Despite EC order, minister`s pic remains on official website

New Delhi: The Ministry of Women and Child Development has still not followed the order of the Election Commission to remove the picture of its minister Krishna Tirath, contesting Lok Sabha polls here, from the official website.

The direction of the Commission was forwarded by Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat to all the Secretaries concerned asking them to follow the EC`s directions to this effect. "The (Election) Commission has decided that during the period when the model code of conduct is in force in connection with general elections to the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies currently going on, all references of ministers, politicians or political parties available on such central or state government`s official websites shall be removed," the EC order sent to the Cabinet Secretary said. The Commission called for "strict compliance" of the order. However, the official website of Women and Child Development still displays Tirath`s picture. Also on display is the profile of KV Thomas, Minister of State (Independent) charge of Consumer Affairs on the official website. The Election Commission said the decision was taken after considering various references currently available in the ministerial website eulogising the achievements of their ministry and departments as personal achievements of politicians or ministers. Other ministries had removed the picture of their ministers and kept the space blank.