TS Govt to Seek EC Approval to Implement Ongoing Welfare Schemes

Hyderabad: The state government will ask the Election Commission of India (ECI) for permission to implement the ongoing welfare schemes, which have been stalled due to the release of the schedule for the Assembly elections on October 9. The government contends there are no new schemes and were under implementation for periods ranging from a few months to some years.

Official sources said that the Chief Secretary-led committee will write to Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj, seeking permission to extend benefits of Gruha Lakshmi, BC Bandhu, Minority Bandhu, Dalit Bandhu, Rythu Bandhu, CMRF and distribution of Bathukamma saris.

The screening committee headed by Santhi Kumari will assess each proposal on the ongoing welfare schemes before forwarding it to the EC. This assessment will be based on the EC's instructions and clarifications.

The government's application will explain in each case the urgency of the ongoing welfare schemes and why they cannot wait till the conclusion of polling on November 30 or the end of the election code on December 5. These will be forwarded to the Election Commission.

The Opposition parties had complained to the EC against the BRS leaders trying to lure voters with these schemes and sought to halt them until the Assembly polls were completed.