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Journalism of Courage
It seems to be raining schoolbags in Chhattisgarh, despite the EC ban on their procurement and distribution. Today, BJP workers claimed to have seized another truckload of bags with Chief Minister Ajit Jogi’s image on them.
Two truckloads of schoolbags were intercepted in Damtari and Durg districts last week while this third one was seized in Bhilai this morning. The bags, the orders for which were placed to a Mumbai-based firm last month, were on way to Sarguja district. The BJP workers raided the truck parked at Bhilai this morning and recovered 15,000-odd bags packed in 240 packets.
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EC seeks collectors’ removal for placating CM
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NEW DELHI: The Election Commission today decided to seek the removal of the collectors of Jashpur and Bastar in Chhattisgarh for violating the model code of conduct. Sources in the EC said the two collectors had acted against the model code on a number of occasions. Apart from distributing school-bags with Chief Minister Ajit Jogi’s photograph embossed on them, the collector of Jashpur travelled with the CM in a helicopter to an election meeting. The EC had earlier written to the chief election officer, Chhattisgarh, asking him to ban distribution of Jogi-schoolbags. However, the sources said that several complaints were received by the EC that the collector was violating it’s directives. The Bastar collector erred on two counts. He not only facilitated distribution of schoolbags, sources said that he organised a programme for the chief minister’s wife where she distributed free bi-focal spectacles to the aged. The EC had earlier written to the chief election officer seeking explanation on these complaints. Not satisfied with the response, the EC asked for their removal on Tuesday. (ENS) |
Sources said the state’s tribal development department had placed an order for schoolbags worth Rs 5 crore in September and the contractor was given two months to fulfil the demand. This points at the government’s plan to distribute bags much before elections are actually over.
Upset with the Chief Electoral officer (CEO) K.K. Chakravarti for inaction against the government despite repeated complaints, the BJP has threatened direct action. ‘‘We are shocked. What is the CEO doing ?’’ asked BJP general secretary Chander Shekhar Shau.
Chakravarti, while confirming that two new complaints about transportation of schoolbags have been received, said: ‘‘If it’s found that bags were procured even after EC orders, it will amount to violation of the model code.’’
PTI reports Durg Senior Superintendent of Police Ashok Juneja as confirming the incident and adding that they have sought EC’s direction as to what to do with the seized bags.
Not just schoolbags, the government now has been accused of lending 1,000 hoardings to the Congress after EC had asked for their removal.
