The Election Commission today reprimanded the Haryana government for violating the Model Code of Conduct, in place for Rohtak parliamentary byelections, which will be held on September 28.The EC expressed ‘‘serious displeasure’’ over Bhupinder Singh Hooda government giving an advertisement in various newspapers on August 25, announcing Rajiv Gandhi scholarships for 50,000 school children.The EC noted that the government had also invited expression of interest for a consultancy in the Rajiv Gandhi Educational City in Sonepat, which is part of Rohtak parliamentary constituency.In another violation, the state government issued a press note, announcing a plan to set up two polytechnics in Rewari and Rohtak.In a letter to the state government, the EC pulled up officials responsible for the lapses. The EC had earlier asked the Haryana Chief Secretary to file a report on the violation of the model code.The action came after complaints by the BJP state unit.Meanwhile, the district magistrate of Rohtak, who is also the Returning Officer, has ordered filing of five FIRs against BJP, Congress activists and some individuals, for defacing public and private properties and other violations of the model code.
