Earlier, a report stated Bhagirath Choudhary received the subsidy of ₹99 lakh about three months ago under a scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
Image: IANS
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary has defended himself amid allegations of receiving ₹99.03 lakh subsidy for his cucumber farming project under a government scheme.
On Saturday, Choudhary claimed that the entire process was carried out in accordance with the prescribed guidelines, adding that he is ready to present all relevant documents whenever required, IANS reported.
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This comes after a report in The Indian Express stated that Choudhary received the subsidy of ₹99 lakh about three months ago under a scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. The project was said to have been approved by the National Horticulture Board (NHB), where Choudhary serves as the ex-officio Vice-President.
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“It is true. I am a farmer, and I am engaged in agricultural work. I have developed a polyhouse project and constructed four farm ponds with a capacity of around two crore litres to store rainwater. This water is used for irrigation and for my crops,” Choudhary told IANS.
He added, “I have also taken a bank loan as per the prescribed guidelines. I am not hiding anything. I have even installed a board at the site stating that I have availed the subsidy and that the project is meant to encourage farmers to adopt modern farming techniques. Everything has been done under the guidelines. I have not concealed anything. If farmers do not adopt new farming techniques, how will they progress? I am doing this to inspire other farmers”.
The MoS further stated that he installed the polyhouse first and after nearly six months he received the subsidy through the proper banking procedure.
“Certainly, I can present all the facts and documents before the public. I have displayed a board mentioning the loan amount as well as the subsidy received,” he added.
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