PANJIM: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has decided to relax the model code of conduct in South Goa to undertake pre-monsoon works on case-to-case basis. The decision comes following a letter from State government, seeking relaxation.
The two and half month long model code of conduct in Goa came into force on March 10 with Election Commission of India (ECI) announcing poll schedule for the country. The code will remain in force till May 27.
The parliamentary election for North and South Goa district along with by-elections in Mapusa, Mandrem and Shiroda were held on April 23, while the by-elections in Panjim are scheduled on May 19.
State Chief Secretary Parimal Rai, on May 3, through a letter to CEO to withdraw or relax the Model Code of Conduct in South district of the State, as pre-monsoon works needs to be taken up.
Government has urged that since pre-monsoon works are to be taken up across the State, the Code in South Goa be relaxed as there is no election pending in the district.
A senior official said that CEO has received communication from the State government and it has been decided to grant case-to-case basis relaxation to works in South Goa. “Permissions will be given as and when we receive proposals from government departments,” official said adding “complete withdrawal of code is not possible as it is the ECI mandate covering entire nation’.
