HYDERABAD: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday issued orders stopping the disbursement of Rythu Bandhu's money before the elections.ECI took cognizance of minister T Harish Rao's statement that said the money would be transferred to the accounts on November 28, two days ahead of the November 30 polls.In 2018, while approving the release of disbursement under the Rythu Bandhu, scheme several conditions were met: No new beneficiaries should be added to list of eligible beneficiaries, no publicity should be made in this regard, no public function should be organised for the disbursement of kits/items in kind, and no political functionary will be involved in the process of disbursement and as far as possible direct electronic transfer of cash component should be made through the account of the beneficiary and there should be no distribution of cheques in this regard."It is noted that Rabi instalments of Rythu Bandhu assistance were disbursed by the State of Telangana during October-January ni last five years and there is neither any fix dates of disbursement prescribed in the scheme, nor any special significance of disbursement in the month of November is assigned in design or performance of the scheme," said ECI.Telangana government on November 18 2023 had informed to the Commission that the disbursement of Rythu Bandhu assistance is proposed from 24th November and said it wil be in full compliance with the conditions mentioned in the Commission's 2018 permission.The Commission on November 25, 2023 had given 'no objection' for disbursement of Rythu Bandhu assistance in the State of Telangana with conditions that the govt will follow the instructions contained in the direction vide its letter dated October 5, 2018 and no DBT assistance will be affected during silence period and poll day in the state.ECI said: "No objection was granted, based on the premise that the said scheme is an ongoing scheme and Rabi instalments were disbursed during October-January in the past five years.
Model code of conduct is applicable in the State of Telangana and all concerned are required to comply with the model code.
T Harish Rao, minister of finance and heath - family welfare, has made statements regarding disbursement of Rythu Bandhu Scheme by a particular time before the date of poll.
The Commission has observed that Harish Rao, minister of finance and heath - family welfare, who is also a contesting candidate sponsored by the BRS from Siddipet assembly constituency and a star campaigner of the party and also the finance minister of Telangana, has not only violated the provisions of MCC contained and by publicising the release under the scheme, and thereby disturbed the level playing field in the ongoing election process."