Harsh Dev Singh NPP Chairman has alleged huge releases of funds by the State Planning Deptt. for developmental schemes in the political bastions and constituencies of Cong- NC Ministers and members in utter violation of the Model Code of Conduct. In a written complaint to Election Commission of India , he has alleged that hundreds of crores of rupees have been released by the State Planning Deptt. for several developmental projects by the Planning Deptt. for promotion of electoral prospects of ruling alliance candidates. Claiming that huge funds are being released almost on day to day basis after 5th March 2014, the date of imposition of Model Code of Conduct, he termed it as the most glaring instance of abhorrence and contempt shown by the Planning Deptt. for the Model code of conduct and various ECI guidelines governing the conduct of elections in the state.
Mr. Harsh Dev Singh has further pointed out in the said written complaint filed with the ECI with copies to J&K Chief Electoral officer that prior to the release of funds the ruling Ministers and its other leaders pay a visit to the concerned areas and make announcements for execution of certain identified works including holding of assurances for release of adequate funds. He claimed that the said announcements are followed by releases of funds by the state Planning Deptt. He said that the State Planning Minister was regularly sitting in the secretariat monitoring all releases and he had personally given approvals for all funds released after the imposition of Model Code of Conduct.
Mr. Harsh Dev Singh further said that the State Planning Minister had been categorically making statements that funds shall be released for those areas only which show higher turnover in the election rallies of coalition candidates. He said that the Planning Minister had actually translated his announcements and threats into reality as would be evident from the records of the Planning Deptt. He said that the veracity of the said complaint could be easily verified by the ECI by seizing the entire record of Planning Deptt. and all orders issued by it after March 5, 2014. He strongly insisted for seizure of entire record of Planning Deptt. pertaining to all releases of funds.
Urging upon the Election Commission of India to take cognizance of the blatant transgressions of the MCC and Election laws by the Planning Deptt. and huge un-authorized releases made by the said deptt. to confer undue political favours, Mr. Singh sough registration of FIR against all those involved in the process besides initiation of appropriated proceedings under the election laws. He said that fight against such blatant violations would be taken to streets by the Panthers Party and the delinquents made to face the consequences of the illegitimate acts committed by them.