Allot funds but use it after polls, Election Comission tells ministries

New Delhi: Seeking to ensure that funds of ministries meant for ongoing schemes do not lapse awaiting its approval, the Election Commission on Saturday said the government was free to “park” the amount for such projects in the treasury till it gets a no-objection but utilisation should take place only after elections. The EC took the decision as the financial year is ending on March 31 and various ministries have approached it to seek approval for implementing pending schemes for which budgetary allocation has been made.