Frequent elections hit developmental works

Shimla, May 18 (UNI) Frequent elections and subsequent enforcement of model code of conduct has hit development works in Himachal Pradesh, which is in election mode since May last year, when bypolls were held for the Hamirpur Parliamentary constituency.

Following the announcement of Parliamentary elections then, the model code of conduct came into force in the state and remained in vogue for nearly two months during which various ongoing works were put on hold.

The model code of conduct was again enforced on October 10, last year after the Election Commission (EC) announced the holding of state Assembly elections almost four months before schedule in November-December.

The new government took over on December 30 and after presenting its first budget during the Budget Session it was settling into its groove when bypolls for the Hamirpur Parliamentary seat were announced, twice in less than a year.

The seat had fallen vacant after Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal resigned from Parliament after the when named him the state's new Chief Minister.

The entire development process came to a grinding halt for third time in a year, besides derailing the time-bound priorities of the new government.

All important decision, appointments, schemes and other development works have been put on hold in some areas of the state, where majority of the developmental works could only be carried out during the summers only due to the fact that they remain cut off from the rest of the state during the winters.

Besides, the new government had barely lifted a ban on transfers after finalising the new guidelines when the elections were announced following which the state government had to put on hold all transfers since the Parliamentary constituency was spread over four districts of the state.

Developmental works to be taken by various departments have been deferred as the model code allowed continuation only of those works which had already commenced.

The state is going to witness another halt in the development works in the state due to the enforcement of model code of conduct any time before May next year when Parliament elections are due.

UNI AS HS HS KP1827