The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday withdrew the approval granted to the Telangana government for the disbursement of financial aid to farmers under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme.

The withdrawal comes in response to a violation of the model code of conduct by a state minister who publicly disclosed information regarding the disbursements for rabi crops.

The EC had initially granted permission for the state government to proceed with the disbursements during the model code of conduct period, with specific conditions in place.

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The state was asked to refrain from publicising the disbursement during the poll code.

“The Commission has observed that T Harish Rao, Minister of Finance and Heath and Family Welfare, Govt of Telangana … has not only violated the provisions of MCC (model code of conduct)… but also conditions laid down as above by publicising the release under the scheme, and thereby disturbed the level playing field in the ongoing election process,” the EC letter to the state chief electoral officer (CEO) read.

The state finance minister had made a premature public announcement regarding the release of rabi installments, stating, “The disbursement will be made on Monday. Even before the farmers complete their breakfast and tea, the amount will be credited into their account.”

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“The Commission has directed that the permission granted vide its letter dated November 25, 2023 for disbursement of rabi season installment under the ongoing Rythu Bandhu scheme during the currency of MCC, shall stand withdrawn immediately and there shall be no disbursement under the Scheme till the Model Code of Conduct in the State of Telangana ceases to apply in all its form,” the letter read.

The poll panel instructed the CEO to convey its decision to the state government and submit a compliance report to the Commission by 3 pm on Monday.

The EC had initially granted a ‘no objection’ based on the understanding that the Rythu Bandhu scheme is ongoing, with rabi installments disbursed during October-January in the past five years.

Telangana is set to go for polls on November 30 with the counting of the results scheduled to take place on December 3.