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Journalism of Courage
The Election Commission on Friday reprimanded Union Minister for Food and Agriculture Sharad Pawar for announcing a package for sugar mill owners and farmers when the model code of conduct was already in place for the UP Assembly elections.
Rejecting Pawar8217;s contention that he had merely confirmed a report that had already appeared in the media in Pune, the Commission termed it as a 8220;deliberate violation of the model code8221; in a strongly-worded note. The note said the CCEA decision to create a buffer stock and provide export assistance to sugar mills was 8220;communicated8221; to the media and 8220;substantive political mileage had been immediately derived8221; from it.
The Commission also noted that the Government proposal to seek permission to announce the package was a mere formality as it was 8220;presented with a fait accompli8221;. The Commission said the loopholes in Pawar8217;s reply and Cabinet secretary8217;s note confirms apprehensions that this way of quietly announcing government schemes benefiting target voters was consciously being followed. Warning the Government of 8220;serious implications and repercussion8221; if such violations are repeated, the EC advised the Cabinet secretary to reiterate the guidelines to all ministries and departments.
Meanwhile, the Government on Thursday announced a fertiliser package that would directly benefit Uttar Pradesh. 8220;We have taken notice of the Cabinet decision. Notices will be issued tomorrow,8221; an EC official said.
