Other States - Gujarat   

Question mark on octroi abolition in Gujarat

GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat State Election Commission has banned leave of absence, transfers and promotions for all officials and employees of the State government, local-self government bodies, panchayats and state-owned boards and corporations with immediate effect.

In case of any exigency, the departments concerned will have to seek the prior approval of Collectors at the district levels and the Election Commission at the State level.

No new appointment or promotion will be allowed without the prior permission of the Chief Election Commissioner of India.

A government project announced earlier but not started cannot be implemented until after the elections were over. This instruction has put a question mark on the government’s decision to abolish octroi in seven municipal corporation areas from November 15.

Though the Cabinet approved the policy decision about a month ago, before the election code came into force, its implementation can now be left only to the new government.

The Ministers and the government officials had been prohibited from announcing any new schemes for public utility services or make fresh financial allocations from the government’s discretionary funds with a view to influencing the voters. The order, however, did not cover relief to the people in case of a natural calamity or welfare measures for the old and disabled. Similarly, the State or the Central government Minister would be allowed to function in their official capacity to oversee arrangements in case of any breakdown of law and order machinery or hit by a natural calamity. Otherwise, the Ministers would not be allowed to visit any election constituencies in the name of official works.

No advertisements in the print or electronic media could be released at the government cost benefiting the ruling party. The ban would also apply to all boards and corporations and any other organisations where the State government had any financial stakes. Any loan granted by the government to any public sector bodies or officials in such bodies could be withdrawn till the code of conduct was in force.

No political placards and posters would be allowed in public places, and even in the private premises, such materials could be used only with the expressed and voluntary written permission from the owner of the premises. If the local rules were against any such display, such posters could not be put up even in private places despite permission of the owners.

The order also does not permit the use of government vehicles and premises for any electioneering.

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Question mark on octroi abolition in Gujarat

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