The chief secretary NC Bajpai on Sunday issued stern warning to district magistrates to complete distribution of voters' photo identity cards immediately or face consequences. Bajpai said the process of the distribution should be completed by February 25. The DMs have also been asked to immediately stop issuing fresh arms licences and a circular of the Election Commission has been given to them in this connection.
The EC, which has been closely monitoring the work, has set a deadline of February 26 for the completion of the process. Since the commission has sought report on law and order situation in the state, Bajpai also reviewed the prevailing situation.
In the backdrop of the commission taking tough stand on identity card, Bajai, who summoned a meeting of the district magistrates here on Sunday, said if the election process was hampered because of ID-card then the DMs would be held responsible. Pointing out that slackness would not be tolerated, Bajpai said electorates whose photographs had been taken should be issued cards by February 25.
Reviewing the district-wise performance, Bajpai expressed his dissatisfaction over the present pace of the work, as no district had proved up to the mark. There was vast difference between photography of the voters and distribution of the card. The pace of work in 19 districts, including Rae Bareli, Ghaziabad, Mathura, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Unnao, Fatehpur, Sultanpur, Khiri, Banda, Chitrakoot, Meerut and Moradabad, was extremely slow.
Bajpai said as per the EC directives, work on ID-cards should be completed on priority. He said DMs should know that photography of the voters was not the only responsibility and they should ensure the delivery of the cards to every voter. Bajpai said he would be reviewing the work daily to ensure the compliance of the EC directives. Instructions have been issued to the DMs to send information on daily basis to divisional commissioners who in turn would forward it to chief electoral officer (CEO) and staff officer to the chief secretary.
{{/usCountry}}Bajpai said as per the EC directives, work on ID-cards should be completed on priority. He said DMs should know that photography of the voters was not the only responsibility and they should ensure the delivery of the cards to every voter. Bajpai said he would be reviewing the work daily to ensure the compliance of the EC directives. Instructions have been issued to the DMs to send information on daily basis to divisional commissioners who in turn would forward it to chief electoral officer (CEO) and staff officer to the chief secretary.
{{/usCountry}}Bajpai also issued directives to beef up law and order situation. Principal Secretary (Home) SK Agarwal asked the DMs to ensure execution of non-bailable warrants against the criminals. He said wanted criminals should be immediately arrested and NSA, Goonda Act and Gangster Act should be slapped on dreaded criminals. Agarwal said action should be taken against stockpiling of arms. DGP Bua Singh and CEO AK Vishnoi were also present at the meeting.
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