Page 2 - Ram Nath Kovind

Kovind-led panel on simultaneous polls invites suggestions from public

The panel on 'One Nation, One Election' led by former president Ram Nath Kovind has invited suggestions from the public "for making appropriate changes in the existing legal administrative framework to enable simultaneous elections in the country". In a public notice, the high-level committee said the suggestions received by January 15 would be taken up for consideration. The suggestions can be posted on the committee's website onoe.gov.in or sent by e-mail to sc-hlc@gov.in, the notice said. The committee has held two meetings since it was constituted in September last year. It had also recently written to political parties seeking their views and an interaction on a "mutually agreed date" on the idea of holding simultaneous polls. It had later sent a reminder to the parties. Letters were sent to six national parties, 33 state parties and seven registered unrecognised parties. The committee has also heard the views of the Law Commission on simultaneous polls. The law panel could b

One nation, one election in national interest, says former Prez Kovind

Former president Ram Nath Kovind, who heads the committee to explore the possibility of "one nation, one election", said holding simultaneous polls is in the national interest and has got nothing to do with any particular political party. "Holding simultaneous elections will be beneficial for the public as the revenue saved will be used for development work," the former president, on a private visit here, told reporters on Monday night. "I am requesting all the political parties to cooperate as this is in the national interest. No political party has got anything to do with it," he stressed. The government constituted the high-level eight-member committee, headed by Kovind, earlier this year. The former president said, "Many committees such as the parliamentary committee, Niti Aayog, Election Commission of India, and others have said that the tradition of 'one nation one election' needs to be revived in the country." "The government has constituted a committee for the purpose and

Second committee meet on 'One Nation One Elections' concludes in Delhi

The central idea behind 'One Nation One Election' is to synchronize the timing of Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections across all States to reduce the frequency of polls throughout the country

Roadmap on simultaneous polls with Kovind committee to be shared on Oct 25

The Law Commission will share next week its roadmap on holding simultaneous polls with the high-level committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind. The panel has invited the Law Commission on October 25 to seek its views on how simultaneous polls can be held in the country. The high-level panel, which had in its first meeting recently decided to seek views of political parties, has now written to them to elicit their views on holding sustainable simultaneous polls in the country. In a communication to the parties, it has sought an interaction with with them on a "mutually agreed date", sources said citing the letter. They said parties have also been given an option to send their views in writing in the next three months. Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi-headed law panel is working on a formula to synchronise all assembly polls by extending or reducing the tenure so that these elections can be held along with Lok Sabha polls 2029 onwards. The law panel is devising a mechanism to e

Democracy, ONOP, governance

Democracies are withering everywhere and require constant reform. In India, one-nation-one-poll is a good idea, but it cannot work as a standalone reform

First meeting of committee on simultaneous polls on Sept 23: Kovind

The first meeting of the the high-level committee to examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous polls will be held on September 23, said former president Ram Nath Kovind, who heads it. The government on September 2 notified the eight-member committee to examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities and panchayats. "The first meeting will take place on September 23," Kovind told reporters here on Saturday. He was in Bhubaneswar to attend the convocation of a private university.

One Nation, One Election: Home Minister Shah, Meghwal to meet Kovind

Home Minister Amit Shah and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal would meet former president and head of the panel on simultaneous polls Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday afternoon, sources said. On Saturday, the government had notified a high-level committee under Kovind to look into and make recommendations on the issue of holding synchronised polls to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies. While Shah is a member of the committee, Meghwal is a special invitee. On Sunday, top law ministry officials had briefed Kovind and had sought to know how he would like to go about the mandate of the committee.

Kovind to hold first meeting of 'One Nation, One Election' panel today

Centre had formed a committee last week to explore the possibility of 'One Nation, One Election,' which envisages the holding of general election and state Assembly elections simultaneously

Voting simultaneously

Kovind committee should consult extensively

Law ministry officials brief panel chairman Kovind on simultaneous polls

Top officials of the Union Law Ministry on Sunday held a preparatory briefing for former president Ram Nath Kovind who heads the high-level committee to examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies. The government had on Saturday notified the eight-member committee. People aware of the development said, Law Secretary Niten Chandra, Legislative Secretary Reeta Vasishta and others met Kovind this afternoon to understand how he would like to go about the agenda before the committee. While Chandra is also the secretary to the high-level committee, Vasistha's department deals with the issue of elections, the Representation of the People Act and related rules.

'One Nation, One Election': Govt sets up panel under ex-President Kovind

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President J P Nadda called on Kovind after the government made public its decision to set up the committee

One nation, one election: All you need to know about simultaneous elections

Centre has constituted a committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to explore the possibility of 'one nation, one election'

Barring Modi, no other PM has spoken about building toilets: Kovind

Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday said barring Narendra Modi, who spoke about building toilets from the ramparts of the Red Fort, no other prime minister had laid stress on the subject. Kovind was speaking at the National Conference on Sociology of Sanitation where Modi's message was also read out. The prime minister's message said: "Making people aware of the transformational outcomes of sanitation and cleanliness will also help in preparing domain-specific professionals and generate more opportunities for employment and self-employment." Speaking at the event, Kovind recalled the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who had always prioritised cleanliness. "Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi used to say cleanliness is next to godliness. Just like when the heart is not pure, one cannot gain god's blessings, in the same way, if our body is not clean, we cannot gain god's blessings. "How can one's body be clean when one is staying in an unclean place?" he asked. The former president

President Murmu speech to give report card on defence and security

A year after then President Ram Nath Kovind's January 31, 2022 speech, Murmu's speech will reveal the extent to which the government has implemented the pledges he made

Kovind to be chief guest at Lokmat Parliamentary Awards event on Mar 14

India's former President Ram Nath Kovind will be the chief guest at the 4th edition of Lokmat Parliamentary Awards function to be held on March 14. Chairman of the editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former Rajya Sabha member Vijay Darda called on Kovind in New Delhi on Wednesday and invited him to be the chief guest at the function. The former president has accepted the request to grace the event to be held in the national capital, a Lokmat Media release said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Biju Janata Dal's Bhartruhari Mahtab, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien, Nationalist Congress Party's Vandana Chavan, Bharatiya Janata Party MPs Tejasvi Surya and Locket Chatterjee, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Kumar Jha have been unanimously selected as recipients for the fourth (2022) edition of the Lokmat Parliamentary Awards, it said. The awards are given annually to members of Parliament in .

PM Narendra Modi wishes ex-president Ram Nath Kovind on his 77th birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted former president Ram Nath Kovind on his 77th birthday and said he is widely respected for his statesmanship and leadership. Kovind was India's president between 2017-22. Modi tweeted, "Birthday greetings to Shri Ramnath Kovind Ji. He is widely respected for his statesmanship and leadership. As India's President he placed topmost importance to empowering the poor and the downtrodden. May he lead a long and healthy life.

PM Modi true follower of Ambedkar, says former President Ram Nath Kovind

Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a true follower of B R Ambedkar and is working towards turning the social reformer's vision into a reality. Kovind also listed out initiatives of the government in the fields of education, labour welfare, women empowerment, building a self-reliant country and the reading down of Article 370 of the Constitution with respect to Jammu and Kashmir, and said these steps were in congruence with Ambedkar's vision. "Babasaheb, as the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, had rejected a proposal to grant a special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Later, after a complicated turn of events, Jammu and Kashmir was granted a special status, which was against the wishes of Babasaheb," Kovind said. He said this disparity with regard to Jammu and Kashmir was removed in August 2019 following the efforts of the Modi government. "This order also fulfils the ideals of Babasaheb. I was fortunate to have

Former president Kovind given 'Z plus' security cover by Centre

The Centre has accorded 'Z plus' category VIP security cover of a central paramilitary force to former president Ram Nath Kovind, officials said on Wednesday. Kovind will be granted the armed escort on an all-India basis and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) VIP security commando unit will render the task, they said. The Union home ministry sanctioned the cover recently, based on a recommendation made by central intelligence agencies, and the force took over the task on September 5, they said. The former president's house located on Janpath Road in central Delhi will also be secured by the force. Kovind, 76, demitted office in July after serving as the 14th President of India.

It's been real privilege to work with you as your PM: Modi to Kovind

PM Modi has heaped praise on Ram Nath Kovind, saying he set the highest standards of principles, probity, performance, sensitivity and service during his tenure as India's President

Maharashtra tribals celebrate with dance as Murmu assumes presidency

CJI N V Ramana administered her oath at a ceremony held at Parliament's Central Hall in New Delhi in the presence of former president Ram Nath Kovind, VP Venkaiah Naidu and PM Modi, among others