Taking strong note of the remarks made by Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily that the cap on subsidised LPG would be raised from six cylinders, Election Commission on Wednesday disapproved the same and asked him “to be circumspect in future.”
The EC reaction came after Moily clarified to the panel that the increase in cap was only a proposal and had not been finalised. Speaking to reporters, Moily said: “If the proposals was finalised and it was to be announced or decision was to be taken...I would have definitely written to Election Commission of India.” The EC had taken strong view of Moily’s statement after he made it in view of the ongoing Gujarat elections.
After considering his explanation, the Commission held that the announcement made by him was a “clear violation of both the letter and spirit of the Model Code of Conduct.” It let him off with a warning. The EC order said: “The Commission hereby conveys its strong disapproval of your above action and cautions you to be circumspect in future. The minister’s statement tantamounts to announcement of financial grant in the form of increased subsidy, and is clear violation both of the letter and spirit of the Model Code of Conduct." Moily said his response to media queries should not be treated as an announcement regarding the decision of the government.
However, the minister said that there were concerns, based on widespread demands including several chief ministers and union ministers to revise the decision from six-cylinder per household. “Concerns had to be addressed today or tomorrow. But at the same time, I am conscious that I would not have done anything without writing to the Election Commission of India,” he said.