Explained: What is Telangana's Rythu Bandhu scheme and why has EC put a brake on it?

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Monday withdrew permission given to the Telangana government for granting financial aid to farmers for rabi crops under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme.

The poll panel had given its nod to the state government to disburse the rabi installment during the model code of conduct period on certain conditions and asked it not to publicise the disbursement during the poll code.



What is the Rythu Bandhu Scheme?

The Rythu Bandhu scheme, also referred to as the Farmer's Investment Support Scheme (FISS), was started by the government of Telangana in 2018 as a welfare program aimed at supporting farmers.

Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per acre per farmer each season is directly transferred to each farmer's account. This financial support was distributed biannually, allocated for both the kharif and rabi harvests.

The scheme was launched by Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao in 2018, and Rs 12,000 crore were allocated from the state budget for the scheme.

Why did EC stop Rhythu Bandhu scheme?

The scheme was and continues to be a focal point during the ongoing election campaigns of all major political parties.

The EC asked Telangana government to stop aid to farmers after a state minister violated the code by going public about it.

The poll panel had given its nod to the state government to disburse the rabi installment during the model code of conduct period on certain conditions, and had asked it not to publicise the disbursement.

"The commission has observed that T Harish Rao, minister of finance and heath and family welfare, government 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 chief electoral officer read.

Harish Rao had reportedly said, "The disbursement will be made on Monday. Even before the farmers complete their breakfast and tea, the amount will be credited into their account."

What next?
After the EC order, Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao said the installment will be deposited once BRS returns to power after December 3.

Rao alleged that beneficiaries of Rythu Bandhu in the Congress have lodged a complaint with the poll panel asking it to stop the disbursal.

“It is a regular programme. Not a new programme. This is the sixth year of Rythu Bandhu disbursal. They think that if Rythu Bandhu is stopped, they will get votes. How many days can you (Congress) stop? Rao asked.

"After December 3, our government is going to come back. From December 6 onwards we will release it happily,” he said.

(With agency inputs)


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