EC directs Alagiri to pay up for code violation

The Election Commission directed DMK leader K Karunanidhis son and Union Fertilizer Minister M K Alagiri to pay up for violating the model code of conduct.

The Election Commission on Saturday directed DMK leader K Karunanidhis son and Union Fertilizer Minister M K Alagiri to pay up for violating the model code of conduct.

Alagiri,who was issued a notice for violation of model code of conduct for clubbing his official visit to his home state on March 2 with political work without prior intimation to the Commission,has been asked to re-imburse the entire cost of his travel to the government. The Commission termed it lenient action.

The Commission has taken into consideration the submission made by him that as a first time MP,he was not aware of all the nitty-gritty of the procedure and his submission that such lapses would not happen in future,and has decided to take a lenient view in the matter, the Commission said on Saturday. It directed that expenditure incurred on any government facilities like airfare from Delhi to Chennai and back,road transport,boarding and lodging etc. availed by Alagiri during his visits to Chennai and Madurai,shall be reimbursed by him to the government.

The poll panel also Bhola Nath as the new DGP for Tamil Nadu for the conduct of the assembly elections.

In addition,it made a bureaucratic reshuffle by replacing collectors of four districts Madurai,Vellore,Theni and Erode and made changes in appointments of IPS officers.