india

Updated: Mar 21, 2019 09:37 IST

The Indian Railways asked its different zones not to sell tickets displaying advertisements of government achievements and the photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a day after West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress party complained to the Election Commission over what it said was a violation of the model code of conduct.

According to a railway official, the tickets were printed well in advance, and many of them carried advertisements approved by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) of the government of India.

“It is possible that the stock earlier procured by some zonal railways might be having advertisements of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojna as pointed out by TMC [Trinamool Congress]. Instructions have, however, been issued to all zonal railways to discontinue the usage of the stock having such advertisements,” said a Railways spokesperson.

According to the spokesperson, when the model code — which kicks in with the announcement of elections — is in place, the photographs of the Prime Minister, chief ministers, ministers and other political functionaries should not be displayed on official websites, government buildings and advertisements.

“These are standard procedures to be followed suo motu after the release of the schedule of election... Instructions have been issued on this account. After the TMC pointed this out, we have issued a fresh instruction and told the zonal railways to ensure there is no violation of model code of conduct,” said the official of the railway board quoted above.

The railways said as far as ticketing stationery is concerned, reserved and unreserved railway tickets are printed in house at five railway printing presses, and some quantity is purchased from private players on contract. “The advertisements printed on these tickets are received from DAVP/ Government of India as well as from local sources. Tickets are procured well in time to avoid any inconvenience in case of depletion of stock,” the railway spokesperson said.

The Election Commission (EC) did not respond to queries on whether any notice has been issued to the railways.

A 2007 EC order directs all ministries and public sector units to remove photographs of the PM, CMs and ministers from roadside banners, ambulances and airports, among others, till the model code of conduct is in place.