Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 24

The BJP has topped the list of defaulters in the district as far as the model code of conduct for the Assembly elections is concerned, having been asked to pay Rs 1.52 lakh from the total expenditure of Rs 2.26 lakh borne by the administration in removing hoardings while implementing the code of conduct.

The Congress came second as it was asked to pay Rs 41,470 for the illegal hoardings. The BSP was asked to pay Rs 2,472, the Shiv Sena Rs 672 and the Apna Punjab Party Rs 340 to the election expenditure committee.

According to officials of the committee, the parties were charged at the rate of Rs 5 per square feet to remove a single hoarding in the city, Rs 14 per square feet to remove a wall painting and Rs 4 per square feet to remove a poster.

Deputy Commissioner KK Yadav said since the implementation of the code of conduct in the state, the administration has removed over 4,000 election hoardings in the area. He said the administration is going to lodge an FIR against parties who do not adhere to the model code of conduct.