The Election Commission (EC) has relaxed the model code of conduct (MCC) in Maharashtra, this comes after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis wrote to EC seeking relaxation for conducting drought relief works in the state.
Senior officials told the Indian Express, that the EC’s nod had come for infrastructure works – drilling of borewells, repair of drinking water supply units, acquisition of well and irrigation water maintenance works among others – in drought-affected areas. The EC’s permission has come with a rider, with three elections phases are pending, the EC has asked the BJP-led government not to seek “undue publicity” over drought relief measures, reported the Indian Express.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, urging him to relax the Model Code of Conduct in force in the state so that drought relief measures are effectively implemented.
Fadnavis told the Election Commission that polling in all the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state had ended on Monday. He said the state was in the midst of extreme summer, ANI reported. “There are a number of infrastructure works such as drilling of borewells, repairs to drinking water schemes, irrigation canal maintenance works, etc which need to be taken up during the extreme winter,” Fadnavis wrote. He said the state government has declared drought in 151 administrative districts and the Centre has allocated Rs 4,714 crore for relief measures. The chief minister added that a cabinet meeting will be held soon on this matter.
