Cash transfer schemeis not a violation of poll code, says Cental Government

The government said on Monday that it has not violated the model code of conduct in poll bound Gujarat a day after the Election Commission expressed dissatisfaction with its announcement of highly publicized program of direct cash transfers and requested a response during the same. Clarify its position on the issue, the Centre said that the first announcement of the scheme has been made by the Minister of Finance in his budget speech March 16, 2012. He further stated that the first press release of the Prime Minister made on September 28 as the date of the elections were announced later on October 3, there had been no violation of poll code. The center response comes in the wake of the EC, in a letter to Cabinet Secretary under vigorous Ajit Seth, expressed his dissatisfaction at the time of the announcement of direct cash transfer program. The summit also poll body said the Centre could have avoided the announcement for assembly elections in Gujarat later this month. The EC has also sought the government's response on the issue Monday night, otherwise it would be appropriate to proceed in the case. The case was highlighted by the BJP earlier this week. "We asked the Cabinet Secretary to give us a factual report on the issue Monday night and if we do not get a response, we will proceed with the action," a senior official of the Election Commission said. In addition, four of the 51 districts in which the funds transfer system must be implemented from January 1 next year fall in Gujarat. The Electoral Commission has questioned the timing of the announcement and requested a response from the Centre. The government has recently stated that the system of transfer of funds will be a "game changer", with Finance Minister P Chidamabaram and Rural Development, Jairam Ramesh personally launch the program from the headquarters of the Congress in New Delhi.