EC asks Telangana govt to stop financial aid to farmers under Rythu Bandhu Scheme

Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrashekar Rao. (File photo)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on November 27 withdrew the permission granted to the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led BRS government in Telangana for distributing financial aid to farmers under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme for rabi crops. The decision was made after a state minister violated the provisions of the model code by publicly announcing the disbursement.

The poll panel had initially approved the disbursement during the model code of conduct period but instructed the state not to publicise it. The move comes ahead of assembly elections in the state scheduled for November 30.

The ECI informed the state chief electoral officer (CEO) about its decision to revoke permission for the distribution of financial aid to farmers under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme.

"The Commission has observed that T Harish Rao, Minister of Finance and Heath and Family Welfare, Govt of Telangana ... has not only violated the provisions of MCC (model code of conduct)... but also conditions laid down as above by publicising the release under the scheme, and thereby disturbed the level playing field in the ongoing election process," the EC letter to the state CEO read.

The state finance minister publicly announced the release of disbursements for rabi instalments. The minister reportedly stated that the disbursement would take place on Monday (November 27) and assured that the amount would be credited into farmers' accounts even before they completed their breakfast and tea.

The ECI had granted a "no objection" initially, taking into consideration that the Rythu Bandhu Scheme is an ongoing scheme and rabi instalments were traditionally disbursed during October-January in the last five years.

The poll panel’s move aims to prevent potential violations of the model code of conduct during the election period in Telangana.

(With PTI inputs)