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Pawar pulled up for violation of model code

Election Commission objects to announcement of relief package for sugar mills

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday pulled up Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar for violation of the Model Code of Conduct by announcing a relief package and an export subsidy for sugar mills.

In a notice to Cabinet Secretary B.K. Chaturvedi, the poll authority asked him to seek an explanation from Mr. Pawar and forward it to the Commission by 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Expressing its displeasure on the lack of uniform approach, the Commission asked the Cabinet Secretary to issue clear guidelines to all Ministries and government departments for seeking its permission before making any announcements that could have a bearing on the elections.

"The Commission is deeply anguished at this incident of the violation of the Model Code of Conduct," the notice said observing that Uttar Pradesh was one of the major sugar producing States and the announcement of subsidy to the sugar industry at this juncture amounted to disturbing the level playing field.

The Commission said it noted the press reports on the announcements made by Mr. Pawar and also watched the CD of the press conference the Union Minister held in Pune on March 26.

"The Commission regrets to note that if political mileage was intended to be derived in announcing the scheme of subsidy to sugar industry and making it public, it has already been derived," the notice said.

It noted that Mr. Pawar's announcement was the third incident in recent times when the Government and its Ministers, in violation of the code, made some announcements. — PTI

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Pawar pulled up for violation of model code

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