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Gogoi wants EC to ensure �D� voters can cast votes

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, March 9 - Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today asked Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia to take up the matter immediately with the Election Commission of India regarding the exercise of franchise by �D� voters in the backdrop of a Supreme Court judgement.

Gogoi said that in view of the verdict by the apex court to restore the voting rights of �D� voters, the Election Commission of India must instruct the District Returning Officers to ensure that the �D� voters are able to exercise their votes without any hassles.

Hailing the verdict of the Supreme Court, Gogoi said that his government has all along been pressing the urgent need for resolving the fate of tens of thousands of �D� voters hanging in the balance. �It�s a good decision on the part of the apex court to restore the voting rights of the �D� voters, an issue hanging in the balance since long. Our government�s stand was clear on the �D� voters� issue. Following the apex court verdict, the Election Commission of India must pass necessary orders to the District Returning Officers to ensure that the �D� voters are able to cast their votes without facing any sort of difficulty,� he added.

The Chief Minister also asked the Chief Secretary to instruct all the departmental heads not to slow down the development process under the garb of Model Code of Conduct.

In a statement here today, Gogoi said that he had received complaints that some officers have slowed down the process of development on the pretext that the Model Code of Conduct is in force. Gogoi asked Pipersenia to ensure that the ongoing developmental activities are not slowed down in any manner and that they are being carried out expeditiously so that the fruits of development reach out to all sections of people.

The Chief Minister said that he would monitor and review the ongoing development work from time to time and would not tolerate any laxity on the part of officials slowing down the pace of development on the pretext of Model Code of Conduct being in force in view of the upcoming Assembly election.

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