Panaji, December 29, 2016 …. The General Elections to the Goa State Legislative Assembly are tentatively scheduled in the month of February, 2017 and the Model Code of Conduct will be in force by the end of December, 2016.
During this period there is a possibility that the Self Help Groups/NGOs could be made conduits by Political Parties/candidates for distribution of money/materials in cash or kind thereby indulging in large scale malpractices which is a punishable offence under IPC and R.P. Act. Therefore, it is strictly urged upon all the members of Self Help Groups under District Rural Development Agency, North and South Goa, not to get influenced in acts of receiving any illegal gratification through any mode prior to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct till the completion of the entire Election process to have a free and fair Election.
In case of any violations of the above instructions by any of the SHGs, action deemed fit will be initiated under the relevant provisions of Representation of People Act 1951 and Indian Penal Code respectively against the erring SHGs. In addition to this all the benefits to the SHGs under National Rural Livelihoods Mission Scheme will also be suspended for a further period to be decided by the appropriate authorities.
