EC clears MNREGA funds
Allows govt to release money to HP, Gujarat without publicity
New Delhi, Nov. 8: The Election Commission has allowed the Centre to release the second instalment of funds under the MNREGA scheme for pollbound Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat with a rider that there will be “absolutely” no publicity in this regard, a poll panel official said on Wednesday.
While the single-phase Assembly election in Himachal Pradesh will be held on November 9, the first phase of polls in Gujarat will take place on December 9. The second phase will be held on December 14.
A total of 32 reference were made to the Commission for clearance under the model code of conduct between October
12 — when the code was enforced and November 7.
The commission had studied the references in detail and had issued its “no objection” subject to certain conditions or asked for deferment of proposal in poll-bound states, an official of the poll watchdog said.
With eight references, the Central Board of Excise and Customs had sought the maximum number of permissions from the poll watchdog.
“Majority of the MCC references received by EC — 22 (about 70 per cent) were cleared in the first three days, six were cleared on the same day and the rest were cleared in six days from the date of receipt,” he said.
The rural development ministry had sought a no objection for releasing the second tranche of instalment under MGNREGA for 2017-18 to Gujarat and HP.
The commission gave its nod subject to conditions that “absolutely no publicity” in any form should be carried out in this regard.
The ministry was told that no reference is to be made by any political functionary in this regard to press or public. The restrictions apply to both the Centre and the two state governments.
The ministry of chemicals and fertilisers was asked by the EC to defer the release of an advertisement highlighting its achievements in Himachal Pradesh. Apparently, the reference was received when the Gujarat polls were not announced.
Railways was issued a no objection for release of “Railway Zonal Timetables” and “Tables at a glance” along with two annexures containing trains which have already been notified and yet to be notified, based on the condition that no “undue publicity” would be made in this regard. —