Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh has alleged Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, for not implementing the centrally sponsored farm schemes in the state.
He said that if Nitish Kumar was so concerned about Prime Minister’s plan to augment farmers’ income, why he did not implement the schemes sanctioned by the central government for the welfare of farmers and growth of the agriculture sector in Bihar. He further added that the state had still not submitted the report on funds spent on farm schemes so far and the CM very tactfully always dodge the questions on progress of agri-schemes in the state.
Sharing data of funds unspent by the state, the minister said that the Centre had under micro-irrigation scheme granted Rs 35 crore in 2014-15 fiscal and Rs 10 crore in 2016-17 fiscal, but it could not spend Rs 31.71 crore till the end of the year 2016-17. Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana, about Rs 10.8 crore was unutilised though Rs 18.60 crore was granted during 2015-16. In 2016-17, Rs 21.60 crore was released, out of which Rs 10.8 crore was unspent.
Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, out of the amount given in the last three years, Rs 143.22 crore was not utilised. Even under National Food Security Mission, funds have been unutilised, he added.