More important to India: Mobile phones or TV?

NDTV brings you a massive opinion poll in a special show with Dr Prannoy Roy, every day LIVE at 9 pm from Monday 27 August to Friday 31 August.

NDTV commissioned Ipsos, a leading market research agency, to conduct fieldwork for this opinion poll from a sample size of almost 30,000, covering as many as 125 out of the 543 Lok Sabha seats in the 18 big states. (Complete coverage)
The report below presents some of the major findings of the opinion poll:

More important to India: Mobile phones or TV?

In all, 64 per cent of the respondents prefer their cellphones to Television. Jharkhand is most sold on its cellphones (88 per cent) followed by Bihar (85 per cent) and then Uttar Pradesh (83 per cent). (Watch - NDTV mid-term poll 2012: Flirting on cellphones. You bet!)

Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are more conventional - 55 per cent of those polled in each state say they prefer TV to cellphones.



Flirting on cellphones? You Bet!

150 million Indians have sent flirtatious texts; 15 per cent of the respondents admitted to doing so.

Most of these phone flirts are in Karnataka, followed by Chhattisgarh, and then Punjab. Of these mobile flirts, 18 per cent are men.



The poll was carried out in 125 constituencies spread over 18 states (these account for over 20% of the 543 Lok Sabha seats). Each Lok Sabha constituency was selected using a statistical formula based on voting patterns of 2009 Lok Sabha Elections.

In each Lok Sabha constituency, two to three assembly segments were selected at random where approximately 100 interviews were conducted in homes. For the voting intention question, the respondents were  given a mock ballot paper on which the symbols of the parties were set out. They were asked to mark their preference on the ballot paper and then place the ballot paper in a mock ballot box.

The NDTV Mid-Term Poll 2012: If India had to pick now, who would win - UPA or the NDA?

NDTV brings you a massive opinion poll in a special show with Dr Prannoy Roy, every day LIVE at 9 pm from Monday 27 August to Friday 31 August.

NDTV commissioned Ipsos, a leading market research agency, to conduct fieldwork for this opinion poll from a sample size of almost 30,000, covering as many as 125 out of the 543 Lok Sabha seats in the 18 big states.

Is corruption India's biggest problem?

India believes corruption is country's most important problem. Our poll shows it ranked higher than unemployment. Poverty was third, followed by terrorism/naxalism.





Andhra Pradesh: Congress decimated, Jagan Mohan Reddy sweepIn Andhra Pradesh, the respondents believe that Jagan Mohan Reddy will sweep Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, though those in Telangana are overwhelmingly in favour of  K Chandrasekhara Rao and his party, the TRS.

A whopping 48 per cent of the respondents in Andhra Pradesh believe that Jagan Mohan is the best chief minister for the state. Chandrababu Naidu is next with 18 per cent. Telangana, however, believes that KCR is the best chief minister. 









BJP unbeatable in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh?

No anti-incumbency sentiment against the BJP in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. In all, 66 per cent of the respondents voted for Shivraj Singh Chauhan, he seems set for third consecutive term.


72 per cent of the state believes that Mr Chauhan has been a good chief minister while Raman Singh also seems set to return to power for third term in Chhattisgarh.












Naveen Patnaik set for fourth consecutive term?




The poll was carried out in 125 constituencies spread over 18 states (these account for over 20% of the 543 Lok Sabha seats). Each Lok Sabha constituency was selected using a statistical formula based on voting patterns of 2009 Lok Sabha Elections.

In each Lok Sabha constituency, two to three assembly segments were selected at random where approximately 100 interviews were conducted in homes. For the voting intention question, the respondents were  given a mock ballot paper on which the symbols of the parties were set out. They were asked to mark their preference on the ballot paper and then place the ballot paper in a mock ballot box.

NDTV's mid-term poll 2012: Is corruption India's biggest problem?

NDTV brings you a massive opinion poll in a special show with Dr Prannoy Roy, every day LIVE at 9 pm from Monday 27 August to Friday 31 August.

NDTV commissioned Ipsos, a leading market research agency, to conduct fieldwork for this opinion poll from a sample size of almost 30,000, covering as many as 125 out of the 543 Lok Sabha seats in the 18 big states. (Complete coverage)

The report below presents some of the major findings of the opinion poll:

India believes that corruption is the country's biggest problem. Our poll shows corruption ranked higher than unemployment. Poverty was third, followed by terrorism/Naxalism. Rising prices were fifth on the list. (Watch - NDTV's mid-term poll 2012: Corruption India's biggest problem? )







The poll was carried out in 125 constituencies spread over 18 states (these account for over 20% of the 543 Lok Sabha seats). Each Lok Sabha constituency was selected using a statistical formula based on voting patterns of 2009 Lok Sabha Elections.

In each Lok Sabha constituency, two to three assembly segments were selected at random where approximately 100 interviews were conducted in homes. For the voting intention question, the respondents were  given a mock ballot paper on which the symbols of the parties were set out. They were asked to mark their preference on the ballot paper and then place the ballot paper in a mock ballot box.

NDTV mid-term poll: Who are India's nicest people?

NDTV brings you a massive opinion poll in a special show with Dr Prannoy Roy, every day LIVE at 9 pm (IST) from August 27-31.

NDTV commissioned Ipsos, a leading market research agency, to conduct fieldwork for this opinion poll from a sample size of almost 30,000, covering as many as 125 out of the 543 Lok Sabha seats in the 18 big states.

Which state is home to the country's friendliest? This is what India says.

NDTV Mid-Term Poll 2012: Does knowledge of English improve your prospects in life?

NDTV brings you a massive opinion poll in a special show with Dr Prannoy Roy, every day LIVE at 9 pm (IST) from August 27-31.

NDTV commissioned Ipsos, a leading market research agency, to conduct fieldwork for this opinion poll from a sample size of almost 30,000, covering as many as 125 out of the 543 Lok Sabha seats in the 18 big states. (Complete coverage)

A whopping 87% of respondents from all over India said an emphatic Yes when asked if English helps improve your prospects in life.

How many people in India know English?

Two in 5 Indians (500 million) claim they "know English". Men more than women.





The poll was carried out in 125 constituencies spread over 18 states (these account for over 20% of the 543 Lok Sabha seats). Each Lok Sabha constituency was selected using a statistical formula based on voting patterns of 2009 Lok Sabha Elections. In each Lok Sabha constituency, two to three assembly segments were selected at random where approximately 100 interviews were conducted in homes. For the voting intention question, the respondents were given a mock ballot paper on which the symbols of the parties were set out. They were asked to mark their preference on the ballot paper and then place the ballot paper in a mock ballot box.

SC directs Sahara to refund Rs 24,000 crore to investors

New Delhi: In a major setback to the Sahara Group, the Supreme Court has directed Sahara to deposit over Rs 24,000 crore that it had collected through OFCD (optionally fully convertible debentures) with PSU banks.

The court has granted Sahara India Real Estate Corporation and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation three months to deposit the amount. Sahara has been asked to give a list of all the investors to SEBI in the next 10 days.

The two-judge bench of Justice KS Radhakrishnan and Justice JS Khehar directed SEBI to take action against Sahara India Real Estate Corporation and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation, if they fail to refund the money.

The apex court allowed the regulatory body to attach properties and freeze bank accounts of the two companies if they did not comply with its order. The apex court has also directed SEBI to conduct a probe against the two Sahara companies to find out their actual subscriber base.

The court has appointed retired Supreme Court judge BN Agrawal to oversee the refund of this amount to investors.

Manipur: Militant groups hiring child soldiers

Sairenkon: In April this year, ten boys were forcefully taken to militant training camps in Myanmar. The family members of three boys in this village are still living in fear. Mother of ex-child soldier said, "I am living in constant fear and think what will happen to my son in the future."

The boys tell us that they were lured with the promise of money and cellphones. Although pressure from civil society forced their release, they were warned not to reveal the identity of those who recruited them.

One of the ex-child soldiers, said, "I saw other boys and also girls in the camp. They kept us in separate rooms. I was told not to take the name of the organisation. When I was coming back, I saw new recruits."

Recruiting child soldiers in Manipur dates back to 2008 when 19 children were kidnapped by militant groups. A 2008 video of a People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak camp in Myanmar shows how they were being brainwashed. So far 66 children have been kidnapped. And many stay back in camps.

Child Welfare Committee Chiarperson Annie Mangsatabam said, "If they are convinced, thrilled by the guns and the life, it becomes very difficult to get them back."

With messages like this one, families in this village in Sairenkhon are still living in fear as some underground outfits are urging children to join them to overcome poverty and children being recruited is a reality not just in his village but other villages of Manipur. Living in the shadow of guns, it is the end of innocence for these young minds.

Maharashtra: SIMI leader Nachan's kin arrested for alleged ISI links

The son and nephew of Saquib Nachan, former SIMI leader and an accused in the Mulund bomb blast case, were arrested by Thane police crime branch officials on Thursday.

His son Shamil Nachan and his cousin Akhis were arrested by the Thane Police for their alleged links with the Pakistani spy agency ISI and the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen.

Further details of the arrests were not immediately available.

Kolkata: Passengers panic as smoke comes out of Metro train

Kolkata: Panic gripped the passengers of Metro Railway in Kolkata on Thursday evening when smoke billowed out of a coach of a train at Mahatma Gandhi Road station.

The driver of the train stopped the train as soon as all the lights of third coach went off following a sound at about 9.02 pm, CPRO Pratyush Ghosh said.

The driver of Dum Dum-bound train found smoke coming out of the coach and he brought the train to the station from the tunnel, he said.

All the passengers were evacuated safely and the smoke was detected. The cause of smoke is being investigated, Ghosh said.

The train service resumed 19 minutes after at 9.21 pm, he said.

Gujarat: IAF loses 9 men as choppers collide mid-air, orders probe

In a tragic incident near the Jamnagar Air Force Station in Gujarat, as many as nine air force personnel on Thursday died in a mid-air collision as two MI 17 choppers collided five minutes after taking off on a sortie near the Sarmat firing range.

The Russian-made choppers were flying very close to each other when their upper rotors came in contact causing the collision.

"Nine IAF personnel – five officers and four other ranks – have been killed in the crash near Sarmat firing range, 15 km from Jamnagar city," an IAF spokesperson said in New Delhi.

The Air Force has ordered an inquiry but sources say a mid air collision is rare and the investigators will have to ascertain if standard operating procedures were violated by the pilots. Sources say if there was a deviation from standard operating procedures, then it would be a serious case of cockpit indiscipline.

Asked why the choppers were flying so close to each other, the spokesperson said that the training mission involved such flying.

Indian Air Force officers, police officials and Jamnagar municipal corporation fire brigade reached the spot shortly after the crash. Fire brigade personnel doused the burning wreckage.

According to villagers, who witnessed the accident, the two helicopters were flying very close to each other when the upper rotors of one aircraft hit the other causing the collision. The tail rotor of one of the choppers also snapped, eyewitnesses said.

IAF officials said that the choppers after the collision had turned into a fire ball.

The spokesperson said that a court of inquiry has been ordered to determine the reasons behind the crash. The names of those killed have not been disclosed by IAF.

Passage of Lokpal Bill set to be delayed further

 The passage of the Lokpal Bill is set to be delayed further with a Parliamentary committee examining the legislation likely to seek an extension till the beginning of the Winter session of Parliament.

The Rajya Select Committee on Lokpal/Lokayukta Bill which met on Thursday is learnt to have decided to seek an extension of its term to complete the examination of the measure.

The term of the panel ends on September 3 and it is likely to move a resolution in the Upper House seeking an extension till the first week of the Winter session.

The resolution could be moved tomorrow itself, but much would depend on the functioning of the House, sources said referring to daily disruptions.

The bill which was been passed in the Lok Sabha, was referred to the Select committee of the Rajya Sabha in May this year as consensus eluded on its various provisions.

Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy, who had tabled the bill in the Rajya Sabha, had expressed the hope that the panel would finalise its recommendations by the last week of the Monsoon session.

After its constitution, the committee has heard depositions from the Ministry of Personnel, the Law Ministry, the Attorney General and several NGOs and individuals.

The bill that has failed to become a law since it was first introduced in 1968.

NDTV Mid-Term Poll 2012: In Bihar, it's Nitish, Nitish, Nitish

NDTV brings you a massive opinion poll in a special show with Dr Prannoy Roy, every day LIVE at 9 pm (IST) from August 27-31.

NDTV commissioned Ipsos, a leading market research agency, to conduct fieldwork for this opinion poll from a sample size of almost 30,000, covering as many as 125 out of the 543 Lok Sabha seats in the 18 big states. (Complete coverage)

Bihar loves Nitish Kumar and wants him to remain Chief Minister. So much, that fewer respondents think he should head to the Centre as Prime Minister.

Should Lalu Prasad Yadav return to Bihar politics?
Lalu Prasad Yadav has failed to rekindle magic. Of all respondents, a majority don't want hims back in state politics, though 73% of RJD voters say, "Lalu please"



Bihar Forecast:

What is ‘Coalgate’?

 

Currently, in India, the word Coalgate, sounding similar to the name of a popular toothpaste, means the report published on August 17, 2012 by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&A G or CAG).

The organisations subject to the audit of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India are:

• All the Union and State Government departments and offices including the Indian Railways and Posts and Telecommunications.

• About 1,200 public commercial enterprises controlled by the Union and State governments, namely, government companies and corporations.

• Around 400 non-commercial autonomous bodies and authorities owned or controlled by the Union or the States.

• Over 4,400 authorities and bodies substantially financed from the Union or State revenues.

The auditor general’s report has questioned the government’s procedure of awarding coal mining concessions to private companies without competitive bidding. It states that as on March 11, 2011, there has been a lack of transparency in the allocation of coal blocks to private participants. The report does not charge criminal misconduct by Manmohan Singh’s vulnerable coalition government. However, the report has raised issues concerning the non-transparent procedure of awarding coal blocks by an inter-ministerial committee. The report alleges that this unduly helped private and state power and steel companies leading to an unrealized revenue of Rs 1.85 lakh crore ($37 billion) to the exchequer; even so, industry watchers and the government doubt this figure.

The CAG report has turned into a provender for the opposition lawmakers.

On Monday, August 27, the parliament resembled a noisy theatre. The BJP lawmakers and members of the ruling Congress party engaged in a shouting match. Manmohan Singh appeared in the lower house of parliament. He submitted a comprehensive four-page rebuttal of the main allegations in the auditor’s report. He managed to mumble a few words only as the uproar from the opposition forced him to sit down. They raised slogans such as “Prime minister tender your resignation.”

A few minutes later, Singh tried to deliver the same rebuttal speech in the upper house of parliament. He was silenced once again by similar chanting.

In his written statement, the Prime Minister has denied that his government had done anything wrong. He blamed the opposition parties, who ruled the major coal-rich states, for the delay in introducing competitive bidding for coal-fields. He added that the findings of the state auditor were “clearly disputable.”