Huge funds being released in violation of MCC: Harsh

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 28: Chairman, National Panthers Party (NPP), Harshdev Singh has alleged that huge releases of funds are being made by the State Planning Department for developmental schemes in the political bastions and constituencies of Cong-NC Ministers and members in utter violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
In a written complaint to Election Commission of India (ECI), Harsh said hundreds of crores of rupees are being released on day to day basis after March 5, 2014, the date of imposition of MCC, by the State Planning Department for several developmental projects for promotion of electoral prospects of ruling alliance candidates, which is the most glaring instance of abhorrence and contempt shown by the Planning Department for the MCC and various ECI guidelines governing the conduct of elections in the State.
Harsh further pointed out in his complaint with the ECI with copies to J&K Chief Electoral officer that prior to the release of funds the ruling ministers and its other leaders pay a visit to the concerned areas and make announcements for execution of certain identified works, which are followed by releases of funds by the State Planning Department.
The NPP chairman further said that the State Planning Minister had been categorically making statements that funds shall be released for those areas only which show higher turnover in the election rallies of coalition candidates. He said that the Planning Minister had actually translated his announcements into reality.
He claimed that the veracity of his complaint could be easily verified by the ECI by seizing the entire record of Planning Department.
He urged the ECI to take cognizance of the blatant transgressions of the MCC and election laws by the Planning Department register FIR against all those involved in the process besides initiation of appropriated proceedings under the election laws.