Date:04/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/04/stories/2006030415870600.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

EC stays appointments

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The Election Commission has stayed the appointment of drivers and other categories to the State Transport Undertakings.

This follows complaints that appointment letters were handed after the model code of conduct came into force. Commission sources in Delhi said the complaint was that appointment letters were "ante-dated" and delivered after election dates were announced. "If these are essential services, the State Government must have sought the clearance from the EC before recruiting new staff. We have asked the State Government not to let these appointees join duty before elections," an official said.