Election Commission permits free ration scheme

Thiruvananthapuram: election Commission of India has cleared implementation of free distribution of rice to poor families under the public distribution system.

However, enrolment of new beneficiaries with elections in view will not be permitted under the code of conduct for the elections.

The free rice scheme was announced in the Budget for 2016-17 and the government had issued orders for its implementation before the announcement of the elections.

However, when Commission withheld clearance for implementation of the scheme from April 1, the government announced that it would take legal recourse. The Cabinet decided to approach the High Court in this regard on Wednesday.