Telangana 2023: EC Withdraws Permission To Distribute Funds Under 'Rythu Bandhu' Scheme Amidst Violations

In a recent development, the Election Commission (EC) has revoked its approval for the Bharat Rashtra Samiti-led Telangana government to distribute financial aid to farmers through the 'Rythu Bandhu Scheme.'

The decision came after Finance Minister T Harish Rao allegedly breached the Model Code of Conduct by announcing the initiation of fund disbursement, prompting swift action from the EC just days before the state elections on 30 November.

The Congress party attributed the EC's decision to the BRS' "irresponsible and narrow self-serving approach."

Expressing "utter surprise" at the EC's move, the BRS demanded the reinstatement of permission, highlighting the potential "irreparable loss" to farmers due to the stoppage of funds.

In a letter to the EC, senior BRS MP K Keshava Rao argued that Rao's statement was merely an expression of gratitude and not an official announcement about fund disbursement.

Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal dismissed the BRS' response as inadequate, asserting that Rao's statements were the primary reason for the EC's decision.

Venugopal called for a swift apology from the BRS to the farmers of Telangana for the alleged mistake and urged them to take responsibility for their actions.

The EC had initially granted permission to the BRS government to distribute the rabi installment during the campaigning period, citing the scheme's ongoing nature and its consistent distribution from October to January over the past five years.

However, the EC explicitly stated that no public announcement should be made.

Following Rao's violation, the EC withdrew its earlier order, declaring that there would be no disbursement under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme until the Model Code of Conduct ceases to apply in Telangana.