Alleged violation of MCC in Assam Forest Department: Illegal posting of several DFOs counted, demand action from the Election Commission.
Alleged violation of MCC in Assam Forest Department: Illegal posting of several DFOs counted, demand action from the Election Commission.
Alleged violation of MCC in Assam Forest Department: Illegal posting of several DFOs counted, demand action from the Election Commission.
Pankaj Nath, Assam, 31 March :
The demand for strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the Assam Assembly elections has intensified. It is alleged that several Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) in the Assam Forest Department have been posted in their home district or have been working at the same place for more than three years, which is a clear violation of the Election Commission’s guidelines. These postings are being termed as in the interest of some political parties, which has raised questions on the election process. According to the MCC of the Election Commission, no officer can work in his home district nor be posted in any one place or establishment for more than three years. It aims to ensure fairness in elections. But the deployment of several senior forest officials in Assam seems to be violating these rules, jeopardising the prospects of transparent and free elections. According to the information , the following DFOs are those whose postings are allegedly illegal: Ashok Dev Chaudhary, AFS – posted in Kamrup (Metropolitan) district as DFO in Kamrup East Division, which is his home district. Ashwani Kumar, IFS – Serving as the Director of Assam State Zoo for the last 5 years. Akhil Dutta, AFS – DFO in Hailakandi Division for the last 4 years. V. Palve, IFS – Posted as DFO in Cachar Division, Silchar for more than 3 years. Tejas Mariswamy, IFS – Working as DFO in Goalpara Division for more than 3 years. Suhas Kadam Tarchand, IFS – DFO in Nagaon Division for the last 3 years. The forest department is being accused of political interference in the deployment of these officers. According to the complaints, “These postings are vitiating the electoral process. The Election Commission should immediately transfer these officers and ensure impartiality. ” Despite the implementation of MCC, there is a fear of spoiling the electoral atmosphere due to the government’s ignorance of these rules. In view of the ongoing assembly elections in Assam, the Election Commission has given instructions to strictly monitor the MCC in all districts. In the past, officers have been transferred to many states for similar violations. Experts believe that if these allegations are proved true, it will tarnish the credibility of the Assam elections. There has been no official response from the forest department or the government so far. It has been demanded that the Election Commission investigate these matters and immediately transfer the concerned authorities to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in Assam. The case could spark a fresh controversy in Assam’s politics, especially when issues related to forest cover in the state are part of the election agenda.
