X: @the_news_21
The Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) has vehemently criticized the Central government for the lapse and return of over Rs 1 lakh crore of funds earmarked for farmers’ welfare in the past five years. The party’s National Spokesperson, Kishore Tiwari, and farm activist expressed concern over the increasing number of farmers’ suicides, highlighting the discrepancy between the rising budgetary allocation and the failure of the Union Agriculture Ministry to utilize the sanctioned funds, surrendering them back to the government coffers.
Tiwari, in an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioned the “extreme negligence” of the Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Ministry while addressing the distress of farmers nationwide. He pointed to official data revealing that the ministry and its various departments failed to utilize amounts totaling over Rs 1 lakh crore, which could have provided relief to struggling peasants.
According to Tiwari, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare report for 2022-2023 indicated a surrender of Rs 21,005 crore from its annual allocation of Rs 1.24 lakh crore. Similarly, in 2021-2022, against an allocation of Rs 1.23 lakh crore, Rs 5,153 crore was surrendered. The trend continued in the previous three years, with figures of Rs 23,825 crore (2020-2021), Rs 34,518 crore (2019-2020), and Rs 21,044 crore (2018-2019), totaling over Rs 1 lakh crore in the last five years.
Tiwari also highlighted the returns by the Ministry’s Department of Agricultural Research & Education, which surrendered Rs 9 lakh, Rs 1.81 crore, Rs 600 crore, Rs 233 crore, and Rs 7.9 crore respectively in the last five years, depriving farmers and their children of various benefits.
The SS-UBT leader called for transparency in fund utilization for critical sectors like farming, emphasizing the need for the government to monitor the effective implementation of allocated funds. The Opposition demands an explanation from the Prime Minister and the Agriculture Minister regarding the deliberate lapse of allocated funds, vowing to raise the issue in the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
Also Read: Why Are Indian Soldiers in Maldives? Unpacking the Historical Context
