Is Election Commission of India, #TamilNadu operations trustworthy?

Recently Election Commission of India has launched a National Citizen Grievance Portal where one can report any issues regarding free and fair conduct of polls in our country, specifically the upcoming Lok Sabha one in April – May 2019.

However our experience with the portal as serviced from Tamil Nadu by its regional coordinates seems be failing our trust in the body because the complaints are surreptitiously closed and even allied news sources claim that reports are being dismissed without proper investigation raising eyebrows on whether there is a mole in the body which is acting hand in glove with unscrupulous politicians in the state.

A copy of the complaints are enclosed here.

We have escalated this to the office of The President of India. Stay tuned for more updates.

 

A lot of changes with UIDAI Aadhar…

Self Service Update Portal:

An year ago we can update quite a number of details through Aadhar SSUP (Self Service Update Portal) whereas now the only thing it allows is Change of Address and that too after attaching a self attested document.

I was trying to see if mobile number could be changed with due OTP verification at both mobile numbers but since it was not available I raised a query through PgPortal and the response from Aadhar team is as below.

Dear Deepak, With reference to your grievance filed online on Public Grievance portal, it is brought to your kind notice that, except address updation field rest of the fields have been removed from SSUP in order to avoid fraudulent cases. Hence, mobile updation cannot be carried out through SSUP. Kindly visit the nearest Aadhaar enrolment centre and update your mobile number. Aadhaar enrolments/updations are being carried out at Banks, Post offices, Talk/Municipal Offices etc., in order to provide hassle free service. Kindly visit any Aadhaar enrolment centre and get your mobile number updated.

Virtual IDs

Another innovation to protect Aadhar number from being misused is Virtual ID which can be regenerated at ease. Like Credit Cards it is a 16 digit number. And this is printed in eAadhar Letter as well.  Virtual ID numbers allow limited use of Aadhar data when given to a service provider instead of exposing whole lot of information that may be potentially misused and abused by a service provider and/or their agents.

 

Dealing with Whatsapp related Abuses (as Group Administrators)

Recently there was an article in HindustanTimes regarding Jharkand Police Department releasing directions on Whatsapp group. Some of the points they stipulate are non implementable. The points were:

1. What was suggested? Delete the message.
   What is the problem? We can not delete the message as they are delivered to individual phones of the users. Alternatively Whatsapp should support a feature for admins to remote delete similar to Telegram Messenger.
2. What was suggested? Reporting the User.
   What is the problem? Some of the states have incompetent cyber cell who do not understand the essence of cyber laws. They simply start harassing the complainants to withdraw the complaint and close the files.

V&R wrote back to Jharkand Police Department to clarify on the above issues through the office of Prime Minister. The response received is here under:

 

US Stinks and India Fragrant with respect to transparency of state administration

Till a few years ago both US and India had beautiful interfaces to people from State Administration. In US, it was called ‘Voice of the People’ and in India it was called CpGrams (Centralized Public Grievances) aka PGPortal. Ever since Obama quit the office and Trump took over, the Voice of the People was taken down.

However starting January, PgPortal has got a beautiful facelift. Unlike the previous version of anonymous posting and need to copy paste the grievances now everything is tracked and consolidated with a username and password. Technologywise it is powered by ASP.NET MVC.

A few suggestions and bug reports we shared to Department of Administrative Reforms regarding the new Pgportal as below.

1. ARNPG/E/2018/00033:  The new version of PgPortal seems to be untested and buggy. 1) During grievance posting if security code mismatches it is erasing all the values forcing the user to re type all the message. 2) Posting a second grievance in a single session it throws a server error and logs out.
2. ARNPG/E/2018/00122  Dear Team, While I take a moment to appreciate the PgPortal team of NIC for the good revamp and overhaul there are a few things which have been remainining untested and is an irritant to the user. For example, after registering a grievance there is a home button and clicking that goes to AspxError page Not Found http://pgportal.gov.in/Error/NotFound?aspxerrorpath=/DashBoard (Status: Acknowledged)

   3) ARNPG/E/2018/00123 The newly launched version of PgPortal has a major user experience issue. If the security code (aka) captcha is wrong entire form is wiped and an error message is shown Error Please enter valid security code. The previous version of PgPortal elegantly managed this condition because the validations were done through Ajax Calls. Kindly have a developer to fix this issue at once.

   4) ARNPG/E/2018/00124 Dear Team, The newly launched PgPortal has a major user experience issue. The phone number field has autoinserted spaces (trailing) as a a result on submission the following message is shown Please enter no more than 12 characters. I believe since you are using aspnet mvc the developer can trim the space when data binding the value from the controller to the view. Additionally when you correct the values by backspacing in this field and when there is a single trailing space an ambigous error messagelike Please enter valid Phone Number is shown. Kindly have a developer to correct these issues asap

   5) ARNPG/E/2018/00137 Team, The new version of CpGrams is blocking the following characters which causes issues in posting readable grievance text. 1) Hyphen is blocked 2) Apostrophe character (single quote) is blocked We are getting error message like below when the grievance contains these characters Alphabet AZ, az, number 09 and special characters Can you ensure that these characters are whitelisted and grievances with these characters are allowed to be posted in CpGrams.

   6) ARNPG/E/2018/00138 Cpgrams Team, Even though there are a few characters which are allowed in grievance not all whitelisted characters are actually allowed. For example even copy pasting the error message in full blocks the grievances from being posted. Alphabet AZ, az, number 09 and special characters () only are allowed in grievance description. I would like you to take this up with your development team and fix the issues at the earliest. Thanks and Regards, Deepak Vasudevan

   7) ARNPG/E/2018/00143 Team, I observed one issue in CpgRams. On Session Timeout when it logs out it is going to an error page. Please find screenshot enclosed. Thanks and Regards, Deepak Vasudevan

   8)  ARNPG/E/2018/00145 Kindly let me know how to import the Older CpGrams (posted in the previous version of PgPortal without login) using same email address and mobile number into the new PgPortal Desk?

   9)  ARNPG/E/2018/00146 I have signed up on a defunct profile with phone number like 9194454078 (hoping that it still uses 91 94454 07856). This account is incomplete and you would not find any grievances lodged there. Is there a way to close that account? It may be unnecessarily hoarding space on CpGrams server. Dont disturb my current account with login 9445407856  (Funky Response that they are not able to address this issue now and is a limitation of the application)

   10) ARNPG/E/2018/00177  To Press Council of India _______________________ Hello Team, The newspaper Dinamani has been carrying a denigratory and defamatory post on Andal (saint sage poet) particularly in this tamil month of Margazhi when Andal sacred composition called Thiruppavai is recited with much reverence. The denigratory thoughts were aired by Vairamuthu during his rally in Rajapalayam Tamil Nadu. The newspaper has carried the content without any editing hurting the religious sentiments of billions worldwide. URL: A complaint as below has been registered with Ministry of Home Affairs against Vairamuthu who is a recipient of multiple Padma awards. (Was redirected to post the same to Ministry of Information Broadcasting)

   11) DARPG/E/2018/00390 Dear Team, I found a weird change in the new version of PgPortal with reference to Notifications. 1) Email, which can take more text has been compressed and there is no URL where we can check the status. The URL has been removed in the new notification message. 2) SMS, which takes less text has been elongated and hence older mobile phones attempt to update the same message multiple times and at times message gets split into multiple ones. I hope you take this up with the notification team and fix the same. Thanks and Regards, Deepak Vasudevan

   12) DARPG/E/2018/00616 A recent update to PgPortal CpGrams is blocking the question mark in Grievance Description textbox. A question mark is required at times when a query is raised to the service provider/department/ministry. Kindly get this character included in the Allowed List.

   13) DARPG/E/2018/00618 When you post a new grievance for the past few days, PgPortal is intermittently failing with this error message Invalid Method Description: Unable to process request for URL http://pgportal.gov.in/NewGrievance/Lodge

   14) DARPG/E/2018/00619 We need a feature in CpGrams that when a grievance is closed there should be an option to reopen it (at least for a few days) before it permanently disposed. This would ensure malpractices by operators surreptitiously closing the grievances with stupid comments.

   15) DARPG/E/2018/00620 Starting this year I observed that grievances posted to Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances were coded as ARNPG unlike its predecessor DARPG but again since today I am seeing DARPG. Are there two codes or was it changed

   16) DARPG/E/2018/00710 DARPG Team, When I click Edit Profile it is going to https://pgportal.gov.in/Error page and session is getting lost and I am logged out. I am not able to edit my profile. Kindly help… Thanks and Regards, Deepak

   17) DARPG/E/2018/01340 Dear Sir/Madam, Need this as a critical requirement. Many times I have seen CpGrams operators in various ministries are just closing the grievances with flimsy reasons. In those case we need an option to REOPEN the grievance and possibly with an option to ESCALATE the situation to their superiors. Thanks and Regards, Deepak Vasudevan

   18) DARPG/E/2018/01359 N Srinivasa Rao (Financial Services — Banking Division) is repeatedly closing multiple CpGrams in his department with flimsy reasons. See dEabd/e/2017/01497

   19) DARPG/E/2018/01373 Dear Sir/Madam, Can you help me with the guidance on how to find the list of clarifications/reminders I submitted for the particular grievance Thanks and Regards, Deepak Vasudevan

   20) DARPG/E/2018/02105 Dear Team, In the recent version of CpGrams the sorting by Closing Date of the Grievance is not working. It is a show stopper issue. It sorts in an uncertain fashion. Kindly get the issue taken to the web development team and have it fixed asap. Thanks and Regards, Deepak Vasudevan

   21) DARPG/E/2018/02263 Dear Team, When the departments or ministries upload a PDF document in the new version of CpGrams we are not able to open it. It always says Failed to open PDF document. Kindly help how to read the PDF documents that are sent as a response to the petitions or grievances submitted. Thanks and Regards, Deepak Vasudevan

 

Way Lay Transgender at Elcot taken into custody after V&R petition

Way back on 20th December 2016 we had reported to Government of Tamil Nadu regarding transgender menace near Elcot IT Park complex. The original petition and its response from the authorities is given under.

Text of the Petition:

During weekend days particularly the afternoon of Saturday and Sundays when the crowd at the bus stop is thin, a transgender is haunting the location of Elcot Sozhinganallur bus stop pestering people waiting at the bus stop for moolah. The transgender is touching the people at odd locations in an embarassing way making it very uncomfortable for anyone. Kindly take steps to help commuters at this bus stop free from the transgender menace.

Response for the Petition:

Accepted. This petition enquiry of the Inspector J10 Semmencheary Police Station. In his enquiry report has been stated that the petitioner matter was already Case Registered in J10 PS Cr.No.1404/2017 U/s 75CP Act and Counter petitioner Nisha Age 22 S/o Barathi Thirunangai arrested after bail release. This message informed to the petitioner in future the above matter is maintained beat police and beat officer day and night. This petition may please be filed.

 

Weird obscene ads in MTC buses

The most common disgusting sight in MTC buses that are plying in Chennai is the disgusting advertisements that are struck in most of the windows. We submitted a petition to Government of Tamil Nadu (GOVTN/E/2016/03014) on the same as below on 22nd December 2016.

Dear Team, MTC has a very good quality buses compared to any other transport corporation in the country. However a lot of buses are suffering from unauthorized bill sticking like 100% job assurance, medicines for private illness etc. There is a good way to solve this. 1) Only if there is an empty slot, these unruly people will try to take advantage of it. How about leasing those spaces to advertisers. For example, if you look BMTC Bangalore they have good painting advertisements from Telangana tourism which makes the bus beautiful and free of such advertisements. 2) Most of the advertisements have phone numbers mentioned and it should not be very difficult to narrow down on the culprits and file a heavy penalty on them for defacing the buses. Kindly look into the same and save our valuable MTC assets. Thanks, Deepak

The response from Metropolitan Transport Corporation on 25th January 2017 is as below.

With reference to the above, it is informed that already MTC prohibited unauthorized pasting of hand bills/ stickers on buses. In this regard, warning stickers as stated below is pasted in all MTC buses to prevent unauthorized pasting of stickers. ” MTC பேருந்தில் துண்டு பிரசுரங்கள்/நோட்டீஸ் ஒட்ட தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. மீறுவோர் மோ.வ.ச.1988, பிரிவு 182-A மற்றும் (109)-ன் படி ரூ.1,000/- முதல் ரூ.5,000/- வரை அபராதம் செலுத்த நேரிடும்” MTC is removing then there if any hand bills/stickers pasted on buses and also taking legal action against them and collected penalty. Inspite of that some unidentified persons are continuing to deface the buses. Moreover, the display of advertisement on the buses is being done according to the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Rules 1989. Vide Lr.No.39011/A2/Advt.Rev/MTC/10, Dated.18.01.2017.

 

@Dominos_India is adding duplicate service tax

During our recent dine in at a Dominos Pizza stores in the IT corridor of Chennai we found that a duplicate service tax entry is being added. Though it a zero amount the billing line items are very ambiguous. The tellers were not able to justify the same. Hence have raised this issue to Department of Sales Tax via PMO, Dominos Social Media team for their comments as well dropping a note to their corporate house.

 

V&R Suggestion to NHAI for lessening traffic at toll plazas

We forwarded the following suggestion to NHAI on 21st December 2016 vide CpGrams MORTH/E/2016/03975

———————

Dear Team,

I was browsing through Automated Toll Collection and found out that ICICI is offering a service called FastTag which emits RFID at toll plazas and automatically pays the toll without the vehicle need to stop over.

URL: https://www.icicibank.com/Personal-Banking/cards/prepaid/fastag/index.page?

I would like to recommend this to NHAI to give it more publicity and perhaps you can make it ad supported in order to remove the initial fee which will further incentive and make more people adopt it.

That way vehicles will go non-stop, toll plazas will become no-cash and payment will be all-automatic.

For the benefits mentioned in the previous paragraph, I would like to submit this suggestion.

Thanks and Regards,

Deepak Vasudevan

———————

The response that came today from the ministry is found attached.

 

Time to exercise your francise and democratic duty. @pmoindia #VoteForNOTA at the minimum

Tamil Nadu is going for elections today. V&R takes this opportunity to remind everyone to head on to their designated polling station (aka) voting booths and exercise your franchise.

Election Commission of India has a free SMS number called 1950 to which if you send your voter id, it will give you the designated polling booth.

Some points to note:

1. Your vote is not for sale. If a party offers something bribe or tries to ferry you to a polling booth, report them to the election commission. Reporting to law enforcement is of no use because most police folks work hand-in-hand with corrupt politicians.
2. If you are not satisfied with any of the candidates, choose NOTA in the polling machine.
3. If your organization is not giving you time and/or holiday to exercise your franchise report to Labor Department and to Election Commission. It may be that your manager/supervisor has an unholy nexus with politicians making you to boycott the election and use your name to cast bogus votes. Stop them from doing that.

Let us give 100% voting. Even if candidates are unfit in the constituency, there is the most fitting candidate in every constituency. NOTA.

 

@MIB_India coordinates to get a control on erring @Videocond2h

I reported the following on 21 May 2014 to Ministry of Information Broadcasting via CpGrams (MOIAB/E/2014/00554):

—-

Dear Team,

We would need you to look into some of the unethical business practices of Videocon Cable. Currently our guest house is serviced by Videocon cable. I have the following complaints on Videocon cable. Calling the customer is no use and there are no attendants at any point of time. Emailing them some junk dumbass would call you after two days but just bluntly disconnect the call and after halfa day another dumbass would appear in person just to shake the STB box up and down once and then asking 150 to 200 rs. as a visiting service charge.

The visiting person would not even have the ID card and even will not give a proper receipt of the same. The channel numbers also keep changing frequently without any proper reasoning and/or announcement. Since the caretaker of the guest house is not tech-savvy, it becomes easy for those conmen to mischievously con them.

Thanks and Regards,

Deepak

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Response from Bharat Business Channel of Videocon D2H on 7th April 2016 is enclosed below: