Thursday, January 6 2005 14:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Acting on the directives of the Election Commission, the Railways has imposed penalty of Rs 28,000 on Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav's RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) for defacing public property at its premises in Patna and Hajipur by putting up posters, banners and hoardings for the December 23 rally, which was later called off.

The notice sent to Bihar RJD president Abdul Bari Siddiqui has asked him to deposit the penalty at East Central Railway (ECR) zonal office by January 13, ECR chief public relations officer A K Chandra said in Patna today (Jan 6, 2005).

While a fine of Rs 15,000 has been earmarked as charges for removing the posters, banners and hoardings and cleaning the walls of Patna junction railway station, the rest Rs 13,000 is earmarked for Hajipur station, he said.

Similar notices have been sent to LJP (Lok Janashakti Party) and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) State headquarters asking the two parties to pay penalty of Rs 2000 each for defacement of railway properties at the two railway stations during their rallies in Patna in November and December.

Election Commission had directed Railways and other concerned agencies to realise fines from the RJD, LJP and BJP following the report of its advisor KJ Rao.

Rao during his Bihar visit on December 20 had found a large number of posters, banners and hoardings put up by supporters of the three parties at Railway premises at Patna and Hajipur.