Poll panel says no to code dilution

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 23

With requests pouring in from the state government for allowing transfers, promotions and tenders, the Election Commission has made it amply clear that there should be no dilution of the model code of conduct till December 20, bringing the namesake government to a complete halt.

The government functioning has virtually come to a standstill with the prolonged duration of the election code of conduct which came into force on October 12 and will end on December 20. Interestingly, during this period, the use of official vehicles by ministers and Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS) too is barred, except within the state capital and that too from home to office and back. Requests by ministers for an official vehicle to ferry them to Shimla from their native places have been turned down by the General Administration (GAD).

On November 21, a directive was received from the ECI that there should be no dilution whatsoever in the code of conduct till it gets over on December 20. A total of 369 requests have been sent to the Election Commission by the state government, mainly concerning promotions, postings, tenders and notices for various works. The commission has so far granted approval in 48 of the 94 requests sent earlier while 46 are pending.

It has given its consent for some urgent works like tenders for the supply of pulses meant for public distribution under the subsidised ration scheme. Similarly, some works pertaining to the Electricity and Public Works Departments, which involve public use, have been given the go-ahead.

It was some days back that the Election Commission had directed the state government to constitute a screening committee headed by the Chief Secretary and Secretary (General Administration and Personnel) as its members to look into all such requests. They had been told to look into the merit of the case in consultation with the Secretary before forwarding the request for approval to the commission. As per data culled from the Election Department, 275 requests are pending before the screening committee.

With the code in place, the state secretariat wears a deserted look with hardly any minister barring Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes attending office off and on. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh too has been coming to office though there is no official work and meetings, except meeting visitors whose number too has reduced to a trickle. It is mostly political persons, mostly MLAs and former legislators and those who contested the elections who are seen meeting the Chief Minister and discussing poll prospects.

The offices of ministers have been locked by GAD so as to prevent their misuse by the staff and are opened only if a minister arrives.

Ministers barred from using officials vehicles 

• The government functioning has virtually come to a standstill with the prolonged duration of the election code of conduct which came into force on October 12 and will end on December 20. 
• During this period, the use of official vehicles by ministers and Chief Parliamentary Secretaries  too is barred
• The General Administration has turned down requests by ministers for an official vehicle to ferry them to Shimla from their native places