Raipur, March 17 (IANS) Chhattisgarh's existing Rs.3 per kg rice scheme for 3.7 million families was to be converted into a Rs.2 per kg scheme from April 1 but the plans have been put on hold with the model code of conduct in place for Lok Sabha polls, officials said Tuesday.
The Rs.3 per kg rice scheme was launched on April 1, 2007 and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government last month announced that it will reduce the price to mark two years of successful implementation of the programme.
Officials said the government wanted to distribute rice at Rs.2 per kg for poor people and Re.1 per kg for 700,000 families with Antyodaya (poorest of the poor) card holders.
However, the Election Commission has asked the government not to subsidise rice further as it would amount to violation of the model code of conduct.
Officials said the poll body has also asked the government to not announce implementation of the sixth pay commission recommendations from April 1 and supply free power to farmers using five horse power irrigation pumps.
The state that has 11 Lok Sabha seats goes to polls April 16.
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