Defer implementation of cash transfer scheme: EC to govt
New Delhi: Dissatisfied with the UPA government’s response to its notice on the direct cash transfer scheme, the Election Commission on Tuesday asked the Congress-led ruling coalition to defer its implementation till the assembly elections are held in Gujarat.
According to reports, the decision in this regard was taken by the full-bench of the Election Commission, which met this morning to decide on a complaint by the BJP that the UPA government violated rules by announcing the direct cash transfer scheme and implementing it in poll-bound Gujarat where the Model Code of Conduct is in force.
The three-member poll body headed by Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath asked the UPA government to defer its implementation till the assembly elections are over in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
In its observation, the EC said, “The announcement of direct cash transfer scheme could have been avoided by government ahead of polls in Gujarat.”
“Government should have maintained letter and spirit of model code of conduct,” it said.
Under fire from the apex poll body, government yesterday told the Election Commission that there was nothing new in the scheme which is part of this year's budget proposals.
The Planning Commission provided details of the scheme and claimed that nothing new has been announced by the government.
According to reports, the decision in this regard was taken by the full-bench of the Election Commission, which met this morning to decide on a complaint by the BJP that the UPA government violated rules by announcing the direct cash transfer scheme and implementing it in poll-bound Gujarat where the Model Code of Conduct is in force.
The three-member poll body headed by Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath asked the UPA government to defer its implementation till the assembly elections are over in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
In its observation, the EC said, “The announcement of direct cash transfer scheme could have been avoided by government ahead of polls in Gujarat.”
“Government should have maintained letter and spirit of model code of conduct,” it said.
Under fire from the apex poll body, government yesterday told the Election Commission that there was nothing new in the scheme which is part of this year's budget proposals.
The Planning Commission provided details of the scheme and claimed that nothing new has been announced by the government.
The Plan Panel's note was preceded by a brief communication to the EC from the Cabinet Secretariat stating that they had referred the matter to the Planning Commission for detailed inputs.
The opposition BJP has complained that the announcement of the direct cash transfer scheme violates the model code of conduct, which kicks in as soon as elections are announced and forbids parties and candidates from sharing decisions or policies that could influence voters in their favour.
Earlier defending the government, Union I&B Minister Manish Tewari said, "The BJP should make its position clear on cash transfers. Are they for cash transfers or are they against it?"
Gujarat votes on December 13 and 17. The direct cash transfer scheme, a major reform measure, is meant to be implemented from January 1.
Starting with 51 districts, including four in Gujarat, the government plans to replace subsidized items with direct deposits in the bank accounts of beneficiaries, most of them low-income families.
The opposition BJP has complained that the announcement of the direct cash transfer scheme violates the model code of conduct, which kicks in as soon as elections are announced and forbids parties and candidates from sharing decisions or policies that could influence voters in their favour.
Earlier defending the government, Union I&B Minister Manish Tewari said, "The BJP should make its position clear on cash transfers. Are they for cash transfers or are they against it?"
Gujarat votes on December 13 and 17. The direct cash transfer scheme, a major reform measure, is meant to be implemented from January 1.
Starting with 51 districts, including four in Gujarat, the government plans to replace subsidized items with direct deposits in the bank accounts of beneficiaries, most of them low-income families.
The main advantages in paying cash directly are that corruption can be reduced by removing government middlemen who often demand bribes to dispense subsidized products or services, while the poor can be better targeted.
However, only those with a Unique ID (UID) number and a bank account will be eligible for the cash transfers. Under the Aadhar scheme headed by Infosys' co-founder Nandan Nilekani, every citizen is to be assigned a unique biometric identity number.
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