Village head dismissed for violation of MCC in Rajouri

11 FIRs registered in J&K so far

Jammu: A village head was on Tuesday dismissed from service for violating Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by participating in a political rally in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
Rajouri is part of Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency which is going to polls on May 25.
District collector Rajouri Om Prakash Bhagat ordered the dismissal of LamberdarSagote village, Joginder Singh on the recommendation of Assistant Returning Officer for the constituency, the officials said.
They said a complaint was received in the office of district nodal officer for MCC and additional district magistrate Rajeev Kumar Khajuria, alleging that Singh had joined a political party during an election rally at village Dhangri recently.
The assistant returning officer confirmed the complaint and recommended Singh’s dismissal from the post of Lamberdar by invoking relevant sections of J&K Lamberdari Rule, the officials said.
They said the conduct of Singh during the rally violated the provisions of J&K Government Employees (Conduct) rules, instructions of ministry of home affairs and the guidelines of election commission.
Meanwhile, election authorities have registered 11 FIRs in connection with poll-related violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Electoral Officer J&K, Pandurang K Pole said they have received 234 complaints of violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) since March 16.
“We have registered 11 FIRs after taking cognisance of these complaints. We have also issued notice in 80 complaints and enquiry has been initiated in 29 complaints,” J&K CEO Pole said.
The Election officials said that highest MCC violations have been reported in Srinagar district. “In Srinagar district there have been 46 MCC complaints followed by Jammu with 34,” they said.
The Election authorities said out of the total complaints 15 have been forwarded to district grievance cells. Election officials in Srinagar said 36 MCC violations have been received through official mail out of which 21 were against government employees, others and 15 were against candidates or parties.
“Enquiry is underway in case of Government employees and four Government employees have been suspended for participating in political activities,” they said, adding “notices have been served to parties, candidates, workers on MCC violations.”
The Election authorities said state and central agencies have seized cash, liquor, drugs and freebies over over Rs 40 crores at 10 places during the election period. Out of the five Lok Sabha constituencies in J&K, polls have been held in three seats Jammu, Udhampur and Srinagar.
On Monday, the Srinagar Lok Sabha recorded voter turnout of 38, the highest since 1996. The other two Lok Sabha seats – Baramulla and Anantnag-Rajouri ? will vote in the next two rounds scheduled on May 20 and 25.