Crop insurance claims being 'fraudulently' processed in Haryana: Kumari Selja

Chandigarh, Jul 13 (PTI) Congress MP from Sirsa and former Union minister Kumari Selja on Monday alleged that crop insurance claims were fraudulently processed in the names of deceased farmers in Haryana and demanded a high-level independent probe into the matter. In a statement, Selja termed the alleged fraud a "serious betrayal" of farmers and the administrative system. Referring to media reports, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) member alleged that in Hisar district, crop insurance claims worth crores of rupees were processed in the names of deceased farmers through the alleged connivance of Common Service Centre (CSC) operators, village numberdars, insurance agents and some agriculture department officials. "If government records can be manipulated to show deceased farmers as living beneficiaries, it reflects a grave failure of administrative oversight," she said. Selja alleged that the case pointed to deep-rooted corruption in the state administration and added to a series of alleged irregularities under the BJP government. She also referred to reported banking irregularities, paddy procurement and payment issues, alleged financial irregularities in various departments and alleged irregularities in development works in Sirsa. The Congress leader said farmers were already facing rising input costs, erratic weather and declining returns. "If a scheme meant to protect farmers is itself misused through fraud, it amounts to a grave injustice," she said, questioning how such alleged irregularities continued for years without detection. Selja demanded a time-bound independent inquiry into the alleged fraud and sought strict legal action against all those found responsible, including officials, CSC operators, insurance agents and others involved. She also called for a special audit of crop insurance claims across Haryana over the past few years to ascertain whether similar irregularities had taken place elsewhere. The Congress MP said the state government should ensure accountability instead of merely making statements on corruption, adding that farmers and the people of Haryana should know how long public welfare schemes would remain vulnerable to alleged misuse. PTI VSD DV DV