PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA ELECTIONS TO BE CONDUCTED IN A FAIR & TRANSPARENT MANNER: DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER

Ludhiana, January 4, 2017: Deputy Commissioner cum District Election Officer Mr Ravi Bhagat today assured that the upcoming Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections would be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. He said that there would be zero tolerance for drugs, use of money power and other such illicit activities. Mr Bhagat said this while addressing a meeting of all government officials at Suvidha Kendra, here today. This was the first official meeting of heads of all government departments after the announcement of Model Code of Conduct in view of the state assembly elections.
While addressing the meeting, the District Election Officer directed all the heads of government departments that they would ensure that there is no violation of Model Code of Conduct in the district. While issuing necessary directions, Mr Ravi Bhagat directed that there should be zero tolerance for drugs, use of money and other such illicit activities in Ludhiana district. He also directed the police officials to ensure that there should be no law and order problem in the district.
Mr Bhagat said that no government advertisement would be issued in any newspaper or electronic media without the permission of District Election Office, photographs of all political persons should be immediately removed from all government vehicles, ambulances, bicycles, government stationary and other items, no financial assistance/grant should be issued under MP/MLA LAD scheme, no person should be issued a new Blue Card, new ration card or new pension. Besides, no person should be allotted new power connection/new transformer, neither should be there any announcement regarding the same.
The District Election Officer further directed that no new development work should be started, no new foundation stone should be laid, besides there should be no inauguration of any development work. He said that no person should be allowed to deface the government building/property and that zero tolerance should be adopted regarding this. He said that all department heads would ensure that there should be no posters or flags on their government building/property. He stated that for trees, it would be the responsibility of forest department, for electricity poles of Powercom and for poles in urban areas, it would be the responsibility of Municipal Corporation/council. All other government departments would also ensure compliance of the Model Code of Conduct in similar manner.
Mr Ravi Bhagat stated that all government departments would ensure that there would be no distribution of sports kits and bicycles under government schemes and would maintain proper record of the stock lying with them and would inform in writing to the District Election Office Ludhiana regarding the same. He said that all department heads would ensure that there is no participation by any political person in any of the official work. He also directed the heads of all government and semi government departments (boards/corporations/agencies/cooperatives etc) to ensure that no newly recruited/selected/transferred person should be allowed to join and that there would be a complete ban on transfers in all departments.
Mr Ravi Bhagat stated that if any head of department wants to have any clarification regarding this, he should contact him personally at the earliest. He also directed the officials to make sure the Model Code of Conduct is enforced strictly, without any violation. He warned the officials that if any of them or their department is found violating the Model Code of Conduct, then the sole responsibility would be theirs.
Today’s meeting was attended by all heads of departments of all government departments of Ludhiana district.