Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government has banned the sale of junk food in school canteens and has suggested healthy alternatives. On the basis of recommendations of the Centre, the state has told schools not to sell food ‘High in Fat, Salt and Sugar’ (HFSS). The decision has been taken looking at childhood obesity and related diseases. “HFSS food has very little vitamins and minerals… (Their consumption raises the chance of obesity) and other related diseases among children. The effects can be seen on a child’s academic performance,” said the government resolution issued by the school education department. According to the Times of India, school principals have been asked to ensure that the instructions are followed. Some of the suggested alternatives include chapatis, rice, vegetables a...

Dismissing claims of the opposition parties, the State Election Commission of Maharashtra (SECM) has said that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are tamper proof. The congress and NCP had alleged of possible tampering and manipulations in the EVMs in the recent elections to 10 Municipal Corporations and 25 Zilla Parishads in the state. Both the parties had received a drubbing in the recently held polls, including that for the Mumbai civic body. "The Supreme Court too in its ruling in 2014 had ruled that the EVMs used in elections are tamper proof," Election Commissioner J S Saharia said. In the recently concluded civic elections, the SECM had put to use 68,943 control units and 1,22,431 ballot units (collectively commonly referred to as EVMs) across 43,160 polling booths. The ...

Stop selling junk food to students to curb obesity, diabetes – Maharashtra government tells school canteens

Electronic Voting Machines tamper proof: SECM