Farmers Deceived in Power Tiller Subsidy Scheme in Kailari Rural Municipality

Dhangadhi – Farmers in Kailari Rural Municipality of Kailali have been deceived in a scheme promising power tillers with a 75 percent subsidy.

Despite assurances that power tillers would be provided by collecting only 25 percent of the cost from farmers, it was found that over 50 percent of the amount was collected.

Moreover, only a few farmers have received power tillers, leaving most without the promised equipment despite paying the money. The scam involves several individuals, including the personal secretary of a provincial assembly member, local people's representatives, and teachers, who were involved in collecting funds under the guise of providing subsidized power tillers.

The organization Suro Nepal had initially proposed to distribute power tillers with a 25 percent contribution from farmers and a 75 percent investment from the organization. However, it was discovered that more than 50 percent of the cost was collected from the farmers.

Shankar Chaudhary, the private secretary of Provincial Assembly member Ghanshyam Chaudhary, admitted to facilitating the collection of funds at the rate of NPR 117,000 per farmer. Despite these collections, only a limited number of farmers received the power tillers.

Teachers were also implicated in the scandal. Ajay Kumar Chaudhary, a teacher at Janata Mavi, confessed to collecting money from six farmers at NPR 100,000 per person. He noted that while five individuals received power tillers, he did not receive one. Similarly, Vinod Chaudhary, a teacher at Janaki Mavi in Kailari, collected funds from 35 farmers under a scheme managed by Yogesh Yogi, president of the Child Empowerment Organization.

The issue came to light when aggrieved farmers filed complaints at the district administration office in Kailali. The rural municipality has since called for the return of the collected funds.

Investigations revealed that local cooperative organizations, people's representatives, local leaders, activists, and teachers of political parties were involved in the financial manipulations.

The incident highlights significant financial irregularities and exploitation of farmers in Kailari Rural Municipality, raising concerns about the integrity of subsidy schemes and the accountability of those involved.