KAKKANAD: It seems that the hue and cry over election expenses, raised by revenue officials and village officers, is a ‘drama’ as most of the taluk offices are yet to submit their expense reports.
“There are reports that the district administration was not taking the initiative to reimburse the election expenses. In fact, the delay from the part of the taluk offices in submitting the expenditure report has resulted in the fund being held up,” Deputy Collector (Election) Shanavas said, and added that the reimbursement of election expenses could be done only after getting the expenditure report.
“The government had sanctioned `1.06 crore for the reimbursement, ten days ago. But, most of the taluks under the Ernakulam district have not submitted the expenditure report though the Election Commission had fixed the final date on June 16,” he said.
Earlier, the village officers and revenue officials had alleged that the district administration was not disbursing the money spend by them for election purposes. As of now, only the Paravur and Muvattupuzha taluks have submitted the expenditure reports.
According to the Election Department, it had disbursed ` 1.5 crore before the election work for the Ernakulam and Chalakkudy constituencies started. “Later, `50 lakh was distributed on the election day for transportation, shifting of voting machines and travelling and daily allowance for the officials,” said an official of the Election Department. The delay in submitting the expenditure report will adversely affect the taluks as the Department could reimburse the expense only on the basis of financial audit, which should be completed before June 16.