Poll conduct: EC stops funds for area development

With the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in force, the EC on Monday directed the Centre and the states to stop releasing funds under the MPLADs schemes. The EC said, ‘‘no fresh release of funds’’ under the MPLADs fund scheme should be ‘‘made in the country till the completion of poll process’’. It also made it clear that ‘‘no work may be started for which the work-order was issued before the issue of this letter but the work has actually not started in the field’’.