‘Bhindranwale photo in buses’, no MCC violations are allowed –Transport department
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ April 23,2024
Punjab state transport department has issued instructions to its field staff to implement the election commission orders in true spirits and see whether any model code of conduct rules are violated by having the photographs of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala in state owned and private buses.
After receiving complaints the office of Chief Electoral officer, Punjab had issued instructions to the state transport commissioner, Punjab on April 2,2024 to investigate the complaint made by some residents about the “photographs of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala in public and private buses are still placed and not removed after the announcement of elections. It’s a violation of model code of conduct (MCC)” The EC Punjab had asked the transport department to investigate and submit the scrutinize report by April 16,2024.
After receiving no response , on April 16,2024, the election commission issued Reminder to the state transport commissioner, Punjab to submit the action taken report by April 16,2024 itself.
After this the state transport commissioner office swung into action and on April 16,2024 issued instructions to the director, state transport, Punjab, managing director, PEPSU road transport corporation (PRTC), all secretary, regional transport authorities (Secy, RTA) and all regional transport officer (RTOs) to implement the election commission orders and check whether any model code of conduct are violated by having the photographs of Jarnail Singh Bhindrawala in PRTC, Punjab Roadways and private buses and submit the action taken report.
When contacted the state transport commissioner Moneesh Kumar, IAS said, “an instructions has been issued to the field staff to check whether any code violations are being done by having ‘ Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala photographs in the buses’ after the announcement of elections. He added that the staff has been instructed to act accordingly after going through the election commission instructions. ”
As per election commission instructions,” the photographs and images of the political functionaries , who deep influence on the minds of electors and many of whom are still active in public life and may even be contesting the current general elections , should not be displayed in the government buildings and premises ”
RTO Patiala has written a letter to MD, PRTC to check MCC violations, if any in PRTC buses. When contacted the managing director of PEPSU road transport corporation (PRTC), Ravinder Singh, he said “ we are looking into it and ensure that no instructions of election commission will be violated.”
Another transport officer on the condition of anonymity said “normally, not many private buses or govt buses have photos of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala. But some tempo travelers have photos of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala. Moreover, EC has instructed to remove the photo of politician who is contesting or a living person whose photo can influence the voters. In this case he is not a politician, not contesting any election and not even living. So, no violation is being done. “
Another officer said “ the election commission had received a complaint with a heading “removal of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala photos from govt and private buses. The election commission letter says “you are requested to investigate the matter and send the scrutinized report to CEO, Punjab. “ It has no where ordered to removal the photos from the public transport buses. But, still we are looking into it and do the needful as per election commission instructions.”
‘Bhindranwale photo in buses’, no MCC violations are allowed –Transport department . Meanwhile, Pardeep Singh Dhillon, regional transport officer, Patiala could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
