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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Karnataka govt seeks agency to manage rural drinking water units: Minister
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said the state government is working to appoint an agency to manage clean drinking water units in rural areas.
The state Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister was responding to a question by Hirekerur MLA U B Banakar in the legislative assembly.
"In the rural areas of the state, many clean drinking water units have been set up under corporate social responsibility (CSR) grants, including contributions by MLAs and MPs, and handed over to gram panchayats. After the maintenance period, problems have arisen in keeping these units operational," Priyank said.
He added that a proposal has been made to award a maintenance contract to one of the country’s reputed drinking water unit manufacturing companies, but so far, no companies have come forward to take up the work.
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"The government is continuing its efforts and will resolve this problem soon," he said.
On a query regarding fluoride content in water, the minister said water quality testing is being conducted monthly in all zilla panchayats.
"Laboratories have been opened for this purpose. Around 6.5 lakh water samples have been tested across the state, and water testing kits have been provided to villages," he added.
