The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked West Bengal Finance Secretary C.M. Bachhawat to certify that he would not pass the work order of any government file signed without his knowledge from the time the model code of conduct came into effect, State's Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta said here on Tuesday.
The Commission's move comes after a complaint lodged by some employees of the State Secretariat which alleged that Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta continued signing files till late on March 1 — hours after the ECI had announced the dates of the Assembly elections.
Mr. Sunil Gupta, however, said the Commission was yet to ascertain whether Mr. Dasgupta had violated the code of conduct or not.
“According to the order sent to Mr. Bachhawat, he has been asked to certify to the Commission that he will not give the work order on any file signed [without] his knowledge from the very moment the model code of conduct came into effect,” he said.
Pointing out that the ECI was dealing with such complaints strictly, Mr. Sunil Gupta said any government functionary found violating the model code of conduct would be asked to show cause within 24 hours.
The Opposition had demanded stringent action against Mr. Dasgupta for allegedly violating the code of conduct.
The ECI had sought a report on the matter from the Chief Secretary and the latest order sent by the Commission was in response to the report sent by the State government.
