Budget 2017: Election Commission gives nod to present Budget on Feb 1 [Read Order]

Budget 2017 - Taxscan

No State Specific Schemes shall be announced in the Budget which may have the effect of influencing the electors of the five poll going States.

The Election Commission of India gave its nod to the Centre to present the Union Budget on February 1 ahead of the Assembly polls.

The Election Commission also directed that, “in the interest of free and fair elections and in order to maintain level playing field during elections, no state specific schemes shall be announced in the National Budget which may have the effect of influencing the electors of the five poll going States in favour of the ruling party(ies).

“It may be ensured that in the Budget Speech, the Government’s achievements in respect of said five states will also not be highlighted in any manner”, the order stated.

The Election Commission also reminded the advisory issued by the Election Commission in its letter dated 9th March 2009, addressed to the Chief Secretaries and Chief Electoral Officers of all States and Union Territtories at the time of the General Election to the Lok Sabha, 2009.

In another development, The Supreme Court of India yesterday dismissed the PIL sought for postponement of the Union Budget from February 1st by pointing out the assembly elections in five states.

Read the full text of the order below.

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