EC Withdraws Permission Given To Telangana Govt Over Disbursal Of Rythu Bandhu Scheme

The Election Commission (EC) has withdrawn the permission given to the Telangana government to disburse the financial assistance under the Rythu Bandhu scheme on Monday.

It comes after Congress raised objections to the EC's decision to grant permission for the KCR government to release funds.

In a statement, the EC said, "There shall be no disbursement under the Scheme till the Model Code of Conduct in the State of Telangana ceases to apply in all its forms."

On November 25, the Election Commission of India on Friday granted approval for the distribution of Rythu Bandhu funds to farmers.

Telangana has a cultivable expanse of 1.47 crore acres, and an allocation of Rs 16,000 crore will be distributed under the scheme directly to the accounts of farmers.

This move was expected to benefit approximately 60 lakh families just days before the polling day and it is perceived as a strategic maneuver by political analysts.

Earlier, the Congress had approached the EC, seeking its directions to prevent the state from disbursing the funds as it amounts to influencing voters.

Under the scheme, farmers will receive direct investment support of Rs. 5,000 per acre each season for both Kharif and Rabi, totalling Rs. 10,000 annually per acre. The Telangana government has already disbursed Rs. 70,000 crore over eleven cropping seasons, benefiting a total of 60 lakh farmers.