Congress questions EC for suspending its Odisha official, asks what was in PM's chopper
New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday questioned the Election Commission order suspending a high-ranking poll official deputed to Odisha for allegedly checking the prime minister's chopper and said EC rules "do not exempt" PM's vehicle from being checked.
The opposition party accused the EC of "bias" after it suspended Karnataka cadre IAS officer Mohammed Mohsin for what the poll panel said was "dereliction of duty" with regard to "SPG protectees".
The Congress also wondered what Modi was carrying in his helicopter that he did not want India to see.
"An official was suspended by ECI for doing his job of inspecting vehicles. The rule cited governs the use of official vehicles for campaigning. It DOES NOT exempt PM's vehicle from being searched," the Congress said on its official Twitter handle.
"What is Modi carrying in the helicopter that he doesn't want India to see?" it added.
The Congress said instead of checking all flights of leaders, the EC was acting against its officials.
"After the case of the mysterious box being moved from Modi's chopper, we'd have expected the Election Commission of India to investigate every flight.
"But suspending an official who did this reeks of bias," the party said in another tweet.
According to an EC order, IAS officer Mohsin was suspended for "actions contrary to the instructions of the Commission concerning SPG protectees" on April 16 the day SPG-protectee Prime Minister Modi visited Sambalpur in Odisha to address an election rally.
"There have been instances where during polls EC was allowed to check convoys of both current & the former Congress President. SPG protectees can't be frisked personally. Why suspend an officer for checking PM's chopper? What message is being sent? Law is special for some?" senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel tweeted.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
