Vishav Bharti
Chandigarh, June 22
While in office, Punjab’s former Agriculture Minister Randeep Singh Nabha in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 8 blew the lid off a Rs 1,178-crore scam involving the crop residual machinery under his own government. He had also demanded a probe by the CBI.
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“When I took charge of the department and held a review, I learnt that the Government of India had sent Rs 1,178.47 crore under the CRM scheme from 2018-19 till 2021-22,” he said.
He said on November 8, 2021, he sought information about the scheme and the division of funds for each district, but no data was provided to him. “No information was given even after I discussed the matter with the Financial Commissioner (Agriculture).”
The former minister further pointed out that the issue was even discussed in the Cabinet but still no action was taken. “I handed over a proposal to the Chief Minister (Charanjit Singh Channi) in the Cabinet meeting, but no action was taken. It looks like either there was embezzlement or intentional procedural lapses.”
Nabha had requested for a CBI inquiry in the case. “Officers from top to bottom are responsible for the misuse of funds. No action has been taken on repeated letters. Strict action should be taken in the case so that in future funds are not misused.”
He also pointed to the role of Agriculture Department’s Joint Director (Engineering Wing), who headed the scheme for five years from 2016 to 2021. Nabha said the scam took place before he assumed office. He hasn’t got any response from the Prime Minister’s Office as yet, he added.
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