New Delhi: The Election Commission expressed its displeasure at the government’s cash transfer scheme, announced as a political initiative and achievement last week by the United Progressive Alliance, and asked the government not to roll it out in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh until the poll process there is completed.

The commission, which received a complaint on the government’s plan from the rival Bharatiya Janata Party, termed the announcement of the scheme as “avoidable", in a letter to the cabinet secretary that was posted on its website.

The cash transfer scheme, aimed at better targeting of subsidies, was to be rolled out initially in 51 districts of the country from 1 January 2013. It was unveiled ahead of elections to the state assemblies of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Elections are yet to be held in Gujarat, while results of polls held last month in Himachal Pradesh are awaited.

“All follow up and consequential steps towards the implementation of the scheme in respect of the four districts in the state of Gujarat and the two districts in the state of Himachal Pradesh, which are proposed to be covered in the first phase of implementation of the scheme, shall be kept in abeyance till completion of the election process in these two states," the commission said.

In its reply, the government said on Monday that the announcement didn’t violate the model code of conduct and didn’t contain anything that wasn’t in this year’s budget, according to PTI.

In its letter, the EC asked why the government’s response was “silent with regard to the justification sought by the commission as to the necessity of announcement of the scheme at this juncture", when the model code of conduct was operational in the two states.

The EC said the announcement on cash transfers was “avoidable" going by the letter and spirit of the model code of conduct, keeping in mind that the announcement of policy decisions should not affect elections.

“The commission, therefore, expresses concern over such ‘announcement’ and expects that such announcements during model code of conduct operation are avoided," it said.

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