The Union government has provided Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar with a Z-category security cover of armed commandos in view of potential threats, official sources said today.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has entrusted the Central Reserve Police Force with providing a contingent of about 40-45 personnel for the task, the sources told Press Trust of India.

A threat perception report prepared by central security agencies had recommended a strong cover for Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kumar. The move comes amid preparations for the seven-phase general elections that begin on April 19.

The armed commandos will accompany the CEC during his travels across the country, the sources told Press Trust of India.

Mr Kumar is a retired IAS officer of the 1984 batch. He took charge as the 25th Chief Election Commissioner on May 15, 2022.

He had been appointed as an election commissioner in the Election Commission on September 1, 2020.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The district administration has issued an order to demolish five towers declared unsafe for habitation at the Chintels Paradiso complex in Gurugram’s Sector 109, an official said today.

In the order, issued on Monday by Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav, permission was given to demolish D, E, F, G and H towers of the residential society, the official added.

The order came in response to an e-mail sent by the builder to the deputy commissioner seeking immediate evacuation of these towers for demolition.

These towers were declared unsafe for habitation on the basis of audit reports submitted by an IIT Delhi team to the administration.

Six floors of Tower D of Chintels Paradiso society had collapsed partially on February 10, 2022, leading to the death of two women residents. Since then, the site has been a matter of dispute between the builder and residents.

“Permission is allowed for demolition of towers D, E, F, G & H of Group Housing Society namely M/s Chintel Paradiso Pvt Ltd, Sector-109, Gurugram, subjected to the compliances of policy/guidelines of the concerned departments,” the order said.

Mr Yadav, in response to the builder’s e-mail, said the matter was discussed by a committee headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Hitesh Kumar Meena and representatives of departments concerned.

“It is pertinent to mention here that this permission does not provide immunity from any other applicable state/central law/act/policy related to the subjected work. Further, in case of any lapse/mishappening/carelessness at site, you will be solely responsible and relevant action will be taken accordingly. Further, you will submit the fortnightly report along with compliances to the concerned,” the order stated.

Mr Meena has confirmed the issuance of the demolition order.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

In a gesture symbolic of hope and resilience, a Ram temple in Sukma, closed for 21 years due to Maoist influence, has been reopened as temple bells rang in celebration. Located just 10km from the tragic 2010 Tadmetla massacre site and near Hidma’s Tekulguda stronghold where 22 jawans lost their lives in April 2021, the Kerlapenda village temple stands as a beacon of peace amidst conflict.