Poll code blocks official car, minister rides bike to R-Day venue - Times of India

FAZILKA: Enforcing the Election Commission's strict guidelines on implementing the model code of conduct during the Moga assembly byelection, scheduled for February 27, the Moga district administration reportedly stopped Punjab forest minister Surjit Kumar Jiyani's official car from entering a venue, where he was to unfurl national flag as chief guest on January 26. However, as officials did not let his car through, Jiyani took a motorbike from a forest guard and drove it to the local grain market, where the district-level function was being organized to celebrate the Republic Day. The gathered residents looked in surprise as the chief guest entered the function on a bike, escorted by his security guards on Gypsies. When contacted, Jiyani said he w as told by officials that due to model code of conduct in force, he cannot go to the Republic Day function in his official car with a red beacon atop. "As I was already behind schedule, I took the motorbike of a forest guard and arrived at the venue to unfurl the national flag," said Jiyani. When contacted, Arshdeep Singh Thind, deputy commissioner, Moga said that only returning officer-cum-additional deputy commissioner, Moga can comment on the issue. Jaoram Deba, returning officer-cum-additional deputy commissioner, Moga said he was just following the guidelines of Election Commission and had asked the minister to remove the red beacon from his official car before proceeding towards the venue of Republic Day function. "The EC guidelines clearly prohibit a cabinet minister from driving to government function in a car with red beacon atop," he said, adding that accordingly, he had appealed the minister to remove the red beacon from his official car before going to the Republic Day function. via Technology - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNG4FMCxJZm10qWf9V-EKm4UpLVvHw&url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Poll-code-blocks-official-car-minister-rides-bike-to-R-Day-venue/articleshow/18214733.cms

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