CHANDIGARH : The Election Commission on Saturday directed the Punjab Government to remove Director-General of Police S.S.Virk from all election- related duties and appointed R.S. Gill from a panel of three names sent to it by the State.

The Commission expressed dissatisfaction over the Government's response to a complaint by the Shiromani Akali Dal, seeking Mr. Virk's removal following allegations of concessions given to a family business venture of his brother.

After filing his nomination in Patiala, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh described Mr. Virk as one of the ``finest and honest officers who suffered bullet injuries while defending the integrity of the country." No undue concession was granted to the company owned by Mr. Virk's brother, who proposed to set up a convention centre and a multiplex on 14 acres owned by the family.

Shiromani Akali Dal president Parkash Singh Badal hailed the Commission's decision and urged that Mr. Virk be sacked and prosecuted. He said Mr. Virk's presence in the sensitive post was a serious threat to fair polls.

Mr. Badal said the clearances and concessions were approved by the Empowered Committee on Mega Projects headed by Capt. Singh on November 19, 2006, barely 10 days before the model code of conduct came into force.

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