Municipal authorities issuing backdate cheques

Municipal authorities issuing backdate cheques

LUDHIANA, March 10: The Ludhiana District Congress Committee today alleged “blatant violation” of the election code of conduct by the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation authorities for distributing cheques for various development works in the back date.

In a complaint to the Election Commission of India, copies of which were circulated among the newspapers also, the president of the legal cell of the district unit, Dharamjit Singh Khera alleged, in order to hoodwink the Election Commission of India guidelines the municipal authorities were issuing the cheques in the back date.

He alleged, since the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bhartiya Janata Party alliance government in the state had nothing to its credit to show to the people, it had now resorted to the fire fighting measures by launching various development activities. IN this mad race it had thrown all rules and norms to the winds. So much so the money was being released in the backdate.

Khera said, “while the elections were announced on March 2, 2009 the municipal authorities have been issuing payment cheques in the back date, till now, to hoodwink the Election Commission of India guidelines” and blatant violation of the rules and regulations.

The DCC appealed to the ECI to take strict action against the officials. The complaint said, “it is submitted that strict action may be taken against the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation authorities and they may be prevented from such activities as their actions are aimed at influencing the poll outcome in favour of the ruling alliance”. (eom)

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COPY OF THE LETTER
The Chief Election Commissioner of India,
New Delhi.

Subject Violation of Election Code of Conduct by the officials of the Ludhiana
Municipal Corporation.

Sir,
This is to bring to your kind notice that the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation authorities
at the behest of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharitya Janata Party alliance government in Punjab have been indulging in blatant violation of the election code of conduct.

The Municipal authorities are distributing the cheques for various development and construction works among the people in clear violations of the guidelines issued by you.

While the elections were announced on March 2, 2009 the municipal authorities have been issuing payment cheques in the back date, till now, to hoodwink the Election Commission of India guidelines.

It is submitted that strict action may be taken against the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation authorities and they may be prevented from such activities as their actions are aimed at influencing the poll outcome in favour of the ruling alliance.


Yours sincerely,


Dharamjit Singh Khera
President Legal Cell
District Congress Committee,
Ludhiana.

Dated: March 10, 2009