Wednesday, March 22 2006 15:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Election Commission has directed the Rural Development Ministry not to start any new work or increase the number of districts under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in the five poll-bound states.

In a communication to the Rural Development Secretary, the EC said that the Ministry should not increase the number of districts in which NREGA was being implemented after announcement of elections in any State and Union Territory.

The job card holders would be provided employment, if they demand work, after announcement of elections in the ongoing works, it said.

No new work should be started by the authority till such time employment could be given in the ongoing works, it said adding that the authority shall furnish a certificate to the District Election Officer (DEO) to the effect that the new work has been sanctioned as no employment could be given to the job card holder in the ongoing work.