Filling up of vacancies in Agriculture department
SHILLONG: A day after doubts were raised on attempts by the Government to appease voters by way of effecting appointments in the Agriculture department, State Chief Electoral Officer P Naik has said that the appointments do not violate the election model code of conduct.
Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, Naik said that the Election department had advised the Agriculture department to issue the appointment letters only after the completion of the election process after which the department has kept the appointment in abeyance.
Naik also informed that the Agriculture department has clarified before the Election department that the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) had conducted the interviews for recruitment to 49 posts under the Meghalaya Agricultural Services on February 17-21 and had declared the results of the interview on February 28, before the model code of conduct came into force.
Naik said that the department will now conduct all pre-appointment formalities such as police verification and medical fitness reports after completion of the election process on the advice of the Election department.
CEO awaits report on
hiring of chopper by CM
Meanwhile, Naik on Wednesday said that he was awaiting a report from the Returning Officer of Tura Parliamentary constituency on the use of the helicopter service by the Chief Minister.
Naik, however, reiterated that the model code of conduct does not permit use of Government-owned helicopter services for election campaigns. Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma had reportedly booked the Pawan Hans Daupin N3 helicopter operated by Meghalaya Transport Corporation for election campaign for seven days from March 25 to April 1.
Naik further informed that the Chief Minister’s Secretariat has withdrawn the requisition use of the helicopter services.