Andhra HC Asks Jagan Reddy Govt To Stop Disbursing Payments Under DBT Schemes Till Polling On May 13

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has barred the ruling YSR Congress Party-led state government from making direct cash transfers to the beneficiaries of various welfare schemes until polling is complete on May 13. Andhra will go to simultaneous voting for 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats on Monday.

The court, however, permitted the state government to disburse funds under various pending direct benefit transfer (DBT) schemes on May 14, without the Election Commission’s interference.

Though the High Court, based on petitions filed by beneficiaries had allowed the YSRCP government to disburse these funds on May 10, it could not do so as it ran out of time due to EC’s interference and also further court proceedings today.

The government could not proceed because the DBT funds should first go to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and from there to the beneficiaries through various banks, an official told news agency PTI.

With the business hours coming to an end on Friday, the state government could not proceed further, he added.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday stopped the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government from disbursing Rs 14,165 crore under DBT to the beneficiaries of six specific government schemes, stating that it is overlapping with the Silence Period.

Noting that Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government announced DBT assistance prior to the imposition of the MCC, the poll body opined, “The disbursement of money at this stage has the propensity to influence the level playing field and will benefit the party in power.”

Earlier, opposition parties had raised objections to the continuing cash transfers under welfare schemes at a time when elections are imminent, and the Model Code of Conduct is in force.

Under a DBT schemes, funds generally get transferred to the beneficiaries within 24 to 48 hours.

Explore the detailed schedule and key constituencies of the 2024 Lok Sabha Election’s Fourth Phase