All promotional advertisements appearing after the imposition of the model code of conduct will be billed to officials authorising their release or publication.
The election commission (EC) has already hauled up the authorities concerned in the central and Delhi governments for a full-page ad that appeared in most national dailies on Friday, enlisting achievements of the two dispensations relating to the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
EC issued notices to cabinet secretary, secretary, ministry of sports and youth affairs, and chief secretary, Delhi, seeking to explain the release. It sought the name and address of the organisation behind the release, the names of officers and persons who authorised it and the expenditure incurred on its publication, as the advert did not carry any names.
EC also directed that the cost of the advert be recovered from personal accounts of the officers/persons responsible for the release. Making it clear that such violations would be dealt with sternly in future as well, EC stressed its directions be complied with immediately. It has sought an action-taken report by noon on Monday.
The full-page ad recounted the achievements of the central and state governments in preparation for the Games. It made a specific mention of 24 flyovers, 75 aerobridges, 1,285 km of better roads and acquisition of 5,000 low-floor buses, among other things.
