The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, on January 30 went a one-week warning strike over alleged refusal by the Nigerian government to reopen negotiations on an agreement it had with the union in 2010. Other reasons the union cited for the strike which ended on February 5 were non-payment of salaries and allowances of the teachers, among other issues.

In this exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES Ebuka Onyeji, the president of ASUP, Usman Dutse, said graduates of polytechnics are rated low in Nigeria and that this is affecting enrollment in the institutions.

Excerpts

PT: The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics just ended a seven-day warning strike. What was it all about?

Dutse:It is about outstanding issues we are having with the federal government, particularly the NEEDS assessment excercise that was conducted three years ago when a presidential committee was set up to assess the level of dilapidation and damages of infrastructure and equipment in our institutions. The assessment was conducted and the report was submitted, but up till now there is no white paper, no implementable plan on ground.

Secondly, the issue of review of the Polytechnic Act. The Act is obsolete and we believe there are areas that need to be amended. On several occasions, attempts were made by the sixth and seventh National Assembly. We hope the government will take it more seriously and make sure the Act is properly reviewed.

There is also the issue of poor funding in the sector in terms of capital projects and particularly personnel. From January last year up till now, our members have been receiving a fraction of their salaries. Some percentages have been cut arbitrarily with no reason and they call it shortfall. They cut our salaries and or withdraw our allowances because of these shortfalls.

Then another sorry state is some polytechnics in some states like Benue, Edo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Kogi, Abia, Bayelsa are not paid their full salaries for up to 15 months, the least is four months; even with the bailout given by the president and the refund of Paris Club debt deductions.

PT: You said some percentages of your salary is being cut from the Budget Office. Can you explain this?

Dutse: In January 2016, the Polytechnic sectordiscovered a shortfall, a reduction in personnel, though it was not uniform but according to institutions. But that led to a shortfall, a deficit of what we normally received. So some schools found it difficult to pay full salaries, hence they cut and reduced salaries. The government made a promise that they will refund every deficit and reductions on salaries as a result of the shortfalls but up on till now, we are still battling on that. We have about 10 states that have not received their full salaries for months.

PT: What is the current state of negotiation with the Federal Government and what are your expectations?

Dutse: The government has formed a committee for renegotiation already. That of the universities has been inaugurated, for the polytechnics and colleges of education they said it will follow up later because they have to constitute governing councils. Our hope is that when we go for renegotiation, all the issues affecting us would be trashed out. There are emerging issues to be visited, apart from the 2010 agreement which is yet to be implemented. We hope the Federal Government willbe committed and sincere and abide by the agreement reached during the negotiations.

PT: Some polytechnics like Kaduna Polytechnic have said they would not join the strike, does that mean there is a division in ASUP?

Dutse: No, its not division. You can only participate in what you are part of the decision making. Kaduna Poly is under punishment because of some violations of constitutional positions and that was why some actions were taken against them. There are issues to be addressed, same thing with Mubi Poly, their problem has to do with leadership issues, which will soon be addressed.

PT: ASUP said it is not happy with the state of polytechnics in the country. What are the major challenges polytechnics are facing in general?

Dutse: The major issue here is underfunding. If you look at the budgetary allocation for polytechnics, it is highly inadequate. If you will agree with me, technical and vocational education is highly capital intensive because we deal with machines, facilities and equipment that are used to transfer skills to our students. And when these things are not provided, there is possibility for us to produce quacks and half-baked students.

If youlook at TETFUND (Tertiary Education Trust Fund) and budgetary allocations, polytechnics receive the lowest. When you also look at the capital allocations in the budget, averagely we receive N30 to N50 million, what are you going to do with that, considering how the economy of the country is currently?

The Act establishing polytechnics is obsolete and needs to be reviewed. Administrative power is kicked one side, resulting to abuse of power in the sector. When this Act is reviewed, it will reduce abuse of power.

Another challengewe are having is how our products and the sector is being stigmatised. Our products are being looked at as second class and underrated in the society. They are being marginalised and that is the issue of segregation and dichotomy we have been talking about.

We have made several agitations for that to be addressed, but it seems some cabals that have some selfish interests are doing all their best to undermine this process. There is no basis to dichotomize our products. The society should be looking for what someone can offer and not where the person is coming from. The Nigerian system is more concerned about certificate and where one is from. Other sectors are placed higher than the polytechnics and that is now affecting the enrollment rate in polytechnics.

PT: You said there is a decrease in the rate of students seeking admission into polytechnics, do you have statistics?

Dutse: The enrollment rate is very poor. In the last four years, students that applied to polytechnics yearly are not more than 40,000. But for the universities, it is about 1.5 million yearly. Students who applied for universities but failed to be admitted will now come to the polytechnics as their final resort. From the survey we made, it still boils down to the same issue of dichotomy, which is one of the major issues that discourages people from entering polytechnics. But then again, the elites, they dont send their wards to polytechnics. They are the ones that are trampling the polytechnics. Students in the polytechnics averagely come from poor homes. They are children of the poor who cannot afford university education. They are sent to the polytechnics to get a diploma which is for a shorter period and that is why the enrollment rate is not appreciating; it is very stagnant and even deteriorating.

PT: So in other words, you think government is deliberately overlooking polytechnics?

Dutse: The government has made several attempts to review this issue of dichotomy. During Obasanjo, Goodluck regimes and even last year, attempts were made to address the issue of dichotomy. But like I said earlier, there are some cabals that have selfish interests who are in the habit of undermining these policies. They want to continue to suppress the system because they know if they give the products of polytechnics proper opportunity, they will excel more than other sectors. Most policy makers are not from the polytechnics so they dont want competition because they know polytechnic products have the right skills. Government should therefore have the political will to ensure that those policy makers frustrating these policies are checkmated.

PT: If proper decisions are not taken by the Federal Government, what is the next step?

Dutse: I cant preempt that because the decision is not solely by me. We have to go back to our National Executive Council because they are the ones that initiated the warning strike, so we have to go back to them and make a decision.

PT: How should government ensure proper use of products from the various sectors to ensure harmony?

Dutse: These issues have been discussed severally. We are lacking in political will and commitment to regulate the education sector. There is no adequate funding, let there be adequate funding because the education sector is capital intensive and the funding should be consistent. And again, government should show more interest in our own products. Let them encourage us. Programmes on self-employment, diversification and the rest should go to our products because they have a relevant role to play there. They are skill-oriented and government should show interest in them. We need a cohesive and inclusive system. We should look inwards. Government should also look at the money used to send students to study abroad, we should look at how to find a way to curtail that arrangement and use the money to provide what we are lacking in our institutions. Before, other countries come to Nigeria to study, but now we go to countries like Ghana, Uganda Kenya and the rest and it is uncalled for.

PT: Is there anything else you will like the general public to know?

Dutse: I will like to call on the general public to know that ASUP does not have any penchant for strike or going on strike. When you see us going on strike, it is because of failure of the government to respond to issues affecting the sector. We are calling on the citizens to also put pressure on the government and policy makers rather than calling on the union to look the other way. They should also ask government to do what they are supposed to do. We will like the citizens to know that polytechnic education is very vital. The development of every country in the world significantly depends on technical and vocational education. Citizens should have more confidence and encourage their wards to go to polytechnics.

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INTERVIEW: Stigmatisation, govt neglect destroying Nigerian Polytechnics ASUP President - Premium Times

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- Cardiac patients at CHI St. Vincent are taking advantage of a program that aims to help patients return to a productive lifestyle quicker.

Walking towards session number 31 seemed almost impossible for cardiac patient Tangela Harris-McClendon.

"I'm like oh my god are they serious? I can't do all this."

Harris-McClendon is lifting weights now, but tackles just about every machine in this room.

CHI St. Vincent's cardiac and pulmonary rehab program has changed Tangela's outlook not only physically, but mentally as well.

"Having all that major surgery, I did not want to end up back where I was at," Harris-McClendon said.

In September, she had surgery for mitral valve repair.

She says she was tired all the time and just didn't feel like herself.

"Like it felt like I wanted to faint, but it never happened. and I would feel like that sometime."

After surgery, doctors recommend cardiac patients like Tangela to go through cardiac rehab.

The rehab is a medically supervised program, that patients attend a few times a week. Harris-McClendon works with exercise physiologist Brian Frane, who helps cardiac patients get strong again.

"The majority of them can barely make one to two minutes walking. By the time we're done with the program, 20-30 minutes at a brisk walking pace," Frane said.

during her excercise nurses are monitering for any abnomalities in her heart rate or rhythms.

They also offer nutrition counseling, risk factor assessment and a modification plan along with educational classes related to coronary artery disease.

"It's your health," said Harris-McClendon. "It's best to come so you can get better."

Once patients graduate from the program most of them get a membership so they can keep up the work they started after surgery.

Harris-McClendon is expected to graduate soon.

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Program Helps Cardiac Patients to Bounce Back - KARK

Urban apathy in voting is seen in most big cities. Polling percentages rarely touch 60. So nearly half the electorate don't vote to determine who should run their city Voter inertia is mostly in urban areas. This is evi dent in polling percentages in most big cities in the country.

In the last Lok Sabha polls, India's 'tech-capital' Bengaluru recorded just 55% turnout, Mumbai recorded 53%, Hyderabad registered 53% and Delhi registered 65%.There are some exceptions such as Kolkata and Chennai where the voting percentage recorded in the last Lok Sabha elections and Assembly elections has been in the range of 65% to 70%.

Even states like Manipur and Jharkhand, plagued by militant attacks and Maoist problems, witness a robust voter turnout. The turnout in the assembly elections held this year in Punjab and Goa has been 75% and 83%, respectively.

For all the efforts that the state election commission and citizens' groups took this time to increase voter turnout for the civic election, the voting percentage remained a dismal 55.5 in Pune, up only 4.5 % since 2012. Pimpri Chinchwad was a bright spot though with a polling percentage of 67.

But compare Pune city's civic poll figures with that of the Pune Zilla Parishad elections. In 2012, 65% voters turned up to cast their ballots in the Zilla Parishad polls. This year, the figure touched 70%.

The apathy towards exercising one's franchise has been evident in the last five elections in Pune city, but there were expectations that with a slew of projects like metro and the new airport, and Smart City plans, citizens would come out in large numbers and cast their votes.

Since 1992, the voting percentage for the civic polls has been between 50 and 60% with the 2012 election registering the lowest (51%).

"We expected a much higher voter turnout in both Pune and in Mumbai. There is no excuse for not voting. If, as a voter, you are not happy with the candidate, you should exercise the NOTA option. Not coming out to vote is not the option,'' Indira Malkani of VCan said. She has been working with the state election commission to increase the voting percentage.

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By staying away, citizens don't excercise right to vote | Pune News ... - Times of India

2018 Census Will Be Biometric Based FG

Ankeli Emmanuel

The Sokoto State federal commissioner, National Population Commission, Barrister Muhammadu Aminu Jason has divulged that the 2018 census will be biometric based to avoid human errors.

Aminu insisted that, as a prelude the commission will today commence the third phase of Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) in Illela local government area of Sokoto State.

According to Aminu, the significance of the EAD exercise goes beyond the conduct of the 2018 census hence it will be used as an established national data for generating accurate locality list including house numbering for subsequent census.

He noted that the commission had previously demarcated 37 local government areas in all the 36 states of the federation including Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in the previous EAD excercise. The federal commissioner insisted that Nigerians have no reason whatsoever not to believe the outcome of the 2018 census, as according to him, they are deploying sophisticated technology in carrying out the EAD excercise.

Previous Article PMB Vows To Address Housing Deficit

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2018 Census Will Be Biometric Based FG - Leadership Newspapers

Trai has raised the following for consultation: Which tariff offers should qualify as promotional? What should be the features of a promotional offer? (Reuters)

In my recent column Just a matter of opinion (FE, February 7; http://goo.gl/05yy1k), I highlighted that Trais new order on RJios tariff plan lacks merit. Now, Trai has floated a consultation paper inviting views on the various aspects of tariff including the two important issues of promotional offer and predatory pricing which were highlighted in my column (I had raised questions that, in the absence of any clear definition of these terms, on what basis Trai has come to the conclusion with regard to the tariff plans of RJio and whether these are compliant with tariff regulations or not?) Im glad Trai thought it prudent to fix these issues even if it is with an intent of a cover-up.

Lets examine both issues again in the light of a recent consultation paper.

Promotional offers

Trai has raised the following for consultation: Which tariff offers should qualify as promotional? What should be the features of a promotional offer? Is there a need to restrict the number of promotional offers that can be launched by a TSP, in a calendar year one after another and/or concurrently?

It is surprising that Trai has woken up to these questions only after it gave a go-ahead to the consecutive promotional offers of RJio, which created a disruption in the market on one hand and has resulted in lower realisation of license fee by at least 20% as estimated by a research organisation. Clearly, this action of Trai has not allowed unfair practices to play in the market, but has allowed the exchequer to suffer seriously. How can an expert body take such a casual view of the matter and raise post facto questions to get answers after upholding that the consecutive promotional offer is valid?

The consultation paper goes on to acknowledge that the authority considered the implications of offering such concessions to customers and was of the view that too long a promotional period dilutes the promotional character of the tariff plan and, in fact, makes it a regular plan. It is bizarre that despite being aware of this issue, Trai went ahead and allowed promotional offer(s) to operate beyond 90 days.

While there could be some justification for approval of a welcome offer because it was a launch offer, what was the compulsion to approve the happy new year offer that was a consecutive plan. Rather than raising this issue now, this could have been easily raised at that time and an intervention order been issued on the plan. This appears to be a clear case of a cover-up to justify its past decisions.

Trai acknowledges that the authority issued a direction to all access service providers regarding transparency in tariff offers (September 1, 2008). In part-2 of the direction, it said that while publishing their promotional offers to the public, operators should specify:

*The eligibility criteria for such promotional offer; and *The opening and closing dates of such promotional offer (within the existing limit of 90 days).

When the issue is clear that an offer cannot be allowed to operate beyond 90 days, how come Trai allowed the welcome offer to run from September 3, 2016, till December 31, 2016a period of more than 90 days. Trai, in para 3 of its order, has mentioned that the happy new year offer was implemented from December 4, 2016, till March 3, 2017. On the other hand, the announcement was made by RJio to the media at large that the happy new year offer was valid up to March 31, 2017, and not up to March 3, 2017, which makes it a period of more than 90 days. It is important to clarify whether the offer was valid up to March 31, 2017, as stated by RJio or up to March 3, 2017, as stated by Trai. The same is the case for the welcome offer. It is astonishing how Trai acted in complete disregard of its own regulation.

Predatory pricing

Trai raised a question on predatory pricing asking what methods/processes should be applied by the regulator to assess predatory pricing by a service provider in the relevant market?

As a background to this subject, it only refers the following: While the term non-predation has not been specifically defined in the TTO, it finds reference in many documents issued by Trai from time to time, which indicates its usage in the context of its generally understood meaning of abuse of dominant position by an enterprise through predatory pricing. For instance, the explanatory memorandum to the TTO 23rd amendment (2002) states as follows: The authority will continue to monitor the tariffs both with respect to predatory tariffs as well as unduly high tariffs because operators with dominant market presence and operations in more than one service sector will always have the capacity to do so.

Similarly, in the consultation paper on tariff plans with lifetime validity issued in January 2006, Trai noted that predatory pricing generally refers to a situation where a dominant firm (with significant market power) charges prices over a sufficiently long period, so as to drive competitors out of market or deter new entrants, and then raises prices to recoup its losses.

Here again, Trai adopted the practice of half reveal and half conceal. It decided to conceal its own 30th amendment to TTO regulation that touched upon the matter of predatory tariff, and noted that to ensure the tariff plan(s) is/are consistent with the regulatory principles in all respects which, inter alia, include IUC compliance, non-discrimination and non-predation.

In the explanatory statement attached to the amendment, Trai also clarified that the IUC regime specified by the authority reflects the underlying costs of providing the service. Also, the IUC charges as specified will implicitly function as a floor to retail tariffs and thereby the scope for predatory pricing or cross-subsidisation is limited. The term floor under TTO means the lower limit of a tariff for a telecommunication service as specified by the authority from time to time, below which such tariffs may not be offered. This amendment laid down the principle that the underlying cost of providing the service should be considered as the criteria to ascertain whether a given tariff is predatory or not?

In view of the above, various questions arise. First, why has Trai chosen not to disclose in the current consultation paper the fact about 30th amendment in its consultation paper which is relevant to the subject? The honest answer would be because it never adhered to this regulatory principal while examining RJio offers.

Second, in the light if its own admission that there is no criteria for deciding predatory pricing, how did it arrive at the conclusion that RJio offerings are non-predatory? Here again, the honest answer would be that it did not adhere to its own defined principle but wanted to make the legal opinion an alibi. Trai rushed to the Attorney General, a rare exception to its previous practices, to seek his opinion whether the tariff offered by RJio is predatory? It did not require any legal opinion to be obtained to ascertain the legal meaning of the term predatory pricing when the criteria to ascertain this is given in the Trai regulation itself. Trai could have examined it simply by calculating the underlying cost of providing service, which could easily be done by Trai with the battery of experts available with them and close the issue backed with factual data.

This paper makes it clear that the current exercise is an attempt to cover up the recent decisions that were taken not in compliance of regulations, but either in complete disregard or are based merely on legal opinions.

The matter is pending in courts for adjudication and Trai is finding it hard to justify its position. I hope the courts will restore justice to the aggrieved operators which the regulator failed to do.

The author is founder & CEO, Tathya Consulting. Views are personal

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Reliance Jio impact: Trai consultation on tariff issues a cover-up excercise - Financial Express

Trying to tone up and get fit is always a challenge.

Many of us promise ourselves every Monday to start the diet and vigorous gym routine to no avail.

Sometimes, the pressure we put on ourselves to stay dedicated can leave us slightly disappointed when we don't achieve the results we set out to get, leaving us beating ourselves up needlessly.

One way many of us decide to lose a few pounds is by using an exerciseDVD as it's cheap and you can work away from the comfort of your own home - the dream.

Antonella The Uncensored Reviewer did just that and the results are simply hilarious.

Reviewing Charlotte Crosby's 3 minute Belly Blitz, Antonella told followers of her predicament in being absolutely 'knackered' after the workout.

Her honest account and slightly er, coloured language will surely have you CRY laughing.

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This woman's excercise review will make you wheeze laughing - Her.ie

Photo: / Michael P. Mayko

Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto administers the oath of office to Adam Pacheco as a new Housing Authority commissioner on Jan. 4, 2017

Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto administers the oath of office to Adam Pacheco as a new Housing Authority commissioner on Jan. 4, 2017

HUD clears the way for Pacheco to serve on Derby Housing Authority

DERBY-The ;U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development cleared the way for Adam Pacheco, a city landlord, to serve on the Housing Authority despite having a tenant who receives Section 8 subsidies.

Pachecos January appointment came on the heels of Mayor Anita Dugattos decision not to re-appoint Joseph Romano to the Housing Authority. Romano is the father of J.R. Romano, the state Republican Party chairman.

Many city Republicans including J.R. Romano accused the mayor of playing politics. Both the elder Romano and Stan Muzyk, a Housing Authority member, pointed out that Pachecos appointment could be in violation of HUD regulations.

Pacheco owns a four-family home at 91-93 Caroline Street which he resides in. One of his tenants, who resided there prior to Pacheco purchasing the property, receives HUD subsidies.

As a result Dugatto contacted HUD and requested a waiver of the conflict of interest clause for Pacheco.

In a letter dated Feb. 8, 2017, Jennifer R. Gottlieb Elazhari, HUDs program center coordinator, wrote: Form the facts as stated, we find good cause to grant the waiver of the conflict of interest as the issue is isolated to one family and the Commissioner does not have extensive rental property in the town of Derby.

Furthermore, in the State of Connecticut landlords are required not to discriminate against Housing Choice Voucher participants and so any rental property owner can be faced with this situation, she continued. Although Mr. Pacheco is a DHA board commissioner, it does not appeart that in his role he would excercise functions or responsibilities with respect to the programs at DHA.

However, Elazhari warned Pacheco against becoming involved in other DHA issues relates to this tenant.

Muzyk said he is "happy to learn that Mr. Pacheco received the waiver necessary to be in conformance as a HUD landlord who receives HUD rental income as he is already a valuable contributor as commissioner at DHA.

However Muzyk believes Dugatto should have obtained the waiver before appointing Pacheco.

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HUD clears the way for Pacheco to serve on Derby Housing ... - Westport News

Fremont Health and the University of Nebraska Extension are partnering in a community-wide health program called Eating Smart and Moving More. This nutrition education series will focus on the fundamentals of eating healthy meals on a budget and the importance of physical activity.

Each weeks lesson will be taught by a Registered Dietitian and will focus on a different topic to help you to Eat Smart and Move More.

Lessons include: Plan: Know Whats for Dinner; Shop: Get the Best for Less; Shop for Value, Check the Facts; MyPlate; Choosing to Move More Throughout the Day; and Smart-size Your Portions and Right-size You

Shopping lessons will also include a grocery store tour led by a registered dietitian.

The Eating Smart and Moving More program is open to everyone and free of charge. It is offered as a six-week series that starts Feb. 23 and meets from noon to 1 p.m., and a three-week evening series scheduled to start April 6, meeting from 6-8 p.m. Classes are held at the Dodge County Extension Office located at 1206 W. 23rd St. in Fremont.

To register, call Beth Nacke RD, Dodge County Extension, at 402-727-2775, Ext. 23, or Rachael Nielsen, APRN, Fremont Health Internal Medicine, at 402-727-5200.

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Program to focus on nutrition, excercise - Fremont Tribune

Photo: / Michael P. Mayko

Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto administers the oath of office to Adam Pacheco as a new Housing Authority commissioner on Jan. 4, 2017

Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto administers the oath of office to Adam Pacheco as a new Housing Authority commissioner on Jan. 4, 2017

HUD clears the way for Pacheco to serve on Derby Housing Authority

DERBY-The ;U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development cleared the way for Adam Pacheco, a city landlord, to serve on the Housing Authority despite having a tenant who receives Section 8 subsidies.

Pachecos January appointment came on the heels of Mayor Anita Dugattos decision not to re-appoint Joseph Romano to the Housing Authority. Romano is the father of J.R. Romano, the state Republican Party chairman.

Many city Republicans including J.R. Romano accused the mayor of playing politics. Both the elder Romano and Stan Muzyk, a Housing Authority member, pointed out that Pachecos appointment could be in violation of HUD regulations.

Pacheco owns a four-family home at 91-93 Caroline Street which he resides in. One of his tenants, who resided there prior to Pacheco purchasing the property, receives HUD subsidies.

As a result Dugatto contacted HUD and requested a waiver of the conflict of interest clause for Pacheco.

In a letter dated Feb. 8, 2017, Jennifer R. Gottlieb Elazhari, HUDs program center coordinator, wrote: Form the facts as stated, we find good cause to grant the waiver of the conflict of interest as the issue is isolated to one family and the Commissioner does not have extensive rental property in the town of Derby.

Furthermore, in the State of Connecticut landlords are required not to discriminate against Housing Choice Voucher participants and so any rental property owner can be faced with this situation, she continued. Although Mr. Pacheco is a DHA board commissioner, it does not appeart that in his role he would excercise functions or responsibilities with respect to the programs at DHA.

However, Elazhari warned Pacheco against becoming involved in other DHA issues relates to this tenant.

Muzyk said he is "happy to learn that Mr. Pacheco received the waiver necessary to be in conformance as a HUD landlord who receives HUD rental income as he is already a valuable contributor as commissioner at DHA.

However Muzyk believes Dugatto should have obtained the waiver before appointing Pacheco.

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HUD clears the way for Pacheco to serve on Derby Housing Authority - CT Post

Summary: He did not indulge in a chat with the media persons who had assembled at the mess where a lunch and media interaction session, as the invite read, was being hosted by the Delhi Police. In the run up to the media interaction, there were verbal assurances from senior officers that the excercise meant the same and only the nomenclature had changed. Speculations put to restThis also put an end to speculations over whether the annual press conference, a trend followed for several years, will be held or not. Intially it was expected that after the change of guard, the press conference would be rescheduled. The supposed media interaction with Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik was anything but an interactive session as the recently appointed police chief hardly allocated any time for the journalists, save for the occasional exchange of plesantries.

The supposed media interaction with Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik was anything but an interactive session as the recently appointed police chief hardly allocated any time for the journalists, save for the occasional exchange of plesantries. In what was a strong indication of him staying away from the media and continuing the policy of his predecessor and current Central Bureau of Investigation Director Alok Verma, Mr. Patnaik, arrived and left soon after the session. He did not indulge in a chat with the media persons who had assembled at the mess where a lunch and media interaction session, as the invite read, was being hosted by the Delhi Police. Speculations put to rest This also put an end to speculations over whether the annual press conference, a trend followed for several years, will be held or not.

The annual press conference, which provided journalists across the city a chance to put forward their questions to the numero uno of Delhi Police, would not be held this year, said police officers. Past commissioners also made presentations on crime statistics while it would merely be the distribution of the annual report this year. Intially it was expected that after the change of guard, the press conference would be rescheduled. In the run up to the media interaction, there were verbal assurances from senior officers that the excercise meant the same and only the nomenclature had changed. The seven minutes that the journalists got to spend with the New Commissioner of Police on the day he took over was significantly more than the time allotted to them at Monday's event. Speaking to journalists later, some senior police officers reasoned that since Mr.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/An-interaction-that-wasn%E2%80%99t/article17298891.ece

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An interaction that wasn't - NYOOOZ