Tenders halted as poll code kicks in

Distribution of cheques to about 5m Telangana farmers will also be affected

All state government functions — including foundation-laying ceremonies and the launch of government schemes and development projects — have come to a standstill in Telangana, as the Election Commission of India (EC) enforces the model code of conduct.

The development is being seen as a clear indication that the EC is preparing to announce the state election schedule very soon.

The schedule is expected to be announced any time after October 8, when the final voters’ list is published.

Polling in November

Indications are that polling will be held in the third or fourth week of November.

First to be affected by the code of conduct coming into effect was the distribution of cheques among the recipients of welfare pensions at the Brahmin Welfare Council in Hyderabad.

Minister for municipal administration K. Taraka Rama Rao was scheduled to distribute the cheques on Friday morning before the programme was cancelled.

The election commission has made it clear to the officials that no fresh tenders can be called for any public works and no funds can be spend on any such programmes.

The electoral officer for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Dana Kishore, said the city’s standing committee could no longer take any new decision to start development works.

However works which were already in progress could continue.

Similar restrictions were to be enforced all over the state from yesterday, officials said.

The code will also affect the proposed distribution of cheques to more than five million farmers towards the second instalment of Rythu Bandhu scheme.

The state government was scheduled to distribute Rs4,000 (Dh200) per acre incentives to the farmers for the second crop. While the opposition parties had opposed it, describing it as an attempt to misuse official funds and machinery to influence voters, the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) had said that obstructing such a programme would be against the best interests of the farmers.