The Election Commission of India, ECI, on Tuesday asked the government to defer the implementation of the Direct Cash Transfer scheme in four districts of Gujarat and two in Himachal Pradesh till the election process is over. In a letter to the Cabinet Secretary, the ECI said that the announcement of scheme could have been avoided by the Centre ahead of polls in Gujarat. The Commission expressed concern over announcement of the scheme saying it expects that such announcements are avoided when Model Code of Conduct is in operation.

The opposition BJP had lodged a protest with the Commission against the Centre's announcement of the scheme ahead of Gujarat polls alleging that the move is violation of the model code of conduct.