TNI Bureau: The Election Commission (EC) has taken a strong note of government’s ambitious “game changer” direct cash transfer scheme, by seeking a report from Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth.

Earlier, the BJP had complained to the EC, questioning the timing of the announcement. Union Minister P Chidambaram and Jairam Ramesh had announced the direct cash transfer on subsidies at a press conference from the Congress Headquarters even though it was a government’s scheme.

The scheme is being rolled out in 51 districts of the country in the first phase. Four districts of poll-bound Gujarat are also included in the scheme, raising eyebrows. The EC noted that the announcement could have been avoided, keeping the Gujarat elections in mind. Gujarat will go to polls on December 13 and 17.