Despite howls of protest, PMO pushes ahead with direct cash transfer scheme

Urging the EC to take immediate action, BJP said it is being done with the "deliberate intention of influencing the voters" in the ongoing election process in Gujarat.

"We request the Commission to direct the government to withdraw the announcement and defer it to an appropriate time after the completion of the election process in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh," the memorandum said.

Advani said, "The Election Commission's primary responsibility is to ensure free and fair elections.

That is why they frame a code of conduct and Government should not make any announcement before or during elections that could influence voting or voters.

"The cash transfer scheme is for the entire country but the two states where elections are being held should have been excluded.

If you make an announcement before the elections are due, the party in power at the Centre can benefit."

'Direct cash transfer not violation of poll code'

The government today rejected BJP's allegation that the direct cash transfer scheme is a violation of the code of conduct of election, saying that the announcement was made in the Budget speech in March.

Government sources said the first announcement about Direct Cash Transfer was made by the then Finance Minister (Pranab Mukherjee) in his Budget speech on March 16 and a statement from the PMO on September 28, well before the announcement of elections in Gujarat.

In a complaint filed to the Election Commission yesterday, BJP's Gujarat state unit had said the direct cash transfer announcement is a poll code violation as four of the 51 districts selected fall in poll-bound Gujarat.

Gujarat goes to polls in two phases on December 13 and 17 and the model code of conduct is in force in the state.

The government proposes to roll-out the Aadhaar-enabled cash transfer for 29 schemes from January 1 in 51 districts, spread over 16 states.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Railgate: BJP protests against CBI DIG for shielding Pawan Bansal

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives, to hold talks with PM on boundary, water issues

Sarabjit's murder: Pak judge may visit India

Counter-terrorism to top Indo-US Security dialogue agenda: Sushilkumar Shinde