ECI seeks further clarifications on DBT by 3 pm today, AP Govt has time only till midnight to disburse

AMARAVATI: The Election Commission of India ECI in a fresh notice to the Andhra Pradesh Government on Friday sought several clarifications including that of the fiscal position of the State by 3 pm on Friday to issue an NOC allowing the Government to release funds under direct benefit transfer (DBT).

However, as per the High Court’s order, the Government has time to transfer the funds only till midnight on Friday (May 10).

The ECI said that it had already directed the State to disburse the money under DBT in various schemes on May 13, 2024. “As per the High Court’s order dated May 9, 2024, the Commission's letters were kept in abeyance, therefore as of date the State Government neither has NOC under Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the disbursal of the amount nor the High Court has given clear direction for disbursement,” the order said.

The ECI said that to accord MCC approval expeditiously and to ensure no hardship was caused to the beneficiaries, it was requested to furnish the following clarifications to enable the commission to consider granting f NOC for disbursement under the Scheme by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

• Fiscal position from January 2024 to March 2024, to know that the State which was not in a position to release the funds and how it had changed now, to understand that it was not an attempt to bunch release of funds close to the date of poll.

• The dates and period of the DBT money transfer establishing gaps between the announcement of benefits (by pressing of button in public function) and the actual transfer of funds to beneficiaries, during the last five years/since the inception of the schemes.

• Whether the petitioners in WP No. 11449.11182.11410,11411 and 11202 of 2024 before the High Court of Andhra Pradesh are covered. in the beneficiaries' lists?

• What will be the impact on beneficiaries in case disbursement is not done today? Many weeks have passed since the announcement of the fund transfer without actually affecting the transfer while fully knowing that MCC will be in force in the months of April-May etc. What is the urgency now just before the poll day?

• Is the date of disbursement of assistance fixed by the Government in advance? Please share the relevant document.

• A clarification was to be furnished to the Commission before 3:00 pm on May 10, 2024.