Guwahati: The Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and wife’s ₹10 crore subsidy controversy refers to allegations made by the Congress party that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, received a ₹10 crore subsidy from the Government of India under the Kisan Sampada scheme.
The Congress party released a document from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries website which showed that a company called Pride East Entertainments Private Limited, with Riniki Bhuyan Sarma as the lead promoter, had been approved for a ₹10 crore subsidy under the scheme.
Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi Gaurav Gogoi alleged in a social media post that the website of the Ministry of Food Processing shows that the CM’s wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma’s firm Pride East Entertainments Private Limited has received ₹10 crore as part of credit credit-linked subsidy.
He alleged that Himanta Biswa Sarma had used his influence as Chief Minister to help his wife’s company get the subsidy. They also questioned whether central government schemes were meant to enrich BJP members.
Himanta Biswa Sarma denied the allegations, saying that neither his wife nor her company had ever received any subsidies from the government. He also said that the Congress party was trying to malign him and his family for political reasons.
The controversy has led to a war of words between the BJP and the Congress party. The BJP has accused the Congress party of spreading misinformation and trying to defame the Chief Minister. The Congress party has hit back, saying that they are only raising questions about transparency and accountability.
The controversy has also raised questions about the Kisan Sampada scheme itself. The scheme is designed to help farmers by providing them with subsidies for setting up food processing units. However, there have been allegations that the scheme has been misused by some companies to get subsidies for non-agricultural purposes.
The Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and wife’s ₹10 crore subsidy controversy is still ongoing. It is unclear whether Riniki Bhuyan Sarma’s company actually received the subsidy, and if so, whether it was eligible for it. The controversy has also highlighted the need for more transparency and accountability in government schemes.