2. Why EC stopped a govt scheme in Telangana

| Nov 28, 2023, 00:27 IST

What

The Election Commission (EC) on Monday withdrew permission to the government in poll-bound Telangana for granting financial aid to farmers for rabi crops under CM K Chandrashekar Rao’s pet scheme 'Rythu Bandhu'.

Why

The poll panel had given its nod to the state government to disburse the rabi instalment during the model code of conduct period on certain conditions.
It had asked the KCR government not to publicise the disbursement while the poll code was in place.

But…

The poll body said it was forced to act after Telangana minister T Harish Rao made a public announcement about the disbursement of funds. The EC treated it as a violation of the model code of conduct.
The EC conveyed a stern message to the state electoral officer, stating that the public announcement disturbed the level-playing field in the ongoing election process.
It directed the immediate withdrawal of permission for disbursement under the scheme until the poll code in Telangana ceases to be in operation.

A direct cash-transfer scheme

KCR launched the Rythu Bandhu scheme, also referred to as the Farmer's Investment Support Scheme (FISS), in 2018 as a welfare program aimed at supporting farmers.
Under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme, farmers receive financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per acre annually in two tranches during Rabi and Kharif seasons, directly transferred to their accounts.

What model code prohibits

The model code of conduct prohibits ministers and authorities from announcing financial grants or making promises from the time elections are announced until their conclusion.
The scheme has been a focal point in the election campaigns of major political parties in Telangana, which goes to polls on Thursday.

Political reaction

The Congress criticised the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi after the EC action, calling it "irresponsible and self-serving".

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