gaddam@remus.rutgers.edu (Surekha Reddy Gaddam) (04/17/91)
In Bangladesh atleast five persons were killed and 24 others injured when two passenger trains collided headon near Chittagang railway station this morning. According to police sources, wrong signalling might have caused the accident. India: The election commission has decided to allow the BJP to continue to use the "lotus" symbol for the coming elections. The chief election commissioner Mr.T.N.Sheshan told newsmen in New Delhi today(Tuesday) that he will takeup for hearing the disputes of political parties only after the elections. The commission has rejected the claim of the JD(S) that it is the real Janata Dal and turned down its claim to use the "wheel" symbol. The commissioner said that the Janata Dal continues to be recognized as a national party and is entitled to use the "wheel" as its symbol for the elections. Mr.Sheshan, however, recognized the JD(S) also as a national party and asked it to choose a free symbol. The commission will hold a hearing before allotting a symbol to JD(S). All national regional parties have assured their full cooperation to the election commission in holding free and fair polls during the coming LH of parliament and the assembly elections. At a one day confernece in New Delhi convened by the election commission, they suggested that the polling time should be for ten hourse between 7:00am-5:00pm to ensure good turnout of voters. The meeting also wanted boothwise counting except in certain disturbed areas. Breifing newsmen, the chief election commissioner Mr.Sheshan said that there was a consensus among political parties for a one day poll as far state elections are concerned. He said all political parties wanted a ban on use of trucks, trailors and other vehicles for carrying voters on the poll day. The other suggestions were deployment of special task force, and exemplary punishment for bogus voting during the electioneering. A special cell will be setup to monitor the election coverage by AIR and Doordarshan. Switzerland will extend to India an assistance of 52 crore rupees to be utilized by NABARD for lending and promotional activities in the non-farm sector. An agreement to this effect was signed by Mr.Dev Mukherjee, joint secretary in the finance ministry and the swiss ambassador to India. This is sixth such grant given to National Bank for Agrl and rural develoment(NABARD). Today's news was read by Bina Jaipuri. Narotham Reddy ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by Surekha Reddy Gaddam. Please mail your news articles to gaddam@remus.rutgers.edu. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- --