New Delhi, Feb 4 (UNI) Asserting that the government is committed towards the welfare of farmers and would not tolerate any irregularities, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday warned of strict action against those involved in corruption.

Replying to a question raised by NCP-SP member from Baramati Supriya Sule during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, Chouhan said that payments are being made to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana without any delay.

Sule said the Maharashtra Agriculture Minister had on record made a statement that there had been Rs 500 cr corruption in the PM Fasal Bima Yojana. And an MLA of the ruling party had corrected the corruption amount as Rs 5,000 cr.

“I want to know whether the Maharashtra minister has informed about the corruption to the Union government and whether you will order an investigation into the matter,” she said.

The Minister, while responding to the member’s allegation, said he was not aware about the matter as was being informed by the member.

Stating that he was not aware about the actual position, Chouhan said, “I want to inform the farmers of the country through you that if there are any irregularities and if it is proven, then those involved will not be spared and this is our commitment”.

He further informed, “The Maharashtra government had also taken several steps for implementation of the Fasal Bima Yojana. In the state 80:110 model has been implemented. I again assure the House that if there are any irregularities, there will be an investigation and anybody found guilty will not be spared”. UNI RBE SSP