Election Summary Panchayat elections were held in Punjab, one of the northern states of India, on 26 of May. Average polling was recorded to be 75%.Accept some incidents of violence the election was largely peaceful. The polling started at 8a.m. and was scheduled to end by 4p.m.But voting continued even after the scheduled time and the voters were seen waiting in long queues for their turns to cast their votes. Enthusiasm People were very much enthusiastic about the elections whether it were the elders or the young ones who were to cast their votes first time .People could be seen heading towards the village schools to cast their votes. The enthusiasm of the voters, scene at the election venues presented the view as if some village fare was being held there. Young ones were seen mobilizing the voters to cast their votes and the elders, who were even unable to walk, were seen being brought to the polling venues. At village level, during the Panchayat elections, people, always have detested the role of political parties whether it were the candidates or the voters, and have refrained from indulging in the party politics. It was evident from the scene as very less party signs or flags were seen throughout the whole process. Oldest Democratic Tradition The word Panchayat is derived from the word ‘Panch’ means Five. So the literal meaning of the word ‘Panchayat’ is ‘a group of five’. Panchayat is not the name of an elected body whose members are elected by the people of some village but it is a tradition that is being followed by the people of India for times unknown. In the older times people used to choose their wise elders as their Panchas(panchayat members) and Sarpanch(head of the panchayat).During the rule of Muslims and British East India company the tradition was largely prevalent though it largely depended on the government that ruled the country . After independence the whole process of electing the Panchayat changed. Now the Panchayats are elected in a democratic way by the people of the villages. People not only take part in these elections but they take part in it enthusiastically Local Governing Body Panchayat works like a local governing body at village level. It handles almost all the issues that affect the village whether it is a family dispute, dispute among families or individuals, or the development [...]
Archive for May 30th, 2008
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Rising Oil Prices
May 30th, 2008 
krishna Crude oil prices in the International Market have crossed the $125 mark and have put the Indian government in a tight spot. During the time of the present government the oil prices have been kept on soaring .Now the prices of crude oil has arisen to such an extent that the Center Government cannot avoid the decision of raising the price of oil from 10 to 15 rupees per litter. On one hand the subsidies in petroleum are mounting and on the other hand if the decision is implemented then wrong political signals will go out. Wire money online to India with Xoom.com for as low as $4.99. During the rule of Manmohan government the prices of crude oil soared from $40 to $125 per barrel in the International Market. The government can either raise the fuel prices or can let the state-owned oil companies slide into red. Oil companies have been left with a very low cash flow if they are not bailed out of their present situation then the supply of oil will be affected and will increase the problems of the government. This became evident from Singh’s statement on tuesday when he said that, “We will not allow (government-run) oil companies to suffer, it is a big problem”. Government can not ignore the present situation as the economic situation of the state owned oil companies is worsening day by day and can lead to scarcity of petroleum products. During the rule of the Manmohan government the prices of the essential commodities have arisen a lot .Further increase in oil prices will affect the whole economy and will affect the prices of everything. Manmohan government has almost completed four years and the Lock Sabha elections will be held after one year. As the assembly elections are scheduled to be held in some states in the near future, the present situation has put the government in a very tight situation. Congress has already lost the Karnataka elections to BJP. And any decision regarding massive increase in oil prices will harm the Party’s political interests. Rising inflation will affect the lowest and middle sections of the Indian society, which will harm the possibilities of returning to power of the ruling party. I Indian government cannot control the international oil prices because they are decided by OPEC. Rising prices have remained the reason of the criticism [...]
