The latest order issued by the Election Commission of India on Friday night, giving approval for the disbursement of second instalment of Rythu Bandhu funds to the farmers with immediate effect has lent credence to the suspicion that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi led by chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has a secret understanding with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The EC gave the green signal to the BRS government to go ahead with the direct benefit transfer of Rs 4,000 per acre into the accounts of every farmer with effect from Saturday under Rythu Bandhu scheme.
According to the officials, about Rs 7,300 crore will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of over 65 lakh farmers over the next couple of days. The officials immediately initiated the disbursement process.
The EC has given the nod for the disbursement of funds under Rythu Bandhu scheme, following a representation by the KCR government saying that the farmers needed the amount as the Rabi (Yasangi) operations have already commenced.
The government also wanted the EC to allow implementation of crop loan waiver for farmers as well as release of pending dearness allowance to the state government employees. The EC is yet to respond to the two requests.
It was only in the last week of October that the EC issued an order stalling the release of funds under Rythu Bandhu scheme, following a complaint from the Congress stating that release of funds to farmers before the elections would influence voters.
The Congress wanted that the Rythu Bandhu money could be released before November 3, when the nomination process started. But the EC, after waiting for three weeks, issued the order, clearing the payment.
Naturally, it will immensely benefit the BRS in the elections, as farmers would be getting a minimum of Rs 4,000 per acre directly into their accounts. A farmer with three acres of land will get Rs 12,000 and this will help him develop a soft corner towards the BRS.
The Congress sources say the EC order clearly indicates that there is a nexus between the BRS and BJP. “The EC will not dare issue such an order without clearance from the Narendra Modi government,” a source said.
The BJP has never opposed disbursement of funds under Rythu Bandhu at this stage. It wants the BRS to come to power and prevent the Congress, the source added.
In the election manifesto, KCR announced that the BRS would enhance the Rythu Bandhu assistance from existing Rs 10,000 per acre per annum to Rs 16,000 per acre per annum gradually over next five years.
The Congress also announced similar scheme in its manifesto promising Rs 15,000 per annum to farmers and tenant farmers.
