Will assess situation, says poll body chief

DEHRADUN: The election commission will examine the Allahabad high court’s observation to postpone Uttar Pradesh assembly polls after analysing the situation in the state, chief election commissioner of India Sushil Chandra said on Friday.

“The Commission will visit Uttar Pradesh next week during which it will analyse the situation there followed by necessary actions on the same,” Chandra said. The Allahabad high court on Thursday urged the election commission to consider postponing the polls in Uttar Pradesh considering the increasing threat from Omicron variant of coronavirus. In case the elections could not be postponed, the court requested the poll body to stop political rallies, which witness large gatherings, and to direct the political parties to campaign through Doordarshan and print media instead.

RUDRAPUR: Days after a controversy erupted over the sacking of a Dalit woman as a cook from a Champawat school, following protest by parents of “upper caste” students who refused to eat food prepared by her, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday ordered an inquiry in the incident. Dhami told DIG of police, Kumaon, Nilesh Anand Bharne, to go to the village and probe matter personally, according to government statement.

The 32-year-old Sunita Devi joined as bhojanmata in a GIC, Sukhidhang, in Champawat district on December 13. District authorities scrapped Devi’s appointment, saying norms were not followed while giving job.