SHILLONG: Chief Electoral Officer Prashant Naik on Thursday said that the Election Commission of India has relaxed the model code of conduct as far as execution of developmental projects are concerned.
The statement of the CEO assumes significance in view of the fact that prolonged model code of conduct has hit the contractors hard as they are not able to get the money even for the works they had completed long back.
Naik said that the Bills of the contractors could be cleared since the issue is connected with the state’s developmental activities.
It may be mentioned that the Finance Department has banned disbursement of funds for the works which had already been completed citing model code of conduct besides though several bills which were cleared by various departments namely PWD works and buildings, the money meant for the contractors is still stuck with treasury especially in West Garo Hills
The model code of conduct came into effect on March 5 when the Election Commission announced the date of polls.
Though the election was held in Meghalaya on April 9, the model code will continue till May 12 which is the last day of polls.