The Election Commission has asked the cabinet secretary to respond by Friday on the alleged violation of model code of conduct by Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh on the issue of reservation for Other Backward Castes in Central Universities and IITs and IIMs.
"Though the cabinet secretary sought time till May 1, the EC has given time till April 28," EC spokesman R Bhattacharya told reporters.
He said the commission had already asked the Centre to defer consideration of the controversial draft Bill by the Union cabinet on the issue till the completion of the assembly polls.
The Commission had earlier taken exception to the reported announcement of Singh on the issue. Singh had earlier denied the EC's charge that he had prima facie violated the model code of conduct for elections by announcing plans for quota in the elite institutions.