100 percent reverification of beneficiaries in the PM KISAN scheme across state

GUWAHATI: Agriculture Minister Atul Bora has ordered 100 per cent reverification of beneficiaries in the PM KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) scheme across the State. Informing this to the media here on Thursday, Minister Bora said, "This decision has been taken as there have been allegations that names of many ineligible persons have been included in the beneficiaries' list.

"After reverification, all ineligible names will be deleted, and if they got any monetary benfit under the PM Kisan scheme, such persons will have to refund the amount. Legal action will be initiated against such ineligible beneficiaries and even officials and employees if found guilty."

Bora pointed out, "We've already informed the Government of India about the allegations. The Centre has asked the State government to carry out 5% reverification of the total beneficiaries. However for transparency sake, we've decided to go for 100 per cent reverification.

"A few months back, departmental inquiries were held regarding the lists of beneficiaries in several districts including Barpeta. During those probes, we detected the names of 7 lakh people in the beneficiaries' lists, who are ineligible according to the PM KISAN guidelines. The Centre has taken steps to delete these names from the lists.

"Besides, the Barpeta District Agriculture Officer has been suspended. In Morigaon district also, two Agriculture officers have been also suspended. Besides, we found that some data entry operators in Morigaon district made some anomalies while uploading the beneficiaries' data online. An FIR has been lodged against them.

"I have directed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to recheck the beneficiaries' lists, and take necessary action.

"We've also initiated a departmental inquiry into the matter. No guilty person will be spared."

The Minister further said, "We have kept doors open for all eligible persons who have not yet applied for the PM KISAN scheme."

There are 39 lakh beneficiaries of the scheme across Assam.

"So far, an amount of approximately Rs 11 lakh has been recovered from ineligible beneficiaries. I've also requested the Chief Minister to conduct a high-level inquiry into the issue.

The PM KISAN is an initiative by the Government of India in which all farmers will get up to 6,000 per year as minimum income support. The initiative was announced in the 2019 Interim Union Budget of India on February 1, 2019. An amount of Rs 6,000 per year is paid to each eligible farmer in three installments and the amounts are deposited directly in their bank accounts.

According to the Agriculture department, the Centre has transferred approximately Rs 374 crore to beneficiaries.

Also read: Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora assures support to NCHAC

Also watch: Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the Sarusojai stadium as the new headquarters for fight against COVID19