Rs 140 cr scam in purchase of stubble management machines in Punjab, Centre halts funds
Jalandhar News: A Rs 140-crore scam has reportedly been unearthed in the purchase of stubble management machines in Punjab, leading the central government to halt subsidies. The Punjab government, focused on supplying machinery to combat stubble burning, faces accusations of a subsidy scam involving Rs 140 crore, where machines were purportedly not purchased.
The state government’s survey reports irregularities in subsidies issued for stubble machines between 2021-22 and 2022-23. Following the exposure of this significant manipulation, the government has initiated district-wise investigations.
Simultaneously, the central government has deployed investigative teams in Punjab and suspended a Rs 350 crore subsidy intended for stubble machinery this year.
Previously, the central government disbursed Rs 1178 crore from 2018-19 to 2021-22 as part of the stubble machinery subsidy. A survey conducted by the Punjab government revealed that over 11,000 machines never reached the farmers. Instead, the subsidy funds were misappropriated through counterfeit invoices.
During recent investigations in Fazilka and Faridkot, the Punjab government discovered discrepancies. While 1800 farmers had records of purchasing stubble management machinery, investigators found no evidence of these machines in their fields or homes.