Housing ministry violated poll code

CHENNAI: The housing and urban development ministry had violated the election code of conduct by giving green signal to four of the 30 proposals recommended by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) before the electoral results were announced, said CMDA sources.The sources alleged that once it came to light that the code of conduct was violated, the then acting chief planner of the area plans unit was transferred and kept in the waitlist.Sources said that the CMDA area development unit held two meetings of the multi-storeyed building (MSB) panel on March 1 and May 9. “More than 30 proposals were placed in the panel meeting. Four of them got approval before the results. It is only for the government to decide whether to give clearance or not keeping in mind the electoral code of conduct. We are a body that only recommends on issues concerning planning permission,” CMDA officials said. Currently, the files are with the government for scrutiny and approval.On why the MSB meeting was held on March 1 and May 9, violating the code of conduct, it was said, “The department has to function and since we are not the body to give the approvals, we merely give our recommendations.”“The officials are know the rules. Why should they clear it,” they asked.  The member-secretary constitutes the MSB panel and only on clearance by the vice-chairman, files are placed before the MSB panel. On why the recommendations for approval were given to 30-odd files, it was clarified that the files were submitted during various periods and as such there was no hurry in placing them in the panel.