Mukul violated poll code, matter referred to EC: Election Dept
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma may find himself in a spot of bother as prima facie his use of a Pawan Hans Helicopter for election campaigning is a clear-cut case of violation of the model code of conduct.
Indicating this here on Friday, the Election Department sources said that there was no scope for de-hiring in the contract between Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited and the Meghalaya Government.
The State Chief Electoral Officer P Naik told reporters on Friday that the entire matter had been referred to the Election Commission of India and he was awaiting response from the ECI.
Earlier, the Tura district administration in its report had stated that the helicopter used by Dr Sangma for campaigning in Garo Hills had been hired by the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) after it had received a no objection certificate for de-hiring from its regular client – Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC).
However, as per the agreement between Pawan Hans chopper service and Meghalaya Government, choppers cannot be de-hired by any group or political party since it has been deployed for public transport by the Meghalaya government.
It may be mentioned that the Chief Minister had used the Pawan Hans chopper service from March 25 to 30 for travelling to several areas of the Garo Hills region after the Congress paid Rs 50 lakh to the helicopter company.