The Hindu : Front Page : Bus fare cut: EC orders action against officials

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Bus fare cut: EC orders action against officials

J. Balaji

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has directed Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K.S.Sripathi to “take appropriate action” against officials responsible for reducing bus fare in State Transport Undertakings, ostensibly to woo voters, violating the model code of conduct.

Giving this information to journalists here on Monday, Deputy Election Commissioner R.Balakrishnan said the State government had been asked to restore “status quo ante” on the bus fare.

A compliance report should be filed by 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

This was conveyed to Mr.Sripathi during his meeting with the full Commission — Chief Election Commissioner Navin B.Chawla and Election Commissioners S.Y.Quraishi and V.S.Sampath — which heard him when he appeared before it here on Sunday.

The Commission decided to take up other matters, including alleged bribing of voters by supporters of M.K.Azhagiri (DMK), a charge made by the CPI (M), when they visit Chennai on Tuesday.

Mr.Balakrishnan refused to comment on Mr.Sripathi’s reported statement given to some Tamil TV channels here on Sunday that the Election Commission could not summon him.

The Commission took up the fare issue suo motu based on media reports as it related to alleged code violation by the State government. On Friday, it had sought Mr.Sripathi’s comment. It was not satisfied with the explanation given and summoned him to Delhi.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page