‘Poll code can not be an excuse’
SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P Naik on Tuesday said the election model code of conduct could not be used as an excuse for not releasing money for works done.
Arguing that there was a negative perception about the model code of conduct which was in force in the State in the wake of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls in the country, he said that blaming the poll code for not releasing money was only an excuse.
According to Naik, going by the past records, even government funds kept in civil deposit were never released immediately but disbursed only in the months of May or June. “The model code of conduct has nothing to do with the delay in releasing money for works done provided that sanction had already been made,” Naik said.
The statement came from CEO in view of the reports that due to the model code of conduct being in force for a prolonged period, payments even for the works done were withheld by various departments, including Central funds.
He also made it clear that no work would start even if work orders had been issued before the model code of conduct had come into effect, if the work had not actually started on ground. “These works can start only after the completion of election process. However if a work has actually started, that can continue,” he clarified.
He also said that the Election Commission did not refuse approval for schemes undertaken for tackling emergencies or unforeseen calamities. But in these matters, prior approval of the EC should be taken and all ostentatious functions should be strictly avoided. No impression should be allowed to be created that such welfare measures were being undertaken by the government in office so as to influence the electors.
On the implementation of Central schemes under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), Naik said that the Commission had made it clear that the Ministry of Rural Development would not increase the number of districts in which NREGA was being implemented after the announcement of elections in any state or Union Territory.
