In a major development that may harm the ruling SAD-BJP combine, the Election Commission of India on Monday issued directions to Punjab Government to “immediately stop” distribution of six months ration of foodgrains in advance to eligible blue card holders.
The Commission has issued directions that food grain ration only of current month entitlement can be distributed to the beneficiaries only through normal mechanism of fair price shops, so that beneficiaries can buy their entitlement of food grain at any time they wish.
Besides, the Commission has also cautioned that no food supply inspector or political functionary should be allowed for the distribution of food grains.
The directions assumes significance as the Congress, in a complaint by Patiala MP Preneet Kaur, had alleged that foodgrains were being distributed to blue card holders six months in advance to lure voters, that too through their leaders, or halqa in-charges.
COMPlAINTS AGAINST COPS, CEO SEEKS HOME SECRETARY REMARKS
Punjab Chief Electoral Officer VK Singh has asked the State Principal Secretary (Home) to send his remarks regarding complaints against senior police officers. The directions are issued as the earlier reports sent by the ADGP (Election Cell) were not found satisfactory by Election Commission of India.
“The Commission had received complaints
against ludhiana Police Commissioner, Bathinda IG (Intelligence), and SSPs of Ferozepur, Mansa and Bathinda regarding code violations, on which the CEO has asked the Principal Secretary Home to get these enquired,” said Additional Chief Electoral Officer Raminder Singh.
He said that the reports received through ADGP (Election Cell) were found not satisfactory as the complainants were not involved in enquiries.
18 EXPENDITURE, 18 GENERAl, THREE POlICE OBSERVERS SENT TO pUNJAB FOR lS POllS
Additional CEO said that 18 expenditure and 18 general besides three police observers were being sent to Punjab by the ECI for lok Sabha polls, 2014. “Five expenditure sensitive constituencies namely Bathinda, Amritsar, Patiala, Ferozepur and Gurdaspur would have one each additional expenditure and general observer. Sensitive constituencies may be changed according to changing poll atmosphere,” he added.
NO VOTER SHOUlD WAlK MORE THAN 2 KM TO CAST his/her ballot
ECI has categorically directed that no voter should have to walk more than two kms to cast his/her vote and if required, the district electoral officer should change the polling booth as per the need. “Each polling booth either be monitored by a micro observer, web casting, videography or still photography,” he added.
SINGlE WINDOW SYSTEM FOR PERMISSIONS
To facilitate the candidates for seeking different permissions, the Election Commission has asked all deputy commissioners to ensure facilitation centre at every tehsil, district and constituency level to provide permission within 36 hours in a single window system.