Big blow to Himachal’s Sukhu government, Election Commission’s action on this government scheme; Can’t fill the form now

The Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu government of Himachal Pradesh has received a setback from the Election Commission. Acting on a complaint by the BJP, the Election Commission has sent a letter to the Himachal Pradesh government asking it to stop filling new forms under the ‘Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana’ till the model code of conduct is in force. This scheme was announced by the Sukhu government of Himachal recently on March 4. Under this scheme, financial assistance of Rs 1,500 is given to women in the age group of 18 to 59.

State Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu had announced this scheme on March 4, fulfilling the promise made before the 2022 assembly elections and had said that Rs 800 crore will be spent annually on this scheme, which will benefit more than five lakh women. Will get benefit.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Manish Garg said on March 16 that new beneficiaries cannot be added under the scheme due to the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct. Besides, the form to get pension of Rs 1,500 per month cannot be filled because it has the Chief Minister’s photograph on it, he said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had filed a complaint with the Commission demanding a ban on the monthly assistance scheme. Opposition leader Jairam Thakur had accused the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government of putting photographs of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the Chief Minister on the forms to gain political mileage by misleading women.

Recently, the Election Commission had announced the schedule of Lok Sabha elections in the country. According to the schedule of the Election Commission, the Lok Sabha elections will be conducted in 7 phases. After the announcement of these elections, the code of conduct has come into force in the country. In such a situation, the Sukhu government of Himachal has received a setback from the Election Commission.