AASU moves PM for a high-level probe in PM-KISAN corruption

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) on Friday dashed off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a high-level probe into alleged corruption and anomalies in implementation of the PM Kishan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) in the State.

The development has come at a time when the alleged scam in the State Agriculture department in selecting beneficiaries for the PM-KISAN scheme has taken an interesting turn. While Agriculture Minister Atul Bora recently ordered an inquiry into it, and also placed the District Agricultural Officer of Barpeta under suspension, State BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass has alleged that the scam was nothing but a conspiracy by some anti-government elements to embarrass the Sarbananda Sonowal government. The influential AASU has, however, made it clear that all those involved in siphoning off money meant for welfare of lakhs of poor farmers in the State must be given 'exemplary' punishment.

AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi alleged that massive irregularities and favouritism have taken places in selection of beneficiaries under the PM-KISAN scheme. He said names of individuals never associated with agricultural activities and cultivation have been found in the list of beneficiaries.

AASU president Dipanka Kumar Nath has alleged that members of political parties, service holders, pensioners, traders and panchayat representatives have been selected as beneficiaries instead of farmers to avail benefits of the PM-KISAN scheme.

Gogoi alleged that several incidents have come to the light showing the lists contained names of ghost villagers. He said individuals who do not have a single inch of agricultural land have also been selected as beneficiaries.

AASU chief advisor Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjya said the students' organization would not tolerate such a massive corruption with crores of money actually meant for welfare of farmers. He said a high-level inquiry has to be conducted to find out the real culprits. "Every single paise sanctioned under the PM-KISAN scheme must go to farmers' hands," Dr Bhattacharjya said.

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