Kochi, Wednesday 16 March 2011: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the Election Commission for putting brakes on the scheme ensuring rice for two rupees for all sections of the society.

A Division bench headed by Chief Justice J. Chelameswar observed prima-face the Election Commission seems to have no right to prevent the scheme announced by the state government.

The court expressed doubt over what prompted the Election Commission to stop providing rice for the poor. The Division Bench also asked was not the State government order brought out before the proclamation of the election notification.

The Election Commission has been directed to file a detailed reply before coming Friday. The case would be taken up again on Friday.

Earlier report

The Election Commission on March 7 banned implementation of Kerala government’s decision to extend the rice-at-Rs 2 per kg scheme to cover 40 lakh families in view of the model code of conduct which went into force with announcement of assembly elections in the state.

The scheme, announced by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan after a cabinet meeting on February 23, just six days before announcement of the poll dates, is yet to be implemented.

State Chief Electoral Officer Nalini Netto said in a release that government should not further take up campaign over the scheme. The distribution of application forms for families to be enrolled in the scheme has also been banned, the release said.

The cabinet had decided to extend the `rice at Rs 2 per kg scheme to families belonging to Above Poverty Line (APL) category, also subject to certain conditions. The state is going to polls on April 13.

(News agency)