EC conveys displeasure on opening of new medical college at Mandi

New Delhi, Dec 7 (UNI) The Election Commission (EC) here today expressed its strong displeasure on the opening of a new medical college at Mandi in Himachal Pradesh (HP) by the State Government.

The Commission at its meeting considered the contents of the State Government's letter dated November 2, explaining the matter.

After considering all the factors, the Commission has come to the conclusion that although a State Government notification regarding the opening of a new medical college in Government Sector at Mandi district was dated on October 8, it was not notified in the Government Gazette till October 23, apparently because the decision to open the college did not have the approval of the competent authority till the former date.

Approval of the competent authority, in this case the Chief Minister, was obtained on October 23 and the notification was notified in the Gazette on the same date.

Under the circumstances, the Commission is of the view that the opening of a new medical college was formally approved by the competent authority only on October 23, when the Model Code of Conduct was in force in the state, thus violating the Model which prohibits announcement of new projects.

The State Government did not consult the Commission nor took its prior permission in the matter.

The officials, who are responsible for issuing such notification in violation of the Model Code of Conduct, shall also be warned in writing under intimation to the Commission, said the sources.

UNI