The Hindu : Code violations: EC fiat to Chhattisgarh Govt.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 30, 2003

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Code violations: EC fiat to Chhattisgarh Govt.

By J. Venkatesan

New Delhi Oct. 29. Taking a serious view of complaints that school bags embossed with photographs of the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Ajit Jogi, were being distributed, the Election Commission has directed the State Chief Secretary to relieve the District Collectors and District Election Officers of election work with immediate effect.

In a letter to the Chief Secretary on Tuesday, the Commission said it had received complaints regarding violation of the Model Code of Conduct in Jashpur and Bastar districts — distribution of Ajit Jogi school bags was continuing; some spectacles under a government programme were distributed by the wife of the Chief Minister at official functions organised in Jashpur and Bastar and the District Collector of Jashpur travelled with Mr. Jogi on a private helicopter requisitioned for election work by the Chief Minister.

The letter said explanations were called for from these officials regarding the violations and after considering them, the Commission found their conduct unbecoming of civil servants who exercised statutory powers as District Election Officers and Returning Officers during the election period.

Hence the Commission wanted the Chief Secretary to relieve these officials of election work and give them postings that did not entail any election-related responsibilities.

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