Stop Rythu Bandhu scheme till poll code is in place, EC tells Telangana
Hindustan TimesThe Election Commission on Monday asked the Bharat Rashtra Samithi -led Telangana government to stop disbursing financial aid under the Rythu Bandhu scheme for farmers until the model code of conduct is lifted in the poll-bound state, a direction that the ruling party said would cause an “irreparable loss” to the agricultural community as it urged the poll body to reconsider its decision. In its order, EC said Harish Rao “not only violated the provision of the MCC contained in Para VII of Model Code of Conduct but also conditions laid down as above by publicising the release under the scheme, and thereby disturbing the level playing field in the on-going election process”. “The permission granted for the Rythu Bandhu scheme shall stand withdrawn with immediate effect till the model code of conduct ceases to apply in all its form,” an EC official said in a letter to the state chief secretary. On Sunday, Rao said: “Even before farmers complete their breakfast and tea, their accounts will be credited with the benefit.” He also accused the Congress of conspiring against disbursement of the Rythu Bandhu instalment.