Distribution of agricultural subsidies to private organizations in Far West against the law

Dhangadhi: The Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Sudurpaschim Province in Nepal has been found to be distributing agricultural subsidies in a manner that is against the law. The Agricultural Knowledge Center under the Ministry aims to promote new technologies and discoveries in the agricultural sector to build a self-sufficient economy. However, an investigation has revealed that the Krishi Gyan Kendra Dadeldhura spent 868,000 Nepalese Rupees, including a contingency of 40,000, on a building construction project with a savings and credit cooperative organization that operates outside the agricultural sector.

The Auditor General's report states that subsidies should not be given to non-agricultural organizations that make a profit. The Agricultural Development Program Implementation Procedure of Far West Province 2076 specifies that subsidies can only be given to those who have completed the specified process. But it has been discovered that the Krishi Gyan Kendra Kanchanpur provided 54 lakh 43 thousand Nepalese Rupees in subsidies to private profit-making industries to construct buildings on land owned by individuals. This was done in violation of the provision that private firms cannot be given subsidies for personal gain.

Moreover, Krishi Gyan Kendra Kanchanpur gave subsidies to 11 model agricultural groups, even for current nature materials, which goes against point number 3 of the Chief Minister's Integrated Agriculture and Livestock Development Program Operating Procedures 2076. This program stipulates that a minimum of 60 percent of the capital and a maximum of 40 percent of the capital will be transferred by construction or purchase through a limited company, while other activities will be 100 percent community investment.

It appears that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, along with its subordinate offices, has compromised the implementation of plans and grants, contravening laws, rules, and procedures. The overdue deposit amount is 1 crore 91 lakh 41 thousand Nepalese Rupees. The investigation has revealed a total of 60 million 13 lakh 20 thousand Nepalese Rupees in overdue deposits from agencies under the ministry.