The Election Commission has postponed the sheep distribution program in Munugode assembly constituency till the counting of votes for the by-election.
Sources said that neither direct benefit transfer nor physical distribution of sheep to the beneficiaries could be done till then.
In fact, the distribution of sheep in the second phase under the program started on October 3, the day the notification for voting was issued. Around 3.5 lakh sheep were distributed to the beneficiaries in the first phase and another 3.55 lakh units were targeted for the second phase but its launch was repeatedly postponed due to paucity of funds.
The government had to increase funding for the program because the price of sheep in the open market had risen significantly. Hence the unit cost of sheep was also increased from ₹ 1.25 lakh to ₹ 1.75 lakh. The beneficiaries’ share was supposed to be 25% (₹43,750), while the government would pay the remaining 75 percent as subsidy (₹1.31 lakh).
At least 4,739 sheep farmers who had deposited their share of the unit cost were raised DBT at ₹1.31 lakh on October 3. The money was deposited in their bank accounts, but it was frozen the same day after the election notification was issued. Another 1,525 beneficiaries who also paid their share were waiting for DBT when the Election Commission applied the brakes.
Following complaints from BJP, Congress and Forum for Good Governance, the Animal Husbandry Department wrote to the Election Commission asking for the suspension to be lifted as it was an ongoing programme. But, the Election Commission will have nothing to do with it. Sources said the EC also ordered the department not to buy sheep for distribution.