Ashok Gehlot Alleges ‘New Model of Corruption’, by Union Ministers
He referred to Union MoS for Agriculture and Bhagirath Choudhary receiving a subsidy of 99 lakh for his cucumber farm under a scheme by his own ministry
Jaipur: Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday alleged a "new model of corruption" and conflict of interest in the Modi government, claiming recent developments pointed to preferential treatment for politicians and bureaucrats.
Referring to a media report alleging that Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary received a subsidy of 99 lakh under a scheme by his own ministry and approved by a board in which he is ex-officio vice-president, Gehlot said the allegations were serious.
Choudhary, who represents the Ajmer Lok Sabha constituency, is from Rajasthan.
"Yet another major instance of a new model of corruption and 'conflict of interest' under the Modi government has come to light, involving allegations against a Union Minister and an IAS officer serving in the central government," Gehlot said.
"What would you call it when a Union Minister of State for Agriculture himself gets a subsidy of nearly one crore rupees sanctioned for his own farm under a scheme of his own ministry? On one hand, an ordinary farmer has to run from office to office to get benefits, and on the other hand, ministers and favoured officials receive government largesse worth crores," he alleged.
Gehlot questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence over the alleged scams linked to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and the union minister.
"Why is the man who coined the slogan 'Na Khaunga Na Khane Dunga' silent today on this blatant misconduct by his own ministers? The people of the country are witnessing this double standard," he said.
