Karnataka - Others   

Code violation by Davangere police?

By Our Staff Correspondent

DAVANGERE, FEB. 3. With the announcement of the dates of the gram panchayat elections, the Election Commission of India had sent a circular to the district administration, which said that the model code of conduct had come into force from January 29. The code of conduct prohibits announcement of new projects, laying of foundation stones for new projects, and also taking up work on new projects and programmes.

However, the Davangere police laid the foundation stone for the Hadadi police station on Wednesday. The Superintendent of Police, Alok Kumar, laid the foundation stone.

Lokeshappa, a farmer of Hadadi donated the land for the police station, which will be constructed by Karnataka Police Griha Nirmana Mandali at the cost of Rs. 12 lakhs.

According to senior officials at the Deputy Commissioner's office, who wanted to remain anonymous, the function was a gross violation of the code of conduct. Laying of foundation stones for any new projects in the city will not amount to violation but in rural areas, it amounts to gross violation of code of conduct, sources said.

However, Mr. Kumar defended himself by saying that no elected member was invited to the function and therefore, the question of violation of code of conduct did not arise.

He told The Hindu here on Thursday that the project was sanctioned four months ago and the Karnataka Police Griha Nirmana Mandali invited him to perform the puja. It was not a programme of organised by the district police.

The Deputy Commissioner, M.S. Ravishankar, said that the zilla and taluk panchayat meetings could be held and the code of conduct had not barred these meetings. However, no new schemes, programmes, or projects will be announced at the meetings, he said.

Mr. Ravishankar, who is also the District Election Officer, in an official press release, said that the district administration had withdrawn the vehicles given to the presidents and vice-presidents of the taluk and zilla panchayats. He instructed officials concerned not to invite elected persons to drought relief works and scarcity works. He also mentioned that there was no restriction to promote any employee in any department, but it is prohibited to absorb anyone on temporary basis.

The Election Commission has restricted the contestants from using any party symbols or pictures of political leaders for the election campaigns, he added.

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

Karnataka

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

Code violation by Davangere police?
Padayatra to save Sharavathy concludes
Rs. 7 crores sought to tackle drinking water crisis
Villagers protest for more water for crops
Mysore Paper Mill signs wage agreement

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu