The Election Commission has expressed displeasure at the Government’s decision to announce the cash transfer scheme when the model code of conduct is in operation.
Terming the announcement “avoidable”, the poll panel said the Cabinet Secretary’s justification was also silent on its necessity when the Gujarat election process was on.
It asked the Government that all steps to implement the scheme in four districts in Gujarat and two in Himachal Pradesh be kept in abeyance till completion of the election process.
The panel said its approach has been not to go into the merits of the policy decisions taken by the Government.
The Commission said in a letter to the Cabinet Secretary that its concern was only to see whether such policy announcements would have any impact on the election or whether it would disturb the level playing field.