ఎన్నికలు జరపాలి అంటూ, ఛీఫ్ సెక్రటరీ నీలం సహనీ, రాష్ట్ర ఎన్నికల కమిషన్ కు లేఖ రాసారు. రాష్ట్రంలో కరోనా ప్రభుత్వం పెద్దగా లేదని, ఎన్నికలు వెంటనే జరపాలని, అలాగే కేంద్రం నుంచి వచ్చే నిధులు ఆగిపోతాయని లేఖ రాసారు. ఈ లేఖ పై, సమాధానం చెప్తూ, మూడు పేజీలతో కూడిన లేఖ రాసారు రమేష్ కుమార్. కరోనా వైరస్ వ్యాప్తిని దృష్టిలో పెట్టుకుని ప్రస్తుతమున్న పరిస్థితుల్లో ఎన్నికలు జరపలేమని ఎన్నికల కమిషనర్ రమేష్ కుమార్ స్పష్టం చేసారు. అలాగే నిధులు రావు అనే ప్రచారం తప్పు అని, గతంలో నేను ఆర్థిక శాఖ కార్యదర్శి గా పనిచేశాను అని రమేష్ కుమార్ గుర్తు చేసారు. ఎన్నికలు ఇస్తేనే నిధులు వస్తాయి అనడం తప్పు గతంలో కూడా ఆపేసిన నిధులు కూడా తెచ్చుకున్న సంఘటనలు ఉన్నాయి అంటూ ఆయన సమాధానంలో చెప్పారు. అలాగే మనమే కాదని, మహారాష్ట్ర, పశ్చిమ బెంగాల్ లో కూడా, స్థానిక సంస్థల ఎన్నికలు వాయిదా పడిన విషయానన్ని ఆయన తన లేఖలో స్పష్టం చేసారు. ఇది ఆయన రాసిన లేఖ...
Dear Nilam Ji, There have been concerted attacks on the State Election Commission that postponement of elections may likely hamper the possibility of accessing the 14" Finance Commission grants meant for local bodies. I want to set the record straight in this matter. I have worked as Finance Secretary prior to my stint in Raj Bhavan and handled the Finance Commission matters and have an intimate working knowledge. For release of funds to local bodies (basic grants and performance grants) holding of elections to local bodies is one of the conditions. In the past, the State Government was able to access successfully withheld funds after holding elections for the previous years as well. The present election schedule is consciously evolved to complete the election process by March 31, 2020 to enable the State to make a case for accessing withheld 14 Finance Commission grant to local bodies. The election schedule was consciously drawn by the SEC after receiving an assurance in writing from you that the State will provide requisite security and poll staff for holding elections. Solely based on State's comfort level, a compressed election schedule had been drawn up. This, however, had drawn flak from several quarters which I do not want to go into. 'Corona' virus is truly a circumstance beyond anticipation. As per information available, three mainline States, i.e., Mahatashtra, West Bengal and neighbouring Orissa have also put on hold local body elections. In fact, in the State Election Commissioners' group, which is an active information sharing real time platform; all the Commissions to my knowledge have deferred holding bye-polls. Bihar is one such example. UT is following suit. Goa is actively reconsidering its election schedule understandably.
Andhra Pradesh is not alone at the present juncture facing 'Corona' challenge. State Election Commissioners as a body are accessing WHO warnings and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare circular guidelines and information placed in the public domain. Precisely keeping this in view, I had specifically mentioned to you to expressly get in touch with Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, on 14th of this instant when we met at SEC's office. Prior to this, I had also been regularly in touch over telephone with your Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare. For the record, all these conversations were initiated from my end. Understandably, the Health Department was busy and could not share any information or send any functionary with any data. Therefore, to put any blame at the doorstep of the Commission is not factual. It is incorrect. Similarly, I do not know whether you are able to get in touch with the Secretary of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, who is also our cadremate! However, I have received a letter from you about several measures taken by the State Government in combating the Corona virus and how the State is not facing a threat in holding elections. I am happy to know that the State Government has taken several active measures. I commend the Health Department under your leadership. Corona virus understandably has several phases as per the WHO and progress from one phase to another is very rapid and unusually so.
The guidelines to combat the spread speak about different protocols, i.e., moderate distancing, attempted quarantine and extensive distancing. The Commissioners group is constantly updating our knowledge and inputs as a concerned group. The postponement of elections perhaps may fall under 'Moderate Distancing Protocol'. China, for instance, followed 'Extensive Distancing' and is commended for its containment. In the absence of scientific data for which no one can be faulted, I responded stating that you may refer the case to the National Task Force' set up by the Government of India so as to revisit the issue. The health experts are of the view that India might have entered Stage-2! If the task force is able to categorically advise that after risk assessment permits holding elections in Andhra Pradesh, the SEC is prepared to readily revisit the issue before the 6 week postponement proposed. The State Election Commission is prepared to support your efforts to access the 14" Finance Commission funds through any requisite documentation from our end. Our combined efforts so far have been to hold local body elections before 31" March 2020 and to protect the State's interests. Based on my experience, the release of basic grant is on a more flexible terrain and performance grant has different parameters. But since Andhra Pradesh is not alone in the present situation, the States, in similar situation, can make a common pleading. On my part, I will vouch for the State's and our collective efforts.