Thursday, September 8 2005 10:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: The Election Commission has asked the Bihar Government to maintain status quo in respect of appointments made to various statutory commissions and other bodies by the Governor allegedly in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

''The EC has asked us to maintain status quo with respect to appointments to various commissions and other bodies effected by Governor Buta Singh on Saturday. This order would not affect those who have already joined, but those who have not joined their assignments would not do so until the commission gives a go-ahead,'' Chief Secretary G S Kang told sources today (Sept 8, 2005).

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had strongly opposed these appointments made on September three, the day the Election Commission announced the schedule for the polls, saying it was done in blatant violation of the model code.

A delegation of the NDA had met the Election Commission on Tuesday to register its protest following which a two-member EC team led by its special adviser K J Rao had visited the state capital for an inquiry.

Chief Election Commissioner B B Tandon, who is currently on a two-day visit to Bihar to assess poll preparedness had yesterday (Sept 7, 2005) told reporters that appropriate action would be taken after going through the report.

The Governor had appointed three members of the Bihar Public Service Commission and as many to the State Backward Classes Commission, vice-chairman of State Minorities Commission and eight of its members and executive chairman, two vice-chairmen and 16 members of the 15-point programme implementation committee.