Hazaribagh | Updated: June 21, 2023 11:50 IST Equipment dumped in Hazaribagh; Churchu resident Lalji Thakur, whose Aadhaar veribcation shows a different photo. (Express photo by Abhishek Angad) Aadhaar cards being misused to create beneficiaries, new equipment gathering dust, farmers not even aware that money has been collected by private companies in their name, case after case of fraud: this marks the implementation by the JMM- Congress-RJD government of “Per Drop More Crop,” a key element of an ambitious Central micro-irrigation scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, an investigation by The Indian Express has revealed.
However, on the ground, in one of Jharkhand’s largest blocks — Chouparan in Hazaribagh — and two neighbouring blocks Churchu and Ichak, the scheme, for many farmers, is only on paper. Indeed, of the 94 farmers here whom the state government claims are beneficiaries of the scheme in 2022-23, only 17 said they were actually using drip irrigation. Each micro-irrigation unit — which includes pipes for drawing water from the source, lateral tubes, a sand filter and a motor – costs upwards of Rs 50,000 for each acre of land.
The Indian Express visited 53 listed beneficiaries in Chouparan, 16 in Churchu, and 25 in Ichak. As many as 60 said they were “misled” into signing up for the scheme or had micro-irrigation equipment just dumped in their farms, and 17 said they did not know how their name made it to the list of beneficiaries. When contacted, Jharkhand’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives Badal Patralekh said: “I will initiate action based on the information provided.
Any person who commits wrongdoing in non-implementation or ineffective implementation of state or central government schemes will not be spared. I need success stories at any cost, which means implementation at the ground level… Till now, none of the farmers have complained.” 68 murdered in Maliana, all accused acquitted 36 years later, residents ask: So who killed our families?
In appeal, Rahul says was mistreated, sentenced to attract Drip irrigation equipment lies unused at the home of a benebciary in Chouparan’s Poro village. The scheme – under which farmers in Jharkhand are required to pay just 10 per cent of the cost of equipment, the Centre funds a third of the cost and the state government the balance – is especially crucial ahead of the sowing season.
Going by the state government’s records, in 2022-23, Jharkhand achieved its highest-ever coverage of 6,049 hectares under this scheme with an estimated expenditure of Rs 49.73 crore, benefiting 8,960 farmers. 53rd Kerala State Film Awards: Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam named Best Film; Mammootty, Vincy Aloshious bag top honours This restaurant in Jordan allows customers to nap after eating a meal But a visit to these three blocks threw up several irregularities.
Consider these: Man tries to fat-shame woman on flight by tweeting her photo; Arjun Singh, Ingunia village, Chouparan block. Agriculture department records Mohit India’s Jharkhand in-charge Yatindra Tripathi said: “I have understood the issues. Let me get back to you.” He did not respond to calls and messages seeking his comment on specific examples. Don't miss | Express Investigation: A robust verification process — just on Lalji Thakur, Lasodh village, Churchu block.
Agriculture department records installation done by Balson Polyplast Pvt Limited. Thakur said he has less than an 'Bazball' comes to subcontinent: Pakistan change their game acre and no knowledge of drip irrigation. In his 70s, he said, “Some men in my village asked for my Aadhaar card, saying I would receive benefits from a scheme. I did not apply, and do not know other details.”
Express Impact | Jharkhand govt forms panel to probe irrigation scheme Suresh Kumar, the Jharkhand in-charge of Balson Polyplast, said: “We are conducting training in many areas for farmers. We have got instances of farmers Who is accountable in Manipur? applying for the first year, and the second year their family members apply. However, there are no fake beneficiaries as far as Balson is concerned.”
He did not comment on specific examples. Nitu Kumari, Bhusai village, Ichak block. Her 0.8 hectares are covered under the They were not aware of the scheme. Her mother Anita Devi said: “Nitu got married UCC: How BJP, RSS position has changed since Independence a few months ago. A person from the village asked for my daughter’s Aadhaar card, promising some benefits. He said that at some point I will need to stand with the card on some agricultural land, claiming we do farming.
I wasn’t comfortable, but we didn’t receive any call for verification. We don’t have agricultural land under drip nor have I taken or given anything on lease under drip.” Nitu’s father Krishna Prasad Mehta called it “a clear misuse of Aadhaar”. Don't miss | In Jharkhand, thousands sit for a look-in at ‘quality English medium’ schooling – for free Nutrition alert: Here’s what a 100gram serving of peanuts contains Sentu Kumar Singh, Bonga Panchayat, Ichak block.
He is shown to be a How do mirrorless cameras work? Bonga panchayat Mukhiya Umesh Mehta confirmed, “There is no Sentu Kumar Singh in my panchayat. I don’t know how approval of a family tree or Vanshavali was done based on the panchayat’s recommendation.” 'Bazball' comes to change their game Virat Kohli scores 29th Test century in 500th international match for In Bhusai village, many such instances stood out.
Anil Mehta, the husband of panchayat member Nitu Kumari in Ward 9, said: “No one in my village does drip farming, and none have taken land on lease where drip farming is being done. Also, farmers need to be given a recommendation letter and the panchayat has to attest to the Vanshavali (family tree). I haven’t attested anyone’s form. If it has been done, then it is a fraud.” Mukhiya Nishu Kumari’s husband Abhishek Kumar also denied attesting any application forms.
“It is fraud if applications are signed by middlemen themselves,” Jharkhand in-charge of Irrilink Industries Satya Pal said: “We are in the process to get farmers’ training done and if there are fake beneficiaries, I will get it checked from my level first.” Asked about specific examples, he said: “I will get it checked after speaking to the farmers.” Karthik Singh, Ingunia village, Chouparan block.
Records show 0.8 hectares of How do mirrorless cameras work? Reasons why you should consider We will be a house of brands… local relevance will be core, says CCO of 'Show me vegan-friendly starters': Swiggy's AI feature will find the perfect dish for you Nutrition alert: Here’s what a 100-gram serving of peanuts contains farmers struggle to get a constant supply of water. I have no clue how they verified This restaurant in Jordan allows customers to nap after eating a meal my farm area with drip installed.”
His farm has no equipment either. Dayanand Kumar, Bhusai village, Ichak block. Records show 1.2 hectares under Man tries to fat-shame woman on flight by tweeting her photo; Crocodile spotted roaming on road in Rajasthan’s Kota and Gujarat’s Talala after monsoon rain. accidentally locks himself in car, his father did this to avert a tragedy ‘How bad is job market’: Bengaluru startup CEO receives over 3,000 resumes in 48 hours!
“Yes, I farm using drip.” He refused to share more details. As per records, Bela panchayat in Chouparan is supposed to have 20 beneficiaries with 11.279 hectares under drip irrigation, with installation having 4 held; CM says will move for capital punishment activism has never interfered with my work, says lecturer targeted for post on Chandrayaan3 or at least dropped at the farms, none of the farmers were using the system, with many claiming they had instead been promised a solar panel water pump.
Ranjeet Kumar Dangi, a kisan mitra in the panchayat, and two of his relatives are Messi surprises team mate in group chat ahead of grand among the listed beneficiaries. Kisan mitra is a post created by the state government to help farmers access schemes. Dangi said his reputation has been tarnished because of “fake promises” made by the private company representative. “That person lured us by saying he has come from the central government and that the panchayat has been ‘adopted’ for five years.
He told us we are getting a subsidy Onana confirms Inter departure for ‘new journey in Manchester’ arrests Aligarh Muslim University student ‘working as ISIS of 90% on solar water pumps as well as the drip system. We convened a meeting with farmers… The company installed drip in February but no solar pumps. Plus, no one trained us on how to use this system.” Mukhiya Mamata Kumari, who is related to Dangi, said: “Why would a farmer pay even 10% of his hard-earned money on a system for which he has no use.
No one is using it, some products are just lying at home. We are not able to contact the person concerned as his phone is switched off.” Makknow Industries Jharkhand in-charge Sacchidanand Mishra said: “Yes, we have installed in Bela panchayat and if any false promises have been made by our agents, we will take corrective action.” Similarly, at Banau village under Padariya panchayat in Chouparan, 15 beneficiaries are supposed to have 10.62 hectares under drip irrigation at a cost of no oxygen: audits ;ag gaps in Bihar’s process — ...
Since 2014, 4-fold jump in ED cases 95% are from IE100: The list of Said farmer Ram Kumar Singh: “Sab khol ke rakh diya hai (I have removed the system and kept it aside). I have 1.8 acres of land in parcels and the company installed a water pipe without a sand filter 15 days ago. They poured water through a bottle and took a video of me saying the drip was functioning very properly,”
Singh said, adding that he was “lured into this scheme with the promise of a water