Bhagirath Choudhary Subsidy Row: Opposition Alleges Conflict Of Interest Over 99 Lakh Grant

A major political controversy has erupted in Rajasthan following reports of a government subsidy worth approximately 99 lakh rupees being granted to a cucumber farm owned by Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Bhagirath Choudhary. The opposition Congress party has launched a scathing attack on the minister, labeling the incident as a classic case of conflict of interest and a betrayal of the common farmer's rights. Senior leaders including former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Govind Singh Dotasra, and Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully have demanded an impartial investigation into the matter.

The Core of the Controversy

The dispute centers around a polyhouse cucumber farm located in the Padukalan area of Didwana-Kuchaman district. According to media reports, the National Horticulture Board (NHB) approved a 50 percent subsidy amounting to nearly 99 lakh rupees for commercial farming at this site. The controversy is intensified by the fact that Bhagirath Choudhary serves as the Union Minister of State in the very ministry that oversees the NHB, and he's also the ex-officio Vice Chairman of the board that sanctioned the scheme, while this dual role has led to allegations that the minister used his position to benefit his personal business interests while ordinary farmers struggle to access similar benefits.

Ashok Gehlot Slams 'New Model of Corruption'

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took to social media to express his concerns, calling it a significant example of a conflict of interest within the Modi government, while gehlot stated that when a Minister of State for Agriculture approves a subsidy of nearly 1 crore rupees for his own farm from a scheme under his own ministry, it raises serious ethical questions. He pointed out the disparity where common farmers exhaust themselves running between government offices for small benefits, while ministers and families of favored officials receive multi-million rupee favors from the state exchequer.

Govind Singh Dotasra and Tika Ram Jully Join the Attack

PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra was equally sharp in his criticism, describing the situation as a direct loot of farmers' rights, while he questioned the morality of a minister holding the position of Vice Chairman of the board that approved his own subsidy. Dotasra argued that this benefit could have gone to a needy and deserving farmer whose rights have now been usurped. He directly challenged the Prime Minister to clarify if an impartial probe would be conducted. Similarly, Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully took a dig at the BJP's 'Na Khaunga, Na Khane Dunga' slogan, suggesting that corruption has become a protected system under the current regime. He referred to the incident as a 'mega scam' in cucumber subsidies and questioned the silence of the top leadership.

Minister Bhagirath Choudhary's Defense

In response to the mounting allegations, Union Minister Bhagirath Choudhary has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he followed all legal procedures as a common farmer. He clarified that he has been involved in agriculture since childhood and has nothing to hide. The minister explained that he applied for the subsidy in 2018, a time when he didn't hold his current ministerial position. He emphasized that thousands of farmers across the country work with polyhouse subsidies and he's no different. To demonstrate transparency, he mentioned that he has installed a large board at his farm detailing the bank loan and the subsidy received. He also stated that he uses the facility to train local farmers in new technologies and natural farming, and that local officials have regularly inspected the site.

Broader Implications and Allegations

The controversy has also touched upon other beneficiaries, with reports suggesting that family members of a senior IAS officer have also received benefits under the same scheme. The total amount sanctioned for the minister's farm is reported to be 9900000 rupees under the commercial farming promotion scheme of the National Horticulture Board. As the political temperature rises in Rajasthan, the opposition continues to demand accountability, while the minister maintains that the process was entirely transparent and initiated long before his appointment to the ministry.

#WATCH | Ajmer, Rajasthan: On a media report that his own ministry gave him Rs 99-lakh subsidy, under a scheme, for his cucumber farm, MoS Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary says, "I am a farmer and have been in agriculture since my childhood days...I have not hidden anything.… pic.twitter.com/c8dk0f3D7h

— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2026