EC bans Indira logo on Indiramma houses

(Removal of Rajiv picture from Arogyasri emblem on ‘108’ ambulances being examined’

‘GOs issued by the government after the election code came into force being scrutinised’)

The Election Commission (EC) has imposed a ban on displaying the tricolour or affixing Indira Gandhi’s portrait on houses built under the Indiramma programme.

It imposed this restriction on Wednesday on the ground that these symbols violated the model election code and would tend to influence voters in favour of a political party. The decision came a few hours after Electionwatch, a citizens group, made a representation to Chief Electoral Officer I. V. Subba Rao, complaining against the three-colour painting and logo.

Mr. Subba Rao clarified that the ban would not apply to the houses already constructed and in cases where the beneficiaries painted their houses and put up the logo on their own. R. Subrahmanyam, MD, AP Housing Corporation with whom the CEO held discussions before the EC imposed the ban, said all the 3.5 lakh houses planned for construction from March to May would not have tri-colour painting and the logo, he added.

Mr. Subba Rao said the EC was examining another plea made by Electionwatch Advisor K. J. Rao for removal of Rajiv Gandhi picture from Arogyasri emblem on the ‘108’ ambulances. He said he was scrutinising the GOs purported to have been issued by the government after the election code came into force, and would take action if any of them were found to be objectionable.

The demand for replacement of P. Ramakantha Reddy and S.S.P Yadav as Chief Secretary and Director-General of Police could not be considered as charges against them were “substantiated”