The Election Commission of India has relaxed the Model Code of Conduct to facilitate effective implementation of relief works in 151 drought-affected villages in Maharashtra in view of public interest.
Responding to a letter written by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis after the completion of the four-phased Lok Sabha polls on April 30, the ECI — in a letter written to the State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) — said that it had no objection to the state government undertaking drought relief works in the affected areas “in view of public interest involved”
The ECA — in its letter to the CEO — stated that the staffers involved in the counting would not accompany the ministers on any tour during the period. In its April 30 letter, Fadnavis had urged the Chief Election Commissioner to relax the Model Code of Conduct as the elections for all 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state were over on April 29.
“Maharashtra is reeling from severe drought and heatwave. The code of conduct, which was enforced during elections, should be relaxed. The elections for all 48 Lok Sabha seats have been concluded in the four phases,” Fadnavis had said in his letter. Fadnavis said the State Government needed to take a re-look at drought relief measures and expedite projects.
The CM said the Gover-nment needed to fast-track projects such as digging of wells, repairs in water supply projects, repairs of water canals for distribution of water from dams and other reservoirs to villages.
On its part, the state government has declared drought in 151 talukas out of a total of 355 villages in the state “The Centre has allocated Rs 4,714 crore drought-relief funds to Maharashtra,” Fadnavis said.
Fadnavis pointed out that the state government was in need of convening a cabinet meeting to review and monitor the situation.
The CM said the ECI should consider granting permission for all the projects and allow ministers to tour drought-hit talukas.
Agreeing to the state government’s request for relaxation of model code of conduct to undertake drought-relief measures, ECI’s Secretart A N Das said: “ I am directed... to state that as polling in entire state of Maharashtra is over on 29/04/2019, Commission has no objection to the proposals in view of the public interest involved. Further, the Commission has directed that staff involved, in counting shall not accompany minister)s) on any tour during this period”.