1 month ago
Minister Refunds Rs 99 Lakh Horticulture Subsidy
A minister named Bhagirath Choudhary got a big money help from a government program to grow cucumbers.
He gave the money back to the bank, which then returned it to the program.
The government said this to a parliament member who asked if ministers can get such help.
They also said the rules don’t say a minister must step aside when applying.
The program can give up to half the cost of a farm project, but not more than 1 crore rupees per family.
Another minister, Lumba Ram, also got help from the same program in 2025.
The government wants to keep everything clear and fair.
Bhagirath Choudhary refunded the Rs 99 lakh subsidy he received for his cucumber farm under the National Horticulture Board scheme.
The refund was directed to the bank, which was instructed to return the amount to the NHB.
The government also disclosed that BJP MP Lumba Ram received NHB assistance in 2025, and that other ministers and MPs had received assistance in the past five years.
Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur answered a query from MP Abhishek Banerjee about conflict‑of‑interest safeguards, noting that NHB guidelines lack specific provisions on recusal for public officials.
The NHB scheme offers up to 50% subsidy of project cost, capped at Rs 1 crore per family, and is open to various legal entities subject to eligibility conditions.
- Who
- Bhagirath Choudhary, Ramnath Thakur, Abhishek Banerjee, Lumba Ram
- What
- Refund of a Rs 99 lakh subsidy received under the National Horticulture Board scheme
- Where
- Ajmer and Sirohi, Rajasthan; National Horticulture Board
- When
- Parliamentary reply on Tuesday, 2024-07-30
- Why
- To comply with policy and address conflict‑of‑interest concerns
Key facts
- Minister
- Bhagirath Choudhary
- Subsidy Amount
- Rs 99 lakh
- Scheme
- National Horticulture Board
- Refunded By
- Bhagirath Choudhary
- Bank
- NHB financing bank
- Subsidy Cap
- Rs 1 crore per family
- Subsidy Percentage
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Conflict of Interest Guidelines
- None specified
Quotes
Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur
Government minister responding to Lok Sabha query
“Financial assistance under the National Horticulture Board (NHB) schemes is provided in the form of credit‑linked back‑ended capital investment subsidy to eligible farmers and entrepreneurs for development of commercial horticulture, protected cultivation, post‑harvest management and cold chain infrastructure.”
NDTV
“Bhagirath Choudhary has communicated that he has refunded the subsidy to the bank concerned under the scheme. The concerned bank has been directed to return the subsidy amount to NHB (National Horticulture Board).”
telegraphindia.com
deccanchronicle.com
NDTV
Sources
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