Narendra Modi to take oath as PM on May 30

Narendra Modi will take oath for a second consecutive term as Prime Minister on May 30 at 7 pm in Rashtrapati Bhavan, along with members of the Union Council of Ministers.

President Ram Nath Kovind will administer the oath and secrecy of the Prime Minister and other members of the Union Council of Ministers, a statement issued by the President’s Office mentioned.

“The President will administer the Oath of Office and Secrecy to the Prime Minister and other members of Union Council of Ministers on 30.05.2019 at 07.00 p.m. at Rashtrapati Bhavan,” the press statement read.

Riding on muscular nationalism and a strident anti-Congress plank spearheaded by Modi, the BJP on May 23 got an overwhelming majority in the Lok Sabha, crossing on its own the 300 seat mark while storming back to power for the second consecutive term.

The BJP, which had won 282 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, managed to increase its tally and notched up 303 seats in the 2019 elections.

This will be the first time when a non-Congress party has managed to secure a majority on its own for the second consecutive term after Indira Gandhi had won in 1971. Earlier, Jawaharlal Nehru had performed that feat.

ANI

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F. No. 11 059/01 /2019-AIS-III
Ministry of Personnel, PG and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi-110001
Dated, the 26th April 2019

To,
The Chief Secretaries of States / UTs

Subject: Relaxation and extension of timelines for recording of PAR for the year 2018-19 electronically in respect of AIS officers on account of their engagement on duty in connection with the ongoing General Elections – reg.

I am directed to refer to the subject noted above and state that due to ongoing General Elections to the Lok Sabha, a large number of AIS officers are engaged on duty for conduct of the said elections. It is understood there would be practical difficulties in recording of PAR online as per the target dates prescribed under AIS (PAR) Rules, 2007, through SPARROW platform, for officers engaged for election duty.

Accordingly, the matter has been examined in this Department and it has been decided with the approval of competent authority to relax Rule 4A(1) of AIS (PAR) Rules, 2007, as a one-time measure to the extent that the target dates prescribed for online generation, filing up of self-appraisal, reporting , reviewing and acceptance of PAR for the year 2018-19 through SPARROW portal for all levels of AIS officers be modified as per Annexure herewith.

Further, instructions for cases where the reporting I reviewing I accepting authority demits office or retires before the due date as amended herewith shall be issued separately.

Encl: as stated .

(Jyotsna Gupta)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Annexure
[ Reference F No. 11059/01/2019-AIS-III dated 26th April,2019 ]

Revised timelines for recording PAR at all stages for all level of AIS officers ( for the year 2018-19 )

Activity

• Submission of Self Appraisal to the Reporting officer by the 30th June officer reported upon
• Appraisal by reporting authority 31st July
• Appraisal by reviewing authority 31st August
• Appraisal by accepting authority 30th September
• Disclosure to the officer reported upon 30th September
• Comments of the officer reported upon, if any, on disclosure of 15th October PAR
• Forwarding of comments of the officer reported upon to the reviewing and the reporting authority by the accepting authority, in case the officer reported upon makes comments 31st October
• Comments of reporting authority 15th November
• Comments of reviewing authority 30th November
• Comments of accepting authority/PAR to be finalized and disclosed to him 15th December
• Representation to the Referral Board by the officer reported upon 31st December
• Forwarding of representation to the Referral Board along with the comments of reporting authority / reviewing authority and accepting authority 31st January
• Finalization by Referral Board if the officer reported upon represents against the decision of the Accepting Authority 28th February
• Disclosure to the officer reported upon 15th March
• End of entire PAR Process 31st March

Source: DoPT

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ELECTION MATTER/MOST URGENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER, DELHI

F. No.: CEO/B&A/109(48)/200828435-89

Dated: 02.04.2019

ORDER

With the concurrence of the Finance Department, GNCTD, to the rates approved by the Election Commission of India, vide U.O. No. DSF-V /296 dated 25-03-2019 and DSF-V/343 dated 29-03-2019, the rates of remuneration to be paid to the staff deployed on Election Duty for the General Election to LokSabha-2019 are as under :-

The above mentioned rates are equally applicable to police personnel actually deployed on polling booths/counting centres.

The above rates are payable to the staff for attending class, collecting polling material as well as attending duty on the polling day/counting day.

The letter of the Commission communicated vide this office letter No. F.CEO/Admn/104(2)/2013/Cir/16980-94 dated 20-03-2014 inter-alia direct that keeping in view the long hours of duty, the day next to the day of polling is also to be treated as period on Election duty. Accordingly, polling staff shall be paid for maximum 4 days for training collecting polling materials ete. And 2 days for polling day, subject to the condition that such number of training are actually attended and record.

Reserve staff shall be paid 4 days for training and only 1 day for polling day.

Reception duty staff may be paid remuneration for 2 days i.e. 1 day for training and 1 day for attending the duty on reception counter on polling day.

Voter assistance booth staff may be paid remuneration equal to Polling officers i.e. Rs.250/-per day for 2 days i.e. 1 day for training and 1 day for attending the duty on polling day.

Counting duty staff (including statistical staff) may be paid remuneration for 2 days i.e. 1 day for training and 1 day for attending the duty on counting day.

MTS / Class-IV /Volunteers deployed for assisting voters with disabilities will be paid remuneration @ Rs. 150/-per day for 2 days i.e. one day for training and 1 day for attending the duty on polling day.

If same Micro-Observer is deployed for polling day as well as on counting day, it will be treated as separate duty and remuneration will be paid accordingly.

The staff deployed on polling stations/counting centers may be provide with packed lunch and/or light refreshment @ Rs. 150/- per head per day. In case of difficulty in respect of providing packed lunch, a cash payment @ Rs. 150/-per head may be paid to poll/counting staff. Further, police Personnel deployed on election work on poll/counting day including mobile parties/Home Guards/Forest Guards/Gram Rakshak Dal/NCC Sr. Cadets/Ex-army/Central Police Force may be provide with packed lunch/refreshment or payment in lieu thereof as is being given to Polling/Counting Personnels. No refreshment charge should be paid to the reserve parties for polling day as they can be spared immediately, if they are not needed on that day.

All the Assistant Expenditure Observes and Executive Magistrates (Team In-chage) of Flying Squad Deployed are to be reimbursed Rs.500/- (Rupees Five Hundred only) as a fixed amount on account of Mobile Recharge for whole election process.

The above rates may be strictly adhered to and all personnel on election duty be well apprised of these rates during training etc.

All the DEOs/Ros are requested to ensure that the officers/staff deployed on Election Duty for the General Election to Lok Sabha-2019 are paid accordingly and following conditions are to be followed.

a) All codal formalities be observed.
b) All ECI and FDs guidelines be followed.
c) No duplicate payment is to be made
d) The responsibility rests with the CEO Office and DEOs concerned with regard to payment of each paisa in the right perspective.

The actual expenditure booked on this account may be intimated to Audit Officer, CEO (HQ) as the same is to be conveyed to Finance Department, as per the approval.

(SATENDRA KUMAR)
ELECTION OFFICER (ADMN.)

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F.No. 12/3/2016-JCA-2
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
Establishment (JCA-2) Section

North Block, New Delhi
Dated April 10 2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with General Elections to Lok Sabha 2019 and General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha & Sikkim and Bye- elections to fill the clear vacancies in Assembly Constituencies of various States – Grant of Paid Holiday – regarding

The undersigned is directed to say that in connection with the General Elections to the Lok Sabha 2019 and General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha & Sikkim and Bye- elections to fill the clear vacancies in Assembly Constituencies of various States scheduled to be held in 2019, the following guidelines, already issued by DOPT vide OM No.12/14/99-JCA dated 10th October, 2001, have to be followed for closing of the Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments in the States:-

• The relevant offices / organizations shall remain closed on the day of poll in the notified areas where general elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be conducted.
• In connection with bye-election to State Assembly, only such of the employees who are bona-fide voters in the relevant constituency should be granted special casual leave on the day of polling. Special Casual leave may also be granted to an employee who is ordinarily a resident of constituency and registered as a voter but employed in any Central Government Organization / Industrial Establishment located outside the Constituency having a general / bye-election.

2. The above instructions may be brought to the notice of all concerned.

(Juglal Singh)
Deputy Secretary (JCA)

Download Order

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By Speed post/camp bag

ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
NIRVACHAN SADAN, ASHOKA ROAD, NEW DELHI-110001.

No.78/ 2019/EPS

Dated: 22nd March, 2019

To

1. The Chief Secretaries of
   All States and Union Territories.
2. The Chief Electoral Officers of
   All States and Union Territories
3. The Secretary to the Govt. of India, M/o Personnel Public Grivances & Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, North Block, New Delhi.

Sub: General Elections to Lok Sabha, 2019 and General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha & Sikkim and Bye-elections to fill the clear vacancies in Assembly Constituencies of various States-Grant of Paid Holiday-regarding

Sir/Madam,

I am directed to invite your attention to Section 135 B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 which provides for the grant of paid holiday to the employees on the day of poll. The Section 135B is reproduced below:-

“135B. Grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll

(i) Every person employed in any business trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment and entitled to vote at election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of a State shall, on the day of poll, be granted a holiday.

(ii) No deduction or abatement of the wages of any such person shall be made on account of a holiday having been granted in accordance with sub-section (1) and if such person is employed on the basis that he would not ordinarily receive wages for such a day, he shall nonetheless be paid for such day the wages he would have drawn had not a holiday been granted to him on that day.

(iii) If an employer contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), then such employer shall be punishable with fine, which may extend to five hundred rupees.

(iv) This section shall not apply to any elector whose absence may cause danger or substantial loss in respect of the employment in which he is engaged.”

The above provisions require that all establishments and shops including those which work on shift basis shall be closed on the day of poll in the Constituency where a General/bye-election is to be held. However, there may be cases where a person is ordinarily resident of the Constituency and registered as an elector, may be serving/employed in an industrial undertaking or an establishment located outside the constituency having a general/bye-election. It is clarified that in such a situation, even those electors including casual workers working outside the constituency concerned would be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday extended under Section 135B(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The daily wage/causal workers are also entitled for a holiday and wages on poll day as provided in Section 135B of the R.P. Act, 1951:

The Commission desires that suitable instructions should be issued to all
concerned for the phase-wise election schedules, as mentioned in the Commission’s Notifications under endorsement to the Commission for information and record.

The receipt of this letter may please be acknowledged.

Yours faithfully,
(SANJEEV KUMAR PRASAD)

UNDER SECRETARY

Source: Confederation

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In account of General Elections for 17th Lok Sabha to be held on 11th April 2019 in Telangana, the state government of Telangana has declared a public holiday for all government offices and schools.

The State Government authorize all the Collectors and District Election Officers in the State to declare local holiday on the day before the day of Poll i.e. on 10.04.2019 (Wednesday) and on the day of Poll i.e., on 11.4.2019 (Thursday).

Similar all the Collectors and District Election Officers are authrorized to declare a local holiday on the day fixed for counting i.e., on 23.05.2019 (Thursday), if necessary.

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General Holiday in Andhra Pradesh on 11.04.2019 in view of General Elections to Lok Sabha

Declaration of General Holiday in Andhra Pradesh on 11.04.2019 (Thursday) in view of “General Elections to Lok Sabha – High Court Orders

HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

ABSTRACT

High Court of Andhra Pradesh – HOLIDAY – Declaration of General Holiday on 11.04.2019 (Thursday) to the High Court, the Registry, the offices which are under the control of the High Court of Andhra pradesh and Subordinate Courts in the State of Andhra pradesh, in view of the General Elections to Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Assembly, 2019 and the Saturday, the 28th September, 2019 (which was declared as holiday on the eve of Bathukamma starting day) as Court Working Day to the High Court – NOTIFIED

ROC.NO.124/SO/2019

DATED: O8.04.2019

NOTIFICATION NO.6/SO/2019

Read: High Court’s Notification No.44/SO/2018, dt. 06.12.2018 issued by the Common High Court.

In partial modification of the High Court’s Notification read above, the High Court of Andhra Pradesh, hereby declares Thursday 11th April, 2Ol9 as General Holiday in view of “General Elections to Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Assembly 2019”, to the High Court of Andhra pradesh, and A.P. State Legal Services Authority, and office of the Secretary, High Court Legal Services Committee, which are under the administrative control of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh and also to all the Subordinate Courts in the State of Andhra Pradesh; and the Saturday, the 28th September, 2019 (which was declared as holiday on the eve of Bathukamma starting day) as Court Working Day to the High Court of Andhra Pradesh.

sd/-
Registrar General

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ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
NirvachanSadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi – 110001

No.437/6/1/ECI/INST/FUNCT/MCC/2019

Dated: 16th March, 2019

To

President/Chairperson/General Secretary of all Recognized National/State political parties.

Subject:- Inclusion of period of release of manifesto in the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) – regarding.

Sir/Madam,

I am directed to refer to the Commission’s letters of even number dated 22.01.2019 and 09,02.20L9, whereby a proposal to fix a timeline, by way of an outer time limit for the release of manifesto by the Political Parties in an election was forwarded to all recognized National and State Political Parties with a request to offer their comments on the same. Having considered the suggestions/comments received from the political parties, the Commission has fixed a timeline for the release of manifesto by the political parties which has now been included as para-no. 4 under Part-VIII [Guidelines on Election ManifestosJ in the Model Code of Conduct, as under:-

“4. Prohibitory period of Release of Manifesto during elections(s)

i. In case of single phase election, manifesto shall not be released during the

prohibitory period, as prescribed under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

ii. In case of multi-phase elections, manifesto shall not be released during the prohibitory periods, as prescribed under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, of all the phases of those elections. “

2. This provision will, henceforth, be applicable and implemented as a part of the Model Code of Conduct for all future elections.

3. A copy of the full text of the “Model Code of Conduct for the Guidance of Political Parties and Candidates” including para 4 in Part- VIII is enclosed for your information.

4. You are requested to bring this to the notice of all concerned for their

information and compliance.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(NARENDRA M BUTOLTA)
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY

Copy to CEOs of all States/UTs for information and necessary action.

ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE GUIDANCE OF POLITICAL PARTIES AND CANDIDATES

I. General Conduct

(1) No party or candidate shall include in any activity which may aggravate

existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.

(2) Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their

policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and Candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided.

(3) There shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques, Churches, Temples or other places of worship shall not be used as forum for election propaganda.

(4) All parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are “corrupt practices” and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations, holding public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending r,vitli the holrr fixed for the close of tlre poll, and the transport and convevance of .”‘oters to and from poliing station.

(5) The right of every individual for peaceful and undisturbeci home-lil’e shall be respected, however much the political parties or candidates may resent his political opinions or activities. Organizing demonstrations or picketing before the houses of individuals by way of protesting against their opinions or activities sirail not lle resorted lo under any circunistances.

(6) No political pafty or candidate shall pennit its or his followers to make use of any individual’s land, building, compound wall etc., withor”rt his permission for erecting flag-staffs, suspending banners, pasting notices, writing slogans etc.

(7) Political parties and candidates shall ensure that their supporters do not

create obstructions in or break up meetings and processions organized by other parties. Workers or sympathisers of one political party shall not create disturbances at public meetings organized by another political party by putting questions orally or in writing or by distributing leaflets of their own party. Processions shall not be taken out by one party along places at which meetings are held by another party. posters issued by one party shall not be removed by workers of another parry.

II. Meetings

(1) The party or candidate shall inform the local police authorities of the venue and time any proposed meeting Well in time so as to enable the police to make necessary arrangements for controlling traffic and maintaining peace and order,

(2) A Party or candidate shal] ascertain in advance if there is any restrictive or prohibitory order in force in the place proposed for the meeting if such orders exist, they shall be followed strictly. If any exemption is required from such orders, it shall be applied for and obtained well in time.

(3) If permission or license is to be obtained for the use of loudspeakers or any other facility in connection with any proposed meeting, the party or candidate shall apply to the authority concerned well in advance and obtain such permission or license.

(4) 0rganizers of a meeting shal] invariably seek the assistance of the police on duty for dealing with persons disturbing a meeting or otherwise attempting to create disorder. organizers themselves shall not take action against such persons.

III. Procession

(1) A Party or candidate organizing a procession shall decide before hand the time and place of the starting of the procession, the route to be followed and the time and place at which the procession will terminate. There shall ordinary be no deviation from the programme.

(2) The organizers shall give advance intimation to the local police authorities of the programme so as to enable the letter to make necessary arrangement.

(3) The organizers shall ascertain if any restrictive orders are in force in the

localities through which the procession has to pass, anci shall cornply wjtir the restrictions unless exempted specially by the competent authority, Any traffic regulations or restrictions shall also tre carefully adhered to.

(4) The organizers shall take steps in advance to arrange for passage of tile

procession so that there is no clock or hindrance to traffic. If the procession is very long, it shall ‘be organized in segments of suitable lengths, so that at convenient intervals, especially at poillts where the procession has to pass road junctions, the passage of held up traffic collld be ailowed by stages lhus avoiding heavy traffic congestion.

(5) processionals shall be so regulated as to keep as much to the right of the road as possible ancl the direction and advice of the poiice on ct-rty shall be strir:tl,v complieci i,vith.

(6) If two or lrore politicai parties or canclidates propose to take processions over the same route or parts thereof at about the same time, the organizers shall establish contact i’vell in advance and decide r”rpon the measures to he taken lo see that lhe processions do not clash ol’ cause hindrance to traffic. The assistance of the local polics shall be availed of for arriving at a satisfactory arrangement. For this purpose the parties shail contact the police at the earliest opportunity.

(7) The political parties or candidates shall exercise control to the maximum

extent possible in the matter of processionists carrying articles which may be put to misuse by undesirable elernents especially in moments of excitement.

(8) The carrying of effigies purporting to represent member of other political parties or their leaders, burning such effigies in public and such other forms demonstration shall not be countenanced by any political party or candidate.

IV. Polling Day

All Political parties and candidates shall –

(i) co-operate with the officers on election duty to ensure peaceful and orderly polling and complete freedom to the voters to exercise their franchise without being subjected to any annoyance or obstruction.

(ii) supply to their authorized workers suitable badges or identity cards.

(iii) agree that the identity slip supplied by them to voters hall be on plain [whiteJ paper and shall not contain any symbol, name of the candidate or the name of the party;

(iv) refrain from serving or distributing liquor on polling day and during the forty eight hours preceding it.

(v) not allow unnecessary crowd to be collected near the camps set up by the political parties and candidates near the polling booths so as to avoid Confrontation and tension among workers and sympathizers of the parties and the candidate.

(vi) ensure that the candidate’s camps shall be simple .They shall not display any posters, flags, symbols or any other propaganda material. No eatable shall be served or crowd allowed at the camps and

(vii) co-operate with the authorities in complying with the restrictions to be imposed on the plying of vehicles on the polling clay and obtain permits for them,which should be displayed prominently on those vehicles.

V. Polling Booth

Excepting the voters, no one without a valid pass from the Election Commission shall enter the polling booths.

VI. Observers

The Election Commission is appointing Observers. If the candiclates or their

agents have any specific compl;rint or problem regarding the concluct of elections they may bring the same to the notice of,the Observer.

VII. Party in Power

The party in power whether at the Centre or in the State or States concerned, shall ensure that no cause is given for any complaint that it has used its official position for the purposes of its election campaign and in particular

[a] The Ministers shall not conrbine their official visit with elecrioneering work and shall not also make use of official machinery or personnel cluring the electioneering work.

(b) Government transport including official air-crafts, vehicles, machinery ancl personnel shall not be used for furtherance ofthe interest ofthe party in po\ryer;

(iiJ Public places such as maidens etc., for holding election meetings, and use of helipads for air-flights in connection with elections shall not be monopolized by itself. Other parties and candidates shall be allowed the use of such places and facilities on the same terms and conditions on which they are used by the party in power;

(iii) Rest houses, dark bungalows or other Government accommodation shall not be monopolized by the party in power or its candidates and such accommodation shall be allowed to be used by other parties and candidates in a fair manner but no party or candidate shall use or be allowed to use such accommodation (including premises appertaining thereto) as a campaign office or for holding any public meeting for the purposes of election propaganda;

(iv) Issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer in the newspapers and other media and the misuse of official mass media during the election period for partisan coverage of political news and publicity regarding achievements with a view to furthering the prospects of the party in power shall be scrupulously avoided.

(v) Ministers and other authorities shall not sanction grants/payments out of discretionary funds from the time elections are announced by the Commission; and

(vi) From the time elections are announced by Commission, Ministers and other authorities shall not –

(a) announce any financial grants in any form or promises thereof; or

(b) [except civil servants) lay foundation stones etc. of’projects or schemes of any kind; or

[cJ make any promise of construction of roads, provision of drinking water

facilities etc,; or

(d) make any ad-hoc appointments in Government, Public Undertakings etc. which may have the effect of influencing the voters in favor of the party in power.

Note : The Commission shall annor.rnce the date of any election r,vhich shall be a clate ordinarily not more than three weeks prior to the date on whicir the notification is likely to be stirred in respect of such elections.

[vii) Ministers of Central or State Government shall not enter any polling station or place of counting except in their capacity as a candidate or voter or authorized agent.

VIII Guidelines on Election Manifestos

1. The Supreme Court in its judgment dated 5th July 2013 in SLP(CJ No. 21455 of 2008 [ S. Subramaniam Balaji Vs Govt, of Tamil Nadu and OthersJ has directed the Election Commission to frame guidelines with regard to the contents of election manifestos in consultation with all the recognized political parties. The guiding principles which will lead to framing of such guidelines are quoted below from the judgment:-

(i) “Although, the law is obvious that the promises in the election manifesto cannot be construed as ‘corrupt practice’ under Section 123 of RP Act, the reality cannot be ruled out that distribution of freebies of any kind, undoubtedly, influences all people. It shakes the root of free and fair elections to a large degree”.

[ii] “The Election Commission, in order to ensure level playing field between

the contesting parties and candidates in elections and also in order to see that the purity of the election process does not get vitiated, as in past been issuing instructions under the Model Code of Conduct. The fountainhead of the powers under which the Commission issues these orders is Article 324 of the Constitution which mandates the Commission to hold free and fair elections.”

[iii) “We are mindful
of the fact that generally political parties re]

ease their election manifesto before the announcement of election date, in that scenario, strictly speaking, the Election Commission will not have the authority to regulate any act which is done before the announcement of the

date. Nevertheless, an exception can be made in this regard as the purpose of election manifesto is directly associated with the election process,,.

2. Upon receiving the above directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Election Commission held a meeting with the recognized National and State

Political Parties for consultation with them in the matter and took note of their conflicting views in the matter. During consultations, while some political parties supported the issuance of such guidelines, others were of the view that it is their right and duty towards voters to make such offers and promises in manifestos in .a healthy democratic polity. While the Commission agrees in principle with the point of view that framing of manifestos is the right of the political parties, it cannot overlook the undesirable impact of some of the promises and offers on the conduct of free and fair elections and maintaining level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

3. The Constitution under Article 324 mandates the Election Commission, to

conduct elections inter alia to the Parliament and the State Legislatures. Having due regard to the above directions of the Supreme Court and after consultation with the Political Parties, the Commission, in the interest of free and fair elections , hereby directs that Political Parties and Candidates while releasing election manifestos for any election to the Parliament or State Legislatures, shall adhere to the following guidelines :-

(i) The election manifesto shall not contain anything repugnant to the ideals and principles enshrined in the Constitution and further that it shall be consistent with the letter and spirit of other provisions of Model code of conduct.

[ii)
The Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Constitution
enjoin upon the State to frame various welfare measures for the citizens
and therefore there can be no objection to the promise of such welfare
measures in election manifestos. However, political parties should avoid
making those promises which are likely to vitiate the purity of the
election process or exert undue influence on the voters in exercising
their franchise.

[iii]

In the interest of transparency, level playing field and credibility of promises, it is expected that manifestos also reflect the rationale for the promises and broadly indicate the ways and means to meet the financial requirements for it. Trust of voters should be sought only on those promises which are possible to be fulfilled.

i. Prohibitory period of Release of Manifesto during elections(s)

In case of single phase election, manifesto shall not be released during the

prohibitory period, as prescribed under Section !26 of the Representation of the People Act 1951.

In case of multi-phase elections, manifesto shall not be released during the prohibitory periods, as prescribed under Section 126 of the Representation of the People AcL 1951, of all the phases of those elections.

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A-43014/2/2018-Ad.IV
Government of India
Election Matter
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi,
The 18th March, 2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: General Elections to Lok Sabha, 2019 and State Legislative Assemblies in the State of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim and certain bye-elections – Enforcement of Model Code of Conduct- reg.

The undersigned is directed to enclose a copy each of D.O. letter No. 1/41/2/2019-Cab dated 11 .03.2019 and O.M. No. 1/41/2/2019-Cab dated 12.03.2019 received from Cabinet Secretariat, for information and compliance.

Encl: As above

(Brij mohan)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

To
All concerned through website of DOP&T and e-Office.

ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
NIRVACHAN SADAN, ASHOKA ROAD. NEW DELHI-110001

No.437/6/1/ECI/INST/FUNCT/MCC/2019

Dated: 10th March, 2019

TO
1. The Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.

2. The Chief Secretaries to the Governments of all States and
Chief Secretaries/ Administrators of Union Territories.

3. The Chief Electoral Officers of all States and Union Territories.

Sub: Application of Model Code of Conduct – General Elections to House of the People (Lok Sabha), 2019 and State Legislative Assemblies in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim and certain bye-elections – reg.

Sir,
I am directed to state that the Election Commission has announced the schedule for holding General Elections to Lok Sabha and to the Legislative Assemblies of the States of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Orissa and Sikkim and certain bye-elections (Press Note No. ECI/PN/23/2019, dated 10th March, 2019, available at the Commission’s web-site — www.eci.gov.in).

2. With this announcement, the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct for the guidance of the Political Parties and Candidates have come into force with immediate effect and will be in force till the completion of the General Elections and bye-elections, mentioned above. This may be brought to the notice of the Central and all State Governments/ Union
Territory Administrations, all Ministries/Departments/ Offices of the Union Government and the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. A copy of instructions issued by you to this effect, may be sent to the Commission for its information and record.

3. Your particular attention is drawn to the provisions of Model Code of Conduct for the guidance of Political Parties and Candidates and various instructions issued by the Commission, which, inter-alia, state that the party in power whether at the Centre or in the State or States concerned, shall ensure that no cause is given for any complaint that it has used its official position for the purposes of its election campaign and in particular:-

(i) (a) The Ministers shall not combine their official visit with electioneering work and shall not also make use of official machinery or personnel during the electioneering work;

(b) Government transport including official air-crafts, vehicles, machinery and personnel shall not be used for furtherance of the interest of the party in power;

(ii) Public places such as maidans etc., for holding election meetings, and use of helipads for air-flights in connection with elections shall not be monopolised by the party in power. Other parties and candidates shall be allowed the use of such places and facilities, on the same terms and conditions, on which they are used by the party in power;

(iii) Rest houses, dak bungalows or other Government accommodations in the States/Union Territories where elections have been announced or are taking place can be given to the political functionaries who are provided security by the State in ‘Z’ scale or above or equivalent by various State Governments or the Central Government under provisions of their laws, on
equitable basis. This shall be subject to condition that such accommodation is not already allotted or occupied by election related officials or the Commission’s Observers. Such political functionaries shall not carry out any political activity while staying in the Government Guest Houses/Rest Houses or other Government accommodation etc.;

(iv) Issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer in the newspapers and other media and the misuse of official mass media during the election period for partisan coverage of political news and publicity regarding achievements with a view to furthering the prospects of the party in power shall be scrupulously avoided;

(v) Ministers and other authorities shall not sanction grants/payments out of discretionary funds from the time, elections are announced by the Commission; and

(vi) From the time, elections are announced by Commission, Ministers and other authorities shall not –

(a) announce any financial grants, in any form or promises thereof; or

(b) (except civil servants) lay foundation stones etc. of projects or schemes of any kind; or

(c) make any promise of construction of roads, provision of drinking water facilities etc; or

(d) make any ad-hoc appointments in Government, Public Undertakings etc. which may have the effect of influencing the voters in favour of the party in power.

4. As will be observed from Para 3{Clause IV) above, no advertisement shall be issued in electronic and print media highlighting the achievements of the Govt. at the cost of public exchequer. If any advertisement has already been released for telecast/broadcast or publication in the print media, it must be ensured that the telecast/broadcast of such ads on electronic media is stopped forthwith and that no such ad is published in any newspapers, magazines, etc„ i.e. in print media, from today itself and it should be immediately withdrawn.

5. The instruction of the Commission contained in its letter No.437/6/2009-CCBE dated 5th March, 2009 is available on the Commission’s web-site at path “https://eci.gov.in/important-instructions/” for your information and necessary action. The Commission’s all other relevant instructions, ‘Manual on Model Code of Conduct’ and ‘Compendium of Instructions on Model Code of Conduct’ are also available On the Commission’s website for your guidance.

6. The Commission further directs that there shall be a total ban on the transfer of all officers/officials connected with the conduct of the election. These include but are not restricted to:

(i) The Chief Electoral Officer and Additional/Joint/Deputy Chief Electoral Officers;
(ii)Divisional Commissioners;
(iii)The District Election Officers, Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers and other Revenue Officers connected with the conduct of election;
(iv) Officers of the Police Department connected with the management of election, like range IGs and DIGS, Senior Superintendents of Police and Superintendents of Police, Sub-Divisional Police Officers like Deputy Superintendents of Police and other Police officers who are deputed to the Commission under section 28A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951;
(v)The transfer orders issued in respect of the above categories of officers prior to the date of announcement but not implemented till date should not be given effect to without obtaining specific permission from the Commission in this regard;
(vi) This ban shall be effective till the completion of the election. The Commission further directs that the State Governments should refrain from making transfers of senior officers who have a role in the management of election in the State;
(vii) In those cases where transfer of an officer is necessary on account of administrative exigencies, the concerned State Government may with full justification approach the Commission for prior clearance.

The receipt of the letter may kindly be acknowledged.

Yours faithfully,

(NARENDRA N.BUTOLIA)
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY

Source: DoPT

The post Compliance with Model Code/related instructions issued by Election Commission of India – DoPT appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Singh
(An All India Federation of Defence Workers)
(An Industrial Unit of B.M.S.)

REF: BPMS/ Cir/ 18th TC/ 5

Dated: 12.03.2019

To,
The Office Bearers & CEC Members
Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh
&
The General Secretaries/ Presidents
Unions affiliated to this federation

Subject: Recognised Political Parties Participating in 17th Lok Sabha General Election: Request to include demands in Election Manifestos.

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
Sadar Namaskar

It is for your kind information that this federation along with two other recognized federations has decided to submit to all Recognised Political Parities, National/ State Level the demands/ issues of Defence Civilian Employees for inclusion in their manifestos of 17th Lok Sabha General Election.

The issues are as under

1. Self Reliance in Defence Preparedness through State Owned Defence Industries viz Ordnance Factories, DRDO, Army Workshops, Ordnance Depots, Supply Depots, DGQA etc.

As you are well aware with the issue, State Owned Defence Industries are facing serious challenges/ threats these days. It is prime responsibility of Govt to safeguard the existence of these industries in interest of the Nation and take steps so that it may flourish and provide job opportunities to citizen of India. But of late Govt made various decisions regarding these establishments led to total destruction of these industries.

Burning Issues/ Challenges of Industries

1. Categorization of more than 275 products being manufactured in the Ordnance Factories as “Non-Core”.
2. Transfer of technology developed by DRDO to Private Sectors depriving
   Ordnance Factories & DPSUs.
3. Large scale outsourcing of work of more than 1.5 lakh Civilian Posts depriving Young generation with Permanent Job.
4. Induction of 100% FDI in Defence Sector.
5. Privatization of Defence Industries by adopting various models like GOCO etc.
6. Denial of Job to trained Trade Apprentices.
7. Closure of various defence establishments like Ordnance Depots, Military Farms, Army Postal Establishments etc.
8. Inclusion of Third Party Inspection at the cost of DGQA/ DGAQA etc.
   Our Proposal that is to be included:

“To achieve self reliance in defence expand, develop and strengthen the state owned Defence Industry and to ensure full capacity utilization of these Industries.”

2. National Pension System

Govt introduced a contributory pension system under National pension system for all Central Govt employees recruited on or after 01.01,2004 and deprived them of very elementary benefits of old age social security by denying CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 to them. The employees have been opposing this pension system since its introduction because it lacks the following essential benefits

1. No guarantee of any Minimum Pension under this scheme.
2. No safeguard from Price rise in absence of element of Dearness Allowance.
3. Absence of additional Pension on attaining the age of 80 Years/ 85 Years/ 90 Years/ 95 Years/ 100 Years.
4. No safeguard to Missing employees.
5. Absence of Compulsory Retirement Pension, Compassionate Pension etc.

Both Legislative Body and Executive Body are responsible for well functioning of Administration. Both get their dues from Consolidated Fund of India. It is discriminatory that Executive Body has been deprived of its old age security especially lower rung employees would suffer the most.

Our Proposal to be included:

National Pension System will be scraped and CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 will be implemented for all Central Govt Employees.

3. Appointment on Compassionate Grounds

The appointment on compassionate ground is an exception to the equality clause under Article 14. If an employee dies while in service then according to rule framed by the Central Government or the State Government, appointment to one of the dependants shall not be considered violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution because this exception has been provided through various rules only to mitigate the hardships of deceased employee family suffering from scarcity of very trivial things of daily life due to the death of sole bread winner of the family and sudden misery faced by the members of the family of such employee who serves the Central Government or the State Government.

A lot of Employees working under MoD are dealing with hazardous and risky operations. Because they are exposed to various hazardous chemical and other materials, they are developing various illness sometimes led to their deaths.

Proposal to be included:

One time relaxation would be provided to offer appointment on compassionate grounds to all the applicants waiting for years in MoD

5% ceiling would be removed and 100% appointment would be made on compassionate ground.

Employees who die/ incapacitate in accident while performing their official duties, Compassionate appointment would be made straight away without any delay.

Thanking You

Brotherly Yours
sd/-
(MUKESH SINGH)
General Secretary

Copy to:

1. The General Secretary, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, New Delhi
2. The In-Charge, BPMS, Pune
3. The Secretary General, GENC, Kanpur
   – For kind information please

Source: BPMS

The post Demands include in election manifestos to Recognized political parties taking part in the 17th Lok Sabha general election appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.