Break in the sop opera: poll code of conduct in force

The Maharashtra Election Commission on Wednesday enforced the 'code of conduct' at 4.30 pm, effectively placing several key political decisions made by the Democratic Front (DF) government in recent weeks under risk of falling foul of violating the code, since the government resolution (GR) in many instances is yet to be issued.

The state assembly elections are slated for October 13.

State's chief election commissioner UPS Madan told mediapersons that once the code of conduct comes in force (as of 4.30 pm today) any GR that is still to be issued would have to be routed to his office for prior approval.

Chief secretary AK Mago, when asked about the status of various GRs on issues ranging from providing free power to agriculturists (pump set owners) in the state, to interest waiver on crop loans to all farmers besides several other cabinet decisions taken in the last four weeks said he did not possess the copies of the issued GRs.

Even principal energy secretary BP Pandey when asked about the GR on the free power to agriculturists said that the GR was issued on August 17, pending sanction from the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC).

On Monday, the MERC issued orders sanctioning free power to farmers, stipulating that the state would first have to deposit with the state power utility the amount equal to the loss that MSEB would suffer in the beginning of every quarter of its billing cycle.

This stipulation would necessitate a fresh GR being issued by the state which has not been done before the election code of conduct came into place, according to a senior official, who preferred anonymity.

Meanwhile, the state government has convened a meeting of the cabinet on Wednesday, apparently for routine administrative decisions.

However, according to well placed sources, the meeting has on its agenda a proposal to increase the Contingent Fund (CF) limit so that the anticipated Rs 100 crore expenditure for holding assembly elections on October 13 may be met. No budgetary provision for the elections has been made, the source added.

He further said that increasing the CF limit would also entail the promulgation of an ordinance by Maharashtra governor Mohammad Fazal, who has on numerous occasions taken issues with the state administration.