Political Career for Indian Youth-General Elections-Model Code of Conduct-FAQ8

Political Career for Indian Youth-General Elections-Model Code of Conduct-FAQ8

Whether Governor/Chief Minister/Ministers can participate and address the Convocation function of University or Institute?

Ans. Governor may participate and address the Convocation. Chief Minister or Ministers may be advised not to participate and address the Convocation.

Whether “Iftar Party” or any other similar party can be hosted at the residence of political functionaries, the expenses of which will be borne by State exchequer?

Ans. No. However any individual is free by to host any such party in his personal capacity and at his personal expense.

Is there any restriction on address of Governor in the Assembly Session (budget)?

Ans. No. ON WELFARE SCHEMES, GOVERNMENT WORKS ETC.

Is there any restriction on issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer regarding achievements with a view to furthering the prospects of the party in power?

Ans. Yes. The advertisement regarding achievements of the party at the cost of public exchequer in the print and electronic media and the misuse of official mass media during the period of election is prohibited.

Whether hoardings/advertisements etc. depicting the achievements of the party(s) in power at Centre/State Governments at the cost of public exchequer can becontinued?

Ans. No. All such hoardings, advertisements etc. on display shall be removed forthwith by the concerned authorities. Further, no advertisements should be issued in the newspapers and other media including electronic media at the cost of public exchequer.

Whether a Minister or any other authority can sanction grants/ payments out of discretionary funds?

Ans. No. Ministers and other authorities shall not sanction grants/payments out of discretionary funds from the time elections are announced.

Whether money can be withdrawn from treasury against the sanctioned amount from the discretionary funds of Ministers to prepare draft in the names of beneficiaries which may be disbursed after process of election is completed?

Ans. The funds may either be kept in “Personal Ledger Account” of the concerned Department or the release may be deferred till the completion of elections.

Suppose work order has been issued in respect of a scheme or a programme. Can it be started after announcement of election programme?

Ans. Work shall not be started in respect of which work order has been issued before announcement of election but the work has actually not started in the field. If a work has actually started in the field that can be continued.

Whether fresh release of funds under MPs/MLAs/MLCs Local Area Development Fund of any scheme can be made?

Ans. No. Fresh release of funds under MPs/MLAs/MLCs Local Area Development Fund of any scheme shall not be made in any area where election is in progress, till the completion of the election process.

There are various rural development programmes/ schemes of Central government like Indira Awas Yojana, Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana, Swaranjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana, National Food for Work programme, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Are there any guidelines for implementation of these schemes/programmes?

Ans. Yes. Following guidelines shall be followed in respect of each scheme/programme as enumerated below:-

(a) Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) Beneficiaries, who have been sanctioned housing scheme under IAY and have started work, will be assisted as per norms. No new constructions will be taken up or fresh beneficiaries sanctioned assistance till the elections are over.

(b) ) Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) Continuing works in progress may be continued and funds earmarked for such works can be released. In case of any Panchayat where all ongoing works have been completed and there is a requirement for taking up new wage employment works and where funds released directly to the Panchayats from the Ministry of Rural Development are available, new works can be started from approved annual action plan for the current year with the prior consent of the District Election Officer. From other funds, no new works shall be started.

(c ) Swaranjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) Only those help groups which have received part of their subsidy/grant will be provided the balance installments. No fresh individual beneficiaries or SHGs will be given financial assistance till the elections are over.

(d ) National Food for Work Programme(NFWP) There is no objection for continuance of old works and sanction of new works in those districts where no elections have been announced. In those districts where elections have been announced and are in progress, only those works may be undertaken that have already started physically on ground, provided outstanding advance given for implementation of such works at a given time shall not exceed the amount equivalent to work for 45 days.

(e) National Employment Rural Guarantee Act (NERGA) The Ministry of Rural Development shall not increase the number of districts in which it is being implemented after announcement of elections. The job card holders will be provided employment in the ongoing work, if they demand work, after announcement of elections. In case no employment can be provided in ongoing works, the competent authority may start new work(s) from the shelf of projects that has been approved and inform the fact to concerned District Election Officer (DEO). No new work shall be started by the competent authority till such time employment can be given in ongoing works. In case no shelf of project is available or all works available on shelf have been exhausted, then the concerned competent authority shall make a reference to the Commission for approval through the concerned DEO. The competent authority shall also furnish a certificate to DEO to the effect that the new work has been sanctioned as no employment can be given to the job card holder in the ongoing work.