KOCHI: A month may have passed since the Assembly elections concluded, but the officials under returning and assistant returning officers in certain districts are yet to get their wages for the work done as part of the election. In contrast those deployed in polling booths on the election day have received increased wages, say the aggrieved staff deployed for the purpose from various public departments.
These officials were engaged in various election-related works for more than one-and-a-half months before the elections. “Despite having undertaken such a strenuous work schedule for the smooth conduct of election we are yet to get our wages,” said an official in Ernakulam.
When contacted, a senior official at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in the state capital said that all 14 districts were given a fixed amount prior to election for election spending. “All districts have to submit statements regarding their expenses after election, and then if needed the Chief Electoral Officer releases additional funds,” said the official. adding that only five districts have so far submitted such statements.
When contacted an official in the Ernakulam District Collectorate (Elections) said that the Returning Officers (ROs) in three out of 14 Assembly constituencies in the district are yet to submit the bills regarding their election expenses.
These are Angamaly, Kothamangalam and Tripunithura. “Since they haven't given the bills, the payment of other constituencies too is pending. The bills can be encashed as a whole only. So others also get affected,” he added.
