Hyderabad:
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has banned the ruling YSR Congress Party from making direct cash transfers to beneficiaries of government schemes till May 13, when the southern state will complete a one-phase election for 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats.
The court previously allowed the payout for today and said it would be halted for 72 hours leading up to Monday, when the state votes. About Rs 14,165 crore would be distributed.
The response came after a petition from students and women who were beneficiaries of various schemes.
Previous opposition parties had questioned the continued cash transfers at a time when elections are looming and the Model Code of Conduct is in force. In response to the complaints, the Election Commission has decided to suspend the funds until further notice.
The Supreme Court initially allowed beneficiaries to continue benefiting from what the YSRCP ruling said were state welfare schemes that had been running for several months.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday accused his predecessor N Chandrababu Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party is an ally of the BJP, of seeking the Centre's help to block the ongoing DBTs in the state to undermine the ruling party in a bad light.
Addressing a rally at Rajanagaram in East Godavari, Mr Reddy alleged that Mr Naidu – through his sister-in-law D Purandeswari – the state BJP president – was seeking the Centre's help. “They are putting pressure on the Election Commission to block DBT for ongoing state welfare schemes such as pensions and input subsidies,” the YSR Congress president said.
“For the past 59 months, we have designed a welfare calendar that outlines the benefits of the schemes every month so that promises are fulfilled on time and the YSR Congress will regain power on June 4 and expedite all benefits within a week,” he said . .
“Women, the elderly and young people must be vigilant. The power of the people lies in their vote and they will use it strongly to make their voice heard in Delhi,” he said, urging people to vote for it. the YSR Congress Party in the May 13 elections.