll worker
State Election Commissioner Sushil Kumar said that Rs 10 lakh will be given to the family on the death of any employee engaged in polling duty. The proposal has been sent to the government.
