Even as long queues continue at all Mee-Seva centres in the city, the State Election Commission (SEC) did a volte face and issued orders today barring the government from giving the Rs. 10,000 financial aid to the flood victims following the model code of conduct that came into force yesterday for the upcoming GHMC elections.
SEC Commissioner C Parthasarathi issued the orders.
However, the SEC clarified that the financial aid could be continued after the elections.
Just yesterday,
the SEC had said that the government could continue to give the Rs 10,000, but that it needed to transfer the money to the accounts of the beneficiaries, and not give them cash.
The sudden reversal of stand is puzzling, and has predictably invited opposition criticism that the CM controls the SEC.
The GHMC elections will be held on December 1, and the results will be announced on December 4.