MCC will not come in the way of the implementation of running programmes that are not explicitly mentioned in the directives of EC on any count and this is acknowledged widely as an issue of common knowledge for political parties.
Updated On – 10:18 AM, Fri – 27 October 23
Hyderabad: The Congress representation to the Election Commission of India objecting to the disbursal of financial assistance under Rythu Bandhu and Dalit Bandhu appears to be clearly politically motivated, because the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) does not prevent such disbursals.
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will not come in the way of the implementation of running programmes that are not explicitly mentioned in the directives of the Election Commission on any count and this is acknowledged widely as an issue of common knowledge for political parties.
However, the representation made to the Election Commission by the Congress leadership against the flagship programmes of the State is much against this and has triggered an outrage in the State.
What the Congress party has sought from the Election Commission in respect of the Rythu Bandhu and Dalit Bandhu was much in contravention of the orders issued by the Union government updating the Model Code of Conduct in March 2009 before the 15th Lok Sabha General elections held in 2009.
None other than the Congress Party with Dr Manmohan Singh as its Prime Minister was in rule when the modifications were affected in the Model Code of Conduct. The Congress leaders by all means proved to have scant regard for the decisions of the government when its own leadership was in rule.
The changes effected in the MCC during the regime of Dr Manmohan Singh made it categorically clear that existing works and programmes can be continued by the government agencies without referring to the Election Commission after the Model Code of Conduct came into force. All the state sponsored programnmes including the Rythu Bandhu are coming under this category.
It further clarified that the work projects that have actually started on the ground after obtaining all necessary sanctions can be continued. Even the projects where specific beneficiaries by name have been identified before the model code of conduct came into force can also be continued.
Only the announcement of new projects, programmes and financial grants by either the state or Central government which have the effect of influencing the voters is prohibited. The prior approval of the Commission is mandatory in such cases. Works already started on the ground are allowed. Even the regular recruitment, promotion through the UPSC and the Staff Selection commission and similar agencies would not come under the model code of conduct.
The state farmers who are gearing up for the Yasangi (Rabi) operations are up in arms. They are badly in need of the crop investment assistance for the Rabi activity which was off to a start this month. The area under the Rabi crops is projected to extend further and it is likely to touch 80 lakh acres this time.
Rythu Bandhu assistance of Rs 10,000 per acre ( Rs 5000 for Rabi and Rs 5000 for Kharif) being extended by the state government for the past five and half years came in handy for the farmer community for revival of their dwindled fortunes. The Congress Party plea to stop Rythu Bandhu came in for condemnation by the farmer organisations also.
The Congress Party leadership, by this move, has showed its lack of sincerity to the cause of the farmers, said Pittala Ravinder, Chairman of the State Fisheries Federation. Calling it a conspiracy of the Congress Party against the state’s welfare programmes, he wanted the Congress leaders to go through the 4 B of the Election Commission’s Instruction No 5 before crying hoarse against the implementation of BRS government programmes and policies.
