Gogoi alleges 'political favouritism' in govt schemes, Himanta dismisses charge

Guwahati, Jun 28 (PTI) Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday alleged that kin and associates of lawmakers of the ruling dispensation were getting benefits of a government scheme, and were even allocated Gir cows which were specially brought for another state-funded project, depriving genuine beneficiaries.

Sarma, however, claimed that the high-yield Gir cows were bought by the allocated persons on request of the project as these cows were not surviving in this northeastern state.

Gogoi, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requested a review of beneficiaries of the Assistance to Entrepreneur for Establishment of Commercial Dairy Farming (2022-23) in Assam.

Gogoi, also the Deputy Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, noted that the scheme receives substantial financial support from the Assam government and each unit is eligible for up to Rs 50 lakh in subsidy, with the objective to promote genuine entrepreneurship in the dairy sector.

"However, multiple reports and official documentation point to irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries. Several recipients of the scheme's benefits appear to be family members or associates of ministers and MLAs in the state government, while dairy farmers, particularly in districts like Bongaigaon, have reportedly been overlooked despite having applied multiple times and fulfilling the eligibility requirements," he said in the letter.

The exclusion of experienced dairy entrepreneurs raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of the selection process, he added.

"Equally alarming is the response from the chief minister of Assam, who chose to justify the inclusion of ministers' family members in the list of dairy scheme beneficiaries," Gogoi said, referring to Sarma's statement that the ministers' families will need a source of income when out of power.

He maintained that this "open endorsement of political favouritism" has fuelled public outrage for undermining the constitutional values of equality and justice.

It also reflects a breach of the oath of office, which obliges public representatives to act impartially and in the public interest, he added.

Gogoi also mentioned the Gorukhuti agricultural project, funded through public money and intended for community benefit, which has also come under scrutiny.

Referring to the procurement of Gir cows for the project and allotment of several of these high-yield cattle to private parties, the Congress leader said, "Official records indicate that these were allocated to several elected representatives, including the firm owned by the wife of Jayanta Malla Baruah (cabinet minister and Nalbari MLA), Bhupen Pegu (Jonai MLA), Utpal Borah (Gohpur MLA), Diganta Kalita (Kamalpur MLA), and Dilip Saikia (MP)." Saikia is also the president of the state BJP unit.

"If politically connected individuals are allowed to siphon off benefits meant for the poor, we risk alienating the very people these schemes are meant to uplift," he said, urging the PM to initiate an inquiry.

The state Congress president had earlier raised the matter on X and alleged that Rs 50 lakh of taxpayers' money was handed to a minister for his private dairy farm.

Meanwhile, asked about the issue of allocation of Gir cows to politically connected persons, Sarma said these were brought by NDBB for the Gorukhuti project.

"These cows started dying one by one. MLA Padma Hazarika, who is associated with the project, requested these people and they bought the cows. In fact, we should thank them for buying, else there were no takers for these sick cattle," he said.

He said that he could not sleep for 7-10 days, thinking of ways to sell the cows.

Sarma lashed out at the media, claiming that it had taken the matter of cow allocation to "cattle auction" level by questioning were these Gir cows were sold following due procedure, like tendering or auction as is done in case of government property.

"You all may hate BJP, but don't stoop to such a level. When rhinos were killed, even then you all were not so concerned," he claimed.

The chief minister said that if people were ready to buy cows in auction in the state, the government has "thousands", seized while being illegally smuggled into Bangladesh.

"In Mankachar, there are thousands of cows. If you have people willing to buy in auction, let me know," he said, adding that the concept is of 'gau daan' (cattle donation) in the state.

He said the government has to request the 'gaushalas' to take in the seized cattle for free, and at times even pay for its upkeep.

Sarma claimed that 1,450 cattle were illegally slaughtered in Dhubri and there was no discussion on it.

Continuing to target the media, he alleged that the journalists do not ask questions about Facebook accounts being operated from Pakistan.

"I am saying that the Facebook account of Assam Youth Congress is run from Saudi Arabia. These issues are related to the nation, security. But these are little discussed," Sarma added. PTI SSG SSG ACD