People's Democracy

Reinstate Sahab Singh: CPI(M)

Following is the text of the letter written by CPI(M) general secretary, Harkishan Singh Surjeet to the Chief Election Commissioner on March 2 on the replacement of the PIO in the PIB, Shri Sahab Singh after the Model Code of Conduct has come into force.

AS per Order No. 25/2004-IIS dated 01.03.2004 of the Government of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Sahab Singh, a higher grade officer of IIS group `A', presently posted as Principal Information Officer, Press Information Bureau has been placed on compulsory wait in PIB until further orders and Smt. Shakuntala Mahawal, a selection grade officer of IIS group `A'  has been given additional charge of the post of Director, RR & TD and current charge of the post of Principal Information Officer, Press Information Bureau. 

The Order to place Shri Sahab Singh on compulsory wait and to give current charge of the duties of the post of PIO in PIB has been issued after the announcement of elections to the Lok Sabha by the Election Commission of India on February 29, 2004. 

The post of Principal Information Officer is very important as the duty of the officer is to provide information to the public about the performance and views of the government.  The post assumes more importance at the time of elections.  The act of the government to place Shri Sahab Singh, who holds a very sensitive post, on compulsory wait and to give current charge of the duties of the post of Principal Information Officer to Smt. Shakuntala Mahawal is a flagrant violation of the spirit of Chapter 7, “Party in Power”, of the Model Code of Conduct.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) requests the Election Commission to intervene in the matter of gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the Government of India and to take appropriate measures for the reinstatement of Shri Sahab Singh to the  post of Principal Information Office, Press Information Bureau.