The Election Commission (EC) has returned the file on a State government plea seeking clearance for its decision to extend the moratorium on recovery of bank loans taken by farmers.
Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena said here on Saturday that the EC had sought certain clarifications in the matter. The EC communique arrived on Friday and it would be forwarded to the State government, he said.
Last week, Mr. Meena had accepted the government’s explanation as to why its proposal should be cleared. Since the final word rested with the Election Commission, he had forwarded the government plea with his recommendation favouring clearance.
Extension
In October 2018, after the destructive floods of August, the State government had declared a moratorium on bank loan recovery till October 11, 2019. A Cabinet meeting on March 5, 2019 had extended it till December 31 this year. Though the Agriculture Department issued a general order on the Cabinet decision soon after, various government departments had failed to issue enabling orders on time.
The EC has also returned three other files seeking further clarifications from the government. They include the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the renovation of the Secretariat building and the Kerala Medical Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017.