Chandigarh: The Punjab Government on Thursday
ordered a probe into the allegation that the farmers were not
given full central subsidy on certified wheat seed under the
National Food Security Mission in the state.
Congress member Sunil Kumar Jakhar raised the issue in
the state assembly here and alleged that the government gave
normal seed as certified seed and diverted the Rs 200 per
quintal from the total Rs 700 per quintal central subsidy to a
state-run agency in violation of norms.
Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langha admitted that the
state government was passing on Rs 500 per quintal from the Rs
700 per quintal central subsidy to the farmers.
He said that the Rs 200 per quintal was being kept in the
account of government-owned PUNSEED.
With Congress members seeking a probe into the matter,
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal ordered an inquiry
by Financial Commissioner (Development) into the opposition's
allegation on the supply of wheat seed.
The government buys the certified wheat seed at Rs 1,750
per quintal and sells it to farmers at Rs 1,250 per quintal,
Jakhar said yesterday, adding that as per the information
under RTI from the Punjab State Seeds Corporation Limited,
this certified seed was bought by the corporation at Rs 1,650
per quintal.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 18:09