Election Commission Of Kerala Lifts The Ban On Free Rice Supply After State Cabinet Decided To Move To The Court

Election Commission of Kerala lifts the ban on free rice supply in the state. It is a boost to the ruling Congress-led UDF ahead of May 16 Assembly elections. Election Commission has given its nod for implementing the free rice supply scheme which the state government had announced in its 2016-17 budget.

The EC had earlier guarded the government against rolling out of the scheme under which 25 kg of free rice. The rice would be supplied to below poverty line families from this month in the wake of the model code of conduct coming into force following the announcement of the polls on March 4.

Oommen Chandy

Clearing the decks for the scheme, the Commission, put a condition that no new persons should be added to the present list of beneficiaries, the state Chief Electoral Office said. The government proposal was to distribute free rice to families that come under below poverty line people. Election Commission had also said Ministers or MLAs should not take part in any ceremony for rice distribution.

Disappointed by the Election Commission’s order about restraining the scheme, the state government appealed to the EC to permit and give a node as the decision to supply free rice was taken prior to the announcement of polls. The government had also said it would explore legal options if the EC did not permit the scheme’s implementation.

However, the Election Commission lifted the ban after the state cabinet resolved to move to the court if the clearance was not given.

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