The Election Commission has written to the cabinet secretary.
The Central Ministries are sending proposals to the Election Commission for clearance at the last minute - a violation of procedure after the Model Code of Conduct has been announced. Expressing its "unhappiness" about the state of affairs, the Election Commission has written to cabinet secretary PK Sinha, asking him to ensure that every proposal is sent at least 48 hours in advance.
In its letter, the Commission said after the Model Code of Conduct comes into force, there are standing instructions that ministries should send proposals to be taken up by the cabinet through the Cabinet Secretariat to the Election Commission.
"A tendency is being observed to flout the Commission's aforesaid instructions," read the letter, sent by the panel's senior principal secretary RK Srivastava. The letter said the commission wanted the country's top civil servant to impress upon all ministries to "strictly adhere" to the 48-hour advance notice.
An official said proposals from government departments started pouring in for the panel's approval after the Model Code of Conduct kicked in. The provision of getting the commission's approval is aimed at ensuring that the Model Code did not stall urgent government business.
It has been made clear in the past that proposals, which can easily wait till the elections are over, should be put on hold till then.
The Model Code of conduct came into place after assembly elections in five states - Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Goa, Uttarakhand and Punjab -- were announced last month. The elections begin on February 4 and will continue till March 8. The results will be announced on March 11.