Agriculture Scam The ED has started investigation into the alleged agriculture scam in Punjab. In this regard, information has been sought from the department regarding the utilization of funds released by the Central Government.
State Bureau, Chandigarh. Punjab Agriculture Scam: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now started the investigation of irregularities and corruption in the use of funds released by the Center in the Agriculture Department of Punjab. On behalf of the ED, complete details of the use of funds have been sought from the Agriculture Department.
The ED has also been asked to provide information that from where the machinery was purchased for the management of agricultural residues. How much was bought? Who were involved in the purchase process? The investigation of the case has been started by the ED under the Money Laundering Act.
In the month of May last, the record was sought from the Agriculture Department on behalf of the ED, but the record was not given by the department. After this, on June 14, a reminder has been sent by the ED to the department. The ED said that the records should be provided at the earliest.
Keep in mind that this scam was exposed in 2019. Former Agriculture Minister Randeep Singh Nabha had also written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding this scam. Nabha had demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter. More than Rs 12 crore was released for agricultural residue management.
This amount was sent by the Center from 2018-19 to 2021-22. Its purpose was to help curb stubble burning, but the machinery mentioned in the documents was never purchased.
Now this information is being collected by the department in which district, how much amount was spent under the scheme. How much machinery was purchased? In this investigation of ED, many current and former officers of the Agriculture Department can come under the scanner.
