Dispur used PM-KISAN scheme to woo voters: Assam Jatiya Parishad

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The AJP (Assam Jatiya Parishad) has accused the State government of wooing the voters through anomalies in the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme (PM-KISAN).

Addressing the media here on Saturday, AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi asserted that the State government is not paying attention to the anomalies in the PM-KISAN Scheme.

"The scheme was introduced on December 1, 2018. However, in Assam, the anomalies took place from November 2020 to March 2021. Thus, it is evident that the anomalies took place before the Assembly polls. By providing financial support to the fake farmers, the government tried to influence the voters ahead of the polls," said Gogoi.

Further, he questioned why both the ruling government and Opposition have maintained 'silence' on the issue.

"The irregularities under PM-KISAN are not being discussed in the Monsoon Session. The Opposition parties should unite and play their role by raising questions on this issue," Gogoi stressed. "The fake farmers were asked to return the respective amount received under the scheme. But, why no action has been taken against the agriculture officers and the persons responsible for the anomalies?" questioned Gogoi.

"On July 5, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora had stated that 36 lakh beneficiaries were given financial support under the scheme. He had admitted that 19.47 beneficiaries were found genuine while 11.72 were not eligible. Moreover, five lakh beneficiaries, who have received the money, are yet to be identified. Later, responding to an RTI query, the Agricultural Department in June informed that 9,39,146 ineligible beneficiaries were asked to return the money. Out of the total ineligible beneficiaries, only 817 returned the amount," Gogoi underlined.

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