Tag: politics

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls, launched on June 28, marks the first such exercise since 2003. While aimed at updating and streamlining the voter rolls ahead of the Assembly elections due later this year, the initiative has stumbled at the very start, triggering widespread confusion and anxiety among rural voters—particularly in districts like Saran. “Is this to check if I’m dead or alive?” In villages near Chapra, Saran’s district headquarters, most voters remain unaware of the ongoing revision. Chandra Mohan Singh, a 65-year-old resident of Mahmada village and voter from booth no. 240, was handed an SIR form—but it still lies blank. When asked about it, he remarked wryly, “I think this form is to confirm whether I am dead or alive.” Others in his family, like his wife Ramdai Devi, are similarly bewildered. Neither she nor her son can read the form. Like many, she has been instructed by the booth-level officer (BLO) to fill and return it immediately—but without any idea of what’s required. Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID… None Valid? Adding to the chaos is the Election Commission’s strict criteria for acceptable documents. Common ID cards like Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, or Driving License—held by nearly every villager—are not considered valid proof for the SIR. Instead, the EC has demanded older and far less accessible documents like: This has left many like Yogendra Baitha, who proudly displayed all his ID cards, feeling frustrated. “If these are not valid, then what is? How can I get a birth certificate before the deadline of July 26?” Complex Requirements, Low Awareness The rules vary depending on the voter’s age: This complexity has made compliance nearly impossible for voters like Daulti Kumari, 26, who now lives with her husband’s family and has no papers from her parents. Others, like Shiv Kumari Devi, who voted in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, are shocked at the possibility of being deleted from the voter list. “How can I be valid last year and invalid this year?” she asked. “Where will we get these documents?” Kanti Devi, from Dharampur village, says that the BLO filled out her form but she was told to submit documents she doesn’t have. “If they remove my name, I will sit on dharna at the block office,” she declared. Similarly, Meena Devi, 66, criticised the impracticality of the process: “The government should open special counters at block offices for these documents, otherwise how will poor villagers get them in time?” BLOs Admit Helplessness Booth-level officers, who are frontline workers in this process, say they are simply following EC instructions. Dinesh Kumar, BLO of booth 240, admitted that there’s urgent need for mass awareness via radio, TV, and loudspeaker announcements. “We can guide voters, but we can’t fill everyone’s form personally,” he said. Other BLOs echoed similar concerns. Bhupendra Kumar from booth 239 fears many voters may be unjustly removed. Ugrin Mahto of booth 271 added that some voters are being asked to produce documents of parents who are no longer alive, leaving even BLOs clueless about how to proceed.

In a welcome move for small businesses, oil marketing companies have reduced the price of 19-kg commercial LPG gas cylinders by ₹58.50, bringing the new rate down to ₹1,723.50, effective from today. This marks the third price cut in recent months — following a ₹24 reduction in June and a ₹7 cut in February, though March saw a minor ₹6 hike. Relief for Hotels, Eateries, and Shops The price drop offers much-needed respite to restaurants, hotels, and small enterprises that heavily depend on LPG for daily operations. A company official confirmed the revision, calling it part of the companies’ dynamic pricing model based on international market trends. No Change in Household LPG Prices Despite repeated calls for a review, there has been no change in the price of the 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder, which continues to affect household budgets. Oil firms reiterated, “There is no change in the prices of 14.2 kg domestic cylinders.” Household Consumption Dominates LPG Use India’s LPG consumption is dominated by household use, accounting for nearly 90% of total LPG usage. The remaining 10% is split across commercial, industrial, and automotive sectors. This often results in domestic prices remaining insulated from fluctuations that affect commercial cylinder rates. Crude Oil Prices Offer Breathing Space One reason for recent LPG price corrections is the fall in global crude oil prices. India’s average crude oil basket price in May 2025 fell to $64.5 per barrel, the lowest in three years. Since LPG prices are linked to 10% of the crude basket, this decline is likely to reduce oil companies’ LPG-related losses by about 45% in FY2026. Domestic LPG Usage Surges India has seen a dramatic rise in LPG penetration, with the number of domestic connections doubling to 33 crore by April 2025, underscoring how vital cooking gas is in daily life across urban and rural India. While businesses benefit from the latest cut, millions of households continue to feel the pinch, awaiting a price relief that is yet to materialise.