Ahead of Himachal Assembly bypoll, Election Commission halts inducting fresh beneficiaries under Sukhu govt’s Pyari Behna scheme
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TNR Desk
Following the implementation of the model code of conduct due to the June 1 Lok Sabha elections and byelections to six Assembly seats, the registration for the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government’s Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana has been put on hold.
The Election Commission has issued instructions that no new beneficiaries can be added to any scheme or work during this period.
The directive comes in the wake of the Sukhu Government’s announcement of the scheme that entails a grant of Rs 1,500 monthly to women aged 18 to 60 years, a promise made by the Congress ahead of the Assembly elections. The scheme, which was launched in Lahaul-Spiti on February 25, received approval for implementation across all districts soon after.
However, with the onset of the model code of conduct, the process of filling application forms for the scheme has been suspended. Chief Electoral Officer Maneesh Garg said that the inclusion of new beneficiaries under any scheme was prohibited under the current regulations, necessitating a halt in the registration process for the scheme.
The Social Justice and Empowerment Department has been instructed to adhere strictly to the guidelines laid out by the Election Commission. Consequently, potential beneficiaries of the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana will have to wait until after the lifting of the model code of conduct on June 6 to avail of the scheme’s benefits.
The BJP had on Tuesday complained to the Election Commission demanding stop on the enrolment of new beneficiaries under the scheme and its rollout from April 1, alleging that it violated the election code of conduct.
