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Civic polls to be completed by Sept 23
THE CHIEF secretary, principal secretary of Urban Development as well as the chief election commissioner of the State filed their affidavits before the Allahabad High Court, stating that elections of civic bodies in the State would be completed by September 23, as per the fixed schedule. Their affidavit stated that as per the court direction, an ordinance had been issued in the official gazette on July 12, after approval of the governor of UP.
THE CHIEF secretary, principal secretary of Urban Development as well as the chief election commissioner of the State filed their affidavits before the Allahabad High Court, stating that elections of civic bodies in the State would be completed by September 23, as per the fixed schedule.
Their affidavit stated that as per the court direction, an ordinance had been issued in the official gazette on July 12, after approval of the governor of UP. It had further been followed by the framing of time-table for starting fresh exercise for the reservation of seats and holding of the elections. Its copy was annexed in the affidavit filed on behalf of the State government.
The court admitted the records and granted a week’s time to the petitioner to file reply of the same. This order was passed by Justice DP Singh on a contempt petition filed by Rakesh Kumar Singh. The court will now hear this contempt petition on July 21.
Earlier, appearing on behalf of the chief secretary and principal secretary, Urban Development, it was pointed out by the Advocate-General of UP, SMA Kazmi, that the State government was extremely keen on holding the election at every stage within time. However, due to innumerable petitions, which were filed at various stages, the delay had occurred. He further said that the State government had religiously followed various dictums of this High Court issued on October 28, 2005, December 22, 2005 and February 6, 2006 in various writ petitions and every order passed by the High Court had to be honoured by making some legislative and procedural exercise.
In this contempt petition, it was alleged that the order of the High Court for holding local bodies election within stipulated time had not been complied with by the State government.
Scholarship scam
THE ALLAHABAD High Court has finally fixed a period of three months for the completion of investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the multi-crore scholarship scam, which took place in various departments of the State few years back.
While disposing of the writ petition, a Division Bench comprising Justice Amitava Lala and Justice Shiv Shanker, said, “The matter is serious in nature involving scam of several crores of rupees in Viklang Kalyan Vibhag, Samaj Kalyan Vibhag, Pichhada Varg Kalyan Vibhag and Alpsankhyak Kalyan Vibhag departments.
The court said the time to file the report was extended by the appropriate Bench of this court earlier. Now, the status report had been filed within such extended period. Earlier, counsel for the CBI contended that the status report had been filed in the sealed cover. He requested for extra three months time to complete the investigation.
