PANAJI: The state election commission on Tuesday lifted the model code of conduct which had been imposed due to the recent zilla panchayat (ZP) elections. The results of ZP elections were declared on Monday.
The lifting of the model code will enable the state government to resume development works in the state.
“The model code of conduct imposed by the SEC with effect from December 5 is lifted with effect from 00.00 hrs of the intervening night of December 14 and 15,” state commissioner Chokha Ram Garg said.
Last month, the state government issued an office memorandum to pave way for departments to start the recruitment process and infrastructure works from December 1. But everything came to standstill due to ZP elections.
Over the last two to three months, the economy has shown signs of recovery. If one takes GST collections as a barometer for economic recovery, October’s GST collection nearly matches the Rs 311 crore collected a year ago. The revival of tourism, along with the periodic release of funds to meet the GST compensation gap, has buoyed the state’s coffers.
Chief minister Pramod Sawant had said that the process to recruit over 10,000 people — one of the largest recruitment drives — will begin from December 1.
Earlier this year, in March, an office memorandum issued by then finance secretary Daulat Hawaldar had stated, “defer recruitment in all government departments, autonomous bodies/state PSUs/local bodies receiving grants from the state up to December 2020”.
The memorandum had stated that the government would stop granting expenditure approvals for infrastructure projects till December, even if the project has received administrative approval. Except for projects partly or wholly funded by Centre or deposit works, this had a bearing on projects initiated by government departments, corporations, state undertakings and panchayats and municipalities.