EC tells Telangana govt to stop disbursal of Rythu Bandhu

Subject :Polity

Section: Elections

Context: EC tells KCR govt to stop farm aide ,cite model code

More about the news:

The Election Commission of India revoked its “no objection” for disbursement under the Rythu Bandhu scheme in Telangana, accusing BRS Minister T Harish Rao of violating the Model Code of Conduct.
The EC noted that Rao, a candidate sponsored by the BRS Party, publicized the release under the scheme, disrupting the level playing field in the ongoing election process.
The permission for disbursement was initially given with the condition that it wouldn’t be publicized for political gains and not during the silence period before the poll.
The BRS Party urged the EC to reconsider, emphasizing the scheme’s importance for farmers.
The EC directed that disbursement be halted until the MCC in Telangana ceases to apply, citing a clear violation.

What is Model Code of Conduct:

It is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, portfolios, election manifestos, processions, and general conduct.
This set of norms has been evolved with the consensus of political parties who have consented to abide by the principles embodied in the said code in its letter and spirit.
The Model Code of Conduct comes into force immediately on the announcement of the election schedule by the commission for the need of ensuring free and fair elections.
Its main purpose is to ensure that ruling parties, at the Centre and in the States, do not misuse their position of advantage to gain an unfair edge.
It is designed to avert practices that are deemed corrupt under the model code of conduct
During general elections to the Lok Sabha, the code is applicable throughout the country. During general elections to the Legislative Assembly of the state, the code is applicable in the entire State.
During bye-elections, the Model Code of Conduct would be applicable in the area of the concerned Constituency only.

Some facts about Rythu Bandhu Scheme:

The Farmer’s Investment Support Scheme (FISS), commonly known as the Rythu Bandhu scheme, was initiated by the Telangana government in 2018 as a welfare program for farmers.
This scheme has a dual purpose:
- To provide timely cash grants for the initial investment requirements of farmers,
- To prevent farmers from falling into a cycle of debt.
Under this program, a financial aid of Rs 5,000 per acre per farmer is directly transferred to their account each season.
This support is distributed twice a year, specifically allocated for both the kharif and rabi harvests.
Farmers have the flexibility to utilize this assistance for various purposes such as acquiring seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and other investments related to field operations for the chosen crop season.
Eligibility criteria for the scheme include residency in the state and land ownership.
Additionally, farmers cultivating land in forested areas, predominantly from Scheduled Tribe communities with a valid Record of Forest Rights (ROFR) document, are also eligible to receive benefits.
Notably, this initiative stands out as the country’s inaugural direct farmer investment support scheme, wherein cash is disbursed directly to the beneficiaries.