GHMC Act defied in naming poll staff

GHMC Commissioner’s authority over the staff of Central authorities establishments in phrases of commissioning their companies for the conduct of civic polls stays shrouded in ambiguity, whilst a number of such staff appointed as presiding officers and polling officers have attended coaching courses.

Election responsibility orders have been issued in the identify of GHMC Commissioner D.S. Lokesh Kumar, who can be designated Election Authority by the State Election Commission, to staff of a number of Central authorities organisations, together with analysis establishments. Apart from lecturers of Kendriya Vidyalayas, a number of scientists from analysis establishments, a few of who’re in directorial and secretarial positions, are in receipt of the orders, to their utter bemusement.

According to dependable sources, even scientists in the grades ‘A’ and ‘B’ from the defence analysis organisations and atomic vitality services haven’t been spared of the election responsibility, which severely hampers their operations. Those who haven’t attended the coaching courses have been served present trigger notices, they knowledgeable.

However, the Election Authority’s jurisdiction stays questionable over the Central authorities staff in the case of GHMC elections, they level out. “The orders do not contain any reference Act or authority under which the GHMC Commissioner was appointing us for GHMC elections, which should have been mentioned if the signing authority is not our superior under the departmental flow chart,” shared a scientist.

Clarity in Act

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act, 1955, which speaks in regards to the conduct of the company elections, particularly mentions that the State authorities ought to deploy State authorities and company staff for the aim. The Act, in its Section 10, enjoins the State authorities to offer the State Election Commission with such staff as could also be vital for the elections. “On the request of the State Election Commission, the State Government shall place at the disposal of the Commission such staff of the State Government and the Municipal Corporations for the purpose of conduct of elections under this Act,” says sub-section 4.

For the aim of elections the SEC might delegate his powers to such officers as he might deem vital, which in this occasion, is the GHMC Commissioner. “Since the Central government departments are unaware of these facts, the Commissioner is taking advantage and threatening us to attend duties. We are under the impression that since State government employees are against the ruling party at the Centre, the latter wants to use Central manpower, and the Commissioner is acting to suit their interest,” an worker alleges.

‘No limiting provision’

Sought for his model, Mr.Lokesh Kumar responded in a single sentence, saying there is no such thing as a such ‘limiting’ provision.

He avoided answering beneath which provision the orders had been issued.