90% of farmers fund used to fuel cars for bureaucrats, not crops in Madhya Pradesh: CAG
New Delhi: A fund meant to aid farmers in need has instead been largely used to fuel and maintain government vehicles for five years in Madhya Pradesh, according to a damning report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
In a revelation made in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, the CAG disclosed that the Fertilizer Development Fund (FDF), intended to support farmers' welfare, was diverted to cover vehicle-related expenses for bureaucrats. The report, published by NDTV on Friday, highlighted that between 2017-18 and 2021-22, nearly 90% of the Rs 5.31 crore fund—Rs 4.79 crore—was spent on vehicles, drivers' salaries, and maintenance at state and district levels.
Only a meager Rs 5.10 lakh went toward actual benefits for farmers, such as fertiliser subsidies during natural calamities, training, or agricultural equipments.
The expenditure breakdown showed that Rs 2.77 crore was spent at the state level, with Rs 2.25 crore allocated to just 20 vehicles. The CAG criticised the misuse of the FDF, pointing out that its primary purpose was to provide vital assistance to farmers, improve fertiliser management, and strengthen Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)—not to become a transport budget.
Furthermore, the CAG revealed that the MP State Cooperative Marketing Federation (Markfed) failed to pass on supplier rebates on Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Muriate of Potash (MOP) fertilisers, burdening them with an extra Rs 10.50 crore. In 2021-22, Markfed incurred a Rs 4.38 crore loss from buying fertilisers at high rates and selling them to farmers at lower prices, ultimately costing taxpayers, added the report.
Defending the vehicle-related expenses, the Cooperation Department’s principal secretary reportedly claimed in February 2024 that the vehicles were necessary for "monitoring and supervision" of fertiliser distribution.
However, the CAG rejected this justification, stating that the expenses were unacceptable and had overshadowed the FDF's actual priorities.
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4 held for sexually assaulting woman, girl on moving bus after social media alert in UP's Agra
Agra (UP) (PTI): Four people were arrested, after a prompt response by police following a social media alert, for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and a girl inside a moving bus here, officials said on Tuesday.
According to an official police statement, at 12:27 am on April 27, information was received on the social media platform X about an incident of sexual assault on a bus travelling from Kanpur to Ahmedabad, which was approaching Namner crossing in Agra.
Acting under the direction of Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar, the Agra Police social media team immediately alerted the Rakabganj police station within minutes and coordinated with the victims to confirm the incident and obtain the exact location, it stated.
Police teams launched intensive checking at Namner crossing and intercepted the bus as it reached the spot. The four accused involved in the incident were apprehended on the spot, and legal action was initiated against them, the statement said.
The police said the swift response and coordination between the social media team and field units ensured timely action, bringing relief to the victims and other passengers, who expressed gratitude towards the police, it added.
