Defer Rythu Bharosa payments till May 13 over Revanth Reddy’s MCC violation: ECI
Hindustan TimesNEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India on Tuesday ordered the Telangana government to stop the disbursement of cash assistance under the Rythu Bharosa scheme for farmers in the state, saying the chief minister violated the model code of conduct by speaking about ensuring the cash transfer by May 9. ECI said the state government can resume disbursement of the assistance under the scheme, formerly called the Rythu Bandhu scheme, after the completion of polling in the state on May 13. Reddy “has violated the MCC conditions laid down in this regard for ongoing scheme by publicly speaking about ensuing disbursement under Rythu Bharosa scheme on or before 9th May, 2024, which has also been reported in media”, the ECI communication said. During the assembly elections in November 2023, ECI had also withdrawn permission for disbursement under the scheme due to MCC violations by the then Telangana finance minister, T Harish Rao, who had similarly spoken of the impending disbursement at the election rallies.