The Election Commission of India has issued guidelines for implementation and processing of various projects, schemes and rural development programmes by the Central and the state governments. All directions regarding the mode of conduct will be issued by the Election Commission, Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Sajjan Singh said. The directions issued by the commission will be reiterated and disseminated for compliance by the Cabinet Secretariat or any other government agency.

 

Singh said that, according to the guidelines issued by the Commission, Reserve Bank of India would continue to take decisions on monetary policy issues. The guidelines also say that for any policy announcements, fiscal measures, taxation related issues and such other financial relief, the Ministry of Finance would need to take prior approval of the Election Commission. Similarly, other ministries and departments would need to take prior approval of the Commission before announcing any relief or benefit.

 

However, projects that have actually started work on the ground before the model code of conduct came in force can be continued without the approval of the Commission. Similarly registered beneficiaries of NREGA covered under existing project or any new project that has been registered and approved, need not take the commission's approval.