PM-Kisan: Only 77 pseudo-farmers out of 45,453 refund income support

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: The fate of the probe into the massive corruption that had taken place in the State with regard to PM-Kisan (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana) is still hanging in the balance due to alleged lack of distinct initiative on the part of the State Government to attain its ultimate goal. As a result of it, lakhs of the pseudo-farmers who availed the benefit of the scheme are still to refund the fund to the government as per its declaration.

For example, only 77 bogus farmers out of 45,453 refunded the income support granted for the benefit of genuine farmers in Lakhimpur though massive corruption took place in PM-Kisan in the district along with the other districts of the State.

Notably, PM-Kisan scheme was launched in Lakhimpur in February, 2019 along with the other parts of the country. Under this scheme, all small and marginal farmers will be provided with income support of Rs.6,000 per year in three instalments which will be deposited directly to their bank accounts. The scheme was introduced to augment the source of income of many small and marginal farmers as well as to provide income support to all eligible land-holding farmers and their families. It also aims to supplement the financial needs of the farmers in procuring various inputs to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income.

Thousands of ineligible beneficiaries managed to avail the benefits of the scheme in Lakhimpur as a result of corruption sponsored by a section of dishonest employees under the Agriculture Department and favouritism patronized by a section of local leaders and activists of the ruling party.

The Lakhimpur District Agriculture Office launched an inquiry into the irregularities following the order issued by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to investigate the root of the scam across the State. The Agriculture Department has identified a total of 45,453 ineligible beneficiaries of the PM Kisan scheme in Lakhimpur out of 1,04,669 validated beneficiaries. The ineligible beneficiaries include government employees and also pensioners drawing more than Rs 10,000 per month, persons with no agriculture land, and economically sound persons.

In this regard, while contacted, District Agriculture Officer-in charge, Prabin Kumar Saikia said that a total of 27,492 bogus beneficiaries had been already deleted while 22,169 such beneficiaries were untraceable as yet.

"Of the traceable bogus beneficiaries, only 77 people refunded the financial support aided by the government through the bank account opened at United Bank of India, Hatilung Branch of North Lakhimpur. To trace the untraceable ineligible beneficiaries, we are contacting with the District Lead Bank Manager at present, urging him to provide their home addresses. We expect that we can trace them within a week. We will take action against them after we receive the further order from the State Government regarding the issue. Now we are waiting for it," the District Agriculture Officer-in charge added.

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