Chennithala had alleged that the distribution of subsidized rice and food would violate the model code of conduct
The Kerala High Court on Monday stayed the Election Commission’s order directing the State government to stop distribution of subsidized special rice of 10 kg at ₹15 to non-priority ration cardholders.
The court issued the stay order on a writ petition filed by the State government challenging the EC order. The Election Commission had passed the order restraining the government from distributing the rice on a complaint made by Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala. He had alleged that the distribution of subsidized rice and food would violate the model code of conduct.
The court observed that the decision regarding the special distribution was taken on February 4, much before the election notification, and the government had taken auctions for the rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) worth ₹83.34 crores, and that the last date of payment for lifting the…