Kochi, Mar 16 (ANI): The Kerala High Court today said the Election Commission (EC) has no power prima facie to interfere with the Government order to supply rice at Rs two a kg in the state, facing assembly polls on April 13.
The observation was made by a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice J Chelameswar on a petition filed by Rajaji Mathew Thomas, MLA from Ollur Assembly constituency, challenging the decision of the Election Commission to stop the implementation of the government order to supply rice at Rs 2 per Kg.
The court expressed doubt over what prompted the Election Commission to stop providing rice for the poor.
The bench also directed the Election Commission to file a statement by March 18.
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. (ANI)
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