EC cracks whip on Akali-BJP govt - Tells it to stop distribution of six-month ration quota in advance under the Atta-Dal scheme
Tuesday, 25/03/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140325/punjab.htm#1
Chandigarh : The Election Commission today issued directions to the Punjab Government to immediately stop distribution the six-month advance distribution of foodgrain among eligible Blue Card beneficiaries of the Atta-Dal scheme. The commission has directed that only the ration of the current month entitlement could be distributed through the routine mechanism of fair price shops.
An official spokesperson cautioned that no food supply inspector or political functionary should be allowed to distribute the foodgrain.
The Punjab poll authorities, meanwhile, have been awaiting a reply from the Election Commission on the issue of an Akali Dal function organised on the occasion of Hola Mohalla festival in Anandpur Sahib.
The Additional Chief Electoral Officer said, “Our report has clarified that no political rally was held on the occasion. We have also seen the CDs and found nothing political.”
Replying to reasons for a massive public gathering despite “no rally orders”, he said Hola Mohalla was a religious and annual fair.
Punjab, as per Election Commission orders, will have 18 expenditure and as many general observers, besides three for police. The five expenditure-sensitive constituencies, Bathinda, Amritsar, Patiala, Ferozepur and Gurdaspur, could be revised in view of the changed profile of candidates of different parties.
The commission said almost all the 22,000 poling booths in the state needed to be equipped with either micro-observers or web-casting cameras or video cameras or still cameras.
