ECI asks AP Govt not to use volunteers for distribution of schemes in view of MCC

AMARAVATHI: In a major shocker to Andhra Pradesh Government, the Election Commission of India has asked the State to withdraw the distribution of government assistance schemes at the doorsteps of beneficiaries in view of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The ECI issued a circular to the AP Government not to have the welfare schemes like pensions distributed to the doorstep of the beneficiaries.

The ECI also asked the Government to take back mobile phones and equipment given to the village volunteers until the MCC was in force.

The government was directed to make alternative arrangements for the distribution of schemes.

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Even though the system was in place to implement only ongoing programmes, the ECI had taken this decision which might act against the interests of a large section of people.

This decision is exactly the way the ECI stopped the Telangana government from distributing “Rythu Bandhu” assistance on the eve of elections.

In fact, the village volunteer system that evoked a lot of positive response from different states and got international recognition came in handy for the government during the Covid 19 pandemic to ensure that the schemes were delivered to the people.

However, Telugu Desam Party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan strongly criticised the volunteers and made certain derogatory remarks also.

However, later they retracted considering the backlash politically.

Former State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar, who was sacked by Jagan Government but continued with a court order, lodged a complaint with the ECI against the use of volunteer services.

The ECI acted on the basis of this complaint and stalled their services in the light of MCC.