MFMB scam : Dalal: Benefit for bajra farmers withheld due to irregularities

Deepender Deswal

Hisar, January 13

Agriculture Minister Jai Prakash Dalal has said after detection of irregularities in the registration of bajra crop on the Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB) portal, the government had withheld the release of benefit under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojna (BBY) to farmers.

Addressing a public meeting at Chahar Kalan village in Bhiwani last evening, he said there had been complaints of irregularities and fraud in the registration of bajra crop on the portal. “There are some common service centre (CSC) owners, and technology-savvy persons who indulged in this fraud,” he said.

Fraudsters will face consequences

There are many persons from Chahar Kalan and Bahal villages in the district who got trapped by these fraudsters for small benefit. But whosoever tries to dupe the government will face the consequences. —Jai Prakash Dalal, Agriculture Minister

“There are many persons from Chahar Kalan and Bahal villages in the district who got trapped by these fraudsters for small benefit. But whosoever tries to dupe the government will face the consequences,” he said, urging farmers not to fall into such a trap.

“I will request the Chief Minister to give relief to farmers facing criminal cases and arrest the actual perpetrators of the crime,” he said. “We are also in a spot as there are large-scale irregularities in bajra registration. We have to withhold the payment to the actual beneficiaries under the scheme,” he added.

As per information, the Bhiwani police had registered 10 FIRs against known and unknown persons at the police stations of Loharu, Bahal, Siwani, Tosham and Bhiwani. The fraud was committed in the registration of bajra crop in the kharif season 2021 and 2022, and subsequently, claiming the BBY benefit from the government. The frauds were mainly committed at Chahar Kalan, Pahari, Mandoli Kalan, Jhulli, Saral, Dariyapur, Miran, Barsi and Ghuskani villages.

Sources said the police had so far arrested 23 persons in these cases and many persons, including farmers, were facing an inquiry in the case.