Concerned over the announcement of the direct cash transfer scheme during the operation of the Model Code of Conduct, the Election Commission has directed the government to defer implementation of direct cash transfer scheme in four districts of Gujarat and two in Himachal Pradesh till polls.

The three-member Election Commission met under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner V. S. Sampath and considered the Government’s reply on the issue following its query and said the announcement was “avoidable” during the election process.