Thursday, March 2 2006 16:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Cracking the whip, the Election Commission today (Mar 02 2006) directed the Centre and the poll-bound States not to release fresh funds under the MPLAD and MLAs/MLCs Local Area Development Fund till the completion of the poll process.

Observing that the Model Code of Conduct has already come into force, the EC said in a communication to the Cabinet Secretary and Chief Secretaries of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Pondicherry that no fresh release of funds under the MPLAD should be made in any part of the country where the poll process was in progress.

No work shall start in respect of which work orders have been issued. The works could start only after the completion of election process, it said adding if a work has actually started that could continue.

There shall be no bar to the release of payments for completed work, subject to the full satisfaction of the concerned officials, the communication said.

In an another communication, the Commission directed the Centre and the state governments to impress upon Ministers and other authorities not to announce any financial grants or make promises, lay foundation stones of projects and make ad hoc appointments in government and public sector undertakings.

Total ban on transfer of officials

The EC also imposed a total ban on transfer of officials connected with the conduct of polls. This would cover among others CEOs and Additional, Joint, Deputy CEOs, Divisional Commissioners, DEOs, ROs, Police officials in the range of IGs and DIGs, SSP and SPs and others.

The communication said that the transfer orders issued prior to the date of announcement of poll schedule but not implemented till date should not be given effect to without obtaining specific permission from the Commission.

The ban shall be effective till the completion of the election, it said directing that the state governments should refrain from making transfers of senior officers who have a role in the management of election in the state.

In those cases where transfer of an official was necessary on account of administrative exigencies, the state government may approach the EC for prior clearance.