The decision comes in the wake of a violation of the model code of conduct by a state minister, who publicly announced details about the disbursements.
The Election Commission has withdrawn the approval granted to the Telangana government for the distribution of financial aid to farmers under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme for rabi crops. The decision comes in the wake of a violation of the model code of conduct by a state minister, who publicly announced details about the disbursements.
The Election Commission had initially granted permission for the disbursement of the rabi instalment during the model code of conduct period, citing specific grounds.
However, one of the state ministers breached the conditions set by the poll panel by making a public announcement regarding the financial aid distribution. As a stipulation, the state was explicitly instructed not to publicize the disbursement during the period covered by the model code.
With the upcoming elections in Telangana scheduled for November 30, the Election Commission took swift action and communicated its decision to withdraw permission to the state chief electoral officer.
The EC letter to the state chief electoral officer (CEO) reportedly read, "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 informed the state chief electoral officer about its decision to withdraw its permission.
The state finance minister's premature public disclosure of the release of rabi instalment disbursements, where he reportedly stated, "The disbursement will be made on Monday. Even before the farmers complete their breakfast and tea, the amount will be credited into their account."
In a post on X, Congress general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal said, “Due to the irresponsible and narrow self-serving approach of the BRS and Harish Rao, under the instructions of his boss KCR, the ECI has denied permission for the disbursement of the Rythu Bandhu installments.”
The money is the right of the farmers and it is what they deserve for their year-long hard work, he said.
“When this money is supposed to be released any time between October and January, it was the BRS' desperation which compelled them to make such irresponsible statements,” he said.
“Yet another sin committed by the BRS, which will not be forgiven by the farmers of Telangana,” Venugopal said.