Order CBI probe into PM Kisan scheme: Debabrata Saikia

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia said that it is crystal clear now that some ineligible farmers did avail of financial benefits under the PM Kisan Scheme in Assam. It augurs well for the government to ensure a CBI inquiry into the episode, he said.

Saikia said that the anomalies in the PM Kisan Scheme became clear after Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar admitted before the Parliament on Tuesday that irregularities had happened in the PM Kisan Scheme and that Rs 2992.75 crore went to ineligible farmers in the country.

Saikia said, "I did move the Prime Minister and the CBI's Guwahati office seeking CBI inquiry into the irregularities in the PM Kisan Scheme in 2020. Since the BJP-led government in Assam claims to have adopted zero-tolerance against corruption as its policy, the government is duty-bound to ensure a CBI inquiry into the anomalies. I demand the Centre order CBI inquiry into the anomalies in the PM Kisan Scheme.

Meanwhile, APCC (Assam Pradesh Congress Committee) chief spokesperson Bobbeeta Sharma said in her statement that the Union Agriculture Minister had to admit that irregularities had happened in the PM Kisan Scheme. "In this matter, Assam managed to secure a dubious first place and 8.35 lakh 'ineligible or fake farmers' across the state took Rs 558.01 crore from the scheme," Sharma quoted Tomar as telling the Parliament.

Also Read: Debabrata Saikia slams CM Himanta's statement on Opposition MLAs

Also watch: