PMKSNY scam: Over 3,500 fake entries in Pudukkottai district

In a quick follow-up, officials have also recovered Rs 11.50 lakh of the siphoned funds from them and the process was continuing to get back the balance amount also.

Sources said that after the scam in the PMKSNY scheme came to light in 13 northern districts, a statewide inquiry was conducted by the State agri department. As part of the drive, officials verified all the 1.38 lakh persons, who received the dole under the scheme in Pudukkottai district. The officials said that a fund of Rs 200 crore has been credited into the accounts of these farmers so far. The officials also found that around 16,000 farmers applied for the benefit under the scheme from April this year. However, out of the total number of farmers, 3500 were found to be non-farmers and around Rs 1.75 crore has been disbursed to these farmers so far, the officials said.

“We have so far recovered an amount of Rs 11.50 lakh from the non-farmers and steps are being undertaken to recover the remaining amount also with the support of police and agriculture department”, said one of the officials involved in the inquiry. He said that the inquiry was continuing and the number of fake entries could be confirmed only after the completion of the inquiry. Entire amount that has been disbursed to ineligible persons would be fully recovered.