Against 50% on Tractors releases just Rs 2 lakh in charity
Ajay Sharma
Rajouri, February 10: Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), Rajouri sets his own rules over the official guidelines in the matter Central Government schemes for welfare of farmers like HADP project (Farm Mechanization… in Hill Agriculture). Instead of complying with Operational Guidelines under Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM) entitling the farmers beneficiaries of SC/ST/Women and Farmers of in Himalayan State 50 percent financial assistance on Agriculture Machinery/Tractors, the CAO just releases Rs 2 Lakh to beneficiaries on selective basis, as if the department is doing a charity. .
According to sources, Chief Agriculture Officer, Rajouri has been selectively altering subsidy amounts at his whims, throwing to winds the central government norms and standing operational guidelines but also defying his higher authorities.
“The government had announced a 50% subsidy on agricultural machinery and tractors in all Himalayan States and union territories, however, in Rajouri, these rules have been applied on pick and choose basis, thanks to the Agriculture department, where a CAO can set his own norms;” said sources.
Sources maintained that senior officials from the Agriculture Department had reportedly directed uniform implementation of the subsidy scheme across the board.
“The Chief Agriculture Officer is accused of disregarding these directives and setting his own norms,” said sources, adding that even senior officers are hesitant to challenge his decisions.
Meanwhile, locals have requested the top political leadership to intervene and fix the accountability in this matter pertaining to the farmers’ welfare..
They have also appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir to initiate an inquiry into the disbursement of subsidies.
“There is a need to initiate an enquiry against these arbitrary and whimsical implementation of central schemes in entire Jammu Kashmir, as District Agriculture departmental heads are involved in determining subsidy allocations on the selective criteria rather than official norms,” said sources.
Despite repeated complaints, neither the Director of Agriculture nor the Commissioner of Agriculture has taken any cognizance of the mess going on in the Agriculture office in Rajouri. .
Farmers, especially those belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, claimed they have been unfairly deprived of their rightful subsidy benefits.
“While general category beneficiaries receive Rs 4-5 lakh in subsidy, ST beneficiaries receive only Rs 2 lakh,” alleged sources, adding that this shows how rules are being manipulated and deprived sections are cornered..
