A DivIsion Bench of the Kerala High Court on Monday set aside the Chief Electoral Officer's order restraining the State government from implementing its decision to extend the scheme to distribute rice at Rs.2 a kg to families of the Above Poverty Line (APL) category subject to certain conditions.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice P.R.Ramachandra Menon passed the verdict while allowing a writ petition filed by Rajaji Mathew Thomas, MLA, questioning the Chief Electoral Officer's order.
The petitioner pointed out that the scheme was announced in the State budget well before the announcement of the election. While the elections were announced on March 1, the decision to extend the scheme was taken by the Cabinet on February 23 and a notification in this regard was issued on February 25.
