Row over ₹99 lakh subsidy to union minister Bhagirath Choudhary from agriculture ministry, he says ‘nothing hidden’
Union minister Bhagirath Choudhary is in focus over reportedly having acquired ₹99.6 lakh in subsidy from his personal ministry. On Saturday, he sought to make clear and mentioned he was not hiding something and that he acquired the federal government assist like 1000’s of different farmers.
Choudhary, a Minister of State within the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, is in the course of a row after a report in The Indian Categorical revealed that he acquired ₹99,60,000 as subsidy by way of a scheme below his personal ministry.
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Curiously, the report claimed that the subsidy quantity to advertise industrial farming was authorised by a board through which Choudhary is ex-officio Vice-President.
Clarifying on the farm subsidy, Bhagirath Choudhary he has practiced farming since his childhood and utilized for the subsidy in 2018. Choudhary, a Lok Sabha MP from the Ajmer constituency, was sworn in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cupboard in June 2024.
“I’m a farmer and have been in agriculture since my childhood days. I’ve not hidden something. Hundreds of farmers set up polyhouses and avail themselves of subsidies, so I did too. I had utilized in 2018. I’ve put in a board there and talked about all of the loans and subsidies I took,” Choudhary mentioned.
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“I additionally practice farmers there in new strategies and pure farming. All native officers have visited the spot. So, what did I disguise?” he added.
Oppn assaults minister over ‘battle of curiosity’
The Congress attacked the minister, calling it a “battle of curiosity” and accused the BJP of hypocrisy relating to corruption.
Congress chief Pawan Khera alleged that Choudhary was “the applicant, the sanctioning authority, and the beneficiary–all rolled into one.” Calling it a battle of curiosity could be an understatement, he mentioned.
Calling the transfer a “blatant loot”, the minister mentioned, “It’s troubling as a result of the poor are anticipated to be pleased about 5 kg of free ration and a modest noon meal for his or her kids, as if these are the federal government’s favours somewhat than citizen’s rights. In the meantime, ministers and their kith and kin have the state treasury at their disposal – cornering subsidies, drawing advantages and treating public funds as their father’s property.”
Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot additionally attacked the BJP, calling it a “new mannequin of corruption” and battle of curiosity within the NDA authorities.
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“One more main occasion of a brand new mannequin of corruption and ‘battle of curiosity’ below the Modi authorities has come to gentle, involving allegations in opposition to a Union Minister and an IAS officer serving within the central authorities,” Gehlot mentioned.
The Indian Categorical report mentioned that half from the minister, the mom, spouse and son of a senior IAS officer have been additionally among the many beneficiaries of the scheme below the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
The report mentioned 1994-batch Rajasthan IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar, a Secretary within the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and his relations acquired a complete of over ₹1.16 crore in subsidies throughout 5 years below the scheme.
