ECI rescinds clearance for Rythu Bandhu, cites MCC breach by Revanth; But State disburses on May 6

HYDERABAD: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has withdrawn permission to the disbursement of last leg of Rythu Bandhu scheme until May 13, holding Chief Minister Revanth Reddy as responsible for violating the Model Code of Conduct.

However, the Government issued a GO for the distribution on May 4 and Rs. 10,000 per acre was distributed to 15,814.03 acres to 15,246 farmers. Those who are left out have been given the Rythu Bandhu assistance last night (May 6, 2024). The Government released a sum of Rs. 15 crore 814 lakh towards the assistance.

This the ECI order is now rendered infructuous.

A complaint was lodged with the Election Commission of India by one N Venukumar on the violation of the MCC by the Chief Minister. The ECI said in a circular to the Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana: “Though, Rythu Bandhu is an ongoing scheme and the disbursement of Rabi season 2023 must have been completed by January 2024 according to past precedence.

“Further, according to complaint received from N. Venukumar and report thereupon received from the Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana, the Commission found that Revanth Reddy, CM of Telangana, has violated the MCC conditions laid down ni this regard for ongoing scheme by publicly speaking about ensuing disbursement under Rythu Bharosa (erstwhile Rythu Bandhu) scheme on or before 9th May, 2024 which has also been reported in media.”

The ECI stated that “the above premise and clear violation of Model Code of Conduct by Revanth Reddy, President, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) and star campaigner and Chief Minister, the Commission has directed that disbursement of balance instalment under the Rythu Bharosa (erstwhile Rythu Bandhu) scheme for Rabi season of 2023 will be affected only after completion of pol ni the State of Telangana on 13.05.2024. The decision of the Commission shall be communicated to the Govt. of Telangana immediately and compliance report be submitted to the

Commission by 5:00 PM on May 7, 2024.”

In fact, the Commission has explained the premise for the decision in detail. Referring to the Commission's direction dated October 5, 2018 wherein “the Commission had put forth conditions while approving release of disbursement under the Rythu Bandhu scheme during General Election to Legislative Assembly of Telangana, 2018: -

1. No new beneficiaries should be added to list of eligible beneficiaries.

2. No publicity should be made in this regard.

3. No public function should be organised for disbursement of kits/ items in kind.

4. No political functionary will be involved in the process of disbursement and

5. 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 has been noted that Rabi instalment of Rythu Bandhu assistance were disbursed by the State of Telangana during October - January in the last five years

and there is neither any fix date (s) for disbursement prescribed in the scheme, nor any special significance of disbursement in the month of May, 2024 for Rabi season of 2023.

“The Commission vide letter dated 24th November, 2023 had given 'no objection' for disbursement of Rythu Bandhu assistance in the State of Telangana with conditions that the Govt. of Telangana will follow the instructions contained in the Commission's direction vide its letter dated October 5, 2018 and no DBT assistance will be affected during silence period and poll day in the State. Above said 'no objection' was granted, based on the premise that said scheme is an ongoing scheme and Rabi instalments were disbursed during October - January in the past five years. However, the Commission vide its letter dated 27.11.2023 had withdrawn above permission for disbursement of the Rythu Bandhu assistance in the context of violation of MC provisions by T. Harish Rao, the then Finance Minister, Govt. of

Telangana during General Elections to Legislative Assembly of Telangana in 2023.”