Raman welcomes lift in Model Code, Calls review meeting

     Raipur, April 27, 2009: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh today welcomed the decision of the Election Commission of India on relaxing the Model Code of Conduct and immediately called for a review meeting of the top officials here.

     “It is a welcomed step by the Election Commission,” said the Chief Minister, who had earlier on April 23 had raised objection to the continuation of the Model Code of Conduct in the state saying that was hampering the developmental works of the state.

      Meanwhile, the Chief Minister had called for a high level meeting at the capital city tomorrow to review the water crisis in the state.

      Due to irregular rainfall, many of the parts of the state were reeling under the water problem, both for drinking and for irrigation, and to review the condition and to take appropriate steps in that direction, the Chief Minister had called for a meeting tomorrow at about 1 PM, top officials said.

      The Chief Minister is currently out of the state on election campaign for his party candidates in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and other states.

       In fact, on April 23, last the Chief Minister had voiced concern over the continuation of the model code of conduct in the state even after the Parliamentary election was over here in Chhattisgarh on April 16.

      Since the Election Commission had failed to clear many of the files on matters relating to water crisis, employment guarantee schemes, drought relief works resulting in people reeling under crisis, it was better the ban under the Model Code be lifted, the state government demanded and reacting to that the Commission had relaxed the model code of conduct today after which the government can now call for tenders and award that, can conduct review meeting at the state or district level and the Chief Minister or the Ministers can tour the state accompanied by the officials.