Poll code: GHMC official, 6 others get notices

HYDERABAD: The biennial elections to the legislative council from Hyderabad-Rangareddy-Mahbubnagar graduate’s constituency has turned into a showdown among Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials.

On March 15, Priyanka Ala, serving as GHMC additional commissioner (revenue wing) who is also the returning officer for MLC polls slapped a show-cause notice on V Mamatha, GHMC zonal commissioner, Kukatpally zone, for violating the model code of conduct.
Apart from her, six other government officials — also part of employee unions — were served notices. The members belong to Telangana Non-Gazetted Officers (TNGOs), Telangana Gazetted Officers Association (TGOs)and Progressive Recognized Teacher’s Union Telangana State. All of them were given 24 hours to respond.
“It appears that the leaders of TNGOs, TGOS and PRTU have given a public statement to the media and electronic media to influence and lure the graduate government employees and teachers to furtherance the candidature S Vani Devi contesting candidate, TRS party which is in violation of model code of conduct,” read the notice.
Those named in it include K Ravinder Reddy, ex-TNGO president; Narendar Rao, president, Secretariat Employees Association; Mamella Rajendar, general secretary, TNGO association; Satyanarayana, P Sripal Reddy and B Kamalakar Rao — all of whom are office bearers of PRTU, Hyderabad.
The notice asked them to respond why action should not be initiated against them. On March 9, the union leaders met the chief minister and later said he had assured to grant PRC to government employees. Praising the government they said, as per the chief minister, the PRC extended to them would be more compared to government staff in AP.
“Unions have replied to the notice and the same has been sent to ECI officials in Delhi. As per guidelines, appropriate action will be taken,” said Shashank Goel, Telangana chief electoral officer (CEO).