AP High Court grants flexibility to govt to release welfare scheme funds on May 10

AMARAVATHI: Andhra Pradesh High Court has temporarily set aside the Election Commission's orders to withhold fund transfers until the conclusion of elections till tomorrow.

The court instructed the government to refrain from disbursing any funds between May 11 and 13, 2024. The High Court in its common order said: “The impugned proceedings of the Election Commission of India dated May 3, 2024 and May 9, 2024 covering the subject of welfare schemes and the letter of the 1st respondent dated 09.05.2024 covering the above said subject Welfare schemes are only kept in abeyance up to 10.05.2024 only and the Government of Andhra Pradesh is directed not to release any subject funds/amounts between 11.05.2024 to 13.05.2024 strictly. It shall also ensure that there is no publicity of any kind in Electronic, Print, Radio, Internet or any other Media in any form whatsoever regarding the release of the amounts under the above said welfare schemes as mentioned in the impugned letter of the 1st respondent dated 09.05.2024 while transferring to the beneficiaries’ accounts under DBT mode and there shall not be any fanfare or ceremonies and involvement of any political functionary by ensuring that all other relevant instructions issued by the Election Commission of India in the Model Code of Conduct are not deviated. For the purpose of considering the main issue and other issues that may arise for consideration in the main writ petitions, the detailed counters are necessary to be filed by the respondents. Hence, the respondents are directed to file counters.”

The court adjourned the matter to June 27.