BPL scheme: EC reply sought

The future of the implementation of Rajasthan Government8217;s Bhamashah Yojana 8212; a scheme for providing monetary assistance to 50 lakh women in the below-poverty-line BPL category 8212; will be decided on November 17. A Supreme Court order on Friday directed the Election Commission EC to furnish its response to the appeal filed by the Vasundhara Raje Government against a Rajasthan High Court order staying the implementation of the scheme.

The HC had made its decision on October 21 after hearing a petition filed by one Mohan Lal Sharma, who accused the Government of violating the model code of conduct by bribing the poor, as polls had been announced in the state. Senior advocate Mukul Rohtagi, appearing for the Raje Government, objected to the High Court8217;s decision, arguing that it had no right to exercise jurisdiction in what was the EC8217;s domain. 8220;How can the high court step in? Why should there be a duplicate order, when the EC is seized of the matter?8221; said Rohtagi. The EC on October 18 had asked the state Government not to enroll new members for the scheme.