CHENNAI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued directions against utilizing services of volunteers for distribution of cash benefits under any scheme including social security pensions as long as the model code of conduct (MCC) in force in the state.
According to Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena, the ECI also ordered that hand-held devices like mobiles and tablets provided to volunteers should be deposited with the District Election Officers till the MCC is lifted and suggested that the State government make alternative arrangements for distribution of benefits of ongoing schemes to the beneficiaries using DBT (Electronic Transfer) preferably or through other regular government employees.
Going through the order of the AP High Court while dealing with a petition filed by the Citizens for Democracy against the usage of volunteers in distribution of government schemes, continuous complaints against the volunteers influencing elections at grassroots level, the ECI issued directions against distribution of pensions and benefits of other schemes to the beneficiaries by volunteers.
The directions of the ECI come at a time when the government is making arrangements for the distribution of social security pensions through 2.66 lakh volunteers from April 3.
Meanwhile, sources said that the officials of Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) will conduct a meeting on Sunday to discuss the alternatives for distribution of pensions.
Similarly, the ECI also issued directions not to release the results of AP Teacher Eligibility Test (APTET) and not to conduct the AP Teacher Recruitment Test (APTRT) exams till the conclusion of the elections, the CEO said, adding that directions to this effect came to his office on Saturday.
After going through the proposals sent from the State government on releasing the results of APTET and conduct of APTRT examination, the ECI took a decision to postpone both of them until MCC is lifted.