File Photo Viral on Social Media
New Delhi, April 2, 2019 : Expressing displeasure over the ‘lackadaisical’ approach towards the implementation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC), Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday came down heavily on Air India and Indian Railways for violation of MCC and asked them to take action against erring officers.
The Commission also asked them to submit reports on the action that have been directed to take up.
In a letter to Civil Aviation Secretary PS Kharola, the poll body expressed its “serious displeasure over the non-compliance of the EC's lawful instructions and lackadaisical approach towards enforcing the MCC”.
The Commission has directed that its displeasure be conveyed to the CMD Air India for the lapse of the organisation.
"The Commission has further directed that action taken against the officer incharge be reported to the Commission within a week", the Commission said in the letter.
The poll body has taken cognizance of Air India issuing boarding passed with photos of Prime Minister Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, which had created controversy.
Viral on Social Media
The Commission wrote two letters to the Railways on separate incidents of violation of MCC.
The poll body in the first letter, addressed to Secretary, Ministry of Railways and Chairman and Managing Director of IRCTC, said “it has come to the notice of the Commission that tea cups were provided to the passengers in the train of the Indian Railway by the NGO, namely ‘Sankalp"’, which contained the political slogan of the Bharatiya Janata Party and such matter is closely related to violation of the Model Code of Conduct".
The Commission further said that it has taken cognisance of the incident, and directed railways to look into the matter, and submit reports by 1100 hrs on April 4, so that the Commission can take action
- Controversy erupted after a passenger tweeted photo of the teacup, in which Railways served tea, with the slogan ew, which the BJP is using for its campaign in the Lok Sabha polls.
After the issue went viral, the Railways has asked the catering department to withdraw the cup and penalised the contractor.
In a second letter to the Railway board chairman, the Commission criticised the railways for not complying with the poll body’s directions and issuing tickets with Mr Modi’s image.
The commission has also decided that disciplinary action be taken against the officer in-charge and a report be submitted to the Election Commission within a week. (Agency )