CMO Bandipora penalised for attending election meet, principal KothiBagh school shifted for ‘derailing election process’

Srinagar, March  31:

In an unprecedented action, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended or attached 20 employees in J&K for allegedly campaigning for political parties and other model code of conduct (MCC) violations.

The district election officers have acted against the government employees after announcement of the schedule for LokSabha polls on March 10.

A report prepared by the chief electoral officer J&K this evening said that six employees have been suspended for violating the MCC.

Those suspended include chief medical officer and block medical officer of Bandipora who had attended a workers meeting of National Conference.

The authorities today placed the principal of girls higher secondary school KothiBagh Srinagar under suspension for “derailing election process.”

Four teachers were also placed under suspension in Bandipora district for allegedly campaigning for political parties.

The report states that 107 complaints relating to MCC violations have been received by the district election officers and the CEO.

While 50 complaints have been disposed of, reports of 57 are awaited, the document states.

Revealing category-wise details of the complaints, the report states that 42 are relating to violation of transfer policy, 49 pertain to violation of MCC provisions like tenders and approvals, and 16 are about campaigning by government employees.

Of these 107 complaints, 21 are political and 86 non-political.

The report also states that Rs 16.48 lakh cash has also been seized in the state post imposition of the MCC.

Chief electoral officer Shailendra Kumar said there would be no leniency with government employees found involved in electioneering.

“Action would be taken against the employees if they indulge in electioneering or create hurdles in election related processes,” he said.

The CEO also appealed to political parties and government employees to follow the MCC in letter and spirit.

The MCC prohibits employees from indulging in any mode of canvassing for political parties.

As already reported by Greater Kashmir, DC Kathua was last week shifted on the directions of Election Commission of India. He was shunted out after various quarters raised questions over modification of his transfer order.