State CEOs to take call on release of funds for kharif season

Election Commission has authorised the chief electoral officers (CEOs) of all states to take decision on Centre's request to release funds for purchasing inputs for the upcoming kharif season.
While authorising the state chief electoral officers, the poll panel has instructed to ensure that any agri-operations related with preparation of Kharif season should not suffer.
Sowing of the kharif season starts at onset of monsoon from June-July.
Election Commission has forwarded the Union Agriculture Ministry's letter dated March 12 seeking permission to release funds for ongoing agriculture schemes and purchase and distribution of inputs for ensuing Kharif season.
"The Commission has authorised the Chief Electoral Officers to take decision in such matters on the merit of each case referred to them considering the importance of seasonality of agriculture operations and to ensure that any operations of agriculture relate to pre-Kharif do not suffer," EC Principal Secretary K Ajay Kumar said in the letter.

The Commission has also forwarded a copy of letter to Agriculture Secretary Ashish Bahuguna.