New Delhi: In yet another decision against pre-poll sops, the Election Commission has directed the Central Government to keep in abeyance any decision on the issue of subsidy to Haj pilgrims till the completion of the process for the next month's elections to two State Assemblies and various by-elections.

"Any decision on providing subsidy to Haj pilgrims should be deferred till Oct 13, 2004", EC spokesman A N Jha told reporters when asked whether the Commission had received Government's response.

Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports, the Commission had sought comments from the Government on its recent decision to restore Haj facilities ahead of the election to two Assemblies and a bye-election in States.

The Commission's action comes in the wake of Government decision to withdraw changes in Haj pilgrimage regulations carried out by the previous NDA (National Democratic Alliance) regime last year, including discontinuation of subsidy for income tax payees.

Asked about the Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal's observations made earlier in this regard, Jha said, that the Commission would give its separate ruling later.

"All the changes carried out by the NDA regime with regard to Haj pilgrimage last year will stand withdrawn and status quo as existed in 2002 will be restored," Jaiswal had said earlier.