. NEW DELHI: Election Commission on Sunday said announcements and policy decisions before the poll announcement are a prerogative of the govt in office – Centre or state. The model code of conduct, prohibiting any new announcement by a govt, comes into effect only from the time of the official announcement of election dates, the panel said while declaring the assembly poll schedule for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry. Responding to questions on whether announcements, including dearness allowance for state govt employees, made by Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee less than an hour before EC announced the poll schedule are a violation, CEC Gyanesh Kumar said, “The model code of conduct comes into effect after the announcement of polls and not before.” There have been instances of incumbent govts announcing decisions, including financial assistance to beneficiaries, just before the code kicked in, and opposition parties have often termed these as “inducements” to influence voting. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: ‘All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,’ says Iran after US hits Kharg Island’I’m what?’ Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu mocks death rumours, shows off five fingers – watch’Must take care’: Trump urges nations to send warships to Strait of Hormuz as conflict with Iran intensifiesOn Sunday, several reporters mentioned the Rs 10,000 financial help extended to women by the Nitish Kumar govt in Bihar just before the 2025 assembly election, and the M K Stalin govt in TN depositing Rs 6,550 crore into the bank accounts of over 1.3 crore women as of Feb. Mamata, who is TMC chief, announced dearness allowance for thousands of state govt employees on X, saying they “will start receiving their ROPA 2009 DA arrears from March 2026 onwards as per the modalities detailed out in notifications issued by our finance department.” Calling the DA announcement a “joke”, Bengal BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari said on X, “After years of looting the state treasury and cheating them blind, this is your desperate last-minute poll gimmick? Zero accountability, zero funds, zero delivery… Classic TMC poll drama.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDiscussed Ways To Fast-Track EU FTA With S Jaishankar: Piyush GoyalIndian Vessel ‘Jag Laadki’ Escapes Unhurt After Attack At Fujairah Oil TerminalSTF Arrests Man Who Helped Bangladeshi Murder Suspects Sneak Into India After Dhaka KillingRahul Gandhi Writes To PM Modi, Demands Bharat Ratna For BSP Founder Kanshi RamTMC MP Mahua Moitra Accuses BJP Workers Of Bringing -Jungle Raj- To West Bengal‘Chai-Pakora At Parl Door’: Amit Shah Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi Over LPG Protest, AI Summit Row7 Indian Pilgrims Killed, Several Injured After Bus Slips Off Mountain Road In NepalInfiltration Bid Foiled In J&K: Pakistani Terrorist Killed In Army-Police Joint Operation In Uri‘Because I Am Brahmin…’: Mani Shankar Aiyar Slams BJP, Clarifies ‘Neech Aadmi’ Comment On PM Modi‘Act Of Aggression’: India Strongly Condemns Pakistan’s Air Strikes On Afghanistan123PhotostoriesStomach feels tight after a normal meal? Gastroenterologists explain why digestion can slow down and share simple habits that help ease post-meal bloating7 summer foods Indians traditionally ate to beat the heatAmerican TV sitcoms to watch with friends: ‘Friends’, ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and more10 benefits of eating soaked almonds daily: Dietitians explain how this simple morning habit supports brain, heart and digestive healthSara Tendulkar steps out with new bhabhi Saaniya Chandhok after Arjun Tendulkar’s wedding; their saree looks steal the spotlightThe best romantic comedies on TV: ‘Bhakarwadi’, ‘Anandibaa aur Emily’ and more6 foods that may cause bloating if eaten too often7 architectural features that increase natural light in housesPriyanka Chopra, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to Rashmika Mandanna: Pan-Indian actresses who conquered multiple film industries10 ways Kathal or Jackfruit is prepared across India123Hot PicksIran war newsLPG crisis in IndiaElection CommissionGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingSanju SamsonBrittany Mahomes Net WorthWilt ChamberlainMovsar EvloevMichael BispingLPG Crisis IndiaAssembly election dateIran US WarIPL 2026 Chennai Super KingsMiddle East War
NEW DELHI: Election Commission on Sunday said announcements and policy decisions before the poll announcement are a prerogative of the govt in office – Centre or state. The model code of conduct, prohibiting any new announcement by a govt, comes into effect only from the time of the official announcement of election dates, the panel said while declaring the assembly poll schedule for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry. Responding to questions on whether announcements, including dearness allowance for state govt employees, made by Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee less than an hour before EC announced the poll schedule are a violation, CEC Gyanesh Kumar said, “The model code of conduct comes into effect after the announcement of polls and not before.” There have been instances of incumbent govts announcing decisions, including financial assistance to beneficiaries, just before the code kicked in, and opposition parties have often termed these as “inducements” to influence voting. On Sunday, several reporters mentioned the Rs 10,000 financial help extended to women by the Nitish Kumar govt in Bihar just before the 2025 assembly election, and the M K Stalin govt in TN depositing Rs 6,550 crore into the bank accounts of over 1.3 crore women as of Feb. Mamata, who is TMC chief, announced dearness allowance for thousands of state govt employees on X, saying they “will start receiving their ROPA 2009 DA arrears from March 2026 onwards as per the modalities detailed out in notifications issued by our finance department.” Calling the DA announcement a “joke”, Bengal BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari said on X, “After years of looting the state treasury and cheating them blind, this is your desperate last-minute poll gimmick? Zero accountability, zero funds, zero delivery… Classic TMC poll drama.”
