Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Mar 13: Relating to a statement made by the City Corporation mayor Shankar Bhat, the District Election Officer (DEO) has issued a notice to him, for violating the model code of conduct that has come into force with the notification to hold Lok Sabha elections.

The mayor has been charged with making a declaration at a function held in Suratkal on March 4, after the code of conduct was enforced that the Self Assessment Property Tax Scheme (SAS) had been withheld and that the same would be given affect to, after reviewing the prevailing scheme. The DEO has considered this statement as a violation of the code and issued show-cause notice to him.

The mayor has replied to the notice, by claiming that his statement does not tantamount to violation of the code of conduct. He has said that he had just quoted a decision taken earlier in the municipal council meeting. He also has sent attached a copy of the decision taken at the council meeting, along with the reply.

In a separate notice, the DEO has warned the mayor, deputy mayor and opposition leaders, not to issue statements or clarifications on the property tax scheme. He has said that these would be considered as the appeasement of voters and hence, clear violation of the code of conduct.  It may be recalled, that opposition leader in the Corporation Harinath had held a press conference relating to SAS on March 7 in the city.