PM Modi Govt calls IAS Officers ‘Rath Prabharis’ plans Yatra on 15 Nov EC objects
PM Modi Govt calls IAS Officers ‘Rath Prabharis’ plans Yatra on 15 Nov EC objects
Following PM Modi government calling IAS officer as ‘Rath Prabharis’, the Election Commission of India on Thursday, October 26 issued a notice not to undertake such activities in the constituencies where the Model Code of Conduct is in force till December 5.
The EC Notice also added that it has been brought to the notice of the Commission that a letter has been circulated to the Ministries for nomination of senior officers as “District Rath Praharis” as special officers for the proposed ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra‘ kicking-off from 20th November, 2023.
The notice also stated that the Commission has announced the schedule for General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan & Telangana, 2023 and Bye–election in 43–Tapi (ST) Assembly Constituency of Nagaland on 9th October, 2023.
It alsi added that the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct for the guidance of political parties and candidates have come into force from the date of announcement tentatively till 5th December, 2023.
Interestingly, the EC notice came after Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra announced on Thursday that the programme would not be launched in poll-bound states, considering the Model Code of Conduct.
Following criticism over the government’s plan, Chandra emphasised that the use of the term “rath prabharis” for senior government officers is improper and that these officials would now be addressed as nodal officers.
However, only saying that these public servants won’t be called “rath prabharis” doesn’t appear to solve the real issue with this government order.
This is because public servants taking part in “any activity” that is likely to influence the voters in an election violates the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules and the corresponding conduct rules of the other Central and All India Services.
Notedly, in one of the two letters Former secretary to the Government of India E.A.S. Sarma had written to the Election Commission of India on the Union government’s plan.
Besides this, he further highlighted that “Under Section 171C of the IPC, “whoever voluntarily interferes or attempts to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral right commits the offence of undue influence at an election“.
That for any public authority to coerce public servants into such activity is punishable not only under the relevant election laws but also under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
In an interview Sarma hailed the government order ‘unethical’ and ‘illegal’.
He went on to add that his objection is to the government asking its officers to showcase its achievements during the last nine years, on the eve of the Assembly elections.
The announcement came after the Model Code came into effect. Therefore, it violates the Code,” he said.
On November 15, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s yatra, civil servants are expected to actively spread information about the alleged accomplishments of the Narendra Modi government, The Hindu reported.
The Viksit Bharat Sankalp yatra will be held to commemorate the occasion of “Birsa Munda Jayanti – Jan-jaati Gaurav Diwas.”
Throughout the yatra’s duration, Information, Education, and Communication vans will tour tribal and other districts in Jharkhand. The yatra continues until January 25, 2024.
News Edit K.V.Raman
