Chandigarh, Dec 29 (IANS) Within hours of having stopped the payment of relief funds to flood-affected people in poll-bound Punjab, the Election Commission (EC) Thursday evening reversed its decision and allowed the disbursement but with a rider.
In its latest order, the poll panel said the disbursement of relief funds would be allowed but only if it is done by officers of the state and not by any political leader.
The commission also allowed giving of compensation to the farmers whose land was earlier acquired by the state government.
The EC had earlier Thursday deferred the payment of relief funds in Punjab till the election process in the state is over, a senior election officer said here.
The relief funds were mainly for flood relief in certain districts.
Chief electoral officer (CEO) Kusumjit Sidhu said that after reports were received that ration cards and other cards under various schemes with the pictures of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal were being distributed in Bathinda district, this was also ordered to be stopped immediately.
She said that a few sewing machines, carrying the photos of the chief minister, were also taken into custody in Chamkaur Sahib where they were allegedly being distributed.
Sidhu said that returning officers of 11 places were being shifted ‘on personal as well as administrative grounds’.
Elections to the 117-member assembly in Punjab will be held Jan 30.
