Road repair? Model Code
More Metro? Model Code
The model code of conduct for the general elections has become a handy excuse for administrative inaction in Calcutta and its adjoining areas.
In Salt Lake, a number of roads are riddled with craters. An engineer said repairs could not be carried out because the model code was in force.
Metro Railway, which added two air-conditioned rakes to its operational fleet last week, is yet to restore its regular services.
The reason, as cited by Metro officials, is the model code of conduct.
The model code, however, has no such clause that comes in the way of repairing roads and improving utility services.
The code does contain a list of dos and don’ts in regard to announcement of welfare schemes. Chapter 5 of the code, which deals with announcement of schemes, reads: “Announcement of new projects… which have the effect of influencing the voters in favour of the party in power is prohibited”.
The code, however, makes it clear that “utility schemes” are not bound by it.
“The coming into force of the Model Code of Conduct cannot be given as an excuse for not commissioning such schemes or allowing them to remain idle. At the same time, it should be ensured that the commissioning of such schemes is done by civil authority and without associating political functionaries and without any fanfare or ceremonies whatever,” the code reads.
That means the Metro authorities are free to increase the number of daily trips without making any announcement. Road repairs, too, can be done in a similar way.
An official in the Central Election Commission said the issue of running more trains was subject to interpretation. “I cannot comment on specific cases. We are here to ascertain whether the model code is being violated,” he said.
A former state election commissioner, however, said ongoing work should not come under the purview of the model code. “Repairing roads and running trains are not big issues and should not be stopped citing the code. If they can run new trains, why can’t they increase the number of trips,” the official wondered.
The code states that if the government is in doubt about whether a scheme can be implemented or not, a “clarification should be obtained from Chief Electoral Officer/Election Commission of India”.
A cratered road in Salt Lake A file picture
Most government officials, however, presume that working on any project while the code is in force would invite trouble.
Asked why damaged roads in Salt Lake are not being repaired, a mayoral council member of the Trinamul-run Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation said: “No new work can be done now. We cannot float tenders for repairs.”
The roads in front of the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences campus and the campus of the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Salt Lake’s Sector III are riddled with potholes.
A stretch of the First Avenue from the tank number 5 island, till Baisakhi, resembles Martian landscape. It was dug up to lay pipes.
The mayoral council member said road repairs at this stage could be interpreted by the poll panel as an attempt at influencing voters.
Metro Railway, struggling with an ageing fleet and frequent snags, has been running 284 trains on weekdays since January-end, 16 less than its normal schedule.
But even after getting a clearance from the Railway Board last week to run five new trains, the authorities have not restored the daily train count to 300.
“We will not do it before the model code of conduct lapses,” an official said.
“Since the model code is in force, the authorities need the sanction of the poll panel to increase the train count. The request for approval has to be routed through the Railway Board,” the official said.
“We don’t want to increase the count before the elections. The present passenger volume is not something we cannot handle for another month.”
