The Hindu : Other States / Haryana News : Congress complains to EC against Chautala: `Painting State green'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 23, 2004

Other States

Other States - Haryana

Congress complains to EC against Chautala: `Painting State green'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, DEC.22. The working president of the Haryana unit of the Congress, Randeep Singh Surjewala, has lodged a formal complaint against the Chautala regime with the Election Commission of India alleging that the entire State has been painted "green'' the colour of flag of the ruling Indian National Lok Dal led by the Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala, in total violation of the Election Commission directives that all hoardings, wall writings and publicity material be taken off during the period of election campaign.

In a press note issued here today, Mr.Surjewala alleged that hoardings, wall writings, publicity material worth Rs. 300 crores had been put up by the INLD Government at State expense or at the expense of Boards and Corporations of Haryana, particularly at bus stands, railway stations, civil courts, Panchayats and SDM offices, mini Secretariats and important entry points of villages and cities.

Although the Model Code of Conduct came into force on December 17,the Chautala Government had not taken any steps to remove such hoardings till date, he alleged.

Mr.Surjewala has also charged that the INLD Government "sanctioned nearly 300 crores in back date over the last 72 hours for execution of development works announced or inaugurated by the Chief Minister in the run up to the elections.

While alleging that a high-pitch recruitments racket was going on in Haryana these days, he charged that after the announcement of Assembly polls at 4.00 p.m. on December 17, Mr.Chautala convened a special meeting of the State Cabinet at 9.30 p.m. at his official residence here. A number of Secretaries of various departments were present and Secretaries of the Haryana Public Service Commission and the Haryana Staff Selection Commission were also unofficially called. Mr.Chautala directed that the recruitment process should be continued as it did not come within the Model Code of Conduct.

Mr.Surjewala has also alleged that on December 19, the Rajya Sabha MP, Ajay Chautala, distributed nearly 200 appointment letters of JBT teachers, at the PWD Rest House in Narwana to INLD supporters. "This is a clear case of bribery to lure the voters,'' he added. He has urged the Election Commission to immediately check and stop "these patent illegalities and malicious violations of the Model Code of Conduct.'' It should also stay the process of recruitments being undertaken by the HPSC and HSSC and direct the State Government to desist from releasing any grants or amounts for execution of any development projects. It should also order direct registration of a criminal case of bribery against Mr.Ajay Chautala.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

News Update

Stories in this Section

Congress complains to EC against Chautala: `Painting State green'