In a big relief to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) workers, the Election Commission on Wednesday gave 'no objection certificate', (NOC) to Centre to release the second installment of funds for poll-bound Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat with a rider that there will be "absolutely" no publicity in this regard. The Centre has frozen funds under MGNREGA scheme in 19 States due to code of conduct. While the single-phase assembly election in Himachal Pradesh will be held on November 9, the first phase of polls in Gujarat will take place on December 9. The second phase will be held on December 14.
According to EC officials, the Rural Development ministry had sought a no objection for releasing the second tranche of instalment under MGNREGA for 2017-18 to Gujarat and HP. The Commission gave its nod subject to conditions that "absolutely no publicity" in any form should be carried out in this regard. The Ministry was told that no reference is to be made by any political functionary in this regard to press or public. The restrictions apply to both the Centre and the two state governments. In Haryana, wages have not been paid since August 31, 2017.
In 12 States, including Jharkhand, Karnataka and Kerala, payments have not been made since September 2017. No payments have been made in six States including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh since October 2017. Over 92 million active workers are not be getting their wages which amount to nearly Rs 3,066 crore. As per the rural development Ministry statement, at least Rs 40,480 crore has been released so far in this financial year.
Officials said that a total of 32 references were made to the Commission for clearance under the model code of conduct between October 12 — when the code was enforced and November 7. With eight references, the Central Board of Excise and Customs had sought the maximum number of permissions from the poll watchdog. The ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers was asked by the EC to defer the release of an advertisement highlighting its achievements in Himachal Pradesh. Apparently, the reference was received when the Gujarat polls were not announced.