Goa: Guidelines and penalties for government servants in the wake of by election

Goa: Guidelines and penalties for government servants in the wake of by election

Goa government has issued guidelines for government servant in wake of the Valpoi by election to be held on 18th October.

As per the guidelines no Government servant shall be a member of nor be otherwise associated with any political party or any organisation, which takes part in politics, nor shall he take part in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or activity.

It shall be the duty of every Government servant to endeavour to prevent any member of his family from taking part in, subscribing in aid of or assisting in any other manner any movement or activity which is, or tends directly or indirectly to be, subversive or the Government as by law established and where a Government servant is unable to prevent a member of his family from taking part in, or subscribing in aid of or assisting in any other manner, any such movement or activity he shall make a report to that effect to the Government.

No Government servant shall canvass or otherwise interfere with, or use his influence in connection with or take part, an election to any legislature or local authority;

The display by a Government servant on his personal vehicle or residence of any electoral symbol shall amount to using his influence in connection with an election.

Penalty for Government Servants for acting as Election Agents, Polling Agent or Counting Agent:

Any disregard of instructions would be considered by the Government as a serious act of indiscipline and that in cases of doubt a Government servant should not hesitate to consult his superior officer.

If any person in the service of the Government acts as an election agent or a polling agent or a counting agent of a candidate at an election he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months with fine, or with both”

Jyoti Kalash, IAS has been appointed as observer by the Election Commission of India for Bye-election to 19 Valpoi Assembly Constituency. He has arrived in Goa and is available to the public, political parties and candidates at the Government rest house, Valpoi. His landline telephones Nos. are 2452209 and 2374030. Mobile No. 9404910516.Any complaint in relation to the conduct of Election process and the model code of conduct may be made to the Election Observer.

Congress and BJP are in a straight fight in Valpoi by-elections, which are scheduled on October 18. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane of Congress, whose resignation as Independent MLA has forced this bye-election, will contest against BJP's Santosh Haldankar.