In UP poll season: EC says no to many of Centre’s proposals

TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ From releasing crores of rupees to UP as part of a “Bundelkhand package” and housing sops under a central scheme to Goa, to announcement of developing railway stations — the BJP-led NDA government seems to have tried to push a host of initiatives meant for election-bound states despite the fact that the model code of conduct was in operation.

The Election Commission (EC) stopped at least 15 such measures of the Centre, citing the fact that they could influence voters in states such as UP, Goa, Punjab and others, and that such measures are best announced once the election results are declared. In one case, the NITI Aayog, on behalf of the government, wanted release of Rs 79.83 crore to UP as a one-time grant towards earlier sanctioned projects under Bundelkhand package during 2016-17.

In another instance, the Rural Development Ministry wanted to release for Goa the first installment under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana. In both instances, the EC asked the ministries to wait for the election to get over, officials said. Similarly, the Railway Ministry sent a list of 23 stations it wanted redeveloped, and wanted to announce the move through a function. The Election Commission told the ministry to knock off Allahabad and Kanpur from the list and said the rest were good to go.