By IANS,
New Delhi : Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni Thursday cancelled a scheduled media briefing after a cabinet meeting in view of the model code of conduct in force due to the forthcoming state assembly elections.
The briefing was cancelled at the last minute due to the model code of conduct, sources said.
The code of conduct came into force after the Election Commission announced assembly elections in Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh Aug 31. Elections are to be held Oct 13 and the counting of votes will take place nine days later Oct 22.
Besides the union cabinet, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) and the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI) also met here Friday and took important decisions. But there was no briefing to announce the decisions taken.
According to the code, the government should not be seen to be using state machinery to influence voters or make announcements by using government premises.
In April this year, the Election Commission had issued a directive to the central government to avoid media briefings after cabinet meetings. This led to Home Minister P. Chidambaram putting off his monthly report on the functioning of his ministry.
The poll panel had also advised ministers to avoid media briefings after cabinet meetings.