Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], April 29 : Himachal Pradesh Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that development work is badly affected in the state due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct after the announcement of the schedule.
Addressing the media in Shimla, Negi urged the Election Commission "to allow the government to complete all the public interest works pending before it, considering the geographical conditions of the state."
He said, "The elections in the state are in the final stages and development work is being badly affected due to the prolonged code of conduct, hence, the Commission should be given immediate permission to complete these works on a priority basis."
The elections to the four Lok Sabha seats of Himachal Pradesh and by-polls to the six assembly constituencies that fell vacant with the disqualification of six rebel Congress MLAs and their eventual switch to the BJP will be held on June 1.
Negi said, "Even before the implementation of the Election Code of Conduct in the state, the government had sought permission from the Commission to complete these essential and routine developmental works.".
"Tenders were to be floated in the Industries Department for purchasing desk benches for schools, but they are not being floated even though studies have started in schools. Similarly, vacant posts of teachers were also to be filled," he said.
The voting for the first two phases of Lok Sabha elections has been completed so far.
The third phase of voting will be held on May 7. Lok Sabha polls are being held across seven phases till June 1, and votes will be counted on June 4.