Pawar denies misappropriation of funds in Rs52,000-crore farm debt-waiver scheme

Seeking a more comprehensive audit by CAG, into the farm debt-waiver scheme, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar ruled out any "misappropriation" of funds under the Rs52,000-crore scheme, PTI reported today.

Pawar said the sample size taken for auditing was "too small", and asked for audit of a "significant" number of accounts by Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

"Government of India has taken the decision and money has been sent to banks. Accounts and beneficiary list has been selected by banks under the supervision of RBI and NABARD. Money has directly been transfered to accounts. Where is the question of misappropriation?" Pawar told reporters in New Delhi.

Pawar's comments come in the wake of CAG finding several shortcomings in the scheme's implementation. According to the report, the CAG had pointed out thousands of beneficiaries were not eligible while those eligible were denied the benefits.

The minister, however, did not rule out some possibility of exclusion of eligible farmers and inclusion of non-eligible farmers in the beneficiary list prepared by banks.

"We have to understand out of 3.7 crore accounts, CAG has taken sample of 90,576 accounts. That means 0.25 per cent accounts have been audited. With such a big scheme announced throughout India, coming to conclusion with such small figure! I think I should get more information," Pawar said.