“Election Commission Issues Directive Against AP Government’s Direct Benefit Transfer Funds Ahead of Elections”
In a significant development preceding the impending Andhra Pradesh elections, scheduled to commence in less than 100 hours with polling slated for May 13, the Election Commission (EC) has delivered a blow to the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government. The EC’s directive, ordering the suspension of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) funds disbursed by the YSR Congress Party (YCP) government, has laid bare the tactics employed by the ruling party.
The genesis of this directive stems from Chief Minister Jagan’s recent public remarks expressing skepticism regarding the electoral process’s integrity. Jagan voiced concerns over the cessation of funds disbursed to the public and frequent officer transfers, insinuating external influence from the TDP+ alliance, in tandem with the NDA, on the EC’s decisions, ostensibly to create adversities for the YCP in Andhra Pradesh.
In response, the EC swiftly mandated the suspension of DBT funds released by the YCP government, stipulating that disbursements could only resume post-elections. Furthermore, the EC scrutinized the delayed clearance of these transactions initiated by the Jagan administration, questioning the prolonged pending status of DBT schemes, despite being initiated months prior.
It has come to light that Jagan’s administration initiated these DBT schemes months ago, strategically withholding their release until just before the polls to credit beneficiary bank accounts. However, the EC detected this pattern and promptly intervened, exposing Jagan’s assertions of hindrances to his cash transfer programs.
The EC’s scrutiny of the delayed release of funds has the potential to reveal attempts to influence voters by timing the release of funds close to polling day, a practice inconsistent with electoral regulations.
