Top 3The Kerala High Court on Monday set aside an order of the Election Commission, restraining the Kerala government from extending the two-rupees-a-kilo rice scheme, to cover 40 lakh families. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, Justice J Chelameshwar and Justice P R Ramachandra Menon termed the Election Commission order as wholly arbitrary and unconnected with the purpose of securing a level playing field for all political parties. It said the order is without the jurisdiction and authority conferred to the Election Commission by the Constitution.The Election Commission had banned the government decision to extend the scheme, in view of the model code of conduct, which came into force with the announcement of assembly elections in the state. The petition challenging the Election Commission order was filed by Ollur MLA Rajaji Mathew Thomas.