The Kerala government intends to approach the Chief Electoral Officer seeking a review of a freeze on the free ration scheme announced in the state budget for 2016-17.
The budget has proposed to provide free ration to all those falling below poverty line and beneficiaries of Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
The Chief Electoral Officer has now asked the government to postpone the launch of the scheme till the elections.
The directive was issued last week stating that the scheme would violate the code of conduct even though it was announced before the announcement of the Assembly elections.
Besides free ration, certain measures contemplated by the government to provide drinking water to people in Kollam have also invited the wrath of the Chief Electoral Officer.
A special meeting of the Cabinet took grave exception to this stance and resolved to approach the Chief Electoral Officer for a review, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said.
If there is no positive response, the government would seek legal remedies in order that the code of conduct does not come in the way of basic and essential governance in the state.