Mayor submits reply to EC notice

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 15

Mayor Balwant Rai Nath has submitted his reply to the notice sent to him by the Election Commission over violation of the poll code of conduct.

As the model code of conduct is in force till March 18, Mayor Balwant Rai Nath was seen inspecting the development projects in the city in his official Innova car (PB 03 S 0018) with an amber coloured beacon atop and flag at the front of his vehicle.

Sources said in his reply Balwant Rai Nath has stated that a water pipe got damaged on the GT Road near Rajindra College yesterday, due to which the traffic was highly affected.

After getting information, he reached the spot in a vehicle of his acquaintance to take stock of the situation, he added.

Meanwhile, the driver with his official vehicle reached there without removing the beacon on the top, perhaps he was not aware as he was new, he said.

The affect of the notice was seen today at the Municipal Corporation office where the beacon and flag on the Mayor’s vehicle were covered.

SDM-cum-Bathinda (Urban) Returning Officer Sakshi Sawhney said, “We have issued notice to Mayor Balwant Rai Nath over the violation of the poll code of conduct by using a beacon and flag on his car. We had asked him to explain and he has also submitted his reply.”

Last month, even Ludhiana Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria had also flouted the model code of conduct as he reached Bathinda in his official Innova car (PB 10 AP 0002) to attend a private function.

He had also brought along a pilot Gypsy from Ludhiana. Even the name plate of the mayor and the flag were not removed from the car.

A notice was also issued to him by the Election Commission.